UPWORK VS. FREELANCER: WHICH ONE IS THE BEST OVERALL FOR GETTING CLIENTS FAST?

In the current gig economy, freelancers and companies are increasingly using online platforms to connect and work together. Among them, Upwork and Freelancer stand out as two of the most popular places for finding work online.

As a freelancer, it’s important to understand how each platform works — because both come with their own advantages and disadvantages. Some may offer better long-term opportunities, while others might give you a faster start.

But what matters most, especially if you’re just starting out, is knowing which platform can actually help you land clients quickly.

So in this short tutorial,I’m going to break down Upwork vs. Freelancer, compare their features, and help you figure out which one is the better choice for getting clients fast.

Lets get started:

1.overview

Upwork:

Upwork was established in 2009 and has since become one of the most popular freelancing websites with more than 10 million registered users.

Types of Services Offered:

Upwork has a variety of services in many categories such as writing, programming, design, marketing, data entry, etc.

The target audience of the platform is freelancers who want to find projects and employers who need talented professionals on a short-term or long-term basis.

Freelancer:

Freelancer was founded in 2009 as RentACoder and rebranded in 2014. It has now more than 38 million registered users.

Services Offered:Freelancer offers a wide range of services including software development, graphic design, web development, writing and business services.

Target Audience:Freelancer is aimed at freelancers of all levels of skills and employers seeking to hire a variety of talent on a project basis.

Section 2: User Experience

To Freelancers:

Registration and Confirmation:

Upwork: Freelancers on Upwork must go through an extensive verification process, which involves the submission of identity documents and bank account information. When verified, they are able to apply to jobs.

Freelancer: The registration process of Freelancer is quite simple. Freelancers can join and begin to bid on projects right away, though some services have extra verification procedures.

Dashboard and User Interface:

Upwork: The Upwork interface is well designed and intuitive, which allows freelancers to navigate through their applications, messages, and current projects. The interface is user-friendly.

Freelancer:Freelancer dashboard is also well-organized, but it can be considered a bit cluttered in comparison with Upwork. It offers a complete set of tools and information on bid and project management.

Communication Tools:

Upwork: Upwork has powerful communication features in its messaging system, which enables freelancers and employers to communicate about projects in real-time. Safe file sharing options are also available.

Freelancer:Freelancer has similar communication tools but does not have all the advanced features that Upwork has. Nevertheless, it is effective in project discussions and sharing documents.

Withdrawal Processes and Payment Options:

Upwork: Upwork has a secure escrow service where the payment is not released until the project is completed and accepted by the client. Freelancers are able to withdraw money through PayPal, direct deposit, and debit cards.

Freelancer :Freelancer also has an escrow system to ensure payment security. Freelancers are able to cash out earnings through bank transfer, PayPal and other available payment gateways.

To Employers:

Job Posting Procedure:

Upwork: Upwork allows employers to post jobs easily, by indicating the project requirements, budget, and deadline. They are also able to establish job filters to attract the right candidates.

Freelancer: Freelancer has a similar process of posting jobs where employers can specify job requirements and budgets. Advanced filters are available to narrow the search to find the right freelancers.

Search and Filtering:

Upwork:Upwork has a robust search feature and employers can filter the results according to skills, level of experience, location, and so on. This aids in locating the appropriate freelancer in an effective manner.

Freelancer:Freelancer also has a very powerful search engine that allows employers to search freelancers using advanced filters. The interface may not be as user-friendly as that of Upwork to some users.

Communication Tools:

Upwork: Upwork has an inbuilt messaging platform that facilitates effective communication between employers and freelancers. Employers are able to send messages directly through the job listings and monitor conversations.

Freelancer: Freelancer has good communication tools but they are not as advanced as on Upwork. However, they facilitate key project communications.

Review System:

Upwork:Upwork focuses on transparency by having a system of review where both the freelancer and the employer review each other once a project is completed.This assists in developing trust and credibility.

Freelancer also has a review system but has been criticized in the way it deals with disputes. Although it welcomes feedback, some users believe that it could be more transparent.

3: Quality of Work and Reviews

How Each Site Ensures Quality Work:

Both Upwork and Freelancer pay much attention to the idea that the work provided by their freelancers should be of high quality. Nevertheless, they accomplish it in various ways and policies.

Upwork has a stringent screening procedure of its freelancers. Freelancers are required to complete a skills assessment test upon registration that is related to their field.

They also go through identity verification, which entails the provision of government-identity documents. Furthermore, Upwork has a rating system, which is determined by client feedback, and this enables the client to know the reliability and expertise of a freelancer.

