Upwork vs. Fiverr: Which One’s Worth Your Time?

 

If you’re a student looking to earn money online, chances are you’ve heard of both Upwork and Fiverr. They’re two of the biggest freelance platforms — but they work very differently.

So, which one’s better for beginners? Let’s break it down.

How They Work

Fiverr is like a digital storefront. You create a service (called a “gig”) — for example, “I’ll design a logo for $20” — and clients come to you.

Upwork works more like a job board. Clients post jobs, and freelancers apply with a proposal explaining why they’re a good fit.

Quick example:

• Fiverr = You offer social media designs, and buyers browse and place an order.

• Upwork = A client posts a job looking for a social media designer, and you send them a pitch.

Getting Started

Fiverr is slightly easier to start with. You don’t need to apply for jobs — you just create your gigs and wait. But standing out can be tricky, especially with so many other sellers.

Upwork takes more time upfront. You need to build a profile, write custom proposals, and use “connects” (kind of like tokens) to apply for jobs. But once you land a few clients, the platform can feel more rewarding.

What Kind of Work Can You Do?

Fiverr works well for:

• Logo and graphic design

• Video editing

• Social media posts

• Voiceovers

• Writing small blog posts or product descriptions

Upwork is better for:

• Ongoing content writing

• Admin and virtual assistance

• Marketing and long-term strategy work

• Research, data entry, and more customized projects

Payments and Fees

Both platforms take a cut of your earnings.

• Fiverr charges a flat 20% fee on every order.

• Upwork charges 10% for most freelancers, with lower fees for long-term clients.

Upwork also gives you more control over how you charge — hourly or fixed — while Fiverr is usually per order.

So, Which One’s Better?

Use Fiverr if:

• You’re just starting and want something fast.

• You prefer short, one-time projects.

• You don’t want to send proposals or pitch yourself.

Use Upwork if:

• You’re ready to invest time into building relationships.

• You prefer long-term clients and recurring work.

• You’re okay with sending out job applications.

Final Thoughts

You don’t have to choose just one. Many freelancers use both.

Start with Fiverr if you want quick wins and less pressure. Move to Upwork once you're ready to pitch and land higher-paying, long-term clients.

Both platforms take time to work, but if you stick with one (or both), you’ll start to see real results.