Freelancers require a secure, easy-to-use, and inexpensive payment processor to accept money from clients. While there are many affordable options, the payment processor business tools should complement the different ways freelancers want to get paid and how they work, whether they’re in-person service professionals, consultants online, or subject matter experts on a marketplace.
The best payment methods for freelancers are:
- PayPal: Best overall payment method for freelancers
- Square Appointments: Best for service professionals
- Wave: Best for free invoicing and accounting tools
- Cash App: Best for peer-to-peer payments
- Nomod: Best for freelance designers on Behance
- SimplyPayMe: Best for gig workers accepting cash payments
- Payoneer: Best for freelancers with international clients
Top Freelancer Payment Methods Compared
Monthly Fee | In-person Transaction Fee | Online Transaction Fee | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | $0 | 2.29% + 9 cents | 2.59% + 49 cents | Included | Available |
 | $0 | 2.6% + 10 cents | 2.9% + 30 cents | Included | N/A |
 | $0 | N/A | 2.9% + 60 cents | Included | N/A |
 | $0 | 2.75% Free for peer-to-peer & bank-to-bank payments | 2.75% Free for peer-to-peer & bank-to-bank payments | Limited | N/A |
 | $0 | From 2.9% + 30 cents | From 2.9% + 30 cents | Included | Limited |
 | $1.99–$9.99 | 2.9% + 30 cents | 2.9% + 30 cents | Included | N/A |
 | $0 | N/A | 0%–3%/$3 | Included | Limited |
Looking for a merchant account? Most freelancers can sign up for a free merchant account with the payment processors listed above. However, you may consider alternatives if you have a fast-growing or active freelancing business to save on costs. Learn more about merchant accounts.
PayPal: Best Overall Freelance Payment Processor
Pros
- Accepts partial payments
- Instant access to funds
- Free invoicing tools
- Popular payout option for freelancer marketplaces
Cons
- Complicated pricing structure
- Unpredictable freezing of accounts
- No ACH payments (Echecks only)
- Charges monthly fee if using virtual terminal
What We Like
PayPal has long been the go-to payment platform even before work-from-home and freelancing jobs became mainstream. So it’s not surprising that this user-friendly platform is ideal for freelancers looking to accept payments as a business, peer-to-peer, online, or via a marketplace integration.
The original PayPal app does not require you to have a credit card reader to accept payments. It is also the leader in peer-to-peer payments, and has added the latest contactless payment methods throughout the years. Instant access to funds, accepting partial payments, and a long list of freelancer marketplace integrations make PayPal stand out as our overall best payment processor for freelancers.
New for 2024: PayPal announced improvements to its online checkout, an app redesign and more. See all of PayPal’s new features.
- Monthly fee: $0
- In-person transaction fee: 2.29% + 9 cents
- Invoicing fee: 3.49% + 49 cents
- Online transaction fee: 2.59% + 49 cents
- Echeck transaction fee: 3.49% capped at $300
- Cross-border fee: 1.5%
- Chargeback fee: $20
- Instant funding fee: 1.5%
Freelancer Payment Tools
- ✓ Peer to peer
- ✓ Contactless
- ✓ QR code payment
- ✓ Sharable payment link
- ✓ Tap-to-pay
- ✕ Mobile credit card reader
- ✕ Credit card scanner*
- ✓ Invoicing
- ✓ Website integration
*Merchants use the camera from their mobile device to scan physical credit cards and transferring the information on the mobile payment app where customer enters their CCV to confirm payment
Freelancer Business Tools
- ✓ Preset tipping
- ✕ Custom tipping
- ✕ Accounting
- ✕ Tax reporting
- ✕ Job scheduling
- ✕ Time tracking
Freelancer Marketplace Integrations
- ✓ Upwork
- ✓ Fiverr
- ✕ Behance
- ✓ Clarity
- ✓ Freelancer.com
- ✓ Giggrabbers
- ✓ 99 Designs
- ✓ Grubhub
- ✓ Uber
- ✕ DoorDash
- ✕ Lyft
Square Appointments: Best for In-person Service Professionals
Pros
- Free invoicing app
- Highly customizable invoice templates
- Multiple payment method options
- Waived chargeback fees
Cons
- Limited calendar integrations
- Lacks freelancer marketplace integration
- Reports of frozen funds
- Extended business hours only for customer support
What We Like
Square Appointments is a popular point-of-sale (POS) system available on a mobile device where you can manage your calendar, create and send invoices, and accept payments. The Square Appointments app free plan is perfect for service professional freelancers who go out on jobs such as plumbers, landscapers, and HVAC.
