Dribbble vs Behance vs Jobbers.io for Designers

By the Jobbers Editorial Team · Published October 2026 · Last reviewed October 2026

Ask ten designers where they find clients and you’ll hear the same two names over and over: Dribbble and Behance. Both are brilliant places to show work. Both have turned into hiring marketplaces over the last couple of years. And both now take a cut when money changes hands through them, unless you pay for a subscription.

That last part is what pushed us to write this comparison. Our team went through the official fee pages, help-center articles and announcements of each platform in October 2026, and the picture is more nuanced than most “best portfolio site” lists suggest. Below we compare Dribbble, Behance and jobbers.io on what actually matters to a working designer: visibility, fees, how you get paid, and how much control you keep over the client relationship.

Important notice: All prices, fees and statistics in this article were checked against official sources in October 2026. Platforms change their pricing and terms frequently, and fees can vary by country, currency and billing cycle. Please verify every number and condition directly on each platform’s official website before making financial or legal decisions. This article is for general information only and is not legal, tax or financial advice.

The short answer

If you want inspiration, community and a polished showcase, Dribbble and Behance are still hard to beat. If you want to land paid work without giving a percentage of every invoice to a platform, and you’d rather agree on payment terms directly with your client, a commission-free marketplace like jobbers.io is worth adding to the mix. Most designers we talk to don’t choose one. They use a portfolio site for reach and a marketplace for freelance jobs.

Quick comparison table (October 2026)

Criteria	Dribbble	Behance	Jobbers.io
Owner / background	Founded in 2009; now owned by Tiny	Owned by Adobe since 2012	Independent, commission-free freelance marketplace
Main focus	Shots (single visuals), UI/UX, branding, illustration	Full case-study projects across all creative fields	Freelance jobs across design, development, marketing, writing and more
Free plan	Yes	Yes	Yes (free to join)
Paid plans	Pro Lite $4/mo, Pro Standard $8/mo, Pro Plus $99/mo	Behance Pro from $9.99/mo (annual commitment; varies by region)	Paid credits to send proposals
Designer platform fee (free plan)	Graduated: 10% / 7% / 4% depending on project size	Scaled fee charged to the freelancer (e.g. 5% on the first $500)	0% commission
Client platform fee	Graduated: 5% / 3.5% / 2% (+$2 under $100)	Scaled fee charged to the client (e.g. 10% on the first $500)	0% commission
Payment processing	2.9% + $0.30 (Stripe)	Stripe 2.9% + $0.30 or PayPal (varies by country)	Agreed directly between freelancer and client
Can you pay / get paid off-platform?	No, except approved Designer Advertisers	Platform payments recommended to benefit from protections	Yes, payment terms are discussed and agreed directly

Sources: Dribbble Help Center and Dribbble blog, Behance Help Center, Jobbers.io. Checked October 2026. Always confirm on the official pages linked below.

Dribbble in 2026: from showcase to lead machine

Dribbble started in 2009 as an invite-only place for designers to post small “shots” of work in progress. That DNA is still there. The feed is fast, visual and heavily skewed toward UI, product design, branding and illustration. If you design apps or websites, a good shot can travel a long way.

What has changed is the business model. In a December 2025 post on its own blog, Dribbble explained that it had reinvented itself as a revenue-sharing marketplace and split its subscription into three tiers: Pro Lite at $4 a month, Pro Standard at $8 a month and Pro Plus at $99 a month. Pro Standard adds a search ranking bonus, client analytics and access to a feed of project briefs. Pro Plus is clearly aimed at agencies.

Dribbble fees, explained simply

According to the official Dribbble Project Fees page, the designer platform fee changed on February 5, 2026 and is now graduated:

10% on the portion of a project up to $500
7% on the portion between $501 and $1,000
4% on anything above $1,000

Clients pay their own graduated fee on top (5%, 3.5% and 2% on the same brackets, plus a flat $2 on projects under $100), and Stripe processing of 2.9% + $0.30 is added at checkout. Dribbble’s own example: on a $2,500 project, a designer without an eligible Pro plan pays $145 in platform fees, while the client pays $72.50 in platform fees plus $74.90 in processing.

