Software Alternatives, Accelerators & Startups

Upwork VS Deel

Compare Upwork VS Deel and see what are their differences

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Upwork logo Upwork

Forget the old rules. You can have the best people. Right now. Right here.

Deel logo Deel

Payroll and compliance for international teams
  • Upwork Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-05-05
  • Deel Deel EOR employee dashboard
    Deel EOR employee dashboard //
    2024-11-22
  • Deel Deel Global Payroll - Submit Payroll
    Deel Global Payroll - Submit Payroll //
    2024-11-22
  • Deel Deel Global Payroll Overview
    Deel Global Payroll Overview //
    2024-11-22
  • Deel Deel People List
    Deel People List //
    2024-11-22
  • Deel Deel - HR Workflows
    Deel - HR Workflows //
    2024-11-22
  • Deel Deel Integrations Dashboard
    Deel Integrations Dashboard //
    2024-11-22
  • Deel Deel - Time and Attendance Policy
    Deel - Time and Attendance Policy //
    2024-11-22
  • Deel Deel Equipment Leased
    Deel Equipment Leased //
    2024-11-22
  • Deel Deel Equity Management
    Deel Equity Management //
    2024-11-22
  • Deel Deel - Learning Management System
    Deel - Learning Management System //
    2024-11-22
  • Deel Deel - Performance Management
    Deel - Performance Management //
    2024-11-22
  • Deel Deel - Career Development
    Deel - Career Development //
    2024-11-22

Deel helps tens of thousands of companies expand globally with unmatched speed, flexibility and compliance. Get our all-in-one Global People Platform that simplifies the way you onboard, offboard, and everything else in between.

Deel's global payroll and compliant hiring built for remote teams. That means anyone, anywhere can get hired and paid with Deel. Using a tech-enabled self-serve process, companies can instantly hire full-time employees or independent contractors across the world legally, in minutes. With Deel, companies can take care of payroll and create localized legal contracts in over 150 countries. Teams even get the freedom to choose how they withdraw their funds. Deel does it all.

Today, Deel serves more than 35,000 customers from SMBs to publicly traded companies like RedBull, Nike, Shopify, Notion, Revolut, Open AI, and more. We're the real Deel.

Upwork

Website
upwork.com
Pricing URL
-
$ Details
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Platforms
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Release Date
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Upwork features and specs

  • Large Talent Pool
    Upwork has a vast number of freelancers from various fields, enabling clients to find professionals with a wide range of skills and experience levels.
  • Flexible Work Arrangements
    Both clients and freelancers can choose from a variety of project types, including fixed-price and hourly jobs, to best suit their needs.
  • Global Access
    Upwork allows you to hire talent from around the world, increasing the diversity and pool of high-quality freelancers.
  • Escrow Payment System
    Upwork uses an escrow payment system to protect both parties. Clients deposit funds that are only released when agreed milestones are met, ensuring security.
  • Variety of Tools
    Upwork offers a variety of tools such as time-tracking software, work diaries, and real-time chat to facilitate project management and communication.
  • Ratings and Reviews
    The platform includes a ratings and reviews system, enabling clients to make informed decisions based on the experiences of others.

Possible disadvantages of Upwork

  • Service Fees
    Upwork charges both freelancers and clients service fees, which can add up to a significant amount, especially for larger projects.
  • Competition for Freelancers
    Due to the large number of freelancers, competition can be fierce which might make it difficult for new freelancers to get noticed.
  • Quality Control
    While Upwork has a large talent pool, the skill level of freelancers can vary widely, requiring clients to spend time vetting candidates.
  • Platform Dependence
    Both clients and freelancers might develop dependence on the platform, making it risky if Upwork changes its policies or fee structure.
  • Limited Direct Contact Information
    Upwork restricts the initial sharing of direct contact information to avoid working outside the platform, which can complicate preliminary discussions.
  • Potential for Miscommunication
    Despite available communication tools, remote work inherently carries a risk of miscommunication due to different time zones and cultural differences.

Deel features and specs

  • Global Compliance
    Deel ensures compliance with local laws and regulations for hiring international contractors and employees, reducing legal and financial risks for businesses.
  • Ease of Use
    The platform offers an intuitive and user-friendly interface, making it easy to manage contracts, payments, and compliance documents.
  • Automated Payments
    Deel automates the payment process, allowing businesses to pay contractors and employees in various currencies, and ensuring timely transactions.
  • Wide Range of Payment Methods
    The platform supports multiple payment methods, including bank transfers, PayPal, and cryptocurrencies, providing flexibility for users.
  • Integrated Benefits
    Deel offers additional services like healthcare and benefits packages for international employees, making it easier for businesses to provide comprehensive compensation.
  • Scalability
    The service is scalable, suitable for both small startups and large enterprises looking to expand their global workforce.

