Freelancer.com fees and commission, explained

Freelancer.com fees for freelancers at a glance

These are the main charges for freelancers at the time of writing (October 2026), in US dollars. Fees change, so check Freelancer's Fees and Charges page for the current figures.

Freelancer.com commission on fixed-price projects

On a fixed-price project, Freelancer charges freelancers 10% of the winning bid or $5, whichever is greater. The fee is collected as soon as you accept the awarded project, not when the client pays you, so make sure the project is right before you accept.

If the client later pays more than your original bid, for extra work or as a thank-you, Freelancer takes 10% of the extra too. Freelancer's own example: on a $100 project where the client releases $150, you pay $10 when you accept and another $5 on the extra $50.

The $5 minimum matters on small jobs. On any fixed-price project under $50, 10% would be less than $5, so you pay the minimum instead: a $30 project costs you $5, about 17% of the job.

Freelancer's help pages say project fees are generally non-refundable once a project has been accepted, though refund requests are reviewed case by case.

Hourly projects, bonuses and contests

On hourly projects the fee is 10% of each payment, charged when the client releases a milestone payment rather than when you accept the project. Ten hours at $25 an hour is a $250 payment, so you keep $225.

Bonuses and tips count as extra payments and carry the same 10% fee.

Contests are free to enter. If you win, the fee is 10% of the prize or $5, whichever is greater, charged when the prize is released after you hand over the files. Optional sealed and highlighted entries cost $0.50 each, and paid memberships include some free ones each month.

Two kinds of work cost more: Recruiter projects in the Preferred Freelancer Program carry a 15% fee, taken when you're paid rather than upfront, and Freelancer's help pages list 15% for Enterprise projects.

What employers pay on Freelancer.com

Clients pay their own, smaller fee on top of your price, so it doesn't come out of your earnings:

• Fixed-price projects: 3% or $3, whichever is greater, charged when they award the project. Extra payments above the original bid carry 3% too.
• Hourly projects: 3% of each payment, charged as each milestone payment is created.
• Cancelling: a client who cancels within seven days of the project being accepted can get their fee refunded in full.
• Funding their account: outside Australia, paying by card, PayPal or Skrill costs $0.30 plus 2.3%, local bank deposits are free and international wire deposits cost $15. Australian transactions carry an account admin fee of $0.75 AUD plus 0.99% instead.
• Contests: free to post and award; the client funds the prize upfront.
• Optional upgrades such as Featured, Urgent, Private and NDA cost extra, roughly $10 to $23 each at the time of writing.

This helps with pricing: a client with a $200 budget is really spending about $206 once their fee is added.

Withdrawal fees and currency conversion

At the time of writing, Freelancer charges:

• $1 per withdrawal by PayPal, Skrill, Payoneer debit card or Express Withdrawal.
• $25 per international wire.
• A minimum withdrawal of $50 after fees.

The provider on the other end may charge its own fees as well, so check what PayPal, Payoneer or your bank charges for receiving money in your country.

Currency conversion. Projects can be listed in currencies other than yours, such as AUD or GBP. If a fee is due in a currency you don't hold, Freelancer converts it automatically from your balance, starting with the currency you have least of. You can't convert funds manually, but you can choose a currency when you withdraw. Freelancer's User Agreement says you'll be quoted an exchange rate, and any conversion fee it charges is built into that rate rather than shown separately. Conversions are final.

If you're paid in several currencies, compare the rate you're quoted with the mid-market rate before you convert, or consider withdrawing in the original currency to an account that can hold it.

Membership costs and other Freelancer charges

Memberships are optional. At the time of writing, Basic is $4.99 a month, Plus $9.99 (with a one-month free trial), Professional $49 and Premier $99, with annual billing up to 20% cheaper. They mainly add bids, skills and features; the fees page lists the same 10% project fee without a plan discount. Our guide to Freelancer membership plans compares them in detail.

