Choosing among the best freelancing websites is about more than which one has the most jobs. For a freelancer in the USA, the real differences are how much of each dollar you keep, how you get paid, and what kind of client each site attracts.
This guide compares eight platforms that US freelancers use most often: Upwork, Fiverr, Toptal, Freelancer.com, Contra, Guru, PeoplePerHour and FlexJobs. Every fee below was checked against the platform’s own help center or pricing page. Fees change, so treat each figure as accurate as of November 2026 and confirm it in your account before you price a project.
We also cover your US tax obligations as a self-employed person: the 15.3% self-employment tax, Forms 1099-K and 1099-NEC, and quarterly estimated payments. No platform can promise you an income, and this guide doesn’t either.
Table of Contents
The Best Freelancing Websites at a Glance
Fees charged to freelancers (not clients), as of November 2026:
| Platform | Freelancer fee | Model | Best suited to |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upwork | 0%–15% per contract (variable, shown before you bid) | Open marketplace: proposals, hourly and fixed-price | Most skill levels; long-term client relationships |
| Fiverr | 20% (you keep 80% of each order, including extras and tips) | Productized “Gigs” that buyers order | Defined, repeatable services (logos, edits, voiceovers) |
| Toptal | No cut of your rate | Screened talent network; Toptal matches you to clients | Experienced developers, designers, finance and product experts |
| Freelancer.com | 10% or $5 (whichever is greater) on fixed-price; 10% on hourly | Bidding marketplace plus contests | Freelancers comfortable with competitive bidding |
| Contra | No commission; flat $15/$29 platform fee per payment on the free plan | Portfolio network plus invoicing tools | Creatives and independents who bring their own clients |
| Guru | 5%–9% job fee, depending on membership | Quote-based marketplace with WorkRooms and SafePay | Budget-conscious freelancers who want lower commissions |
| PeoplePerHour | 20% / 7.5% / 3.5% tiered by lifetime billing per buyer (excl. VAT) | Marketplace, UK and Europe focus | Freelancers targeting UK/EU clients and repeat work |
| FlexJobs | No commission; paid job-seeker subscription | Curated job board (remote, part-time, freelance) | People seeking vetted remote contracts and jobs |
Platform-by-Platform Breakdown
1. Upwork
Upwork is a general marketplace where clients post jobs and freelancers send proposals. According to Upwork’s help center, its Freelancer Service Fee “ranges from 0% to 15% per contract.” You see the exact percentage when you submit a proposal or receive an offer, and it’s locked once the contract begins.
- Exceptions: Upwork Payroll and Any Hire contracts carry no freelancer fee. Direct Contracts (clients you bring yourself) carry a reduced fee. Enterprise contracts are typically 10%, though terms vary.
- Who it suits: Most skill levels, if you’re willing to write tailored proposals.
2. Fiverr
On Fiverr, you package services into priced “Gigs” that buyers order. Fiverr’s help center says: “For every order you complete, you earn 80% of the purchase amount, including Gig Extras and tips.” That is a 20% commission. Clients pay their own separate service fee.
- Minimum price: Gigs start at $5, though some categories have higher minimums.
- Clearing: Revenue becomes available 14 days after order completion (7 days for some top tiers). Eligible freelancers can use Early Payout for a 1% fee.
- US tax setup: US-based freelancers must submit a Form W-9 before publishing a Gig, and eligible freelancers can download Form 1099-K from the Earnings page.
- Who it suits: Freelancers with clearly defined deliverables.
3. Toptal
Toptal is a screened network, not an open marketplace. Its talent FAQ says successful members typically have two to three years of experience, and screening “typically takes a few weeks.” Toptal matches you with clients and handles billing.
- Fees: When asked “Does Toptal take a cut of my earnings?”, Toptal’s answer is “No. Talent members set their own rates and Toptal does not take a cut from that.”
- Who it suits: Experienced developers, designers, finance experts, and product or project managers.
4. Freelancer.com
Freelancer.com runs on bidding and contests. Its official Fees and Charges page sets the freelancer project fee at “10% or $5.00 USD, whichever is greater” on fixed-price projects and 10% on hourly projects. Contest winners pay the same 10% or $5.
- Watch the extras: Free members get a limited number of bids, a $20 minimum account balance is required before bidding, and bid upgrades cost extra.
- Who it suits: Freelancers comfortable competing on price and scope.
5. Contra
Contra describes itself as commission-free. Its help center for independents lists a platform fee of $15 for smaller payments and $29 for payments over $500, which its pricing page frames as a client payment fee. These fees are waived if you subscribe to Contra Pro, listed at $29/month or $199/year. Payment processors such as Stripe, PayPal and Payoneer may charge their own fees, and crypto payouts cost 2% on the free plan (1% on Pro).
