Choosing Your Account Type

Choosing the Right Account Type

When you sign up for Opengates, one of the first decisions you will make is choosing your account type. This choice determines what you can do on the platform — what features you have access to, what actions you can take, and how other users see and interact with you.

Opengates offers three account types: Freelancer, Client, and Organization. Each is designed for a specific type of user with specific needs. This guide will help you understand exactly what each account type offers so you can make the best choice for your situation.

If you are unsure, do not worry. Read through the descriptions below, and by the end of this article, you will know exactly which account type is right for you.

Freelancer Account

A Freelancer account is for individuals who want to offer their skills, expertise, and services to clients on the platform. If you are a professional who works independently — or wants to start — this is the account type for you.

Who Should Choose Freelancer?

Choose a Freelancer account if you:

• Have a skill or expertise you want to monetize (design, writing, development, marketing, consulting, translation, tutoring, etc.)
• Want to find clients and projects through an online platform
• Want to build a portfolio and professional reputation
• Are looking for flexible work opportunities that you can manage on your own schedule
• Want to earn money by completing projects and delivering services

What Freelancers Can Do

With a Freelancer account, you have access to the following capabilities:

• Create service listings — Build detailed listings for the services you offer, complete with descriptions, pricing tiers (Basic, Standard, Premium), and delivery times. You can create multiple service listings for different skills or offerings.
• Apply to tasks — Browse the task board for job postings from clients and submit applications (proposals) for tasks that match your skills. Each application costs gate keys.
• Manage gate keys — Gate keys are the tokens you use to apply to tasks. Your account comes with an initial allocation, and you can acquire more as needed.
• Receive payments — Earn money for completed work. Payments are processed through the Paystack escrow system, with prices shown in USD and payouts in KES.
• Build a portfolio — Showcase your best work on your profile so potential clients can see what you are capable of.
• Communicate with clients — Use the built-in messaging and calling features (powered by Azure Communication Services) to discuss projects, share files, and collaborate.
• Receive reviews and ratings — Build your reputation through client feedback on completed projects.
• Access analytics — Track your profile views, order history, earnings, and other performance metrics.

Freelancer Limitations

There are some things a Freelancer account cannot do:

• You cannot post tasks (that is a Client feature)
• You cannot create an organization or affiliate other users
• You need to spend gate keys to apply to tasks, so you must manage them wisely

Client Account

A Client account is for individuals or businesses who need to hire freelancers to get work done. If you have projects, tasks, or ongoing work that requires skilled professionals, this is the account type for you.

Who Should Choose Client?

Choose a Client account if you:

• Need to hire someone for a specific project or task (building a website, designing a logo, writing content, etc.)
• Want to browse and order services from a marketplace of skilled freelancers
• Have ongoing work and want a reliable way to find and manage freelancers
• Want to post job descriptions and receive applications from qualified professionals
• Need a secure payment system that protects your money until the work is completed

What Clients Can Do

With a Client account, you have access to the following capabilities:

• Browse and order services — Explore the services marketplace to find freelancers offering what you need. Compare pricing tiers (Basic, Standard, Premium), review portfolios, read ratings, and place orders directly.
• Post tasks — Create detailed job postings on the task board describing the work you need done, including requirements, budget, deadline, and required skills. Freelancers will then apply to your tasks.
• Review applications — When freelancers apply to your tasks, you can review their profiles, portfolios, ratings, and proposals to find the best fit.
• Manage contracts — Once you select a freelancer, a contract is created. You can track progress, communicate with the freelancer, and manage deliverables.
• Fund escrow payments — Pay for services and tasks through the secure escrow system. Your money is held safely by Opengates until you approve the completed work.
• Approve deliverables — Review submitted work and approve it to release payment, or request revisions if the work does not meet the agreed-upon requirements.
• Leave reviews and ratings — Rate and review freelancers after completed projects to help other clients make informed decisions.
• Communicate with freelancers — Use built-in messaging and calling to discuss projects, provide feedback, and collaborate.

Client Limitations

There are some things a Client account cannot do:

• You cannot create service listings (that is a Freelancer feature)
• You cannot apply to tasks posted by other clients
• You cannot build a freelancer-style portfolio

Organization Account

An Organization account is designed for groups of people who want to work together under a shared identity on Opengates. This is a more advanced account type intended for businesses, teams, nonprofits, and government agencies.

Who Should Choose Organization?

