The rise of independent work has led to new and valuable opportunities for Mexican professionals, especially with specialized platforms like the ones we'll compare today: Freelancer.com vs. PeoplePerHour. These two options have standout features worth knowing.
In today's post, we'll review each platform, focusing on the most important aspects to consider. By the end, you'll know which one charges lower commissions, which offers more job opportunities, and which is more secure.
PeoplePerHour and Freelancer.com are sites where you can explore freelance jobs in Mexico from home, according to your goals and needs.
Freelancer.com is one of the largest Spanish-speaking freelance platforms in the world. It has millions of posted projects covering areas like web development, graphic design, and writing.
PeoplePerHour offers freelance work from home online through projects with a personalized rate system. Here, you can publish Hourlies (predefined service offers with fixed prices), allowing you to attract clients quickly.
Both platforms help you find your desired job by showcasing your profile to clients seeking specialized talent. But before choosing one, it's essential to consider certain points that can influence your experience as a freelancer.
Key Points to Evaluate:
Key Points | Freelancer.com | PeoplePerHour |
Work Model | Hourly and fixed-price projects. Open contests. | Hourlies. Projects. |
Entry Process | Quick, with immediate registration. | Strict, with manual profile review. |
Commissions | Varies by service between 10% or $5.00 USD. | Tiered according to earnings per client: 20%, 7.5%, and 3.5% (excluding VAT). £1 or its USD equivalent per service. |
Withdrawal Methods | PayPal Skrill Payoneer Credit card Bank transfers. | PayPal. Bank account. |
Plans | Free. Basic. Plus. Professional. Premium. | Not applicable. |
The online job board was created in 2009 by Matt Barrie to offer services to small and medium-sized businesses. Its growth has been significant since then, bringing together 77 million users, including freelancers and clients.
Through the platform, entrepreneurs/companies or employers can post projects for various professionals, such as writers, designers, engineers, software developers, among others.
However, it's important to know the main pros and cons of Freelancer.com:
Advantages:
Connects you with clients both inside and outside Mexico due to its global reach.
You can search for jobs based on your skills.
Allows you to explore projects by language.
Disadvantages:
The abundance of offers may include projects with low budgets.
If you choose to use Freelancer.com, you have several ways to earn according to your preferences and talent as a freelancer:
Applying to Posted Projects: The site has thousands of offers posted by clients, both fixed-price and hourly. You can choose one that fits what you do and send a personalized proposal. If the employer finds it suitable, they'll contact you to finalize details.
Creating Service Listings: You can set up a portfolio of services with amounts, delivery times, and detailed descriptions. This format is ideal for showcasing your skills and attracting clients interested in what you offer. You just have to wait for them to contact you.
Participating in Contests: Another option is to compete in projects alongside other professionals. Here, you submit your ideas according to the client's specifications. If your offer wins, you receive the stipulated prize.
Freelancer.com also allows you to filter available projects to help you find opportunities that align with your professional profile. That is, you can find freelance jobs in Mexico from home based on your talent, deadlines, or budget.
How do prices work on Freelancer?
They are set according to the project's modality and your interaction with the client.
Since you can offer your services on your profile, you can define prices per hour or per project. But if you want to apply to posted offers, you'll see that they usually come with an estimated budget that you should consider when sending your proposal. You also have the possibility to agree on the final payment with the client.
Now, freelance platforms charge service fees; in this case, they deduct:
10% if you work on an hourly project.
10% or $5.00 USD for a fixed-price project (Freelancer chooses the higher amount).
10% or $5.00 USD if you participate in and win a contest (Freelancer chooses the higher amount).
By negotiating prices and considering these commissions, you can maintain a balance between competitiveness and profitable earnings.
Freelance platforms in Mexico have varying verification processes. Freelancer.com offers a basic system that includes confirming:
Email address.
Phone number.
Payment method.
However, there's an advanced version that grants you the blue "Verified Freelancer" badge but involves a more rigorous process. Here, you must apply and wait 2 to 3 days to be contacted and interviewed by the team via video.
Looking for freelance work from home online doesn't mean there won't be issues with employers. Therefore, there's an arbitration process that works differently on each platform.
Freelancer first recommends resolving conflicts amicably before resorting to the formal system. Sometimes, no agreement is reached, so either party can choose to escalate the dispute.
