Fiverr vs Upwork: Here’s What Everyone’s Missing When Telling You
Truth about Fiverr vs Upwork
With millions eyeing freelance work, choosing the right platform is tough. Fiverr and Upwork stand out, but picking between them isn’t easy. Let’s compare. Both offer diverse skills and big client pools, but they work differently. 🤔
If you’re new to freelancing, read on. We’ll break down how these platforms operate, their costs, and which might suit you best. 💼
Freelancing is booming, and Fiverr and Upwork are at the forefront. They offer opportunities for both freelancers and businesses. But they have their own strengths and weaknesses. 💪
Whether you’re a business looking for talent or a freelancer seeking gigs, understanding these platforms is key. We’ll explore what they offer from both perspectives.
In this comparison below👇, we’ll keep it simple. By the end, you’ll have a clearer idea of whether Fiverr or Upwork is the right fit for you.
Fiverr
Fiverr, launched in 2010, initially gained popularity as a platform where clients could hire freelancers for just five dollars per project. Over time, it has undergone significant evolution, now allowing freelancers to set their own prices. With a diverse array of services ranging from design to development, Fiverr attracts nearly 35 million visitors monthly and facilitates approximately 1 million transactions per month.
The Fiverr process is straightforward. Freelancers begin by creating a free account and only incur fees when they successfully sell a gig. After completing their profiles, freelancers can offer one or more gigs, provided there’s demand for their services.
For buyers or employers seeking to hire on Fiverr, the process involves browsing through listings posted by freelancers. They can filter by criteria such as ratings and budget to find the most suitable candidates. Once a freelancer who meets their requirements is identified, they can proceed to hire them for the job.
Pros and Cons of Fiverr
Pros
- Get Noticed by Buyers: On Fiverr, your job is to make an appealing gig and have a complete profile. Once you do that, buyers will come to you directly. You don’t need to search for jobs — they’ll find you.
- No Fees, No Fuss: Signing up for Fiverr won’t cost you anything. It’s totally free to use. You can create and list your gigs without paying anything, making it easy to connect with buyers and sell your services.
- Reach for the Pro Level: Fiverr also has a ‘Pro’ version. It’s for serious professionals who want higher-quality work and more long-term clients. To join, you need to prove you’re an expert in your field. Once in, you’ll have better chances of getting consistent work.
- Set Your Own Terms: When you offer your services, you can choose your prices and add extras like faster delivery. You have control over what you offer and how much you charge.
>>>Become a Freelance on Fiverr
Cons
- Direct Approach from Buyers: On Fiverr, clients may approach you directly, presenting both opportunities and challenges. If your gig isn’t well-optimized or you struggle with sales tactics, you may not attract many employers.
- Commission Deduction: Fiverr deducts a flat 20% commission from each payment, regardless of the project’s magnitude or your tenure working with the same client.
Check out the post below👇 if you are interested in starting a gig on Fiverr as a freelancer and 💰making money!
Upwork
Upwork, born from the merger of oDesk and Elance in 2015, is headquartered in California, USA. It’s now one of the largest freelance platforms, connecting businesses with skilled talents.
With over five million clients and eighteen million freelancers, Upwork facilitated three million jobs worth $1 billion in 2020 alone.
Whether you’re hiring or freelancing, Upwork is a prime destination. The process is simple: Employers post jobs for freelancers, and signing up is free. Just remember, separate accounts require separate email addresses.
Pros and Cons of Fiverr
Pros
- Free of cost: Upwork is free to sign up for and also provides free 60 connections to bid for jobs.
- Client’s rating: In this platform, when bidding for jobs, freelancers can check previous reviews of their potential clients to see how earlier freelancers rate their experience, which provides the freelancers a greater understanding of the client and their work ethics.
- Upwork Premium: As freelancers develop their portfolio on Upwork, they can upgrade to Upwork Premium, which gives them added perks with better support and job recommendations for no additional cost.
- Bid for your work: Freelancers can apply for jobs that they are interested in. This bidding system gives them some control over the type of work they get, which allows them to be proactive.
Cons
- Client’s platform: With the number of freelancers on Upwork exceeding twice the total number of available jobs, clients enjoy the advantage of selecting freelancers according to their preferences. This implies that experienced freelancers have a higher likelihood of securing jobs compared to newcomers.
