Technical projects can be overwhelming, especially with all the parts that need to be in motion for them to succeed. Even when you have the budget to hire outside help, knowing the ins and outs of hiring developers online can be daunting.
We’re here to simplify your process of choosing the best freelance platform for you to hire from. We’ll compare top freelance platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Arc side by side by using criteria that should be considered when choosing a freelance marketplace. By the end of the article, you should have a better idea of the best sites for hiring freelance developers and you should be able to leverage these job boards according to your project needs.
In this post, we’ll look at different types of marketplaces and find out why niche marketplaces are typically better. You’ll also get to know about each platform’s pricing, freelance vetting/screening process, trial period, and billing process. We believe that all this information will help you make an informed decision.
- Overviews on Upwork, Fiverr, and Arc
- General and Niche Freelance Marketplaces
- Platform Pricing and Potential Fees
- How Matching Works on Each Platform
- Does the Platform Offer a Trial Period?
- How You’ll be Billed
- Is Upwork, Fiverr, or Arc the Best Platform for Me?
Please note that we are comparing only the freelance offerings and non-pro versions of the listed marketplaces.
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Overviews on Upwork, Fiverr, and Arc
Upwork
O-desk and Elance merged in 2013 to establish Upwork in 2015. Upwork allows its users full autonomy to interview, hire, and work with freelancers and agencies with little to no assistance. In March 2019, Upwork launched its premium service, Upwork Plus.
Unlike its basic service users, Upwork Plus users can pay additional fees on every job search for handpicked, pre-vetted freelancers. Upwork brands itself as: “In-demand talent on demand. Upwork is how. Upwork expertly connects professionals and agencies to businesses seeking specialized talent.”
Fiverr
Micha Kaufman created Fiverr in 2010 and Fiverr Pro in 2017. While Fiverr originally started as a gig marketplace where anyone could buy and sell digital services, Fiverr Pro’s launch aimed to make Fiverr an on-demand global marketplace where exceptional, hand-vetted sellers could offer their services to engaged business buyers.
In July 2019, Fiverr was listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Fiverr bills itself as being able to help you “find the perfect freelance services for your business. Get work done faster, with confidence.”
Arc
Arc was officially launched in 2019 by Weiting Liu, who founded Codementor, the biggest online marketplace for software development mentorship. Arc grew out of a previous freelancing platform, CodementorX. Arc’s vision is to help great developers find freelance gigs and permanent remote jobs.
Unlike Upwork and Fiverr, Arc is a specialized freelance site for programmers. Arc is not only one of the best freelancing sites but also a well-respected full-time remote developer hiring platform, where clients can build long-term relationships with pre-vetted developers.
Arc was launched on the following premise: “The best developers are everywhere. We believe remote work is the future. Yet hiring remote talent is still a gamble with existing solutions. Arc is here to change that. Our mission is to remove the friction of remote hiring to empower people to do work that matters from anywhere.”
You can also try Arc, your shortcut to the world’s best remote talent:
⚡️ Access 350,000 top developers, designers, and marketers
⚡️ Vetted and ready to interview
⚡️ Freelance or full-time
Try Arc and hire top talent now →
Read More: 10+ Things to Consider BEFORE Hiring a Freelance Software Developer
General and Niche Freelance Marketplaces
All freelance marketplaces fall under one of two categories — general and niche. We’ll go into more detail about each of these categories below.
General Freelance Marketplaces
General freelance platforms, such as Upwork and Fiverr, offer a broad spectrum of services, allowing anyone to create a profile and kickstart their freelancing career. Though they provide access to freelancers in various industries, they lack stringent vetting processes for their unpaid versions. This can lead to varying quality among the accessible freelancers.
Upwork’s and Fiverr’s basic services fall under the general freelance category. They offer talent across different domains but lack the thorough freelancer vetting process available in their premium versions.
Niche Freelance Marketplaces
Niche platforms, like Arc, focus on specific professional skills or industries, catering to clients seeking experts with deep understanding and long experience in a particular domain. Arc’s specialization in software development ensures that clients are matched with vetted developers possessing the required technological expertise and skill sets.
General marketplaces often boast a larger pool of candidates, providing a relatively wide range of skills and cost options. On the contrary, niche marketplaces, like Arc, excel in offering highly specialized talent with a focus on quality and expertise.
