Textbroker vs iWriter vs (ME) Direct Hire: Which Option Works Best for Your Business?

Finding reliable content writing services shouldn’t feel like a gamble. Yet for many small business owners, that’s exactly what it becomes when choosing between platforms like Textbroker and iWriter.

Both are content mills designed to connect you with freelance writers who can create content on demand. The appeal is obvious: quick turnaround, bulk ordering, and pricing based on word count. But the reality often looks different. Inconsistent writing quality, unusable drafts, and hours spent reviewing submissions that miss the mark.

If your website needs high quality content that ranks on search engines and speaks to your target audience, the platform you choose matters. So does the question of whether a platform is even the right move.

This article breaks down how Textbroker and iWriter compare. It also explains why working directly with a content writer might be the smarter path for businesses that take growth seriously.

Textbroker vs iWriter vs Direct Hire – Key Differences

Before diving into each option, here’s a quick snapshot of what sets them apart.

💬 Not sure where to start? Send me a message or book a discovery call and let’s talk about how we can simplify your marketing and get you back to focusing on what matters—your business.

Textbroker

Textbroker launched in 2005 and quickly became one of the first content mills to connect businesses with freelance writers at scale. Based in Germany with a strong U.S. presence, the platform has helped thousands of companies publish blog posts, web content, and product descriptions.

The model is simple. You post an order, set your word count, and writers pick up the job based on their star rating. Higher-rated writers cost more per word. Lower-rated writers cost less but often deliver content that needs significant editing or can’t be used at all.

For businesses that need a high volume of written content without building an in-house team, Textbroker offers a structured way to order content. But the trade-off is clear: you’re managing quality yourself, and results can vary.

How Textbroker Works

Textbroker uses a star rating system to rank writers from two to five stars. When you create an order, you choose the quality level you want. The platform then calculates the cost based on word count and star level.

There are two main ways to order:

• Self Service – You post a job and either let any qualified writer claim it or select a specific writer based on their profile and writing sample. This gives you control but requires time to review submissions.
• Managed Services – For a minimum of $2,500, Textbroker assigns a dedicated team to handle your content marketing needs. This option suits larger projects but comes with a significant upfront cost.

Types of Jobs on Textbroker

Textbroker focuses on written content. You won’t find social media marketing, graphic design, or video work here. The platform is built for text-based deliverables like:

• Blog posts and articles
• Product descriptions for e-commerce
• Web content and landing pages
• Press releases
• Social media post copy

For businesses in industries like healthcare, finance, or legal services, the platform can produce general content. But specialized topics often require writers with niche expertise, which can be harder to find through open orders.

Textbroker Pricing and Service Fees

Pricing is based on cents per word and increases with each star level. Here’s a general breakdown:

• 2-star: Around 1.3 cents per word
• 3-star: Around 1.8 cents per word
• 4-star: Around 2.4 cents per word
• 5-star: Around 7.2 cents per word

Textbroker takes a 35% cut from the writer’s pay, plus a small admin fee per order. As the client, your cost is the listed rate. But here’s the catch: most bloggers and business owners report that content from two-star and three-star levels is often unusable. Grammar issues, awkward phrasing, and shallow research make these lower price options a false economy.

Four star levels and above tend to deliver quality content that’s publishable. But the jump in price from four-star to five-star doesn’t always reflect a significant jump in quality. You might pay three times more and receive only marginal improvements.

Textbroker Communication and Workflow

All communication happens inside the Textbroker dashboard. You submit your order, include instructions, and wait for a writer to claim it. Once the content is delivered, you review and either accept, request revisions, or reject.

The workflow is efficient for bulk orders. But it doesn’t support ongoing collaboration. You rarely build a relationship with a specific writer unless you use direct orders, which require you to already know who you want to work with.

For businesses that need quick blog posts or a single article to fill a gap, this system works. For those building a long-term content strategy, it can feel limiting.

iWriter

iWriter launched in 2011 and built its reputation on speed and affordability. The platform connects clients with freelance writers across the globe who can create content for articles, blog posts, press releases, and more.

Like Textbroker, iWriter uses a tiered system. Writers start at the Standard level and can move up to Premium, Elite, and Elite Plus as they gain experience and positive reviews. Higher tiers mean better pay for writers and higher costs for clients.

The platform appeals to businesses looking for cheap content with fast turnaround. iWriter even advertises delivery in as little as 30 minutes for urgent orders. But speed often comes at the cost of depth and writing quality.

How iWriter Works

You sign up, fund your account, and submit an order through the dashboard. The process is straightforward:

1. Choose your project type (article, blog post, eBook, etc.)
2. Enter your content title and description
3. Set your word count and category
4. Select your preferred quality level
5. Add any keywords or special instructions
6. Submit and wait for delivery

One feature that sets iWriter apart is the ability to review content before paying. If the submission doesn’t meet your standards, you can request a rewrite or reject it without being charged. This reduces financial risk but doesn’t eliminate the time you spend reviewing poor submissions.

