The 8 Best Content Writing Services for Both Clients and Writers

Content is still king. Seven out of 10 marketers invest in content marketing, and 78% of companies have between one and three content specialists. Each one of those marketers wants to get more attention than their competitors, so it’s no surprise that the content service market is booming.

There are so many platforms out there, it can be hard for writers and clients to find the best one. To make things simpler, here’s a list of the best content writing services out there—for both freelancers and businesses alike.

1. Compose.ly

Recognized by DesignRush as a top SEO company, Compose.ly focuses on helping businesses of all sizes to stand out and share their stories. Compose.ly works hard to stay ahead of the pack and be the best choice for writers and content buyers by:

1. Paying writers fairly and providing regular writing assignments
2. Pricing content more affordably than traditional digital marketing agencies

Who Are the Writers?

Compose.ly only accepts 1% of all writers that apply to its platform. Every applicant undergoes a rigorous vetting process that screens tone, style, and subject knowledge. Compose.ly’s writer team includes specialists in nearly every niche and topic, and all writers have a thorough grounding in SEO. Leverage their writer's bylines to fuel your E-E-A-T signals.

How Much Does It Cost?

Compose.ly clients have three pricing plans to choose from. These options are:

1. Self-Service: Clients work directly with writers and pay per project based on word count. Pricing starts at $85 for a 500-word blog post. While writers can make changes and revisions to their work, additional editing services are not included in this plan.
2. Managed Service: Clients work with a dedicated Client Success Manager that handles all communication with the content team. Managed Service projects go to Compose.ly’s top writers and in-house editors. Pricing starts at $700 per month.
3. Projects and Content Blocks: For clients who want something closer to Managed Service but have short-term needs, this custom-priced plan lets businesses order “blocks” of content. This way, they don’t need to sign up for an ongoing subscription.

The caliber of Compose.ly’s writing is on par with top SEO agencies—but notably, without the mark-up. In many cases, clients save up to 70% per month by contracting with Compose.ly instead of hiring an SEO agency or in-house writer.

Are Writers Paid Fairly?

Fair writer pay is one of Compose.ly’s core values. Writers earn an average of $0.10 to $0.14 per word, and because so few writers get accepted, there’s a steady stream of work available. Plus, unlike with many other content services, an internal team offers writer support.

According to one writer, who reviewed the company on Glassdoor:

“The pay is very good for content writing, and the editorial team is super friendly and helpful. I feel I have become a significantly better writer since starting. so it's definitely a worthwhile job for me.”

Compose.ly also maintains high satisfaction ratings from writers, editors, and clients on TrustPilot and G2Crowd.

2. Skale

Skale delivers results for their clients by turning their organic channels into growth machines.

They focus specifically on supporting high-growth, SaaS brands looking to scale SEO with helpful content. Skale isn't just another content mill. Their team has robust experience working in SaaS and focus on aligning with their client's KPIs to ensure their SEO and content is driving SQLs and new sign ups.

Who Are the Writers?

Skale only works with writers that have first-hand experience writing for SaaS brands and thorough understanding of writing SEO-optimized content. To join their team, keep an eye on their careers page.

How Much Does It Cost?

Skale can create custom packages to meet your goals.

Are Writers Paid Fairly?

Because of their focus with SaaS brands, their content costs a bit more to ensure writers are paid for their expertise. They work with writers who understand how to take complex topics and easily explain them to prospects and customers.

3. Verblio

Verblio is a platform where companies and marketing agencies can order content to their specifications. Clients submit project guidelines to Verblio that include topic, style, and other content details. Writers then submit work to these specifications, and the client pays only for content they choose to accept.

Who Are the Writers?

Verblio accepts only 4% of writers who apply, and 23% of their writers have a master’s degree or higher. At least 206 writers have been with the company for three or more years, a statistic that speaks to Verblio’s treatment of its writers.

Writers apply by completing a grammar test and submitting a sample to the in-house team. Once hired, writers start on smaller projects and can work their way up to higher-paying, longer-form content. Higher-level writers also get more orders directly from clients.

How Much Does It Cost?

Verblio works on a subscription model, charging a monthly fee for a certain amount of content. Clients specify the project length they want to buy and how many of those projects they want per month, and that determines the client’s monthly fee. For example, if your subscription includes four 1,000-word articles per month, you’ll pay a base rate of $479.80 per month.

