The world is going digital. Businesses are now conducted online and this has given birth to a new kind of economy, the freelance economy.

There are many platforms that facilitate freelancing, but two of the most popular ones are Fiverr and Upwork. These two platforms provide a space for freelancers to find work and businesses to find the talent they need.

However, you might often face dilemmas like these, Should I use Fiverr or Upwork to get my work done? Which one is better for finding quality freelancers? Is Upwork more expensive than Fiverr?

To help you make a decision, we’ve put together a side-by-side comparison of the two platforms, Fiverr Vs Upwork.

Origin Story Of Both Platforms

Since knowing the history of both companies can give us valuable insights, let’s take a quick look at the origin stories of Fiverr and Upwork.

Fiverr History

Fiverr was founded in 2010 by Shai Wininger and Micha Kaufman. The company is headquartered in Tel Aviv, Israel. Initially, the platform was called ‘5rr’ but it was later renamed ‘Fiverr’. The name is a play on the word ‘freelancer’.

The company started as a marketplace for services that cost $5. The services ranged from logo design to video editing. As the platform grew, it began to offer more expensive services.

Fiverr was one of the first companies to tap into the gig economy. The company has been successful in creating a brand for itself and is now a household name.

Upwork History

Upwork, on the other hand, has a more checkered past. The platform was created as a result of the merger between two companies, Elance and oDesk, in 2015.

Elance was founded in 1999 by Peter Hamilton and Jaleh Daie. The company was headquartered in Mountain View, California.

oDesk was founded in 2003 by Odysseas Tsatalos and Stratis Karamanlakis. The company was headquartered in Redwood City, California.

The two companies were the leading platforms for freelancers and businesses to connect with each other. The merger was seen as a way to create a more efficient platform with more resources.

Upwork now has more than 12 million registered freelancers and 5 million registered clients.

Now that we know the backstory of both companies, let’s take a look at how they differ from each other.

Difference Between Fiverr Vs Upwork

When it comes to Fiverr Vs Upwork, there are a few key differences,

1. Nature Of Screening Process

Fiverr has a very simple screening process. All you need to do is create an account and start offering your services. There is no screening process for service providers.

Upwork, on the other hand, has a more stringent screening process. You need to complete a skills test and submit a proposal to show your skills before you can start offering your services.

This makes Upwork a better platform if you’re looking for quality freelancers.

2. Pricing

When it comes to pricing, Fiverr is the more affordable option. The prices on Fiverr start at $5. You can also find services that cost more than $5, but the average price is lower on Fiverr.

Upwork is a bit more expensive. The prices on Upwork start at $10 per hour. But, you can also find services that cost more than $100 per hour.

This makes Fiverr a better option if you’re on a budget, but that doesn’t mean that you’ll necessarily find quality services at lower prices.

3. Quality of Services

Speaking of quality of the services on Fiverr is hit or miss. This is because there is no screening process for service providers. So, you might find some great freelancers on the platform, but you might also come across some who are not so good.

The services on Upwork are generally of better quality since there is a screening process for freelancers. But, that doesn’t mean that you won’t find some bad apples on the platform.

Obviously, there are so many freelancers on the platform, that there might be chances you might face some form of mishap or poor service delivery.

4. Payment Methods

As for payment methods, Fiverr uses PayPal and Stripe. Upwork, on the other hand, uses PayPal, Stripe, and direct deposit.

This makes Upwork a better platform if you’re looking for more payment options, considering some countries don’t have access to PayPal, Like Pakistan.

5. Fee Structure

As for the fee structure, Fiverr charges a 20% fee for every transaction. Upwork, on the other hand, charges a 3% to 20% fee, depending on the total amount of the project.

This makes Fiverr a more expensive option if you’re looking to hire freelancers for one-time projects. But, if you’re looking to hire freelancers for long-term projects, then Upwork might be a better option since the fees are lower.

Both Fiverr and Upwork are great platforms that have their own advantages and disadvantages. It really depends on your needs as to which platform is better for you.

6. Customer Care & Support

Since support is equally important, we would say that both platforms are good in this department. However, we would give a slight edge to Fiverr because they have a live chat option which is really helpful if you need quick assistance.

7. Ease of Use

When it comes to ease of use, we would say that Fiverr is the better platform. This is because the interface is more user-friendly and there is no screening process for service providers.

Although Upwork has a more user-friendly interface now, the old interface was not so great. And, the screening process can be a bit of a pain if you’re just looking to quickly find a freelancer for a one-time project.

Final Thoughts

So, there you have it, the key differences between Fiverr Vs  Upwork. To sum it up, If you’re looking for a more affordable option, then Fiverr is the way to go. But, if you’re looking for quality freelancers, then Upwork is the better option.

Although, It really all comes down to your needs as to which platform is better for you. So, make sure to keep that in mind when making your decision.

We hope you found this article helpful. If so, please share it with your friends or family who might be looking for a freelancer.