Upwork vs Fiverr fees at a glance
| Upwork | Fiverr | |
|---|---|---|
| Freelancer fee | Variable, 0%–15% per contract (shown before you apply) | Flat 20% of every order, extras and tips |
| Fee changes with | The contract and client relationship | Never: same for every seller level |
| Cost to find work | Connects to submit proposals | Free to list gigs |
| Client-side fees | Marketplace fee and a small contract initiation fee | Buyer service fee on top of the order |
| Withdrawal | Depends on method and country | Depends on method (around $1–$3) |
What you keep on each platform
| Job value | Upwork at 10% | Upwork at 15% | Fiverr (20%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50 | $45.00 | $42.50 | $40.00 |
| $100 | $90.00 | $85.00 | $80.00 |
| $500 | $450.00 | $425.00 | $400.00 |
| $1,000 | $900.00 | $850.00 | $800.00 |
| $5,000 | $4,500.00 | $4,250.00 | $4,000.00 |
Before withdrawal fees and currency conversion. Upwork shows your exact fee on each job, so check it with the Upwork fee calculator; Fiverr is always 20%, see the Fiverr fee calculator.
Which is cheaper?
On fees alone, Upwork is cheaper: even at its maximum 15% it takes less than Fiverr's 20%. On a $1,000 project you keep $850–$900 on Upwork versus $800 on Fiverr.
But fees aren't the whole cost. On Upwork you pay for Connects to send proposals, and many proposals go unanswered. On Fiverr, buyers come to you through your gig listing, so you spend less time hunting for work. If Fiverr saves you a few hours of pitching every week, the extra 5–10% can be worth it.
Which is better for you?
- Choose Upwork for bigger, ongoing projects, hourly contracts and long-term clients, where lower fees add up.
- Choose Fiverr for well-defined, repeatable services you can package (a logo, a video edit, a set of articles) and sell many times.
- Use both while you build a client base, then move repeat clients to direct invoicing with the free invoice generator (within each platform's rules).
Price the fee in
Whichever you choose, set your price so the fee comes out of the client's budget, not your income. To keep $500 you need to charge $625 on Fiverr and about $556–$588 on Upwork. Start from what you need to earn with the freelance hourly rate calculator.
Frequently asked questions
Does Upwork or Fiverr take more?
Fiverr takes more: a flat 20% of every order. Upwork's freelancer fee is variable from 0% to 15% per contract.
How much do I keep from $100 on Upwork vs Fiverr?
On Upwork you keep $85–$100 depending on the contract's fee (usually $85–$90 for new clients). On Fiverr you keep $80.
Do Upwork and Fiverr take a fee from tips?
Yes, both platforms charge their freelancer fee on tips and bonuses.
Are Upwork and Fiverr fees tax deductible?
Yes. Platform fees are a business expense for freelancers in both the US and the UK.
Sources
This guide is general information, not tax, legal or financial advice. Rules change and depend on your situation, so check official sources or a qualified professional.