Upwork vs. Contra for Freelance Writers: Which is Better?

If you’ve been in the freelance writing world for more than a minute, you’ve probably heard of Upwork and Contra. These two freelance platforms both promise to connect you with paying clients — but in reality, they’re very different ecosystems.

I know, because I’ve lived in both. Over the course of my career, I’ve earned more than $300,000 on Upwork and over $25,000 on Contra. I’ve pitched on hundreds of Upwork jobs, navigated the quirks of the Upwork freelance platform, and experimented with Upwork alternatives like Contra to see how they stack up.

These days, most of my projects come directly to me through referrals. And when I’m fully booked (which is often), I pass along high-paying leads to my curated writing job board over at MakeWritingYourJob.com. If you’re a freelance writer looking for sites like Upwork — minus the bidding wars and spammy listings — my job board offers handpicked opportunities vetted by me and my team.

Before you decide whether freelance websites like Upwork or Contra are right for you, let’s break down each platform, starting with the heavyweight in the ring:

Upwork: The Giant of Freelance Marketplaces

When it comes to sheer volume, Upwork wins. Refresh your homepage, and you’ll see a stream of new writing job postings appear — sometimes hundreds in a single hour — especially in categories like Upwork freelance writing, copywriting, content writing, and even memoir ghostwriting or developmental editing.

If you’re a new freelance writer, Upwork and Freelancer-style platforms can be a launchpad. Early in my career, I built relationships with clients who went on to hire me for long-term contracts — and some of those connections are still active years later.

I even include a daily Upwork jobs roundup in the Make Writing Your Job newsletter. For $15/month, you get fresh, high-paying listings Monday through Friday — the kind that are actually worth your connects.

There’s no denying that Upwork freelance writing has its frustrations: commission fees, strict on-platform rules, and the occasional lowball offer. But in terms of variety and hiring speed, it’s unmatched. Many Upwork freelancer projects I’ve applied to have closed — with me hired — in under three days.

Contra: Sleek Tools, Lower Volume

While Upwork and Freelancer-type marketplaces are built for high traffic, Contra feels more like a set of freelancer tools with a job board attached. The design is clean, the portfolios are beautiful, and the vibe is more curated — but the trade-off is fewer listings, especially for long-form work like memoir ghostwriting or developmental editing.

From my experience, most Contra postings lean toward short-form projects: LinkedIn ghostwriting, blog content, social media copy, and occasional content writing jobs. If you’re after Upwork freelance writing-style variety, you might find Contra’s lower job flow frustrating.

They’ve recently added AI tools to match freelancers with jobs, but the feature is still in its early days. Plus, there’s more friction to getting on the platform — including a video interview for writers — and sometimes even a waitlist. That’s a stark contrast to websites like Upwork, where you can sign up and start applying very quickly.

On the plus side, Contra doesn’t take a commission. That means if you land a $1,000 gig, you actually keep $1,000. But without the job volume of Upwork freelance platform listings, those commission-free payouts may not add up fast enough to sustain your business.

Upwork vs. Contra: The Head-to-Head

1. Commissions and Fees

• Upwork: Takes 5–20% depending on project type and client history. Strictly enforces on-platform communication and prohibits sharing direct contact info.

• Contra: 0% commission. Monetizes through optional memberships and upsells for freelancer tools.

If keeping every cent is your top priority, Upwork alternatives like Contra are appealing. But if you’re chasing a steady pipeline of work, Upwork’s sheer job flow can outweigh the fees.

2. Number of Opportunities

This isn’t even close — Upwork jobs win by a landslide. With thousands of active listings at any given moment, Upwork as a freelancer means you can apply to dozens of relevant roles in a single afternoon. Contra, by comparison, feels more like a boutique agency: stylish but selective.

3. Cost to Use the Platform

• Upwork: $20/month for the premium plan plus extra fees for additional connects. Costs can add up, but the ROI is there if you target high-paying gigs.

• Contra: Can be used for free, though premium memberships hover around $100/year. Entry requires approval, which may slow you down if you’re ready to pitch today.

4. Portfolio Tools & Showcasing Your Work

One thing I like about Upwork is the transparency. Clients can see exactly how much past clients have paid you, read testimonials, and review your vetted work history. For a writer with a solid track record, that dollar-amount visibility works as instant social proof — a silent way of saying, I’m worth it.

Contra, on the other hand, wins in design. Portfolios look modern, customizable, and visually polished — especially if you’re in a design-heavy niche. But for writers, the scroll-heavy format can be less efficient. And without tying testimonials to the actual dollar amount of past projects, the social proof feels softer.

If you’re weighing websites like Upwork versus Contra for portfolio purposes, it comes down to what you value more: minimalist credibility (Upwork) or aesthetic customization (Contra).

Final Verdict: Upwork vs. Contra for Freelance Writers

If you’re looking for Upwork alternatives that offer a streamlined, design-forward portfolio and zero commission fees, Contra is worth exploring — especially if you work in short-form content or design. But for freelance writing jobs at scale, Upwork remains the heavyweight.

The reality? Many freelancers use both. You might land a long-term client on Upwork freelance platform, then use Contra as an additional presence to showcase your work and capture inbound leads. Just be realistic about where most of your opportunities will come from: in my case, Upwork generated over $300,000 in earnings compared to $25,000 on Contra.

Looking for an Upwork Alternative with Curated, High-Paying Writing Jobs?

If the idea of sifting through thousands of random Upwork jobs makes you want to slam your laptop shut, you’ll love MakeWritingYourJob.com.

Instead of a massive Upwork and Freelancer-style feed, you’ll get:

• Handpicked freelance writing jobs (no spam, no race-to-the-bottom rates)

• High-paying remote writing jobs sourced daily (5x per week) by my team and I

• Opportunities across memoir ghostwriting, developmental editing, content writing, and copywriting

• A fraction of the noise you’ll find on other sites like Upwork

For $15/month, we send you fresh leads Monday through Friday so you can spend less time scrolling and more time writing: