Jobbers.io vs PeoplePerHour: European Freelancers’ Best Option?

PeoplePerHour was founded in London in 2007 and bills itself as the longest-running freelance service in the UK. With over 2.4 million registered freelancers, more than 1 million clients served, and over £100 million in payments facilitated, it built its reputation as the go-to platform for European businesses hiring freelance talent in tech, design, digital marketing, and writing.

Jobbers.io is a commission-free freelance marketplace generating approximately 300,000 daily visits (~9 million monthly), operating internationally via jobbers.io and in Morocco via jobbers.ma. Freelancers keep 100% of their earnings. Clients pay exactly what they negotiate. Zero commission on both sides.

Both platforms serve European freelancers — but through fundamentally different economic models. PeoplePerHour charges a tiered commission that starts at 20% on your first earnings with each new client, while Jobbers.io charges 0%. This article compares every dimension that matters: fees, features, market reach, tools, and which platform actually puts more money in your pocket.

Disclaimer: This article is produced by the editorial team at jobbers.io. While we have made every effort to present accurate, verified information about both platforms, readers should be aware of this affiliation. All PeoplePerHour data is sourced from official PeoplePerHour documentation, third-party reviews, and reputable analyses. Platform features, pricing, and policies are subject to change. Always verify current details directly with each platform.

Commission: 0% vs. 3.5–20% Tiered

PeoplePerHour uses a tiered commission structure that resets with every new client. Here is how it works:

First £250 (~$350) earned per buyer: 20% commission. £250–£5,000 (~$350–$7,000) per buyer: 7.5% commission. Above £5,000 (~$7,000) per buyer: 3.5% commission.

The critical detail is “per buyer.” Every time you start working with a new client, the 20% rate resets. If you work with ten different clients on £200 projects each, you pay 20% on every single one — £400 total in commission on £2,000 earned. The lower tiers only activate once you have billed a single client beyond the £250 threshold. This means freelancers who work with many different clients on smaller projects — which is the reality for most freelancers — stay trapped in the 20% tier far more often than the headline “as low as 3.5%” suggests.

Additional PeoplePerHour fees: ~£2.50 invoice fee per payment. 2.5% currency conversion fee on every cross-currency transaction. Withdrawal fees that vary by transfer method. A $9.95/month administrative fee for inactive accounts holding a balance beyond 60 days.

Jobbers.io charges 0% commission. No tiered structure. No per-buyer reset. No invoice fees. No currency conversion markup. No inactivity penalties. The only cost for freelancers is paid Connects for submitting proposals. Client pays the agreed amount, freelancer receives the agreed amount.

What the Commission Difference Actually Costs You

PeoplePerHour’s tiered commission structure makes cost calculations complex because your effective rate depends entirely on client mix and project size. Here are realistic scenarios:

Scenario 1 — Many small clients (common for new freelancers): 10 clients × £500 each = £5,000 annual earnings. First £250 per client at 20% = £500 in commission. Remaining £250 per client at 7.5% = £187.50. Total commission: £687.50 (13.75% effective rate). On Jobbers.io: £0 commission.

Scenario 2 — Mix of clients (typical mid-career freelancer): £40,000 annual earnings across 15 clients. Approximately 60% of work falls in the 7.5% tier, 25% in the 20% tier, 15% in the 3.5% tier. Estimated effective commission: ~£3,200 (8% effective rate). On Jobbers.io: £0 commission.

Scenario 3 — Few large clients (best case for PeoplePerHour): £60,000 annual earnings across 3 long-term clients averaging £20,000 each. Most earnings fall in the 3.5% tier. Estimated effective commission: ~£2,400 (4% effective rate). On Jobbers.io: £0 commission.

5-year cumulative (Scenario 2): £16,000 paid in PeoplePerHour commission vs. £0 on Jobbers.io. That is a significant sum — enough to fund professional development, equipment upgrades, or several months of living expenses.

The pattern is clear: PeoplePerHour’s “as low as 3.5%” headline only applies to freelancers with a small number of high-value, long-term clients. Most freelancers — especially those building their careers, diversifying their client base, or working on shorter projects — pay effective rates of 8–15% after accounting for the per-buyer reset.

The 20% New Client Tax

This deserves its own section because it is the single most punishing element of PeoplePerHour’s commission structure — and the one most frequently underestimated by freelancers.

Every time you win a new client on PeoplePerHour, you pay 20% commission on your first £250 of earnings with that client. This is effectively a £50 tax on every new client relationship. For freelancers who prioritize growing their client base — which is standard business development advice — the 20% tier applies disproportionately to the very activity that builds a sustainable freelance career.

Consider the economics: a freelancer who completes 30 small projects per year with 30 different clients (£300 average) pays 20% on the first £250 of each — that is £1,500 in commission at the highest tier alone, before the 7.5% on the remaining £50 per project adds another £112.50. Total: £1,612.50 on £9,000 earned (17.9% effective rate).

On Jobbers.io, the same £9,000 earns £9,000. The difference — £1,612.50 — goes to the freelancer, not the platform.

The 20% new-client tax creates a perverse incentive: it discourages freelancers from diversifying their client base and rewards dependency on a small number of existing clients. This may benefit the platform (lower churn, more predictable revenue) but it does not align with healthy freelance business practices.

Proposal Credits: How Both Platforms Handle Applications

PeoplePerHour gives freelancers 15 free proposals per month. Beyond that, additional credits must be purchased: £5.95 for 5 credits, £8.95 for 10, £14.95 for 25, or £19.95 for 50. Multiple user reviews highlight wasted proposal credits on fake or inactive job posts that remain open for extended periods without being awarded — a frustration acknowledged in G2 reviews as a recurring concern. The platform does not refund credits for jobs that are never awarded.

Jobbers.io uses paid Connects for proposal submission. There are no free monthly allocations, but the Connects model allows freelancers to invest per-proposal without subscription constraints or monthly limits.

The key difference: PeoplePerHour’s credit system is layered on top of its tiered commission — meaning freelancers pay for the opportunity to apply, then pay 3.5–20% commission if they win the work. On Jobbers.io, freelancers pay for the opportunity to apply but keep 100% of what they earn if they win.

The CERT Algorithm: Visibility That Must Be Earned

PeoplePerHour uses a proprietary ranking algorithm called CERT — standing for Community, Engagement, Repeat Usage, and Trust. CERT levels range from 1 (starting) to 5, plus a “Top CERT” designation limited to the highest-scoring freelancers over the previous 30 days.

How CERT affects your business: Higher CERT levels mean more exposure to buyers. Lower CERT levels mean less visibility, fewer proposals seen, and fewer opportunities. CERT advancement requires earnings through the platform (levels 2+ require platform earnings, levels 4–5 require continued earnings plus high quality scores). This creates a direct relationship between how much you pay in commission and how visible you become — freelancers who earn more (and therefore pay more in commission) rank higher and attract more work.

The catch for new freelancers: Everyone starts at CERT Level 1. Without platform earnings, you cannot advance beyond Level 1. Without CERT advancement, your visibility remains limited. Without visibility, winning work is harder. This creates a cold-start problem where new freelancers face a compounding disadvantage: low visibility → fewer wins → no earnings → no CERT advancement → continued low visibility.

Jobbers.io does not use an algorithmic ranking system that gates visibility behind platform earnings. All freelancers have access to opportunities through the proposal system without platform-imposed hierarchies tied to historical spending or earnings.

Hourlies (Offers): PeoplePerHour’s Productized Services

PeoplePerHour offers a feature called “Hourlies” (now often called “Offers”) — pre-packaged services that freelancers create and clients can purchase instantly at a fixed price, similar to Fiverr’s gig model. This is a genuinely useful feature that deserves honest acknowledgment.

Advantages of Hourlies: Freelancers can create productized service packages without waiting for project postings. Clients can browse and purchase instantly, reducing negotiation friction. Repeat purchases generate passive-style income. Hourlies build profile strength and contribute to CERT advancement. For freelancers with clearly defined, repeatable services (logo design packages, blog post writing, social media management bundles), Hourlies provide an effective sales channel.

