99designs vs Design Subscriptions: Contest Model vs Flat-Fee Model Explained

TL;DR

99designs sells design one project at a time, through contests (many concepts, one winner, logos from US$249) or 1-to-1 hires (negotiated quotes). That works for one-off projects like a logo, but costs climb with every new request. Kimp replaces per-project buying with a flat monthly fee: the Graphics plan is $1,397/mo ($698.50/mo for the first 4 months) for unlimited requests, revisions, and brands, a dedicated team, and 24-hour turnaround. Video and Graphics + Video plans are also available. Choose a contest for one-time brand exploration and a subscription for recurring design volume.

Most businesses buy design one project at a time. A contest marketplace charges per brief, and a freelancer quotes per job. Each new banner or ad restarts the buying process. As a result, your costs shift with every request, and your calendar waits on each negotiation.

This article explains how the 99designs contest and 1-to-1 models work. Then it shows how Kimp’s flat-fee subscription handles the same needs. You will see how each model’s pricing works, handles revisions, and scales across brands. Along the way, it positions Kimp as the 99designs alternative for ongoing design and shows how a 99designs vs. subscription choice changes your budget planning.

Key Takeaways

• Contests buy ideas, and subscriptions buy capacity. 99designs opens your brief to its design community, and you pick one favorite. Kimp gives you unlimited requests for one monthly fee.
• 99designs prices per project. Logo design starts at US$249, and larger prizes attract more entries.
• Kimp prices per month. The Graphics plan costs $1,397/mo. Meanwhile, the limited-time offer cuts the first 4 months to $698.50/mo.
• Volume decides the winner. A contest suits businesses seeking multiple concepts for a one-off logo, while a subscription suits ongoing design needs. 
• Kimp covers both axes. You get cost predictability and creative range in one plan.

99designs vs Kimp at a Glance

Two Ways to Buy Design Per Project With 99designs

99designs sells design through a global community of professional designers. You choose between two formats, and each one prices a single project. The platform reports an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 from 37,648 design contest ratings. 

1. Contests: Many Concepts, One Winner

99designs opens your brief to its entire design community. Designers submit ideas, and you choose a favorite to own. The platform highlights logo design as a strong fit.

Key features:

• Concepts from multiple designers on a single brief
• A 100% money-back guarantee for eligible contests, subject to 99designs’ refund policy
• Finalized design files for print and digital use, with copyright ownership transferred under the platform’s terms 
• More entries when you raise the prize

Pricing: Packages vary by category. Logo design starts at US$249.

Best for: One-off projects, such as a logo or book cover, where you want to compare several styles.

2. 1-to-1 Projects: Hire One Designer Directly

Instead, you can hire a designer directly. You review portfolios, request quotes, and negotiate the price. 99designs recommends this route when you already know your style and art direction.

Key features:

• Design experts in over 90 skill sets
• Quotes from multiple designers
• Vetting by a quality team that ranks designers as Entry, Mid, or Top Level
• Option to keep working with the same designer on future projects

Pricing: Rates vary by designer and scope, and you negotiate each quote.

Best for: Buyers with clear art direction and one well-defined project.

Kimp: Unlimited Design for One Flat Fee

Kimp replaces per-project buying with a subscription. You submit unlimited requests, and a dedicated team and project manager handle them. As a result, you skip the quote-and-negotiate cycle that contests and freelancers repeat on every job.

1. Graphics: Unlimited Design Across Every Brand

Kimp delivers print and digital designs, custom illustrations, basic GIFs, landing pages, website, app, and UI designs, and Canva designs under one fee, with a 24-hour turnaround and source files on every request.

Key features:

• Unlimited requests, revisions, and brands
• 3 active requests at a time
• Unlimited team members on your account
• KIMP360 design management for tracking work

Pricing: The plan costs $1,397/mo with no contract. Right now, Kimp pricing drops the first 4 months to $698.50/mo.

Best for: Marketing teams and agencies with recurring design volume across several brands.

2. Video: Motion Graphics for Your Content Marketing

Video content needs its own production skills. Kimp’s Video plan gives you a dedicated video team and project manager for one fee. You can submit unlimited requests, with a 24-hour turnaround. 

Key features:

• Video editing, animation, video design, and motion graphics
• GIFs, template customization, and UI/UX animations
• 2 active requests at a time
• Free stock images, videos, and audio, plus source files

Pricing: The plan costs $1,397/mo with no contract. The first 4 months cost $698.50/mo.

Best for: Teams that focus on video content and need editing and motion graphics without a graphics plan.

3. Graphics + Video: Design and Motion in One Plan

Many marketing calendars need both workloads. Kimp bundles them under one fee. The plan costs $1,697/mo. The first 4 months cost $848.50/mo.

Buying the two plans separately costs $2,794/mo, so the bundle saves $1,097 monthly. In addition, you get 5 active requests, compared with 3 on Graphics alone.

Key features:

• A dedicated design and video team
• Free stock images, videos, and audio
• Unlimited requests, revisions, and brands
• Print and digital designs, illustrations, GIFs, and Canva designs

Pricing: $1,697/mo with no contract. The first 4 months cost $848.50/mo.

Best for: Teams that publish graphics and video every week and want one vendor.

Get Started | Book a Consultation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 99designs and a design subscription?

99designs sells individual projects through contests or 1-to-1 hires. You pay per brief and choose from submitted concepts or a single designer. A subscription like Kimp charges one monthly fee for unlimited requests. Therefore, you stop pricing each asset and start managing a queue.

Is 99designs cheaper than a design subscription?

For a single logo, 99designs costs less in absolute dollars, because logo packages start at $249. However, per-project fees multiply once you need banners, decks, and social graphics every month. Kimp’s Graphics plan holds those requests at $1,397/mo. Consequently, your break-even point depends on how many designs you order.

Is Kimp a good 99designs alternative for ongoing design work?

Kimp fits ongoing design work because the flat fee removes per-project pricing. You get unlimited requests, unlimited revisions, and a dedicated team for $1,397/mo. In addition, you get a 24-hour turnaround on every request. Meanwhile, contests still work well for one-time brand exploration.

The Bottom Line

Contests give you variety, and 1-to-1 projects give you a hand-picked specialist. However, both models charge per project, so your spend grows with every request. Kimp flips that math with unlimited requests, unlimited revisions, and a dedicated team for one monthly fee. As a result, you gain predictable costs and a wide creative range together. If your calendar fills with recurring design, the flat-fee model wins on both axes.

See Kimp pricing and start your first request.