• Live in more than 180 countries
• Have over 10,000 skill sets
• Work in 12 industries
• Hold a variety of degrees and certifications (more than 70% of Upwork freelancers note that they have a college or university degree)

• Live in 85 countries
• Work in nine industries

• Post jobs
• Browse profiles
• Browse Project Catalog

• Post jobs
• Search profiles

• Post a job or browse Project Catalog
• Review freelancer profiles and proposals
• Discuss the job over Upwork Messages (text, audio, or video chat)
• Enter into a secure contract
• Place payment into escrow
• Receive the work
• Approve the work
• Release payment

• Post a job
• View freelancer profiles and quotes
• Discuss the job
• Select a payment method
• Create an agreement
• Create a WorkRoom
• Toptal has one type of account for accepted freelancers.
• Receive the work
• Approve the work
• Release payment or pay automatically with AutoPay

• Credit card
• PayPal
• U.S. bank transfers

• Credit card
• PayPal
• Wire transfer
• eCheck (U.S. only)

• Submit proposals with Connects
• Respond to client invitations
• Reply to Talent Scout recruiters

• Review matches provided by a Toptal team member
• Browse and apply to client projects

5% processing fee on all transactions (some U.S. clients using ACH bank transfer may be eligible for a 3% processing fee)

2.9% handling fee on all payments; users can receive 100% of the fee in cash back when using wire transfer or eCheck

• Entrepreneurs 
• Small businesses
• Medium businesses
• Large corporations

Guru’s client testimonials are from solo entrepreneurs, creatives, and companies of varying sizes

• Hourly
• Fixed-price
• Weekly payments
• Project Catalog services
• Consultations

• Hourly
• Fixed-price
• Task-based
• Retainer

• Freelance Basic (free)
• Freelancer Plus

• Guru Basic (free)
• Guru Basic+
• Guru Professional
• Guru Business
• Guru Executive

• Rising Talent
• Top Rated
• Top Rated Plus
• Expert-Vetted Talent
• Diversity-certified
• Skill certifications

Guru does not use profile badges

• Submit proposals with Connects
• Respond to client invitations
• Reply to Talent Scout recruiters and Talent Specialists

• Submit quotes with Bids
• Respond to client quote requests

• Submit a proposal, reply to an invite, or make a Project Catalog sale
• Chat with the client via Upwork Messages (text, audio, or video chat)
• Review and accept the agreement or purchase
• Log hours worked or milestones reached
• Submit work to client
• Receive payment

• Submit a proposal or respond to a quote request
• Chat with the client
• Reach an agreement regarding terms
• Review and accept the client’s agreement
• Log work
• Submit hours and deliverables for review
• Receive payment from client

• Direct deposit
• Bank transfer
• USD wire transfer
• Instant Pay
• PayPal
• Payoneer
• M-Pesa

• PayPal
• Payoneer
• Wire transfer
• Direct deposit (U.S. only)

Upwork charges a tiered fee structure based on your lifetime earnings with a client: 

• 20% of earnings up to $500
• 10% of earnings from $500.01 to 10,000
• 0% on contracts arranged with the help of a Talent Scout

Guru charges a tiered fee structure based on your plan type:

• Basic: 9%
• Basic+: 9%
• Professional: 7%
• Business: 6%
• Executive: 5%