The limitation: Hourlies still carry the tiered commission structure. A £200 Hourlie purchased by a new client pays 20% commission (£40). Optional “Featured Offer” placement costs an additional $14.95 for visibility boost. And the same commission tiers reset with every new buyer.

Jobbers.io does not offer a pre-packaged service feature equivalent to Hourlies. All work flows through the proposal-project model. Freelancers who value the ability to create purchasable service packages will find this a genuine PeoplePerHour advantage. Freelancers who prefer direct negotiation and project-based engagement may find the proposal model sufficient.

Payment Protection and Escrow

PeoplePerHour uses an escrow system: When a client hires a freelancer, they pay a deposit held securely by the platform. Funds are released to the freelancer only after the client confirms satisfactory completion. The platform includes a dispute resolution process and supports up to two revision requests on completed work. Multiple G2 reviews specifically praise PeoplePerHour’s payment system as reliable and trustworthy.

The cost of this protection: The escrow system is funded by the 3.5–20% commission structure plus invoice fees. Payment clearance periods apply before freelancers can withdraw funds. Withdrawal fees vary by method. And accounts that hold a balance for more than 60 days without withdrawing incur a $9.95/month administrative fee — an unusual penalty that effectively charges freelancers for not spending their own earnings quickly enough.

PeoplePerHour’s off-platform payment prohibition: The platform’s terms require all payments to go through PeoplePerHour. Attempts to arrange payment outside the platform can result in immediate account suspension. This means even established client relationships must continue paying the platform’s commission as long as both parties use PeoplePerHour — there is no natural graduation path toward direct client relationships.

Jobbers.io uses direct payment between freelancer and client. No platform-managed escrow. Payment terms, methods, and timing are negotiated directly. This provides maximum flexibility and independence — freelancers can request deposits, set milestones, or arrange any payment structure both parties agree to. However, it places payment security responsibility on the freelancer. No platform intermediation also means no off-platform payment restrictions — client relationships are yours.

Market Reach and European Focus

PeoplePerHour: Founded in London, historically positioned as the UK and European freelance platform. However, current traffic data tells a different story. As of late 2025, PeoplePerHour’s core traffic comes from Thailand, Nigeria, and India — with UK and European traffic representing a smaller share of the total. Approximately 3 million monthly visits. The platform operates in 89+ countries and supports payments in British pounds, US dollars, and euros. 15 service categories including tech, design, digital marketing, writing, translation, SEO, social media, video, and administration.

Jobbers.io: Approximately 9 million monthly visits (~300,000 daily). International marketplace via jobbers.io plus dedicated Moroccan marketplace via jobbers.ma. Multilingual support: English, French, and Arabic. Multiple freelance categories across diverse disciplines. Strong presence in European, North African, and international markets.

The European question: PeoplePerHour’s brand identity as a “European freelance platform” was built during its earlier years when UK and European freelancers dominated its user base. The reality in 2026 is more nuanced — the platform’s traffic has diversified significantly toward South Asian and African markets. European freelancers considering PeoplePerHour for its perceived regional advantage should evaluate whether the current client base matches their target market.

Jobbers.io’s traffic volume (~9 million monthly) is approximately 3× PeoplePerHour’s (~3 million monthly), providing a larger pool of potential opportunities regardless of geographic positioning. For freelancers targeting French-speaking European or North African markets specifically, Jobbers.io’s multilingual infrastructure and dedicated Moroccan marketplace offer localized advantages.

Profile Vetting and Probation

PeoplePerHour vets all freelancer profiles through a moderation team before acceptance. New freelancers also face a 3-month probation period after registration. Approval can take up to a week — or freelancers can pay a $13 fast-track application fee to accelerate the process. This vetting creates a quality signal (accepted freelancers have passed at least basic review), but it also creates a barrier to entry and means PeoplePerHour is paid upfront before a freelancer earns a single pound.

Jobbers.io does not impose application vetting, probation periods, or fast-track fees. Freelancers can create profiles and begin submitting proposals immediately. This lowers the barrier to entry but relies on client review systems and proposal quality rather than platform-gate moderation for quality control.

