People Per Hour vs Upwork: The Ultimate Freelance Platform Showdown!

In the world of freelancing, choosing the right platform is essential for success. People Per Hour and Upwork are two of the most popular freelance marketplaces, each with their own unique offerings and clientele. This ultimate showdown between People Per Hour and Upwork will provide you with the knowledge needed to make an informed decision about which platform is best suited for your freelancing needs.

What is People Per Hour and what is Upwork?

People Per Hour is a UK-based online freelance marketplace that connects businesses with freelancers from around the world. It was founded in 2007 and offers a wide range of services such as writing, design, development, and more. People Per Hour is known for its user-friendly interface, transparent pricing, and a strong focus on the quality of freelancers.

Upwork, formerly known as Elance-oDesk, is a global freelancing platform that connects businesses with freelancers in various fields such as writing, programming, design, and more. Founded in 2015, Upwork has become one of the largest and most popular freelance marketplaces, attracting millions of users worldwide.

Key Differences between People Per Hour and Upwork

1. Geographic Focus: People Per Hour is primarily focused on the UK and European markets, while Upwork has a more global reach, with a larger presence in the United States and other international markets.
2. Pricing and Fees: People Per Hour tends to have higher fees for freelancers, charging a 20% commission on the first £175 earned each month and then 5% thereafter. Upwork, on the other hand, uses a sliding fee scale that starts at 20% for the first $500 earned with a client, dropping to 10% and then 5% as earnings increase.
3. Clientele: People Per Hour has a reputation for attracting smaller businesses and start-ups, whereas Upwork’s client base is more diverse, including larger enterprises and well-established companies.
4. Quality Control: People Per Hour has a more stringent screening process for freelancers, resulting in a higher overall quality of work. Upwork has a less rigorous screening process, leading to a broader range of freelancer quality.
5. Project Types: People Per Hour focuses more on fixed-price projects, while Upwork offers both fixed-price and hourly projects.

Key Similarities between People Per Hour and Upwork

1. Both platforms connect freelancers with clients looking for specific skills and services.
2. Both offer a wide range of freelance services, from writing and design to programming and more.
3. Both platforms have a user-friendly interface and dashboard for managing projects and communication.
4. Both platforms offer payment protection and escrow services to ensure that freelancers get paid for their work.
5. Both platforms have a review and rating system that allows clients to rate freelancers and vice versa.

create a comparison table of “People Per Hour vs Upwork” from the answers above

Feature	People Per Hour	Upwork
Geographic Focus	UK and European markets	Global reach
Pricing and Fees	Higher fees for freelancers	Sliding fee scale
Clientele	Smaller businesses and start-ups	Diverse, including large companies
Quality Control	More stringent screening process	Less rigorous screening process
Project Types	Focus on fixed-price projects	Both fixed-price and hourly
Freelancer Quality	Higher overall quality	Broader range of quality
User Base	Smaller	Larger
“Hourlies” or Pre-packaged Offers	Available	Not available
Resources and Learning	Limited	More extensive
Customer Support	Faster and more personalized	Slower and less personalized

Pros of People Per Hour over Upwork

1. Higher quality of freelancers due to a more rigorous screening process.
2. Stronger focus on the UK and European markets, which may be beneficial for freelancers and clients in those regions.
3. Transparent pricing structure for both clients and freelancers.
4. The ability to purchase pre-packaged services, known as “Hourlies,” which can streamline the process of finding and hiring freelancers.
5. Better customer support, with faster response times and a more personalized approach.

Cons of People Per Hour compared to Upwork

1. Smaller overall user base, which may limit the number of potential clients and projects.
2. Higher fees for freelancers, particularly on earnings up to £175 per month.
3. Limited presence in the United States and other international markets.
4. Fewer options for hourly projects compared to Upwork.
5. Fewer resources and learning opportunities for freelancers to improve their skills and grow their businesses.

Pros of Upwork over People Per Hour

1. Larger global user base, providing more potential clients and projects for freelancers.
2. More diverse clientele, including well-established companies and larger enterprises.
3. Sliding fee scale that rewards freelancers for building long-term relationships with clients.
4. Greater variety of project types, including both fixed-price and hourly options.
5. Upwork offers a range of resources and learning opportunities for freelancers, including webinars, articles, and forums.

Cons of Upwork compared to People Per Hour

1. Lower overall quality of freelancers due to a less rigorous screening process.
2. More competition among freelancers, making it more challenging to secure projects.
3. The fee structure can be confusing for both clients and freelancers.
4. Customer support can be slow and less personalized compared to People Per Hour.
5. Less focus on the UK and European markets, which may be a disadvantage for freelancers and clients in those regions.

Feature	People Per Hour	Upwork
Pros
Geographic Focus	UK and European markets focus	Global reach
Freelancer Quality	Higher quality freelancers	More diverse clientele
Pricing Transparency	Transparent pricing structure	Sliding fee scale
Pre-packaged Services	“Hourlies” system available	Not available
Customer Support	Faster and more personalized	Less personalized
Cons
User Base	Smaller user base	Larger user base
Fees for Freelancers	Higher fees up to £175/month	Lower fees with sliding scale
International Market Presence	Limited	Strong presence
Project Types	Fewer options for hourly projects	More options for hourly projects
Learning Opportunities	Fewer resources	More resources and opportunities

Situations when People Per Hour is better than Upwork

1. When you’re targeting the UK and European markets, as People Per Hour has a stronger presence in these regions.
2. When you’re looking for higher-quality freelancers, thanks to People Per Hour’s more stringent screening process.
3. When you prefer a more transparent pricing structure for both clients and freelancers.
4. When you’re seeking pre-packaged services, as People Per Hour’s “Hourlies” system can simplify the hiring process.
5. When you value a more personalized and responsive customer support experience.

Situations when Upwork is better than People Per Hour

1. When you’re targeting a global audience or looking for clients from diverse industries, as Upwork has a broader reach.
2. When you want a greater variety of project types, including both fixed-price and hourly options.
3. When you prefer a platform that rewards long-term relationships between clients and freelancers with a sliding fee scale.
4. When you’re looking for more resources and learning opportunities to improve your freelance skills and grow your business.
5. When you want to be part of a larger freelancer community with more opportunities for networking and collaboration.

Situations	People Per Hour	Upwork
Geographic Focus	UK and European markets	Global audience
Freelancer Quality	Higher-quality freelancers	More diverse clientele
Pricing Transparency	Transparent pricing structure	Sliding fee scale for long-term
Pre-packaged Services	“Hourlies” system available	Not available
Customer Support	Personalized and responsive	Less personalized
Project Types	Fixed-price projects focus	More options for hourly projects
Resources and Learning	Limited	More resources and opportunities
Community and Networking	Smaller community	Larger freelancer community

People Per Hour vs Upwork Summary

In the ultimate showdown between People Per Hour vs Upwork, the best choice depends on your specific needs and preferences as a freelancer or client. If you’re looking for a platform with a stronger focus on the UK and European markets, higher-quality freelancers, and a more transparent pricing structure, People Per Hour may be the better option for you. On the other hand, if you want a platform with a larger global reach, more diverse clientele, and a broader range of project types, Upwork might be the right choice.

By weighing the pros and cons of each platform and considering your individual goals and preferences, you can make an informed decision that will set you up for success in the competitive world of freelancing.