The platform also has a Quality Payment Plan (QPP) program that gives highly rated freelancers more visibility and earning potential.

On the one hand, Freelancer is less strict about the initial verification but is more concerned with the results of the work. Freelancers are able to present their portfolio and previous work to prove their credibility.

The platform also undertakes regular reviews of the accounts of the freelancers so as to verify their adherence to the guidelines. Freelancer also has a “Preferred Freelancer” program, which is analogous to Upwork QPP, where freelancers who perform well consistently are given priority in search results.

The Importance of Reviews and Ratings:

Reviews and ratings are also a very important part of both platforms because they are a direct indicator of how well a freelancer performs and how reliable he/she is. At Upwork, the freelancers are rated using a star rating system of one to five stars.

Better-rated freelancers have a higher chance of getting clients because they have a track record. Clients are able to give detailed reviews of the projects that have been completed and this assists the new clients to make a decision when hiring.

On Freelancer too, freelancers are rated on a star system and can earn points by completing projects successfully.

Good reviews and high ratings do not only improve the reputation of a freelancer but also make them more likely to get hired to work on the next project. Both sites give freelancers a chance to respond to negative feedback, which gives them a chance to clarify any issues and correct any misconceptions.

4: Fees and Pricing Models

It is important that freelancers and employers understand the pricing models and the cost of using either Upwork or Freelancer before deciding to use the services.

Upwork is mainly a commission-based company. Upwork charges 5 percent commission on the payment made by the client per hour worked.

When the client pays the freelancer in advance, the commission rate is 20%. Moreover, Upwork also has a monthly subscription fee of 7.95 to access advanced features such as messaging and job application tracking.

Freelancer is also based on a commission system, but it differs slightly according to the type of project. In fixed-price projects, Freelancer takes a 15 percent commission and a listing fee of 0.50 dollars per project. In hourly projects, Freelancer charges 20 percent of the amount paid by the client.

Freelancers can also upgrade to a premium account, which is priced at 12.99 dollars per month and promises to increase the visibility and quicker response times.

Comparison of Fees (Commission Rate, Listing Fees)

To simplify the charges:

Upwork:

commission : 5 percent on hourly projects, 20 percent on upfront payments.
Monthly Subscription: $7.95 per month basic features, upgrades are optional.

Freelancer:

Commission: 15 percent on fixed-price jobs, 20 percent on hourly jobs.
Listing Fee: 0.50 dollars per project listing.
Premium Account: 12.99 dollars a month.

Although both platforms are commission-based and might need subscriptions, there are other costs and advantages to take into consideration.

Upwork provides a Quality Payment Plan (QPP), which comes at a cost of 200 dollars a year to freelancers but gives them increased visibility, accelerated payments, and exclusive jobs. Also, Upwork has an Escrow service which releases funds only after the work is confirmed to be satisfactory.

Freelancer offers more than job listings, such as project management tools, dispute resolution services, and a support team.

The Preferred Freelancer program provides more visibility and better payment terms at a nominal annual fee of 120 dollars.

5: Marketing and Promotion

Profile Promotion Features:

Both Upwork and Freelancer have powerful tools that are meant to enable freelancers to promote themselves. With the Pro Plan on Upwork, freelancers can increase their visibility, including featuring in search results and getting more job invitations.

Moreover, the Top Talent program of Upwork enables the most highly rated freelancers to be distinguished among the rest. Freelancer also offers comparable promotional opportunities with its Premium membership that allows increased visibility of the profile and access to exclusive job opportunities.

Freelancers on both platforms can maximize their profiles by adding detailed descriptions of their skills, past work experience, and client testimonials.

They are also able to include multimedia such as video introductions and portfolio links to make their profiles more interesting and professional.

Both platforms promote the development of a beautiful and well-documented portfolio, which is usually the first thing that a potential client sees when deciding whether to hire a freelancer or not.

The Potential of Visibility:

Both platforms are essential in attracting clients within a short period of time through visibility. On Upwork, freelancers can make themselves more visible by applying to so-called Featured Jobs, which are featured on the main page of the site.

Freelancers stand a better chance of attracting the attention of prospective clients by bidding on such jobs. Also, the algorithm of Upwork prefers those freelancers who have a good track record of delivering quality work and have positive ratings, so they will always be visible even without further paid advertisements.

Freelancer has a similar feature, the Freelancer of the Day, which features a freelancer each day based on ratings, reviews, and recent activity. This can greatly increase the visibility and credibility of a freelancer in the community. Also, by entering Freelancer’s “Contests” freelancers are able to reach a broader audience since these contests are typically advertised in multiple ways, resulting in a higher chance of being noticed by potential customers.