AI-Powered Matching

PeoplePerHour uses an AI system that matches freelancers to relevant projects based on their profile, skills, and activity patterns. When a client posts a project, the system contacts what it determines are the best-matched freelancers. This automated matching can surface opportunities freelancers might not have found through manual browsing — a genuine feature advantage for freelancers whose profiles align well with client needs.

The trade-off: AI matching is only as effective as the algorithm behind it, and freelancers report mixed experiences. Those with well-optimized profiles in high-demand categories benefit most. Those in niche or less common specializations may find the matching less effective. And the matching system interacts with CERT levels — higher-ranked freelancers receive priority in matching, reinforcing the visibility advantage of established platform earners.

Jobbers.io uses standard marketplace browsing and proposal submission. No proprietary AI matching algorithm determines which freelancers see which projects. All opportunities are accessible to all freelancers through the platform’s project listings.

The Inactive Account Fee

One PeoplePerHour policy that surprises many freelancers: accounts holding a balance for more than 60 days without withdrawal are charged a $9.95/month administrative fee. This means if you complete a project but delay withdrawing your earnings — perhaps waiting to accumulate a larger amount to offset withdrawal fees — the platform begins deducting from your balance.

This creates a double penalty: withdrawal fees apply when you do withdraw, but holding fees apply if you wait. The economically rational response is to withdraw as frequently as possible — but that maximizes the number of withdrawal fee charges. It is a fee structure that extracts revenue regardless of freelancer behavior.

Jobbers.io does not charge inactivity fees, balance-holding fees, or penalties for delayed transactions.

Who Should Choose PeoplePerHour

You have a small number of high-value, long-term clients. If your business model revolves around 2–5 clients each billing £5,000+ per year, PeoplePerHour’s commission drops to 3.5% on the majority of your earnings. This is genuinely competitive — though still higher than Jobbers.io’s 0%.

You want productized service packages (Hourlies). If creating fixed-price service bundles that clients can purchase instantly is central to your business strategy, PeoplePerHour’s Hourlies feature provides a dedicated sales channel that Jobbers.io does not replicate.

You value platform-managed escrow payment protection. If working with unknown clients and having formal deposit protection is essential, PeoplePerHour’s escrow system provides structured security.

You benefit from AI-powered matching. If your skills are in high-demand categories (digital marketing, web development, design) where automated matching effectively surfaces relevant opportunities, PeoplePerHour’s AI system can reduce your project-hunting time.

You have high CERT levels already. If you are an established PeoplePerHour freelancer with CERT Level 4–5 or Top CERT status, you have accumulated significant platform capital that translates directly into visibility and opportunity access. Switching platforms means rebuilding from zero.

Who Should Choose Jobbers.io

You want to keep 100% of your earnings. At any project size, with any client, the commission difference is 3.5–20% on PeoplePerHour vs. 0% on jobbers.io. Even at PeoplePerHour’s best rate (3.5%), you save 3.5% on Jobbers.io. At PeoplePerHour’s starting rate (20%), the saving is £1 in every £5 earned.

You work with many different clients. If your freelance business involves diverse project work with multiple clients — the standard pattern for most freelancers — PeoplePerHour’s per-buyer commission reset means you pay 20% far more often than 3.5%. On Jobbers.io, client diversity has no commission penalty.

You are a new freelancer. PeoplePerHour’s cold-start disadvantages are significant: CERT Level 1 (lowest visibility), 3-month probation, 20% commission on every initial client relationship, and AI matching that favours established earners. On Jobbers.io, new freelancers access the same opportunities as established ones, keep 100% of early earnings (when income matters most), and face no probation period or algorithmic ranking disadvantage.

You want simple, transparent pricing. PeoplePerHour’s fee structure includes tiered commission (3.5–20%), invoice fees (~£2.50), currency conversion fees (2.5%), proposal credit costs (£5.95–£19.95), featured offer fees ($14.95), fast-track application fees ($13), inactive account fees ($9.95/month), and variable withdrawal fees. Jobbers.io charges 0% commission plus paid Connects for proposals.

You want to own your client relationships. PeoplePerHour prohibits off-platform payment under penalty of account suspension. Every project with every client must pay the platform’s commission indefinitely. On Jobbers.io, client relationships and payment arrangements are yours to manage independently.

