Remember When Marketplaces Were Actually Marketplaces?
Let’s rewind a decade. Freelance platforms were supposed to be matchmakers – connect talented freelancers with clients, handle payments, and maybe throw in some support if things went south. Simple. Helpful. Efficient.
Fast-forward to 2025, and things have spiraled into something else entirely.
Freelance marketplaces now act like monopolies in disguise – holding your clients hostage, taxing every interaction, and building moats not for your protection, but their control.
They’ve stopped being “connectors.” They’re just expensive middlemen with clever branding.
The Original Value Proposition: Convenience
When Upwork, Freelancer.com, Fiverr, and others gained traction, their appeal was simple:
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A single place to find verified clients
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Dispute resolution if something goes wrong
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Easy invoicing and payment protection
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A reputation system to build credibility
Freelancers and clients alike thought: “Sure, 10–20% fee is annoying, but it’s worth it for peace of mind.”
In 2025, that peace of mind is now sold back to you as a subscription plan.
The Platform Fee Buffet: Now Serving Confusion
Let’s take a look at what a typical platform fee structure looks like today:
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20% commission from freelancer earnings
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3% payment processing fee (for clients)
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Currency conversion fees
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VAT/tax surcharges
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“Premium” freelancer visibility packages
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Monthly subscriptions for bidding access
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Withdrawal charges
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Surprise inactivity penalties
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Oh – and don’t forget your earnings are still held for 5–14 days
You’re not running a freelance business. You’re just paying rent to list your name on someone else’s app.
Clients Are Now Customers of the Platform, Not You
Ever noticed how most platforms push clients to post jobs instead of looking for freelancers themselves?
Why? Because platforms are obsessed with metrics like “project volume” and “engagement,” not actual project success.
Clients are bombarded with recommended freelancers, not based on expertise—but based on who paid for visibility or who’s currently trending in the algorithm.
Meanwhile, you, the freelancer, are:
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Competing in a race-to-the-bottom pricing war
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Encouraged to stay active or risk profile demotion
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Told to rebrand yourself for “maximum visibility”
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Expected to send 20+ proposals per week just to stay relevant
Welcome to the hamster wheel of digital gig labor.
Let’s Talk Surveillance (Yes, Really)
Don’t believe the myth that these platforms are “freelancer-friendly.” They monitor your messages, flag words like “email” and “WhatsApp,” and ban you for suggesting a Zoom call.
Because God forbid you build a real relationship with a client without the platform taking its cut.
If freelancers and clients could communicate freely, the platform wouldn’t earn anything. So instead of creating value, they create barriers – then charge you to navigate around them.
You’re not a partner. You’re a captive user.
So… What’s the Alternative?
There’s good news: smarter platforms are emerging. And they’re not playing the gatekeeper game.
Take Forhopp, for example.
It’s built on a simple premise:
Freelancers and clients should pay for value, not for permission to work together.
Here’s how it flips the model:
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Zero client fees. Clients shouldn’t be penalized for hiring talent. Period.
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Lower freelancer fees. Because keeping 80% of your earnings shouldn’t feel like a luxury.
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No messaging restrictions. You’re a professional. You can talk like one.
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AI that helps you, not stalks you – proposal writers, pricing assistants, and bid evaluators that you control.
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You own your data. Take your reviews and history with you. You’re not bound to the platform forever.
Forhopp doesn’t compete with you. It empowers you.
The Freelance Economy Deserves Better
Freelancing has become a mature, sophisticated ecosystem. It’s no longer just students and side-hustlers—it’s seasoned consultants, agency owners, product builders, marketers, engineers, and creatives.
So why are we still letting outdated platforms behave like they’re doing us a favor?
It’s time for freelancers to stop settling for:
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Exploitative fee structures
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Gimmicky “badges” in exchange for subscriptions
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Paywalls that block client communication
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Algorithmic manipulation to keep you online longer
Final Word: Control Is the New Currency
Freelancers in 2025 don’t just want jobs. They want control – over their time, income, reputation, and relationships.
If your platform treats you like a lead generator instead of a business owner, it’s not worth your loyalty.
So the next time you’re asked to pay 20% for permission to do your own job, ask yourself:
Who’s really working for whom?
And maybe, just maybe, consider switching to a platform that respects your hustle – and doesn’t charge you for every breath you take.
Welcome to the future. It’s decentralized, it’s freelancer-first, and it’s built with people like you in mind.
Welcome to Forhopp.