The freelance workforce in the US is on a steady rise with no sign of slowing down anytime soon. According to a recent report, 59 million Americans took part in freelance work within the 12 months of 2021, almost a third of the entire US population.
The report further narrates that more professionals are considering freelance work. To this effect, there is a growing need for reliable platforms where you can easily find freelance work. Fiverr and Freelancer are two of the most popular freelance sites on the internet.
To help you understand better how these sites work, we shall look at how the two stand out against each other, and hopefully, by the end of this review, you’d have gathered enough information to decide where to invest your precious time or your hard-earned dollars.
Fiverr vs Freelancer – What Are They?
Fiverr
Fiverr is one of the most popular freelance sites that connects businesses with freelancers offering digital services in more than 500 categories. Initially, all services on the platform were priced at $5, but now Fiverr allows you to set your prices to whatever you choose.
The global online marketplace for freelance services was founded by Shai Wininger and Micha Kaufman in 2010 in Tel Aviv, Israel, and is available in about 160 countries.
Fiverr allows buyers to pay for “gigs” (any type of freelance service) in advance. These gigs range from copyrighting, to social media, to web design.
You should complete all tasks or orders within a day or two, but the delivery time could take longer, especially if the seller has a queue of orders.
You can view Fiverr as a freelancer or as a buyer. As a buyer, you can browse through various categories or use the search to find gigs for purchase. Once you are ready to buy your preferred gig, pay through the site, but all purchases attract a processing fee of $1 on $20 purchases.
As a seller, you are required to set up a profile and create custom gigs for sale. Once your gig is ready, you can set the price. As a Freelancer, you need to work and market yourself. The payoff is the ability to work on your own time from anywhere.
As an employer, Fiverr can save you up to 30% of payroll costs. The platform also allows you to work with different kinds of people.
Freelancer
Freelancer is similar to Fiverr, except it’s structured differently. It is one of the world’s largest freelance marketplaces that connect people to the best freelancers for any job online. Freelancer boasts almost 40 million users, with nearly 17 million freelance jobs posted.
Matt Barrie, an Australian technology entrepreneur, founded Freelancer in 2009. The platform has a reach that extends to 247 countries across various territories and regions. You can access the forum in English, Turkish, or Dutch.
From its homepage, you can quickly tell that you can get any job done as it features experts in every technical, creative, and professional field. Employers can hire freelancers to do the above jobs through Freelancer and more.
As an employer on Freelancer, you can post work for other Freelancer members to place a bid in competitive tender processes. The platform also allows you, as a member, to host and enter contests where money is given as a reward.
Freelancer helps you develop a profile as you offer, win bids, complete work, write, or receive reviews from the people you’ve worked with. As a member, you’ll receive a finite number of bids to use, which are frequently replenished.
Fiverr vs. Freelancer – Getting started
Fiverr
Signing up on Fiverr is free; only registered users can sell or buy on Fiverr. Once you sign up, your account automatically becomes a buyer account. To become a seller, you need to take further steps.
The best thing about Fiverr is that anyone can find something within their skillset to sell on the platform. All you need to do is to browse through their different categories to find the best fit. To make the best out of Fiverr:
- Create a gig by signing up for free, setting it up, and offering your work to a global audience.
- Deliver outstanding work, but most importantly, stay alert to get notified when you receive an order and use the platform to discuss the deliverable with your clients.
- Once all is set, get paid every time and on time, as payment is available as soon as the platform clears it.
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Freelancer
Signing up with Freelancer.com is easy and can be done through the following simple steps:
- Visit the freelancer.com homepage and click signup. Registering is free.
- Choose to either sign up with Facebook or through email. The signup process is only complete when you agree to Freelancer’s terms and conditions and their privacy policy.
- Still, on the signing up process, you’ll be asked to provide a username, which cannot be changed once picked, then click done. Your username should be:
- Alphanumeric; containing letters or/and numbers
- Start with a letter
- Have no more than 16 characters
4. The next step should be to select an account type, which you can change anytime through the account settings page. Once your registration process is complete, verify your email and complete your account details.
Fiverr vs Freelancer – Features
Fiverr
Multi-currency support
Fiverr displays currencies based on your current location. However, it allows you to choose any currency you wish to display through your user settings. You can select your currency by clicking on payments using your buyer mode.
However, if Fiverr’s payment processor does not support your display currency, you will be charged in US dollars. If you paid in a currency other than US dollars, your refund would be processed in the same currency you paid with.
Private communication platform
With Fiverr, trust matters when dealing with multiple clients for different gigs. Fiverr has made trust and safety a top priority. You can quickly know your seller through feedback and reviews on its marketplace.
The Fiverr platform allows you to communicate easily with the person offering a service through its messaging system. The messaging system helps you exchange files and safely speak with a seller.
