Enter a project amount and instantly compare fees across 7 major platforms. No guesswork — just real numbers.
Small percentages add up fast. See the real annual cost of each platform's fee structure.
Different fees mean you need different rates. Find out how much to charge on each platform to match your target take-home.
Understanding platform size and popularity helps you choose where to invest your time. Bigger isn't always better — but knowing the landscape matters.
Where the work is — and what it pays.
The skills seeing the biggest spike in demand across freelance platforms right now.
Everything you need to know about platform fees, hidden costs, and maximizing your earnings.
Contra and Toptal charge 0% commission to freelancers, making them the cheapest platforms fee-wise. However, Toptal is extremely selective (top 3% of applicants) and Contra has a smaller client pool. Among mainstream platforms, Guru (5–9%) and Upwork (10%) generally offer better rates than Fiverr (20%) or PeoplePerHour (up to 20%).
Fiverr takes a flat 20% from every order. So if a client pays $100, you receive $80. On top of that, buyers pay a 5.5% service fee, and orders under $75 incur an additional $2.50 small order fee. Withdrawal fees range from free (PayPal) to $3 (Fiverr Revenue Card).
As of 2026, Upwork charges freelancers a flat 10% service fee on all earnings. Clients pay an additional 5% marketplace fee plus up to $4.95 as a contract initiation fee. Freelancers also spend on Connects ($0.15–$0.90 each) to submit proposals, typically needing 4–6 per application.
Yes — both platforms charge 0% commission to freelancers. Contra is free to join and use, with clients covering invoice processing fees. Toptal is also free for accepted freelancers, but the platform is extremely selective — only about 3% of applicants are accepted. Toptal takes its margin from the client side.
Start with the project amount, subtract the platform's freelancer service fee, then account for hidden costs like proposal fees (Upwork Connects), small order fees (Fiverr), and withdrawal fees. Use our calculator above to see the exact breakdown for each platform instantly.
Using multiple platforms can be a smart strategy. It diversifies your client sources and lets you optimize based on project type — for example, use a low-fee platform like Contra for larger projects and a high-traffic platform like Upwork for finding new clients. Just be sure to manage your time and profiles effectively.