Upwork vs. Freelancer—Which Is the Better Option for Hiring Marketers?

Freelancing is more popular today than it’s ever been, partly thanks to marketplaces such as Upwork and Freelancer. These platforms have made it simple for clients and freelancers to connect and collaborate on various types of projects across all industries, including marketing. 

Upwork and Freelancer are likely the two most well-known freelancing sites, each boasting millions of users from all over the world. While both platforms function similarly, there are some subtle differences to keep in mind before you commit. 

To make an informed decision, check out our Upwork vs. Freelancer comparison and discover how these platforms measure up in terms of the recruiting process, marketing talent quality, user experience, and pricing. We’ll also introduce a third option that offers a concierge-style service to take the pain and guesswork out of hiring marketing talent.

Upwork vs. Freelancer—Comparison Criteria

We’ll break down the key differences between Upwork and Freelancer across the following four criteria:

1. Recruiting process
2. Talent quality
3. User experience
4. Pricing and refunds

Before we look into each comparison aspect, check out the table below for a quick overview of the platforms and their user ratings:

Upwork vs. Freelancer—Recruiting Process 

To source a marketer on Upwork, you have the following options:

• Search candidate profiles
• Browse the Project Catalog
• Post a job and get profile recommendations and proposals

According to Upwork, clients find and hire a freelancer within three days on average. The platform also provides various freelancer tools to communicate with marketers and manage contracts, payments, and projects.

If you don’t want to screen and interview candidates yourself, you can subscribe to the Enterprise plan and get access to talent sourcing services, a full-service customizable dashboard to manage your workforce, and many other benefits.

Freelancer offers similar options—you can browse profiles and predefined service packages or post a contest or project to receive bids. In 2022, the average number of bids per project was 41, with 87% of projects receiving bids within five minutes. Like Upwork, Freelancer lets you pay freelancers, communicate with them, and track time via the freelancer platform. 

Freelancer also has an Enterprise plan that includes recruitment services, but you can purchase them separately for $11.99 per project. With Freelancer Corporate, you can make your business profile stand out on the website and attract more talented professionals.

Upwork and Freelancer offer almost identical recruitment features. If you don’t want to shortlist and screen marketers yourself, you can seek premium talent acquisition services on both platforms. However, Freelancer is a bit more flexible as it offers to match you with pre-vetted talent on demand without requiring you to upgrade to Enterprise.

Pros and Cons

Upwork vs. Freelancer—Talent Quality 

When freelancers want to join the platform, Upwork reviews their profiles before admitting them. It may also require some users to verify their ID and location, upon which it awards the Identity Verified badge.

Since freelancers aren’t pre-vetted, you have to browse profiles that showcase work experience, portfolios, and client reviews to identify suitable talent. The best performers on the platform receive the following Talent Badges:

1. Rising Talent
2. Top Rated
3. Top Rated Plus
4. Expert-Vetted

Expert-Vetted freelancers are carefully selected, screened, and interviewed and represent the top 1% of talent on the platform. You can connect with them only if you’re on the Enterprise plan, though.

Freelancer has a slightly bigger and more diverse talent pool, but anyone can join the platform. However, freelance marketers can voluntarily complete an identity verification process and receive a blue Verified by Freelancer profile badge. This verification allows them to access better-paying projects and stand out from the crowd.

Leading marketers in their field can also join Freelancer’s Preferred Freelancer Program. After passing a comprehensive examination, they can receive an orange Preferred Freelancer badge and get access to the highest-value projects.

While Freelancer has a larger user base, its initial entry barrier is lower than Upwork’s. Despite that, there have been reports of unreliable or fraudulent individuals on both Freelancer and Upwork. This means you have to identify high-quality talent independently by analyzing profiles and looking for badges or opt for paid add-ons and plans to get matched with pre-vetted marketers.

Pros and Cons

Upwork vs. Freelancer—User Experience 

According to most user reviews, Upwork and Freelancer are easy to sign up with and navigate. Users seem to be particularly fond of Upwork’s simple user interface. Both platforms are available on mobile, although there have been some complaints about the functionality of Freelancer’s app.

Both platforms have had their fair share of issues, though, as indicated by user reviews. Some of the reported problems with Upwork had to do with the login process and chat feature. With Freelancer, some users complained about the UI and website navigation, and many voiced dissatisfaction with the KYC verification process and sudden account banning. 

Upwork and Freelancer have help centers where you can learn about the platforms and find answers to common questions, with Upwork also featuring a community forum. Customer support-wise, both Upwork and Freelancer seem to be hard to reach.

While the platforms are simple and intuitive, Upwork sports a slightly more polished interface. Still, there were reports of technical difficulties for both platforms.

