Fees and Services of Top Freelance Platforms [comparison]
Freelancing has become a popular way of earning income for many individuals. With the advent of online freelance portals, finding and securing freelance work has become much more manageable. However, with so many freelance portals available, it can be challenging to know which one is the best fit for your needs. This article compares the fees and services offered by some of the leading freelance portals.
Upwork
Upwork is one of the largest and most popular freelance portals. Upwork is a freelance platform where businesses and individuals can connect with freelancers for various projects, including web and graphic design, software development, writing and translation, marketing, accounting, and more.
Upwork provides a platform for clients to post job opportunities and search for freelancers with the necessary skills and experience to complete those jobs. Freelancers, in turn, can create a profile, submit proposals to clients, and collaborate on projects through the Upwork platform. Upwork also offers various tools and features to help freelancers and clients manage projects and track progress, including time tracking and invoicing.
Freelancer Fees 20% for the first $500 you bill your client.
10% for total billings between $500.01 and $10,000
5% for total billings over $10,000
Client Fees: The marketplace fee is 5%. For example, if your payment is $100, you'll pay an additional $5 to Upwork.
Upwork offers a discounted rate of 3% for eligible clients in the U.S. who pay with a checking account(ACH). For example, you'll pay an additional $3 on a $100 payment.
Overview
Upwork has a fee of 20% for contracts below 500 $, a relatively average fee of 10% for contracts between 500 $ and 10,000 $ and a low fee of 5% for over 10,000 $.
The client fees are relatively average. The cost of the ACH payment method is 3%, which is low.
Freelancer fees are relatively high for small projects (below 500$).
Fees are transparent, and there don't seem to be many different types of fees.
Upwork has a low fee of 5% for contracts over 10,000$. Upwork favors long-term projects.
Freelancer
Freelancer is a global online marketplace for freelancers and clients to connect and collaborate on various projects. Freelancers can create profiles, bid on projects, and showcase their skills and expertise in multiple fields, such as graphic design, web development, writing, and marketing.
Clients can post projects, review bids from freelancers, and choose the Freelancer that best fits their needs and budget. Freelancer offers tools and resources to help freelancers and clients manage their projects, communicate effectively, and complete work efficiently. The platform also provides a secure payment system to ensure that freelancers are paid for their work and that clients receive the services they are paid for.
Freelancer Fees: The fee for fixed-price projects is 10% or USD 5.00, whichever is greater, and 10% for hourly projects.
The freelancer contest fee is 10% or $5.00, whichever is greater.
If you are subsequently hired to perform that Service, a 20% fee of the total service price is charged. This is set when the Service is ordered through a deduction from your payment.
If you are in the Preferred Freelancer Program, you will be charged a 15% project fee when you are awarded and accept a Recruiter project. This will not be charged upfront, like on regular projects, but rather when you receive the payment.
Client Fees: For fixed-price projects, a fee of 3% or $3.00 (whichever is greater) is levied when you are awarded a project. If you subsequently pay the Freelancer more than the original bid amount, Freelancer will also charge the project fee on any overage payments.
For hourly projects, a fee of 3% is levied on each payment you make to the Freelancer.
Transaction fees incurred for using Credit Card, PayPal, or Skrill: $0.30 + 2.3%
Local Bank Deposit: FREE
International Wire Transfer: $15.00
Other FeesThe arbitration fee for a milestone dispute: is $5.00 or 5%, whichever is greater.
Overview
Freelancers' fees range from low to average, but transparency and complexity are high. For example, the client fee for awarding a project is 3%, and the transaction fee for using Credit cards, Paypal and Skrill is 2.3%. If you grant a project and pay with a credit card, the total fee will be 5.3%. Having two different fees for the same thing makes it difficult to understand. Also, the arbitration fee for a milestone dispute is 5%.
You must look for different fees before using this freelancer platform. In this article, we may have skipped some fees that are case-specific.
Fiverr
Fiverr is an online platform that provides freelance services to customers worldwide. Fiverr offers various services, including graphic design, video editing, writing and translation, music and audio production, programming and technology, business consulting, and more.
Freelancers can create profiles and offer their services, and customers can browse and hire freelancers directly through the platform. Fiverr is known for its "gig" system, where freelancers provide specific services for a set price, starting at $5. However, freelancers can set their prices and offer custom packages as well. Fiverr is popular among small business owners, entrepreneurs, and individuals needing affordable, high-quality freelance services.
Freelancer Fees: Freelancer fees are 20% of the purchase amount.
Client Fees: Service fees are 5.5% of the purchase amount. For purchases under $50, an additional $2 small order fee will be applied.
