Compare Freelance Platform Fees
Hold the client price fixed to see net on each channel, or hold your target net fixed to see how much you must charge. “Best” is fee math only.
Fees reviewed 28 Sep 2026
Same job, four fee stacks. Uses each platform's saved fees on this device when present; otherwise the starting estimates. Open a platform page to edit its fees, then return here. Best here only means best after these fee estimates — not job quality, payout speed, or win rate.
Goal
Billing
| Platform | Fees used | You keep | Detail | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Upwork Estimates | Market 10% · est. None / already included: 0% | $900.00 | Fees total $100.00 | Open |
Fiverr | Market 20% None / already included: 0% | $800.00 | Fees total $200.00 | Open |
Freelancer | Market 10% None / already included: 0% | $900.00 | Fees total $100.00 | Open |
Direct Best here | Market 0% Stripe: 2.9% + $0.30 | $970.70 | Fees total $29.30 | Open |
Example: $1,000.00 client amount
Snapshot with default planning assumptions and no personal set-aside. Upwork uses a 10% estimate because live fees are variable. Change amounts in the interactive table above for your job.
| Platform | Fee model | Fee | You keep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upwork | 10% planning estimate · estimate | −$100.00 | $900.00 |
| Fiverr | Seller fee · 20% | −$200.00 | $800.00 |
| Freelancer.com | Fixed price · 10% or $5 min | −$100.00 | $900.00 |
| Direct clientBest here | Stripe 2.9% + $0.30 | −$29.30 | $970.70 |
How to read this comparison
Marketplace fees differ: Upwork uses a variable 0–15% per contract (table below uses a 10% planning estimate), Fiverr sellers typically keep 80%, Freelancer.com fixed-price uses 10% or $5 min, and direct work is processor-only.
Use this page when you are choosing a channel for the same project—not as tax advice or an official quote from any platform.
Formula
For each channel: take-home = client amount − marketplace fee − payout fee (− optional set-aside). Compare nets at the same client amount, or compare required charges at the same target net.
What I keep holds the client price fixed and shows net after each platform's fees. Highest net is marked best.
What to charge holds your target net fixed and shows how much the client must pay on each platform. Lowest charge is marked best.
Saved scenarios on a single platform page are bookmarks for that calculator only. This Compare page is the place for channel vs channel analysis.
Frequently asked questions
- Which platform keeps more after fees?
- It depends on the fee shown for your Upwork contract, whether Freelancer.com’s $5 minimum applies, and your payout rail. Run the same amount through the table above—direct Stripe often keeps more than Fiverr’s 20% cut, but you lose marketplace demand.
- Why does Compare use 10% for Upwork?
- Upwork’s live fee is variable 0–15%. Compare needs a number for the row, so it uses the planning estimate (or the % saved on this device). Enter your real contract % on the Upwork calculator for precision.
- What does “Best” mean?
- Highest net in What I keep mode, or lowest client charge in What to charge mode—based only on the fees modeled here.
- Is this affiliated with any marketplace?
- No. PayQube is independent. Confirm live fees on each platform before you commit.
Related: Upwork vs Fiverr fees · Upwork calculator · Fiverr calculator.