# Orca vs Upwork, Fiverr & Agencies

> Compare Orca to Upwork, Fiverr, and managed agencies on fees, speed, dedicated assistants, and transparent VA pricing.

Canonical URL: https://www.orcarw.com/orca-vs-upwork

## Comparison table

| Feature | Orca | Fiverr | Upwork | Taskbullet |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Platform / agency fees | None | 20% from VA | 10% from VA | 35% management fee |
| Speed to first message | Instant | Instant | After proposals | ~1 day |
| Dedicated assistant | Yes — same person | No — gig-based | Possible but varies | Yes — managed |
| Transparent pricing upfront | Yes — rate on profile | Yes — per gig | Varies — negotiated | Yes |
| Bidding / proposals required | No — direct message | No | Yes — proposal process | No |
| VA keeps 100% of their rate | Yes | No — 80% | No — 90% | No — managed model |
| AI-assisted matching | Yes — Scout Concierge | Limited filters | Smart matching | Yes |

## Frequently asked questions

### Is Orca cheaper than Upwork?

Orca charges zero platform commission. VAs keep 100% of their agreed rate, while Upwork takes a percentage from freelancers. Clients also avoid the proposal process and hire directly from structured profiles.

### Can I hire the same VA long-term on Orca?

Yes. Orca is built for ongoing assistant relationships — not one-off gigs. You message a dedicated VA, agree on scope and hours, and continue working together without rebidding.

### Do I still need to post a job?

No. Orca is directory-first. Browse live profiles, compare rates and skills, and message the VA you want to speak with.

### What if I want help choosing a VA?

Use Scout Concierge — Orca's $49 AI-ranked shortlist service — or browse the directory sorted by responsiveness and experience.