How to get paid securely as a freelancer in 2026
Discover popular payment methods for freelancers, how to choose the best ones for you, and how Skrill helps you get paid securely and fast.
Getting paid is one of the biggest challenges that freelancers face. Managing personal cash flow is hard when your income is divided among multiple clients. Especially if you deal with international clients and get paid in multiple currencies.
Different pay schedules, diverse payment platforms, and multiple exchange rates can all increase your costs… and stress levels!
Knowing your payment options can help you decide which works best for your freelancing life.
TLDR:
- Freelancers get paid by hourly rates, project fees, retainers, value-based, per-word, or success fees, negotiated against project needs and client preferences.
- Freelancers can accept payments via SWIFT (high fees, slow), marketplace platforms (Upwork/Fiverr with fees), Skrill Wallet (allows users to hold multiple currencies, fast transfers), SEPA (EU-only), or ACH (US-only).
- Prioritize low currency fees, security (encryption), ease of use, global accessibility, and transaction limits when choosing freelancer payment methods.
- Skrill offers instant, low-fee transfers, so you can request money via link or invoice and receive funds securely with notifications.
What is a freelancer?
‘Freelancer’ is term that describes any self-employed person who works for multiple clients on a project-by-project basis. However, they can (and do) also accept multiple projects from the same client.
Freelancers offer services in fields such as writing, design, programming, consulting, or other specialized areas. They often work remotely, from home or shared co-working spaces, managing their own schedules in line with client deadlines rather than the usual nine-to-five.
They find their own work, manage their own business expenses and taxes, and handle contracts and payments directly with clients.
How do freelancers get paid?
There are several payment options if you’re a freelancer:
- Hourly rate: You’re paid a set amount per hour worked, although clients may place a cap on how many hours can be worked.
- Project-based fee: You’re paid a fixed sum for the project, no matter how many hours are spent working on it. This is a popular option when neither you nor the client are sure how long the task will take.
- Retainer: You’re paid a recurring fee to keep yourself available for ongoing work or services. For instance, a digital copywriter may be paid by a retainer to write four articles each month for their client’s blog. Clients may or may not restrict other work you can undertake while you’re on retainer.
- Value-based pay: Your payment is based on the value or impact generated by your work. A freelance telemarketer may be paid according to the value of the deals they sign, for instance.
- Pay-per-word: Writers or editors are paid a set amount for each word they write or review. Some clients may use this to assert more control over their budget.
- Success fee: You earn a fee only when a predetermined target is achieved. This may be making a sale or completing a project milestone.
You must negotiate with your partners to decide which of these payment options works best for both of you.
Payment options for freelancers working overseas
As a freelancer, you can work with clients all over the world. While this is great for job prospects, it can create challenges when it comes to getting paid.
Here are the top freelance payment methods for billing international clients:
- SWIFT bank transfers: SWIFT transfers allow you to receive payments from overseas clients straight into your bank account. While secure and convenient, SWIFT transfers can attract significant fees and may take several business days to complete. You’ll need an international bank account number (IBAN) to get started.
- Freelancer marketplace payments: Marketplaces like Upwork and Fiverr handle international payments for their users. Most will take care of currency conversion and processing payments to local accounts. Again, fees and delays can quickly eat into your profits, depending on the platform. You may also need an IBAN to accept payments.
- Skrill payment links: Skrill allows you to generate a unique payment link that can be sent along with your invoice. With the Skrill Digital Wallet, you can also hold multiple currencies. Learn more about how Skrill money transfers work.
- SEPA transfers: SEPA transfers are used for sending and receiving money within the Eurozone. Low-transaction fees and the next-day clearance service are certainly helpful, but only if you and your clients are based in the EU27.
- ACH transfers: Automated Clearing House (ACH) is used for account-to-account payments in the United States. Freelancers outside the US will need a local bank account to take advantage of this low-fee transfer method. It’s worth noting that processing times vary (usually between one and three days), making it hard to predict exactly when your payments will clear.
Choosing which freelance payment methods to accept
Getting paid what you’re owed – and maximizing your earnings – can be quite a balancing act.
To get it right, you need to consider the following:
- Currency conversion fees: Each payment method charges currency conversion fees, reducing your final payout. Check conversion rates and fees before agreeing on a payment method.
- Security: There’s always an element of risk involved when using unfamiliar international payment methods. Make sure your funds and personal information are protected from fraud and unauthorized access by looking for a reputable provider that offers strong security features like encryption, tokenization, and authentication.
- Ease of use: Choose a payment method that’s simple, clear, and easy to use for you and your clients, like Skrill money transfers. Complicated international payment processes can lead to confusion, delays, and mistakes, eating into your profits.
- Accessibility: Is your preferred payment method available where you and your client are based? Will the payment method work with your local bank? Some methods (like SEPA and ACH above) may not be available in your region.
- Transaction limits: Some payment providers impose limits on how much money you can receive per period (weekly, monthly, etc.). Check these limits if you’re expecting any large payments.
Most businesses are used to freelancers having unique payment needs, so don’t be afraid to suggest your preferred international payment method.
Using Skrill to get paid as a freelancer
Its simplicity and speed make Skrill money transfers one of the best payment options for freelancers. It's extremely cost effective, offering low (or no) fees on cross-border payments, so you keep more of your hard-earned cash.
Skrill works in real time, and transfers complete instantly, solving many of the common cash flow problems. And because you only need a registered email address or phone number, you can send a payment request in seconds.
Here’s how you can use Skrill to get paid for your services:
- Create a Skrill account.
- Log in and tap the “Transfer” button, then “Request Money”.
- Complete the invoicing details. Don’t forget to include any client-specific details, such as purchase order or project number.
- Send the request.
- Sit back and wait for a notification from Skrill that your payment has been received.
Every Skrill account is secured with high security 128-bit encryption, protecting your cash from cybercriminals and scammers.
Ready to get paid quickly and securely as a freelancer?
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