Freelance Fee Calculator &
Payment Gateway Comparison

Most single-platform calculators only compute one surface percentage (such as Upwork's 10% or PayPal's 2.99%). They fail to account for international card surcharges (+1.5%), hidden foreign exchange spreads (2.0%–3.5%), and flat withdrawal or bank payout fees ($0.99–$1.00). FeePouch models all four tiers sequentially, revealing true take-home pay.

Upwork charges a flat 10% freelancer service fee, whereas Fiverr takes a 20% commission on all gigs, milestones, and buyer tips. On a $1,000 project, you retain approximately $899 on Upwork (after local bank transfer) compared to $799 on Fiverr, saving you $100 per $1,000 earned.

For domestic US transactions, Stripe charges 2.9% + $0.30 per payment, while PayPal Goods & Services charges 2.99% + $0.49. For international sales, Stripe adds +1.5% cross-border fees and 2% currency conversion, compared to PayPal's 4.49% + $0.49 rate and ~3.5% hidden foreign exchange markup.

Direct client invoicing through Stripe or direct ACH bank transfer represents the cheapest way to receive freelance payments, keeping total deductions under 3%. If using freelance marketplaces, Upwork's 10% rate is significantly more economical than Fiverr's 20% cut.

When a foreign client pays in a different currency or you withdraw to a non-USD local bank account, platforms convert funds using an exchange rate that is 2.0% to 3.5% below the mid-market rate. On a $2,000 invoice, this hidden spread silently deducts $40 to $70 before the payout reaches your bank.

If you desire $1,000 net in your bank, quoting $1,111 on a 10% platform still leaves you short once fixed processing and withdrawal fees apply. FeePouch uses exact algebraic reverse math: Gross Quote = (Target Net + Fixed Fees) / (1 - Variable Fee Rates), ensuring 100% of your earnings are preserved.

Yes — FeePouch is 100% free with no account registration, no credit card, and zero telemetry tracking. All calculations run client-side in your web browser.