Fiverr vs Upwork: Which One For Freelancing?

Curious about which freelancing platform reigns supreme? Dive into my quick Fiverr vs Upwork comparison to uncover the key differences between these two giants.

 From sign-up simplicity to job diversity, we break down everything you need to know. Which platform offers better value, higher security, and more job opportunities?

Read on to find out which one suits your freelancing needs best!

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Quick Fiverr vs Upwork Comparison

And, here’s the big question, is Upwork better than Fiverr? Or, what is the difference between Fiverr and Upwork? Let’s see!

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What Is Fiverr?

Fiverr is an online marketplace that connects freelancers (referred to as “sellers”) with clients (referred to as “buyers”) looking to hire professionals for various digital services.

The platform is known for its wide range of services offered at competitive prices, starting as low as $5, hence the name “Fiverr.”

Also, you as a freelancer can create service offerings called “gigs,” detailing what they can do, the price, delivery time, and any extras.

Moreover, their services are organized into categories such as graphic design, digital marketing, writing, video editing, programming, and more.

Also, clients can leave reviews and ratings based on their experience, helping others make informed decisions.

What Is Upwork?

Upwork is a global freelancing platform that connects businesses with independent professionals and agencies.

It allows you to find, hire, and work with freelancers from around the world across a wide range of job categories, including writing, graphic design, programming, marketing, and more.

Freelancers on Upwork provide their skills in 14 different industry categories, offering over 10,000 unique skills.

Additionally, you can check their job success rate and hourly rate to see their social proof.

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Upwork also allows you to search by location, making it easier to find clients based on your target audience’s area.

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How Does Fiverr Work?

So, first, let’s discuss how Fiverr works in order to make a difference between Fiverr vs Upwork.

Fiverr is more of an open marketplace for freelancers, meaning you don’t need to fill out as much profile information or write cover letters.

After a quick onboarding process, where you provide details about your training, work experience, and skills, you can get started.

Once you sign up and click “Become a Seller,” you need to create a “Gig.”

So, your Gig should include information like:

• Title of your service (all starting with “I will…”),
• Pricing,
• Service type,
• Search tags,
• Images.

You can also create different packages like Basic, Standard, and Premium, each with its own pricing. Each package lets you outline what’s included, such as revisions, sketches, file types, and more. You can also set the expected delivery time.

To keep things smooth, you can specify what information you need from buyers before starting their order.

For instance, for logo design, you might ask for “a short explanation of your product or service and any ideas you already have.”

Once your Gig is set up, it will appear in the Fiverr search engine, where clients can find it by searching for related services.

So. if someone likes your Gig, they can contact you for more details and place an order.

Fiverr offers a streamlined way to connect with clients and showcase your skills without the hassle of extensive profiles and cover letters.

How Does Upwork Work?

Upwork is a great platform for freelancers to find a job. To get started, you need to create an account and complete your profile with details about your education, experience, portfolio, and more.

Before you can apply for jobs, you must complete at least 60% of your profile. This means adding a photo, an overview, your work history, a title (like Programmer or Shopify Expert), and at least one skill tag (such as JavaScript).

Moreover, you can also set your expertise level, language proficiency, and hourly rate.

Once your profile is ready, you can start browsing job postings. When you find a job that interests you, submit a proposal using Connects. So, read the job description carefully and click “Submit a Proposal.”

Moreover, you’ll need to send a cover letter, and your proposed rate, and answer any questions the client has included.

Furthermore, applying for jobs on Upwork uses Connects, which is Upwork’s internal currency. With a Freelancer Basic account, you get 10 free Connects each month, while a Freelancer Plus account provides 80 Connects and additional perks like a custom profile URL and the ability to see competitor bids.

You can also earn Connects in certain situations or buy them for $0.15 USD each.

However, you don’t always need Connects, though.

For example, if a client invites you to bid. Thus, it can send you an offer, or buy a Project Catalog project from you, you can proceed without using Connects.

Now, that we know how Fiverr vs Upwork works, let’s go into details.

