Kolabtree vs Upwork
Kolabtree and Upwork are both freelance sites. On a $1,000 payment you keep about $800 on Kolabtree 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 $800 on Kolabtree and $850–$1,000 on Upwork, before withdrawal or currency-conversion costs.
- Both pay out via Bank transfer and PayPal. Only Upwork offers Payoneer, M-Pesa and Instant Pay.
- Kolabtree 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).
- Upwork is the older platform — founded in 2013, 2 years before Kolabtree (2015).
- Kolabtree is based in United Kingdom, Upwork in United States.
Which should you choose?
Choose Kolabtree if…
- You are an experienced professional ready to pass a screening.
Choose Upwork if…
- Keeping more of each payment matters most — its fee is lower.
- You want to withdraw via Payoneer and M-Pesa.
- You are just starting out and want to sign up without a screening.
- You want built-in payment protection.
Side by side
|
Kolabtree
A freelance marketplace for scientists and researchers - PhDs and specialists consult on projects from data an…
Visit
|
Upwork
One of the largest freelance marketplaces in the world, covering everything from development and design to wri…
Visit
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Type | Freelance sites like Upwork | Freelance sites like Upwork |
| Category | Vetted Talent | General Marketplace |
| Vetted | Yes | No |
| Work from home | Yes | Yes |
| Fees | 20% commission deducted from project fee | 0-15% variable service fee per contract (5% on Direct Contracts, 0% with Freelancer Plus) |
| Minimum payout | — | Varies by method, from $5 via Direct to Local Bank |
| Payout speed | Within 45 days of the invoice issued after work is accepted, by bank transfer or payment gateway | 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, PayPal | 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 | 2015 | 2013 |
| Headquarters | London, United Kingdom | Palo Alto, California, United States |
| Stock ticker | — | NASDAQ: UPWK |
| iOS app | — | App ★ 4.6 |
| Android app | — | App ★ 3.6 |
| Popularity | 139 views · 0 likes | 125 views · 0 likes |
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, Kolabtree or Upwork?
On a $1,000 payment you keep about $800 on Kolabtree and $850–$1,000 on Upwork, before withdrawal or currency-conversion costs.
How fast do Kolabtree and Upwork pay out?
Kolabtree: Within 45 days of the invoice issued after work is accepted, by bank transfer or payment gateway. 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 Kolabtree and Upwork available?
Kolabtree: 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, Kolabtree or Upwork?
Upwork — anyone can sign up, while Kolabtree screens providers before accepting them.