Read More: Freelance vs In-House Developers: Pros & Cons of Hiring or Contracting
Platform Pricing and Potential Fees
If you’re budget-sensitive, how much a freelance developer costs or how much money in fees a platform charges can be a dealbreaker. Upwork, Fiverr, and Arc offer individuals and companies a wide range of budgets to work with. You can get a smaller project done for as little as $5-10+ on Upwork or Fiverr or a larger project for $60+ on Arc.
One thing to keep in mind, however, is that some platforms charge processing or service fees. An extra 3% in processing fees may not matter to a large company. But for smaller companies, these amounts can add up, especially when the budget is limited or when multiple projects require freelance aid in a quarter.
Now, let’s compare Upwork vs Fiverr vs Arc in terms of freelancer hiring costs and related expenses. Please note that websites like Fiverr and Upwork offer various types of talent. What this means is the range of the total cost of hiring may be different for different roles. Here, we’ll focus on the cost of Upwork vs Fiverr vs Arc for software developers.
Upwork Pricing
On Upwork’s platform, you can post jobs or projects for free. Once your job post or project goes live, interested Upwork freelancers present you with bids. You can also browse Upwork’s Talent Marketplace for developers who fit your needs based on skills and hourly rate.
Because there’s a bidding system as well as a marketplace, Upwork fees will vary depending on the scope of your project. For example, freelance software developer rates on Upwork can go as low as $10+ per hour, though the average rate for vetted developers ranges from $81 to 100 per hour, according to Arc’s data. Nevertheless, freelancer costs on Upwork can vary significantly — $10+ per hour is most likely at the very low end of the pricing range. Unfortunately, Upwork doesn’t offer information on the average cost of freelancers for their basic service.
One thing to note for Upwork clients is that Upwork charges clients a 3% processing fee for using its platform.
Upwork Fees & Costs
- For hourly projects, billing occurs weekly. The fee, including any additional bonuses, is assessed when your billing method is charged each week.
- For fixed-price projects, the processing fee is charged each time you fund a milestone or give a bonus.
- For Project Catalog projects, you are charged when you purchase a project. If you’re an Upwork Enterprise client, this fee is waived.
If you’re on a limited budget or expect to pay weekly for hourly projects, be sure to add an extra 3% on top of your developers’ quoted rates on Upwork so that you don’t exceed your budget after you hire your developer.
Fiverr Pricing
One of the most significant differences between Fiverr vs Upwork vs Arc is that you choose your own freelance developer based on the services they can offer you on Fiverr. On Upwork, developers come to you, whereas you’re matched with a developer on Arc. If you want more freedom, Fiverr may be a great Arc and Upwork alternative. Freelance developers on Fiverr set their own rates, starting at $5, so there’s a large range and flexibility in terms of who can best fit your budget and needs.
Fiverr Fees & Costs
On Fiverr, you are charged an additional service fee depending on the cost of the service. As of November 2023, for purchases below $75, the service fee was $2.5, but it was as high as 5.5% for purchases above $75. The service fee is charged on every payment made.
Per Fiverr’s website, during your order, a service fee charge is levied separately on main purchases, GigExtras, and tips to the sellers. This complicated fee structure may lead to a negative user experience for both sellers and buyers, driving them to Fiverr competitors.
Arc Pricing
Arc takes a different approach by letting software engineers and developers set their own rates. A $300 deposit is required to initiate the process of finding a freelance developer on Arc. Importantly, Arc doesn’t charge extra processing fees, providing a straightforward fee structure for clients.
Arc Fees & Costs
Arc’s transparent approach includes a $300 deposit, with no additional processing fees. This simplicity can be advantageous for clients with specific budget constraints.
Read More: Remote Developer Salary Calculator compares salaries in different regions
Are Freelances Vetted? How Matching Works on Each Platform
The vetting process is a critical factor in ensuring that clients are matched with qualified and reliable freelancers. Examining how each platform approaches vetting and matching will help you make an informed decision immensely.
Upwork Vetting
Upwork’s basic version lacks a formal vetting process; clients choose freelancers based only on their work histories and reviews. Nonetheless, for clients seeking a higher level of vetting, Upwork Plus offers access to pre-screened developers.
