Khamsat is an Arabic-language microservices marketplace, often compared to Fiverr. Its name means “fives” in Arabic, a reference to its $5 starting price. Launched in 2015 as part of the Hsoub group, which also runs the Mostaql freelance platform, Khamsat lets sellers list fixed-price services in design, writing, translation, marketing, programming and more. Buyers order directly, and Khamsat takes a 20% commission on sales.
At a glance
| What it is | An Arabic microservices marketplace |
| Launched | 2015 |
| Owner | Hsoub, which also runs Mostaql |
| Minimum price | $5 |
| Commission | About 20% on sales |
| Language | Arabic |
| Main sellers | Freelancers across the Arab world, especially Egypt |
How it works
You create a seller profile and list services with a title, description, price, delivery time and optional extras. Buyers browse categories, order a service and pay upfront. Khamsat holds the payment until the order is delivered and accepted, then credits your balance. Your seller level and reviews affect how often your services appear in search.
Fees and pricing
Khamsat takes about 20% of each sale. Services start at $5, and you can raise your effective price through extras such as faster delivery, more revisions or larger volumes. Because many services are priced low, plan your packages so that extras carry most of your earnings.
Getting your first orders
Choose a clear niche, write service titles in natural Arabic that match what buyers search for, and show samples. Deliver early and communicate politely, since early reviews have a big effect on ranking. Buyers on Khamsat often want fast, specific deliverables, so be precise about what’s included.
Is it worth it?
For Arabic-speaking freelancers, Khamsat is one of the easiest ways to start selling and build a portfolio, with a large local buyer base. The 20% fee and low starting prices make it harder to earn premium rates, so many sellers move larger clients to Mostaql or direct work.
Common mistakes
Some sellers compete only on price and burn out. Others offer too many unrelated services. Focus on a few services you can deliver very well.
Getting started
Create an account, complete your profile with a clear photo and a short bio in Arabic, and verify your details. Publish two or three services in the area you know best, with clear titles, descriptions of exactly what the buyer receives, delivery times and a few samples. Add extras such as faster delivery, more revisions or source files, so buyers can increase the order value.
Growing on Khamsat
Reply to buyer messages quickly, deliver before the deadline and keep communication polite and clear. Ask satisfied buyers to leave reviews. As your ratings grow, raise base prices gradually and rely on extras for larger orders. Many experienced sellers use Khamsat to find clients and then take bigger projects on Mostaql, Hsoub’s project-based platform.
Withdrawals
Earnings move to your balance after the order completes and any clearance period ends. Check the available withdrawal methods and fees for your country before your first payout.
Safety tips
Keep all communication and payments on Khamsat. Don’t accept requests to move orders off the platform, since you lose payment protection.
Pricing tips
Price your base service to attract first orders, then use extras for speed, volume and revisions. Review your prices every few months as reviews build, and raise them gradually for services that sell well.
Keeping track
Record orders, revenue, extras sold and reviews for each service, so you can drop slow services and focus on the best ones.
Who buys on Khamsat
Most buyers are individuals and small businesses in Arab countries looking for logos, social media designs, articles, translations, video edits and small programming tasks. Many are repeat buyers once they find a reliable seller.
Final tip
Use your best service as a showcase and link related services together.
Owen’s take
Khamsat is the natural starting point for Arabic-speaking freelancers who want to sell small services. Use it to build reviews, then raise prices with extras and larger packages.
Who it suits
It suits Arabic-speaking freelancers offering quick, well-defined services. It suits less well non-Arabic speakers or freelancers seeking large projects.
Similar options
- Fiverr is the largest global gig marketplace.
- ComeUp is a French-born services marketplace.
- Upwork suits larger projects.
- Freelancer.com uses bidding.
More options are in Freelancing.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Large Arabic buyer base
- Easy to start selling
- Payment held until delivery
Cons
- About 20% commission
- Low price expectations
- Arabic only
FAQ
What is Khamsat?
An Arabic marketplace for small fixed-price services.
How much does Khamsat take?
About 20% of each sale.
What is the minimum price on Khamsat?
$5.
Who owns Khamsat?
Hsoub, which also runs Mostaql.
Is Khamsat only in Arabic?
Yes, it’s an Arabic-language platform.
