Andela vs Upwork
Andela and Upwork are both freelance sites. On a $1,000 payment you keep about $1,000 on Andela and $850–$1,000 on Upwork, before withdrawal or currency-conversion costs.
Updated · from each platform’s published fees and payout terms · how we verify
Key differences
- On a $1,000 payment you keep about $1,000 on Andela and $850–$1,000 on Upwork, before withdrawal or currency-conversion costs.
- Both pay out via Bank transfer. Only Andela offers multi-currency. Only Upwork offers PayPal, Payoneer and M-Pesa.
- Andela screens providers before they can join, while Upwork is open to anyone.
- Only Upwork lists built-in payment protection (Fixed-price: client funds are deposited before work starts. Hourly: protected when you log time with the Upwork time tracker).
Which should you choose?
Choose Andela if…
- Keeping more of each payment matters most — its fee is lower.
- You want to withdraw via multi-currency.
- You are an experienced professional ready to pass a screening.
Choose Upwork if…
- You want to withdraw via PayPal and Payoneer.
- You are just starting out and want to sign up without a screening.
- You want built-in payment protection.
Side by side
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Andela
A global network that vets and places software engineers (with deep African roots) into remote roles at compan…
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Upwork
One of the largest freelance marketplaces in the world, covering everything from development and design to wri…
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|---|---|---|
| Type | Freelance sites like Upwork | Freelance sites like Upwork |
| Category | General Marketplace | General Marketplace |
| Vetted | Yes | No |
| Work from home | Yes | Yes |
| Fees | No fee to join, negotiated pay | 0-15% per marketplace contract, Direct Contracts 5% or 0% with active Freelancer Plus |
| Minimum payout | — | Varies by method, from $5 via Direct to Local Bank |
| Payout speed | Monthly on the 5th, or the 10th for client-specific hires, paid the preceding Friday if on a weekend | Hourly: 10 days after the billing week ends (5 days sooner for Top Rated), fixed-price: 5 days after the client approves (clients have up to 14 days to review) |
| Payment protection | — | Fixed-price: client funds are deposited before work starts. Hourly: protected when you log time with the Upwork time tracker |
| Withdraw via | Bank transfer via Andela Pay, multi-currency | Direct to Local Bank, PayPal, Payoneer, Direct to U.S. Bank, Wire transfer, M-Pesa, Instant Pay (US) |
| Availability | Worldwide | Worldwide (180+ countries) except Cuba, Iran, North Korea and the Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk regions, suspended in Russia and Belarus |
| Founded | 2014 | 2013 |
| Headquarters | New York, United States | Palo Alto, California, United States |
| Stock ticker | — | NASDAQ: UPWK |
| iOS app | — | App ★ 4.6 |
| Android app | — | App ★ 3.6 |
| Popularity | 135 views · 0 likes | 127 views · 0 likes |
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, Andela or Upwork?
On a $1,000 payment you keep about $1,000 on Andela and $850–$1,000 on Upwork, before withdrawal or currency-conversion costs.
How fast do Andela and Upwork pay out?
Andela: Monthly on the 5th, or the 10th for client-specific hires, paid the preceding Friday if on a weekend. Upwork: Hourly: 10 days after the billing week ends (5 days sooner for Top Rated), fixed-price: 5 days after the client approves (clients have up to 14 days to review).
Where are Andela and Upwork available?
Andela: Worldwide. Upwork: Worldwide (180+ countries) except Cuba, Iran, North Korea and the Crimea, Donetsk and Luhansk regions, suspended in Russia and Belarus.
Which is easier to join, Andela or Upwork?
Upwork — anyone can sign up, while Andela screens providers before accepting them.