Other charges you might meet:

• Minimum balance to bid: bidding is free, but you need at least $20 in your account before placing a bid, and more for some high-value or higher-risk bids. It's your money, but it has to stay available while your bids are open.
• Bid upgrades: a sponsored bid costs 0.75% of the bid amount (minimum $5, maximum $20), a highlighted bid $1 and a sealed bid $0.10.
• Verified by Freelancer badge: $99 to apply ($79 for Preferred Freelancers, $59 for Rising Stars, $79 to renew), non-refundable whatever the outcome.
• Exams: typically free, $5, $10 or $15.
• Username change: a one-time $99.
• Inactive accounts: up to $14 a month if you haven't logged in for six months, refundable on request when you come back.
• Disputes: paid arbitration on a milestone costs $5 or 5%, whichever is greater, refunded to whoever wins. If a freelancer is found at fault for a chargeback, a recovery fee of $25 or 10% of the milestone applies, whichever is higher.
• Taxes: depending on your country, GST, VAT or other taxes may apply, such as 10% GST in Australia or TCS and TDS in India.
• Taking work off the platform breaks Freelancer's terms and carries a penalty of 30% of the maximum project budget or the agreed amount.

Worked example: what you keep from a $200 project

Say you win a $200 fixed-price project and withdraw the money to PayPal. At the time of writing:

So on a $200 fixed-price project you'd receive $180 in your Freelancer balance and about $179 in PayPal, before any PayPal or currency conversion charges. The client pays $206: your $200 plus their 3% fee.

A few variations:

• The client adds a $20 bonus: Freelancer takes $2, so you get $18 more.
• You withdraw by international wire instead: the $25 wire fee leaves $155, so for smaller sums the $1 methods are usually better value.
• It's a $30 project instead: the $5 minimum leaves you $25. Three separate $30 jobs cost $15 in fees; the same work as one $90 project costs $9.

How to keep more of what you earn on Freelancer

• Bid selectively. Bids are limited and your membership costs money, so a bid on a poor fit is wasted. Skip scams, tiny budgets and crowded listings; our guide on how to bid on Freelancer explains which projects to pass on.
• Price inside the client's budget, with the fee in mind. If you need $180 in hand, bid $200. Pricing far below the budget to compete only shrinks what you keep.
• Agree the scope before you accept. The fixed-price fee is taken when you accept and is generally non-refundable, so clear up questions in the chat first.
• Avoid the $5 minimum where you can by suggesting small jobs are bundled into one project.
• Withdraw less often, in larger amounts. A flat $1 fee matters less on $500 than on $50, and international wires make most sense for big sums.
• Watch the exchange rate when you withdraw in a different currency.
• Bring your existing clients. Freelancer runs promotions that cut your project fee to 0% for new employers you refer through its no-commission links, or 3% when a new outside client accepts your quote. Conditions apply: for the 0% offer you must already have worked with and been paid by the client, for example on another platform, and they mustn't have paid through a Freelancer account in the previous six months. Neither promotion covers contests.
• Choose the right plan. Pay for the bids you'll actually use, not the biggest allowance.
• Make each proposal count. Start from our Freelancer proposal template or try the free AI proposal generator.

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Frequently asked questions

How much does Freelancer.com take from freelancers?

At the time of writing, 10% of the project value or $5, whichever is greater, on fixed-price projects, and 10% of each payment on hourly projects. Withdrawal fees and any currency conversion come on top.

What is Freelancer.com's commission on hourly projects?

10% of each payment, charged when the client releases a milestone payment to you rather than when you accept the project.

When does Freelancer charge the project fee?

On fixed-price projects, as soon as you accept the awarded project. On hourly projects, each time a milestone payment is released. Extra payments and bonuses are charged as they are paid.

Is it free to bid on Freelancer?

Yes, bids themselves are free, but each one uses up part of your plan's bid allowance, and Freelancer requires a minimum account balance of $20 before you can bid. Optional bid upgrades cost extra.

Are Freelancer project fees refundable?

Freelancer's help pages say project fees are generally non-refundable once a project is accepted, though refund requests are reviewed. Clients who cancel within seven days of acceptance can get their own fee refunded.

How much does it cost to withdraw money from Freelancer?

$1 per withdrawal by PayPal, Skrill, Payoneer debit card or Express Withdrawal, and $25 by international wire, with a $50 minimum after fees. Your payment provider may add its own charges.

How much does Freelancer charge employers?

3% or $3, whichever is greater, on fixed-price projects and 3% of each payment on hourly projects, plus payment processing fees depending on how they fund their account.

Does a paid membership reduce Freelancer fees?

At the time of writing, Freelancer's fees page lists the same 10% freelancer project fee without a membership discount. Paid plans mainly give you more bids, more skills and extra features.