Read more about our recommended POS apps.
Square does not have the cheapest transaction fees but it does come with useful free tools such as invoicing and website builder that you won’t find on PayPal. Square also waives its chargeback fees and will allow you to accept nearly all types of international credit card payments without any additional cost.
- Monthly fee: $0
- In-person transaction fee: 2.6% + 30 cents
- Invoicing: 3.3% + 10 cents
- Online transaction fee: 2.9% + 30 cents
- ACH transaction fee: 1%, minimum $1
- Cross-border fee: $0 (card network fees only)
- Chargeback fee: Waived up to $250/month
- Instant funding fee: 1.75%
Freelancer Payment Tools
- ✕ Peer to peer
- ✓ Contactless
- ✓ QR code payment
- ✓ Sharable payment link
- ✓ Tap-to-pay
- ✓ Mobile credit card reader
- ✕ Credit card scanner
- ✓ Invoicing
- ✓ Website integration
Freelancer Business Tools
- ✓ Preset tipping
- ✓ Custom tipping
- ✕ Accounting
- ✓ Tax reporting
- ✓ Job scheduling
- ✕ Time tracking
Freelancer Marketplace Integrations
- ✕ Upwork
- ✕ Fiverr
- ✕ Behance
- ✕ Clarity
- ✕ Freelancer.com
- ✕ Giggrabbers
- ✕ 99 Designs
- ✕ Grubhub
- ✕ Uber
- ✕ DoorDash
- ✕ Lyft
Wave: Best for Free Invoicing & Accounting Tools
Pros
- Free full-featured invoicing & billing tools
- Free accounting tools
- Instant payout available
- Low, refundable chargeback fee
Cons
- Lacks in-person payment processing
- Lacks freelancer marketplace integration
- Higher cost for Amex payments
- Business hours-only customer support
What We Like
Wave is one of the latest business management software with online and mobile payment tools but stands out because of its free invoicing and accounting capabilities. Freelancers working part-time for multiple clients or companies can create multiple merchant IDs, plus a personal profile on Wave.
The system can help you track and consolidate all your income and expenses, automatically organizing your records for tax reporting purposes. Unlike PayPal and Square, you won’t need to pay extra for this functionality. Add-on tools are also available if you decide to scale your business and hire employees after a while.
- Monthly fee: $0
- In-person transaction fee: N/A
- Invoicing: 2.9% + 60 cents (Visa and Mastercard), 3.4% + 60 cents (Amex)
- Online transaction fee: 2.9% + 60 cents (Visa and Mastercard), 3.4% + 60 cents (Amex)
- ACH transaction fee: 1%, minimum $1
- Crossborder fee: $0, (card network fee only)
- Chargeback fee: $15 refundable
- Instant funding fee: Not disclosed (typically 1%–5%)
Freelancer Payment Tools
- ✕ Peer to peer
- ✕ Contactless
- ✕ QR code payment
- ✓ Sharable payment link
- ✕ Tap-to-pay
- ✕ Mobile credit card reader
- ✕ Credit card scanner
- ✓ Invoicing
- ✓ Website integration
Freelancer Business Tools
- ✓ Preset tipping
- ✓ Custom tipping
- ✓ Accounting
- ✓ Tax reporting
- ✕ Job scheduling
- ✕ Time tracking
Freelancer Marketplace Integrations
- ✕ Upwork
- ✕ Fiverr
- ✕ Behance
- ✕ Clarity
- ✕ Freelancer.com
- ✕ Giggrabbers
- ✕ 99 Designs
- ✕ Grubhub
- ✕ Uber
- ✕ DoorDash
- ✕ Lyft
Cash App: Best for Freelancers Who Prefer Peer-to-Peer Payments
Pros
- Free instant funding
- Zero fixed cost per transaction
- QR code payment enabled for in-person and online transactions
- Free switch from personal to business account
Cons
- Lacks cross border payment processing
- No invoicing tools
- Lacks freelancer marketplace integrations
- Higher than average in-person/ contactless transaction fee
What We Like
Cash App is another popular peer-to-peer payment platform from the same company that gave us Square. While the features are very limited compared to Square, Cash App has everything a casual/occasional freelancer, including street performers, artists, and buskers, would need. Cash App for business is equipped with a simple payment request feature that allows customers to pay via digital wallet and QR codes.
