Which Freelance Platforms Have The Lowest Fees?

Are you tired of watching platform fees eat into the money you earn and want to know which freelance marketplaces give you the biggest share of your rate?

Freelance platform fees matter. They directly reduce your take-home pay, and different marketplaces charge differently — some take a flat cut, others scale fees based on lifetime client spend or use subscription models. Knowing which platforms have the lowest fees, and why, helps you choose where to bid and how to price your work so you actually net a fair amount for your time and skills.

How freelance platform fees typically work

You should understand the different kinds of fees so you can compare platforms fairly. Most marketplaces use one or more of these fee models.

• Platform commission (service fee): A percentage taken from every payment you receive. This is the headline fee you’ll see most often.
• Payment processing fees: Fees charged by PayPal, Stripe, or the platform’s payment processor. These are typically a percentage plus a fixed amount.
• Withdrawal or currency conversion fees: Costs to move money from the platform to your bank or convert currency.
• Membership or subscription fees: Monthly/annual plans that may reduce commissions or give more bids/visibility.
• Bidding or proposal fees: Some sites charge credits to send proposals (e.g., connect credits).
• Listing or contest fees: Platforms that use job listings or design contests can charge to post or enter.
• VAT or local taxes: If a platform charges VAT or you’re subject to tax rules, this can reduce the effective payment.

Every time you evaluate a marketplace, add up all of those potential costs — not just the headline commission — so you know your true take-home.

Reading fee figures: what to watch for

Fee comparisons are only useful if you check the details. When you look at a platform:

• Confirm whether the commission is charged to the freelancer or client.
• Check whether the commission scales by client lifetime billing (e.g., reduced after a threshold).
• Look up payment withdrawal methods and costs in your country.
• Read the terms about off-platform payments — some marketplaces prohibit moving a client off-site or remove protections if you do.
• Consider whether the platform provides escrow, dispute resolution, or invoice handling that might justify higher fees.

Now let’s look at major marketplaces and how they compare.

Major freelance platforms and typical fee structures (overview table)

Note: numbers below are approximate, reflect common structures as of mid-2024, and can change. Always check the platform’s current terms before committing.

Upwork — how the sliding fee works and when it’s lower for you

Upwork uses a tiered system that can give you lower fees with repeat clients. The first $500 you bill a client is charged at 20% commission. Once you bill that client more than $500, the fee drops to 10% up to $10,000, and then 5% beyond that point.

Why that matters to you:

• If you land long-term or larger projects with the same client, your effective fee falls over time.
• For short, one-off gigs under $500 you’ll pay the full 20%.
• Upwork also uses “Connects” (paid credits) to submit proposals, and withdrawal or conversion fees can apply.

When to choose Upwork:

• You’re building recurring client relationships or expect to bill a client past the $500 threshold.
• You value escrow and dispute tools, and you need a large marketplace for steady lead flow.

Fiverr — simple but high flat fee

Fiverr charges a flat 20% service fee on a seller’s earnings for every transaction. The simplicity is attractive — you always know your cut — but for high-value projects, 20% can be expensive.

Why Fiverr can still work:

• It makes sense for packaged, productized gigs where volume compensates for the cut.
• Fiverr’s marketplace and search visibility can generate many small clients quickly.

When Fiverr is less attractive:

• For high-value bespoke projects where 20% significantly reduces your net hourly rate.

Freelancer.com — common fees and extras

Freelancer.com generally charges around 10% of the project value or a minimum fee (e.g., $5) for fixed-price projects. Hourly projects are often charged at 10% too. The platform also has membership plans that can change fees or increase your profile visibility and bid allowances.

Why consider Freelancer.com:

• Lower commission than flat 20% models in many cases.
• Large marketplace with bid options and contests.

Watch out for:

• Bidding credits, contest rules, and withdrawal/processing fees which can reduce net earnings.

PeoplePerHour and similar marketplaces — sliding fees & membership tiers

PeoplePerHour has used sliding rates based on the cumulative value you’ve billed a particular buyer, which reduces the commission as the relationship matures. They also have membership plans. Exact percentages and thresholds have changed over time, so check the current policy before you sign up.

Why it can be good for you:

• If you cultivate repeat buyers, your effective fee can fall.
• Memberships can help if you’re a frequent user who wants lower fees on bigger jobs.

Guru — membership plans to lower cut

Guru typically charges a modest percentage (the platform lists different plans with job fees that can range roughly between 2.9–8.95% depending on your membership). Paying for a higher-tier membership reduces the commission and increases bid/visibility allowances.