Choose an Organization account if you:

• Represent a company, agency, nonprofit, government body, or other group
• Want multiple team members to work under a single organizational identity
• Need to manage a team of freelancers or clients affiliated with your organization
• Want organizational branding applied to your presence on the platform
• Need to coordinate projects and tasks at a group level

Organization Types

When creating an Organization account, you will select one of three organization types:

For-Profit Organizations

This is for businesses, companies, agencies, and startups that operate to generate revenue. Examples include:

• Design agencies with multiple designers
• Development firms with teams of engineers
• Marketing companies managing client campaigns
• Consulting firms with multiple consultants

Non-Profit Organizations

This is for charitable organizations, NGOs, community groups, and other entities that do not operate for profit. Examples include:

• Nonprofits hiring freelancers for campaigns or website development
• Community organizations coordinating volunteer-based projects
• Educational institutions managing student or faculty projects

Government Organizations

This is for government agencies, departments, and public sector entities. Examples include:

• Government departments outsourcing digital projects
• Public agencies managing contracted work
• Municipal organizations coordinating public service projects

What Organizations Can Do

With an Organization account, you have access to the following capabilities:

• Create an organizational profile — Set up a profile with your organization's name, logo, description, mission, and branding.
• Affiliate users — Invite and affiliate individual Opengates users (both freelancers and clients) to your organization. Affiliated users are linked to your organization and can work under its banner.
• Manage affiliations — Control who is part of your organization, manage roles and permissions, and remove affiliations when needed.
• Apply organizational branding — Your organization's branding (logo, name) appears alongside affiliated users' activities, providing a cohesive group identity.
• Post tasks and order services — Like clients, organizations can post tasks and order services, but under the organization's name rather than an individual's name.
• Coordinate group projects — Manage multiple projects and contracts under one umbrella.

Organization Limitations

• Organization accounts require more setup than individual accounts
• Managing affiliations and team members adds administrative responsibilities
• The organization itself does not perform freelance work — individual affiliated freelancers do

Comparing Account Types at a Glance

Here is a quick comparison to help you see the differences:

What If You Are Both a Freelancer and a Client?

This is a common question. Many people on Opengates want to both offer services and hire others. For example, you might be a web developer who freelances but also needs to hire a graphic designer for your own projects.

When choosing your account type, consider your primary activity on the platform:

• If you will spend most of your time offering services and applying to tasks, start with a Freelancer account.
• If you will spend most of your time hiring people and posting tasks, start with a Client account.

The platform is designed to serve your primary use case through your account type. If you find that your needs change over time, you can explore switching your account type.

Switching Between Account Types

If you create an account and later realize a different account type would be a better fit, Opengates allows you to switch. Here are some important things to know about switching:

• Switching changes your available features. When you switch from Freelancer to Client, for example, you gain the ability to post tasks but lose the ability to create service listings.
• Your profile information is preserved. Your name, email, profile photo, and basic information stay the same when you switch.
• Active contracts and history are maintained. Switching does not delete your existing work history, reviews, or contracts.
• Some data may not transfer. Service listings you created as a Freelancer may not be visible when you switch to a Client account, and vice versa.

To switch your account type, go to your account settings and look for the account type option. Follow the prompts to make the change. If you have questions about what will happen when you switch, contact the Opengates support team before making the change.

Recommendations by Scenario

Still not sure? Here are some common scenarios and which account type we recommend:

"I am a designer/developer/writer who wants to find clients"

Choose: Freelancer. Create service listings showcasing your work, and use gate keys to apply to tasks that match your skills.

"I run a business and need to hire freelancers for projects"

Choose: Client. Post tasks describing your needs, browse the services marketplace, and hire the right professionals.

"I manage a team of freelancers at an agency"

Choose: Organization. Create an organizational profile, affiliate your team members, and manage projects under your agency's brand.

"I am a nonprofit that needs occasional design work"

Choose: Organization (Non-profit). Set up your nonprofit profile and post tasks or order services as needed.

"I am a freelancer but sometimes need to hire other freelancers"

Choose: Freelancer (since that is your primary activity). You can explore additional options for hiring as needed.

"I am completely new and just want to explore"

Choose: Freelancer or Client based on your initial interest. You can always change later.

Next Steps

Now that you understand the three account types, you are ready to move forward:

• Ready to sign up? Head to our Creating Your Account guide for step-by-step instructions.
• Already have an account? Check out Setting Up Your Profile to make the most of your chosen account type.
• Want to get started quickly? Jump to the Quick Start Guide for a fast-track walkthrough.

Still need help? Contact our support team and we'll be happy to assist you.