Overview
Freelancer fees are very high and don't decrease depending on the project size. It is safe to say that Fiverr is focused on short-term projects.
Client fees are neither high nor low for purchases over 50$(5.5%). Below 50$ though, because of the additional $2 cost, the fee becomes %9.5 at the very minimum. (2$ is 4% of the 50$)The costs are easy to understand, and they are pretty straightforward.Fiverr doesn't have hourly contracts.
Guru
Guru is a freelance marketplace platform that connects businesses with freelancers in various fields, such as design, programming, writing, administrative support, and more. The platform allows companies to post jobs and hire freelancers for one-time or ongoing projects.
Freelancers can also create profiles and apply for available jobs that match their skills and expertise. Guru offers features such as project management tools, time tracking, secure payments, and dispute resolution services. The platform was launched in 2001 and has since grown to become one of the leading freelance marketplaces on the internet.
Freelancer Fees: Guru charges a fee of 9% on every paid invoice.
Freelancers can enjoy lower fees by subscribing to paid plans.
The professional plan costs 21,95$ per month, and the fee is lowered to 7%
The business plan costs 33,95$ per month, and the fee is lowered to 6%
The executive plan costs 49,95$ per month, and the fee is lowered to 5%
Client Fees: Guru charges a handling fee of 2.9% for each invoice you pay. However, using eCheck or wire transfer, you will receive 100% cash back on the handling fee.
Overview
Guru has low fees compared to other platforms. You can pay 49,95$ per month for the Executive plan to lower the freelancer fees by 4%. This would be very useful for freelancers that make more than 1250$ per month. Guru favors freelancers with high earnings and long-term projects.
PeoplePerHour
PeoplePerHour is a freelance platform that connects businesses and individuals with freelancers in various fields, such as design, writing, programming, marketing, and more. The platform allows companies to post job requests, and freelancers can bid on those jobs. PeoplePerHour also provides tools for communication, project management, and payment processing to ensure smooth collaboration between clients and freelancers.
Freelancer Fees: Over £5000-lifetime billing per buyer: 3.5% (excl. VAT) service fee
Between £250 and £5000-lifetime billing per buyer: 7.5% (excl. VAT) service fee
Below £250-lifetime billing per buyer: 20% (excl. VAT) service fee
Client Fees: Paypal, Credit/Debit, Skrill, Alipay, Qiwi, TrustPay, Giropay, Paysafecard, and Unionpay payment methods have £0.6 + 10% service fee.
Bank transfers for Silver Members have a service fee of 2.5%, and for Gold Members, 0%
Overview
Client fees of PeoplePerHour are way too high compared to other freelance platforms. Freelancer fees are complicated. They charge an additional 20% of the commission as VAT. For example, for a £250 project, there's a 20% fee, and 20% of this 20% is 4%. In total, the fee would be 24% which is £60.
Toptal
Toptal is a talent-matching platform that connects businesses with top freelance software developers, designers, and finance experts worldwide. Toptal's talent pool includes a carefully selected group of professionals who undergo a rigorous screening process, including language, personality, and skill assessments.
Toptal claims to have a 3% acceptance rate, meaning that only the top 3% of candidates who apply are accepted into the platform. The platform also provides project management tools and support to help clients and freelancers manage their projects efficiently. Toptal is known for its high-quality talent and personalized approach to matching clients with the right freelancers.
Fees and Overview Toptal doesn't disclose its fees. Clients can't see the actual rate of the freelancers, and the freelancers can't see the real rate Toptal charges the clients.
Quick ComparisonThe platform With the Lowest Client Fees: Guru
Guru charges a handling fee of 2.9% for each invoice you pay. However, using eCheck or wire transfer, you will receive 100% cash back on the handling fee.
The platform With the Lowest Freelancer Fees: Guru
You can pay 49,95$ per month for the Executive plan to lower the freelancer fees to 5%. Without a monthly subscription, the fee is 9% which is still good.
The Least Transparent Platform: Toptal
Toptal doesn't disclose its fees. Clients can't see the actual rate of the freelancers, and the freelancers can't see the real rate Toptal charges the clients.
The Worst Fees Overall: PeoplePerHour
The Worst Platform for Long-Term Projects: Fiverr: Fiverr charges a 20% fee for freelancers no matter what. Because of that, the platform is not ideal for long-term projects.
The only platform that has transaction fees on top of client fees is Freelancer.
The highest client fees for purchases under 50$: Fiverr
Because of the additional $2 fee for purchases below 50$, the fee becomes %9.5 at the very minimum.