Freelancer Net Profit Calculator
You landed a $1,000 gig. Nice.
But by the time that money moves from your client, through the platform, into a wallet like Payoneer, and finally hits your local bank account in Naira, Cedi, or Shillings, it doesn’t look like $1,000 anymore.
Most freelancers calculate their earnings based on the contract price. That is a mistake. Between platform commissions, withdrawal fees, and the “hidden” exchange rate spread, you could be losing 15% to 25% of your hard-earned money before you even spend a dime.
EarnMoreCashToday built the Freelancer Net Profit Calculator specifically for African freelancers to solve this. It doesn’t just subtract the Upwork fee; it tracks the money all the way to your local bank.
Try The Tool
Freelancer Net Profit Calculator
Why Your Net Income is Lower Than You Think
When you work internationally but live locally, your money passes through three distinct toll gates. Our calculator breaks these down instantly, but here is the logic you need to understand.
1. The Platform Cut
This is the fee you pay for using the marketplace.
- Upwork: Takes a flat 10%.
- Fiverr & AfriBlocks: Take 20%.
- PeoplePerHour: Uses a sliding scale (20% on the first $650, dropping to 3.5% for high earnings).
- Toptal & Gebeya: Usually charge the client, so you keep 100% of your rate.
2. The Withdrawal Fee
Getting money off the platform costs money.
- Payoneer: Charges $3.00 for immediate loading or 1% if you use a USD receiving account.
- PayPal: Typically hits you with a $5.00 international withdrawal fee.
- Grey/Geegpay: These virtual banks usually charge a 1% inbound fee for USD.
- Wire Transfer: The old-school method. It can cost $30.00 per transaction. Avoid this for small amounts.
3. The Silent Killer: Exchange Rate Spread
This is where most calculators fail.
If Google says 1 USD = 1,600 NGN, your bank will never give you 1,600. They might give you 1,565.
That difference is called the Spread. It usually amounts to a 2% loss on the total value. Our calculator includes a checkbox to account for this real-world loss so you aren’t surprised by your final bank balance.
How to Use the Calculator
1. Select Your Platform: Choose where you work. We support Upwork, Fiverr, PeoplePerHour, Toptal, Gebeya, AfriBlocks, Kuhustle, and Direct Clients.
2. Enter Gross Earnings: Type in the amount the client is paying you (e.g., 500 or 1,000).
3. Choose Withdrawal Method: How are you moving the money?
- If you are on Upwork, the “Direct to Local Bank” option is often cheapest for smaller amounts ($0.99 fee), but check the exchange rate they offer.
- For Gebeya or Kuhustle, select Mobile Money (M-Pesa/MTN) if available.
4. Select Your Currency: We support all major African currencies including GHS, NGN, KES, ZAR, EGP, and the full list of currencies from DZD to ZWL.
5. The Spread Checkbox: Keep this checked. Unless you are trading currency on the black market or have a specialized forex account, you will pay the spread.
The Bottom Line
Don’t budget based on your contract rate. Budget based on your Cash in Hand.
Use the tool above before you send your next proposal. If you need to take home exactly 15,000 GHS or 1,000,000 NGN, use the calculator to work backward and figure out what you actually need to charge the client to cover the fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which freelance platform has the lowest fees for Africans?
Direct Clients are the best option (0% fee). Among marketplaces, Toptal and Gebeya are superior because the client pays the markup, leaving you with 0% platform fees. Upwork is the best of the “open” marketplaces at a flat 10%.
Is Payoneer cheaper than PayPal for freelancers?
Generally, yes. Payoneer charges a flat $3.00 or 1%, whereas PayPal fees can vary wildy and their exchange rates are often significantly lower than market value. Additionally, Payoneer integrates better with local African bank accounts.
What is the “Real Exchange Loss”?
This is the difference between the mid-market rate (what you see on Google) and the “Buy” rate your bank gives you. On a $1,000 withdrawal, a 2% spread means you lose the local currency equivalent of $20. It adds up.
Does Upwork support M-Pesa?
Not directly. You typically need to withdraw from Upwork to a service like Grey or Payoneer first, and then move the funds to M-Pesa. This incurs a double fee (Upwork withdrawal fee + Service transfer fee).
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