Let’s take a closer look at Fiverr vs. Upwork:
| Commissions | Both platforms charge commissions |
| Beginners | Fiverr is more beginners friendly than Upwork |
| Membership | Both platforms have Free membership plans |
| Security | The platforms have quite advanced security and fraud systems in place. |
Table of Contents
What is Fiverr?
Fiverr is an e-commerce platform where buyers purchase pre-defined gigs from freelancers.
Read our most complete Fiverr Guide & Review with a ton of information, tips, and advice that you didn’t know before.
What is Upwork?
Upwork is an online marketplace that allows freelancers to bid on clients’ projects.
Fiverr vs. Upwork Comparison Table
| Component | Fiverr | Upwork |
|---|---|---|
| Commission | Fiverr charges commission. | Upwork charges commission. |
| Rating System | Fiverr freelancers are rated on response time, quality of work, and timeliness. | Upwork freelancers are rated using a ratio of positive and negative job outcomes. |
| Jobs | Smaller, focused gigs, usually lower-paying | Larger, more expensive jobs are targeted at professionals. |
| Freelancer Skill Set | Freelancers can offer any gig. | Freelancers can only bid on projects related to their specialization |
| Membership | Free | Free and paid options |
| Skills Tests | Certain freelancer categories require a skills test. | No skills tests are required. |
Fiverr and Upwork Comparison Chart
Fiverr vs. Upwork Pros and Cons
Fiverr Pros & Cons
Upwork Pros & Cons
Fiverr vs. Upwork Similarities Explained
- Both of these platforms are e-commerce tools that connect sellers to paying clients.
- Both Upwork and Fiverr make money through commissions.
- Both offer price flexibility for the seller. With Fiverr, the seller offers gigs of a defined price, and sellers on Upwork can bid on projects.
4 Key Differences Between Fiverr and Upwork You Need to Know
There are several key differences to note when comparing Fiverr and Upwork.
| Basis | Fiverr | Upwork |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | Sellers publish gigs with a predefined price. | Seller bids on projects with a fixed or hourly rate. |
| Seller/Buyer Relationship | Buyers seek out bids from sellers. | Sellers bid on projects offered by the buyer. |
| Fees | Fiverr includes a processing fee of $1.00 for gigs up to $20.00. For gigs greater than $20, they charge a 5% fee. | Upwork charges 20% for the first $500 billed to clients and 10% for total billings between $500 and $10,000. For total billings above $10,000, Upwork charges only 5%. For each bid, Upwork also charges a 2.75% processing fee. |
| Collaboration | Freelancers work alone. | Freelancers may collaborate by forming agencies. Projects on Upwork for agencies often require diverse skill sets from several disciplines. |
Fiverr and Upwork Differences
Fiverr vs. Upwork vs. Freelancer
At this point, you may wonder how the Fiverr, Upwork, and Freelancer models differ from traditional freelancing. Freelancers have a direct relationship with clients, which means there are no fees paid to a 3rd party. All three Freelancer, Upwork and Fiverr charge a fee paid by the buyer. Choosing between Upwork vs. Fiverr vs. Freelancer for freelancers often includes looking at the available skill set, desired pricing, and need for collaboration.
Fiverr or Upwork for Freelancers
Fiverr for Freelancers
Fiverr freelancers include writers, video creators, website designers, data scientists, and other digital content creators. Freelancers on Fiverr offer gigs for buyers to order. Fiverr charges a set commission on all gigs.
Fiverr Affiliate Program
Fiverr has a great affiliate program, one of the best affiliate programs on the market. It offers pretty high commissions compared to others, so you can double or even triple your income on Fiverr because you may get for every first-time buyer $150 CPA or up to $1,000 per sale with their hybrid model $10 CPA/10% revenue share.
Upwork for Freelancers
Upwork also includes diverse freelancers; however, Upwork freelancers are usually professionals offering a niche or specialized service. One benefit of Upwork for freelancers is the agency option, where freelancers may choose to collaborate with other freelancers on a bid. Upwork charges a commission based on the freelancer’s total earnings.
Upwork vs. Fiverr Fees & Commissions
Upwork Fees & Commissions
Upwork fees include 20% for the first $500 billed to clients and 10% for total billings between $500 and $10,000. For total billings above $10,000, Upwork charges only 5%. For each bid, Upwork also charges a 2.75% processing fee.
| Upwork | Fees & Commissions |
|---|---|
| First $500 Billed | 20% |
| From $500 to $10,000 | 10% |
| Above $10,000 | 5% |
| Processing Fee | 2.75% |
Fiverr Fees & Commissions
Fiverr fees include a processing fee of $1.00 for gigs up to $20.00. For gigs greater than $20, they charge a 5% fee. Fiverr fees also include a 20% commission on all gigs.
| Fiverr | Fees & Commissions |
|---|---|
| The Fee for The Gigs is up to $20.00 | $1.00 |
| The Fee for The Gigs from $20.00 and more | 5% |
| The Commission on all Gigs | 20% |
The Final Words
Which is better, Upwork or Fiverr?
Both Fiverr and Upwork are digital platforms to connect freelancers with clients. Freelancers may choose to offer their services on both platforms or pick one that aligns more with their offered talent. Upwork is generally used by professionals who offer specialized or niche talent and who may want to collaborate with other talents in an agency. Fiverr jobs are bids created by the freelancer for clients to choose from and are typically lower cost compared to Upwork bids.
Check out all our articles about freelancing.
Comparison Video
Upwork & Fiverr FAQ
How Much Does Upwork Take from Freelancers?
Upwork charges 20% for the first $500 of the freelancer’s total earnings and 10% for total earnings between $500 and $10,000. Upwork also charges a 2.75% processing fee per bid.
How to Use Upwork as a Freelancer?
In order to work with Upwork, freelancers must submit a profile and have Upwork approve it.
How to Use Fiverr as a Freelancer?
To sell on Fiverr, freelancers also must submit a profile for approval. Certain disciplines may also require a skills test.
How Can I Make $1000 a Month?
On either platform, Fiverr or Upwork, the key to generating $1000 a month is to have outstanding reviews from previous clients. This means you may need to start by offering lowers prices at first to generate positive client reviews.
Is Fiverr Good for Beginners?
Fiverr is a good option for beginners because of its low barriers to entry. Freelancers can immediately begin offering gigs with no upfront fees.
How to Sell and How to Make Money on Fiverr?
To sell on Fiverr, freelancers must offer appropriately priced gigs and have profiles showing positive reviews from previous clients.
Is Fiverr Safe?
Yes, Fiverr partners with reputable payment gateways (PayPal, Payoneer, and Coinbase) to ensure safe transactions. Fiverr also does not allow for any personal contact outside of the Fiverr website.
How Do I Get My First Job to Sell on Fiverr?
Getting one’s first job on Fiverr requires a competitively priced gig — it’s best to research similar gigs to ensure yours is priced correctly. Advertising your first gig on social media can also help catch the eye of a buyer.
Who makes the most money on Fiverr?
In general, video marketing gigs net the most money on Fiverr.
Do I Have to Pay Taxes on Fiverr?
Fiverr income is considered taxable income.
What Kind of Jobs are on Fiverr?
Fiverr jobs include writing, artistry, video marketing, website development, data analysis, and other forms of digital content creation.
Can You Fake Reviews on Fiverr?
Fiverr vets all reviews before they are posted and is incredibly strict in deleting reviews that appear fake.
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