Both Fiverr and Upwork take a cut of every payment — but the structure is very different. Fiverr charges a flat 20% on every gig. Upwork uses a sliding scale based on your lifetime billings with each client.
Fiverr Fees
Fiverr charges a flat 20% service fee on all earnings, regardless of order size or how long you've worked with a client.
| Gig Price | Fiverr Fee (20%) | You Receive |
|---|---|---|
| $50 | $10.00 | $40.00 |
| $200 | $40.00 | $160.00 |
| $500 | $100.00 | $400.00 |
| $1,000 | $200.00 | $800.00 |
Buyers also pay a service fee on top of the gig price (varies by order amount).
Upwork Fees
Upwork uses a sliding scale per client. The more you bill a single client over time, the lower your fee rate with that specific client.
| Lifetime Billings (per client) | Service Fee |
|---|---|
| $0 – $500 | 20% |
| $500.01 – $10,000 | 10% |
| $10,000+ | 5% |
The threshold resets per client — high billing with one client doesn't reduce fees with a new client.
Long-Term Client Comparison
Over a $5,000 project with a single client:
Fiverr (flat 20%): $5,000 × 20% = $1,000 in fees → you keep $4,000
Upwork (sliding scale): First $500 @ 20% = $100 + Remaining $4,500 @ 10% = $450 → total fees $550 → you keep $4,450
The savings compound quickly with larger or ongoing engagements. A $10,000 long-term client on Upwork drops to 5% for all billings above $10k.
Which Platform Is Better?
- Fiverr is better for: One-off projects, creative gigs, building a portfolio, clients who come to you via search.
- Upwork is better for: Ongoing relationships, hourly contracts, higher-value professional services — the fee drops over time.
- For maximum income: Use Upwork for repeat clients (the fee drops to 5–10%) and Fiverr for discoverability and smaller one-time orders.
Calculate your net after platform fees