In short:
Upwork is a marketplace for finding clients, with client and freelancer fees on every contract. Contra is a commission-free platform for freelancers, where clients pay a flat contract fee. GigShield.ai is not a marketplace: it adds milestone escrow and AI dispute resolution to work with clients you already have, for 1% per side.
Fees at a glance
| Feature | Upwork | Contra | GigShield.ai |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freelancer fee | 0% to 15% per contract (reduced on Direct Contracts) | 0% commission (optional Pro plan $29/month) | 1% per milestone |
| Client fee | 5% marketplace fee on Basic (3% for eligible US bank payments), 10% on Business Plus, plus a $0.99 to $14.99 contract initiation fee on Basic | $19 per contract for one-time projects, or $19 per month per contractor for ongoing work | 1% per milestone |
| Escrow / funded milestones | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Auto-release if the client goes silent | Platform process applies | Platform process applies | Yes, after a 72-hour review window |
| Dispute resolution | Upwork dispute team, then arbitration | Platform support | Shield AI mediation in minutes, human escalation |
| Finding new clients | Yes, large marketplace | Yes, smaller network | No, bring your own clients |
| Client needs to join a marketplace | Yes | Yes, a Contra account | No marketplace, the client only funds the Project Shield |
| Payment methods | Platform checkout options | Platform checkout options | Card, bank transfer or USDC |
Worked example: a $1,000 project, one contract
Upwork (Basic plan)
The client pays about $50 in marketplace fees plus up to $14.99 in initiation fees. The freelancer pays between $0 and $150 depending on the contract.
Total platform cost roughly $51 to $215.
Contra
The client pays $19 flat. The freelancer pays $0.
Total about $19.
GigShield.ai
The client pays $10. The freelancer pays $10.
Total $20.
On a single $1,000 contract Contra and GigShield.ai cost about the same. On smaller projects GigShield.ai is cheaper (a $500 project costs $10 in total), on large single contracts Contra's flat fee is cheaper. The real difference is not the fee: it is whether you want a marketplace profile, or protection and fast dispute resolution for clients you already have. For a deeper look at the marketplace option, read GigShield.ai vs Upwork.
Which one should you choose?
- You need new clients and are fine with marketplace fees: Upwork gives you a large marketplace to find them.
- You are building a portfolio profile and are happy for clients to join Contra: Contra's commission-free model with a flat client fee fits well.
- You already have the client: GigShield.ai gives you funded milestones, a 72-hour auto-release and AI mediation without a marketplace.
Comparing more options? See Escrow.com alternatives for freelancers and GigShield.ai vs Fiverr, or read the guide to escrow for freelancers. If the problem is an unpaid invoice, start with what to do when a client won't pay a freelancer.
Common questions
Is Contra really free for freelancers?+
Contra charges no commission on freelance work. The client pays the contract fee, either $19 per one-time contract or $19 per month per contractor for ongoing work. There is also an optional Pro plan at $29 per month.
Does Upwork charge clients?+
Yes. On the Basic plan Upwork charges clients a 5% marketplace fee, reduced to 3% for eligible US bank payments, plus a contract initiation fee of $0.99 to $14.99. The Business Plus plan charges a 10% marketplace fee.
Can I use GigShield.ai with a client I found on LinkedIn or by referral?+
Yes. GigShield.ai is built for exactly that: you agree the milestones, the client funds the Project Shield, and the work starts with money already committed.
What happens if a client disappears after I deliver?+
On GigShield.ai the client has a 72-hour review window to approve or raise a dispute. If the client stays silent, the milestone auto-approves and you can withdraw the approved funds.