In this case, you must provide documented evidence and meet specific deadlines to respond and act at each stage. However, there's an arbitration fee per milestone for both parties of 5% or $5.00 USD (the higher amount).
Founded in 2007, the company focuses on connecting employers with specialized services from freelancers. This has allowed it to attract a wide user base globally.
On PeoplePerHour, you find freelance jobs in Mexico from home in areas like digital marketing, business consulting, graphic design, web development, etc.
Still, it's important to know the pros and cons of using PeoplePerHour:
Advantages:
Offers projects in a wide variety of categories.
Integrated messaging and project tracking tools.
Uses an escrow system.
Disadvantages:
The high number of freelancers can make obtaining projects difficult, especially for new users.
There are two modalities on PeoplePerHour to find freelance work from home online:
Sending Proposals: Like on Freelancer, you'll have access to multiple jobs where you can respond with an attractive proposal to projects that interest you. The client reviews your offer, and if they like it, they pay the platform.
Selling Hourlies: You can also be contacted based on the skills, location, and prices described in your Hourlies. These are your specific service packages, which make it easier for clients to hire directly without having to negotiate.
Once hired, both parties can discuss details, share files, and start the project.
Unlike Freelancer, PeoplePerHour offers you two ways to generate income: searching for projects and offering services you create. Similarly, you can manage client relationships efficiently and securely.
On PeoplePerHour, you're free to set the prices you consider fair for your Hourlies. But if you plan to apply, the offer may already have an estimated budget, which you should consider in your proposal.
Regarding commissions, the platform charges £1 or its USD equivalent (excluding VAT) for each invoice issued. Additionally, it applies an amount based on the total billed by the employer.
That is, the commission varies depending on how you fare with the same client:
20% on the first £250 or its USD equivalent.
7.5% for amounts between £250 and £5,000 or its USD equivalent.
3.5% for earnings over £5,000 or its USD equivalent.
Each of these percentages must have VAT added.
It's also worth mentioning that you'll receive a limited number of free proposals per month. So if you want to send more proposals, you'll need to purchase additional credits.
Freelance platforms recommend completing the KYC (Know Your Customer) process to increase client trust and improve your site reputation. PeoplePerHour is no exception but is a bit stricter than Freelancer.
Here, you must attach identification documents and may even be asked for proof of address. Then, you send them for review, and if approved, you'll receive confirmation that your account has been verified.
The document verification process can take between 24 hours and 7 business days.
PeoplePerHour's dispute resolution system is similar to Freelancer's. That is, it primarily focuses on encouraging direct communication before resorting to formal mediation.
First, they suggest you try to solve any issues through direct and clear communication with the client. You should also offer revisions before raising the dispute, as failure to do so may result in your request being rejected.
If you file a dispute, you need to provide clear evidence, such as prior agreements, messages, or submissions, depending on the problem. If you do, you'll have to pay a fee, which can be refunded if you cancel the process.
Both work well as Spanish-language freelance platforms and offer thousands of opportunities. But if you're willing to compete in a larger market, Freelancer.com might be what you're looking for.
Since PeoplePerHour isn't as popular, it may not be as competitive for beginners, so you might have more opportunities. Additionally, it seems to be a viable option for building long-term relationships.
In the end, you'll always find both positive and negative reviews for both platforms. However, to be honest, Freelancer.com has a very good rating on Trustpilot.
We could say that between Freelancer.com vs. PeoplePerHour, the former is better rated. But it will all depend on your goals, experience, and personal preferences.
What is certain is that DolarApp is a secure and convenient payment method. You can use the application on freelance platforms in Mexico to get paid in dollars. Then, just send it to an account in MXN and you'll get a competitive exchange rate.
There are several solid alternatives in the freelance world. Workana, for example, is a good option as it focuses on the Latin American market. Meanwhile, Fiverr is one of the best for freelancers looking to sell specific services at fixed prices.
PeoplePerHour might be more accessible for beginners due to its Hourlies option and less competition. Freelancer.com offers more projects, but its high competition can be challenging if you're just starting.
Generally, PeoplePerHour's interface is easier to use than Freelancer.com's. The latter tends to have a steeper learning curve due to its competitive structure, although it offers more options.
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