Cash App also keeps a record of all incoming and outgoing transactions and will prompt you to make receipts available for transactions greater than $15 as well as have customers personally sign for all transactions greater than $25. This makes Cash App ideal for freelancers such as part-time babysitters, dog walkers, and couriers.
- Monthly fee: $0
- In-person transaction fee: 2.75%
- Online transaction fee: 2.75%
- Peer-to-peer transactions: Free
- Bank-to-bank transactions: Free
- ACH transaction fee: $0
- Chargeback fee: Not disclosed
- Fast funding fee: Free
Freelancer Payment Tools
- ✓ Peer to peer
- ✓ Contactless
- ✓ QR code payment
- ✕ Sharable payment link
- ✕ Tap-to-pay
- ✕ Mobile credit card reader
- ✕ Credit card scanner
- ✕ Invoicing
- ✓ Website integration
Freelancer Business Tools
- ✕ Preset tipping
- ✕ Custom tipping
- ✕ Accounting
- ✓ Tax reporting
- ✕ Job scheduling
- ✕ Time tracking
Freelancer Marketplace Integration
- ✕ Upwork
- ✕ Fiverr
- ✕ Behance
- ✕ Clarity
- ✕ Freelancer.com
- ✕ Giggrabbers
- ✕ 99 Designs
- ✕ Grubhub
- ✕ Uber
- ✕ DoorDash
- ✕ Lyft
Nomod: Best for Graphic Designers on Behance
Pros
- Flexible transaction fees
- Accept international payments
- Built-in time tracking tools
- Free team management features
Cons
- Initially slow payouts
- Business tools available with fee
- Does not process ACH/echecks
- No hardware integration
What We Like
Nomod is a versatile in-person and online payment platform. While it does not have peer-to-peer payment functionality like Cash App, Nomod offers a more well-rounded range of payment tools. It also integrates directly with Behance so creative/ artistic freelancers will find this payment the most useful.
Behance is part of the Adobe Creative Cloud where freelancers maintain portfolios of their graphic design, illustration, photography, 3D art, motion design, architecture, fine art, fashion, and crafts and accept commissions. There were over 40 million Behance members by the end of 2022.
Nomod is equipped with freelancer-friendly tools such as discounting and tipping functionalities. It also comes with customer management features ideal for keeping a profile of repeat clients.
- Monthly fee: $0
- Transaction fees (in-person & online):
- Core plan: 2.9% + 30 cents
- Plus plan: Interchange plus:0.50% + 30 cents
- Custom rates: For businesses processing more than $100,000 in monthly sales
- ACH transaction fee: N/A
- Crossborder fee: 1%
- Chargeback fee: Not disclosed
- Fast funding fee: N/A
Freelancer Payment Tools
- ✕ Peer to peer
- ✓ Contactless
- ✓ QR code payment
- ✓ Sharable payment link
- ✓ Tap-to-pay
- ✕ Mobile credit card reader
- ✓ Credit card scanner
- ✓ Invoicing
- ✕ Website integration
Freelancer Business Tools
- ✓ Preset tipping
- ✓ Custom tipping
- ✕ Accounting
- ✓ Tax reporting
- ✓ Job scheduling
- ✓ Time tracking
Freelancer Marketplace Integration
- ✕ Upwork
- ✕ Fiverr
- ✓ Behance
- ✕ Clarity
- ✕ Freelancer.com
- ✕ Giggrabbers
- ✕ 99 Designs
- ✕ Grubhub
- ✕ Uber
- ✕ DoorDash
- ✕ Lyft
SimplyPayMe: Best for Gig Workers Who Accept Cash
Pros
- Wide range of payment methods
- Built-in POS, invoicing, cash tracking, and job scheduling tools
- Can process offline payments
- Comes with a free trial
Cons
- Charges US merchants a monthly fee
- ACH payments not available for US merchants
- Slow payouts (3–7 business days)
- Does not process international payments
What We Like
For freelancers looking for a simple solution to manage multiple jobs and accept payments, consider SimplyPayMe. This makes SimplyPayMe somewhat similar to what Square Appointments offers. However, while Square is more versatile in payment tools and features, SimplyPayMe has the advantage when it comes to managing cash transactions straight from the mobile app.