Why choose Guru:

• If you plan to use a single platform and are willing to pay a subscription to lower job fees.
• Offers escrow and workroom features that many freelancers find useful.

Toptal, Gun.io, Catalant — low or no direct freelancer fees

Some marketplaces aimed at senior talent or enterprise clients do not charge a direct commission to freelancers. Instead, these platforms charge clients a premium and pay freelancers agreed rates. Examples include:

• Toptal: very selective — the client pays a high rate; you receive the agreed portion without a traditional per-job commission.
• Gun.io: tends to match vetted engineers with clients and handles client billing; your pay is negotiated without a visible marketplace cut.
• Catalant (for consultants): targets enterprise buyers and takes its margin on the client side.

Why these platforms have low fees for you:

• They serve higher-value clients and act as staffing/placement services, not open marketplaces.
• They’re generally more selective, so you need a proven track record to get in.

When they’re not suitable:

• If you’re just starting out or don’t have the experience/portfolio those platforms require.

Niches and lead-generation vs marketplaces

You should also consider the difference between lead-generation services (LinkedIn ProFinder, local agencies, freelance networks) and true marketplaces (Upwork, Fiverr). Lead-gen services often charge the client or charge a small access fee; you usually pay no commission. However, they don’t handle payments or escrow and put more responsibility on you for client acquisition and contracts.

Similarly, working directly with clients (through your website, referrals, or local networking) has zero platform fee. The trade-off is that you must handle marketing, client vetting, invoicing, and collections yourself.

Which platforms typically have the lowest fees for freelancers?

If your top criterion is the lowest direct fee taken from your payment, the following options are generally the best:

• Toptal, Gun.io, Catalant — platform margin is charged to the client; freelancers are paid agreed rates (no per-job commission).
• Direct clients / own website / referrals — zero platform commission but you handle acquisition and payment risk.
• LinkedIn ProFinder / local lead generators — usually no freelancer commission (lead-only).
• Niche enterprise matching platforms — often client-side fees rather than freelancer cuts.

Platforms like Upwork or Fiverr are rarely the lowest-fee options for a single transaction, but they can be valuable for client acquisition and building long-term relationships where fees fall (Upwork sliding scale).

Example comparisons: how fees affect your take-home

Let’s run a few simple examples to see how different fee structures affect the money you keep. These calculations are illustrative; exact results depend on payment processing and withdrawal fees.

Example 1 — $1,000 project

• Upwork (first-time client): 20% fee = $200 → you keep $800
• Upwork (repeat client after $500): 10% = $100 → you keep $900
• Fiverr: 20% fee = $200 → you keep $800
• Toptal / Gun.io: no explicit per-job fee = $0 → you keep $1,000 (minus tax/payment processing)
• Direct client: $0 platform fee → you keep $1,000 (minus tax and processing)

Example 2 — $200 project

• Upwork (first-time client): 20% = $40 → you keep $160
• Fiverr: 20% = $40 → you keep $160
• Freelancer.com (10%): $20 → you keep $180
• Direct client: you keep $200

Smaller projects show how a fixed high percentage can hit you hard.

Example 3 — $50 microtask

• Fiverr: 20% = $10 → you keep $40
• Upwork: 20% = $10 → you keep $40
• Direct client: you keep $50

These examples show why for small, frequent gigs you may prefer marketplaces for the client flow but want to structure pricing to offset the cut (e.g., bundling tasks).

Table — sample take-home after common fees (illustrative)

Remember to subtract payment processing (e.g., 2.9% + $0.30 for PayPal/Stripe) and withdrawal currency conversions. Those small items add up, especially with low-value gigs.

Hidden costs and gotchas you must watch

You can’t compare platforms by headline commission alone. Watch for:

• Connects / bid credits (Upwork): you may pay to apply for jobs.
• Withdrawal minimums and fees: small payments can be expensive to withdraw.
• Currency conversion margins: platforms often offer poor FX rates.
• VAT or other taxes applied by the platform if you or the client are in certain countries.
• Chargeback risk and who covers it.
• Restrictions on moving clients off-platform — violating rules can result in penalties.

Always read the fine print for your country and payout method.

Practical strategies to reduce the impact of fees

You can’t always pick a no-fee platform, but you can minimize fee impact with tactics that keep client acquisition and security intact while improving your net.

1. Price to include fees

   • Build the platform fee into your rate. If you know you’ll pay 20%, increase your price so your net stays the same.

