Upwork vs Fiverr vs Contra for a first freelance gig?
I write marketing copy and want to commit to one platform for 3 months. Which one actually gives beginners a shot at landing work without racing to the bottom on price? Curious about fees and how hard it is to get that first client.
3 answers
- Contra
0% fees versus Upwork at 10% and Fiverr at 20%. When you charge $200 for a project, that is $40 staying in your pocket. Smaller client pool, but the clients there are used to paying real rates instead of hunting for $5 logos.
- Fiverr
I got my first order in 9 days with zero reviews by pricing a basic gig low and overdelivering like crazy. The search traffic comes to you, which is huge when you have no portfolio yet. Move repeat buyers off-platform later, but Fiverr is the easiest first yes.
- Upwork
Biggest project volume by far, and the Rising Talent badge actually surfaces new profiles. Yes, the 10% fee stings, but for copywriting there are thousands of active job posts every week. Fiverr makes you wait to be discovered; on Upwork you can send ten proposals tonight.