Testimonials or Advice of Veteran Freelancers:

One of the most common pieces of advice given by veteran freelancers is to concentrate on establishing a good online presence as one of the most effective methods of success on both platforms. Experienced freelancers say that it is necessary to create a strong and detailed profile.

They recommend freelancers to provide elaborate information about their competencies, previous work, and customer reviews. These factors not only demonstrate their professionalism but also establish confidence in potential customers.

One of the tips that are shared is to engage in community forums and discussions. This assists freelancers to position themselves as professionals in their area of specialization and makes them more visible to other freelancers and prospective clients.

It is also advisable to update their portfolios on a regular basis with new work samples and testimonials to keep their profiles current and up to date.

One more piece of advice that can be given to the novice freelancers is to specialize in niche markets or specialized services. By establishing themselves as specialists in certain fields, freelancers are able to find clients that are seeking those particular services. This niche strategy can be more successful than an attempt to attract a wider audience.

6: Community and Customer Support

Customer Care Availability and Responsiveness:

Both Upwork and Freelancer provide customer service to help freelancers and employers with any problems or concerns. Nevertheless, these support systems vary in the extent to which they are responsive and accessible.

The customer support of Upwork is usually regarded as more accessible and responsive than that of Freelancer. Upwork has various support channels, such as email, phone, and live chat.

Freelancers can contact the support team through email or live chat and most of the queries are answered within a few hours. Also, Upwork has account managers that work with higher-tier accounts, offering customized support and advice.

The customer support of Freelancer is available but has been criticized on the responsiveness. Freelancer is mainly email-based and the response may take days. Although Freelancer has a knowledge base and community forum where users can find answers to frequently asked questions, the absence of real-time support may be a disadvantage to those with urgent problems.

Resources to Freelancers and Employers:

Both websites offer a variety of materials that can guide freelancers and employers in the freelance world.

Freelancers on Upwork have access to a range of tools and resources, including:

Learning Center: Provides tutorials, webinars, and articles on a variety of topics, including marketing and
sales, project management.
Job Search Filters: This feature enables freelancers to narrow down their job searches by location, budget, and job type.
Client Reviews: Gives the feedback of the past clients, so that the freelancers can know what the clients want and work on their services to improve.

Employers on Upwork enjoy:

Hiring Guides: Comprehensive guides on job posting, interviewing and project management.
Contract Templates: Templates of contracts that will help employers formalize the agreements with freelancers more easily.
Payment Protection: This is to ensure that payments are only made after the work has been satisfactorily done.

Freelancer also has a rich set of resources:

Freelancer University: An online university offering free courses on many skills, including programming and graphic design.
Job Alerts: Enables freelancers to get alerts about new job postings that are related to their skills.
Portfolio Builder: A simple tool to make professional portfolios.

To employers, Freelancer offers:

Project Management Tools: Providing milestones, messaging and file sharing capabilities to facilitate collaboration.
Payment Escrow: Secures payments until the deliverables as agreed have been received.
Community Forums: A community of people to ask questions, share experiences, and learn with other users.

Community Involvement and Networking:

On both platforms, community involvement and networking is a key factor to the success of freelancers. Upwork has a very good community feel due to its discussion forums where freelancers can interact, give tips and collaborate on projects.

The site also organizes frequent events and webinars, where freelancers are encouraged to interact with one another and establish connections.

Freelancer also focuses on community interaction with its forums and social media groups. Freelancers can also join groups according to their specialties, and this will enable them to network with other freelancers and prospective clients.

Engaging in community competitions and challenges can also assist freelancers in acquiring recognition and exposure in the community.

Both platforms acknowledge the significance of networking and offer freelancers a chance to broaden their professional networks. Participating in community activities may result in meaningful connections, partnerships and referrals, which eventually lead to the success of a freelancer.

7: Advantages and Disadvantages

Upwork:

Advantages:

Good Reputation: Upwork has a good reputation as a source of high quality freelancers.
Extensive Job Postings : There is a broad selection of job categories so that freelancers can find the appropriate opportunities.
Strong Client Reviews: Client feedbacks are detailed and allow freelancers to understand their reputation and areas that they need to improve.
Advanced Search Filters: Advanced search filters enable freelancers to customize their job searches to their specifications.
Account Managers: Accounts of higher tiers are assigned dedicated account managers, which improves the user experience.

Disadvantages:

Increased Competition: There are so many freelancers on Upwork that it may be difficult to be noticed.
Tight Policies: Upwork has strict policies and guidelines that are at times limiting to freelancers.
Narrow Communication Channels: Other freelancers complain that Upwork has narrow communication channels especially when it comes to direct messaging between freelancers and clients.