Is Fiverr Worth It? Pros, Cons & Fees For Freelancers
There are over 380,000 individuals actively freelancing on Fiverr, and likely millions more using Fiverr periodically. And in 2023, 4.2 million customers used Fiverr to find a freelancer like you.
There are, however, other platforms out there. So is Fiverr worth it for freelancers? And who this massive marketplace really best for?
Our Fiverr review is sharing how this platform works, important information about fees, and what some of your best alternatives are as well.
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Key Takeaways
- Fiverr offers over 700 gig and freelancer categories
- Sellers can sign up for free and set their own rates and availability
- Fiverr charges a 20% seller fee
- You can upgrade to Fiver Seller Plus to get improved visibility and better support
Is Fiverr Worth It?
Fiverr is worth it if you want an easy way to try out freelancing and want to leverage a marketplace to find clients and process payments. However, it's not always worth it for experienced freelancers charging high rates because of its steep service fees. Plus, many seller niches are competitive, so it's difficult to find your first clients.
The real selling point behind Fiverr is that it connects clients and freelancers. So, you don't have to hustle to build your own website, cold-call clients, send monthly invoices, and worry about the behind-the-scenes parts of a freelancer business.
That said, unlike remote job sites like FlexJobs that just connect you to gig opportunities, Fiverr facilitates everything.
This means payments and fees run through the platform. Same with client communication. In short, once you begin selling on Fiverr, it's difficult to move your business off of it.
Ultimately, this is why Fiverr is a great launch pad for many people trying to make money online and not always the best long-term solution.
What Kind Of Gigs Are Popular On Fiverr?
Fiverr was founded in 2010. At the time, the platform focused on sellers offering snappy gigs for a “fiverr,” or $5.
Since then, Fiverr has expanded to over 700 freelancer categories. You can also sell gigs for $5 or much more depending on how complex the task is.
Here are some of the more common services offered on Fiverr:
- Programming
- Digital Marketing
- Bookkeeping
- Graphic Design
- Freelance Writing
- Web Design
- Copywriting
- Translation
- Transcription and paid typing gigs
- Virtual Assistant Help
- Web Development
- Video Editing
- Voiceover Work
If you're selling one of these services, Fiverr could have plenty of business opportunities. That said, people sell all sorts of niche services as well, ranging from giving dating advice to video game coaching.
One thing that also sets Fiverr apart is how sellers can present their gigs. You can personalize the thumbnail image to be as catchy as you want, just like YouTube clickbait. This allows freelancers to gain more visibility for some “offbeat” services like singing lessons, psychic readings, and cartooning.
Plus, Fiverr lets you create tiers for your services which is cool. For example, my friends sell freelance writing services on Fiverr. But they offer different packages with various price points based on word count, adding images, and turnaround time.
⭐ Just note that sellers get a star rating and success score on Fiverr from their clients. With enough orders and a high success scores and ratings, you can become a Level 1, Level 2, or Top Rated Seller. This is crucial to standing out in Fiverr's marketplace. This also means Fiverr is a grind for beginner freelancers since you have to hustle to get positive reviews on your first gigs.
How Much Does Fiverr Take?
Fiverr takes 20% of income from sellers. This is its standard commission on all transactions, including any add-ons or extra services your clients are buying.
There's no tiered system for Fiverr seller fees either. You always pay 20% regardless of it’s the first time or you’ve already billed this client $10,000 over five years.
This might seem unfair, and we think it's pretty steep. But again, you're relying on Fiverr to help clients find you and to handle all your payments. This convenience comes at a price!
There are a lot of rumors circulating the internet that “Seller Pro” programs (more on that later) reduce these fees for some sellers based on gig type and size, but we couldn’t find any confirmation of that in the fine print on Fiverr’s website.
These fees are really important to think about before selling on Fiverr. If you were an employee, you’d only be paying around 6% FICA taxes, while your employer handled the rest. By the way…you’ll still be paying FICA taxes on your net Fiverr revenue. And since you’re self-employed, that’s an additional 15%…unless you form an S-Corp (perhaps we can cover that another day.)