There are also add-on services like stock photos, SEO, and proofreading for additional monthly fees.

Are Writers Paid Fairly?

Verblio gamifies writer pay using a leveling system. New writers start out at level 1 and earn a base rate of $10.50 for a 300- to 400-word post, which works out to a base range of 2.6 to 3.5 cents per word.

Writers can work their way up from this relatively low rate, but it can be difficult. As several Glassdoor reviewers have pointed out, lower-level writers have more competition per project. If you’re a writer needing to make a living right away, you might find this platform to be a bit frustrating.

Clients should note that at these lower starting rates, writers struggle to make a living. The end result for the client is usually content that’s unavoidably rushed, or simply written by people without the skill or experience to command higher rates. Essentially, if you pay below livable rates, you compromise on quality.

4. Scripted

Scripted is a membership service that connects writers with clients. Members create projects and accept proposals, either from the general writer pool or by invitation to selected writers. The client can choose to move forward with one or more proposals. When the writer submits a draft, the client can either accept, reject, or request revisions.

Who Are the Writers?

Scripted accepts only 2% of applicants. To join the roster, writers have to successfully complete a proficiency test.

How Much Does It Cost?

Scripted has three membership tiers. They are:

1. Self-Serve Basic: At $199 per month, this basic tier promises SEO-friendly content, unlimited content ordering, two rounds of revisions, editorial review, and free blog ideas. This plan is recommended for clients in need of 2 to 4 pieces of content per month.
2. Self-Serve Premium: For a $150 increase to $349 per month, Scripted’s middle tier comes with a dedicated account manager, competitor keyword analysis, and SEO performance reporting. It also includes “content strategy and topic ideation,” a service that’s distinct from free blog ideas. Scripted recommends this plan for businesses that need 5 to 10 pieces of content per month.
3. Cruise Control: Ideal for clients that need more than 10 pieces of content per month, this premium tier costs a whopping $1,299 per month—for a full year, that’s just short of $16,000. On top of the services included in the Self-Serve premium plan, this tier also offers hands-on management for all projects, which only go to top-tier writers.

No matter which plan you decide on, be sure to read the terms of membership closely. Multiple reviews on TrustPilot, where the platform holds a 2.4-star rating, suggest unclear business practices surrounding Scripted’s free trial promotion.

Are Writers Paid Fairly?

Scripted writers earn over $0.10 per word on average, which is respectable, with payments made 15 days after the client accepts a project. Unlike many other freelance sites, there’s a minimum payment threshold to keep the pay rates fair. Also, writers can qualify for partial payment if a client rejects their work.

On the negative side, writers have reported delays of up to 30 days before the client accepts the piece—meaning a longer amount of time before the writer gets paid. Some have also reported transparency issues, including termination without explanation.

5. Zerys

Zerys is what content marketing professionals call a “content mill.” Clients post jobs, and writers accept those jobs and submit the requested article or blog post. The client can accept or reject the final product and rate the work.

It’s simple and straightforward, but there’s minimal support on either end. Clients can get more help by signing up for the Project Management package, which includes services like writer auditioning, editorial review, and SEO research.

Who Are the Writers?

Zerys writers join the roster by filling out a new writer form that includes a writing sample. Zerys gives the sample a rating between 2 and 5, and that determines what projects a writer is eligible to accept. Clients can offer projects to the general writer pool or select “favorite” writers and assign work directly to them.

How Much Does It Cost?

Clients set their own pay rates on Zerys. The company suggests rates that start at $35 for a 500-word blog post without extensive technical expertise or special requirements. This works out to about $0.07 per word.

It’s tempting to use sites like Zerys to look for a bargain, but as one client points out, “You get what you pay for.” That client suggests: “Seriously consider selecting writers who charge more. There will be less re-work and editing for you.”

Are Writers Paid Fairly?

Writer pay depends completely on what the client offers and, in the case of direct jobs, what the writer is able to negotiate. One writer reports that “The pay varies, but rates commonly published are 0.70 cents per word (70% of one cent) to 4.90 cents per word.” The writer also notes, “Jobs with rates below one cent and up to 1.4 cents occur frequently.”

That said, writers have the freedom to choose what jobs they accept. Writers can also set their own Direct Assign rates, which is what a writer charges for clients to commission work from them specifically.

6. Upwork

Upwork is a marketplace for freelancers and the people who hire them. It’s not solely a content service, but many clients and writers connect on this platform.