Fiverr Vetting
Regular Fiverr transactions do not involve a formal vetting process, allowing clients to make decisions based on freelancer profiles, services offered, and reviews. While Fiverr Pro sellers undergo vetting, this article is focused only on the non-pro version of the platform.
Arc Vetting
Arc stands out because of its rigorous and transparent vetting process. It includes assessments of communication skills and technical abilities, ensuring that clients are matched only with developers possessing the skills necessary for their projects. This commitment to quality, with an emphasis on the importance of pre-vetted talent, places Arc above Upwork and Fiverr.
Does the Platform Offer a Trial Period?
Trial periods provide clients with an opportunity to assess the compatibility of working styles on larger projects. Arc offers risk-free trials, but Upwork and Fiverr don’t. Arc’s commitment to risk-free trials aligns with the needs of clients engaging in large-scale projects.
How You’ll Be Billed
Understanding the billing process is vital for businesses managing projects with varying budgets and financial constraints. Each of the platforms listed here has its own billing system, providing flexibility in payment options.
Upwork Billing
Upwork offers a versatile billing system, accommodating both hourly and fixed-price options. Hourly contracts are billed weekly, with clients paying for hours recorded in freelancers’ work diaries. Fixed-price contracts allow clients to pay upfront or on completion of certain milestones. Upwork provides clients with various payment options, including PayPal, ACH, and major credit cards.
Fiverr Billing
Fiverr follows a billing model where clients pay upfront for the services they want freelancers to complete. Payment methods accepted include PayPal, wire transfer, Apple Pay, Google Pay, regional payment methods, and major credit cards. This upfront payment approach aligns with Fiverr’s commitment to a straightforward, direct transaction process.
Arc Billing
Arc’s billing process involves daily time logging by freelance contractors, with clients being invoiced weekly. Accepted payment methods include ACH and major credit cards. Arc’s commitment to simplicity, without additional processing fees, makes it an attractive option for clients seeking transparent billing structures.
Read More: Freelance Developer Hiring Guide 2023: Salaries, Rates, Skills & More
Is Upwork, Fiverr, or Arc the Best Platform for Me?
With a plethora of freelance platforms available out there, deciding on the right platform for you can be difficult. Each platform has its pros and cons — factors like budget, project scope, convenience, and personal preferences play a pivotal role in determining the platform most suitable for your specific needs.
- General or Niche Marketplace: Consider whether a general or niche marketplace aligns better with your hiring needs. Upwork and Fiverr offer services for a broader range of skills, while Arc caters specifically to the needs of programmers (and will expand to designers and marketing specialists soon!).
- Budget Constraints: Assess your budget for the project. Upwork and Fiverr provide options for smaller projects, whereas Arc is the most suitable for companies or projects with larger budgets, as it offers access to highly vetted talent.
- Vetting and Quality: Evaluate the importance of freelancer vetting in your hiring decision. Arc specializes in offering pre-vetted talent, ensuring a higher standard of quality, while Upwork and Fiverr provide open platforms with varying levels of vetting.
- Trial Period Consideration: Determine the significance of a trial period for your project. Arc offers risk-free trials, which provide you with an opportunity to assess a freelancer’s fit with your project goals.
In conclusion, the choice between Upwork, Fiverr, and Arc depends on the unique requirements of your project. Whether you prioritize a broader range of skills, a specific niche focus, or a comprehensive vetting process, each platform has its strengths and considerations.
We hope our detailed comparison guides you in making an informed decision, ensuring that your chosen platform aligns seamlessly with your project objectives and expectations. Whether you opt for the flexibility of Upwork and Fiverr or the specialization of Arc, each platform offers a distinct approach to freelance hiring.
You can also try Arc, your shortcut to the world’s best remote talent:
⚡️ Access 350,000 top developers, designers, and marketers
⚡️ Vetted and ready to interview
⚡️ Freelance or full-time
Try Arc and hire top talent now →
Disclaimer: Arc does not claim ownership of mentioned platforms’ logos, slogans, and trademarks, which were used for descriptive purposes only and belong to their respective owners. We are not affiliated with or sponsored by the platforms mentioned in this post. The information provided is based on our research, and we do not claim that any of the information was approved by third parties (e.g., the platforms mentioned in this post). Platform service offers also change over time. We encourage all readers to do their own research.
