99Designs Vs Designcrowd | The Real Contest Winner

Logo and brand work steers how customers see your business. 99designs sells clear contest tiers; DesignCrowd lets you set the purse and layer fees as needed. This guide gives you the fast verdict, the trade‑offs that matter, and the paths buyers use to avoid surprises.

In A Nutshell

Pick 99designs if you want clear, fixed contest packages and a polished handover process. Choose DesignCrowd if you want to control the budget line‑by‑line and don’t mind paying a posting fee and a small transaction fee. Both offer 60‑day money‑back windows, private/NDA options, and large designer communities.

Side‑By‑Side Specs

Feature	99designs	DesignCrowd
Entry Price	$299 Bronze logo contest (prices exclude sales tax)	You set the budget + posting fee (up to $129) and 4% transaction fee
Refund Window	60 days; not on guaranteed or final‑round contests	60 days; posting & upgrade fees aren’t refunded; budget only
Designer Pool Size	~1.4M+ registered designers	~1.3M+ registered designers
Contest Timeline	Standard 7‑day rounds; 14 days to pick a winner; fast‑track 1–3 days available	Open phase typically 2–14 days; 14 days to choose a winner
Privacy / NDA Option	Private contest locks with NDA; hidden from search	Private project + NDA add‑on; hidden from search
Guaranteed Prizes	Option boosts entries; refunds waived when guaranteed	“Guaranteed” means refund waived; attracts more entries
Transaction / Platform Fees	Contest price is fixed by tier; sales tax applies	Posting fee (up to $129) + 4% transaction fee
Direct Hire / Ongoing Work	Built‑in 1‑to‑1 projects after a contest	Invite specific designers or run a one‑designer brief

99designs — What We Like / What We Don’t Like

What We Like

• ✅ Clear tiers ($299–$1,299 for logos) keep budgeting simple.
• ✅ Strong handover flow with a formal design transfer agreement.
• ✅ Private/NDA contests keep work off search and portfolios.
• ✅ Fast‑track option (1–3 days) if you’re on a tight launch window.

What We Don’t Like

• ⚠️ Package jumps can feel steep if you only need one extra deliverable.
• ⚠️ Refund doesn’t apply to guaranteed or late‑stage contests.

DesignCrowd — What We Like / What We Don’t Like

What We Like

• ✅ Budget control: you choose the purse that fits the project.
• ✅ Big marketplace with over a million registered creatives.
• ✅ One‑designer route if you prefer a single point of contact.
• ✅ Private/NDA option to keep work out of search and portfolios.

What We Don’t Like

• ⚠️ Posting fee and 4% transaction fee sit on top of your purse.
• ⚠️ Refund returns the project budget, not posting or upgrade fees.

99designs Or DesignCrowd: Which Fits You Better

Pricing & Packages

99designs posts clear logo tiers: Bronze $299, Silver $499, Gold $899, Platinum $1,299. You can scan inclusions and pick a ceiling that fits. DesignCrowd flips the model. You set the budget, then pay a posting fee and a 4% transaction fee. That gives you fine‑grained control, especially for quick, simple briefs where a small purse still draws solid work.

See 99designs’ pricing and DesignCrowd’s fees for current numbers and fee rules.

Contest Speed & Timeline

On 99designs, standard contests run in two rounds over seven days, with a 14‑day window to pick the winner. Need it faster? Use a fast‑track option that compresses the cycle to 1–3 days. DesignCrowd’s open phase typically ranges from 2–14 days, and you also get 14 days to select a winner. Both support extensions when you need more time.

Refunds & Risk

Both platforms offer a 60‑day window. On 99designs, the 100% money‑back policy covers standard contests until the final round; guaranteed contests waive refunds. On DesignCrowd, you can request a refund of the budget, but the posting and any upgrades aren’t refunded. Either way, refunds vanish once you guarantee payment or finalize files.

Privacy & NDAs

Both offer private projects with NDAs baked in. On 99designs, a private contest hides your brief from search and forces NDA acceptance before designers can view it. DesignCrowd offers a private toggle and an NDA add‑on so submissions can’t be shared in portfolios. If you’re in stealth mode, switch privacy on from the start.

Talent Pool & Discovery

99designs and DesignCrowd both draw from huge global communities. You’ll find a wide spread of styles and seniority on each. If your brief is broad, a blind contest can reduce “influence” between entrants. If your aesthetic is specific, use portfolios and invites to shortlist designers who match your brand tone.

Deliverables & IP Transfer

On 99designs, the handover stage includes a formal Design Transfer Agreement. Once you approve files and release payment, copyright transfers and the platform stores the paperwork with your project. DesignCrowd’s terms also transfer ownership to the client when you select the winning work. Ask for editable source files as part of the brief so production is smooth later.

Direct Hire & Long‑Term Work

Found a favorite? 99designs supports 1‑to‑1 projects after a contest, so you can keep working with the same designer on packaging, stationery, or web assets. DesignCrowd lets you run a one‑designer brief or invite creatives you like into new projects. Either route cuts overhead once your brand voice is set.

Help & Onboarding

Both platforms publish clear help centers, timelines, and policy pages. 99designs adds priority support at the top tier. DesignCrowd surfaces budget guidance and project privacy options during checkout. If you’re new to contests, start mid‑tier and keep scope tight. You can extend or add deliverables once you see strong options.

Price, Value & Ownership

Factor	99designs	DesignCrowd
Common Mid‑Tier Path	Silver logo contest ($499) with blind + NDA	Contest at a mid‑range purse; private + NDA add‑on
Fees Beyond Budget	Sales tax applies; package price is the main cost	Posting fee (up to $129) + 4% transaction fee
Refund Conditions	60‑day window; not for guaranteed/final‑round contests	60‑day window; budget refunded, fees aren’t
Ownership Transfer	Design Transfer Agreement during handover	Ownership passes when you select the winning work
Ongoing Work	1‑to‑1 projects with your winner	One‑designer briefs and invites

Read the tables as quick gaps: 99designs favors predictable tiers and a tight handover; DesignCrowd favors budget control with explicit fees. Both send rights to you when the project closes and files are approved.

Where Each One Wins

Decision Guide

Best Fit For Most Brands

Most buyers will be happiest starting on 99designs. The packages are simple to evaluate, the rounds keep feedback organized, and the handover formalizes ownership. If you need tight budget control or want to start small and raise the purse based on first looks, DesignCrowd is the better match. Both can deliver standout work; your budget model decides the smoother path.

Method: We compiled this comparison from the platforms’ official pricing and policy pages, package screens, and public help docs. We verified U.S. pricing in USD in October 2025. For the latest details, check the linked pricing and fee pages before you launch.

Helpful links: 99designs money‑back guarantee • DesignCrowd refund policy