Comparison

Sites Like Upwork: The Best Alternatives in 2026

Updated: October 24, 2026 · WorkIsThere

If you're looking for sites similar to Upwork, because you're tired of buying Connects, because you want to work in Spanish or because you want lower fees, these are the most used options and what each one charges.

Quick answer

The most used Upwork alternatives are WorkIsThere (free, no Connects, in Spanish), Workana, Fiverr, Freelancer.com, Toptal and Malt. If you want the same projects-and-proposals flow without paying fees or credits, the option is WorkIsThere.

Quick comparison

A summary of the platforms most similar to Upwork:

Platform	Model	Cost for the freelancer	To apply	Main language
WorkIsThere	Projects and proposals	0%, no plans	Free (4 per week + 2 per job)	Spanish, Portuguese and English
Upwork	Projects and proposals	0% to 15% per contract	Paid Connects	English
Workana	Projects and proposals	20% to 5% + plans	Limited proposals without a plan	Spanish and Portuguese
Fiverr	Packaged services	20% per sale	You don't apply: you list gigs	English
Freelancer.com	Projects and contests	10% or USD 5 minimum + memberships	Limited bids without a membership	English
Toptal	Selective network	Demanding admission process	You get assigned projects	English
Malt	Freelancer profiles	Fee on the project	The client contacts you	Spanish, French and others

1. WorkIsThere: the Upwork flow, free and in Spanish

It's the most direct alternative: the client posts a project, freelancers send proposals, you talk in the chat, you work in a space with progress updates and deliveries, and at the end both rate each other. There are no fees for anyone, no Connects and no paid plans: you get 4 free proposals per week and add 2 permanent ones for every finished job.

It is built for the 20 countries of Latin America. Payment is agreed directly between client and freelancer (bank transfer, Mercado Pago, Pix, PayPal, Payoneer, Wise…), with no money held on the platform.

2. Workana

The best-known freelance platform in Latin America, with the same model as Upwork but in Spanish and Portuguese. It charges the freelancer between 20% and 5% depending on how much you bill with each client, the client 4.5%, and sells plans to send more proposals.

3. Fiverr

Instead of applying, you list fixed-price services and the buyer picks you. It keeps 20% of every sale and charges the buyer a service fee. It works well for one-off, repeatable tasks.

4. Freelancer.com, Toptal and Malt

Freelancer.com combines projects with contests and charges a fee for each project won, with memberships to bid more. Toptal is a highly selective network of senior profiles (mostly development and finance) with a demanding admission process. Malt is strong in Spain and Europe, with corporate clients.

Which one should you choose?

If your English is solid and you target clients in the United States, Upwork is still the platform with the most volume. If you want to work in Spanish or Portuguese and not pay to apply or to get paid, choose WorkIsThere. Many freelancers combine both: they use Upwork for the English-speaking market and WorkIsThere for clients in the region.

Frequently asked questions

What site is similar to Upwork?

WorkIsThere and Workana have the same projects-and-proposals model. WorkIsThere is also 100% free and doesn't use Connects.

What Upwork alternative doesn't charge to apply?

WorkIsThere: proposals are free (4 per week + 2 permanent ones for every finished job) and it charges no fees.

Is there an Upwork in Spanish?

Upwork works in English. To work in Spanish, the options are WorkIsThere and Workana, built for Latin America.

Can I use Upwork and other platforms at the same time?

Yes, it's the most common approach. Just follow Upwork's terms with the clients you met there.