TL;DR — Quick Summary
- 1Ownership: Both sites are owned by the same parent company, but serve different needs.
- 2FlexJobs: A massive, paid search engine with 50,000+ jobs and extensive screening.
- 3Remote.co: A smaller, free job board focusing on Tech, Design, and Support.
- 4Verdict: Use Remote.co for a quick daily check. Use FlexJobs for your serious, full-time job hunt.
Imagine you are shopping for a suit.
Remote.co is like a boutique shop on Main Street. It has a small, curated selection of items on the shelf. It's nice, clean, organized, and free to browse. You might find something perfect, but the selection is limited to what they have in stock today.
FlexJobs is like a massive department store or warehouse club (like Costco). You have to pay a membership fee to get in, but once you do, the selection is endless. They have every size, every color, and every brand. Plus, they have a tailor on-site (career coaching) to make sure it fits.
In this comprehensive guide, we are going to break down both platforms individually to help you decide if you need the warehouse membership or if the boutique is enough.
Platform 1: FlexJobs
Key Features
FlexJobs is built on a single promise: "No Scams, Just Jobs plus Career Support."It is designed for the serious job seeker who is tired of sifting through "Mystery Shopper" ads on Craigslist. Everything behind the paywall is Verified.
1. Advanced Vetting (The Human Screen)
FlexJobs employs real humans to vet every single job. This isn't an algorithm. A researcher checks the company's registration, the contact details, and the job description. If it looks fishy, it doesn't get in. This saves you hours of anxiety wondering if that data entry job is actually a fake check scam.
2. Skill Tests & Career Coaching
Your membership includes access to 170+ skills tests. You can verify your skills in "Remote Work Foundations", "Excel", "SEO", etc. Employers respect these badges. Plus, you get deep discounts on 1-on-1 career coaching, which is invaluable if you are pivoting careers.
3. Detailed "Remote" Filtering
Other sites just have a "Remote" checkbox. FlexJobs understands the nuance. You can search for: "100% Remote" (No travel), "Remote - During Pandemic" (Temporary), "Hybrid Remote" (Some office time), or "Option for Remote". This precision prevents you from applying to jobs on other sites that turn out to be "Remote... but must live in Tulsa."
Pricing
FlexJobs is a subscription service. There is no free tier, but there is a satisfaction guarantee.
| Plan | Cost | Value Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Week | $9.95 | ⭐⭐ (Good for a quick look) |
| 1 Month | $24.95 | ⭐⭐⭐ (Standard) |
| 3 Months | $39.95 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Better) |
| 1 Year | $59.95 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Best Value - $5/mo) |
Where FlexJobs Shines
- Safe Environment: It is the only place online where you can click "Apply" without holding your breath. The safety is worth the price of admission.
- Hidden Jobs: They find listings on small company websites that never make it to Indeed or LinkedIn.
- No Noise: No ads, no sponsored posts, no distractions. Just a clean dashboard.
Where FlexJobs Falls Short
The biggest hurdle is the paywall. It feels painful to pay for job listings when so many other sites are free. Also, the interface, while functional, looks a bit dated compared to modern startups like Otta or Wellfound.
Customer Reviews
"I was skeptical about paying, but after 3 months on LinkedIn with zero callbacks, I switched to FlexJobs. The quality of the leads was night and day. I landed a role at a non-profit in 4 weeks." - Maria S. (via Trustpilot)
Who FlexJobs is Best For
- 🎯 The Serious Hunter: If you treat job hunting as a full-time job.
- 🎯 Parents/Moms: Who specifically need flexibility and health benefits.
- 🎯 Entry Level: The testing and coaching features help bridge the "No Experience" gap.
Platform 2: Remote.co
Key Features
Remote.co is the "Light" version. It is focused, clean, and completely free. It doesn't try to cover every job in the world. It focuses on the core remote categories: Dev, Support, Design, and Marketing.
1. Curated Categories
Remote.co is excellent if you fit into a specific box. If you are a specific "Customer Service" professional, their board is highly concentrated with relevant roles. You won't have to filter out "Truck Driving" or "Nursing" jobs to find what you want.
2. "Remote Companies" Directory
One of their best features is the "Remote Companies" Q&A section. They interview 140+ companies (like Automattic, Buffer, Doist) about their remote culture. This is gold for interview prep. You can read exactly how a company operates before you talk to them.
3. Zero Friction
You don't even need an account. You go to the site, you click on a job, and you apply. There is no login wall, no "upload your resume to our system" barrier. It connects you straight to the employer's application form.
Pricing
It is 100% Free for job seekers. They make money by charging companies to post jobs ($299/post).
| Plan | Cost |
|---|---|
| Job Seeker Account | $0.00 |
Where Remote.co Shines
- Speed: It is the fastest way to check for new jobs. Open tab, glance, close.
- Modern Tech Roles: It attracts hip startups because the brand is cooler and more focused on "Digital Nomad" culture.
- Research: The company interviews are arguably the best qualitative data on remote work culture on the web.
Where Remote.co Falls Short
The volume just isn't there. You might see 5 new jobs in your category per day, whereas FlexJobs might have 50. Also, because it is free, everyone checks it. Competition for each link is higher.
Customer Reviews
"I follow their blog and check the board daily. It's a nice supplement to my search, but I wouldn't rely on it exclusively. Great for finding startup roles." - Jason K. (via Reddit)
Who Remote.co is Best For
- 🎯 The Casual Browser: You have a job, but you are "looking".
- 🎯 Tech/Startup Folks: Who want to work for cool, modern companies.
- 🎯 Budget Hunters: Who absolutely cannot spend money on a job board.
Head-to-Head Verdict
Since they are owned by the same people, you aren't really "choosing sides". You are choosing the right tool for your current intensity level.
FlexJobs Strategy
Use this when you are unemployed or desperate to leave. Pay the $59 for the year. It pays for itself with one saved week of unemployment. The volume and filters will help you apply to 10x more jobs.
Remote.co Strategy
Use this when you are comfortably employed. Bookmark it. Check it with your morning coffee. If you see a dream role at a cool startup, apply. It costs you nothing.
Real World Scenarios: Which Should You Click?
| If you are... | Use FlexJobs | Use Remote.co |
|---|---|---|
| Unemployed & Need Cash Now | YES (Speed & Volume) | No (Too Slow) |
| Happy but "Open to Opportunities" | No (Waste of Money) | YES (Free Browsing) |
| Looking for a Fortune 500 Role | YES (Enterprise Listings) | No (Mostly Startups) |
| A Developer or Designer | Good | Great (Curated Tech) |
Verdict: You Get What You Pay For
Remote.co is a nice free sample. FlexJobs is the full buffet.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Wait, does FlexJobs own Remote.co?
Are the jobs the same?
Can I trust listings on Remote.co?
Arielle Phoenix
Mommy Money Founder
Homeschool mother, web asset builder and AI SEO specialist. Arielle knows a thing or two about being a mommy and making money while doing it! From side hustles, to main hustles to full time wfh employment—Arielle has tackled it all.