Types of Jobs on iWriter

iWriter covers a range of content writing needs:

• Articles and blog posts
• Product descriptions
• Press releases
• eBooks and Kindle books
• Article rewrites
• SEO content

The platform works well for general topics. But for industries that require research and accuracy, such as legal, medical, or financial services, finding writers with the right expertise can be hit or miss. Many writers on the platform handle a high volume of freelance writing jobs, which can affect depth and originality.

iWriter Pricing and Service Fees

iWriter pricing is based on word count and writer tier. Here’s a rough idea of what to expect for a 1,500-word article:

• Standard: Around $8–$10
• Premium: Around $16–$20
• Elite: Around $31
• Elite Plus: Around $108

The gap between Elite and Elite Plus is steep. Many business owners question whether the quality difference justifies paying more than three times the price. From various reviews and case studies, Elite Plus content tends to be more polished. But it’s not always dramatically better than Elite.

Another thing to note: when there are fewer jobs at the top tiers, elite writers sometimes pick up lower-tier orders. This means you could occasionally get high quality content at a lower price. But it’s not something you can count on.

iWriter Communication and Workflow

Like Textbroker, iWriter keeps communication within the platform. You set your requirements upfront and receive the finished product. There’s no real-time collaboration or ongoing dialogue with your writer.

This workflow suits one-off orders. It doesn’t support the kind of partnership that leads to consistent quality content over time. If your business needs a content writer who understands your brand voice and can adapt to your evolving goals, the platform model falls short.

Why Hiring Me Directly Works Better

Content mills like Textbroker and iWriter serve a purpose. They give you access to many writers at various price points. But if your goal is to rank on search engines, build authority with your target audience, and grow your business, the limitations of these platforms become obvious.

I’ve worked with clients who came to me after spending months on content mills. The pattern is familiar: a pile of blog posts that needed heavy editing, product descriptions that lacked personality, and web content that didn’t convert. The money saved on cheap content ended up costing more in wasted time and missed opportunities.

Here’s why direct hire makes better business sense.

Transparent Pricing Without Platform Fees

On Textbroker, you pay per word at rates set by star level. On iWriter, you pay per word based on writer tier. Both platforms take a cut from the writer, and you’re left wondering how much of your budget actually goes toward the work itself.

When you work with me directly, pricing is clear. I charge based on project scope or a monthly retainer. There are no hidden fees, no middleman markups, and no surprises. Your investment goes toward creating quality content for your business.

Flexible Support That Scales With Your Business

Platforms are built for transactions. You place an order, receive content, and move on. That works for a single article or a batch of product descriptions. But what happens when your business launches a new service? Or when you need a content strategy that spans several months?

With direct hire, I adapt to your needs. A small business might start with a few blog posts per month. Over time, that could expand into web content, landing pages, or a full content marketing plan. Because I already understand your goals and audience, scaling up is seamless.

Consistent Quality and Real Collaboration

The biggest issue with content mills is inconsistency. You might get a great writer one week and a mediocre one the next. Even when you try to work with a specific writer, there’s no guarantee they’ll be available for your next project.

When you hire me, you get consistency. I learn your brand voice, your industry, and what resonates with your audience. Every piece of content reflects that understanding. You’re not starting from scratch with each order. You’re building on a foundation that strengthens over time.

This kind of collaboration saves you hours of editing and revision requests. It also means your written content sounds like it belongs on your website, not like it was pulled from a generic template.

Who Should Use Textbroker, iWriter, or Direct Hire?

The right choice depends on where your business is and what you’re trying to achieve.

Textbroker Works Best If…

You need bulk content and have time to manage quality yourself. The platform suits businesses that want to order content at scale, such as e-commerce sites needing hundreds of product descriptions. Stick to four star levels or higher to avoid unusable drafts. Be prepared to spend time reviewing and requesting revisions.

iWriter Works Best If…

You need fast, budget-friendly content for general topics. The platform is useful for filling gaps quickly or testing new blog post ideas without a big commitment. Use the Elite tier at minimum for decent writing quality. Don’t rely on it for content that requires deep research or industry expertise.

Direct Hire Works Best If…

You want content that drives real results. This path suits businesses that see content as an investment, not just a task to check off. Whether you’re in healthcare, legal services, e-commerce, or any service-based industry, working directly with a content writer gives you strategy, consistency, and accountability.

If you’re tired of sorting through submissions, fixing grammar, and wondering whether your content will actually rank, direct hire solves those problems. You get a partner who cares about your growth, not just filling an order.

Ready to Stop Gambling on Content?

Textbroker and iWriter can fill a gap when you need quick, low-stakes content. But if you’re building a business that depends on visibility, trust, and conversions, those platforms will only take you so far.

I bring over 16 years of experience in content writing and SEO strategy. My work has helped businesses across industries grow organic traffic and connect with their target audience. No platform fees. No inconsistent quality. Just high quality content designed to perform.

If you’re ready to move past content mills and invest in a real content strategy, let’s talk. Book a free discovery call and see how direct hire can put your business on the right track.

FAQs About Textbroker vs iWriter

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