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Fiverr vs Upwork: Key Differences

Setting Up a Profile

When it comes to setting up a profile, Fiverr vs Upwork have distinct approaches. Let’s break down the differences.

➡ Fiverr

Creating a seller account on Fiverr is quite straightforward. You start by signing up on their homepage, creating a username, and setting up your profile. Here’s what you need to include:

First, you’ll provide your personal information, which includes your full name, profile picture, languages spoken, and a profile summary.

Next, you’ll add your professional details, such as your occupation, skills, education, certifications, and any linked accounts like social media profiles and personal websites.

It’s important to note that Fiverr will only publish an account if it is 65% complete.

Once your account is verified, you can start listing your first Gig. Fiverr helps sellers outline their services by offering tiered packages for one offer. Buyers can also make custom requests to sellers.

After receiving a request, you can discuss project details with the buyer, complete the work, and get paid.

Plus, while waiting for clients is common, sellers can also search for projects on the Buyers Requests section or send tailored offers.

➡ Upwork

Upwork has a more detailed profile setup, similar to a resume. To get started, you need to fill in your job title, provide an overview, and upload a profile picture.

You also need to list your skills, education, employment experience, certifications, portfolio, and any other relevant experiences, such as volunteering.

Completing your profile thoroughly helps Upwork match you with relevant freelancing opportunities and can earn you badges like Rising Talent or Top Rated.

However, keep in mind that Upwork does not accept all applications.  So, after creating your profile, Upwork’s team will review it and notify you if accepted.

Furthermore, to get a job on Upwork, you need to submit a proposal, including their rates and a cover letter.

Alternatively, you can list your services on the Project Catalog and wait for clients to reach out.

While this allows freelancers more control over their projects, some find the application process complicated.

Once you get a job offer, you discuss project details with the client and sign a contract when both parties agree.

Also, throughout the project, you log hours worked, update the progress, and finally submit the work for payment after client approval.

Who Is The Winner, Fiverr vs Upwork?

The winner in this category is Fiverr. When it comes to setting up a profile, Fiverr offers a straightforward process that requires minimal information.

This allows you to quickly create accounts and start listing services without the hassle of a detailed application process.

On the other hand, Upwork requires a more detailed profile setup, including job titles, overviews, skills, and experience. While this thoroughness ensures a high standard, it can be time-consuming and may result in immediate acceptance.

Types of Jobs

➡ Fiverr

On Fiverr, you can find a wide variety of jobs across 10 major industries. The platform’s Gigs Directory organizes these opportunities into categories.

So, this makes it easy for you to find and offer services. Thus, the main categories include:

• Graphics and Design sit at the core of Fiverr’s offerings, with subcategories such as logo design, illustration, and branding.
• Music and Audio encompasses services like music production, voice-over work, and audio editing.
• Programming and Tech is another significant hub, offering niches like website development, blockchain and cryptocurrency, and NFT development.
• Digital Marketing covers areas such as SEO, social media marketing, and content marketing.
• Business includes consulting, project management, and virtual assistant services.
• Writing and Translation features subcategories like copywriting, translation, and editing.
• Data services on Fiverr range from data entry to data analysis.
• Lifestyle includes unique services like wellness coaching, gaming, and online lessons.
• Video and Animation rounds out the list with offerings in video editing, animation, and motion graphics.

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Fiverr’s approach is centered around Gigs, where you create specific service listings with clear deliverables and prices.

This structure makes it straightforward for clients to understand what they are buying and for you to showcase your skills in a targeted way.

➡ Upwork

Upwork offers a more extensive range of job categories, with over 90 available categories spread across 14 specializations.

