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WorkIsThere vs Upwork

The Free Upwork Alternative

Upwork is the largest freelance platform in the world and a legitimate option, but it charges the freelancer a fee on every contract, charges the client another, and makes you pay for every proposal with Connects. WorkIsThere has the same flow (projects, proposals, chat, deliveries and ratings), in Spanish, Portuguese and English, without charging anyone anything.

Create my free profileUpwork Fees and Connects: What It Really Costs

Quick comparison

UpworkWorkIsThere
Freelancer feeVariable from 0% to 15% depending on the contract (shown before you apply)0%
Client fee5% on the Basic plan + contract initiation fee of USD 0.99 to USD 14.990%
Cost to applyEach proposal uses Connects (USD 0.15 each); the number varies by projectFree: 4 proposals per week + 2 permanent ones per finished job
Share WhatsApp, phone, email or a Meet/Zoom linkRestricted: sharing contact details to talk off-platform before a contract isn't allowedAllowed from the first message
Paid plansYes: Freelancer Plus (USD 19.99 per month) and Business Plus for clientsNone
Posting projectsFree (the client pays when hiring)Free and unlimited
LanguageEnglish: the site and the vast majority of clientsSpanish, Portuguese and English, focused on Latin America
How you get paidThrough Upwork: local bank (USD 0.99 per withdrawal), Payoneer, PayPal or USD wire transferDirectly between client and freelancer (bank transfer, Mercado Pago, Pix, PayPal, Payoneer, Wise…)
Chat, deliveries and ratingsYesYes, with a workspace, progress updates and mutual ratings
Escrow paymentYes: escrow funds and hourly payment protectionNo: payment is agreed between the parties

Why try WorkIsThere if you're coming from Upwork?

No fee on what you earn

On a USD 500 contract with a 10% fee, on Upwork you get USD 450. On WorkIsThere you get USD 500, always.

Applying costs nothing

There are no Connects or credits: every week you get 4 free proposals and add 2 permanent ones for every job you finish.

Clients who speak your language

WorkIsThere is built for the 20 countries of Latin America, in Spanish, Portuguese and English. You don't need to compete in English with freelancers from all over the world.

Your client pays what you quoted

With no 5% client fee and no contract initiation fee, your budget is the final price. That makes your proposal more competitive.

What you should know

Upwork is an established, publicly traded company, and part of what it charges funds real protections: escrow funds for fixed-price projects and payment protection for hourly contracts. WorkIsThere does not hold money in escrow: client and freelancer agree on payment directly. That is why we recommend splitting big jobs into milestones, starting with a small delivery, checking ratings and keeping agreements in writing in the chat. In return, you pay no fees or Connects.

Coming from Upwork? Get started in 3 minutes

  1. 01

    Create your free account with your email or with Google.

  2. 02

    Copy your title, professional summary, skills and portfolio to your profile.

  3. 03

    Send your first 4 proposals of the week without spending Connects, or post your project if you want to hire.

Upwork alternative by country

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Upwork: What It Is, How It Works and What It Costs

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Upwork Review: Is It Legit? Pros and Cons

Fees

Upwork Fees and Connects: What It Really Costs

Frequently asked questions

How much does Upwork charge in fees?

Since 2025 the freelancer fee is variable: according to Upwork, it ranges from 0% to 15% and is set per contract. It charges the client 5% on the Basic plan and a contract initiation fee of USD 0.99 to USD 14.99.

Can I share my WhatsApp or email with a client on WorkIsThere, unlike on Upwork?

Yes. On WorkIsThere you can share your phone, WhatsApp, email or a Google Meet or Zoom link from the very first message, and also send files in the chat (up to 10 MB). There are no penalties for talking outside the platform, because we don't take a cut of what you agree.

What are Upwork Connects?

They are credits you spend to send proposals. Each one costs USD 0.15 and each project asks for a different number. On WorkIsThere, proposals are free.

What is the best Upwork alternative in Spanish?

WorkIsThere: the same flow of projects, proposals, chat, deliveries and ratings, in Spanish, Portuguese and English, with 0% fees and no Connects.

Can I use Upwork and WorkIsThere at the same time?

Yes. Many freelancers combine platforms. Just keep in mind that Upwork does not allow you to take clients you met there off the platform, so follow its terms.

How do I get paid on WorkIsThere?

You agree on the method with your client in the chat: bank transfer, Mercado Pago, Pix, PayPal, Payoneer, Wise or other. WorkIsThere does not handle the money.

Stop paying Upwork fees

Post your project or create your profile in 2 minutes. The flow you already know, with no fees, no plans and no fine print.

  • 0% commission
  • 20 countries
  • 3 languages
Post a project for freeCreate my free profile

Public data verified in October 2026

Upwork is a registered trademark of its owner. WorkIsThere is not affiliated with, associated with or sponsored by Upwork. The Upwork fees and plans cited come from public information and may change: always check the current terms on their official site.

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