99designs and DesignCrowd are both online design platforms, but they differ in how clients find designers, run contests, and manage design projects. People search for 99designs or DesignCrowd because both platforms offer crowdsourced design services, yet their pricing, project options, designer systems, and workflows are not exactly the same.
Both platforms can help businesses, startups, bloggers, and individuals find custom designs. You can use them for projects such as logos, branding, websites, packaging, business cards, and other creative work. 99designs offers both designer hiring and design contests, while DesignCrowd offers design contests as well as one on one freelance design jobs.
The main confusion comes from treating the two names as if they are different spellings or versions of the same service. They are not. 99designs and DesignCrowd are two separate brands and platforms.
This guide explains what each platform means, how they work, how their names should be written, how their services compare, and what to consider before choosing a platform for a design project.
99designs or DesignCrowd: Quick Answer
99designs and DesignCrowd are competing online design platforms that connect clients with designers. Both support design contests, but their project systems and pricing structures differ.
- 99designs: Offers design contests and direct designer hiring.
- DesignCrowd: Offers design contests and one on one freelance design jobs.
- 99designs contests: Clients receive concepts from designers and choose a winning design.
- DesignCrowd contests: Clients post a brief and receive multiple design submissions.
- Pricing: Varies by design type, package, project, and platform.
For example, 99designs currently lists logo contests starting at US$249, while DesignCrowd says its projects can start from US$99, depending on the project and package. Prices can change, so check the current platform pricing before starting a project.
Definition and Meaning of 99designs or DesignCrowd
What Is 99designs?
99designs is a global creative platform that connects clients with professional designers.
It provides two main ways to work with designers:
- Hire a designer directly
- Start a design contest
When hiring directly, clients can review designer portfolios, request quotes, and work closely with a selected designer. 99designs says its designer community covers more than 90 skill sets.
Its contest model lets several designers submit ideas based on a creative brief. The client then selects a winning concept and works with the designer to finalize the project.
What Is DesignCrowd?
DesignCrowd is an online graphic design marketplace built around design contests and freelance design jobs.
Clients can post projects for logos, websites, business cards, advertising graphics, and other design work. DesignCrowd allows customers to run contests or work with individual designers.
Its contest system lets multiple designers submit concepts. The client reviews the entries, provides feedback, and selects a favorite design.
Are 99designs and DesignCrowd the Same?
No. They are separate companies and platforms.
They have similar goals, but their services, pricing, designer systems, and project workflows can differ.
Think of them as two different marketplaces for custom design work, rather than two names for the same service.
The Origin of 99designs or DesignCrowd
The names 99designs and DesignCrowd are brand names, so their development is different from the history of ordinary English words.
The Name 99designs
The name 99designs is a stylized brand name connected with the platform’s crowdsourcing model. It is normally written with numerals and lowercase letters:
99designs
Do not change it to forms such as:
Ninety nine Designs
The official brand styling should be kept when referring to the company.
The Name DesignCrowd
DesignCrowd combines the words design and crowd.
The name reflects the platform’s crowdsourcing model, where a design brief can attract work from multiple designers. DesignCrowd describes its service as a creative marketplace where customers can receive designs from a global community.
Why Are the Names Different?
The names identify two different platforms.
They are not spelling alternatives such as:
colour vs color
or:
organise vs organize
Instead:
99designs = one brand
DesignCrowd = another brand
That distinction is important when writing about design services, comparing platforms, or creating business content.
British English vs American English Spelling
There is no British versus American spelling difference between 99designs and DesignCrowd.
Both are brand names, so writers should normally keep the official brand styling.
| Term | British English | American English | Example |
| 99designs | 99designs | 99designs | We used 99designs for the logo. |
| DesignCrowd | DesignCrowd | DesignCrowd | DesignCrowd offers design contests. |
| design contest | design contest | design contest | We started a design contest. |
| designer | designer | designer | The designer revised the logo. |
| freelance design | freelance design | freelance design | She needs freelance design help. |
Regional English can affect surrounding words, but it does not normally change the names of these brands.
For example, British and American writers may use slightly different words for business processes or formal writing, but the platform names remain 99designs and DesignCrowd.
Which Spelling Should You Use?
The correct spelling depends on the brand you mean.
For 99designs
Use:
99designs
Avoid changing the name to:
- 99 Designs
- 99 Designs.com
- Ninety Nine Designs
- 99Design
For DesignCrowd
Use:
DesignCrowd
The capital C is part of the brand styling.
Avoid writing:
- Design Crowd
- Designcrowd
- Design Crowd.com
For US Readers
Use the official brand names exactly as written. American English does not require a different spelling.
For UK and Commonwealth Readers
Use the same brand spellings. British English does not create a separate spelling for either platform.
For Global Writing
Introduce both names clearly:
99designs and DesignCrowd are online platforms that connect clients with freelance and professional designers.
This gives readers enough context before you compare the services.
For Academic or Business Writing
Use the official names consistently. If you are comparing the platforms, avoid switching between several informal versions of their names.
Common Mistakes with 99designs or DesignCrowd
1. Treating Them as Spelling Variations
Incorrect:
DesignCrowd is another spelling of 99designs.
Correct:
DesignCrowd and 99designs are separate design platforms.
Why: They are different brands.
Memory tip:
99designs and DesignCrowd = two platforms, not two spellings.
2. Writing “99 Designs”
Incorrect:
I posted my project on 99 Designs.
