I’m going to make a bold statement, regardless of whether you think you’re already making the most of the $1.2 trillion freelance economy: Every freelancer must take a good look at Upwork vs. Fiverr.
I say this with love and also from experience. Despite having a nearly three-decade career in marketing with the last 10 years or so working full-time freelance as a Copyblogger Certified Content Marketer, my business hit a lull a few years ago. To keep the work flowing, I decided to join an online freelance marketplace.
It was honestly the best move I could’ve made and a great overall experience. Of course, there are pros and cons, which we’ll explore.
Let’s dive in.
The Contenders: Upwork vs. Fiverr
Full disclosure: Upwork and Fiverr were the only two platforms I considered, as they top the list of best freelancer sites.
Although, there are numerous sites to choose from. (And keep reading, because I’ll let you know which platform I went with. 🙂 ) For example, if you’re a visual creative, freelance portfolio sites like Behance and Dribbble have job marketplaces you can use to find work.
Back to Upwork vs. Fiverr: Here’s a quick overview of the two contenders.
Upwork: Overview
Upwork is the product of a 2013 merger of two early freelance platforms: Elance (founded in 1998) and oDesk (founded in 2003). Rebranded “Upwork” in 2015, the platform calls itself “the world’s work marketplace.” That was its original idea: make remote work easy with a trustworthy global platform that connects independent talent with employers.
Today, Upwork reportedly is the biggest freelancer platform worldwide with more than five million registered clients, 145K of which are active “core clients” — employers who spend more than $5,000 annually. And there are 18 million registered freelancers on the site.
Before your eyes glaze over, the reason I’m sharing those stats because they speak to the core difference between Upwork vs. Fiverr: long-term working relationships. While there’s plenty of individual project work, Upwork encourages ongoing remote work arrangements and repeat business for freelancers (hello, 145K core clients).
Upwork is more like a traditional staffing model, where freelancers create profiles and companies post jobs. Through the platform, which boasts 70+ work categories covering thousands of skills, there’s a hiring process powered by algorithms that match freelancers’ qualifications with job requirements.
Fiverr: Overview
Fiverr, on the other hand, was founded in 2010 by Micha Kaufman and Shai Wininger, who believed that working 9 to 5 is no way to make a living. So, rather than (or in addition to) working one big, phat job-job on someone else’s schedule, the idea is to sell your services quickly, easily, and relatively inexpensively working how/when you like. (A fiver a project — $5 — was the original concept.)
Today, you can make much more than a five-spot on the platform. Fiverr reportedly has 3.42 million active buyers (a client, specifically anyone who buys at least one “gig”) purchasing services in more than 500 categories. The average annual spend per buyer is now $205.
The Fiverr model, as you can probably tell, is more project-based, one-off jobs. Fiverr outsourcing is focused on digital services, so the “gig” (service) offered by a “seller” (freelancer) is purchased by a buyer (client). It’s a straightforward transactional process.
Not unlike Upwork, the opportunity for freelancers is vast: It’s a global network with millions of buyers looking for just the right person to do the job.
The old image of a Fiverr seller having to jump through hoops for $5 is so 2010 — more than a decade later, Fiverr makes it easy to become a freelancer who earns fair wages and reaps the benefits of #freelancelife.
Upwork vs. Fiverr: Comparison
Feature | Upwork | Fiverr |
Registration | Free | Free |
Average Freelancer Rates | $10-$60+/hour | $5-$995/gig package |
Proposal Submission Fees | $0.15(+) “Connects” per proposal | N/A |
Membership Fees | $14.99/month (“Freelancer Plus”) | N/A |
Platform Commissions (per job) |
5%-20% | 20% |
Finding Work | Profile, proposals, invitations | Gigs, respond to Buyer Requests |
Reviews & Ratings | Public/Private reviews, Job Success Score (JSS), badges | Public Reviews/5-Star Rating System, Seller Levels |
Payment Safety | Payment held in escrow, 5 secure methods of cash withdrawal (ACH, wire transfer, Instant Pay, PayPal, Payoneer) | Payment held in escrow, 4 secure methods of cash withdrawal (PayPal, ACH, bank deposit, Fiverr Revenue Card) |
Dispute Resolution | Upwork Fixed-Price Protection – mediation with an Upwork dispute specialist | Resolution Center |
Registration and Confirmation
Signing up on either platform is free. From there, you’ll set up your profile, which looks a bit different for Upwork vs. Fiverr. However, they both have one key element in common: Finding enough of the right clients starts with your initial setup. So, be sure to shine a spotlight on your expertise, services, and skills right out of the gates.