The messaging system ensures that communication remains between you and the person you are communicating with. However, if you leave a review on a person’s service, anyone will be able to see it.
Custom offers
Custom offers are about being proactive and offering customized services to potential buyers. Fiverr’s custom offers are further divided into three subcategories: custom subscription offers, which are yet to be rolled to users, custom payment options, and custom milestone offers.
Fiverr’s custom offers allow you to make an offer to a buyer different from your usual rates. For instance, if you are a proofreader with a $10 per 1000 words package, a buyer may ask for a custom offer for proofreading 1200 words.
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Multi-category jobs
The multi-category feature allows you to open different gigs using one account for multiple skills. If you are new to Fiverr, you can have up to seven gig opportunities, which you can publish in the same subcategory.
Secure payment gateways
Fiverr integrates with the best payment gateway services you need to meet your eCommerce needs. The various payment methods available on the platform depend on the type of device you use, your country of origin, and regulatory permissions.
Some of the available payment methods include Apple Pay for iOS mobile app users available in all countries, Boleto for online payment services in Brazil, credit or debit cards, GiroPay for German users, and PayPal, among others.
Freelance marketplace
Fiverr is considered one of the best freelance marketplaces for digital services available. The tool helps you outsource your marketplace project, get it done quickly, and deliver it online. It offers buyers and sellers a digital and more streamlined transactional platform.
The most common jargon for the Fiverr marketplace is “gig,” which is a unique term for exceptional service. When creating a gig, you can choose a starting price or offer gig packages containing multiple costs and tailor them to specific buyers.
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Seller rating and feedback
Feedback is an integral part of the Fiverr marketplace, where buyers and sellers rate their experiences after working with one another. The rating comments appear under review on the seller’s page and are often accompanied by work samples.
Fiverr’s feedback ratings comprise a five-star rating system, which is made available to buyers once a seller delivers an order and the platform marks it as completed.
Freelancer
Secure payments and billing
Freelancer allows you to deposit funds to your account through PayPal, credit card, bank deposit, or Skrill. The platform gives you more deposit options based on your country of residence or currency, and these funds should reflect in your account within two to five business days.
Payments for completing work on Freelancer are also channeled to your freelancer.com account, after which you can request to withdraw. Clients can pay you through milestone payments for every task made, and such payments come with an invoice for taxation purposes.
You can also be paid through the “transfer funds” option, where clients directly transfer funds to you using the financial dashboard.
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Free job posting
Freelancer gives you a platform to post projects, receive bids, and review your freelancer portfolio for free. If you are an employer, you will only be charged once you award a project and a freelancer accepts it.
Contest posting
Contest posting on Freelancer equals selecting a couple of sellers based on their profiles and gigs, doing a trial order, then picking someone from the chosen few. In summary, a Freelancer contest entails other sellers who offer similar services to you.
Time tracker
Freelancer offers seamless time tracking so you can focus on your work. Whether you work 24/7 or 9 to 5, Freelancer’s time sheets are able to suck the joy out of even your most exciting work.
The entire time tracking and invoicing process is automated to help you watch your business grow without watching the clock. The platform also allows you to seamlessly customize your hours to ensure you get paid for every hour.
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Custom offers
Freelancer’s custom offer feature lets you contact sellers with details about their projects or order. Custom orders provide valuable information to help you expand your business by simply writing and submitting offers to buyer’s requests.
Invoicing
Freelancer features the best invoicing software that helps you get paid. The platform allows you to create and send invoices with a click through its workspace. You can also customize your invoices based on active projects and contracts and accept payments directly through invoices.
The Freelancer workspace will notify you of past-due payments and remind your clients about their outstanding invoices. These reminders can be sent through your mobile phone, desktop, or Slack.
Freelancer invoicing integrates with time tracking to save you from manually inputting time while billing, the invoice in your currency, file attachment, and invoice by milestones, among others.
Fiverr vs Freelancer – Pricing
Fiverr
Using Fiverr workspace is free. However, you must purchase a plan to access more features and get the best out of the tool. Whether you are just starting or running a corporation, an unlimited Fiverr plan for $18 per month will work for you.
Fiverr also charges a service fee for every payment made. The fees are 5.5% of the purchase amount for gigs under $50, after which an additional $2 will be charged.
Freelancer
You can get started with Freelancer.com for free. Every free member receives six bids per month, but there is an upgrade option to promote a bid. But if you wish to maximize your success and earnings, save more with the annual plan from $4.50 per month.
Freelancer charges $5 per fixed project and a 10% commission for hourly rates. The contest fee is also 10%, but the charge applies only when you are awarded a contest prize. Otherwise, submitting entries to contests is free.
