The short answer
On fees, it isn't close: Upwork takes a flat 10% of what you bill, while Fiverr takes a flat 20% of every order. On a $500 job that's $450 versus $400 — and the gap grows with every dollar you earn. But the two platforms work very differently: Upwork is a bidding marketplace where you pitch clients, and Fiverr is a catalog where buyers find your fixed-price gigs. The cheaper platform is Upwork; the easier one to start on is often Fiverr.
The fees compared
| Platform | Platform fee | Keep on $100 | Keep on $500 | Keep on $1,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Upwork | 10% flat | $90.00 | $450.00 | $900.00 |
| Fiverr | 20% flat | $80.00 | $400.00 | $800.00 |
Run your own rate through each calculator — the withdrawal method and currency conversion change the final number:
Fiverr's 20% includes tips and extras. The cut applies to the full amount the buyer pays — a $20 tip nets you $16. Upwork's 10% applies the same way to hourly and fixed-price contracts.
How each platform works
Upwork — a bidding marketplace. You browse job posts and send proposals, spending Connects (about $0.15 each) to apply. Work is hourly, tracked by the Work Diary with hourly protection, or fixed-price with milestones held in escrow. It rewards pitching and ongoing client relationships, and the flat 10% no longer drops for loyal clients the way the old sliding scale did.
Fiverr — a productized catalog. You publish fixed gigs with set packages, and buyers come to you; there is no pitching. Earnings clear after a 14-day security period (7 days for Seller Plus) before you can withdraw. It is the simplest way to start, but the flat 20% is double Upwork's cut, and you compete on a crowded marketplace rather than on proposals.
Which one should you use
- • Higher-value, ongoing clients: Upwork — the 10% fee and hourly protection pay off on long engagements.
- • Packaged, repeatable services: Fiverr — gigs sell themselves once they rank, even at 20%.
- • Just starting out: Fiverr to build volume and reviews; graduate higher-value work to Upwork for the lower fee.
- • Pure take-home per dollar: Upwork wins every time — it keeps twice as much of each dollar billed.
Whichever you pick, the platform fee isn't the last cost — your payout is. Both pay in USD, so if you bank in another currency a 2–4% conversion markup can erase the fee advantage. See the Payoneer and Wise calculators, and our guide on how to get paid as a freelancer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Upwork or Fiverr cheaper?
On the platform fee, Upwork is much cheaper: it takes a flat 10% versus Fiverr’s flat 20%. On a $500 job you keep $450 on Upwork but $400 on Fiverr — a $50 gap that widens with every dollar you bill. Both add small withdrawal costs, and for non-US freelancers the payout conversion can matter more than the headline rate.
What is the difference between how Upwork and Fiverr work?
Upwork is a bidding marketplace: you browse job posts and pitch clients, working hourly (tracked by the Work Diary) or fixed-price (milestones held in escrow). Fiverr is a productized catalog: you list fixed “gigs” and buyers come to you. Upwork suits ongoing client relationships; Fiverr suits repeatable, packaged services.
Does Fiverr really take 20% of everything?
Yes — a flat 20% of every order, including tips and gig extras, with no tiers or volume discounts. Upwork’s 10% is also flat now (it dropped the old sliding scale), so on take-home Upwork keeps you twice as much per dollar. The trade-off is that Fiverr brings buyers to you, while on Upwork you spend Connects (about $0.15 each) bidding for work.
Which is better for beginners?
Fiverr is usually easier to start — you publish a gig and wait for orders, with no pitching. Upwork rewards effort: you write proposals and can command higher rates, but you compete for each job and pay for Connects. Many freelancers start on Fiverr for volume and move higher-value clients to Upwork for the lower fee.
How do I keep more of my Upwork or Fiverr earnings?
Bill larger projects to dilute fixed costs, use a free withdrawal method (ACH, PayPal or Payoneer) rather than a $30 wire, and — the one most freelancers miss — route your payout through a mid-market service instead of accepting a marked-up currency conversion. On a $2,000 month, a 3% payout markup is $60, often more than the gap between platforms.