Upwork
As mentioned, Upwork is focused on selling you vs. an individual service you offer, so the page you create is a cross between a resume and a LinkedIn profile page. After you sign up for free, Upwork asks you to create a profile. The goal is to include as much professional information as possible, including:
- A compelling profile title highlighting top skills and expertise
- A professional headshot
- Your hourly rate (the platform will show you the rate less the Upwork commission)
- Your skills
- Your language(s)
- Your employment and education history
Upwork helps make this process simple by allowing you to import your LinkedIn profile to customize from there. (For more best profile practices, check out Upwork’s advice.)
Once you create your profile, you submit it for approval, which is done by a combination of algorithms and humans. You should hear back about whether or not your application is approved within 24 hours.
Fiverr
Fiverr works a bit differently, as you’re setting up a profile so you can publish gigs. So, while buyers may check out your profile, well-worded gigs are how to close a sale on the platform.
Still, your Fiverr profile is your introduction to the community, and it includes many of the same elements as Upwork:
- A compelling profile title highlighting top skills and expertise
- A professional headshot
- An overall description of your services (this is your intro to the Fiverr community)
- Your language(s)
- Your skills
- Your social presence
- Your education and certifications
- Your website, plus notable clients/work
Once you complete your file (at least 65%), you click “verify,” which is done by phone. Be sure to check out Fiverr’s tips on creating your seller profile.
Pricing
Pricing is twofold when it comes to Upwork vs. Fiverr: what you can charge clients/buyers and fees you pay for conducting business on the platform.
The price you charge for your work on each platform is at your discretion. However, as it is anytime you set your freelance rates, it makes sense to see what others are charging as a guideline. Just don’t undervalue yourself — your net earnings after paying the platform’s commission have to be worth it.
Upwork
Upwork makes it simple for you to price your work either by charging an hourly rate, a fixed rate, or a per-project basis. Set your rates to be competitive and commensurate with your experience — Upwork (vs. Fiverr) has the reputation of freelancers charging higher rates.
That’s in part because Upwork makes most of its money on you, the freelancer, and it’s wise to take all of the fees you’ll pay into consideration.
First off, you need “Connects” to submit job proposals. The Basic (free) plan includes 10 Connects, and there are various ways you can earn more as a reward. If you need more Connects beyond that, you’ll have to buy them at $0.15 each. (You can roll over 200 Connects a month.)
Also, if you want to uplevel your Upwork experience, you can upgrade to Freelancer Plus, currently $14.99/month. That gives you perks, including 80 Connects, insight into bid ranges on jobs, and a customized URL, among others.
The Upwork commission scales downward, so the more business you do on the platform, the less Upwork commission (percentage-wise) you pay. The Upwork commission structure is based on your lifetime billings with each non-enterprise client:
- $0-$500: 20%
- $500.01-$10,000: 10%
- $10,000.01+: 5%
There are some exceptions worth noting, but that’s the general overview.
Fiverr
As mentioned, Fiverr’s reputation is that it’s easy to get relatively good quality work for cheap. The numbers support that — a report from Priceonmics says that more than 96% of the platform’s sellers make less than $500/month.
That said, there are ways to use Fiverr outsourcing for more than just a side hustle. The Fiverr Pro program, which requires an application and has a hand-vetted approval process, is a great route for experienced professionals to do well on the platform.
Big reveal: I know because I am a Fiverr Pro. And I was able to push my annual earnings close to six figures in a little over a year using the platform to increase my client base. Surprising, right? Then again, Fiverr does say prices range from $5-$10,000, so there’s that.
Like Upwork, Fiverr makes its money from freelancers, but unlike Upwork, the commission structure is simple: they take 20% of your earnings. No subscription or service-listing fees.
Finding Work
Now that you’ve got a good idea about the differences between Upwork vs. Fiverr, you probably can tell they’re both excellent freelancer tools for finding work. While both platforms are a two-way street — clients can reach out to you, or you can reach out to them — the process looks different on each site.
