Open Lance

How it works

Money in escrow before work starts.

One flow, and it protects both sides. The client commits the budget before anything is made, and it moves the moment they approve what came back.

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Where the money is

  1. Funded

    In escrow

    Client funds the milestone before any work starts. The money leaves their account and sits in escrow.

    then

  2. In progress

    Working

    You do the work knowing the budget is already committed, not promised.

    then

  3. Approved

    Approved

    The client reviews and approves the milestone. Approval is the trigger, not an invoice.

    then

  4. Released

    Paid

    Funds move to your wallet. On Ultra there is no clearance wait.

Both sides

The same flow, from either end

Freelancers and clients move through one process. These are the same five moments, seen from each side.

For freelancers

Getting hired and paid

  1. 1

    Find work or accept an invite

    Browse the job board or respond to a client's invitation.

  2. 2

    Submit a proposal

    One flat bid, no matter how big the job is.

  3. 3

    Milestone funded

    The client locks the money in escrow before you start, so you know it's there.

  4. 4

    Deliver your work

    Submit each milestone for approval, right inside Open Lance.

  5. 5

    Get paid

    On approval, funds release to your wallet, instantly when you and the client agree to instant release. 0% commission, you keep 100%.

For clients

Hiring with confidence

  1. 1

    Post a job or invite talent

    Share your scope and budget, or invite a freelancer directly.

  2. 2

    Review proposals

    Compare proposals and pick the freelancer who fits.

  3. 3

    Fund the milestone

    Lock the milestone amount into secure escrow before work begins.

  4. 4

    Approve the work

    You're in control: release funds instantly, or hold them for a short security period. Your call.

  5. 5

    Only pay for approved work

    Escrow releases on approval; repeat per milestone. Nothing leaves until you say so.

Payments and escrow

How the money is handled

Four rules govern every payment on the platform, and none of them change with the size of the job.

Escrow-first

Money is committed before work begins, visible to both sides.

Release is the client's call

On approval the client releases instantly, or holds for a short security period. Agree to instant release and there's no clearance wait.

In-app checkout

Fund from your wallet or card without ever leaving Open Lance.

Auto-release safeguard

An auto-release window means freelancers are never left waiting indefinitely.

Build a team, win more work

Freelancers can hire bidders and add teammates who bid on their behalf, so you can pursue more jobs than you could alone and grow a small agency right inside Open Lance.

Fair resolution, always

If a milestone is disputed, structured mediation reviews both sides. Any partial settlement is held in escrow for a short security period, never paid out hastily.

Ready to start?

Post a job or send your first proposal today. Escrow protection applies from the very first milestone.

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