Upwork vs. Fiverr: Which is Better for Freelancers?

Freelancing is becoming one of the fastest-growing career choices worldwide. Two of the most popular platforms where freelancers can find work are Upwork and Fiverr. Both platforms are trusted by millions, but the way they operate is very different. In this blog, we’ll compare the two so you can decide which one suits your freelance journey.

Fee Structure

• Upwork: Uses a sliding fee system:
  • 20% on the first $500 earned from a client
  • 10% from $500 to $10,000
  • 5% once earnings from that client exceed $10,000
• Fiverr: Takes a flat 20% fee on every gig, regardless of the order size.

👉 If you aim to build long-term client relationships, Upwork becomes more profitable over time. Fiverr is simple but always deducts the same percentage.

How You Get Work

• Upwork: Clients post jobs. Freelancers submit proposals with their skills, past work, and portfolio. This gives you control to actively pitch yourself.
• Fiverr: Freelancers create gigs with a very specific deliverable, such as “I will design a logo” or “I will edit a YouTube thumbnail.” Clients search and order directly.

Click here to read more about Fiverr.

Client Relationships & Communication

• Upwork: Once you’re in a contract, you can move conversations to tools like Slack, Trello, or email. This makes long-term collaboration easier.
• Fiverr: All communication stays inside Fiverr’s messaging system. It’s fine for short gigs but limits deeper client relationships.

Payment & Security

• Fiverr: Payments clear within 3 days after the client approves the order. Great for quick payouts.
• Upwork: Hourly contracts pay weekly. Fixed-price projects may take longer but come with escrow protection and dispute resolution.

Best Type of Jobs

• Fiverr: Works best for short, one-off tasks like:
  • Logo design
  • Voiceovers
  • YouTube thumbnails
  • Simple book covers
• Upwork: Better suited for:
  • Website design & development
  • Marketing & consulting
  • Video production
  • Long-term retainers

Which One Pays Better?

Upwork usually offers higher income potential because you can build ongoing client relationships that pay monthly or even yearly. Fiverr is more about smaller, quicker gigs. While some freelancers do make a full-time income on Fiverr, it usually requires a high order volume and constant competition with low prices.

Final Thoughts

If freelancing is just a side hustle, Fiverr is a good way to get started quickly. But if you want to build a full-time freelance career with stable income and long-term clients, Upwork is generally the better choice.

Both platforms have their pros and cons, and many freelancers use a mix of both depending on their skills. At the end of the day, the best platform for you depends on your goals, your services, and how you prefer to work with clients.

Share Your Experience

Have you worked on Upwork or Fiverr? Which platform worked better for you and why? Share your thoughts in the comments section below — your tips might help other freelancers get started the right way!