[comprev]

In my experience:

Freelancer = revenue is mixed up in normal income and you pay the tax bill from your "personal" account. If a debt is incurred your house/assets are in the firing line. Some businesses won't touch freelancers for legal purposes.

Contractor = offers same services as Freelancer but operates under another legal entity to protect their assets (umbrella company; limited company). Any debts incurred only impact the company not the individual. A contractor might join a team as an "external" and perform the same tasks as a regular employee. More than 50% of my colleagues fit this description, usually employed by a large-scale "body shop".

Consultant = someone who offers specific niche services and operates under a limited company.

[nocubicles]

I think by this definition I am a consultant. I run my own limited company and operate under that.