The Best Upwork Alternative
for Independent Consultants
Take your best clients off-platform. Build a sustainable consulting business.
Upwork takes 10-20% of your freelance income. PayRequest lets you invoice clients directly and keep 99% of your earnings.
PayRequest vs Upwork
See how PayRequest compares to Upwork across key features and pricing.
| Feature | PayRequest | Upwork |
|---|---|---|
| Platform Fee | ~1% (payment processing only) | 10-20% sliding scale |
| Set Your Own Rates | Limited | |
| Direct Client Payments | ||
| Own Your Client List | ||
| Payout Speed | Instant | 5-7 days |
| Payment Methods | 20+ (iDEAL, Cards, SEPA) | Platform only |
| Professional Invoicing | ||
| Flexible Contracts | Platform contracts | |
| Hourly Billing | Manual entry | Screenshot monitoring |
| Client Portal |
Why Creators Choose PayRequest
Everything you need to sell digital products, subscriptions, and more.
Keep 99% of Your Earnings
Upwork's 10-20% fees add up fast. On $10,000 billed, you could lose $1,000-2,000. With PayRequest, only ~1%.
No Screenshot Monitoring
Bill for your value, not your time-on-screen. Professional hourly invoicing without surveillance.
Take Clients Off-Platform
Upwork's terms make it hard to work with clients directly. PayRequest gives you full independence.
Instant Payouts
No more waiting 5-7 days. Get paid directly to your bank account instantly.
Professional Client Experience
Send branded invoices and proposals. Look like an established consultancy, not a freelancer.
Flexible Billing
Hourly, project-based, retainers, milestones—bill however works for your business.
Perfect For
Professionals who are ready to build direct client relationships
Software Developers
Bill for development projects and maintenance contracts. Professional invoicing for enterprise clients.
Marketing Consultants
Offer strategy retainers and campaign-based billing. No platform taking a cut of your expertise.
Business Consultants
Invoice for consulting engagements. Add expenses, track projects, manage multiple clients.
Data Analysts
Bill for analysis projects and ongoing reporting retainers. Deliver reports with payment protection.
Project Managers
Offer PM services with monthly retainer billing. Manage client relationships professionally.
UI/UX Designers
Package design sprints and ongoing support. Professional proposals and invoicing.
Note: PayRequest is perfect for transitioning your best Upwork clients to direct billing. Keep using Upwork to find new clients if you need the exposure.
Ready to go independent?
Join thousands of creators who have made the switch. Start your free trial today—cancel anytime.