Who Are the Writers?

Writers on Upwork are people who have filled out a freelancer application, named writing as a skill, and had Upwork accept that profile. Upwork gets 10,000 applications a day from freelancers of all sorts, so it can only accept a small percentage of applicants. The company does not specify how small that percentage is.

How Much Does It Cost?

Upwork’s Basic service level is free for potential clients. You simply pay your freelancer the agreed-upon fee, plus Upwork’s standard 3% for payment processing. If you want a bit more support, you can sign up for Plus, which costs $49.99 per month. Plus clients get help with talent sourcing, more freelancer invites per post, and other premium considerations.

Are Writers Paid Fairly?

Like other marketplaces, writer pay on Upwork depends on the client and the writer. Potential clients post job descriptions with budgets and writers can submit a proposal with their bid for projects. Unfortunately for writers, there’s a lot of competition, which can drive rates down. Consider this recent review

The other downside is that Upwork charges freelancers to use the platform. As a freelancer, you face a sliding fee scale based on how many projects you’ve completed for a client:

• 20% for the first $500 billed
• 10% for billings from $500.01 to $10,000
• 5% for billings past $10,000

7. Writer Access

Yet another content marketplace, Writer Access works like many of the aforementioned platforms. Clients order work, collect submissions, and approve content. The main difference is that clients pay a monthly service fee to use the platform.

Who Are the Writers?

The Writer Access team hand-selects the writers they want to accept for the platform. Each writer starts with a star rating between 3 and 6. From there, the system adjusts each writer’s rating based on client feedback.

How Much Does It Cost?

Writer Access has different monthly fee levels, with lower prices for platform subscription users:

1. Basic: $39/month for one user
2. Pro: $79/month for 10 users
3. Premium: $99/month for unlimited users

For more support, WriterAccess also offers Managed Service plans that includes workflow supervision, topic ideation, and publishing:

• Essentials: $349/month
• Advanced: $749/month
• Custom: Pricing based on a business’s unique needs

Content pricing is à la carte on top of the monthly fee. Writer Access advertises “content pricing ranging from 2 cents to $2 per word depending on the quality you need.” One client advises, “If you want quality writing and reliable writers, be sure to go 4 stars or above.”

Are Writers Paid Fairly?

Writers get 70% of what the client pays for an order. In the Basic Marketplace, which all writers have access to, pay ranges from $0.02 to $0.10 per word. Clients with higher quality requirements can order from the Pro Marketplace, where pay ranges from $0.11 to $2 per word. Writers can apply to write for either or both Marketplace systems.

8. ClearVoice

ClearVoice is another sort of content service. It uses a “teamlancing” model, which means that clients don’t just go there to hire writers. ClearVoice helps companies to manage entire content strategies and campaigns, from content calendar development to reviews of article performance.

Who Are the Writers?

ClearVoice leans toward experienced writers. To get started, a freelancer must create a CV that includes at least six articles published on reputable websites.

If you’re thinking of joining the site but don’t quite have six articles yet, here’s what Inkwell Editorial suggests:

Write up some articles and post them on sites like Business2Community.com. If the samples are good and you have the professional training/work experience to back you up, you will almost certainly get accepted.

Inkwell also suggests that writers upload articles that match their niches.

How Much Does It Cost?

ClearVoice develops custom pricing plans for each client. Businesses tell ClearVoice what services they need and it responds with the cost.

Are Writers Paid Fairly?

On ClearVoice, writers set their own rates by telling the platform which projects they want to see. Once you have a profile, you can specify your preferred and minimum per-word prices. ClearVoice reports that most articles pay between $0.10 and $0.20 cents per word.

ClearVoice collects a 25% service fee from the writer’s fee, which is comparatively quite high. (Remember, even Upwork’s highest fee is 20%.) That said, the average payout is higher than content mill-style sites like Zerys.

Main Takeaways

Whether you’re a client or a writer, it’s worth taking some time to explore the top content writing services in today’s market.

If you’re a writer, think about whether you want high pay or readily available, straightforward work. If you’re a client, consider your budget and whether you’re able or willing to pay for premium content. When you find the right match, you’ll know it.

About the Author

Ellie Diamond is a professional freelance writer with nearly a decade of freelancing experience. She creates informative and engaging content across a broad range of industries, including real estate, child development, healthcare, marketing, personal finance, and tech.