Yas M.

I've used Freelancer.com for more than a couple of years and unfortunately it is one of my least trusting platforms for several reasons. First of all, there's a lot of unwanted micro-transactions going on -- taking a small amount of each credit card you enter in order for "verification"; a lot of currency conversions during the process of getting credit (usually, it goes through 3 conversions with bad conversion rates that are unavoidable); so many limitations that appear as favorable opportunities behind a payment to the site (ex: tests, not able to bid higher priced projects without a paid-membership, etc.). They should stick to only the commissions they get from projects and the promotions like the other sites, not numerous, petty methods to profit from freelancers. The second reason I cannot recommend the site is because I feel that they are posting fake high budget projects in order to lure freelancers into paying for a premium membership. I think these are fake because these projects do not contain any information (even a job description) and are posted almost every week or so. Lastly, customer service and moderation is very bad. Theres been an issue of a freelancer posting fake projects almost everyday for a prolonged period without ever awarding the projects which I believe is to steal unreleased original musical compositions (either to get inspiration from or to steal outright), but theres been no moderation even after a few of us have reported it. Another issue is the bad platform which never seems to improve. Notifications button (and sometimes the message tab) is always lit for weeks after everything is checked. Need huge improvements if to thrive in the future.

Quite satisfied with this site, although far from perfect. It has a nicer look and an easy and direct way to work with clients and to get credit from. I feel that moderation is a bit too far to a point of annoyance. One major issue is that there's a verification requirement for some new clients, and the site will not release you the funds once they are released by the client until they go through an annoying verification process, which most don't bother to do (by uploading a few identification documents, etc.). This is a major concern which I have discussed with a senior agent without a solution that I could accept. So, I have decided not to invite my own clients (from classifieds and my website) to join the site. Another major issue is the proposal credits system, which by the end of the 3rd week or so you're unable to bid on projects even if you send out a proposal once every 3-5 days or so. They are also irreversible, meaning that if you cancel some of your bids, you will still not get your credits back. This turns out to be even a bigger issue when a client wants to work with you and you're unable to send the proposal to get started right away -- instead, you will have to ask them to create a private work stream and forward you the invitation, unless you "buy" more proposal credit. They must make the platform more user friendly, at least for the established freelancers.

It is pretty unfortunate that oDesk and Elance merged into this garbage called Upwork. I used to like working in the former sites, but this has turned into an abominable place. Extremely rude policy and customer service, demonic algorithms, and a place for spammers without any qualification to work in their fields.

It is unfortunate to see so many negative reviews on Fiverr while other freelance platforms which are worse have much better reviews. I'm writing from an honest and trained seller's point of view. Fiverr has ups and downs. It is true that at least 2/3 of the clients are looking for dirty cheap prices that no professional would offer to work for. And, there's probably a bunch of sellers who are doing sloppy work to cater to those clients. This is mostly to be blamed on those clients who think they can get hours worth of work for $5, just because its called Fiverr. Having said that, Ive had wonderful clients on this site and built relationships that lasted for years. What I like about Fiverr is that this platform still has that balance between the number of jobs offered and sellers, at least in my field. If I send an offer, I usually get contacted unlike in other sites where I see 30-50 bids on a few projects. One down side I experienced is that its algorithms are unforgiving. If I paused a gig or mutually cancelled an order (which often happens when sellers put orders for $5 expecting work of 10 times more value), my gigs will take a nose-dive until a past client starts an order with me or until I find a client to work with. They must fine tune these hidden score systems to work more intelligently. Overall, my experience has been positive so far.