Kay points: cheaper, simpler, fast vetting process, narrower target
| Feature | Lemon.io | Upwork | Twine.net |
| Primary Focus | Vetted Software Developers (primarily for startups and MVPs). | The world’s largest General Freelance Marketplace (covering all skills). | Vetted creative and tech freelancers (covers thousands of skills). |
| Talent Pool Size & Vetting | Small, highly vetted pool (only approx 3-5% of applicants accepted after a rigorous, multi-stage process). | Massive, global pool (millions of freelancers). Minimal platform vetting; reputation is based on client ratings. | Curated talent pool with a rigorous vetting process for job applicants. |
| Client Pricing Model | Charges a flat commission (often 20%) on the developer’s hourly rate. Client receives a curated shortlist. | Clients pay the freelancer’s rate plus a 3% payment processing fee. Clients post jobs or search directly. | Businesses can post jobs for free. |
| Freelancer Commission | Developers receive mid-market rates (e.g., $45–$85/hr), with the platform fee applied to that rate. | Sliding scale commission taken from freelancer earnings (20% for the first $500, decreasing to 5% for high-value contracts). | Varies/Not a standardized, published scale like Upwork. |
| Typical Hourly Rates | Mid-to-High: Rates typically range from $45 to $85+ per hour. | Highly variable: Ranges from very low (<$20/hr) to high (>$100/hr) depending on region and skill. | Competitive rates, often cited as a cost-effective alternative to Upwork for businesses. |
| Time to Match/Hire | Fast. Curated shortlist of matching developers provided within 24–72 hours. | Slow/Variable. Requires significant time from the client to filter, interview, and test candidates. | Quick applicant vetting, but clients still manage the selection from the pool. |
| Best For | Startups and small-to-mid businesses needing reliable, pre-vetted developers fast. | Businesses and individuals needing maximum flexibility, low prices, or talent for non-technical, general skills. | Businesses looking for quality, specialized talent for creative or tech projects without large upfront fees. |