Analysis of Upwork

Overall verdict

  • Upwork is considered a good option for both freelancers looking to find work and clients seeking skilled professionals. However, experiences can vary based on job requirements, budget, expertise level, and personal expectations.

Why this product is good

  • Upwork is a popular freelancing platform that connects clients with professional freelancers across various fields. It is known for its wide range of job categories, global talent pool, and flexible work arrangements. The platform provides tools for communication, project management, and payment to ensure a smooth experience for both clients and freelancers.

Recommended for

  • Freelancers looking for flexible work opportunities across diverse industries.
  • Clients seeking to hire skilled professionals for short-term or long-term projects.
  • Individuals who prefer remote work and have the ability to manage their projects independently.
  • Entrepreneurs and businesses that want to scale their operations by hiring specialized talent without geographical limitations.

Analysis of Deel

Overall verdict

  • Yes, Deel is generally considered a good platform, especially for businesses looking to simplify the process of managing a global remote workforce. It offers reliable and efficient solutions, backed by a user-friendly interface and strong customer support.

Why this product is good

  • Deel is widely regarded as a valuable platform due to its comprehensive services that facilitate remote work. It provides a streamlined process for hiring, onboarding, and paying remote employees and contractors globally. Its features include compliance assistance, automated payroll, tax solutions, and integrations with popular tools, which address many logistical challenges companies face with international teams.

Recommended for

    Deel is highly recommended for companies of all sizes, particularly those with a focus on expanding their remote or international teams. It's also beneficial for startups or businesses that seek compliance and payment solutions for remote workers without the need for extensive in-house resources.

Upwork videos

Avoid Upwork! – Freelancers Beware: Upwork Review

More videos:

  • Review - Upwork Review (From Someone Who Made it Work)
  • Review - Why Upwork Is NOT Freelance - It's TERRIBLE for Workers | #grindreel
  • Review - The Hard Truth about Upwork: 5 Things I Wish I knew before starting Freelancing
  • Review - Upwork Review From a Top-Rated Freelancer: Upwork Pros & Cons
  • Review - I Spent 30 Days Freelancing on Upwork

Deel videos

How to hire employees overseas: A complete guide for global expansion

More videos:

  • Review - Deel Overview
  • Review - Deel Review| Global Payroll and HR for Remote Teams
  • Tutorial - DEEL app - FULL OVERVIEW & HOW TO USE
  • Review - Deel Review | Best HR Software Reviews
  • Review - Deel Review (2025) | Is this the Best HR & Employee Management Platform?
  • Review - Deel Payroll Review: Best Way to Pay International Contractors in 2025?

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Upwork and Deel)
Work Marketplace
100 100%
0% 0
HR Tools
0 0%
100% 100
Freelance Marketplace
100 100%
0% 0
HR
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

Share your experience with using Upwork and Deel. For example, how are they different and which one is better?
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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Upwork and Deel

Upwork Reviews

  1. Upwork is unmatched

    Although this app, sometimes gets me to my worst... I think it's only fair to call them the best work from home site.


Top 16 Remote Job Boards to Help You Hire Faster
Upwork is one of the largest freelance marketplaces, offering a wide range of services across industries such as tech, writing, marketing, and design. Its reputation system allows employers to see past client reviews and ratings, helping you quickly identify reliable freelancers.
Top 10 Websites to Find Remote Jobs
Upwork offers a staggering range of job categories, from writing and editing to web development, marketing, design, and even virtual assistance. This makes it a valuable resource for businesses with specific project needs.
Upwork Competitors Breakdown: 14 Sites Like Upwork for Businesses & Freelancers
Upwork’s strengths, weaknesses, and issues;✅ What do websites like Upwork offer to compete against it (for example, Upwork time tracking);✅ Which Upwork competitors to turn to with your specific needs.
Source: everhour.com
The 10 Best Alternatives to Upwork
With its emphasis on quality, easy collaboration, and specialized talent, Twine provides an alternative to Upwork for businesses looking for expert freelancers for any size project. Thanks to its free job posts, Twine can be a more cost-effective choice compared to Upwork. Businesses can access quality freelancing services without the lofty price tag. It has some...
Source: www.twine.net
UPWORK ALTERNATIVES: THE 10 BEST PLATFORMS FOR FINDING FREELANCERS
According to Megan Overholt, who made over $600,000 on the platform, taking your client off-platform early without paying the conversion fee (roughly 12% of the freelancer’s estimated annual earnings on Upwork) can result in a permanent suspension of your Upwork account. While this fee provides access to various features and services, it can eat into your overall income and...
Source: medium.com