- Account bans: Upwork reserves the authority to suspend accounts without issuing any prior notice.
Skill Range
Upwork focuses on high-demand skills that can be done remotely. It offers a variety of essential skills needed for different jobs, and you can find long-term work or big projects here.
On the other hand, Fiverr stands out because it lets freelancers showcase all kinds of skills they have. You can find some really unique services there that you won’t find anywhere else.
For example, if you need a catchy jingle for your brand’s new ad, a custom illustration for your website, or even a personalized video message from a celebrity impersonator, you can find it on Fiverr. They have thousands of different services to choose from.
>>>Become a Freelance on Fiverr
Verification Standards For Freelancers
Upwork’s process for checking freelancers can be confusing, but Fiverr only checks some. Both try to show how good a freelancer is, but they do it differently.
Upwork often gets criticized for making freelancers go through a lot to prove themselves. To get noticed, freelancers have to pass many tests, including showing their skills.
On Upwork, top freelancers have to make at least $1,000 each month, have a success rate of 90% or more, and be active for three months. They’re marked with a blue shield icon with a crown. New freelancers who are doing well are marked with a blue shield with a star. But Upwork’s rules can be a bit unfair.
On the other hand, Fiverr doesn’t check every freelancer, except for those in the “Fiverr Pro” group. To join, freelancers need a good history of work and a strong portfolio. Fiverr Pro only accepts very skilled freelancers, whether they’re new or have been around for a while.
Fiverr Pro sellers are known for being great at what they do. If there’s ever a problem, Fiverr has specialists to help. However, using Pro freelancers costs more money because their gigs are the most expensive.
Fiverr still uses its community-based rating system well, while Upwork’s checking process doesn’t always work out. But no matter which platform you use, it’s important to research freelancers to avoid fake profiles.
Freelancer’s Profile
Upwork and Fiverr both offer freelancer profiles, but their approaches differ.
On Upwork, profiles resemble traditional resumes, similar to LinkedIn. They focus on statistics like completed jobs, work hours, and earnings, along with education and work history.
In contrast, Fiverr’s profile layout is more visual, highlighting individual gigs rather than the freelancer’s overall profile. The emphasis is on showcasing what the freelancer can do through their gigs, with easy access to examples of past work.
Pricing Structure
Fiverr offers lower prices, with many gigs priced at $5 or less. However, it’s essential to assess sellers based on their past work rather than just their pricing.
On Upwork, while some freelancers may offer lower rates, they’re typically at an hourly rate, and the final bill might exceed your budget if the work takes longer than expected. Many freelancers on Upwork also provide fixed-price packages for their services.
Upwork primarily charges fees to freelancers, with clients only paying a 3% payment processing fee. However, freelancers often increase their prices to cover these fees.
Fiverr charges a $2 fee for purchases up to $40, with a 5% fee for purchases above $40. This means that for a $5 service, you’ll pay $7. For larger projects exceeding $40, Upwork may be more cost-effective.
However, both make it easy to rehire freelancers you’ve worked with before. Additionally, both platforms provide some level of security for clients; funds for fixed-price services are held by Upwork and Fiverr until the client approves the work.
Check out the post below👇 if you are interested in knowing the Top 5 Most Recommended Freelance Marketplaces
Fiverr vs Upwork for Freelancers
It all comes down to what you specialize in. Upwork is better suited for larger projects and long-term remote work opportunities, especially for skills like programming or writing. Establishing a good reputation on Upwork can also lead to consistent job opportunities and foster strong relationships with employers.
However, if you excel in providing quick, one-time services such as sketches, modeling pictures, or voice work, then Fiverr is the ideal platform for showcasing those skills.
Fiverr vs Upwork for Clients
If you need experienced and dependable freelancers for a long-term project, Upwork is your top choice. It’s a platform where you can find professionals specializing in long-term projects and remote positions.
However, if you’re in need of a quick, one-time task or a simple job, Fiverr is the better option due to its affordable pricing.
>>>Become a Freelance on Fiverr
To Sum it Up!
Now the article has come to an end. As we’ve gone through the comparison between Upwork and Fiverr, it’s evident that there’s more to consider than meets the eye. Each platform has its own advantages and benefits, suited for different needs in the freelance world. It’s important to understand these differences to make the best choice for your goals.