Pros and Cons

Upwork vs. Freelancer—Pricing and Refunds

It’s free to sign up, post jobs, and screen marketers on both Upwork and Freelancer. When posting a job on Upwork, you can choose between two contract types:

• Hourly, with weekly billing
• Fixed price projects, which requires an initial deposit but holds your payment in escrow until the work is complete

Freelancers can then send proposals with their rates, but you may be able to negotiate them at the interview. Besides freelancer rates, you’ll also need to pay a Client Marketplace Fee, which is 3%–5% of all payments to freelancers, and a contract initiation fee of $9.95 for each new Talent Marketplace or Project Catalog contract. 

Freelancer works by allowing you to define a budget when posting a project and receive bids within that range. Like Upwork, it requires a deposit and uses an escrow system that releases the funds when the project is done.

Although it entails smaller payment fees than Upwork (3% or $3 for payments to freelancers), Freelancer charges various additional fees and services, such as:

• Full-time projects of higher value ($229.99)
• NDA and IP agreements ($21.99 each)
• Username change ($99)
• Maintenance fee for inactive accounts ($14)

While more affordable on paper, Freelancer may end up being the more costly option than Upwork due to its add-ons. The pricing of the Enterprise plan is custom for both platforms.

Refunds

If you’re not satisfied with your marketer’s work on Upwork, you can request a partial or full refund from them directly. The decision to issue a refund is at the freelancer’s discretion. You may file a dispute with Upwork’s Customer Support in some cases and within a specific time frame of request denial. On Freelancer, you can ask for a refund on the website or by emailing customer support. 

Looking at reviews, users of both Upwork and Freelancer have had a hard time receiving refunds for undelivered work. What’s more, Upwork’s refund policy seems to work more in favor of freelancers than clients and requires you to jump through more hoops to get your money back.

Pros and Cons

How to Sign Up for Upwork or Freelancer as a Hirer

If you’re looking to hire freelancers for your projects, both Upwork and Freelancer provide intuitive platforms to connect you with talent. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to sign up as a hirer on each platform.

Signing Up for Upwork as a Hirer

1. Visit the Website: Go to Upwork.com.
2. Create an Account: Click on the “Sign Up” button. You can register using your email address or sign up with Google or Apple.
3. Select Your Account Type: When prompted, choose “I want to hire” to create a client account.
4. Fill Out Your Details: Provide the necessary information, including your name and company details. You’ll also be asked to verify your email address.
5. Complete Your Profile: Add a profile photo and fill in your organization details, such as the name and a brief description of your business. This helps freelancers understand who you are and the projects you typically post.
6. Set Your Payment Method: To hire freelancers, you’ll need to add a payment method. Upwork supports various options, including credit cards and PayPal. This step ensures you can pay freelancers once their work is completed.
7. Post Your Job: After setting up your account, you can start posting job listings. Describe the project, required skills, budget, and deadlines. Be as specific as possible to attract the right candidates.
8. Browse Freelancers: You can also search for freelancers based on their skills, ratings, and previous work. Reviewing profiles can help you identify potential candidates before posting your job.
9. Review Proposals: Once your job is live, freelancers will start submitting proposals. Take your time to read through these and consider factors like experience, rates, and client feedback.

Signing Up for Freelancer as a Hirer

1. Visit the Website: Head over to Freelancer.com.
2. Create an Account: Click the “Sign Up” button. You can register using your email address, Facebook account, or Google account.
3. Select Your Account Type: Choose “I want to hire” to create a client account.
4. Fill in Your Information: Enter your name, email, and password. Verify your email address to activate your account.
5. Complete Your Profile: Add relevant details about your company, including a logo and description. A well-crafted profile can help attract freelancers to your job postings.
6. Set Up Payment Information: To hire freelancers, you’ll need to add a payment method. Freelancer supports various payment options, including credit cards and bank transfers.
7. Post a Project: Click on “Post a Project” to describe the work you need. Be clear about your expectations, budget, and deadlines to ensure you attract suitable freelancers.
8. Review Bids: After posting, freelancers will begin to submit bids for your project. Take the time to review their proposals, looking at their skills, past work, and client reviews.
9. Interview and Hire: Once you find a suitable freelancer, you can communicate with them through the platform to clarify any details before making your final decision.

How to Sign Up for Upwork or Freelancer as a Freelancer

Starting your freelancing journey on platforms like Upwork and Freelancer is a straightforward process. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started on each platform.

Signing Up for Upwork as a Freelancer

1. Visit the Website: Go to Upwork.com.
2. Create an Account: Click on the “Sign Up” button. You can register using your email address, Google account, or Apple ID.
3. Choose Your Account Type: Select "I want to work" to create a freelancer account.
4. Fill Out Your Profile: Provide your name, a professional profile photo, and a brief description of your skills and services. This is crucial for attracting potential clients.
5. Select Your Skills: Choose relevant skills from the provided list. This helps Upwork match you with suitable job opportunities.
6. Set Your Hourly Rate: Decide on a competitive rate for hourly projects based on your experience and market research.
7. Complete Your Profile: Add your education, work history, and any certifications. The more complete your profile, the better your chances of getting hired.
8. Verify Your Identity: Upwork may require identity verification to ensure the safety of its community. Follow the prompts to complete this process.
9. Start Bidding: Once your profile is approved, you can begin browsing jobs and submitting proposals.

