Choosing the right freelance platform can make or break your income as a freelancer. In 2026, two platforms dominate different worlds: Malt (the European champion) and Freelancer.com (the global giant). But which one actually puts more money in your pocket? In this deep-dive comparison, we analyze fees, client quality, payment protection, project availability, and real earnings data to help you decide where to invest your time.
Whether you're a developer, designer, writer, or consultant based in Europe or targeting international clients, this guide will show you the exact trade-offs between Malt's curated European network and Freelancer.com's massive, competitive global marketplace.
➡️ Read next (recommended)
📋 Table of Contents
- 1. Platform Overview: Malt vs Freelancer.com
- 2. Fees & Commission Structures (Who Keeps More?)
- 3. Client Quality & Project Types
- 4. Payment Protection & Dispute Resolution
- 5. Geographic Reach & Language Barriers
- 6. Pros & Cons (At a Glance)
- 7. Real Earnings Comparison: Case Studies
- 8. Which Platform Should You Choose?
- 9. Frequently Asked Questions
1. Platform Overview: Malt vs Freelancer.com
Malt (formerly Hopwork) is a European freelance marketplace founded in France in 2012. It has become the go‑to platform for freelancers and companies in France, Germany, Spain, Belgium, and the Netherlands. Malt focuses on quality over quantity: freelancers are vetted (profile reviews), and projects tend to be mid‑to‑high budget, often from established European companies. The platform emphasizes relationship‑based work and long‑term collaboration.
Freelancer.com is one of the world's largest freelance marketplaces, launched in 2009 in Australia. It operates in over 247 countries and hosts millions of projects across every conceivable category – from logo design to complex engineering. The platform uses a bidding system where freelancers compete for projects posted by clients. It's known for high volume, a wide range of budgets (including very low‑cost projects), and a strong focus on price competition.
📊 Key Difference at a Glance
- Malt: European focus, vetted profiles, higher average project value, relationship‑oriented.
- Freelancer.com: Global reach, massive project volume, competitive bidding, wide budget range.
2. Fees & Commission Structures (Who Keeps More?)
Your take‑home pay depends heavily on platform fees. Here’s how Malt and Freelancer.com compare in 2026.
| Fee Type | Malt | Freelancer.com |
|---|---|---|
| Commission on projects | 10% (incl. VAT) for first project with a new client; then 5% for subsequent projects with the same client. Some countries may have slight variations. | 10% or $5 (whichever is higher) for fixed‑price projects; 10% for hourly projects. Membership fees ($4.95–$49.95/month) can reduce commission to 5%. |
| Withdrawal fees | Free to bank account (SEPA) in euros; small fee for currency conversion (if applicable). | Fees vary by withdrawal method: PayPal (2–5%), Payoneer (fixed fee ~$3), wire transfer (~$25). |
| Currency conversion | Malt operates mainly in euros; if your bank account is in another currency, your bank may charge conversion fees. | Projects are often in USD; conversion fees apply when withdrawing to other currencies. |
| Hidden costs | None – commission is clearly shown on each invoice. | Membership fees, bid fees (if you buy bids), and featured listing fees can add up. |
💰 Fee Winner: Malt (for European freelancers)
For freelancers based in the Eurozone, Malt's 5% repeat‑client commission is hard to beat. Freelancer.com's effective fee can be as low as 5% with a membership, but you'll pay monthly fees and potentially higher withdrawal costs. If you land long‑term European clients, Malt is significantly cheaper.
3. Client Quality & Project Types
Malt Clients
Higher BudgetsMalt attracts established European companies – from startups to large corporations like L’Oréal, BNP Paribas, and Airbus. Projects are typically well‑defined and budgets are often €1,000–€20,000+. Clients expect professionalism and are willing to pay for quality. Most communication is in the local language (French, German, etc.), though English is increasingly used.
Freelancer.com Clients
Volume & VarietyFreelancer.com hosts everyone from individual entrepreneurs to small businesses and occasional corporate clients. Project budgets range from $10 (e.g., “design a logo”) to $10,000+. Because of the bidding system, there is intense price competition. You'll encounter clients from all over the world, with varying levels of professionalism and payment reliability.
4. Payment Protection & Dispute Resolution
Both platforms offer payment protection, but the mechanisms differ.
- Malt: Uses a secure payment system where clients fund an escrow account before work starts. Funds are released when you mark the project as complete and the client approves. Malt's support team mediates disputes. Because clients are typically European businesses, disputes are rare but handled professionally.
- Freelancer.com: Offers Milestone Payments (escrow) for fixed‑price projects. For hourly projects, the WorkView diary tracks time. Dispute resolution is handled by an internal team, but the process can be slow. The sheer volume of users means some disputes may not be resolved in your favour if you lack proper documentation.
🛡️ Payment Protection Edge: Malt (for larger projects)
For mid‑to‑high value projects, Malt's escrow system combined with its focus on professional clients gives you stronger assurance. Freelancer.com's protection works well for smaller milestones, but for $5,000+ projects, the risk of a dispute is higher due to the platform's diverse client base.
5. Geographic Reach & Language Barriers
Malt is strongest in French‑speaking and German‑speaking Europe. While it operates in several countries, its user base and project listings are heavily concentrated in France, Germany, Spain, Belgium, and Switzerland. If you are a freelancer in these regions and speak the local language, Malt is a goldmine. If you are outside Europe, you'll struggle to find projects – Malt generally requires freelancers to be based in Europe and have a local bank account (for SEPA payments).