You want higher marketplace traffic volume. With approximately 9 million monthly visits vs. PeoplePerHour’s 3 million, Jobbers.io provides a larger potential client pool. For freelancers targeting French-speaking or Arabic-speaking markets, Jobbers.io’s multilingual support and dedicated Moroccan marketplace (jobbers.ma) offer additional reach.

The Dual-Platform Strategy

Using both platforms strategically can optimize your freelance business:

Use PeoplePerHour for Hourlies and escrow-protected work. If you have repeatable service packages that sell well as Hourlies, or need formal payment protection for specific client engagements, keep those channels active on PeoplePerHour. Accept the commission cost as the price of those specific features.

Use Jobbers.io for maximum-earnings projects. For direct project work, custom proposals, and situations where you do not need escrow protection or Hourlies, route work through jobbers.io to keep 100% of earnings. As you build client trust, shift volume toward the commission-free platform.

The math of gradual transition: A freelancer earning £40,000/year at an 8% effective PeoplePerHour commission pays ~£3,200/year. Shifting 50% of work to Jobbers.io reduces the effective commission to ~£1,600. Shifting 75% saves ~£2,400/year. Over 5 years, that transition saves £12,000 — all while maintaining PeoplePerHour presence for the features that genuinely add value.

Feature-by-Feature Summary

Freelancer commission: PeoplePerHour: 3.5–20% tiered per buyer. Jobbers.io: 0%.

Commission on first £250 per client: PeoplePerHour: 20%. Jobbers.io: 0%.

Best-case commission rate: PeoplePerHour: 3.5% (above £5,000 per client). Jobbers.io: 0%.

Invoice fee: PeoplePerHour: ~£2.50 per payment. Jobbers.io: None.

Currency conversion fee: PeoplePerHour: 2.5%. Jobbers.io: None (direct payment).

Inactive account fee: PeoplePerHour: $9.95/month after 60 days. Jobbers.io: None.

Proposal cost: PeoplePerHour: 15 free/month, then £5.95–£19.95 for packs. Jobbers.io: Paid Connects per proposal.

Payment protection: PeoplePerHour: Escrow with deposit system. Jobbers.io: Direct payment (freelancer manages).

Productized services: PeoplePerHour: Hourlies/Offers. Jobbers.io: Not available.

AI matching: PeoplePerHour: Yes (CERT-weighted). Jobbers.io: Standard browsing.

Ranking algorithm: PeoplePerHour: CERT (Levels 1–5 + Top CERT). Jobbers.io: None.

Profile vetting: PeoplePerHour: Moderation team review + 3-month probation. Jobbers.io: Open registration.

Fast-track application: PeoplePerHour: $13 fee. Jobbers.io: N/A (no vetting required).

Featured offer placement: PeoplePerHour: $14.95. Jobbers.io: N/A.

Monthly traffic: PeoplePerHour: ~3 million. Jobbers.io: ~9 million.

Off-platform payment: PeoplePerHour: Prohibited (account suspension risk). Jobbers.io: No restrictions.

Geographic strength: PeoplePerHour: UK origin, now Thailand/Nigeria/India traffic dominant. Jobbers.io: International + Morocco (English, French, Arabic).

Mobile app: PeoplePerHour: Yes. Jobbers.io: Yes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is PeoplePerHour really a European freelance platform?

PeoplePerHour was founded in London in 2007 and built its early reputation serving UK and European businesses. However, current traffic data shows the platform’s core audience has shifted to Thailand, Nigeria, and India. While UK and European clients still use the platform, it is no longer accurate to describe PeoplePerHour as primarily European in its user base. Jobbers.io operates internationally with multilingual support (English, French, Arabic) and approximately 9 million monthly visits.

How much commission does PeoplePerHour actually charge?

PeoplePerHour uses a tiered structure that resets per buyer: 20% on the first £250 earned with each client, 7.5% on £250–£5,000, and 3.5% above £5,000. For freelancers with many small-project clients, the effective rate is typically 10–18%. For freelancers with few large long-term clients, it can drop to 4–5%. Additional fees include ~£2.50 per invoice, 2.5% currency conversion, proposal credit costs, and withdrawal fees. Jobbers.io charges 0% commission — the only cost is paid Connects for proposals.