While we are certainly heading to a cashless economy, a 2022 study shows that 58% of consumers still make sure they have cash on hand. Learn more about cash use and other payment trends.
SimplyPayMe is also equipped to handle credit card transactions with the latest mobile credit card scanner technology. You can also create and send out invoices with embedded payment links at no extra cost.
- Monthly fee: $1.99–$9.99
- In-person transaction fee: 2.9% + 30 cents (contactless payments)
- Online transaction fee: 2.9% + 30 cents
- ACH transaction fee: 0.45% (Only for UK merchants)
- Chargeback fee: Not disclosed
- Fast funding fee: N/A
Freelancer Payment Tools
- ✕ Peer to peer
- ✓ Contactless
- ✓ QR code payment
- ✓ Sharable payment link
- ✕ Tap-to-pay
- ✕ Mobile credit card reader
- ✓ Credit card scanner
- ✓ Invoicing
- ✕ Website integration
Freelancer Business Tools
- ✕ Preset tipping
- ✕ Custom tipping
- ✕ Accounting
- ✓ Tax reporting
- ✓ Job scheduling
- ✕ Time tracking
Freelancer Marketplace Integration
- ✕ Upwork
- ✕ Fiverr
- ✕ Behance
- ✕ Clarity
- ✕ Freelancer.com
- ✕ Giggrabbers
- ✕ 99 Designs
- ✕ Grubhub
- ✕ Uber
- ✕ DoorDash
- ✕ Lyft
Payoneer: Best for Freelancers With International Clients
Pros
- Higher than average credit card transaction fee
- No fees if payment is from another Payoneer account
- Supports local receiving accounts in 9 countries
- Same-day funding for most payouts
Cons
- Charges inactivity fee
- Lacks in-person payment option
- Direct banking only for UK merchants
- Limited customer service
What We Like
Payoneer is a UK-based payment platform that offers affordable and convenient payment processing tools for cross-border transactions. The platform is primarily mobile-based although it supports online payments with Payoneer checkout. This makes it ideal for freelancers who win clients through Upwork, Fiverr, or those who have their own websites.
While other providers in our list like Square also support international credit card payment processing, Payoneer stands out for its ability to provide local receiving accounts in nine other countries. This means higher chances of transaction approval and faster access to funds. Payoneer offers instant payments if the client pays with their Payoneer account (a lot like PayPal), and same-day funding for other payout types.
- Monthly fee: $0
- In-person transaction fee: N/A
- Online transaction fee:
- 3% (credit card transactions)
- Free (from Payoneer users and via local receiving accounts except USD)
- 0-1% (USD local receiving account)
- $3 (accepting payments from freelancer marketplace)
- ACH transaction fee: 1%
- Crossborder fee: 1%
- Chargeback fee: Varies
- Fast funding fee: Free
Freelancer Payment Tools
- ✕ Peer to peer
- ✕ Contactless
- ✕ QR code payment
- ✓ Sharable payment link
- ✕ Tap-to-pay
- ✕ Mobile credit card reader
- ✕ Credit card scanner
- ✓ Invoicing
- ✓ Website integration
Freelancer Business Tools
- ✓ Preset tipping
- ✕ Custom tipping
- ✕ Accounting
- ✓ Tax reporting
- ✕ Job scheduling
- ✕ Time tracking
Freelancer Marketplace Integration
- ✓ Upwork
- ✓ Fiverr
- ✕ Behance
- ✕ Clarity
- ✕ Freelancer.com
- ✕ Giggrabbers
- ✓ 99 Designs
- ✕ Grubhub
- ✕ Uber
- ✕ DoorDash
- ✕ Lyft
Payoneer also integrates with other freelance marketplaces like Udemy, Shutterstock, Adobe, and Cross Over.
