Guru
Guru is a general freelance marketplace where employers post jobs, search profiles and receive quotes from freelancers. Once terms are agreed, both sides work through dedicated WorkRooms and use agreements that can specify deliverables, payment schedules, work updates and fee splits.
At a glance
- Best for
- Small businesses that want a conventional freelance marketplace with flexible agreements, relatively low employer fees and a SafePay funding option.
- Verified pricing / fees
- Free to join; 2.9% employer handling fee on paid invoices
- Free plan
- Available
Overview
Guru is inexpensive on the employer side: signing up, posting jobs and searching freelancers are free, while paid invoices carry a 2.9% handling fee. Guru states that a 3% cashback applies when employers use eCheck, physical check or wire transfer, effectively offsetting that handling fee. Freelancers pay job fees ranging from 9% on Basic to 5% on Executive membership, with optional paid memberships offering more bids, lower fees and visibility tools.
Employers pay a 2.9% handling fee on the invoice value. Guru currently offers a 3% instant cashback for certain payment methods such as eCheck, physical check or wire transfer, which can effectively offset the handling fee.
Freelancer economics depend on membership. Basic is free and carries a 9% job fee with 10 bids per month. Paid tiers increase bidding capacity and reduce the job fee, reaching 5% on Executive. Guru also allows the freelancer and employer to agree that the employer will absorb up to 5 percentage points of the freelancer’s job fee.
Key features
- Free job posting and freelancer search for employers.
- Quote-based hiring with negotiable agreements, payment terms and deliverables.
- WorkRooms for communication, files, team members and ongoing project history.
- SafePay account funding so freelancers can verify funds before work begins.
- Flexible invoice, milestone, hourly and miscellaneous payment structures.
- Freelancer memberships that trade subscription cost for more bids, lower job fees and visibility features.
Pricing and fees
| Fee / plan | Current amount | What matters |
|---|---|---|
| Employer handling | 2.9% | Added when the employer pays an invoice. |
| Employer cashback | 3% on qualifying methods | Guru states eCheck, physical check or wire transfer can effectively reduce the handling cost to zero. |
| Basic freelancer | Free; 9% job fee | 10 bids/month, 120/year. |
| Basic+ | $11.95/mo; $8.95/mo annual equivalent | 9% job fee; up to 50 bids/month. |
| Professional | $21.95/mo; $15.95 annual equivalent | 7% job fee and additional visibility/bidding features. |
| Business | $33.95/mo; $24.95 annual equivalent | 6% job fee. |
| Executive | $49.95/mo; $39.95 annual equivalent | 5% job fee and highest membership benefits. |
Guru’s freelancer fee can be split by agreement: an employer may contribute up to 5 percentage points toward the job fee. Membership purchases are non-refundable, and withdrawal/payment-method charges can apply in specific cases.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Low 2.9% employer handling fee, with qualifying cashback that can effectively offset it.
- SafePay provides a funded-payment protection mechanism.
- Flexible agreement structure works for milestones, hourly work and longer relationships.
- Free Basic membership means freelancers can participate without a monthly subscription.
- Paid freelancer memberships reduce job fees as work volume grows.
Cons
- Marketplace is smaller and less prominent than the largest global competitors.
- Free freelancers receive only 10 bids per month.
- Fee and membership structure takes more explanation than a flat commission model.
- SafePay protection is strongest when buyers actually fund it before work begins.
Who is it for?
Who should use Guru?
Guru is a solid fit for small businesses that want open-market freelancer choice but prefer lower employer fees than PeoplePerHour. It is also attractive for freelancers who work enough volume to justify a paid membership and lower job fee.
Who should consider an alternative?
Freelancer.com has a larger global marketplace and more aggressive bid volume. Toptal is more curated for premium talent, while Contra may be economically better for established independents who want to avoid percentage commission.
ToolRankers verdict
Guru is easy to overlook, but its economics are competitive. A 2.9% employer fee is modest, and the SafePay structure gives buyers and freelancers a recognizable protection mechanism.
The platform is most compelling for repeat freelance work where its WorkRooms, agreements and membership economics have time to matter. It is less compelling if your priority is the largest possible marketplace or the strongest upfront talent curation.
ToolRankers research on Guru
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Sources and fact-checking
Product details and fees were checked against these official sources on 7 October 2026. Marketplace fees and terms can change; confirm the current terms with the provider.