Which Freelance Platforms Have The Lowest Fees?

Are you trying to find freelance platforms that take the smallest slice of your earnings so you can keep more of what you make?

Which Freelance Platforms Have The Lowest Fees?

This article helps you compare fees across popular freelance platforms and shows practical ways to minimize what you pay. You’ll get both a fee-focused platform comparison and a detailed step-by-step guide on how to start freelance work in copywriting. Fees change often, so use this as a framework and double-check each platform’s current terms before committing.

How fees work and why they matter

Understanding platform fees is more than tracking a percentage. Fees can be commissions on earnings, fixed per-project charges, subscription costs, payment processing fees, withdrawal fees, or costs for applying to jobs (connects). Some platforms take a direct cut from your invoice, while others charge buyers more or provide subscription models that lower per-job costs.

You should calculate your effective take-home percentage after all fees and taxes. A platform with a low commission but high withdrawal fees or mandatory paid connects might end up costing you more than a higher-commission platform with better payment terms.

Quick comparison: common freelancing platforms and typical fees

Below is a practical, easy-to-read table summarizing typical freelancer-facing fees for common platforms as of mid-2024. Use this as a starting comparison, not definitive billing advice — check each platform for exact, current rates.

Which platforms effectively have the lowest fees?

If you measure fees purely by percentage taken off each transaction, the platforms that often leave you with the most of your rate are:

• Direct client work (your own website or invoice): platform fee is effectively 0% — you only pay payment processing (Stripe/PayPal typically 2.9% + small fixed fee). This is the cheapest long-term strategy once you can attract and retain clients.

• Subscription-based job services (like SolidGigs-style services or specialized boards): you pay a flat subscription, and you keep 100% of what you bill. If you land enough jobs from the subscription, the effective fee can be very low.

• Toptal and similar vetted networks: while not always advertised as “low-fee” platforms, their model often allows freelancers to command higher rates and retain a larger portion of earnings because clients are charged a premium. This is more about higher net income than lower visible commission.

• Guru and some tiered marketplaces: these can have lower commission rates around 8–9% depending on membership tiers and how you bill.

The platforms that commonly take larger visible cuts are Fiverr (20%) and Upwork at the entry level (20% on the initial $500 with a new client). But remember, Upwork’s sliding scale rewards long-term relationships and can end up very cheap (5%) for high-lifetime clients.

How to calculate your effective fee

You should evaluate fees by calculating your effective take-home pay after every cost. Here’s a simple formula you can use:

Net income = Project price – platform commission – payment processing fee – withdrawal fee – subscription cost (allocated per project) – taxes

Example: You charge $500 for a project on Upwork and it’s your first job with that client.

• Upwork fee (20%): $100
• Upwork processing & withdrawal: ~$3–$5 (varies)
• Net before taxes: ~$395–$397 Your effective platform cut is >20% when you include processing/withdrawal fees and membership costs. Doing this calculation for each platform helps you decide what to charge and whether the opportunity is worth the cost.

Practical strategies to minimize platform fees

You can use multiple tactics to reduce the portion platforms take:

• Build long-term relationships on platforms that use sliding fees (e.g., Upwork) to lower your commission over time.
• Use subscription-based lead services or paid job boards temporarily, then move clients off-platform once trust is established.
• Price projects to incorporate platform fees transparently (raise your hourly/project rate to cover the commission).
• Negotiate higher project budgets to offset fees for larger contracts.
• Offer upsells or retainers that absorb the cost more efficiently than many small jobs.
• Prefer platforms with lower withdrawal and processing fees, or use payout methods that minimize those charges (e.g., local bank transfer vs. PayPal depending on platform and country).
• Apply for premium or membership plans that reduce per-invoice fees if you win enough jobs to justify the cost.

Legal and ethical note about moving off-platform

You may be tempted to ask clients to pay off-platform to avoid fees. Many marketplaces prohibit this until after a certain relationship threshold or expressly forbid handling a job discovered on-platform off-platform. Violating terms can get you suspended and cost you more. Instead, use permitted methods: after a solid working relationship and if the platform rules allow, move future work off-platform, or use contract language that permits future direct contact. Always read terms before requesting off-platform payments.

Which platforms are best if your top priority is minimizing fees?

• If you already have marketing and sales capability: working with direct clients via your own website + Stripe/PayPal is the most fee-efficient option.
• If you prefer a predictable cost and want no commissions: use paid job boards or subscription lead services — you pay upfront and keep everything you earn.
• If you want a balance between marketplace exposure and eventual low fees: Upwork — build long-term client relationships to drop from 20% to 10% and eventually to 5%.
• If you want high-end clients and can pass a rigorous vetting process: platforms like Toptal can result in higher effective take-home pay because you can charge premium rates and typically don’t see direct high commissions.

