Wealthy PotUpwork vs Fiverr Fees: What Freelancers Actually Keep
Upwork charges freelancers a service fee of 0% to 15% per contract, shown before you accept and fixed for the life of that contract. Fiverr credits sellers with 80% of each order, so it keeps 20%. On top of that, Upwork sells Connects for bidding at $0.15 each, Fiverr holds earnings for 14 days before you can withdraw, and both charge for some withdrawal methods.
The Short Answer
| Upwork | Fiverr | |
|---|---|---|
| Fee on your earnings | 0% to 15% per contract, fixed when the contract starts | 20% (you get 80% of each order) |
| Cost to find work | Connects to submit proposals, $0.15 each, sold in bundles | - |
| Clearance before withdrawal | - | 14 days after the order is complete (7 for Top Rated Sellers) |
| Withdrawal to a U.S. bank | Free with a U.S. tax address | $1 by direct deposit (ACH, via Payoneer); PayPal $0 |
| Other withdrawals | $0.99 to a local bank outside the U.S.; $50 per U.S. dollar wire | $3 local bank transfer (Payoneer); revenue card $1 to $3 |
Upwork Help Center and Fee and ACH Authorization Agreement; Fiverr Payment Terms of Service (last updated September 2026). Read October 18 to 20, 2026.
Upwork Fees
Upwork calls its charge the Freelancer Service Fee. In its own words, "the fee ranges from 0% to 15% per contract," and it is set "based on factors that help support a balanced and competitive environment across different types of work." You see the percentage when you submit a proposal or receive an offer, and once the contract begins it is fixed. Upwork says it offers no regular discounts.
Upwork's own example: to take home $20 an hour on a contract with a 10% fee, you charge $22.22. For 12 hours the client pays $266.64, the fee is $26.66, and you net $239.98. If a client is refunded, Upwork returns the fee you paid on that amount.
- Connects: needed to submit proposals; $0.15 each, sold in bundles. Upwork says some freelancers may receive 10 free Connects a month.
- No fee: on Upwork Payroll and Any Hire contracts. Direct Contracts with clients you bring yourself pay a reduced fee, and freelancers working with Enterprise clients typically pay 10%.
- Withdrawals: free to a U.S. bank for freelancers with a U.S. tax address; from September 1, 2026, $2.99 per such withdrawal if your tax address is outside the U.S.; $0.99 to a local bank; $50 per U.S. dollar wire.
Fiverr Fees
Fiverr's payment terms say each completed order "credits your account with Earnings equal to 80% of the purchase amount," and the same 80% applies to hourly contracts. Earnings become available after a 14-day safety clearance period from when the order is marked complete, or 7 days for Top Rated Sellers. Withdrawal fees depend on the method: PayPal $0, direct deposit (ACH, operated by Payoneer) $1, local bank transfer $3, and the Fiverr Revenue Card $1 within 2 days or $3 within 2 hours. PayPal or Payoneer may add their own fees.
$1,000 of Work Compared
| Platform and fee | Service fee | You receive before withdrawal |
|---|---|---|
| Upwork, 0% contract | $0 | $1,000 |
| Upwork, 10% contract | $100 | $900 |
| Upwork, 15% contract | $150 | $850 |
| Fiverr | $200 | $800 |
Our arithmetic with each platform's published fee. Upwork's Connects and any withdrawal fees come on top; so do Fiverr's withdrawal fees. Neither platform publishes what freelancers typically earn.
Fiverr's flat 20% is higher than Upwork's top rate, but the two platforms work differently: on Fiverr buyers come to your listed gigs, while on Upwork you usually spend Connects to bid. Which nets more depends on your rate, how many proposals turn into work, and the fee on each Upwork contract. Compare other platforms on our side hustles page.
Taxes on Freelance Income
Freelance income from either platform is self-employment income. You owe 15.3% self-employment tax on 92.35% of your net earnings once they reach $400 for the year, plus income tax, and the platform fees are deductible business expenses. Clients and platforms send a 1099-NEC for payments of $2,000 or more made after 2025 (up from $600), and a payment processor's 1099-K applies above $20,000 and 200 transactions, but the income is taxable either way. Our 1099 tax calculator estimates what to set aside, and the self-employment tax guide explains quarterly payments.
Sources & Methodology
- Upwork, Learn about the Freelancer Service Fee (updated January 22, 2026): range, how it is set, examples, refunds, exceptions.
- Upwork, Fee and ACH Authorization Agreement: variable fee, fixed per contract.
- Upwork, Connects and withdrawal fee articles (Direct to U.S. Bank, wire transfers).
- Fiverr, Payment Terms of Service (last updated September 2026): 80% credit, clearance periods, withdrawal fees.
- IRS Topic 554 and 1099-NEC instructions.
Method notes. Upwork's fee article was read through its help-center feed on October 20, 2026; Fiverr's terms were read in a browser on October 18, 2026, because both sites block automated reading. Comparison figures are our arithmetic.
This page is general information, not tax or business advice. Fees checked on October 20, 2026.
FAQ
How much does Upwork take?
Between 0% and 15% of your earnings on each contract. You see the rate before you accept, and it stays fixed for that contract.
How much does Fiverr take?
20%. Fiverr credits you with 80% of each order, including hourly orders.
Which has lower fees, Upwork or Fiverr?
Upwork's service fee tops out at 15%, below Fiverr's 20%, but Upwork charges for Connects to bid on work. On $1,000 of work you'd receive $850 to $1,000 on Upwork before Connects, and $800 on Fiverr.
How long until I can withdraw Fiverr earnings?
14 days after the order is marked complete, or 7 days for Top Rated Sellers.
Are Upwork and Fiverr fees tax-deductible?
Platform fees are business expenses for freelancers, which reduce the net profit you pay self-employment and income tax on.