If you’re a freelance proofreader searching for a trustworthy company to partner with, you might want to look into ProofreadingServices.com. This platform is designed to connect freelance proofreaders like you with quality proofreading opportunities that fit your needs.  I have mentioned it before, particularly in my 60+ proofreading companies, but I have never reviewed the company in detail.

In today’s review, I wanted to talk about ProofreadingServices.com.

It’s a top online platform for proofreading and editing, catering to both businesses and academics globally. It was founded in 2011 by Luke Palder, a non-fiction writer who went to Yale and Cambridge. While the company is headquartered in San Francisco, it works with expert freelancers worldwide, meaning you can work from wherever you are.

Can you make money?  Is it worth your time?  I’m going to answer as many questions as possible.

As always, I’m 100% honest, only recommending what I feel is worth your time.

Let’s begin!

What is Proofreading?

First, let’s clear up what proofreading is.

When you proofread, you’re going through a document to catch any errors and fix them. This usually involves spotting issues with grammar, spelling, punctuation, and even typos. Additionally, you’ll need to make sure the document follows a consistent style and formatting. Proofreading is a key part of getting any written work—like school essays, business reports, or formal letters—in tip-top shape.

Why is it so crucial?

Well, even small errors can completely change what a sentence is supposed to mean. For example, confusing “affect” with “effect” can give a sentence an entirely different meaning. As a professional proofreader, it’s your job to spot and fix these errors.

However, don’t mix up proofreading with editing. Though the terms are often used interchangeably, they’re not the same.

People often use the terms proofreading and editing interchangeably, but they’re not exactly the same. Proofreading is about catching all sorts of errors like bad grammar and spelling. Editing, on the other hand, is more about enhancing the flow and voice of a document. For instance, a sentence like “This girl went to the store” could be edited to say, “This young lady ventured to the boutique.” Proofreading would leave that sentence as is, since there’s nothing technically wrong with it.

Editing dives deeper, tweaking sentence structure and word choices to make the content clearer and more engaging. Proofreading, on the other hand, is more about fine-tuning for mistakes in grammar and punctuation.

Is ProofreadingServices.com Legit?

You might be wondering if ProofreadingServices.com is the real deal.

Proofreading Services has been around since 2011 and was founded by Luke Palder. They’ve built a strong reputation for hiring talented contractors. They handle a wide array of written documents and have a clientele that includes big names like IBM, Harvard University, and Vogue. While they’re headquartered in San Francisco, they offer remote work options to proofreaders around the world.

While their primary focus is proofreading, they also offer other services. These range from resume writing and translation to eBook formatting and cover design. They also offer transcription and translation gigs for freelancers. Most of their client base consists of academics and businesses, and the majority of their team are freelancers who work remotely.

Requirements

If you’re thinking about joining ProofreadingServices, the requirements are a bit different from other companies.

While many remote proofreading gigs might ask for a college degree or other qualifications, ProofreadingServices focuses mainly on a 20-minute test you have to take. Scoring at least 95% is essential; otherwise, you won’t make the cut.

This test isn’t easy—only about 1 in 300 applicants pass it. But if you don’t ace it the first time, you can try again, though it’s unclear when you can retake it. That’s why training beforehand is a must.

If you’re new to the proofreading world, you might need some training to get really good at it and YouTube as well as courses online can help you. The training helps you understand what the industry expects from you.

Aside from mastering the test, the company generally prefers native English speakers, especially those from the US, UK, Ireland, Canada, and Australia. However, if you have proofreading experience and you’re really good at English, you might still get a shot even if you’re not from these countries.

Applying

How do you actually apply?

Head over to their careers page.

You’ll find two job types listed: online proofreading jobs and ghostwriting books for celebrities. Go ahead and pick the online proofreading option. You’ll then be taken to the page where you can start that 20-minute test. Remember, the clock’s ticking, so make sure to complete it before time runs out.

Application Process

The test focuses a lot on how well you understand English, especially grammar. And again, you have to be super accurate to pass. After the test, you’ll find a section where you can talk about your past freelance experience. Maybe you’ve worked as a translator, a copywriter, or an online tutor. Mention all of it, because even if they decide you’re not cut out for proofreading, your experience might make you a good fit for another role they offer.

If you don’t meet the test requirements for some reason, this section about your previous jobs might still help you land a different position. Once you pass the test, the company will get in touch with more information about your job and what paid work is available for you.

When you pass the test, you will make an account and get a set of guidelines from the company’s onboard team. Then, you’ll start receiving proofreading assignments. You can apply from anywhere in the world, just go over to their website and look for the application button as seen in the screenshot above.

How Much Do They Pay?

The pay is pretty competitive compared to other proofreading companies, ranging from $15 to $45 an hour. The faster you can turn around a project, the more you can earn, especially for urgent tasks.

The best part is that you’re in control of your schedule. Work full-time, part-time, or juggle both based on your availability.

What you earn will depend on a few things like how quickly you can get the job done, what kind of work it is, and how long the document is.

In a nutshell, you’ll likely earn more here than the average proofreader, who usually makes around $25 an hour.

The Reviews Online

If you’re curious about what others say about ProofreadingServices.com, it’s a mixed bag.

On Reddit, I didn’t find much chatter about the company. The one comment that stood out was from a person who took the company’s 20-minute test and didn’t pass. They weren’t happy about it, which is understandable. But remember, most companies in this line of work have quick, tough tests. Scoring above 90% is usually a must.

On Glassdoor, one former employee gave the company just one star. They said that, yes, you do get paid, but the work can be confusing and hard to complete. On the flip side, some say Proofreading Services is a well-run platform, with freelancers making an average of $20 an hour, going up to $45+ an hour.

There were also complaints about not having enough work and lack of communication from the company. If you find yourself in the same boat, the company says you can contact their customer support 24/7. Now, it’s important to note that while people may have various complaints, nobody said the company was a scam.

Some positive reviews, however, mention how you get paid per word, not by the time you spend working on a project. This means you’ll know upfront how much you’ll make on each job. Others praise the company for letting you work from home on interesting topics and having flexible deadlines.

Keep in mind that the overall rating for Proofreading Services on Glassdoor is 4 stars, which is okay. But keep in mind, this is based on just 20 reviews, so it might not be a complete picture. The reviews do say the company offers a decent work/life balance and okay management. The downsides are limited career growth and lower pay. But again, no one claimed the company was a scam.

Final Thoughts

7/10In summary, ProofreadingServices.com is a legit operation, with clients all over the world. They’re pretty picky about who they hire, so you might want to consider getting some training before you apply. The hiring process is short but intense. If you make it through, the payoff in terms of earnings and flexibility could be well worth it.  As noted, the pay is above average, which is a breath of fresh air.

ProofreadingServices.com is a solid choice for anyone looking to work from home. They’re a real-deal company that pays well. What’s more, they offer flexible hours and you’ll often find interesting work to do.

And here’s the kicker: you don’t need a fancy degree to get hired. They have various roles you can fill, like online tutoring and transcription. So if you’re into that sort of thing, why not give it a shot.  I included all of the links needed above to get started.

That’s going to do it for now.

As always, feel free to let me know about your thoughts in the comments below.