When signing up, you can choose a niche from 14 primary job categories such as:

• Accounting and Consulting is a key category, offering services like financial planning and business strategy.
• Admin Support provides roles in data entry, personal assistance, and office management.
• Customer Service includes support roles like customer care and technical support.
• Data Science and Analysis covers jobs in data mining, machine learning, and analytics.
• Design and Creative encompasses graphic design, UX/UI design, and multimedia art.
• Engineering and Architecture include roles in civil engineering, mechanical engineering, and architectural design.
• IT and Networking provides jobs in network security, system administration, and IT support.
• Legal offers freelance opportunities in legal research, contract law, and paralegal services.
• Sales and Marketing covers digital marketing, lead generation, and market research.
• Translation is a hub for language services including translation, interpretation, and transcription.
• Web, Mobile, and Software Development is a major category, offering roles in app development, software engineering, and web design.
• Writing includes freelance work in content writing, technical writing, and creative writing.

After selecting a primary category, you can further specialize by adding up to ten specific skills to their profile, ensuring they appear in relevant searches.

Types of contracts:

Upwork’s job categories support various types of contracts, providing flexibility for both freelancers and clients.

These include:

• One-time projects are ideal for short-term tasks with a clear start and end.
• Ongoing freelance contracts are suitable for clients who need continuous support.
• Discrete projects with milestones break down projects into phases, with payments tied to the completion of each phase.
• Hourly projects are for tasks where the workload is variable, and payment is based on hours worked.

Upwork also allows clients to build teams by hiring multiple freelancers for different roles within the same project.

For instance, a company looking to develop a better marketing strategy might hire an SEO specialist, a Social media ads expert, a copywriter, and a graphic designer simultaneously, ensuring a cohesive project workflow.

Who Is The Winner?

For the variety of job types, when it comes to Fiverr vs Upwork, Upwork is the winner. The platform has over 14 job categories, which excels the Fiver’s 10 job category choices.

Freelancer Qualifications

➡ Fiverr

Fiverr is more accessible to new freelancers, offering a platform where anyone can sign up and start offering services.

Despite its openness, Fiverr maintains a special group called Fiverr Pro for experts who have been thoroughly vetted.

Only about 1% of applicants achieve Fiverr Pro status, indicating a rigorous selection process that ensures high-quality service providers.

Thus, freelancers on Fiverr range from solopreneurs to large enterprises, catering to clients who, on average, spend $205 per year on the platform.

One key aspect of Fiverr’s model is the 20% fee charged on all paid Gigs, regardless of the amount earned or the duration of the relationship with the client.

While this fee might seem steep, it simplifies the process by eliminating the need for you to purchase or manage application tokens.

Similar to Upwork, Fiverr uses a level system to classify its freelancers. New sellers start at the New Seller level and can progress to Level One, Level Two, and eventually Top-Rated Seller.

Each level reflects the freelancer’s success and reliability, providing clients with a clear indication of the freelancer’s capability and reputation.

➡ Upwork

Upwork tends to favor more skilled and experienced freelancers. This focus often results in higher pay rates compared to Fiverr.

Hence, the platform is designed to attract professionals with solid portfolios and proven track records in their respective fields.

Whether you are a solopreneur or a large enterprise, Upwork provides a space for serious freelancers looking to engage with clients who typically have substantial budgets. In fact, around 145,000 Upwork clients spend at least $5,000 per year on the platform.

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To get started, you use Connects to apply for jobs or respond to invitations from clients. Upwork also employs a badge system to highlight top talent.

So, Upwork uses a system of digital tokens called Connects for job applications. Each month, you as a freelancer, receive 10 free Connects, which they use to apply for various job postings.

If more Connects are needed, you can purchase additional ones or earn them through specific activities.

For those looking for enhanced visibility and other benefits, upgrading to a Freelancer Plus account provides 80 Connects per month.

For instance, freelancers can earn badges like Rising Talent, Top Rated, Top Rated Plus, and Expert-Vetted Talent. These badges signify different levels of success and expertise, helping clients identify the best freelancers for their needs.

Additionally, Upwork features a Job Success Score, skill certifications, and even diversity certifications to further qualify and distinguish freelancers.

Who Is The Winner?

The winner in terms of freelancer qualifications is Upwork. Upwork’s focus on attracting skilled and experienced freelancers often results in higher pay rates.

