Platforms
Fiverr vs Upwork for Beginners: Which Should You Choose?
Fiverr or Upwork? Compare how you find work, fees, the cost of applying, payments and which suits beginners, plus how to use both without paying for bids.
Upwork Fee Calculator
Enter your contract's Upwork service fee to see what you take home, or what to charge to earn a set amount after fees.
You take home
$80.00
| Client pays | $100.00 |
| Platform fee (20%) | −$20.00 |
| Withdrawal and conversion fees | −$0.00 |
| You receive | $80.00 |
| In |
You keep 80% of the price. Fees change, so check your platform's current rates.
How Upwork's freelancer fee works in 2026
Upwork's freelancer service fee varies by contract, from 0% to 15%. You can see the fee for a job before you submit a proposal or accept an offer, and it stays the same for that contract.
The calculator starts at 10% because that's a common rate, but always change it to the fee Upwork shows for your contract.
Upwork fee examples at 10%
| Contract value | Upwork fee (10%) | You earn |
|---|---|---|
| $50 | $5 | $45 |
| $100 | $10 | $90 |
| $300 | $30 | $270 |
| $1,000 | $100 | $900 |
Don't forget the cost of Connects
Sending a proposal on Upwork costs Connects, which you buy for $0.15 each. A proposal that needs 10 Connects costs $1.50, and one that needs 20 costs $3.00. Your real cost of winning a job includes every proposal you sent before you won it.
For example, say you send 20 proposals at 10 Connects each and win one job. You spent 200 Connects ($30) to win it. On a $150 project with a 10% fee, you receive $135, minus the $30 of Connects: $105 for the work.
Replying to a client's invitation doesn't cost Connects, so a strong profile that attracts invitations saves money. Read Upwork Connects explained for more ways to spend fewer.
Getting paid from Upwork
Upwork releases payments after a short security period, and the withdrawal methods and fees depend on your country. Check the Get paid page in your account to see what's available to you. In Nepal, see how to receive freelance payments in Nepal.
Frequently asked questions
Is Upwork's fee always 10%?
No. It varies by contract, from 0% to 15%. Upwork shows the exact rate before you apply or accept an offer.
Do clients pay fees too?
Yes. Clients pay their own fees on top of your rate, and those don't reduce your earnings.
Is Upwork worth it if Connects cost money?
It can be, if you apply carefully. Pick jobs that match your skills exactly, with verified payment and a realistic budget, and track how many Connects you spend per job you win. Compare Upwork with free options in our Fiverr vs Upwork guide.