Freelancer.com is one of the largest freelance marketplaces, built around competitive bidding. Clients post projects with a budget, freelancers bid with a price and timeline, and the client picks one. It also runs contests, where several freelancers submit work and the client pays the winner. Freelancers pay a 10% fee on projects, with a $5 minimum, and paid memberships add bids and can lower fees on fixed-price work.
At a glance
| What it is | A bidding-based freelance marketplace |
| Work types | Fixed-price and hourly projects, plus contests |
| Freelancer fee | 10% or $5, whichever is greater |
| Client fee | 3% or $3 on projects |
| Free plan | Limited bids each month |
| Memberships | Several paid tiers with more bids and lower fixed-price fees |
| Special programme | Preferred Freelancer, invitation-based |
How it works
You create a profile, add skills and portfolio, and browse projects. Each bid states your price, timeline and approach. If the client awards you the project, you accept, agree milestones and deliver. Milestone payments are held until the client releases them. Contests work differently: you submit work upfront, and only the winner is paid.
Fees and memberships
Freelancer.com’s fees page sets the freelancer fee at 10% of the project or $5, whichever is greater, and clients pay a separate 3% project fee. Third-party guides report that paid memberships reduce the fee on fixed-price projects, to around 5% or 3% depending on the plan, while hourly work stays at 10%. Free accounts get a small number of bids each month; paid plans add more and unlock higher-value projects. Withdrawal fees depend on your method.
Winning bids
Bidding attracts price competition, so don’t race to the bottom. Bid early on new projects, personalise your opening line to the client’s needs, and show relevant samples. Contests can build a portfolio but often go unpaid, so use them sparingly.
Is it worth it?
Freelancer.com can bring work, especially for designers and developers, but the bidding model and small-project minimum fee hurt low-budget work. Paid memberships make sense only if you bid often.
Common mistakes
Some freelancers bid on everything and run out of bids. Others accept tiny projects where the $5 minimum takes a big share. Choose projects that match your skills and budget.
Getting paid
For fixed-price projects, clients create milestone payments, which Freelancer.com holds until they release them. For hourly projects, you track time with the Freelancer desktop app, and clients are billed weekly based on the hours logged. Once released, funds sit in your account balance and can be withdrawn by methods such as bank transfer, PayPal or Skrill, depending on your country. Each method has its own minimum and fee, so check them before your first withdrawal. Ask for milestones before starting large projects so you’re never working without funds secured.
Profile, exams and reputation
Freelancer.com ranks freelancers partly on reviews, completion rates and on-time delivery, so early projects matter. You can take paid skills exams to show certifications on your profile, which may help in competitive categories. Verify your identity and payment method early, since some clients filter for verified freelancers. A complete profile with a clear summary, real samples and a professional photo makes bids more convincing.
Preferred Freelancer programme
Freelancer.com invites experienced freelancers with strong records into its Preferred Freelancer programme, which offers access to managed projects from larger clients. Membership is by invitation and comes with its own terms, so focus first on building reviews and a high completion rate.
Contests in practice
In a contest, the client sets a prize and a brief, and freelancers submit entries before the deadline. The client can give feedback on entries and pick a winner, who receives the prize minus the fee. Contests are common for logos, branding and small design tasks. They can help you build a portfolio quickly, but most entries go unpaid, so treat them as practice rather than income.
Owen’s take
Freelancer.com is a useful second marketplace, especially if you like contests or bidding. Watch the fees on small jobs and only pay for a membership once you’re bidding regularly.
Who it suits
It suits freelancers comfortable with bidding and building reputation project by project. It suits less well those wanting fixed packages or premium clients.
Similar options
- Upwork is the largest marketplace.
- Guru uses plan-based fees.
- Fiverr sells packaged gigs.
- Truelancer is popular in India.
More options are in Freelancing.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Huge number of projects
- Contests for portfolio building
- Milestone payments
Cons
- Price-driven bidding
- $5 minimum fee on small projects
- Limited bids on the free plan
FAQ
How much does Freelancer.com charge freelancers?
10% of the project or $5, whichever is greater.
Do clients pay fees on Freelancer.com?
Yes, a 3% project fee or $3.
What are Freelancer.com contests?
Projects where several freelancers submit work and the winner is paid.
Do memberships lower fees?
Third-party guides report lower fees on fixed-price work for paid plans.
How many bids do free accounts get?
A limited number each month; paid plans add more.