The platform’s badge system and detailed qualification processes ensure that clients can find top talent, making it an excellent choice for professional freelancers.

Although Fiverr is more accessible to new freelancers and features the selective Fiverr Pro program, the general marketplace is open to all, which can result in varied levels of expertise.

Hiring Process

Let’s break down how Fiverr vs Upwork works to help you find the right talent for your project.

So, how would this work if you were on the client side?

➡ Fiverr

Fiverr takes a slightly different approach. To find freelancers, you browse Gig listings or submit a request for help.

So, Fiverr’s straightforward process involves selecting a Gig, pre-paying for the service, and then receiving and approving the work before Fiverr releases the payment.

The platform offers freelancers across over 500 skill sets in 10 specializations. This broad range allows you to find the right expertise for various types of projects.

Once you find a suitable Gig, you can easily hire a freelancer by selecting their service and completing the purchase.

Also, billing on Fiverr is flexible, with options including credit card, debit card, PayPal (including Pay Later), Apple Pay, Google Pay, iDEAL, GiroPay, Sofort, Boleto, OXXO, and Fiverr account balance.

Fiverr charges a 5.5% fee on all transactions and an additional $2.50 fee for Gig purchases of $75 or less.

Moreover, some of their special features are the ability to tip great sellers and collaborate with your team when using Fiverr Pro.

➡ Upwork

On Upwork, the hiring process starts with creating an account for your company. From there, you have two main options: you can post a job or browse the Project Catalog for ready-made services.

If you choose to post a job, Upwork will suggest highly qualified freelancers who fit your project’s requirements. You can then invite these freelancers to apply or wait for others in the Talent Marketplace to submit proposals.

Thus, the average time to hire a freelancer on Upwork is about three days, giving you quick access to skilled professionals.

Also, as I already mentioned above, Upwork boasts a vast pool of freelancers located in over 180 countries, working in 14 specializations with more than 10,000 available skill sets.

Impressively, over 70% of Upwork freelancers hold a college degree, and more than 20% have a postgraduate degree. This diverse and highly educated workforce ensures that you can find the right expertise for any project.

So, to hire on Upwork, you can browse freelancer profiles, review proposals, and speak with top candidates.

Once you’ve chosen a freelancer, you’ll enter into a secure contract, place payment into escrow, and then receive and approve the work before releasing the payment.

Also, billing methods on Upwork include credit cards, PayPal, and U.S. bank transfers.

Plus, Upwork charges a one-time initiation fee of up to $4.95 on new contracts and a 5% processing fee on all transactions.

 However, some U.S. clients using ACH bank transfers may be eligible for a 3% processing fee.

Upwork also offers additional features like verified freelancer identities, the ability to give freelancers bonuses, and the option to bring your own talent onto the platform.

You can collaborate with your team, build a Virtual Talent Bench of trusted freelancers, and use a dedicated mobile app for hiring and project management.

Who Is The Winner?

 So, Fiverr vs Upwork, who wins on this?

Upwork takes the lead here! Upwork’s method of posting jobs, inviting freelancers, and using secure contracts provides a structured and professional environment.

The platform’s extensive pool of freelancers and additional features like verified identities add to its reliability.

In contrast, Fiverr offers a simpler and quicker hiring process but may not provide the same level of security or detailed vetting as Upwork.

Customer Support

➡ Fiverr

Fiverr is renowned for its excellent customer support, providing multiple channels for users to get help.

Whether you prefer online chat, email, or even phone support in some cases, Fiverr ensures that users can quickly get answers to their questions and resolve any issues efficiently.

This responsiveness is a significant advantage for users who need immediate assistance, making the overall experience smoother and more reliable.

From my experience, having such readily available support can make a huge difference, especially when dealing with urgent matters or complex issues.

Fiverr’s commitment to offering diverse support options reflects its dedication to user satisfaction and its understanding of the importance of timely and effective customer service.

