Freelancer.com fees
Freelancer.com keeps it simple. On fixed-price projects, the fee is 10% or $5, whichever is greater, charged when you accept the project. On hourly projects it's a straight 10% of each payment. Contests work like fixed-price projects: 10% or $5.
The $5 minimum matters on small jobs. A $30 project costs $5 in fees — that's 16.7%, not 10%. Above $50, the 10% rate takes over.
Clients pay their own fee on top: 3% or $3 on fixed-price projects, and 3% on hourly payments. It doesn't come out of your earnings.
Fixed price: earnings = amount − max(10% × amount, $5)
PeoplePerHour fees
PeoplePerHour uses a tiered fee based on how much you've billed each client over time. The more work you do for the same client, the lower your fee:
| Lifetime billing with a client | Service fee |
|---|---|
| Up to £250 ($350 / €300) | 20% |
| £250 to £5,000 ($7,000 / €6,000) | 7.5% |
| Above £5,000 | 3.5% |
There's also a minimum fee of about £1 per invoice, and freelancers in the UK and EU pay VAT on the fee. Sources disagree on the exact thresholds, so the tiers are editable above — check your PeoplePerHour account for the numbers that apply to you.
Example: £400 invoice to a new client
The first £250 is charged at 20% (£50) and the next £150 at 7.5% (£11.25). Total fee: £61.25, an effective 15.3%. You earn £338.75. Bill the same client another £400 later and the whole invoice falls in the 7.5% tier.
Which platform is cheaper?
- Small one-off jobs: Freelancer.com's 10% usually beats PeoplePerHour's 20% first tier — unless the $5 minimum kicks in.
- Long-term clients: PeoplePerHour wins. Once you pass the first tier, 7.5% and then 3.5% are among the lowest marketplace fees around.
- Compare with the Fiverr and Upwork calculators to see all four side by side.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Freelancer.com take from freelancers?
10% of fixed-price projects or $5, whichever is greater, and 10% of hourly payments.
Why was I charged $5 on a small Freelancer.com project?
Fixed-price projects have a $5 minimum fee. On any project under $50, $5 is more than 10%, so the minimum applies.
What are PeoplePerHour's fees?
A service fee that drops as your lifetime billing with each client grows: 20% on the first tier, then 7.5%, then 3.5%. A small minimum fee applies per invoice.
Does PeoplePerHour's fee reset for each project?
No. It's based on your total billing with the same client across all projects. A new client starts again at the first tier.
Do I pay VAT on PeoplePerHour fees?
If you're based in the UK or EU, VAT is usually added to the service fee. Tick the VAT box to include it.
TakehomeKit is independent and not affiliated with Fiverr, Upwork, Payoneer, Wise or any other company mentioned. Fees, limits and tax rules change; we check them regularly, but always confirm the final number with the platform or an adviser before you rely on it.