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Braintrust vs Guru
Braintrust and Guru are both freelance sites. On a $1,000 payment you keep about $900–$1,000 on Braintrust and $910–$950 on Guru, 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 $900–$1,000 on Braintrust and $910–$950 on Guru, before withdrawal or currency-conversion costs.
- Both pay out via Bank transfer. Only Braintrust offers USDC. Only Guru offers PayPal and Payoneer.
- Braintrust screens providers before they can join, while Guru is open to anyone.
- Only Guru lists built-in payment protection (SafePay escrow).
- Guru is the older platform — founded in 1998, 20 years before Braintrust (2018).
Which should you choose?
Choose Braintrust if…
- Keeping more of each payment matters most — its fee is lower.
- You want to withdraw via USDC.
- You are an experienced professional ready to pass a screening.
Choose Guru 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.
- You prefer a long track record (since 1998).
Side by side
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Braintrust
A user-owned talent network that connects vetted freelancers with enterprise clients. Talent pays 0% fees and…
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Guru
One of the oldest freelance marketplaces, matching companies with freelancers across programming, design, writ…
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|---|---|---|
| Type | Freelance sites like Upwork | Freelance sites like Upwork |
| Category | Vetted Talent | General Marketplace |
| Vetted | Yes | No |
| Work from home | Yes | Yes |
| Fees | 0% for talent, clients pay 10% | 5% to 9% handling fee |
| Payment protection | — | SafePay escrow |
| Withdraw via | Bank transfer, USDC | PayPal, Payoneer, Wire transfer, Direct deposit |
| Availability | Worldwide | Worldwide |
| Founded | 2018 | 1998 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, California, United States | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Popularity | 126 views · 0 likes | 48 views · 0 likes |
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, Braintrust or Guru?
On a $1,000 payment you keep about $900–$1,000 on Braintrust and $910–$950 on Guru, before withdrawal or currency-conversion costs.
Where are Braintrust and Guru available?
Braintrust: Worldwide. Guru: Worldwide.
Which is easier to join, Braintrust or Guru?
Guru — anyone can sign up, while Braintrust screens providers before accepting them.