With the rapid evolution of technologies, businesses are increasingly turning to freelance developers to fill skill gaps. Freelancing platforms have become essential in this process. However, to make the most of these platforms, it’s crucial to understand their key differences and how they align with your needs.
This article delves into a comprehensive comparison of Upwork, Fiverr Pro, and Jobshark, analyzing the value they offer to employers. Whether you prioritize flexibility, cost-effectiveness, expertise, or streamlined processes, this guide will shed light on which platform best aligns with your goals.
Upwork
Upwork is a freelancing platform headquartered in California. It boasts a vast talent pool — we’re talking millions of registered freelancers.
Upwork’s origins trace back to 1999 with the launch of Elance, which was initially focused on IT outsourcing. Over time, it expanded into other sectors and evolved into a broader marketplace. In 2013, Elance merged with a competitor, oDesk (founded in 2003), creating Elance-oDesk. Finally, in 2015, the combined platform was rebranded as Upwork.
Talent categories
Upwork is a generalist platform. You will find not only tech professionals but also freelancers working in design, sales, marketing, customer support, writing, translation, finance, accounting, HR, legal, and more.
Vetting
The basic version of Upwork does not include a vetting process; clients select freelancers based on customer reviews and profiles. Upwork Business Plus and Enterprise plans provide access to pre-vetted freelancers. However, the platform doesn’t clarify if the vetting process for developers includes programming tests.
Sourcing
In the basic version, clients handle sourcing on their own. Business Plus clients get tailored matches delivered within two business days, without upfront fees.
Communication
Once a contract begins, communication outside the Upwork platform is allowed but generally discouraged. Upwork includes built-in communication tools to streamline collaboration, such as Zoom for meetings and Loom for sharing video recordings.
Cost
The basic plan is free to join, and when you hire on Upwork, you pay a 5% service fee.
Joining Business Plus is also free, and clients pay a 10% service fee on all payments made to freelancers — a discounted Business Plus fee of 8% is available for eligible clients in the U.S. who pay with a checking account.
The costs of the Enterprise plan differ from client to client.
Billing
For fixed-price projects, payments can be made upfront or upon completion of specific milestones. Hourly projects are billed weekly, with clients paying for the hours recorded in freelancers’ work diaries.
Customer support
The platform offers self-help resources, a community forum, and direct channels.
Business Plus clients enjoy premium customer support; Enterprise clients have an assigned support team including an account manager, customer success manager, and solutions architect.
Interface
While the interface is efficient, it can feel overwhelming for new users due to its extensive features and options.
Best for
The basic version is ideal for small-scale projects and one-off tasks. The Business Plus and Enterprise plans are suitable for larger, more complex projects.
Bottom line
Upwork offers flexibility and access to a vast pool of freelance developers, with plans for clients of different sizes and needs.
Fiverr Pro
Launched in 2010, Fiverr is a freelancing marketplace headquartered in Israel. It initially gained popularity for its freelancers offering services starting at USD 5 (hence its name). Fiverr Pro was introduced in 2017 to cater to businesses and clients seeking top-tier professionals for more complex projects. It elevated the experience by featuring a curated selection of vetted freelancers.
Talent categories
Fiverr Pro is a generalist platform. It offers a broad range of professionals in programming, graphics and design, digital marketing, writing, translation, music and audio, consulting, photography, finance, and more.
Vetting
Fiverr Pro implements a vetting process to ensure that only top-tier freelancers are accepted as Pro sellers, offering a full money-back guarantee for projects handled by them. However, the platform does not provide specific details on how the vetting process is conducted for developers.
Sourcing
Fiverr Pro provides a free automated sourcing service to help match clients with freelancers based on their budget and project requirements.
Communication
Off-platform communication is discouraged. There’s a built-in Zoom feature for video meetings, allowing users to share Zoom links and invite participants to join directly from the platform.
Cost
For orders over USD 100, Fiverr Pro charges a 5.5% service fee in addition to the freelancer’s price. Clients may also incur indirect taxes depending on their location and applicable laws. These costs are transparently displayed before payment.
Billing
For fixed-price projects, payments are made upfront. Hourly contracts, available exclusively for Pro freelancers, are billed on a weekly basis, every Monday.
Customer support
There are self-help resources, community forums, and direct support channels.
Interface
The interface is efficient and user-friendly, but messy. It resembles classified ads in its structure and presentation.
Best for
Fiverr Pro is suitable for mid- to large-sized projects requiring skilled professionals and vetted talent.
Bottom line
Fiverr Pro offers flexibility, reliability, and access to quality freelancers.
Jobshark
Jobshark is a cloud-based platform offering convenient and cost-efficient tech sourcing solutions for companies in the IT sector. It specializes in connecting businesses with top-tier tech talent, whether for full-time roles or freelance positions.
Owned and operated by Comstream, a company founded in 2010, Jobshark maintains a strong foothold in the European market with offices in Sweden and Bulgaria.
Talent categories
Jobshark focuses exclusively on IT professionals, catering to a wide range of technical roles.
Vetting
Developers are rigorously vetted through a multi-step process that includes in-depth interviews, comprehensive programming tests conducted on a trusted online coding platform, and thorough reference checks.
Sourcing
Jobshark matches you with developers who meet your specific requirements, communicate fluently in English, and are located in your time zone. You’ll receive detailed candidate profiles, including CVs, custom reports, technical test results, and hourly rates, enabling you to make informed decisions.
In other words, clients don’t need to search and contact freelancers themselves; instead, they simply specify their requirements and receive a shortlist of suitable candidates within their budgets and ready to get started.
Communication
Collaboration is seamless, as you’ll use your own tools to work directly with freelance developers as though they were part of your in-house team. For transparency and convenience, developers log their hours using Jobshark’s time reporting system.
Cost
Hourly rates start at €30 for ongoing collaborations with skilled developers — there’s a minimum commitment of 40 hours. Jobshark does not require an upfront deposit to initiate the process of finding freelance talent.
Billing
Jobshark invoices clients for completed work at the end of each calendar month. Payments are due in full within 20 days of the invoice date.
Customer support
Every client is assigned a customer success manager, ensuring personalized support throughout the engagement.
Interface
The platform is intuitive and easy to navigate, making the hiring process straightforward and efficient.
Best for
Jobshark is ideal for long-term, full-time projects. It also accommodates smaller projects with a minimum commitment of 40 hours.
Bottom line
Jobshark offers expertise in finding top tech talent while ensuring compliance, allowing you to focus on growth without concerns. It best suits long-term projects, with a minimum commitment of 40 hours. Additionally, clients have the flexibility to use their own tools for communication with freelancers.
Wrapping up
Each platform offers unique advantages — Upwork boasts a vast talent pool, Fiverr Pro provides a selection of vetted freelancers, and Jobshark specializes in IT professionals.
Both Upwork and Fiverr Pro are generalist platforms. If you require highly skilled developers who have undergone a transparent vetting process and are available for long-term collaborations, Jobshark emerges as a specialized solution tailored for IT-focused businesses, providing you with a shortlist of suitable candidates.
Understanding the strengths and limitations of each platform can help you make informed decisions to find the talent that best fits your business needs.
Note: This article is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal or tax advice.
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