Not that long ago, if you told someone you worked from home, the response was usually suspicious. Either you were running a side hustle in your pajamas or, worse, falling for one of those “make $5,000 a week stuffing envelopes” scams. Remote jobs existed, sure, but they weren’t mainstream. Fast forward to today, and working remotely is not just accepted—it’s expected in many industries.
Yet with popularity comes a flood of questionable “opportunities.” Anyone who has searched for remote work has probably stumbled across shady postings that look promising until you realize they want your bank details before you even sign a contract. I learned that the hard way once when I almost applied to a “remote data entry” job that turned out to be, well… less than legitimate. Lesson learned: the platform you use matters as much as the job you’re applying for.
To help you cut through the noise, I’ve pulled together 25 platforms that actually deliver real, legitimate remote job opportunities. Some are big household names, others are niche sites that cater to specific industries. And while no site is perfect (some charge fees, others lean heavily toward U.S.-based workers), each has proven to be a reliable hunting ground for remote job seekers.
Let’s dive in.
1. FlexJobs
FlexJobs has been around long before “remote-first” became a trendy company tagline. It screens every job before it goes live, which saves you from the fake listings that plague generic job boards. There’s a subscription fee—currently around $24 a month—but if you’re serious about remote work, the peace of mind is worth it. I once found a contract writing gig here that paid for three months of the subscription in a single week.
2. We Work Remotely
If remote work had a town square, this would be it. We Work Remotely is one of the largest remote job boards out there, with postings from tech startups, marketing agencies, and even the occasional big-name company. The downside? Popular postings can get hundreds of applicants in a matter of hours.
3. Remote.co
Founded by the same folks behind FlexJobs, Remote.co focuses entirely on remote positions, from customer service roles to senior developer jobs. What I like here is the variety—you’re not boxed into “tech or bust.”
4. Working Nomads
Working Nomads curates job listings and emails them straight to your inbox. It’s particularly strong in tech and digital roles, so if you’re in software, design, or marketing, it’s worth signing up for.
5. Remotive
This platform doubles as a job board and a community. The listings are solid, but what sets Remotive apart is its Slack group where remote workers swap tips, job leads, and sometimes just vent about bad Wi-Fi.
6. Jobspresso
Clever name, reliable platform. Jobspresso hand-picks its listings, mostly in tech, marketing, and customer support. One neat perk: you can upload your resume so employers come to you.
7. Remote OK
Remote OK has a slightly chaotic interface, but that’s part of its charm. It scrapes jobs from all over the internet and tags them by category, company, and even time zone requirements. It may feel overwhelming at first glance, but the sheer volume of postings makes it hard to ignore.
8. SkipTheDrive
A site with a name that feels like a sigh of relief. SkipTheDrive aggregates remote jobs in finance, IT, healthcare, and more. It doesn’t have the scale of FlexJobs or We Work Remotely, but the listings are clean and easy to filter.
9. Virtual Vocations
Think of this as FlexJobs’ cousin. It also vets listings carefully and covers a wide range of industries. Like FlexJobs, it requires a paid subscription for full access, but you get the benefit of fewer scams and spam.
10. Outsourcely
This one connects startups with remote workers around the world. It’s particularly popular for freelance and contract gigs, so if you’re testing the waters of remote work, it’s a decent entry point.
11. Upwork
Upwork isn’t a job board in the traditional sense—it’s a freelancing platform. That means competition can be fierce, and rates vary wildly. Still, I know writers, designers, and developers who have built entire careers here. The trick is to start small, build reviews, and gradually land higher-paying clients.
12. Fiverr
Often dismissed as the “five-dollar gig” site, Fiverr has evolved. These days, skilled professionals are charging hundreds (sometimes thousands) for projects. It works best if you like controlling your offerings rather than chasing job postings.
13. Freelancer.com
Similar to Upwork, Freelancer.com connects freelancers with clients. The interface can feel cluttered, and the bidding wars get old fast, but there are real opportunities if you’re persistent.
14. Toptal
This one is for the elite—literally. Toptal screens applicants rigorously and only accepts a small percentage. If you make it in, you’ll have access to premium clients and higher pay rates. If not, well, there are 24 other platforms on this list.
15. Hubstaff Talent
Hubstaff Talent is free for both freelancers and companies, which is rare. The site isn’t massive, but the no-fee model makes it appealing, especially for new freelancers.
16. AngelList (now Wellfound)
If you’re interested in startups, this is the place to be. AngelList—rebranded as Wellfound—lists thousands of startup jobs, many of them remote. The catch? Startups can be chaotic, and salaries vary wildly. You might join the next unicorn, or you might be updating your resume again in six months.
17. Remotees
Not the flashiest site, but it aggregates remote jobs across multiple industries. It’s a good “backup” resource when the big boards start to feel repetitive.
18. EuropeRemotely
As the name suggests, this platform focuses on jobs that hire remote workers in European time zones. Handy if you’re tired of staying up until midnight for U.S.-based meetings.
19. PowerToFly
Created with women in mind, PowerToFly connects underrepresented talent with remote opportunities. It’s not limited to women—anyone can apply—but the community focus adds an extra layer of support.
20. Dice
Known as a tech job board, Dice also has a growing list of remote roles. If you’re in IT, data science, or engineering, it’s a solid addition to your job-hunting toolkit.
21. LinkedIn
Yes, it’s obvious, but hear me out: LinkedIn’s filters for “remote” have gotten much better. I once found a remote contract by simply toggling the location filter to “remote” and reaching out directly to the hiring manager. The key here isn’t just applying—it’s networking through the platform.
22. Indeed
Indeed has its flaws (lots of spammy postings slip through), but because of its sheer size, it’s still worth checking. Just be extra cautious and research companies before applying.
23. Glassdoor
Better known for company reviews, Glassdoor also lists remote jobs. The bonus? You can read unfiltered employee feedback on the employer before deciding if you want to work there.
24. SimplyHired
SimplyHired aggregates postings from across the web. Like Indeed, the volume is its biggest strength and biggest weakness—you’ll see plenty of opportunities, but also plenty of noise.
25. Craigslist (with caution)
I hesitated to include this one, but I’d be lying if I said I haven’t seen real remote gigs on Craigslist. The catch is obvious: scams run rampant. If you do use Craigslist, triple-check the legitimacy of any posting before handing over personal details.
Tips for Using These Platforms Wisely
Even the best platforms aren’t foolproof. Some roles will look better on paper than they turn out to be in reality. A few quick tips from my own experience:
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Trust your gut. If the pay seems too good to be true for the work described, it probably is.
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Research the company. A quick LinkedIn or Google search can reveal whether it’s a real business or a shell.
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Diversify. Don’t just stick to one platform. I’ve found solid jobs by combining FlexJobs, LinkedIn, and even the occasional Craigslist post.
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Stay patient. Remote roles are competitive. You might send out dozens of applications before landing something worthwhile.
Final Thoughts
Remote work isn’t a fringe idea anymore—it’s part of how the modern workforce operates. But with its rise comes the challenge of separating legitimate opportunities from clever scams. The platforms on this list, while not perfect, have proven themselves as safer bets than just wandering the internet blindly.
If you’re serious about landing a remote role, experiment with a mix of these sites. Keep an open mind, stay skeptical where necessary, and remember that the platform is just the starting point—the real work begins once you land the interview. And hey, if you find yourself working from a beach café one day, at least you’ll know you got there the legitimate way.