Spot the latest contract roles the moment they are posted
and contact the hiring manager directly.
Comparison
Reed and Freelance Radar both help you find work, but they do not cover the same roles. Here is an honest comparison for UK contractors, inside and outside IR35.
reed.co.uk is a large UK job board run by Reed, which is also a recruitment agency. Employers and agencies post jobs across every industry, including contract and temporary roles.
Freelance Radar finds the contract roles that recruiters, agencies and hiring managers announce in LinkedIn posts, including the many that never become a formal job ad. You see who posted each role and contact them directly.
| Reed | Freelance Radar | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Job board | Contract role radar for LinkedIn posts |
| Contract roles from LinkedIn feed posts | No | Yes |
| Contract focus | Every job type, with a contract filter | Contract roles only, inside and outside IR35 |
| Contact with the person hiring | Usually through an application form | Direct, you see who posted the role |
| Email alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Cost for contractors | Free for job seekers | £49 a year or £29 a month, 48 hour trial for £1 |
Comparison as of 2026, based on public information.
Reed is best for: broad searches across every kind of UK job. Freelance Radar is best when you want the contract roles that only show up in LinkedIn posts, with an alert as soon as they are posted and the name of the person to contact.
See the latest contract rolesIs Freelance Radar an alternative to Reed?
It is a complement more than a replacement. Reed covers job ads posted on reed.co.uk, while Freelance Radar covers contract roles that recruiters and hiring managers announce in LinkedIn posts, many of which are never advertised on job boards.
Can I use Reed and Freelance Radar together?
Yes. Most contractors use several sources. Freelance Radar adds the contract roles from LinkedIn posts and sends them to you by email alert, so you can reply to the recruiter before the role gets crowded.
Does Freelance Radar show the day rate and IR35 status?
Yes, when the post states it. Each role shows the rate as written, for example £550/day Inside IR35 or £600/day Outside IR35, along with clearance requirements when they are mentioned.
How much does Freelance Radar cost?
You can browse the latest contract roles for free. Full access with alerts and direct contact costs £49 a year, or £29 a month, with a 48 hour trial for £1 and cancellation anytime.