What is CERT and how does it affect my visibility?

CERT (Community, Engagement, Repeat Usage, Trust) is PeoplePerHour’s proprietary ranking algorithm. It assigns freelancers levels from 1 to 5 plus a “Top CERT” tier. Higher CERT levels receive more visibility in search results and AI-powered client matching. Advancing beyond Level 1 requires earnings through the platform, creating a compounding advantage for established earners and a cold-start disadvantage for new freelancers. Jobbers.io does not use an algorithmic ranking system that gates visibility behind platform earnings.

Are Hourlies (Offers) worth using on PeoplePerHour?

Hourlies are genuinely useful for freelancers with clearly defined, repeatable services — particularly in design, writing, and digital marketing. They allow clients to purchase instantly and generate repeat business. However, Hourlies still carry the tiered commission (20% on first £250 per buyer), and optional Featured Offer placement costs $14.95. For freelancers whose services are more custom or project-based, the standard proposal model may be more effective.

Which platform is better for new freelancers in Europe?

PeoplePerHour presents significant challenges for beginners: CERT Level 1 (lowest visibility), 3-month probation, up-to-one-week application review (or $13 fast-track fee), 20% commission on initial client work, and AI matching that favours experienced earners. Jobbers.io offers immediate access, no probation period, no application fee, 0% commission from your first project, and no algorithmic ranking disadvantage. New freelancers keep more of their early earnings — the period when financial efficiency matters most.

Can I use both platforms at the same time?

Yes, and this is recommended. Use PeoplePerHour for Hourlies and escrow-protected engagements. Use Jobbers.io for commission-free project work and direct client relationships. Shift volume toward Jobbers.io over time to reduce your effective commission rate. A freelancer earning £40,000/year who shifts 75% of work to Jobbers.io saves approximately £2,400/year in commission.

Why does PeoplePerHour charge 20% on new client relationships?

The tiered structure incentivizes long-term client retention — the more you earn with a single client, the lower your commission rate. However, it also creates a “new client tax” of £50 per new relationship (20% on the first £250). This penalizes diversification and business development. On Jobbers.io, winning a new client carries no commission penalty.

What happens to my money if I do not withdraw within 60 days on PeoplePerHour?

PeoplePerHour charges a $9.95/month administrative fee on accounts holding a balance for more than 60 days without withdrawal. Combined with withdrawal fees applied when you do withdraw, this creates a situation where you pay for both withdrawing and not withdrawing. Jobbers.io does not charge inactivity fees or balance-holding penalties.

Does PeoplePerHour prohibit off-platform payments?

Yes. PeoplePerHour’s terms require all payments to go through the platform. Attempting to arrange off-platform payment can result in immediate account suspension. This means clients and freelancers who develop a working relationship must continue paying the platform’s commission indefinitely as long as they use PeoplePerHour. Jobbers.io does not impose off-platform payment restrictions — client relationships are fully independent.

Which platform has more project opportunities?

Jobbers.io generates approximately 9 million monthly visits, roughly 3× PeoplePerHour’s 3 million. Higher traffic typically correlates with more active project listings and client activity. For freelancers targeting French-speaking or Arabic-speaking markets, Jobbers.io’s dedicated multilingual support and Moroccan marketplace provide additional access that PeoplePerHour does not specifically offer.

Important Notice: This article is intended for general informational and educational purposes only. Jobbers.io is the publisher of this article, and readers should consider this context when evaluating the comparison. All PeoplePerHour data is sourced from official PeoplePerHour documentation (support.peopleperhour.com), PeoplePerHour terms of service, G2 reviews, third-party analyses, and reputable industry sources as of early 2026 and is subject to change. Platform features, pricing, policies, and statistics may differ from descriptions at the time of reading. This article does not constitute financial, legal, or professional advice.

This article was written by the editorial team at jobbers.io, a commission-free freelance marketplace where freelancers keep 100% of their earnings and clients pay exactly what they negotiate — with zero platform commissions on either side.