- Who it suits: Creatives who already have clients and want contracts and invoicing without a percentage cut.
6. Guru
Guru charges a job fee on every paid invoice, set by your membership level. Per Guru’s freelancer pricing page: 9% on Basic (free) and Basic+, 7% on Professional, 6% on Business and 5% on Executive. Monthly prices for paid plans are listed at $11.95, $21.95, $33.95 and $49.95, with annual billing cheaper. Employers can agree to cover up to 5% of your job fee.
- Who it suits: Freelancers who want lower commissions than Fiverr and are comfortable sending quotes.
7. PeoplePerHour
PeoplePerHour is UK-based, and its fees are tiered by lifetime billing with each buyer. According to its support center, you pay 20% below £250, 7.5% between £250 and £5,000, and 3.5% above £5,000, all excluding VAT, with a minimum fee of £1 per invoice. Because the tiers reset with each new client, repeat relationships cost you much less than one-off jobs.
- Who it suits: Freelancers seeking UK and European clients or repeat work.
8. FlexJobs
FlexJobs is a curated job board of screened remote, hybrid, part-time and freelance roles. Employers hire and pay you directly, so there’s no commission; job seekers pay a subscription instead. Its pricing page lists a 14-day trial at $2.95 (which then auto-renews at $23.95 every four weeks), a 3-month plan at $29.85 up front, and an annual plan at $71.40 up front, with a 14-day satisfaction guarantee.
- Who it suits: People who want vetted remote contracts and direct employer relationships.
Getting Paid: Withdrawal Methods Compared
Withdrawal options for US freelancers, per each platform’s help center, as of November 2026:
| Platform | Main withdrawal options | Platform withdrawal fees (US) |
|---|---|---|
| Upwork | Direct to US Bank (ACH), Instant Pay to debit card, PayPal, US dollar wire | ACH free for US tax addresses; Instant Pay $2.00; wire $50.00 |
| Fiverr | PayPal, Bank Transfer (via Payoneer), Payoneer account | PayPal $0; bank transfer $1; Payoneer $3; max $5,000 per withdrawal |
| Toptal | Toptal Payments account, transfer to bank | Toptal handles invoicing; check your account for processor terms |
| Freelancer.com | Express Withdrawal, PayPal, Skrill, Payoneer card, wire | $1.00 for most methods; international wire $25; $50 minimum withdrawal after fees |
| Contra | Bank account, debit card, PayPal, USDC | Processor fees passed on; faster payouts 2% on free plan; crypto 2% (1% on Pro) |
| Guru | US bank account (eCheck), PayPal, wire (non-US accounts), non-US bank account | Guru’s terms say ACH and PayPal carry no transfer-method fee |
| PeoplePerHour | PayPal, Payoneer, bank account | International bank transfers may carry intermediary fees |
| FlexJobs | Paid directly by the employer | Not applicable |
PayPal, Payoneer and banks may add their own fees or currency conversion costs.
What You Actually Keep: Fee Examples
Applying published commissions to one $500 job from a new client, before withdrawal fees and taxes (Upwork shown at an example 10%; yours may be 0%–15%):
- Fiverr (20%): you keep $400.
- Upwork (at an example 10% rate): you keep $450.
- Freelancer.com (10% or $5): you keep $450.
- Guru Basic (9%): you keep $455.
- PeoplePerHour (new client, amounts in GBP): on a £500 job, 20% of the first £250 (£50) plus 7.5% of the next £250 (£18.75) means you keep £431.25 (fees are quoted excluding VAT).
- Toptal and Contra: no percentage commission, though Contra’s flat platform fee applies on the free plan.
On small one-off jobs, a low-fee platform makes a clear difference. With repeat clients, tiered and per-contract fees can narrow the gap.
What the Data Says About Freelance Work in the USA
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Contingent and Alternative Employment Arrangements survey (July 2023, published November 2024) found:
- 11.9 million people were independent contractors (including independent consultants and freelancers) on their sole or main job, or 7.4% of total employment, up from 6.9% in May 2017.
- 80.3% of independent contractors preferred their arrangement. Only 8.3% would prefer a traditional job.
- Median weekly earnings for full-time independent contractors were $949, compared with $1,132 for full-time workers in traditional arrangements. BLS notes that these differences partly reflect occupation and demographics.
- 74.2% of independent contractors had health insurance from any source, compared with 84.9% of workers in traditional arrangements.
These figures cover all independent contractors, not only platform freelancers. Individual earnings vary widely by skill, niche, rate and hours.
US Tax Obligations for Freelancers
No employer withholds taxes for you as a freelancer. That brings three main obligations.
Self-employment tax (15.3%)
The IRS sets the self-employment tax rate at 15.3%: 12.4% for Social Security and 2.9% for Medicare. For 2026, the Social Security portion applies to the first $184,500 of combined wages, tips and net earnings. The Medicare portion has no cap. An additional 0.9% Medicare tax applies above $200,000 (single) or $250,000 (married filing jointly).
