How much does Upwork charge?
Upwork uses a sliding service fee per client: 20% on the first $500, 10% from $500.01 to $10,000, and 5% above $10,000 with the same client. Add a $0.99 wire withdrawal fee (or $0 via direct US bank transfer). Use the calculator below to see your exact take-home pay.
Last verified May 2026 · Feebite Editorial · Not affiliated with Upwork
Independent fees calculator for Upwork. For the official platform, go to upwork.com. This page shows what the platform actually keeps — service fee, withdrawal cost, and the FX spread on Payoneer, Wise and wire transfers — so freelancers can see their real take-home.
Quick Verdict
Rating: 4.3/5 — ★★★★☆
Best for: Freelancers building long-term client relationships — once you cross $10,000 with a client the service fee drops to 5%, the lowest of any major marketplace.
Not ideal for: One-off small projects under $500 — the 20% fee on the first tier is steep compared with Freelancer.com's flat 10%.
Get started with Upwork →Fee Calculator: Upwork vs Freelancer.com
Enter your project value to see exactly what Upwork takes — including when the 20%→10%→5% sliding scale beats Freelancer.com's flat 10%.
Fee Calculator: Freelancer.com vs Upwork
Enter your project value to see exactly what each platform costs.
FREELANCER.COM
✓ Better on this project
UPWORK
Commission Rates & Fees — The Full Picture
Upwork's freelancer service fee is the most important number on this page. It is tiered per client relationship, not per project, and it resets for each new client.
Service Fee (per client lifetime)
| Lifetime billed with one client | Service fee |
|---|---|
| $0 – $500 | 20% |
| $500.01 – $10,000 | 10% |
| $10,000+ | 5% |
Withdrawal Fees
| Withdrawal method | Fee | Speed |
|---|---|---|
| Direct to US bank (ACH) | Free | 1–3 days |
| Wire transfer (international) | $0.99 | 3–5 days |
| PayPal | $0 | Instant |
| Payoneer | $1.99 | 2 hours |
Bottom line on fees: A new client paying $500 → Upwork takes $100 (20%). The next $9,500 with that same client → Upwork takes $950 (10%). Any earnings above $10,000 → Upwork takes 5%. The longer the relationship, the cheaper Upwork gets.
How It Compares to Freelancer.com
| Upwork | Freelancer.com | |
|---|---|---|
| Commission ($0–$500 with client) | 20% | 10% |
| Commission ($500–$10k with client) | 10% | 10% |
| Commission ($10k+ with client) | 5% | 10% |
| Withdrawal fee | $0.99 wire | $3 flat |
| Membership option | Yes | Yes |
Key difference: Upwork rewards long-term clients (drops to 5% over $10k). Freelancer.com is a flat 10% forever — cheaper for new client acquisition, more expensive once relationships scale.
Key Facts
| Category | Freelance marketplace |
| Service fee | 20% / 10% / 5% (sliding, per client) |
| Withdrawal fee | $0 ACH · $0.99 wire |
| Monthly fee | Free (Plus plan $14.99/mo optional) |
| Payout speed | 3–5 days bank · 1–3 days ACH |
| KYC level | Standard (ID required) |
| Founded | 2015 (merger of Elance + oDesk) |
| HQ | San Francisco, USA |
Country Availability
| UK | Canada | Australia | US |
|---|---|---|---|
| ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Features
| Feature | |
|---|---|
| Bank transfer | ✅ |
| PayPal payout | ✅ |
| Payoneer payout | ✅ |
| Multi-currency wallet | ✅ |
| Mobile app | ✅ |
| Milestone escrow | ✅ |
| Hourly tracker | ✅ |
| Project contests | ❌ |
Pros
- Service fee drops to 5% with established clients — the lowest of any major marketplace
- Free direct ACH withdrawals to US banks
- Strong escrow + payment protection (Hourly Protection + Fixed-Price Protection)
- Multi-currency wallet — withdraw in USD, GBP, EUR, CAD, AUD and more
- Native invoicing and time tracking for hourly contracts
- Available worldwide
Cons
- 20% on the first $500 with each new client is the highest entry-level fee in the industry
- Connects (bid tokens) cost money on the free plan
- Slow payout for international wires (3–5 days)
- Disputes can take weeks to resolve
Who Should Use Upwork
Perfect for: Freelancers who land repeat clients and grow contracts past $500 — Upwork's tiers reward loyalty. Also strong for US freelancers who can use free ACH withdrawals.
Skip it if: You mostly take small one-off gigs under $500 — Freelancer.com's flat 10% beats Upwork's 20% entry tier.
How to Get Started
- Visit upwork.com and create a free account
- Complete identity verification (ID required)
- Build a profile, set your hourly rate and add portfolio samples
- Buy or earn Connects to bid on jobs
- Win a contract → deliver work → release milestone → withdraw
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Upwork charge in fees? Upwork charges a sliding service fee: 20% on the first $500 you bill a client, 10% from $500.01 to $10,000, then 5% above $10,000 with the same client.
What percentage does Upwork take from freelancers? The freelancer service fee starts at 20%, drops to 10% after $500 with one client, then drops to 5% above $10,000. The tiers reset for each new client.
How do I calculate my earnings on Upwork? Apply the relevant tier rate (20% / 10% / 5%) to the contract amount, subtract the service fee, then subtract the $0.99 withdrawal fee and any FX spread on conversion. The calculator above does this for you in seconds.
Is Upwork safe? Upwork is a publicly listed company (NASDAQ: UPWK) with strong escrow and dispute resolution. Funds are held in escrow until you deliver and the client approves.
Compare alternatives: Upwork vs Freelancer.com · Best Payment Setup for UK Freelancers · How to Withdraw Upwork Earnings UK
This review was last updated May 2026. Fees and availability may change — always check Upwork's website for the latest information.
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