In any case, 20% plus 15% of the remainder is 32% (we’re not going to go through the whole formula, sorry). Wow! That’s steep. Let’s try to find a silver lining to this cloud…
Fiverr Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Fiverr is one of the largest freelancer marketplaces in the world
- It's free to sign up for
- Fiverr has over 3.42 million active buyers from over 160 countries
- You set your own rates and availability
- All of the back-end processes are handled for you
- Fiverr provides a risk-free way to try out freelancing
Cons:
- Fiverr charges sellers a 20% service fee
- Lots of competition means it's difficult to find your first clients
- It's difficult to grow your Fiverr success scores and ratings as a brand new freelancer
- Some clients can be a nightmare to work with
- Many niches are a “race to the bottom” on price where sellers keep undercutting each other
When Does Fiverr Pay Freelancers?
Fiverr takes 14 days to pay freelancers after a client makes a payment. If you pay $18 per month for Seller Plus, it only takes 7 days to get paid.
Waiting two weeks for payments isn't the best or the worst in the world of freelancing. I've been earning money with my laptop as a digital nomad and freelancer for 5+ years now. Some clients pay me monthly, others weekly, and others per project. This kind of variance is pretty normal.
That said, if you want a side hustle that pays the same day, Fiverr isn't for you. But neither is freelancing online in fairness.
Also note that Fiverr Seller Plus Premium members can actually withdraw payments 48 hours after the client has paid, before the usual “clearance” period is over. This particular feature is a huge selling point for the Plus Premium membership. I'll cover these two Fiverr plans right now.
Extra Reading – 10+ Best Free Online Jobs Paying Daily.
Is Fiverr Seller Plus Worth It?
Fiverr Seller Plus is a subscription program that costs $19 per month. And it can be worth it if you want faster payouts, better customer support, and improved visibility in the marketplace.
Here are the main perks you get as a Fiverr Plus seller:
- Promo opportunities for Seller Plus members
- Marketing tools like customer coupons
- Improved visibility in customer-facing search results
- Dedicated customer support with faster response times
- Advanced analytic tools to better gauge potential clients and gigs
That said, we did some lurking on Reddit threads and found some mixed reviews. Several users claim that Seller Plus didn’t really bring in more business and think the plan is too expensive.
Some users did say that the analytic tools helped assess a potential client’s legitimacy. For example, you can see a client’s spending per order, which might tell you if the client is willing to pay premium prices, or if they might be a “cheap” client who tries to squeeze some extra work out of you.
For $39 per month, you can also upgrade to Seller Plus Premium. This gives you a dedicated “account manager.” This AC is not going to find business for you, but they can review your profile and gig pages and help you fine-tune them to draw in more traffic.
A number of Reddit contributors praised their AC for being an actual, live “point person” they could resolve issues with. Large platforms like Fiverr have notoriously slow, ponderous, and immovable customer service departments. By “immovable,” we mean they are often unwilling to review “final decisions” that may have come from a total misunderstanding.
A dedicated account manager can assist you in getting these issues resolved. And then there are the immediate (48-hour, really) payouts…much better than waiting one or two weeks. For some sellers, this is certainly worth $39 per month.
Also note that there's an invite-only program called Fiverr Pro. This is an exclusive marketplace that you have to apply to join. Sellers will have access to higher-value projects, but only 1% or less of Fiverr sellers make it here. Sometimes freelancers are invited to join. Stellar reviews, a strong portfolio, a robust social media presence, and notable client projects are just a few items in the Fiverr Pro “secret sauce.”
Is Fiverr Legit?
Fiverr is legit and is one of the top freelancer marketplaces in the world. However, it's also saturated with active sellers. This means it's often difficult to stand out from the crowd. And even if you do stand out, you could still be undercut by freelancers overseas charging Fiverr’s namesake price for a gig: $5.