Upwork
Remember how I said your marketability begins with your Upwork profile? You must optimize your job title and price your services competitively. As Upwork says, your freelancer profile is your most powerful tool for getting hired. As you rack up positive reviews, prospective clients will reach out to you with job invitations.
No need to wait for that, though. You’ll drum up work by submitting proposals. Like applying for any other job, you’ll provide a cover letter, answer questions about why you’re interested in a given job, and supply samples from your freelance portfolio.
Keep in mind that the additional questions show up first before your cover letter, so you’ll want to answer questions in a way that conveys that you’re not only qualified but you’ve also done your homework about the client.
That advice — be prepared, come polished — extends to your interview. And once you get hired, don’t stop there — do fabulous work, communicate well, and deliver on time. The key to getting more work and raising your rates over time is to earn raves and build a stellar reputation.
Fiverr
On Fiverr, the gig is the thing that gets you business, although you can respond to a buyer’s request for a service.
Not unlike the Upwork profile, you’ll want to make your gig as client-facing and engaging as possible. From compelling headlines and eye-grabbing visuals (graphics, video) to concise, keyword-friendly content, the goal is to make your gig stand out in a crowded marketplace.
When crafting your Fiverr gig, you’ll be able to share some crucial information to help people make their decision, including:
- Packages (i.e., “Basic” to “Premium”)
- Unique selling points
- FAQs
- Clear parameters (i.e., turnaround time, number of revisions, etc.)
- Calls to action
Pro tip: You can post up to seven gigs if you’re a new seller, and you’ll be able to post more as you scale the Fiverr levels, up to 30 as a Top Rated Seller. The more gigs you publish, the more opportunities to book work.
User Reviews and Ratings
User ratings are critical — great reviews help build your reputation and your business, but to get them, you have to deliver excellent service consistently.
And like any other online ranking system, you may do your best, and still, a cranky client can give you a bad rating, which ideally won’t happen often or ever. Here’s the scoop on Upwork vs. Fiverr for reviews and ratings.
Upwork
Reviews work both ways: your client reviews you, and you review them once a job is complete. (This can be done publicly or privately, if you’d prefer a client doesn’t see your response.) Completed jobs, along with positive reviews, are vital for your success on Upwork.
After completing a half-dozen jobs or so, Upwork gives you an overall “Job Success Score” (JSS), which is calculated at the three-, six-, 12- and 24-month marks. It considers several factors, including public and private client feedback, the job level (i.e., higher earnings are more heavily weighted), completed jobs, and the length of client relationships.
You also earn badges over time, from “Rising Talent” to “Top-Rated Plus & Expert-vetted.”
Job ratings work the other way, too. If a potential client doesn’t have past ratings and the job description is thin, consider looking for better-vetted opportunities.
Fiverr
Like Upwork, Fiverr also allows freelancers and clients to review one another after gigs are completed, complete with a five-star scale. You can also reply to a buyer’s comment, which I always recommend — even and perhaps especially if it’s a glowing review.
You also get ratings on communication, if the service was delivered as promised, and if the seller would use you again (or if you would work with the seller again).
Fiverr also has a level system that encourages you to keep doing your best over time. You start as a New Seller and work your way through Levels 1 and 2 on your way to become a “Top Rated Seller.” That shows you’ve completed 100+ jobs, maintained a high (4.7) rating over time, and your response rates — response, completion, and on-time delivery— are 90%+.
Payment Safety and Dispute Resolutions
One of the most compelling reasons, in my opinion, to use an online freelancer platform is that you rarely end up chasing payments, and you have a third party to help you settle disputes.
Here’s how Upwork vs. Fiverr stacks up.
Upwork
Upwork’s Direct Contracts is an escrow service where the buyer makes a payment, and the money is released when they confirm your work has been delivered to their satisfaction. This helps protect both seller and buyer.
The payment cycle works like this:
- Hourly contracts are based on the weekly billing cycle, which ends on a Sunday, and you can withdraw funds 10 days later.
- Fixed-price contracts are based on milestones; once approved and a five-day security period has passed, funds are available for withdrawal.
- Bonus payments are available after your client’s payment has been successfully processed and the five-day security period has passed.
You also have several secure choices for withdrawing your funds and having them deposited directly into your account.
