Freelance marketplaces > Freelancer.com vs. Guru
Selecting the right freelancing platform hinges on balancing cost, support, and the level of vetting required for freelancers. Each platform caters to different needs and priorities.
This comparison analyzes real-world performance, user feedback, and key differentiators to help you make an informed decision.
Quick Verdict
Guru is generally preferred for its superior customer support and lower transaction fees. Freelancer.com may be suitable for projects where freelancer skill verification is paramount, despite potential support delays.
- Guru offers more comprehensive and readily available customer support.
- Freelancer.com has a more structured approach to freelancer verification, though not without its limitations.
- Guru boasts lower transaction fees compared to Freelancer.com's commission-based structure.
Who Should Choose Which?
Choose Freelancer.com if:
Businesses that require a wide range of services and are willing to navigate a bidding system with varied freelancer skill levels, and prioritize a structured approach to freelancer verification.
Choose Guru if:
Businesses that value readily available customer support, a user-friendly interface, and lower transaction fees, and are prepared to conduct their own freelancer vetting.
Key features – Side-by-Side
| Attribute | Freelancer.com | Guru |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Structure | Service fees for both freelancers and employers; commission on projects, processing fees on payments. Premium memberships may reduce fees. | Free version available; paid plans offer more features. Transaction fees apply, with the lowest rate at 2.9%. |
| Freelancer Quality Verification | Bidding system; Skills Tests for freelancers to certify knowledge; 'Verified by Freelancer' service for identity verification. | No formal vetting process; businesses need to perform due diligence. |
| Customer Support | Support system available, but some users report slow and unhelpful support. | 24/7 support via live chat, phone call, email, or support ticket. |
| Payment Security | Secure payment system with payments held in escrow; Dispute Resolution Service. | Secure payment system with SafePay escrow service. |
| User Interface | Comprehensive user experience with a streamlined interface. | User-friendly interface and easy navigation. |
Overall Comparison
Pros and Cons
Freelancer.com
- Broad spectrum of job categories
- Comprehensive user experience
- Secure payment system
- Mobile app availability
- Global reach
- Service fees for both freelancers and employers
- Some users report slow and unhelpful customer support
- Satisfaction levels vary regarding freelancer quality
- Some users report negative experiences with the dispute resolution process
Guru
- User-friendly interface and easy navigation
- Efficient communication tools and project management features
- Secure payment system with SafePay escrow service
- Wide range of services offered
- 24/7 customer support
- Mobile app for managing projects on the go
- Global reach
- Freelancer quality not formally vetted, requiring due diligence from businesses
- Some clients have reported issues with contractors who performed badly
User Experiences and Feedback
Freelancer.com
- Offers project management tools including task management, time tracking, and collaboration features.
- Streamlined interface
- Comprehensive user experience
- Messaging feature is equipped with various communication functions, including text, audio, and video calls.
- Complaints regarding high fees exist.
- Some users have found the quality of work to be below agreed standards.
- Some users have reported negative experiences with the dispute resolution process.
- Some reviews suggest that the customer support team is slow and unhelpful.
- Outlines its fees upfront.
- Has a secure payment system.
- Offers a Dispute Resolution Service.
- The platform supports a broad spectrum of job categories.
- Delivers a comprehensive user experience with a streamlined interface.
- The mobile app allows employers to post projects, hire freelancers, and make payments. Freelancers can use the app to discover new projects and bid on the go.
- A freelancer's ratings help clients evaluate their overall performance.
- It is recommended to check recent project reviews and past feedback before hiring a freelancer.
Guru
- Praised for its user-friendly interface and easy navigation.
- Offers efficient communication tools and project management.
- Provides 24/7 support via live chat, phone call, email, or support ticket.
- The Guru app allows you to manage projects on the go.
- Guru has the lowest fee on transactions at just 2.9%.
- Guru offers global reach.
- Some clients have reported issues with contractors who performed badly.
- Guru doesn't have a formal vetting process, so businesses need to do their due diligence.
- No value feedback reported.
- Guru.com has the lowest transaction fees at 2.9%.
- Guru provides 24/7 support via live chat, phone call, email, or support ticket.
- Guru boasts a 99% customer satisfaction rate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which platform has lower fees?
Guru generally has lower transaction fees, especially with its 2.9% rate.
Which platform offers better customer support?
Guru provides 24/7 support via multiple channels, while Freelancer.com's support is reported to be slower and less helpful by some users.
Sources & Citations
- Official product specifications
- Expert reviews from tech publications
- User feedback from online forums
Information gathered through AI-assisted web search and analysis. Last updated: August 2025
Methodology & Transparency
Our comparison methodology combines multiple data sources to provide comprehensive, unbiased analysis:
- Data Collection: We gather information from official specifications, user reviews, and independent testing
- AI-Assisted Analysis: Advanced AI helps process large amounts of data while maintaining accuracy
- Human Oversight: All comparisons are reviewed for accuracy and relevance
- Regular Updates: Content is refreshed to reflect new information and user feedback
- Bias Mitigation: We strive for objectivity by considering multiple perspectives and sources
Versusly.ai uses AI-assisted content generation combined with human oversight to deliver comprehensive comparisons. We are transparent about our process and continuously work to improve accuracy and usefulness.