Correct:
I posted my project on 99designs.
Keep the official brand styling.
3. Writing “Design Crowd”
Incorrect:
I found a designer on Design Crowd.
Correct:
I found a designer on DesignCrowd.
The brand name is written as one word with a capital C.
4. Assuming Both Platforms Work Exactly the Same Way
Both platforms offer contests, but their services are not identical.
99designs offers contests and direct designer hiring. DesignCrowd offers contests and one on one jobs.
5. Assuming Prices Stay the Same
Design platform pricing can change. For example, 99designs currently lists fixed logo contest packages starting at US$249, while DesignCrowd lists different packages and fees depending on the project.
Always check the current pricing before publishing a comparison or purchasing a service.
99designs or DesignCrowd in Everyday Examples
We are comparing 99designs and DesignCrowd before choosing a platform for our new logo.
Business Writing
The company used a design contest to explore several branding concepts.
News and Industry Articles
Online design platforms such as 99designs and DesignCrowd connect businesses with designers around the world.
Blogs
99designs or DesignCrowd? Your choice may depend on your budget, project type, and preferred workflow.
Social Media
Has anyone here used 99designs or DesignCrowd for a startup logo?
Formal Writing
The two platforms provide different approaches to crowdsourced graphic design.
Client Brief
We need a clean, modern logo and are considering a design contest.
These examples show how the brand names fit naturally into professional and everyday writing.
99designs or DesignCrowd: Google Trends & Usage Data
People search for 99designs or DesignCrowd because they often want to compare design platforms before spending money.
Common search questions include:
- 99designs vs DesignCrowd
- 99designs or DesignCrowd for logos
- 99designs alternatives
- DesignCrowd alternatives
- 99designs pricing
- DesignCrowd pricing
- 99designs review
- DesignCrowd review
- 99designs logo design
- DesignCrowd logo contest
Search interest can also change when businesses launch new websites, startups create new brands, or entrepreneurs look for affordable logo and branding services.
The exact popularity of each search term can vary by country, time period, and search intent. Without a specific current Google Trends dataset, it is better not to claim that one platform has higher search volume in a particular country.
The broader pattern is clear: people usually search these brand names when they are comparing custom design services, contests, pricing, designers, and project workflows.
For an article, related terms such as design contest, logo design platform, freelance designers, crowdsourced design, and custom graphic design can help explain the topic naturally.
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | 99designs | DesignCrowd |
| Platform type | Creative design platform | Graphic design marketplace |
| Design contests | Yes | Yes |
| Direct designer hiring | Yes | Yes |
| Logo design | Yes | Yes |
| Website design | Yes | Yes |
| Multiple designer concepts | Yes | Yes |
| Global designer community | Yes | Yes |
| Starting logo contest price | From US$249 currently | Pricing varies by package |
| Refund policy | Money back guarantee on qualifying contests | Money back guarantee on qualifying projects |
| Best known workflow | Hire a designer or run a contest | Run a contest or one on one job |
99designs currently describes its process as Brief → Connect → Collaborate, while DesignCrowd describes its contest process as posting a project, receiving designs, and choosing a favorite.
FAQs
1. Are 99designs and DesignCrowd the same company?
No. 99designs and DesignCrowd are separate online design platforms. Both connect clients with designers and offer design contests, but their services, pricing, and workflows differ.
2. Is 99designs or DesignCrowd better for logos?
Both platforms support logo design contests. 99designs specifically recommends contests for logo projects, while DesignCrowd also offers logo contests and other graphic design services. Your choice can depend on budget, design preferences, and the workflow you want.
3. Is 99designs more expensive than DesignCrowd?
Pricing varies by project and package, so there is no single price difference that applies to every project. 99designs currently lists logo contest packages from US$249, while DesignCrowd offers different packages and fees. Always check current pricing before comparing costs.
4. Do 99designs and DesignCrowd use design contests?
Yes. Both platforms allow clients to create design briefs and receive concepts from multiple designers. Clients can then review the submissions and select a preferred design.
5. Can I hire one designer instead of running a contest?
Yes. 99designs allows clients to hire designers directly. DesignCrowd also supports one on one freelance design jobs in addition to contests.
6. How should I spell 99designs?
Use the official brand styling 99designs. Do not normally change it to “99 Designs” or “Ninety Nine Designs” when referring to the platform.
7. How should I spell DesignCrowd?
Use DesignCrowd, with a capital C. It is a brand name rather than a British or American spelling variation.
Conclusion
99designs or DesignCrowd is a comparison between two separate online design platforms, not a question about two different spellings. Both services connect clients with designers and offer design contests, but their workflows and pricing structures are different.
99designs offers two main approaches: clients can hire a designer directly or launch a contest. Its current website also highlights vetted designer levels and fixed contest packages for several design categories.
DesignCrowd offers design contests as well as one on one freelance jobs. Its contest process lets clients post a brief, receive multiple concepts, provide feedback, and choose a design.
For writing, always use the official brand names 99designs and DesignCrowd. There is no separate British or American spelling for either name.
Before choosing a platform, compare the current price, project type, designer options, number of concepts, deadlines, fees, and ownership terms.
Learn More Spelling!
Hi, I’m Olivia Bennett, an English grammar and spelling content writer. I enjoy exploring confusing words, spelling differences, and everyday language questions. My goal is to share clear, simple, and helpful explanations that make English easier to understand.
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