Freelancer
Freelancer is a global crowdsourcing marketplace that connects you with millions of independent professionals to complete projects in software development, writing, design, engineering, and data entry services.
Upwork
Upwork is a global freelancing platform that connects your business with independent professionals and agencies for specialized projects ranging from software development and design to marketing and administration.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Freelancer | Upwork |
|---|---|---|
| Website | freelancer.com | upwork.com |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Starting Price | Free | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✓ 30 days free trial | ✘ No free trial |
| Free Plan | ✓ Has free plan | ✓ Has free plan |
| Product Demo | ✘ No product demo | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2009 | 2013 |
| Headquarters | Sydney, Australia | San Francisco, USA |
Overview
Freelancer
Freelancer is a massive online marketplace where you can hire expert help for any project imaginable. Whether you need a website built, a mobile app developed, or a logo designed, you can post your requirements and receive competitive bids from professionals worldwide within minutes. You can browse portfolios, chat with candidates in real-time, and select the best fit for your specific budget and timeline.
The platform simplifies remote work by providing tools to track progress and manage communications in one place. You only release payments when you are 100% satisfied with the work delivered through their milestone system. It serves everyone from solo founders needing a quick task finished to large enterprises looking to scale their technical teams quickly without the overhead of traditional hiring.
Upwork
Upwork is a comprehensive marketplace that helps you find, hire, and manage specialized talent from around the world. Instead of traditional recruiting, you post specific jobs and receive proposals from verified freelancers or browse a pre-priced project catalog. You can manage the entire lifecycle of a contract—from initial interviews and file sharing to time tracking and automated payments—all within a single dashboard.
The platform solves the challenge of scaling your team quickly without the overhead of full-time hiring. You can hire for short-term tasks or build long-term relationships with experts in over 12,000 skills. Whether you are a solopreneur needing a logo or an enterprise managing a global contingent workforce, the platform provides the infrastructure to collaborate securely and pay talent in multiple currencies.
Overview
Freelancer Features
- Milestone Payments Release funds only when you are satisfied with the completed work to ensure your project stays on track.
- Real-time Chat Communicate directly with your freelancers through instant messaging to clarify requirements and share feedback immediately.
- Time Tracking Monitor hourly work with the desktop app that captures screenshots and logs active hours for accurate billing.
- Contest Hosting Crowdsource your creative projects by letting multiple freelancers submit designs so you can pick your favorite entry.
- Mobile Management Manage your projects and message freelancers on the go using the native iOS and Android mobile applications.
- Bid Management Compare quotes, reviews, and portfolios from multiple experts side-by-side to find the perfect match for your budget.
Upwork Features
- Talent Marketplace. Post your job requirements and receive tailored proposals from top-rated freelancers within minutes to start your project faster.
- Project Catalog. Browse and buy predefined projects with clear scopes and upfront pricing to get immediate results without the negotiation.
- Upwork Messages. Communicate with your team in real-time through secure chat and video calls to keep every project moving forward.
- Work Diary. View hourly progress through periodic snapshots of your freelancer's screen so you only pay for time spent on your work.
- Secure Payments. Pay your global team easily with protected escrow services for fixed-price jobs or automated weekly billing for hourly contracts.
- Advanced Search Filters. Filter talent by Job Success Score, location, and earned amount to find the exact level of expertise you need.
Pricing Comparison
Freelancer Pricing
- Post projects for free
- Receive bids from freelancers
- 6 bids per month
- Unlimited project bookmarks
- Basic profile features
- Everything in Free, plus:
- 15 bids per month
- Monthly rewards
- Free project extensions
- Custom profile cover
Upwork Pricing
- Post unlimited jobs
- Access to global talent pool
- Secure payment protection
- Built-in collaboration tools
- Standard reporting and logs
- Everything in Marketplace, plus:
- Customized onboarding workflows
- Dedicated account management
- Consolidated monthly billing
- Advanced talent sourcing services
- Compliance and worker classification
Pros & Cons
Freelancer
Pros
- Access to a massive global pool of diverse talent
- Fast turnaround times with bids arriving in minutes
- Milestone system protects your payments until work is done
- Affordable options for small tasks and simple projects
Cons
- High volume of low-quality automated bids to filter
- Fees apply to both clients and freelancers
- Customer support response times can be slow
- Steep learning curve for navigating the complex interface
Upwork
Pros
- Access to a massive global pool of specialized talent
- Secure escrow system protects your payments until approval
- Easy to track hourly work with visual snapshots
- Simple interface for managing multiple active contracts
Cons
- Client marketplace fees can add up over time
- High volume of low-quality proposals on popular jobs
- Dispute resolution process can be slow for complex cases