How to Get Paid as a Freelancer
As a freelancer, you have the freedom to set and negotiate rates and the terms of how you get paid. Other factors that determine how effectively you get paid are your chosen payment methods and the payment processor that works best based on your business type.
Consider the following when deciding how to get paid as a freelancer:
- Consider who your clients are: Requesting payments for your services from individuals would be much easier than getting paid by a business with an accounts payable process. Also, if you are getting clients independently through a website you can freely choose where your clients should send you your payment. However, if you work as a freelancer on marketplaces like Fiverr, check what type of payment platform is supported. PayPal is the safest and most widely used.
- Offer multiple payment methods: Providing clients with a range of payment alternatives helps with making their decision to do business with you instead of the next freelancer. In most cases, payment processors can support a combination of payment methods and it’s up to you to choose which works best for your business.
- Compare the fees: Consider value-for-money when comparing the fees. By default, credit card transactions are the fastest to process and offer a variety of card-present and card-not-present payment options. ACH and bank-to-bank payments can be slower but less expensive than credit card transaction fees. Payment processors also differ in terms of supported business management and payment tools.
Get more tips with our guide on how to get paid as a freelancer.
Methodology: How We Chose the Best Payment Method for Freelancers
For this guide, we considered dozens of payment processors that offer a range of payment methods and business tools that match different types of freelancers. We then evaluated each provider through 20 data points that cover pricing, payment features, account features, and expert scores based on my actual tests of the platform as well as real-life user feedback.
We then narrowed down our list to seven payment processors that offer the most versatility and value for money for freelancers.
Click through the tabs below for my full evaluation criteria:
25% of Overall Score
We compared each provider’s pricing structure and awarded premium points for those that offer free use of the payment platform. We also compared the average transaction fee for credit card payments, ACH, and cross-border transactions. Points are docked for any incidental fees from chargeback and inactivity.
25% of Overall Score
We evaluated each payment processor based on the variety of supported payment methods. Points vary based on how popular a payment method is for freelancers. Payment processors lose partial points if they charge additional fees on top of the standard transaction rates.
25% of Overall Score
We focused on payment and business tools that most freelancers need to run their businesses. Points are awarded for providers with built-in invoicing, accounting and tax reporting, tipping, job scheduling, and time tracking capabilities. We also awarded premium points for those able to integrate with freelancer marketplaces. Finally, we also considered standard features such as ease of use, funding speed, customer support, and platform compatibility.
25% of Overall Score
We carefully tested each system’s payment processing, invoicing, and reporting functionalities and scored accordingly. We also looked at real-life user reviews to see how the system performs long-term. The quantity and quality of these reviews also became our basis for scoring popularity on each platform.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Credit cards, in general, are the most preferred payment method, however, there is no one particular payment method for freelancers. In fact, we recommend making multiple payment methods available because not all customers prefer to pay the same way. For instance, you can have credit cards as a main payment type plus alternatives for contactless payments and cash for very low-ticket payments, can ACH for larger amounts.
Most freelancers who work in-person/physical jobs often prefer contactless payments, even cash, although there are some, particularly those who do pre-scheduled services also issue invoices. Meanwhile, those who work online, such as on a website or a freelancer marketplace, opt for invoiced ACH and card-not-present payment methods.
Yes, Venmo is a popular option for freelancers because it is free and easy to use. If you’re performing work for individuals, Venmo could work for you as a mobile payment option. However, if your clients are businesses, they may not be set up in a way that allows them to process Venmo transactions.
PayPal is the official withdrawal method for Freelancer.com, this is also true for most freelancer marketplaces.
Bottom Line
Freelancer payment options vary as much as how freelancers do business. Cost, ease of use, payout time, and the management tools freelancers need make choosing the right payment processor an important aspect of growing the business. The best payment methods for freelancers should be able to meet these requirements.
