Freelance Platform Fees Compared: What to Check Before You Price
Compare verified fee structures for Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer.com, Guru, PeoplePerHour, and Toptal. Rates depend on contract, plan, currency, or agreement; check current account terms.
Last updated: October 9, 2026
Direct answer
Freelance-platform fees are not directly comparable by headline percentage alone. As of October 2026, official sources show Upwork at 0%–15% per contract, Fiverr paying freelancers 80% of completed order value, Freelancer.com at 10% or a $5 minimum on fixed-price work, Guru fees that depend on membership, PeoplePerHour buyer-specific commission tiers, and Toptal stating it takes no cut from talent’s set rate.
The problem
A single fee table can hide the contract type, minimum fee, plan, payment method, client-side charges, withdrawal, exchange, proposal, or membership costs. A rate advertised for one product or region may not match the terms shown to an individual freelancer.
Why it happens
Marketplaces use different pricing models. Some deduct a percentage from earnings; some charge before work is won; some vary by lifetime billings with a buyer or membership. A sensible comparison uses current official terms and the costs that actually apply to your workflow.
Verified fee structures to compare
- 1
Upwork: check the rate shown for each contract
Official freelancer service fees range from 0% to 15% per contract. Direct Contracts are 5%, or 0% for an active Freelancer Plus member. Connects and client-side charges are separate.
- 2
Fiverr: estimate 80% of completed order value
Fiverr’s earnings page says the freelancer receives 80%, including extras and tips. Other payout, currency, or account costs are not included in that figure.
- 3
Freelancer.com: distinguish project type
The official fee page lists 10% or a $5 minimum for fixed-price projects and contests, and 10% for hourly projects. Withdrawal, balance, upgrades, and other charges may be separate.
- 4
Guru: use the actual membership and agreement fee
Guru says job fees depend on membership; official examples show Basic at 9% and Executive at 5%. An agreement may shift up to five percentage points of the invoice value to the employer. Do not infer every tier from two examples.
- 5
PeoplePerHour: use the actual buyer-specific tier
The help page describes commission based on lifetime billings per buyer: 20% below £250, 7.5% from £250 to £5,000, and 3.5% above £5,000, plus a £1 minimum per invoice excluding VAT. Confirm applicable currency and account terms; the calculator does not infer the tier.
- 6
Toptal: distinguish talent rate from client pricing
Toptal’s talent FAQ says members set their own rate and Toptal does not take a cut from that rate. Client pricing and any external costs are not represented by a freelancer commission estimate.
- 7
Compare all-in take-home and follow the terms
Use the fee shown in the offer, add proposal and other costs, and compare the actual client demand and work volume. Do not move a client off-platform unless the current agreement permits it.
Key takeaways
- Upwork: 0%–15% per contract; Direct Contracts are 5%, or 0% for eligible active Plus members.
- Fiverr: freelancers receive 80% of completed order value, including extras and tips.
- Freelancer.com: fixed price/contests 10% or $5 minimum; hourly projects 10%.
- Guru: membership-dependent; official examples show Basic 9% and Executive 5%, with possible employer fee sharing.
- PeoplePerHour: buyer-specific lifetime-billing tiers and a £1 invoice minimum; confirm currency and account terms.
- Toptal says it does not take a cut from the talent member’s set rate.
- Compare the displayed contract rate plus proposal, payment, currency, payout, and plan costs.
Frequently asked questions
Which platform has the lowest fee?
There is no universal answer. Rates apply to different products, contract types, memberships, currencies, and fee bases. Calculate your likely net using the actual rate shown in your account and include proposal, payout, subscription, and conversion costs.
Are published fee tables complete?
Not always. They may exclude taxes, payment processing, withdrawals, currency conversion, optional services, or fees paid by the client. Read the current platform terms and contract screen.
Are platform commissions tax-deductible?
Tax treatment depends on your jurisdiction, accounting method, and business facts. U.S. businesses may generally deduct qualifying ordinary and necessary expenses, but keep records and confirm eligibility with a qualified tax professional.
Can I take clients off-platform to avoid fees?
Only when the marketplace’s current terms and your contract permit it. Some platforms restrict solicitation or conversion. Do not assume direct billing is always allowed.
When were these rates checked?
Official sources were reviewed on October 9, 2026. Platforms can change their terms; the applicable rate is the one shown for your account, contract, and region.
Related guides
Official sources
- Upwork: Freelancer service fee
0%–15% per contract.
- Upwork: Direct Contracts
5%, or 0% for active Freelancer Plus members.
- Fiverr: Your earnings page
Freelancers receive 80% of completed order value, including extras and tips.
- Freelancer.com fees and charges
Fixed-price, contest, and hourly freelancer fees.
- Guru: Job fee
Membership-dependent job fee, Basic and Executive examples, and agreement-based employer fee sharing.
- PeoplePerHour: Freelancer commission fees
Commission tiers based on lifetime billing per buyer; published thresholds are in GBP and the minimum invoice fee excludes VAT.
- Toptal: Talent FAQ
Toptal states that talent members set their own rate and it does not take a cut from that rate.
Educational information only; not individualized legal, tax, accounting, or financial advice. Rules can change and results depend on your facts. Check current official guidance or consult a qualified professional.