99designs (by Vista) is a design platform best known for its design contests; you pick a package, post a brief, and multiple designers submit concepts so you can choose a winner. It also offers 1-to-1 Projects, where you work directly with a single designer at a negotiated price.
The good news: contest pricing is mostly fixed and easy to preview. The not-so-obvious part: your final cost can change depending on category, custom package size, whether you guarantee the prize, and which workflow you choose (contest vs 1-to-1).
99designs Pricing Overview
99designs pricing is built around two main ways to buy design: Contest packages (fixed tiers) and 1-to-1 Projects (designer-set pricing + a platform fee).
Design Contest Package Pricing (Fixed Tiers)
For many categories, you choose Bronze / Silver / Gold / Platinum and pay a fixed price. For example, logo design contests list: Bronze $299, Silver $499, Gold $899, Platinum $1,299.
Prices vary by category. A few examples:
- Illustration/graphics: Bronze $349, Silver $549, Gold $899, Platinum $1,399.
- Product packaging: Bronze $449, Silver $749, Gold $1,199, Platinum $1,699.
- Logo + brand identity pack: Bronze $599, Silver $899, Gold $1,699, Platinum $2,499.
These package pages also show approximate concept volume and highlight inclusions like copyright ownership and a money-back guarantee (with conditions).
Custom Contest Budgets (Above the Minimum)
If the standard tiers don’t fit, 99designs lets you create a custom package as long as it’s above the category minimum (typically the Bronze level). The custom amount includes both the platform fee and the prize amount for the winning designer.
Guaranteed Contests (Important Pricing Implication)
You can make a contest guaranteed, which signals the prize will be awarded and can attract more participation, but it also changes your refund rights. 99designs states that guaranteed contests forfeit the option to a refund.
Also, once a contest enters the Final round, it becomes guaranteed automatically.
1-to-1 Projects (Designer Price + 5% Client Platform Fee)
For 1-to-1 Projects, the creative fee is determined by the designer (and your budget/scope), and clients pay a flat 5% platform fee on top.
So if a designer quotes $2,000 for a project, the client platform fee would be $100, total of $2,100.
Privacy Options (Blind + Private)
99designs also supports blind and private contests for confidentiality. Private contests require designers to agree to an NDA and aren’t visible publicly/search engines.
(These are typically presented as upgrades during setup; pricing can vary based on what you choose.)
Ownership and Copyright Transfer (What You Actually “Own”)
In contests, designers retain rights to their submissions until a winner is chosen. 99designs explains that rights to the winning design transfer to the client during the Design Handover stage, via a Design Transfer Agreement.
Hidden Costs to Watch Out For
Even with “fixed pricing,” a few gotchas can change the real spend.
The Refund Window Has Hard Stop Rules
99designs offers a 100% money-back guarantee within 60 days, but not if the contest is guaranteed, has entered the final round, or a winner has been awarded.
This matters because teams sometimes pick finalists “to see better options,” not realizing that step triggers the guaranteed stage.
Category Pricing Can Be Higher Than You Expect
Logo contests start at one level, but categories like brand identity packs or product packaging can be significantly higher (even at Bronze).
Prize Increases and Promotions
You can increase prize incentives and promote a contest (which can improve participation), but these choices can raise what you’re paying beyond the default tier.
1-to-1 Platform Fee Adds Up on Bigger Projects
That 5% client platform fee on 1-to-1 Projects is small on a $300 task, but meaningful on a $10,000 engagement.
Sales Tax / Local Taxes
99designs pricing pages note that the listed contest prices exclude sales tax.
What You’d Really Pay by Hiring on 99designs
Let’s turn the pricing model into real numbers.
Example A: Logo contest (Gold)
A Gold logo contest is listed at $899. Your total can rise if you add promotions, privacy features, or raise the prize, plus any applicable taxes.
Example B: Product packaging contest (Gold)
A Gold product packaging contest is listed at $1,199. This is a good example of why “99designs pricing” isn’t one number; category choice can shift your baseline budget by hundreds.
