Contra vs Fiverr
A side-by-side look at 2 Design tools for 2026 — the verdict, pricing, ratings, features, and what readers think.
Commission-free network for creative independents: portfolios, job board, escrow-backed projects, invoices and digital product sales in one place.
Visit Contra
The marketplace for packaged freelance services: pick a Gig, choose a tier and pay up front, or hire hand-vetted talent through Fiverr Pro.
Visit FiverrOur take
Fiverr and Contra both let creative freelancers sell their services, but their business models point in opposite directions. Fiverr takes 20% of every order and in return brings buyers to your Gigs through a huge marketplace. Contra takes no commission at all and instead charges a flat per-payment fee on its Free plan (USD 15 up to USD 499, USD 29 above), which disappears if the freelancer pays USD 29 a month for Contra Pro. For buyers, Fiverr is our pick. The catalog is far larger, prices are visible before checkout, Fiverr Pro adds vetted talent, and its review base (3.4 on Trustpilot from more than 16,000 reviews, plus a 4.9 App Store rating) dwarfs Contra's (2.0 from 66 reviews). If you need a defined task done fast, you will find more options on Fiverr. For freelancers with their own clients or larger projects, Contra is the better deal. On a USD 2,000 project, Fiverr keeps USD 400, while Contra's Free plan charges a USD 29 flat fee and Pro charges nothing per payment. Contra's portfolio-first profiles, invoices and payment links also make it a good back office for clients you already have.
Pricing compared
Head to head
| Contra | Fiverr | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | ||
| Starting price | $29/mo | $5/gig |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | Free plan for independents and clients | Free to browse and create an account |
| Platforms | Web | Web · iOS · Android |
| Founded | — | 2010 |
| HQ | — | Tel Aviv, Israel |
Pros & cons
- 0% commission for freelancers, on every plan.
- Free job posting and hiring from portfolios and verified studios.
- Escrow on fixed, hourly and milestone projects until the client approves.
- Built-in contracts, invoices, payment links and digital product sales.
- Flat USD 15 or USD 29 platform fee per payment on the Free plan, which is costly on small invoices.
- Card and payout processing fees are passed on to users.
- Smaller, creative-focused talent pool than Upwork or Fiverr.
- Low Trustpilot score of 2.0 from 66 reviews.
- Fixed-price Gigs with clear tiers and extras make buying quick, from USD 5.
- Several ways to hire: Gigs, custom offers, AI-assisted briefs, hourly orders and Fiverr Pro.
- No pay-to-bid credits for freelancers.
- Fiverr Pro adds hand-vetted talent and a satisfaction refund guarantee.
- Very highly rated apps: 4.9 on the US App Store from 574K ratings.
- Freelancers keep only 80% of each payment, and earnings take 14 days to clear.
- Clients pay a 5.5% service fee plus a small-order fee on low-value orders.
- Trustpilot score of 3.4 is middling.
- Package format suits defined tasks better than open-ended or ongoing work.
Similarities & differences
- Both focus heavily on design, video, writing, development and other creative or digital services.
- Both let freelancers publish fixed-price services that buyers can purchase.
- Both offer payment protection on platform projects.
- Both are free to join.
- Freelancer fees: Fiverr keeps 20% of each order; Contra charges 0% commission.
- Buyer fees: Fiverr charges buyers 5.5% plus a small-order fee; Contra charges a flat USD 15 or USD 29 per payment on the Free plan (waived on Pro) plus card processing fees.
- Marketplace size: Fiverr has a far larger catalog and buyer base; Contra is a smaller, portfolio-led network.
- Tools: Contra includes invoices, payment links and digital product sales for clients you bring yourself.
- Reputation: Fiverr scores 3.4 on Trustpilot from 16,248 reviews; Contra scores 2.0 from 66 reviews.
Who should choose which
Choose Contra if you are a freelancer billing larger projects or existing clients and want to keep 100% of your rate with a portfolio-style profile.
Choose Fiverr if you are a buyer who wants the widest choice of ready-made services, or a freelancer who needs the marketplace to bring you new customers.
Frequently asked questions
Does Contra really charge no commission?
Yes. Contra takes no percentage of freelancer earnings. On the Free plan there is a flat platform fee per payment of USD 15 (payments up to USD 499) or USD 29 (USD 500 and above), paid by the client or freelancer, which Contra Pro waives. Fees as of November 2026.
How much does Fiverr take?
Freelancers receive 80% of each cleared payment, so Fiverr keeps 20%. Buyers also pay a 5.5% service fee.
Which brings more clients?
Fiverr, by a wide margin, because of its larger marketplace and buyer traffic. Contra is better as a commission-free way to bill clients you find yourself.
Can I use both?
Yes. Many freelancers use Fiverr to find new buyers and Contra to invoice repeat clients without a commission.
Which is better for buyers hiring designers?
Fiverr offers more choice and Fiverr Pro vetting. Contra suits buyers who prefer to hire from detailed portfolios.