Upwork: hire freelancers by the project or by the hour for almost any skill
Short version: Upwork is a freelance marketplace for projects and ongoing work. First, posting a job is free, and the Basic plan charges a 5% marketplace fee on payments. However, new contracts add an initiation fee, so your hiring volume decides the real cost.
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Which Upwork plan costs less for your hiring?
First, enter your monthly freelancer spend, so the estimate below compares the two client plans.
Lower-cost plan
Estimated monthly platform cost
Business Plus would cost $349.99
Overall, this estimate covers marketplace fees and the Business Plus subscription only. In addition, it ignores initiation fees, so it is not an Upwork quote.
Try UpworkFrom a job post to a paid milestone
Because search, contracts and payments share one platform, hiring stops living in email threads.
A huge talent pool
Specifically, you post a job and receive proposals, so skilled freelancers come to you.
Flexible contracts
Next, you hire by the project or by the hour, and you change terms as work evolves.
Milestone payments
In addition, you fund milestones and release money when work meets your standards.
Hour tracking
Moreover, hourly contracts include time tracking, so you review hours before you pay.
Expert-Vetted talent
Meanwhile, Business Plus opens access to a pool of manually vetted professionals.
Team and enterprise tools
Finally, hiring analytics, Pay Later terms and managed programs serve larger companies.
Three client plans, and two fees to watch
Public sources list the figures below. However, rates and thresholds change, so confirm the current terms on the official pricing page.
Basic
In fact, Basic lets you post jobs and hire at no monthly cost, so small hiring needs stay cheap.
Start on BasicBusiness Plus
Overall, business Plus adds Expert-Vetted talent, hiring analytics and Pay Later terms, so recurring hiring gets support.
Try Business PlusEnterprise
Specifically, Enterprise brings custom pricing and managed programs, so big accounts get tailored contracts.
Ask about EnterpriseFreelancer Plus
In particular, freelancer Plus adds Connects and lower fees, so active sellers win more work.
Learn about Plus| Feature | Basic | Business Plus | Enterprise |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly fee | Free | $49.99 | Custom quote |
| Marketplace fee | 5%, or 3% with ACH | 10%, or 8% with ACH | Terms set by contract |
| Contract initiation fee | $0.99 to $14.99 | Mostly waived | None listed |
| Expert-Vetted talent | Not available | Available | Included |
| Pay Later terms | Unavailable | Net-30 option | Custom terms |
Overall, freelancers pay a separate service fee between 0% and 15%, and most pay about 10%. Also, some sources show Basic fees up to 7.99%, so verify the current rate. Also, fees change, so check the official pricing page.
Three hiring situations, and the plan each one points to
Your monthly spend and contract count are the clearest signals, because they decide which fee structure costs less.
A startup hiring one developer
Specifically, Basic keeps costs low for a single contract. However, the initiation fee applies once per new contract.
A company with many small contracts
In fact, business Plus waives most initiation fees. As a result, frequent small hires cost less per contract.
An enterprise with a large freelance program
For instance, custom pricing and managed talent fit big, recurring programs, while sales sets the terms.
Where it shines
- Overall, A huge talent pool covers nearly every skill.
- Flexible contracts also suit ongoing work.
- Specifically, milestones protect your budget on big projects.
- Finally, vetted experts support critical roles.
Worth checking first
- In particular, fees stack, so add the marketplace and initiation fees.
- Business Plus costs more, however, per payment.
- Overall, quality varies, because proposals differ widely.
- Likewise, freelancers build their fees into their rates.
Fees, plans and hiring steps: answers before you post a job
Short answers to what people ask most.
Getting started
What is Upwork?
Specifically, upwork is a freelance marketplace where companies hire independent professionals. Moreover, you post a job, review proposals and hire by project or by the hour. In addition, categories include development, design, writing, marketing and finance.
Is it free to join?
Yes, posting a job and joining as a client costs nothing. However, you pay a marketplace fee on each payment to a freelancer. Therefore, your cost grows with your spending.
Is there a free trial?
No trial exists, because the Basic plan is already free to use. Also, a paid Business Plus plan adds extra features at a monthly price. As a result, most clients start on Basic and upgrade later.
Who should use Upwork?
In fact, it suits businesses that hire freelancers for projects or ongoing work, from one-off tasks to long-term contractors. For example, a startup that needs a developer for three months fits well. On the other hand, a company that wants a fixed-price logo overnight may prefer a gig marketplace.
Fees and plans
What fees do clients pay?
Overall, on the Basic plan, clients pay a 5% marketplace fee on each payment, or 3% for eligible US clients who pay by bank transfer. Also, a contract initiation fee of $0.99 to $14.99 applies to new contracts. Because some sources show slightly different rates, confirm them on the official pricing page.
What does Business Plus cost?
Specifically, business Plus costs about $49.99 per month, and its marketplace fee runs 10%, or 8% with ACH. In addition, it adds Expert-Vetted talent, hiring analytics and Pay Later terms. Therefore, it pays off mainly for larger or recurring hiring budgets.
What do freelancers pay?
In particular, freelancers pay a variable service fee between 0% and 15% per contract, and most pay about 10%. Meanwhile, they also buy Connects to apply for jobs. As a result, freelancers often build the fee into their rates.
What is Freelancer Plus?
Overall, freelancer Plus is a paid membership for freelancers, listed at $19.99 per month. Furthermore, it adds more monthly Connects and a 0% fee on Direct Contracts. However, the price has changed before, so check the current amount.
Everyday use
How does hiring work?
Specifically, you post a job, receive proposals and interview candidates. Then you create a contract and fund milestones or pay hourly. Also, the platform tracks hours and releases payments through its system.
Can I hire vetted experts?
Yes, Business Plus and Enterprise let you filter for Expert-Vetted talent. Moreover, ratings and Top Rated badges help you compare candidates. Therefore, check both before you hire for a critical role.
What is the contract initiation fee?
In fact, it is a one-time fee when you start a new contract, listed from $0.99 to $14.99 on Basic. However, Business Plus clients skip it except on small fixed-price contracts. Therefore, many small contracts make Business Plus more attractive.
Does Upwork offer enterprise plans?
Yes, Enterprise offers custom pricing, managed talent programs and tailored contracts. Also, sales teams set terms for large accounts. Therefore, contact Upwork if you hire at scale.
Post your first job on Upwork
First, describe the work and your budget. Then review proposals, interview two or three candidates, and fund the first milestone.
Post a job on Upwork