Fee trade-offs with exposure, vetting, and client quality

Lower platform fees often come with trade-offs:

• Direct client acquisition costs time and marketing skills.
• Subscription boards require you to convert leads consistently to justify the subscription.
• Vetted platforms (Toptal, top-tier networks) may not charge you a visible fee, but competition and vetting are intense; you might face an opportunity cost of the time it takes to pass screenings. Platforms with higher fees (Fiverr, Upwork initial tier) often give you access to a larger pool of buyers and simplify client acquisition.

Case studies: fee impact on take-home income

Example 1 — Small one-off job, $100:

• Fiverr: platform fee 20% = $20; you keep $80.
• Upwork (first-time with client): 20% = $20; small processing fees may reduce to ~$75–$78.
• Direct client via Stripe (2.9% + $0.30): you keep ~$96.80. Clearly, small jobs suffer more from platform percentage fees.

Example 2 — Long-term client, $15,000 total over time:

• Upwork sliding fee: first $500 @20% = $100; next $9,500 @10% = $950; remaining $5,000 @5% = $250; total fees = $1,300 => effective fee ~8.66%.
• Direct client via Stripe: processing only (~3%), effective fee ~3% (but requires client acquisition). For larger, ongoing relationships, Upwork’s sliding model becomes competitive.

Fees vs. convenience: choosing the right platform for your situation

You should weigh:

• How much you value client acquisition ease vs. percentage taken.
• Whether you prefer predictable, recurring work or one-time gigs.
• If you have a niche that benefits from specialized marketplaces (e.g., design contests, writing platforms).
• Your tolerance for vetting or administrative overhead.

If you’re just starting, platforms with higher fees but easy access (Fiverr, Upwork) can help you build portfolio and reviews. As you grow, transition to lower-fee options.

How do I start freelance work in copywriting?

Now that you understand platform fees, here’s a practical, comprehensive guide to launching and growing freelance copywriting specifically. Follow these steps to get clients, price work effectively, and scale while keeping fees low.

1. Clarify your niche and offerings

You should pick a niche that combines:

• What you enjoy writing about.
• What you’re good at (direct-response, SEO copy, emails, ads, landing pages).
• Where market demand and budgets exist (SaaS, finance, healthcare, e-commerce).

Specializing helps you stand out and command higher rates. For example, “email copy for B2B SaaS” is stronger than “general copywriter.”

2. Build a portfolio with strong samples

If you don’t have client work yet:

• Create spec pieces that mimic real client deliverables (sales emails, landing pages, product descriptions).
• Convert results-focused rewrite exercises: show before/after of headlines, calls-to-action, or long-form sales content.
• Use a simple portfolio site or PDF packet. You can host a portfolio on a personal site, LinkedIn, or a platform like Contently.

If you have client work:

• Get permission to showcase anonymized samples and highlight metrics (open rates, conversion lift).
• Present case studies: problem → solution → results (with numbers when possible).

3. Price your services strategically

Decide on per-hour, per-project, or retainer pricing:

• Per-project pricing is common for landing pages, email sequences, or sales pages.
• Hourly rates work for ongoing revisions or complex projects.
• Retainers are ideal for regular marketing work (e.g., weekly emails, blog content).

Start by calculating your target hourly income post-fees and taxes, then price projects to match. For example, if you want $50/hr net, and platform fees + taxes cost ~30% total, charge about $70–75/hr.

Package prices often sell better than hourly because they’re outcome-focused — e.g., “5-email welcome sequence: $750.”

4. Set up contracts and payment terms

You should use a written agreement for every client. Key clauses:

• Scope and deliverables
• Revisions allowed and extra revision rates
• Payment schedule (deposit, milestone payments)
• Cancellation and refund policy
• Intellectual property transfer (when payment is complete)
• Confidentiality and usage rights

Use simple tools: HelloSign, DocuSign, or contract templates from reputable freelancing blogs. For payment processing, Stripe and PayPal are common; invoice tools like FreshBooks, QuickBooks, or PayPal Invoicing help track payments and taxes.

5. Create a pricing and outreach system (apply what you learned about fees)

If you’re using marketplaces:

• Factor platform fees into your rates.
• Focus on building repeat clients on platforms with sliding fees.
• Use paid job boards or LinkedIn outreach when you want to avoid commissions and can bring clients onboard independently.

If you want to work directly:

• Consider offering a discount for clients who agree to direct invoices after an initial trial project completed on-platform (if allowed by the platform), or convert clients for new work after establishing trust.
• Use lead magnets and content marketing to attract inbound clients: blog posts, case studies, and email newsletters.

6. Pitching and proposals that convert

Your proposals should be short, targeted, and outcome-driven:

• Start with a one-sentence summary of the client’s problem.
• Present a clear solution with deliverables, timeline, and price.
• Show a mini-case study or sample relevant to their niche.
• Include a call-to-action: schedule a call or accept the proposal.

