Upwork vs Fiverr vs Freelancer: Which Platform Pays the Most?
Compare Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer for freelancers: platform fees, payment speed, pros & cons, real earning potential. Read before you choose where to work.
Momer
Freelance Platform Expert
Platform Comparison
The Ultimate Showdown
Choosing the right freelance platform is a make-or-break decision for your income this year. Whether you're a new freelancer or scaling up, understanding which site offers the best rates, easiest clients, and the lowest platform fees is critical.
Here's the no-BS comparison.
How Each Platform Works (At a Glance)
Quick jobs, creative work, repeatable services
Payment flow: Buyer pays up front, platform holds funds in escrow, then pays freelancer after delivery.
Bigger projects, hourly work, ongoing contracts
Payment flow: Buyer pays up front, platform holds funds in escrow, then pays freelancer after delivery.
Wide range of skills, one-offs and long-term work
Payment flow: Buyer pays up front, platform holds funds in escrow, then pays freelancer after delivery.
Fees, Commissions, and Hidden Costs
Fiverr
- Flat 20% commission charged on every gig
- Buyer fee: 5.5% (plus $3.50 if the gig price is < $100)
- No subscription required to start
- Pro sellers may access higher-tier features, but commission remains 20%
Upwork
- Standard 10-15% commission on all contracts (was tiered, now simplified)
- Buyer fee: 5% processing on every contract
- No charge for proposals but "Connects" (bidding tokens) may cost extra after initial free allotment
- Discounts: Top Rated status or special programs may drop freelancer fees for featured jobs
Freelancer.com
- Fixed-price jobs: 10% or $5 (whichever is greater)
- Contests: 10% of the winning bid or $5 minimum
- Hourly jobs: 10%
- Preferred program: Certain "high-value" gigs take 15%
- Buyer fee: ~3% (cheaper than Upwork/Fiverr for clients)
Platform Fees Comparison Table
| Platform | Freelancer Fee | Buyer Fee | Payment Model | Payout Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiverr | 20% flat | 5.5% + $3.50 < $100 | Gig, fixed-price | 7-14 days |
| Upwork | 10-15% (was tiered) | 5% | Contract (hourly/fixed) | 5-10 days after approval |
| Freelancer | 10% or $5 (min) | ~3% | Bidding, contests | 2-7 days |
Workflow & Client Types
Fiverr: Best for "productized services"
No proposals, buyers just order from a menu. Super fast for simple work but not ideal for custom/complex projects.
Upwork: Proposals, interviews, contracts
Designed for ongoing, nuanced, or larger-scale work. More professional B2B focus, but requires more effort up front to win work.
Freelancer.com: Bidding/auction model
Often very price-competitive. Lots of international jobs and one-offs. Best if you're starting in a low cost-of-living region, or want to try lots of small projects to build reputation.
Quality & Vetting
Upwork
Talent is measured by Job Success Score (JSS), earnings history, client feedback, and "Expert-Vetted" badges for top 1%.
Fiverr
Sellers move up from New → Level 1 → Level 2 → Top Rated, with a select group as Fiverr Pro (vetted, premium tier).
Freelancer.com
No official vetting, but contests and Preferred Program flag better performers. Watch for aggressive underbidding and buyer scams (do your own vetting!).
Who Earns More? Earning Potential by Platform
Upwork
- Long-term projects and hourly gigs pay the most
- Many top freelancers on Upwork earn $100,000+/year on long-term contracts in tech, business, and design
- Hourly contracts = Stability and predictable payouts
- Easier to raise rates once you've got strong reviews
Fiverr
- Best for quick, repeatable wins
- $20-$100/hour is typical for solid sellers; pros can reach $3,000-$10,000/month, but most gigs start cheap
- 20% platform cut often stings for higher-value work
Freelancer.com
- Small projects dominate
- Most active in entry-level gigs, but good for international freelancers or building up a portfolio
- Rates are lower, but competition is fierce
Pros & Cons: At a Glance
| Feature | Fiverr | Upwork | Freelancer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pros |
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| Cons |
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Payment & Withdrawal Speed
Fiverr
Funds clear 7-14 days after order is marked complete
Upwork
Hourly = paid weekly, funds available 10 days later. Fixed price = payment after each milestone, available after 5 days
Freelancer.com
Payouts can be as fast as 2 days (paid membership), but usually 5-7 days after withdrawal request
How to Decide: When to Use Each Platform
Use Fiverr if:
You want fast, "productized" gigs and quick buyer decisions, or you're just starting out and want easy first clients.
Use Upwork if:
You want high-end projects, long-term clients, or plan to build a serious freelance business with scalable income.
Use Freelancer if:
You want a variety of quick projects, are comfortable bidding low and winning on volume, or are outside the US, UK, or EU and want maximum market diversity.
Platform Feature Table
| Feature | Fiverr | Upwork | Freelancer.com |
|---|---|---|---|
| Signup barrier | Easiest | Moderate (profile needed) | Easy |
| Commission rate | 20% | 10-15% | 10% (min $5) |
| Buyer fees | 5.5% | 5% | ~3% |
| Best for | Gigs, creative, small jobs | Long-term, hourly, complex | One-off, global, price-driven |
| Minimum payout | $5 | $100 | $30 (typical) |
| Escrow/pay protection | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Recurring payments | Subscriptions, retainer gigs | Hourly contracts | Some, via milestones |
| Review system | Level-based | JSS, feedback | Stars, Preferred status |
| Affiliate potential | High | High | Medium |
SEO Opportunity: What Keywords These Pages Hit
- "upwork vs fiverr" (1,900 searches/mo)
- "fiverr vs upwork vs freelancer" (210)
- "fiverr vs upwork" (1,300)
- "upwork vs freelancer" (700)
- "best freelance platform for [skill]" (long tail by role)
Internal Links (for SEO Power)
Link to Freelance Rate Calculator in "Commission breakdown" and "How much should you charge" sections. Also see our detailed guide: What Should You REALLY Charge Clients?
Link to Freelance Writing Platforms in platform-specific earning examples.
Link to Income Tracker Calculator for tracking multiple income sources.
Conclusion: Which Platform Pays the Most?
If you're new or want fast, easy gigs:
Fiverr is your best bet—just watch the 20% fee, start with small productized gigs, and focus on reviews.
If you want serious, scalable income:
Upwork wins—higher rates, project variety, better payment protection. Build your profile and focus on client relationships.
If you want to experiment and try a wide range:
Freelancer.com lets you bid low and get work, but be aware of tough competition and lower rates.