2. Use retainer or longer-term contracts

   • On platforms with sliding fees (Upwork) you’ll lower your effective rate as the relationship grows. Offer multi-month retainers.

3. Move high-value work to low-fee channels

   • Use the platform to qualify and onboard clients; after trust is established, move to direct invoicing if allowed and safe.

4. Offer packaged or productized services

   • Productized offerings (fixed-scope packages) make fee calculations simple and lets you optimize price-per-hour.

5. Choose high-value niche marketplaces

   • Platforms catering to senior talent often don’t take a direct cut from freelancers. They expect higher rates and provide quality clients.

6. Use platform membership strategically

   • If you use a platform a lot, a paid membership that reduces job fees or improves visibility may be worth it.

7. Optimize payout methods

   • Choose withdrawal methods with low fees and favorable FX. Consider local bank transfer vs PayPal vs Payoneer.

8. Negotiate with clients for fees

   • For larger jobs, you can explain your pricing structure and ask to include any platform fees or choose a payment method that reduces costs.

9. Leverage bundled payments and milestones

   • Using escrow and milestone payments can keep cash flowing and reduce chargeback risk, even if it doesn’t lower fees.

10. Track and add fee line items for long-term clients

• For repeat clients you work with off-platform, you can agree to a “platform fee offset” or adjust rates to be fair for both sides.

Remember: moving a client off-platform eliminates platform protections like escrow and dispute resolution. Only do it when you trust the client and have contractual protections in place.

When higher-fee platforms can be worth it

You should sometimes accept a higher fee in exchange for what the platform delivers:

• Reliable client acquisition and large volume of projects.
• Escrow and payment guarantees that protect you from non-payment.
• Dispute resolution that reduces risk compared to direct clients.
• Marketing and discoverability if you’re starting out and need exposure.
• Tools like contracts, time-tracking, milestone management, and invoices.

If the time saved, risk reduced, and higher-quality clients justify the commission, a higher-fee marketplace can increase your net income in practice.

How to choose the best low-fee platform for your situation

Use this checklist to decide:

• What stage are you at? (Beginner vs established pro)
• How much do you value client acquisition vs net take-home?
• Do you need escrow/dispute tools?
• Do you have a niche or skill set that specialized platforms serve?
• Can you realistically move trusted clients off-platform later?
• What are payout speed and currency/fx costs in your country?

If you’re starting out and need steady work, a broad marketplace with higher fees may be useful. If you already have a portfolio and clients, target platforms that charge clients rather than freelancers, or prioritize direct client acquisition.

Alternative channels to reduce fees

Besides marketplaces, you can use these channels to minimize or avoid fees:

• Referrals and networking: Highest ROI, zero platform commissions.
• Your own website and email marketing: Control the client relationship.
• Social platforms and content marketing: Attract clients with content (blogging, YouTube, newsletters).
• Local business networking and meetups: Often leads to direct contracts.
• Niche communities (Slack groups, industry forums): Low competition and direct contact.
• Staffing/consulting agencies: They often handle client billing; you might trade a smaller margin for steady work, but sometimes they pay you the full rate (agency model varies).

These require more upfront effort but reduce or eliminate marketplace cuts.

Example action plan to reduce fees while protecting income

1. Audit your current platform fees and total monthly cost.
2. Identify top 10% of clients by revenue; move repeat high-value clients to direct billing where safe.
3. Package small jobs into larger productized offers to reduce the number of small transactions.
4. Raise your minimum project size to avoid low-margin microjobs.
5. Join a selective marketplace (Toptal/Gun.io) if you have the experience to qualify.
6. Use marketing and referrals to replace low-value platform leads with direct clients.
7. Reassess pricing quarterly and update offerings to account for processing and platform fees.

Final recommendations

• If your goal is the absolute lowest direct commission, target selective, high-end platforms (Toptal, Gun.io, Catalant) or secure direct clients and referrals.
• If you value predictable lead flow and dispute protection, use larger marketplaces early on — but price to account for their fees.
• Always calculate your real take-home (including processing and withdrawal fees) for each platform and pricing scenario.
• Use sliding-fee systems to your advantage by nurturing long-term client relationships on platforms like Upwork.
• Consider membership plans only if the math makes sense given how often you use the platform.

Knowing fees is only half the battle — the rest is building the strategy that balances client acquisition, risk, and income. By choosing platforms consciously and factoring fees into your pricing and service design, you’ll keep more of what you earn while still getting the clients and protections you need.