➡ Upwork

Upwork, on the other hand, has a more stringent approach when it comes to its support and user policies. So, keep in mind that the approval process for job postings can sometimes take several days.

This thorough vetting process ensures that the platform maintains a high standard of quality for both job postings and freelancers.

However, it can be a bit slow if you are in a hurry to get your projects started.

Upwork also enforces strict policies regarding user activity. For instance, if you do not log in for a week or two, your account becomes private and stops being visible to other users.

This policy aims to ensure that active freelancers are readily available and that clients do not encounter inactive profiles.

However, I personally think that while these measures help maintain a high level of engagement and reliability on the platform, they can sometimes be inconvenient for freelancers who may have short periods of inactivity.

In my opinion, Upwork’s approach reflects its focus on maintaining a professional and dependable marketplace. However, it also means that users must be proactive in managing their activity to avoid any disruptions.

Who Is The Winner?

Fiverr emerges as the winner. Fiverr’s customer support is renowned for its availability through multiple channels, including chat, email, and sometimes phone support.

This ensures that users can quickly get the help they need, enhancing the overall user experience.

Upwork, while thorough in its support, can be slower due to its stringent approval process for job postings and strict user activity policies.

Security Standards

➡ Fiverr

Fiverr prioritizes security by adhering to strict industry standards. The platform is Level 1 PCI-DSS compliant for payment processing and GDPR-compliant, ensuring that users’ data is handled with the utmost care.

Despite these robust measures, there are still potential risks of scams, like posing as a buyer, requesting a custom order, claiming a refund falsely, etc.

So, to minimize the risk of scams, it’s crucial to keep all transactions on the platform. Fiverr does not guarantee the security of transactions conducted outside its system.

Additionally, being clear and transparent in your Gig descriptions helps set accurate expectations..

Hence, Fiverr uses a tiered system to indicate a seller’s activity and reliability. New sellers start at the New Seller level and can progress through Level 1, Level 2, and Top-Rated Seller based on their activity period, number of orders completed, and total earnings.

➡ Upwork

Upwork employs multi-factor authentication, Enterprise single sign-on (SSO), and session timeouts to protect user accounts. So, data encryption and the verification of freelancer and client profiles and payment methods add additional layers of security.

Upwork is PCI DSS Level 2 compliant for secure payment processing and complies with GDPR and CCPA requirements.

Moreover, Upwork has a dedicated dispute resolution team to handle issues between clients and freelancers, such as disputes over billed hours, refunds, or unresponsiveness.

Not only that, but you can view client profiles and contact other freelancers who have worked with them, helping to ensure the credibility of clients and avoid scams.

Upwork also features a badge system to recognize top talent. These include Rising Talent, Top Rated, Top Rated Plus, Expert-Vetted Talent, Diversity-Certified, and Skills Certification badges.

However, to earn these badges, you must maintain a high standard of performance, including a 4.7-star rating, a 90% response rate, on-time delivery, and no warnings over 30 days.

Who Is The Winner?

So, Upwork or Fiverr which is better?

Upwork is the clear winner when it comes to security standards.

Upwork employs robust security measures, including multi-factor authentication, data encryption, and a dedicated dispute resolution team, providing a high level of protection for users.

The platform’s compliance with PCI DSS, GDPR, and CCPA adds to its credibility.

Fiverr vs Upwork: Pricing

Next, I will review the pricing options of both platforms.

Fiverr Pricing

Fiverr allows you to sign up and list their services for free. However, the platform charges a 20% commission on all paid gigs, regardless of the amount earned or the duration of the relationship with the client.

Payment Options:

• PayPal
• Payoneer
• Fiverr Revenue Card
• Bank Transfer
• Direct Deposit

The fees and minimum withdrawal amounts depend on the method, currency, and location. So, most freelancers must wait for a 14-day clearing period before withdrawing funds.

Fiverr also offers a membership program called Fiverr Pro for established freelancers. Although it’s free to join, applicants are thoroughly vetted based on their education, professional background, and portfolio.