Freelancer.com truly is global. You can find projects in English, Spanish, Hindi, Arabic, and many other languages. Freelancers from any country can join, and payment methods support virtually every region. However, the global nature also means you compete with freelancers from lower‑cost countries, which can drive down rates.
Platform Reach: Malt (Europe) vs Freelancer.com (World)
Malt is concentrated, Freelancer.com is everywhere.
6. Pros & Cons (At a Glance)
✅ Malt Pros
- High‑quality European clients with larger budgets
- Low 5% commission for repeat clients
- Vetted profiles = less competition from low‑ballers
- Strong escrow protection & local support
- Long‑term relationships encouraged
❌ Malt Cons
- Limited to Europe (must have EU bank account)
- Language barrier if you don’t speak French/German
- Fewer projects overall compared to global platforms
- Longer onboarding (profile approval required)
✅ Freelancer.com Pros
- Massive number of projects across all categories
- Global reach – work with clients from any country
- Flexible project sizes (from $10 to $10,000+)
- Membership plans can reduce commissions
- Active community and contest options
❌ Freelancer.com Cons
- Intense price competition (race to the bottom)
- Complex fee structure (membership, bid costs)
- Higher risk of non‑paying or difficult clients
- Withdrawal fees eat into earnings
- Dispute resolution can be slow
7. Real Earnings Comparison: Case Studies
Case Study 1: Web Developer in France (Marie)
Marie has 5 years of experience and focuses on Symfony development. On Malt, she charges €600/day. She lands two long‑term clients (each project ~20 days) per year, plus smaller missions. After Malt's 5% repeat commission, she keeps €570/day. Annual income from Malt: ~€68,000 after fees.
On Freelancer.com, Marie would compete with global developers. To win projects, she might need to bid around $40–$50/hour (€35–€45). Even with a membership reducing commission to 5%, her effective rate would be much lower. Estimated annual income after fees: ~€35,000.
Case Study 2: Graphic Designer in India (Raj)
Raj specializes in logo design. On Freelancer.com, he bids on $100–$300 projects. He wins 2–3 projects per week. With a $29.95/month membership (5% commission), his monthly revenue is ~$2,500. After membership and withdrawal fees, net ~$2,300/month.
Malt is not accessible to Raj because he is based outside Europe and doesn't have a SEPA account. He would miss out on European clients who might pay more, but entry is blocked.
📈 Earnings Verdict
If you are a skilled freelancer in Europe, Malt almost always yields higher net income per project. If you are outside Europe or targeting global clients, Freelancer.com is the only realistic option – but you must navigate its competitive landscape.
8. Which Platform Should You Choose?
Your choice depends on three factors: location, skill level, and target clientele.
- Choose Malt if: You are based in Europe (especially France, Germany, Spain, Belgium) and have professional proficiency in the local language. You offer high‑value services (development, consulting, strategy) and want to build long‑term relationships with reputable companies.
- Choose Freelancer.com if: You are outside Europe, or you want to access a massive volume of smaller projects. You are comfortable competing on price and can handle a high volume of client interactions. You might also use it to build a portfolio before moving to higher‑tier platforms.
- Use both if: You are a European freelancer who also wants to tap into global opportunities. Use Malt for your core income and Freelancer.com for overflow or to find niche projects not available locally.
💡 Insider Tip
Many successful European freelancers use Malt as their primary platform and occasionally apply for high‑budget projects on Freelancer.com that match their niche (e.g., specialised tech stacks). They avoid competing in low‑price categories.
Frequently Asked Questions
Technically yes, but Malt strongly favours freelancers based in Europe. You need a European bank account (for SEPA payments) and your profile may be less visible to European clients who often prefer local freelancers. Most non‑European freelancers find it very difficult to win projects on Malt.
For a beginner with no repeat clients, Malt charges 10% on first projects with each new client. Freelancer.com charges 10% as well, but you may need to buy bids or pay for a membership to be competitive. In practice, Malt's 10% is simpler and there are no extra bid costs. However, Malt is only viable if you are in Europe.
Malt operates in France, Germany, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. Each country has its own site. While English is sometimes used, especially in tech, most projects require fluency in the local language. If you speak only English, your opportunities will be limited to international companies based in those countries – which exist, but are fewer.
Always use Milestone Payments – never work outside the platform. Check client history and reviews. Be wary of clients who ask for free samples or want to communicate off‑platform immediately. If a project sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Stick to verified payment methods.
Absolutely. Thousands of European freelancers earn €50k–€100k+ per year solely through Malt. The key is to build a strong profile, gather reviews, and cultivate repeat clients. Because of the lower commission for repeat work, your effective hourly rate increases over time.
Final Verdict: European Excellence vs Global Volume
In the Malt vs Freelancer.com showdown, there is no universal winner – only the right fit for your situation. Malt is the premium choice for European freelancers who value quality over quantity and are willing to invest in building relationships. Its lower fees (especially for repeat clients), professional clientele, and strong payment protection make it a standout in the European market.
Freelancer.com remains the go‑to for freelancers anywhere in the world who want access to a massive, diverse pool of projects. Its competitive nature demands smart positioning and often a willingness to start with smaller budgets, but it can be a stepping stone to higher‑value work or a reliable source of volume income.
Ultimately, the most successful freelancers in 2026 won't limit themselves to one platform. They'll understand the strengths of each and strategically allocate their time. If you're in Europe, make Malt your home base; if you're elsewhere, Freelancer.com is your gateway. And if you can, use both to maximise your opportunities.