Example C: 1-to-1 Project quote + platform fee
Say you negotiate a $3,500 1-to-1 project with a designer. Clients pay a 5% platform fee, so your total is $3,675.
Example D: The refund trap scenario
If you’re unhappy early and want a refund, timing matters: once you select finalists and enter the Final round, the contest becomes guaranteed and refunds are no longer available under the guarantee policy.
Advantages of Hiring on 99designs
Lots of creative options fast
Contest packages are built to generate multiple directions so you can compare styles and iterate.
Fixed contest budgets (easy to plan)
For contests, you can pick a tier and know the baseline cost upfront, especially helpful for small teams that want predictable spend.
Built-in handover and ownership flow
99designs outlines a formal transfer step (Design Handover + Design Transfer Agreement) for the winning design.
Privacy options exist when you need them
Private contests with NDAs help if you’re working on something sensitive or pre-launch.
Disadvantages of Hiring on 99designs
Quality can vary (you’re still managing the process)
A contest gives you quantity, but you still need a strong brief and consistent feedback to get great results. 99designs itself emphasizes that what you put in affects what you get out.
Refund rules can surprise first-timers
The money-back guarantee is real, but the restrictions are strict once you go guaranteed or enter the final round.
1-to-1 pricing isn’t “fixed,” and the 5% fee matters
Direct work depends on what the designer charges, and clients still pay the platform fee on top.
Higher-tier categories can get expensive quickly
Brand identity packs and packaging can push well beyond “logo contest” budgets.
Transparent Pricing: South vs. 99designs
99designs is built for design deliverables, such as logos, packaging, brand kits, usually purchased as a contest package or a one-off 1-to-1 project. Costs are either fixed (contests) or negotiated (1-to-1), with important rules around refunds, guarantees, and ownership transfer.
South is a different model entirely: it’s for hiring full-time remote professionals (including designers) as part of your team, with costs that are easier to forecast month to month.
If you’re doing recurring creative work such as new landing pages, constant brand iterations, and ongoing ad creative, contests can start to feel like buying design in “one-off chunks,” while a dedicated hire gives you continuity, faster context, and fewer re-briefing cycles.
If you want consistent design output without restarting a contest every time, schedule a free call with South to see vetted LATAM design talent. You can interview for free and pay nothing until you hire.
The Takeaway
99designs can be a great fit when you want many creative directions quickly, and you like having a fixed contest budget upfront. The key is budgeting based on the right lane: contests are tiered and category-based (logo pricing isn’t packaging pricing), while 1-to-1 Projects are negotiated and add a 5% client platform fee.
Before you start, decide whether you need refund flexibility, because once a contest is guaranteed or enters the final round, the money-back guarantee restrictions kick in. And if confidentiality matters, plan for private/NDAs early rather than trying to retrofit privacy midstream.
If you’re hiring for ongoing design work (not just a one-off logo), a dedicated designer often gives you faster iteration, better brand consistency, and less re-briefing.
As mentioned previously, you can book a free call with us to meet vetted LATAM designers; interview them for free, and pay nothing until you decide to bring someone on board.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How much do 99designs contests cost?
It depends on the design category and package tier. For example, logo contests list $299 (Bronze) to $1,299 (Platinum), while other categories can be higher.
Can I set a custom contest budget?
Yes, 99designs allows a custom package as long as it’s above the category minimum, and it includes both platform fees and prize amount.
What does “guaranteed contest” mean?
It means you guarantee the prize will be awarded, and 99designs states you forfeit the option to a refund when you guarantee a contest.
What is the 99designs money-back guarantee?
99designs offers a 100% money-back guarantee within 60 days, but it doesn’t apply to guaranteed contests, contests that entered the final round, or contests where a winner was awarded.
How do 1-to-1 Projects work pricing-wise?
The designer sets the creative price based on scope/budget, and clients pay a flat 5% platform fee on top.
When do I own the design?
In contests, designers own their submissions until a winner is selected; rights to the winning design transfer during the Design Handover stage via a Design Transfer Agreement.