- You must file Schedule SE if your net self-employment earnings are $400 or more.
- You can deduct the employer-equivalent portion of self-employment tax when you figure your adjusted gross income.
- This is on top of federal and any state income tax.
Form 1099-K and Form 1099-NEC
Form 1099-K reports payments you receive through payment apps and online marketplaces, which the IRS explicitly says includes freelance marketplaces. Platforms must issue one when your payments exceed $20,000 in more than 200 transactions, but they may send one for smaller amounts.
Form 1099-NEC is what a business client generally issues when it pays you directly for services. For payments made in 2026, the IRS reporting threshold is $2,000, up from $600 for payments made before 2026, and it will be adjusted for inflation after 2026.
The rule that matters most: whether or not you receive a 1099, the IRS says you must report all of your income on your tax return.
Quarterly estimated taxes
The IRS says that if you’re in business for yourself, you generally need to make estimated tax payments if you expect to owe $1,000 or more when you file. Using Form 1040-ES, the 2026 due dates are:
- April 15, 2026 (income earned January 1–March 31)
- June 15, 2026 (April 1–May 31)
- September 15, 2026 (June 1–August 31)
- January 15, 2027 (September 1–December 31)
Underpaying can trigger a penalty even if you’re due a refund. The IRS says most taxpayers avoid it by paying at least 90% of the current year’s tax or 100% of the prior year’s tax, whichever is smaller (special rules apply to higher incomes).
Frequently Asked Questions
Which freelancing website has the lowest fees for US freelancers?
Toptal says it takes no cut of talent rates, and Contra charges no commission (a flat platform fee applies on its free plan). Among open marketplaces, Guru’s 5% to 9% job fee is lower than Fiverr’s 20%.
How much does Upwork charge freelancers in 2026?
As of November 2026, Upwork’s Freelancer Service Fee ranges from 0% to 15% per contract. You see the exact percentage before you submit a proposal or accept an offer, and it stays fixed for that contract.
Does Fiverr really take 20%?
Yes. Fiverr’s help center says you earn 80% of each order’s purchase amount, including Gig Extras and tips. Clients pay their own separate service fee at checkout.
Do I have to pay taxes on freelance income if I don’t get a 1099?
Yes. The IRS says you must report all income from goods or services on your tax return whether or not you receive a Form 1099-K or 1099-NEC. If your net self-employment earnings are $400 or more, you also file Schedule SE.
What is the self-employment tax rate?
The IRS rate is 15.3%: 12.4% for Social Security and 2.9% for Medicare. For 2026, the Social Security part applies to the first $184,500 of combined earnings. You can deduct the employer-equivalent portion when figuring adjusted gross income.
When are quarterly estimated taxes due for 2026?
According to IRS Form 1040-ES, the 2026 payments are due April 15, 2026, June 15, 2026, September 15, 2026, and January 15, 2027.
Can I earn a guaranteed income on these platforms?
No. None of these platforms guarantees work or income. BLS data show full-time independent contractors had median weekly earnings of $949 in July 2023, but individual results vary widely.
Conclusion
There’s no single best freelancing website, only the best fit for your work. Upwork offers the broadest marketplace with a variable fee shown up front. Fiverr suits packaged services if you accept a 20% cut. Toptal pays experienced specialists without taking a share. Guru and Freelancer.com charge less for bidders, Contra suits creatives with existing clients, PeoplePerHour rewards repeat UK and EU clients, and FlexJobs lists vetted remote roles. Start with one or two platforms, build a complete profile, and keep payments on-platform.
Whichever you choose, budget for the 15.3% self-employment tax, track every payment whether or not a 1099 arrives, and set money aside for quarterly estimated payments.
Official References
- Upwork Help: Learn about the Freelancer Service Fee
- Upwork Help: How to get paid on Upwork
- Fiverr Help Center: Your earnings page
- Fiverr Help Center: Withdrawing your earnings & managing payout methods
- Toptal: Talent Frequently Asked Questions
- Freelancer.com: Fees and Charges
- Contra Help Center: Fees on Contra for independents
- Contra: Pricing
- Guru: Pricing & Membership Plans for Freelancers
- Guru: Terms of Service
- PeoplePerHour Support: Freelancer commission fees
- PeoplePerHour Support: Withdrawing Money
- FlexJobs: Subscription Pricing
- IRS: Self-employment tax (Social Security and Medicare taxes)
- IRS: Understanding your Form 1099-K
- IRS: Am I required to file a Form 1099 or other information return?
- IRS: Estimated taxes
- IRS: 2026 Form 1040-ES, Estimated Tax for Individuals
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Contingent and Alternative Employment Arrangements, July 2023