Freelance platform fees 2026: how much you keep from an order

Enter a typical order and how many orders you take per month — we apply each platform's freelancer fee and client fee and show what you keep per order, per month and per year.

Example for the default values — change any field and the result updates.

Best net income per month2,000 USD

Earnings by platform

Freelancer feeClient paysFreelancer getsPer monthPer year
freelancermap0 USD500 USD500 USD2,000 USD24,000 USD
Contra0 USD519 USD500 USD2,000 USD24,000 USD
Weblancer25 USD500 USD475 USD1,900 USD22,800 USD
Freelancer.com50 USD515 USD450 USD1,800 USD21,600 USD
FL.ru0 USD600 USD500 USD2,000 USD24,000 USD
Kwork100 USD525 USD400 USD1,600 USD19,200 USD

The result is an estimate, not financial or legal advice. Check the exact terms with the company.

Verified companies: Freelance Platforms

  1. 1Freelancer.com84/100
  2. 2Weblancer77/100
  3. 3FL.ru72/100
  4. 4Contra68/100
  5. 5Workzilla66/100

See the full ranking

How it is calculated

Freelancer fee = order × freelancer fee %. Client pays = order + order × client fee %. Freelancer gets = order − freelancer fee; per month = × orders, per year = × 12. Platforms are sorted by their whole take on one order (both fees together).

The fees are those of our ranking: the standard rate for a USD 500 order with a new client. If a platform's fee is tiered, we take the first tier — the one a new client relationship starts at; flat fees per order are converted into a share of USD 500. On large orders or with a long-term client the real fee can be lower.

Paid bids, subscriptions, currency conversion, withdrawal fees and taxes are not included. Platforms without a published fee in our data are not in the table.

Frequently asked questions

Why are the fees taken for a USD 500 order?

It is the reference order of our ranking: a typical project with a new client. Many platforms charge a lower share as you bill more with the same client, so one fixed reference keeps platforms comparable. For another amount we apply the same percentage — check the platform's tier table for large orders.

Who pays the client fee?

The client, on top of the order. It does not reduce what the freelancer gets, but it makes the work more expensive for the client.

What is not included?

Paid bids or connects, subscriptions, currency conversion, payment and withdrawal fees and taxes. They are listed in the notes on each platform's page in our ranking.

Where do the fees come from?

From each platform's official fee page; the link and the check date are on the platform's page in our ranking. The calculator updates together with the ranking.