How does Upwork and Fiverr compare?

When it comes to becoming a freelancer, there are many different freelancer platforms out there that you can choose from. Each one has its benefits and drawbacks, and the one that you choose will really depend on what is most important to you in the way that you work and the type of projects you are looking to secure.

Two of the most popular freelancing platforms out there are Upwork and Fiverr. Both have similarities. However, they also have differences that are worth knowing more about before you decide on which one is right for your needs. 

To help you to decide on which platform you want to work through, we have put together our guide on how Upwork and Fiverr compare. 

What is Upwork?

On Upwork, you will find a variety of opportunities to make money using the skills that you have to offer. This could be writing, graphic design or website development. The idea is that you can use the platform to find relevant projects that match what you can do, then communicate with the clients on the project and ensure that the work is completed. 

It is often said that Upwork is a great place to start if you are just setting out on your freelancing career, not only because it is easy to set up on the website but also because there are a wealth of opportunities for you to take a chance on. 

What is Fiverr?

As the name suggests, the main focus of Fiverr is providing low-cost but good quality work across a variety of different industries and sectors. Rather than posting projects, the freelancers will post their own services online for the potential buyers to find. These are called gigs, and buyers will then decide which gig is going to work best for them and their needs. 

The starting price for each service is $5, which is where it gets the name. Over time, the way that Fiverr works has changed, and now the freelancers who use it to find work can set their own price that they want to charge for their services. 

Upwork vs Fiverr fees 

Upwork has two different types of accounts that you can sign up for. The basic plan is free to sign up for, but the functionality for you is limited. In order to communicate with potential clients, you are going to need to pay for connects, which are $0.15 for each one that you buy.

In comparison, you can payout for their Plus account; this is $14.99 per month and will offer you 70 Connects every single month as well as a whole host of other functions too. 

Fiverr charges both sellers and buyers to use their portal. For buyers, this charge is when they decide to buy one of the custom created “gigs” set up by the freelancers. The charge for buyers is 5% of the gig cost, or $2, whichever is the higher amount. 

For sellers, Fiverr charge 20% of each and every gig that you work on. It doesn’t matter how long you have been working on the site, the amount that you make each month or whether it is an ongoing client. This means it is important to keep this in mind when it comes to working through Fiverr and how much it can mean for you. 

How to freelance on Fiverr

Once you have set up a profile on Fiverr, then you can start to set up “gigs” that are your chance to sell what you can do. These are entirely custom to you, your skills and also your price point too. However, of course, you want to make sure that it is as appealing as possible to potential buyers. 

A buyer will order your gig, and the money will be taken from them before being placed on hold for you to access as and when you want to. You will get to keep 80% of the price that you set, with the other 20% going to Fiverr to cover service costs. 

The more gigs you complete, the more feedback you are going to get and the higher a rating you will have as a seller. This means that not only will you be more appealing to those looking for the services that you can offer, but you may also be able to charge more for what you can do. 

How to freelance on Upwork 

The first thing that you have to do in order to make money through Upwork is ensure that you have a profile. Your profile is how you will ensure that clients want to work with you, which means that they need to be well written and contain lots of detail too. 

Your profile needs to summarise what it is that you can do and the skills that you have; that way, when clients see it, they will know that you are the right person for the job. 

You can choose to sign up for a free Upwork profile, which is the most basic plan. However, you may find that over time, as you begin to earn more and your freelancing business expands, that you then sign up for the Plus account instead. 

This is because you will need more connections to be able to communicate with the clients who are looking for work. With a basic plan, you can pay for each connect at $0.15 each, but this can soon mount up. 

Setting up as a freelancer can be a tricky process, but if you find the right website to work through, you can ensure that you are as successful as possible. The feeling of being able to earn your own money, support yourself and have your own business far outweighs some of the stress that can occur with this type of work and the effort that you need to put in to start your career and also to then keep it going too.