Annual Pro Standard and Pro Plus members don’t pay the designer platform fee. That’s a fair deal if you transact a lot on Dribbble. If you only land one or two projects a year there, the maths is less obvious.

The catch: staying on-platform

This is the point many designers miss. Dribbble states plainly that it prohibits disintermediation: clients and designers who meet on Dribbble are expected to keep payments on Dribbble. In the same December 2025 post, the company said only its paying Designer Advertisers may share outside contact details, use an external booking link or transact off-platform. Even Pro Plus subscribers must keep payments on Dribbble. You get payment protection in return, but you also give up control over how and where you’re paid.

Behance in 2026: Adobe’s creative showcase

Behance has been part of Adobe since 2012, and it shows. It’s built for longer case studies: process shots, moodboards, final renders, videos. Photographers, motion designers, 3D artists and illustrators tend to feel more at home here than on Dribbble, and the Adobe Creative Cloud integration makes publishing easy if you already live in Photoshop or Illustrator.

Behance also lets you offer freelance services, send proposals, sell digital assets and get paid through Stripe or PayPal directly on the platform.

Behance fees, explained simply

The Behance fee FAQ confirms that Behance charges a scaled platform fee to both the client and the freelancer, and that the freelancer is also responsible for payment processing (Stripe at 2.9% + $0.30, or PayPal at a rate that depends on the country). Behance’s own worked example is a $600 project: the client pays $57.50 in platform fees and the freelancer pays $27 in platform fees plus about $19.67 in Stripe fees.

The good news: if the freelancer has Behance Pro, platform fees are waived for both sides. Behance Pro starts at $9.99 per month with an annual commitment, and the price varies by region. Pro also includes analytics, password-protected projects and up to five Adobe Portfolio websites. Processing fees from Stripe or PayPal still apply.

Jobbers.io: a commission-free alternative for designers

Jobbers.io takes a different route. It’s not a portfolio community in the Dribbble or Behance sense. It’s an international freelance marketplace where clients post projects and freelancers, including designers, apply to them.

Here is what sets it apart:

0% commission. Jobbers does not take a percentage of what you earn on a project. A $2,500 logo and brand identity job stays a $2,500 job.
You discuss payment directly. Freelancers and clients agree on the price, the payment method, deposits and milestones between themselves. Want 50% upfront by bank transfer? That’s a conversation, not a platform rule.
Paid credits for proposals. Sending proposals uses credits that you purchase. It’s a fixed, predictable cost rather than a cut of your income, but it isn’t free, so pick the projects you apply to carefully.
Not limited to design. Clients often need a designer plus a developer or a copywriter, so cross-discipline projects show up regularly.

One honest trade-off: because payment terms are agreed directly, there’s no built-in escrow protecting you the way Dribbble or Behance checkout does. That’s why we always recommend a short written agreement, a clear scope, and an upfront deposit before you start, especially with new clients.

Which platform should you choose?

Choose Dribbble if…

You’re a UI/UX, product or brand designer who wants to be seen by tech companies and agencies, you’re happy to keep payments on the platform, and you’re likely to transact enough to justify a Pro Standard subscription.

Choose Behance if…

You produce long-form case studies, you work in photography, motion, 3D or illustration, or you’re already deep in Adobe Creative Cloud. Behance Pro is a reasonable investment once you start receiving paid inquiries.

Choose Jobbers.io if…

You want to apply to real client briefs, keep 100% of your project price, and negotiate payment terms your own way. It’s also a sensible complement if you’re tired of fee calculators every time you send a quote.

Our editorial take

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. A showcase profile on Dribbble or Behance builds reputation over time. A commission-free marketplace helps you turn that reputation into income without a middle layer of fees. Link your Dribbble or Behance portfolio inside your jobbers.io profile and you get the best of both.