This program offers additional benefits and can help you attract higher-paying clients.

Upwork Pricing

Upwork uses a system where you need Connects to apply for jobs:

• 10 Connections per month are provided for free.
• Additional Connects can be purchased starting at $0.15 each.
• Connects can also be earned through certain activities, such as completing Upwork’s skill certification.

So, you can upgrade to a Freelancer Plus account for $14.99 per month, which provides:

• 80 Connects per month
• Dedicated account manager
• Increased visibility
• Ability to see competitor bids

Fee Structure:

• 20% fee for the first $500 billed to a client.
• 10% fee for total billings between $500.01 and $10,000.
• 5% fee for total billings exceeding $10,000.

This sliding scale incentivizes long-term client relationships, as the more you work with a specific client, the lower your commission fee becomes.

Payment Options:

• Bank Accounts
• Third-party Payment Vendors (PayPal, Payoneer)

Fiverr vs Upwork: Pros & Cons

Fiverr Pros & Cons

Upwork Pros & Cons

What Users Say About Fiverr vs Upwork: Which One is Better?

So, as I always want to dive deeper into different user experiences and customer testimonials, I checked the same for Fiverr vs Upwork on platforms like Quora and Reddit.

Thus, since I already gave you my personal opinion and review about the two platforms, here’s what others say!

About Upwork

Many users find Upwork to be a transformative platform, offering significant earning potential even for those starting with no prior freelancing experience.

Upwork’s vetting process, which requires you to create detailed profiles that act as resumes, helps maintain a certain quality level on the platform.

This has allowed freelancers to connect with high-profile clients, including Fortune 500 companies.

However, there are criticisms of Upwork as well. Some users feel that Upwork has devalued the concept of freelancing by imposing high fees and offering limited support.

The competition can be fierce, particularly if you are from developing nations, making it challenging to secure work.

Additionally, the bidding process can lead to undercutting, so you can feel pressured to offer lower rates to win projects.

About Fiverr

On the other hand, Fiverr is often praised for its simplicity and accessibility, especially for beginners. The platform allows freelancers to create predefined service offerings, known as gigs, which clients can purchase directly.

This system eliminates the need for bidding wars, making it easier for you to set your prices and avoid undercutting.

Fiverr’s low entry barrier and straightforward nature make it an ideal starting point for those new to freelancing.

However, some users criticize Fiverr for its low rates and the perception that the work available can be of lower value.

Despite this, Fiverr provides a great opportunity for beginners to build their portfolios and gain experience.

The platform’s simplicity and ease of use are major draws for those looking to get started quickly without the complexities of bidding on projects.

However, long story short, the choice between Fiverr and Upwork depends largely on the freelancer’s experience level and preferred work environment.

Upwork is favored for its structured approach, higher-paying opportunities, and connection with prestigious clients.

However, Fiverr is appreciated for its simplicity, accessibility for beginners, and ease of securing initial work without the need for extensive bidding.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the choice between Fiverr vs Upwork depends largely on the user’s needs.

Fiverr is the winner for beginners or those looking for a quick and easy start with clear pricing and diverse job categories.

With minimal profile requirements, you can quickly create an account and start listing your services.

The gig-based system, where you offer specific services with clear deliverables and prices, simplifies the hiring process for clients.

This approach is ideal for small, one-off projects and for those who want to dip their toes into freelancing without a significant upfront investment.

Meanwhile, Upwork is the winner for experienced professionals seeking higher-paying opportunities and a more structured, secure environment.

Upwork’s detailed profile setup and rigorous vetting process ensure that only skilled and experienced freelancers are accepted, maintaining a high standard of quality on the platform.

 This attracts clients who are looking for top talent and are willing to pay premium rates for it. Upwork’s various contract types, including hourly projects and milestone-based payments, provide flexibility for both freelancers and clients.

The platform’s comprehensive security measures, including multi-factor authentication and a dedicated dispute resolution team, offer additional peace of mind.

However, each platform has its strengths, catering to different types of freelancers and clients.