Fiverr vs Upwork: Freelancer Fee Comparison
If you're a freelancer choosing between Fiverr and Upwork, the fee structure is one of the most important factors. Both platforms take a cut from your earnings, but they do it differently.
The headline rates
| Platform | Freelancer fee | Client fee |
|---|---|---|
| Fiverr | 20% flat | 5.5% service fee + $2.50 on purchases under $50 |
| Upwork | 10% flat | 3%–5% marketplace fee |
What this means in dollars
On a $1,000 project:
- Fiverr: You receive $800 (platform takes $200)
- Upwork: You receive $900 (platform takes $100)
That's a $100 difference on every $1,000 project. Over a year of freelancing, this adds up fast.
The Upwork volume discount
Upwork has one fee reduction: once you've earned $10,000+ with a single client, the fee drops from 10% to 5% for all future work with that client. This rewards long-term client relationships.
Fiverr has no volume discount — it's always 20%.
When each platform makes more sense
Choose Fiverr if:
- You sell standardized, productized services (logo design, video editing, etc.)
- You want a simple listing-based approach without proposals
- You're building a portfolio of repeatable gigs
Choose Upwork if:
- You do ongoing or high-value project work
- You want to build long-term client relationships (and eventually pay only 5%)
- You prefer hourly billing and time tracking
Withdrawal fees
Both platforms charge for withdrawals:
- Fiverr: Free withdrawal to PayPal/Fiverr Revenue Card (PayPal may charge its own fee)
- Upwork: Free direct to US bank; $2 for PayPal; $30 for wire transfer
The real comparison
The fee percentage is only part of the story. Also consider:
- Client acquisition: Fiverr is more passive (clients find you); Upwork requires active proposals
- Payment protection: Both platforms escrow funds, but the mechanisms differ
- Dispute resolution: Fiverr's resolution center is simpler; Upwork has more formal arbitration
- Platform audience: Fiverr skews smaller, quicker gigs; Upwork has more enterprise and long-term work
Calculate your take-home
Use our calculators to see exactly what you'd earn on each platform:
- Fiverr fee calculator — see your 80% take-home
- Upwork fee calculator — see your 90% take-home
Enter your typical project rate and multiply by your expected monthly volume. The platform that gives you the highest net income (considering fees, client quality, and your time) is the right choice.