- Direct to a U.S. Bank (ACH) — Free
- U.S. Dollar Wire Transfer — $30 per transfer
- Instant Pay for U.S. Freelancers — $2.00 per transfer
They offer PayPal and Payoneer as third-party payment options.
Upwork also helps you settle payment issues. If, for example, a client fails to release a milestone payment despite the delivery of work, you can file a dispute.
Under Upwork Fixed-Price Protection, disputes are mediated with the help of an Upwork dispute specialist. After two contact attempts, the dispute will be resolved in your favor if the client doesn’t respond, and all funds will be released to you.
Pro tip: Only work with clients who have a verified payment method listed on their profile.
Fiverr
Fiverr’s process is super simple: The buyer pays Fiverr when the order is placed, and the funds go into escrow. Once you complete the order, 80% of the funds are assigned to your account in a “pending” status for a 14-day clearing period (seven days for Top Rated Sellers). Finally, the funds will be marked as “cleared,” and available to withdraw.
Like Upwork, Fiverr offers several secure ways to withdraw funds, including:
- PayPal — minimum withdrawal $1, no Fiverr fee
- Fiverr Revenue Card — minimum withdrawal $30, $1–$2 depending on how fast you want the money
- Bank Transfer — minimum withdrawal $20, $3/withdrawal
- Direct Deposit — minimum withdrawal $10, $1/withdrawal
Fiverr has a Resolution Center, which offers sellers and buyers ways to resolve disputes and avoid cancellations. You can do things like extending the delivery time or ask the buyer to cancel or modify the order (i.e., add extras to compensate for additional work they’ve requested). The other party then has 48-hours to accept or decline your offer.
Customer Support
When it comes to Customer Support, both Upwork and Fiverr have vast resources to help you make the most out of your on-platform experience.
Upwork
Customer Support is one of Upwork’s strong suits. There’s 24/7 support available through live chat, phone support, the community forums (and team), and all sorts of materials, from webinars to ebooks, whitepapers, and podcasts available to you.
Also, they have clear, well-written documentation — check out their Help Categories, and you’ll find loads of articles to assist you with everything from setting up your profile to finding projects, getting paid, and much, much more.
Fiverr
Fiverr also offers you 24/7 help through various resources, starting with their robust Seller Support Center. You can also pose questions to the community on its forum or submit a support request.
How to Pick the Right Platform
Choosing between Upwork vs. Fiverr is made easier when you consider what’s most important to you and how you want to work.
If you’re looking for:
- Long-term, ongoing working relationships
- A more traditional hiring process
- Quality, relatively high-paying opportunities
- A variety of project types (i.e., hourly, per project, fixed-rate)
- Control over who you work with (i.e., you respond to a job)
… then Upwork may be right for you.
If you’re looking for:
- Project-based work
- The ability to offer flat-rate packages (vs. complicated hour-tracking)
- A platform that is known for more creative types
- A variety of clients
- A straightforward user experience
… then Fiverr may be right for you.
FAQ
Is Fiverr better than Upwork?
Fiverr and Upwork both have their pros and cons. Where Fiverr shines is quick turnarounds, project-based work, and a healthy marketplace for creative professionals. Upwork is more of a traditional job hiring site with more long-term opportunities.
Does Upwork pay more than Fiverr?
Fiverr is known for its low, low pricing (it’s named for a $5 gig, after all), so generally speaking, Upwork has more high-paying opportunities. That said, you can make good money from those who engage talent with Fiverr outsourcing, too.
Can you actually make money on Upwork?
Yes! It requires you to be diligent, honest, and hardworking, but that’s the case whatever you do. Once the Upwork team approves you, your success — financially and otherwise — is in your hands.
Grow your business and unlock opportunities
When it comes to Upwork vs. Fiverr, it’s personal taste and professional goals that will dictate your ultimate decision. Both have opportunities and drawbacks — one Google search, and you’ll see complaints and praise galore.
That said, I can tell you that my experience on Fiverr was excellent, with a ton of great clients from all over the world, interesting work, and a steady stream of business once I had some positive reviews under my belt.
I’d say all freelancers, from newbies to pros, work-from-home types, to those who love the digital nomad lifestyle, should check out both Upwork and Fiverr to help grow their businesses and unlock opportunities.
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