Also note some people try to scam sellers or buyers on Fiverr. But generally, sticking to marketplace rules and only accepting payments through Fiverr keeps you safe.
Who Should Sell On Fiverr?
Selling on Fiverr can be a good idea if you're breaking into freelancing and want an easy, safe way to get started. It can also help existing freelancers diversify their business by adding a new marketplace to sell through. Plus, you can always sell on Fiverr as well as other marketplaces like Upwork.
However, getting your first clients on Fiverr can be a grind as you work to reach Level 1, 2, and Top Rated Seller status. This means you have to hustle to market yourself, which can mean promoting your Fiverr Seller Profile on other places like social media or LinkedIn.
On top of that, you have to play the game. This means creating catchy thumbnails, having competitive prices, and working to deliver top-notch client services.
If you struggle to market yourself, Fiverr might not be the right platform. And you should also consider your current skill level. Fiverr is saturated with people selling services for $5 (or not much more). Many freelancers have been frustrated by the experience of being undercut by less experienced sellers who are willing to take lower prices. If you’re just starting out, that might not bother you. If you’re already an established freelancer, you might try applying for Fiverr Pro right off the bat.
Also, Fiverr’s “services as a product” orientation doesn't always lend itself well to recurring, long-term clients. If you hate having to deal with a steady stream of new customers every week, Fiverr may not be for you.
On the other hand, if you love the idea of selling “services as a product” Fiverr might just be the solution you’re looking for. Sometimes this just requires a little out-of-the-box thinking on how to turn your service into a product.
Extra Reading – The Best Remote Side Hustles.
How Do You Sign Up As A Seller?
Just hit “become a seller” on the Fiverr homepage. It only takes a few minutes to get set up. You’ll need a photo ID like a passport or driver’s license to get yourself verified.
Think you have what it takes to join Fiverr Pro? You can apply on the website as well. The application will be much more extensive and involve a vetting process.
Extra Reading – The Top Digital Side Hustles.
Is Fiverr Worth It For Businesses?
Fiverr is great for businesses who want to find fast freelancer help, especially for one-time projects. And it can be much cheaper than hiring an employee or working with an agency on a monthly retainer.
I've used Fiverr for years and spent thousands on the platform. This has been to hire writers, SEO help, website designers, YouTube video editors, Pinterest managers, and thumbnail designers. In all of these cases, I've had a pretty good experience and thought I got value for my money.
That said, you need to do some digging to find the right freelancer for your business. I suggest messaging freelancers with details of your project and what you're hoping for. Sometimes, freelancers will tell you they're not the best fit or what to expect.
Just note that Fiverr charges service fees for buyers. This is a 5.5% of the purchase amount. Orders under $75 get an additional $2.50 service fee. This is a downside but again, Fiverr is cheaper than many hiring routes.
Final Thoughts
Overall, it doesn’t hurt to make a “gig” on Fiverr and see if you get any bites.
Fiverr is a great marketplace for freelancers who want to offer a higher volume of low-priced services as “products” for a steady stream of new clients. It’s not the best for established freelancers offering long-term quality work. However, these latter types of freelancers may find something worthwhile with Fiverr Pro, if they can get in.
Fiverr Pro’s “menu” orientation is also great for freelancers who are good at marketing themselves, in this case by creating catchy images and compelling gig copy. If you’re not good at selling yourself, you could get someone to help you set up your profile. Alternatively, some marketplaces (like Upwork) or websites like FlexJobs are more oriented toward the freelancer reaching out to client postings.
Fiver is also good if you offer more “creative” or offbeat services like (no joking these are real gigs) love spells, singing telegrams, or pet telepathy. These niche gigs have less competition, so you could find a new side hustle on the marketplace quite quickly.
But all-in-all, nothing stops you from testing out Fiverr alongside your other client acquisition strategies. Perhaps a few clients can be the start of a new revenue stream; you don't have to go all-in on Fiverr right off the bat.
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