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Contra vs Guru
Contra and Guru are both freelance sites. On a $1,000 payment you keep about $1,000 on Contra 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 $1,000 on Contra and $910–$950 on Guru, before withdrawal or currency-conversion costs.
- Both pay out via Bank transfer. Only Contra offers Stripe. Only Guru offers PayPal and Payoneer.
- Only Guru lists built-in payment protection (SafePay escrow).
- Guru is the older platform — founded in 1998, 21 years before Contra (2019).
Which should you choose?
Choose Contra if…
- Keeping more of each payment matters most — its fee is lower.
- You want to withdraw via Stripe.
Choose Guru if…
- You want to withdraw via PayPal and Payoneer.
- You want built-in payment protection.
- You prefer a long track record (since 1998).
Side by side
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Contra
A commission-free platform where independent workers showcase portfolios, sell services, and get hired for fle…
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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 | General Marketplace | General Marketplace |
| Vetted | No | No |
| Work from home | Yes | Yes |
| Fees | 0% commission for freelancers | 5% to 9% handling fee |
| Payout speed | Standard 4-9 business days, faster payouts in 0-30 minutes | — |
| Payment protection | — | SafePay escrow |
| Withdraw via | Bank transfer, Stripe | PayPal, Payoneer, Wire transfer, Direct deposit |
| Availability | Worldwide | Worldwide |
| Founded | 2019 | 1998 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, California, United States | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Popularity | 72 views · 0 likes | 48 views · 0 likes |
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, Contra or Guru?
On a $1,000 payment you keep about $1,000 on Contra and $910–$950 on Guru, before withdrawal or currency-conversion costs.
Where are Contra and Guru available?
Contra: Worldwide. Guru: Worldwide.