A quick reality check on the design market

It’s worth knowing the bigger picture before you decide where to invest your time. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, graphic designers held about 253,100 jobs in the United States in 2025, with a median annual wage of $62,960 (May 2025). About 20% were self-employed. BLS projects employment to decline 2% from 2025 to 2035, partly because AI design tools make designers more productive, yet it still expects roughly 16,000 openings per year on average.

In plain terms: competition is real, and the designers who do well are the ones who show strong work in public and keep more of what they earn. That’s exactly why the platform you choose, and its fee structure, matters.

Practical tips to win more design clients in 2026

Lead with case studies, not just pretty images. Clients want to see the problem, your process and the result.
Do the fee maths before quoting. On fee-based platforms, factor platform and processing fees into your rate.
Put it in writing. Scope, revisions, deadlines, ownership of files and payment schedule. Always.
Ask for a deposit. 30% to 50% upfront is common practice for freelance design work negotiated directly.
Keep your profiles consistent. Same name, same photo, same specialty across Dribbble, Behance and Jobbers. It builds trust.

Sources and further reading

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dribbble or Behance better for designers in 2026?

It depends on your discipline. Dribbble suits UI/UX, product and brand designers who share short visual “shots,” while Behance suits designers who publish full case studies, especially in photography, motion, 3D and illustration. Many designers keep a profile on both and use a commission-free marketplace like Jobbers.io to apply to paid projects.

How much does Dribbble Pro cost in 2026?

Dribbble offers three Pro plans for service providers: Pro Lite at $4 per month, Pro Standard at $8 per month and Pro Plus at $99 per month, as announced by Dribbble in December 2025. Prices can change and may depend on billing cycle, so check dribbble.com/pro before subscribing.

What fees does Dribbble charge designers?

Since February 5, 2026, Dribbble charges a graduated designer platform fee of 10% up to $500, 7% between $501 and $1,000 and 4% above $1,000. Clients pay a separate graduated fee and Stripe processing of 2.9% + $0.30. Annual Pro Standard and Pro Plus members do not pay the designer platform fee.

How much does Behance Pro cost?

Behance Pro starts at $9.99 per month with an annual commitment, according to the Behance Help Center. The exact price varies by country and commitment type.

Does Behance take a commission on freelance work?

Yes, on the free plan Behance charges a scaled platform fee to both the client and the freelancer, plus Stripe or PayPal processing fees. If the freelancer has Behance Pro, the platform fee is waived for both sides, but payment processing fees still apply.

Can I take a Dribbble client off-platform?

Generally no. Dribbble prohibits disintermediation and requires clients and designers who meet on the platform to keep payments on Dribbble. Only approved Designer Advertisers are allowed to transact off-platform, according to Dribbble’s December 2025 announcement.

Does Jobbers.io take a commission from designers?

No. Jobbers.io takes 0% commission on projects. Freelancers and clients discuss and agree on payment terms directly, including price, deposits and payment method. Sending proposals uses paid credits.

Is Jobbers.io a portfolio site like Dribbble or Behance?

Not exactly. Jobbers.io is a freelance marketplace where clients post projects and freelancers apply. You can present your profile and link to your existing Dribbble or Behance portfolio, so the platforms work well together.

How do I protect myself when payment is agreed directly with a client?

Use a written agreement that covers scope, deadlines, revisions, file ownership and payment schedule. Ask for an upfront deposit, often 30% to 50%, and consider milestone payments for larger projects. Keep all communication and agreements in writing.

Can I use Dribbble, Behance and Jobbers.io at the same time?

Yes, and many designers do. Dribbble and Behance help you build visibility and reputation, while Jobbers.io lets you apply to freelance jobs and keep 100% of the agreed project price. Just make sure you respect each platform’s terms, especially rules on taking clients off-platform.

Disclaimer: Figures and platform conditions quoted in this article reflect information published by Dribbble, Behance, Jobbers.io and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as reviewed in October 2026. They may change at any time. Readers must verify all numbers, fees and terms on the official sources before relying on them. The Jobbers editorial team is not responsible for decisions made based on outdated information.

Written and reviewed by the Jobbers Editorial Team. Questions or corrections? Contact us via jobbers.io.