Deel Reviews

Top 8 Deel Competitors & Alternatives in 2025
In the rapidly evolving landscape of global workforce management and international payroll, businesses are constantly seeking alternatives to established platforms like Deel. As experts in helping global businesses hire, pay, and manage employees across borders, we've thoroughly analyzed the market to bring you insights on the top 8 alternatives to Deel in 2025. Our...
Source: www.wisemonk.io
18 Best Culture Amp Alternatives and Competitors of 2024
Deel facilitates international teamwork. As a worldwide HR solution, it's more than an engagement tool. It aims to simplify overseas payments and procedures, ensuring your diverse staff feels inspired, connected, and active everywhere.
Best Paylocity Competitors & Alternatives in 2024
Starting with Deel, this provider focuses on global teams. Specifically, it caters to small to medium-sized companies working with international employees and contractors. To facilitate its offerings, Deel expands its services to 100+ countries, all while handling global payments, tax reporting, and even immigration and sponsor visas.
The 10 BEST Employee Onboarding Software Options 2024
With Deel, companies make global payroll possible by leveraging Deel’s in-house back office and locally-owned entities. Workers, managers, and leaders can update withdrawal details, visualize team structure, oversee total payroll spending, and complete dozens of other tasks through Deel’s modern self-serve interface.
Source: usewhale.io
10 Best HR Software For Payroll In 2022
Deel integrates several functions into their intuitive platform, including contract management, expense reimbursements, and off-cycle adjustments. Local country experts provide consultative approaches for each location you hire from, ensuring your contracts are properly worded, while helping you avoid contractor misclassification. Deel also integrates with major people and...

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Upwork should be more popular than Deel. It has been mentiond 331 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Upwork mentions (331)

  • How to Make Money From Coding: A Beginner-Friendly Practical Guide
    Upwork: Great for beginners, wide variety of projects. - Source: dev.to / 10 months ago
  • I was an actual shill for 9 months, AMA
    If you are learning web development, goto upwork.com and start doing projects. Your old projects & code is a lot more valuable than some references from a company. Source: over 1 year ago
  • Insulin pens are driving me bonkers
    I just wanted to say, for anyone reading this far: this is the sort of thing you can hire a programmer to whip up for you to carry around on your phone. u/dark_rug just up and did it, but for anybody else finding themselves with a little spreadsheet to do calculations that they want to work on their phone or in the browser, you can go to a service like upwork.com and put out a request for bids from contract... Source: over 1 year ago
  • Freelancing as a Civil Engineer!
    Hello, I'm in need of some extra money for the holidays, and looking to find freelance work. I'm a PE licensed in NC & SC. I haven't had much luck with upwork.com. I've submitted proposals to the few jobs posted in NC/SC but haven't had a proposal accepted. Source: over 1 year ago
  • Almost got scammed AGAIN within 2 weeks of first scam
    DO NOT take job offers from Justin Hill on upwork.com, he is not real. Source: over 1 year ago
View more

Deel mentions (38)

  • Bike to Work scheme through umbrella company
    Has anyone been able to avail of the Bike to Work scheme when employed through an umbrella company? I am working for a UK company through deel.com and so far they have said "we do not have the Cycle/ Bike2Work scheme implemented at this time. Rest assured that once it has been launched, all employees in Ireland will receive an email from Deel notifying you of the update." Sounds like they're just fobbing me off... Source: almost 2 years ago
  • How to work in Canada for my company incorporated in Australia
    Employer of Record: websites like deel.com provide this service, they basically hire me in Canada since they have global presence and face our business in Australia as a contractor. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Those working remotely from other countries, where should I look for dev jobs?
    There are also legitimate global payroll compliance platforms such as deel.com and Papaya Global, so OP might want to check whether there are any smaller enterprises (which don't have offshore offices) that are using their services. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Girl moving in from UK, advice needed.
    I'm a software engineer and will be working remotely for my current employer who agreed to employ me from Dubai via deel.com. My girlfriend is a customer support agent working for a small tech company in the UK. She's been working in her role for a few years, but she doesn't have a university degree. Most likely she will need to find a job in Dubai. She's currently making +/- £2k pcm. Source: about 2 years ago
  • The future of building startups looks VERY different from what we're used to
    Platforms such as Deel.com and AngelList have made accessing incredible talent globally much easier. We recently used both these platforms to hire Solomon, an amazing full-stack developer from Nigeria. Source: about 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Upwork and Deel, you can also consider the following products

Freelancer.com - Search for jobs related to Www freelancer com homepage or hire on the world's largest freelancing marketplace with 12m+ jobs. It's free to sign up and bid on jobs.

Remote.com - Were creating a new standard in global HR, enabling every business to access better payroll, tax, benefits and compliance solutions.

Fiverr - One marketplace, millions of professional services.

Papaya Global - Papaya integrates your entire global workforce and payroll management onto a single global platform connecting you to a network of verified local vendors

Toptal - Hire the Top 3% of Freelance Talent®. Toptal is an exclusive network of the top freelance software developers, designers, finance experts, product managers, and project managers in the world.

Square Payroll - Pay your team from anywhere