Overview

Freelancer

Upwork
About
Founded in 2009, Freelancer.com is one of the largest and most well-established freelancing and crowdsourcing marketplaces worldwide. Clients use this platform to find diverse talents, while freelancers use it to earn money with their skills. Learn more.
About
Upwork, "the world's work marketplace," is one of the largest online freelance marketplaces in existence. Clients go here to find global talent while freelancers and agencies use the platform to monetize their digital skills and services. Learn more.
Status
Active, LegitStatus
Active, LegitTrust Rating
Trust Rating
Platform Type
Freelance MarketplacePlatform Type
Freelance MarketplaceHelps You
Hire Help Make MoneyHelps You
Hire Help Make MoneyBest For
Freelancer.com is an excellent platform for freelancers looking for new opportunities and business owners (or anyone who needs help getting things done) looking for diverse talents with in-demand skills.
Best For
If you have a skill or service to sell, Upwork can be a good place to promote and monetize your abilities (no matter if you're a beginner freelancer or a seasoned expert).
If you're a business owner (or just someone looking for help with a project), Upwork can connect you with global talent within a range of skill levels and prices.
Age Requirement
16 years oldAge Requirement
18 years oldSupported Locations
Shared by Freelancer and Upwork:
Afghanistan, Åland Islands, Albania, Algeria, American SamoaUnique to Freelancer:
Cuba, Iran, North Korea, SyriaUnique to Upwork:
NoneSupported Languages
Shared by Freelancer and Upwork:
EnglishUnique to Freelancer:
Bahasa Indonesia, Bahasa Melayu, Bokmål, Čeština, DanskUnique to Upwork:
NoneSupported Devices
Shared by Freelancer and Upwork:
Android Phone, Computer Browser, iPhone, Smartphone Browser, Tablet BrowserUnique to Freelancer:
iPad, Mac ComputerUnique to Upwork:
NoneOpportunities
Compare the opportunities on Freelancer vs the ones on Upwork.
Shared By Freelancer And Upwork:
Administration Artificial Intelligence (AI) Audio Production Computer Science Copy EditingUnique To Freelancer:
CompetingUnique To Upwork:
NoneSummary
Freelancer has 99 total opportunities while Upwork has 98
Freelancer has 1 more opportunities than Upwork
Upwork doesn't have any unique opportunities compared to Freelancer
Earner/Saver Comparison: Freelancer vs Upwork
Which platform is better for earning/saving money? Freelancer or Upwork? Compare earner and saver-related features and attributes below.

Freelancer

Upwork
About
Freelancers (aka sellers/workers) can sign up to Freelancer.com for free and find a variety of ways to earn money with their digital skills.
About
Upwork freelancers (i.e. service providers, sellers) can sign up for free and make money selling their skills to clients. This can happen organically (the client reaches out to you) or by applying to available jobs. After landing a job, all project communications and payouts happen directly through Upwork.
Commissions/Fees
For fixed-price projects, Freelancer.com collects $5 USD (or its equivalent in other currencies) or 10% of the winning bid — whichever is greater — when the freelancer accepts the project. Subsequent payments above the original bid amount will have a 10% project fee. For hourly projects, Freelancer.com will collect 10% of every milestone payment as a project fee. Additionally, tips are subject to a 10% fee, and government taxes may apply depending on the country.Commissions/Fees
Upwork seller fees vary based on the amount billed to the client (20% for the first $500, 10% for total billings between $500.01 and $10,000, and 5% for total billings over $10,000). Depending on the payout option you choose, you may also be charged a fee for each withdrawal.Minimum Payout
$30.00Minimum Payout
NonePayout Options
Shared by Freelancer and Upwork:
Direct Deposit PayPal Wire TransferUnique to Freelancer:
SkrillUnique to Upwork:
M-Pesa PayoneerPayout Speed
1-15 daysPayout Speed
5-19 daysEditorial Ratings
Editorial Ratings
User Ratings
Based on 19 reviews from Freelancer Freelancers. 84.21% of reviewers said they would recommend the platform to others.
User Ratings
Based on 30 reviews from Upwork Freelancers. 100% of reviewers said they would recommend the platform to others.
Pros
- Easy to use.
- Lots of jobs available in many different skillets.
- Clients pay relatively well.
Pros
- Easy to use.
- Fast withdrawals.
- Lots of clients looking for freelancers and therefore lots of work to be found.
Cons
- Lots of competition, either from freelancers undercutting your prices or from well-established freelancers with high ratings.
- Scammers on the platform will ask you to pay before being able to take on a job, only to run off with your money.
- High minimum payout compared to other similar platforms.
Cons
- Lots of competition from other freelancers on the platform. Other freelancers may undercut your prices.
- Upwork takes a large 20% cut of earnings from freelancers.
- Clients can at times be unprofessional (e.g. by changing the scope of work at the last minute).
Hourly Earning/Saving Stats
Hourly Earning/Saving Stats
Monthly Earning/Saving Stats
Monthly Earning/Saving Stats
Consumer Comparison: Freelancer vs Upwork
Which platform offers a better experience for consumers? Freelancer or Upwork? Compare consumer and buyer-related features and attributes below.

Freelancer

Upwork
About
Freelancer.com clients (i.e. buyers, businesses) can use the platform to hire freelancers in a wide range of industries. They can also post contests to receive ideas and work submissions from an array of different freelancers.
About
Upwork clients (i.e. service buyers, employers) can sign up for free, discover talent (i.e. freelancers), post jobs, and make hires. After a hire is made, communication, contracts, and payments go directly through Upwork, with Upwork taking a small marketplace fee.
Costs/Fees
For fixed-price projects, Freelancer.com collects $3 USD (or its equivalent in other currencies) or 3% of the winning bid – whichever is greater – when the freelancer accepts the project. Subsequent payments above the original bid amount will have a 3% project fee. For hourly projects, Freelancer.com will collect 3% of every milestone payment as a project fee. There is also a processing fee for every deposit of money to your account.Costs/Fees
Clients are charged 5% per transaction (or 3% for eligible U.S. clients who pay with a checking account). These fees don't apply to Upwork Enterprise clients.Payment Options
Alipay, Bancontact, Credit Card, Debit Card, Direct Deposit, Dotpay, Giropay, iDEAL, PayPal, Paytm, Skrill, Sofort, UnionPay, WebMoney, WeChat PayPayment Options
Credit Card, Debit Card, PayPalPros
- No data
Pros
- No data
Cons
- No data
Cons
- No data
Compare Other Platforms
Which platforms do you want to compare next? Select two from the dropdowns below.
Not sure where to start? Check out our Platform Discovery Tool to find and learn about new platforms.