Tailor each pitch — generic templates get ignored. Use warm intros or mutual connections when possible.

7. Build credibility and referrals

You should focus on outcomes and testimonials:

• Ask satisfied clients for short testimonials and permission to mention results.
• Create case studies that quantify improvements (e.g., “Increased free-trial signups by 24% by rewriting email sequence”).
• Offer a referral bonus for clients who introduce new paying customers.

Over time, referrals help you move off high-fee marketplaces and onto direct work.

8. Scale without giving up margin

To scale and keep fees low:

• Raise prices rather than working more hours at low rates.
• Offer higher-value services: strategy, funnels, CRO copywriting.
• Outsource lower-value tasks (editing, admin) to virtual assistants or junior writers.
• Move regular clients to retainers or longer-term contracts which reduce acquisition costs.

Subscription tools and your own website marketing can incur costs but reduce platform reliance.

9. Track metrics and improve

Measure:

• Conversion rates from proposals to paying clients.
• Average project value and client lifetime value.
• Time spent on client acquisition vs. delivery.
• Effective fee percentage (platforms + processing + withdrawals).

If client acquisition time is too high, consider paid ads, partnerships, or guest posts to get inbound leads.

10. Maintain legal, tax, and financial hygiene

You should:

• Track income and expenses separately for freelancing.
• Set aside money for taxes (self-employment taxes vary by country).
• Use simple accounting tools to log invoices, fees, and deductions.
• Consider forming an LLC or equivalent for liability protection depending on where you live.

Work with an accountant familiar with freelancers to make sure you’re optimized for taxes and deductions.

Example path from platform to direct clients (to reduce fees)

1. Start on a marketplace (Upwork/Fiverr) to build portfolio and reviews.
2. Deliver exceptional work, document results, and collect testimonials.
3. After 2–3 projects with a client, propose long-term work or a retainer and offer to move billing off-platform for future projects (check and follow platform rules).
4. As you move 1–2 clients off-platform, invest saved commission into marketing (ads, SEO, content) to find more direct clients.
5. When you can reliably source clients directly, reduce marketplace usage or use subscription job boards only as a supplement.

Samples and small templates you can use

Proposal opener:

• “I reviewed your [landing page/email/website], and the main barrier to higher conversions looks like [brief problem]. I propose [solution], delivered in [timeframe], for [price]. Example of similar work: [link]. If that sounds good, I’ll send a one-page contract and a start date.”

Simple invoice language:

• “Project: [title]. Total: $X. Payment terms: 50% deposit, balance on delivery. Bank transfer/Stripe/PayPal accepted.”

Contract clause for IP:

• “Upon full payment, all rights to the delivered copy will be transferred to the client, except for pre-existing intellectual property.”

Common mistakes that increase fee burden

• Accepting very small jobs where platform commission eats too much of your time.
• Forgetting to account for payment processing and withdrawal fees in your pricing.
• Not building repeat business: high churn increases acquisition costs and effective fees.
• Relying solely on one marketplace; if policies change, your income can drop fast.
• Moving clients off-platform in violation of terms; that can cost you more than the fees are worth.

Final recommendations and decision framework

To choose the best platform with the lowest effective fees for you, ask:

• How much do I need to earn per hour/project after fees and taxes?
• Do I prioritize getting clients quickly or maximizing take-home pay?
• Am I willing to invest time in marketing to get direct clients?
• How many repeat clients can I realistically obtain?

If you want fast starts and are willing to trade a portion of earnings for immediate access to clients, use marketplaces but aim for long-term client relationships on those platforms (to benefit from sliding fees). If you can invest in marketing and sales, aim for direct clients and subscription services to minimize or eliminate platform commissions.

Remember: the lowest fee isn’t always the best choice. Sometimes paying a higher fee for a platform that brings consistent, higher-quality clients is worth it because you can charge more and reduce time spent on acquisition. Your goal should be to maximize net income (revenue minus time and costs), not just to minimize platform percentages.

Quick checklist to lower fees while building copywriting income

• Start on a marketplace if you need portfolio and feedback fast.
• Always price to include platform and payment processing fees.
• Aim for repeat clients to lower effective fees on platforms with sliding rates.
• Use subscription job services if you can convert enough leads.
• Move to direct client billing when relationships and volume allow.
• Track effective fee percentage per client and per month.
• Reinvest fee savings into marketing to build direct acquisition channels.

Closing thoughts

You should treat platform fees as one important cost among many — not the only decision factor. Platforms that take higher commissions can still be profitable if they save you time, provide steady work, or help you build a reputation quickly. As your copywriting career grows, your strategy should shift toward lower-fee methods: retainers, direct clients, and premium networks where you keep more of what you earn.

If you’d like, I can:

• Create a personalized platform-fee calculator for your typical project sizes.
• Review your portfolio or craft a sample proposal for copywriting work.
• Suggest pricing templates based on your target hourly income and expected fees.