FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Short answers to what people ask most. The help centre has the full detail.
Hiring and client fees
What does it cost to hire?
Posting a job, reading proposals and messaging are free, and there is no subscription. When you fund work you pay an escrow handling fee, plus a one-time initiation fee on each new contract. Both are shown before you pay.
Do client fees come out of the freelancer's payment?
No. They are added on top of the amount you fund. Freelancers pay their own commission, which depends on their plan.
What are the ways to hire?
Four. Buy a Drop-In, post a fixed-price project with milestones, hire hourly with a work diary, or set up a Dedicated Hire for ongoing monthly work.
How do I find freelancers?
Post a job and review the proposals, or sign in, search, and invite people directly. Freelancer profiles are not listed publicly.
Commission and bids
How much commission do freelancers pay?
Ultra members pay 0% on fixed-price and hourly contracts. Without Ultra a standard percentage applies, and the current rate is on the pricing page. Drop-In sales and Dedicated Hires have their own flat commission, the same for everyone.
What is a bid?
Sending a proposal costs bids. The number depends on the job type (fixed-price, hourly or Dedicated Hire), never on the budget. Current costs are on the pricing page.
How do I get bids?
New freelancers get free starter bids once their profile is complete. After that, buy bid packs, which never expire, or subscribe to Ultra, which includes bids each billing cycle.
Can I pay to push my proposal higher?
No. The cost of a proposal does not change with the budget, and there are no paid upgrades to boost one.
Escrow and getting paid
When is the client charged?
When they fund a milestone, before work starts. The money is held until the work is approved.
When do freelancers get paid?
When the client approves the work, payment moves to your wallet. The client can release it straight away or after a short review window. Released money then clears for a short period before you can withdraw it.
What if the client never responds?
Submitted work approves automatically after a set number of days, so you are not left waiting on someone who has gone quiet.
How do withdrawals work?
Add and verify a payout method, then withdraw from your Earnings page. A small flat fee applies to each withdrawal, and there is a minimum amount.
Profiles and reputation
Is my freelancer profile public?
No. There is no public directory. A client sees your profile when you apply to their job or they invite you.
Can I bring my reputation from other platforms?
Yes. Add your stats from Upwork, Fiverr and similar sites. Our team verifies them, and verified stats count toward your rank on Open Lance.
Can I work with a team?
Yes. You can add bidders and teammates who send proposals on your behalf.
Disputes and safety
What if the work is not what was agreed?
Ask for a revision before approving. If you still cannot agree, open a dispute. It is handled while the money is still held.
Can I pay a freelancer outside Open Lance?
Please don't. An off-platform payment has no escrow, no dispute process and no record, and it breaks the terms for both sides.
Accounts
Can I be both a client and a freelancer?
Each account has one main role, chosen at sign-up. If you need both, contact support.
Still have questions?
The help centre explains each topic step by step. If it does not answer your question, open a ticket.