Signing Up for Freelancer as a Freelancer

1. Visit the Website: Head over to Freelancer.com.
2. Sign Up: Click on the “Sign Up” button. You can register using your email address, Facebook account, or Google account.
3. Select Your Account Type: Choose "Freelancer" when prompted.
4. Create Your Profile: Fill in your details, including a profile picture, username, and a compelling bio that highlights your skills and experience.
5. Choose Your Skills: Select skills that best represent your expertise. This helps clients find you when searching for freelancers.
6. Set Your Rates: Determine whether you want to charge hourly or per project, and set your rates accordingly.
7. Complete Your Profile: Add additional information, such as your education, work experience, and portfolio. A detailed profile increases your visibility.
8. Verify Your Account: Freelancer may ask for verification, which can include providing identification or confirming your email address.
9. Browse Projects: Once your profile is live, you can start searching for projects and submitting bids to potential clients.

Upwork & Freelancer Best Practices

• Profile Optimization: Take your time to craft a strong profile. A well-optimized profile can significantly enhance your chances of securing jobs.
• Keep It Professional: Use a professional email and ensure your profile photo is clear and appropriate.
• Stay Active: Regularly check the platforms for new job listings and stay engaged with the community to boost your visibility.

By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to establishing a successful freelancing career on either Upwork or Freelancer.

Insights from the Community: Reddit Discussions on Freelancer and Upwork

To gain a deeper understanding of the experiences and opinions surrounding Freelancer and Upwork, we turn to the vibrant discussions on Reddit. This platform is home to a diverse range of users—both freelancers and clients—who share their candid thoughts on the strengths and weaknesses of each service. Below, we've curated some valuable threads where users discuss their firsthand experiences, providing insights that can help you make an informed decision about which platform might be best for your needs.

• r/Entrepreneur: Consider This Before Hiring on Upwork
• r/Upwork: What to Avoid When Hiring on Upwork
• r/marketing: Where are People Finding Success Hiring Online?

Which Tool is Best for the Hiring Process?

When it comes to hiring freelancers, both Upwork and Freelancer offer extensive talent pools and various freelancer tools to facilitate the recruitment process. However, there are key differences that may influence your choice.

Upwork provides a structured hiring process with features such as detailed freelancer profiles, work history, and client reviews. You can easily post jobs, filter candidates based on their skills, and communicate through the platform. The ability to see freelancers' past work and client ratings can give you more confidence in your hiring decisions.

Freelancer, on the other hand, offers a competitive bidding system where freelancers submit proposals for your projects. This can sometimes lead to lower costs, but it also means you might have to sift through numerous bids and profiles to find the right fit. The quality of proposals can vary significantly, making it essential to conduct thorough interviews and vet candidates carefully.

While both platforms have their merits, they also come with challenges, such as varying levels of freelancer quality and a potentially lengthy selection process. This is where MarketerHire stands out as a more efficient option for hiring top-tier marketing talent.

MarketerHire—Expert Marketers at Your Fingertips

If you’d rather skip the hassle of sourcing and screening candidates yourself and want to get matched with expert marketers who’ve worked for leading international brands, MarketerHire is the way to go. Unlike Upwork and Freelancer, MarketerHire specializes in hiring marketers on demand and offers to take over the entire recruitment process so you can focus on growing your business.

With a rigorous vetting system led by seasoned marketers themselves, MarketerHire ensures that only the top 1% of marketing talent can enter its elite network.

The platform’s in-house experts have devised a proprietary matching system called MarketerMatch that uses both AI and hand selection to suggest a perfect candidate based on your requirements. Since its launch in 2018, MarketerHire has made over 25,000 successful matches for clients that include household names such as:

• HelloFresh
• Lyft
• Allbirds 
• Netflix

Since MarketerHire’s experts will do all the vetting and sourcing for you, your involvement is minimal, and you’re free to focus on more impactful tasks. You’ll also get continuous support throughout the process and regular check-ins once work is underway.

You’re entitled to a free one-week trial with your match and free rematching if they’re not the right fit, so there’s no risk of making a bad and costly hire.

How MarketerHire Works

Whether you need an Amazon expert, a content marketer, or a fractional CMO, MarketerHire has got you covered. The hiring process is simple and consists of only three steps:

1. Describe your project: Hop on a short call with your dedicated marketing manager to outline your business needs and the type of role and engagement you’re looking for
2. Meet the match: Meet your carefully vetted and selected expert marketer within 48 hours
3. Kick off the project: Once you approve your marketer, hire them and start collaborating within days 

Sometimes, all you need is a small push to propel your business forward. If you need help with routine tasks that are creating bottlenecks for your marketing, design, or sales teams, MarketerHire’s Expert Assistants can help.

Thanks to MarketerHire, hiring expert marketers has never been easier. Reach out to us today and connect with the top marketing talent within days.

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