If you are subsequently hired to offer services, Freelancer will charge you 20% of the total price charged. The platform also charges a maintenance fee of up to $14 per month until you reactivate your account or they terminate it. This charge is refundable upon request and reactivation.
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Fiverr vs Freelancer- Similarities and Differences
Similarities
Fiverr and Freelancer are top freelancing platforms where you can find projects to work on in various fields. The two platforms accept freelancers at all levels, so you will likely see more experienced freelancers alongside beginners.
Both platforms are two of the most active freelance sites, boasting millions of users and millions of jobs and projects posted. Freelancer has over 21 million global users, while Fiverr has over five million services listed on its platform.
Both Freelancer and Fiverr feature safe and secure payment methods. All payments are made on the platforms, so you don’t have to worry about time-consuming bank transfers or checks.
Freelancer and Fiverr integrate with the best payment options, which you can choose from based on location, currency, and preference. Both integrate with PayPal, credit cards, Google Pay, and Apple Pay.
Both Freelancer and Fiverr offer customer support to make your freelancing experience better. Freelancer has a live chat option and several help articles to help resolve issues with your account, contest, project, or using the platform.
Fiverr, on the other hand, offers customer support services through live chat, support email, and phone. Their help and education center is also helpful when you are looking for a service, paying for orders, or looking for help with general account settings and management.
Both platforms are available on most devices. You can access Fiverr on Android, iPhone, Mac, Windows, or any other web-based device. You can also access Freelancer on all the above devices except for Linux.
Websites like Fiverr and Freelancer give budding entrepreneurs opportunities to grow their networks and make better profits. The platforms give you access to thousands of professionals you would not have come across if you relied on other staffing services.
Using Freelancer and Fiverr saves you money on acquiring top talent, as the competition among freelancers is fierce. You can quickly achieve lower rates as freelancers battle to outbid each other.
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Differences
One of the significant differences between Fiverr and Freelancer is in how they work. While with Fiverr, clients choose projects by browsing through different seller profiles and gigs, Freelancer clients post jobs for freelancers to bid on.
Freelancer is made of self-employed individuals who work for themselves. On the other hand, the Fiverr platform attracts individuals who hire others to do specific work or gigs for them.
Freelancers can work from anywhere, set their rates, and take jobs from as many clients as they like. With Fiverr, you can only hire others for specific tasks for rates starting from $5.
Regarding interface quality, Fiverr features a simple and user-friendly interface that makes browsing through gigs a breeze. In the case of Freelancer, its interface is not easy to navigate as some of the items need to be clarified.
Fiverr and Freelancer differ in their verification methods. Fiverr may request you to provide an ID for verification and feature seller levels that are automatically awarded. On the other hand, Freelancer offers verification options such as a Facebook account and contact information.
Fiverr mainly highlights jobs you can do as a seller, while Freelancer primarily focuses on self-reported freelancer skills and platform stats.
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Our last difference between the two is how disputes are resolved. While Freelancer offers more formal negotiations that may require you to pay extra fees and provide documented evidence, Fiverr has a dedicated resolution center.
Fiverr’s resolution center advocates for freelancers and clients to solve issues alone, but if it isn’t possible, the Fiverr support team can assist.
Fiverr vs Freelancer – Pros and Cons
Fiverr Pros
- It gives you high-quality services for less money
- Buying gigs or services on Fiverr is fast and easy
- The site features categories and subcategories that you would want
- You can always choose the best freelancers since each seller’s profile has a star rating
Fiverr Cons
- Some sellers may deliver low-quality work
- Buyers may cancel projects even after a seller has already submitted them
Freelancer Pros
- Freelancer has a high-quality communication channel where clients can chat and easily share files with their hired freelancers
- Upon posting a project or a job on Freelancer, you can get bidders in minutes
- You only pay for a service after all work is done and all requirements are met
- Freelancer guarantees you the safety and security of all payments
- The platform offers high-quality, 24/7 customer support
Freelancer Cons
- There have been cases where some freelancers complain about missing milestones and money.
- Users also complain about technical issues with the website.
- Some clients have also had problems with Freelancer’s billing system.
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Final Words: Fiverr vs Freelancer – Which is Better?
Networks like Fiverr and Freelancer have made it easy to find freelancers to work with, as all you need to do is to identify their strengths, select a competitive rate, and you are good to go.
Both platforms connect you to the right talent. Therefore, your site of choice depends on your needs. It also depends on your preferred payment mode, the procedures you are comfortable following, and how you like looking for skilled labor as an employer.
If you have a particular style in mind and wish to have a one-off gig with a tight deadline, Fiverr will be the best fit for you.
But if you are looking for a more project-focused platform that allows freelancers to apply themselves based on specific experience and skills rather than choosing a project with detailed specifications, Freelancer will be an excellent choice for you.
