The gig economy is one of the fastest-rising economies today as freelancers continue to surge from every part of the world. These independent workers are earning more money than ever before and have the flexibility to switch jobs and careers as often as they like. The gig economy is a dynamic industry that is constantly evolving. Freelancers have long been caught between the call of their passion and the obligations of their jobs. Still, with the emergence of on-demand freelance services, the gig economy has opened up new opportunities for workers to better manage their careers and personal lives. Even better, the on-demand economy has created new ways to make a living while giving people the flexibility they need to pursue their passions. The best payment solutions for freelancers will help you get paid quickly and easily without sacrificing security or convenience. Read on to learn about several different options that could benefit your situation.
Freelancers payments challenges: Overview
Before we dive into the list of the best freelance payment options for freelancers, it will be good to highlight some of the challenges freelancers face and how these payment methods solve them.
Today, more people are pursuing a freelance career and making a living by providing their services and skills to the on-demand economy. This has opened up a world of opportunity for individuals and small businesses to go their own way and pursue a rewarding and fulfilling career and gives people the flexibility and independence to earn a living on their own terms. The gig economy has made it possible for more people to go their own way and pursue a rewarding, fulfilling career and gives them the financial security they need. The gig economy is here to stay, and the opportunities are endless.
The gig economy is a major disruptor, but it has the potential to create a better future for all involved. And it’s only getting started. The on-demand economy has revolutionized how millions of people work and make a living. Freelancers can now earn more money than ever before while working from the comfort of their own homes.
For example, programmers and writers can now work from the comfort of their homes, allowing them to spend more time with their families. The gig economy is a game-changer for people who want ultimate freedom in their careers. Whether you are a teacher, a programmer, or a consultant, the gig economy allows you to set your own schedule and take on projects that inspire you. This is the future of work, and every day the gig economy is becoming more and more accessible to people of all backgrounds.
Today, more than ever, people have the opportunity to work in the field they are most passionate about and earn a living simultaneously. For many people, the gig economy has been a lifesaver. It has allowed people to quit their jobs and follow their dreams. For others, it has offered a chance to earn more money and work in their preferred field.
The coronavirus pandemic made freelancing even more popular than it was a decade ago, giving it a new level of popularity. People were drawn to the flexibility, independence, and sense of adventure that came with being your own boss and working from wherever you wanted to. It also provided a major turning point for the profession; it showed that being a freelancer was no longer just for the young and the restless but for anyone who wanted to build a flexible lifestyle without giving up their day job. The world of corporate freelancing has been shaken up, and the only direction it is heading in is further away from the traditional 9-to-5 model. The future for freelancing looks bright, with more and more people realizing the benefits of working for themselves.
Many years ago, when freelancing was just gaining some ground, receiving payments was a big issue for freelancers as there were only limited ways they could get their payments from their clients. The options available then either took too much as service fees or delayed their payments for days. Some even had to deal with not getting paid because no credible invoicing system made payments easier for clients and freelancers to receive. Over time, however, the industry has evolved, and better solutions have emerged. Today, many services are available, from simple invoicing apps to complex time tracking systems. The right invoicing solution for your business matches your unique needs.
Over time, freelancers have found better and more convenient ways to receive their payments. Some of the newer methods can even automate payments and significantly reduce the time freelancers need to wait for their payments. This is great news for the freelancing industry, as it means that the industry can offer better services to their clients, and freelancers can receive their payments faster, which allows them to focus more on their work and not on how they are going to pay the bills.
There are many options to receive payments from your clients, such as electronic invoices, online banking, and credit cards. This has made getting paid much easier for both the client and the freelancer. The only thing remaining is figuring out which option is best for you and your business. This will help you save time and money and focus on your work.
With digital payments at their peak, cross-border payments are becoming easier to manage. From peer-to-peer payment platforms to ACH to credit cards and money transfers, the best payment solutions will help you get paid the fastest way possible without compromising safety. If you’ve been looking for the best payment solutions for freelancers, we will highlight some of them in this article. Some of our top picks include IntaSend, Payoneer, Wise, and Stripe. We will also look at the pros and cons of each payment solution to help you make the best decision for your business.
1. IntaSend
IntaSend is arguably the best payment solution for African freelancers because it offers an easy-to-use interface that allows users to get their payments in no time. It also has a large network of users and has been providing online payments in Africa for years. It’s a great platform for small businesses that want to process payments online without building an online payment solution from scratch. IntaSend is also very affordable and offers some of the best payment services in Africa.
The company also offers a wide range of payment methods, from ACH to card payments, which means you can get your money in whatever form you prefer. IntaSend also offers clear and understandable fee structures with no hidden charges. What’s more? IntaSend has a user-friendly platform that is as intuitive as it is secure. Unlike other payment solutions, IntaSend offers more than enough payment services that leave users with more than enough options to choose from, which is exactly what a good payment solution should be about.
Below are some of the benefits you’ll get to enjoy if you ever opt for IntaSend as your preferred payment solution;
Payment links
IntaSend has a feature that lets you generate payment links from your dashboard and send them to your clients with your preferred payment method. Once your clients click these links, they will be taken to a page where they can pay you with your preferred payment method. This is one of the best features you’ll ever find on any digital payment platform. It allows you to generate more revenue and saves you a lot of time from manually sending your clients to individual payment pages. This is a great feature for those who want to automate their business and scale faster.
Safe and secure payments
IntaSend adopts bank-level security to keep your transactions safe. This means you don’t have to worry about anyone carrying out fraudulent activities on your account as long as you don’t share your password with others. IntaSend’s security is also PCI-DSS compliant.
No maintenance fee
Getting started on IntaSend is easy as opening an account is completely free. You will also be happy to know that there is no maintenance fee to use IntaSend.
Round-the-clock customer support
IntaSend has a strong customer support team that is always available to help you with any questions you may have. You can contact support any time of the day via email, phone call, and live chat.
2. PayPal
PayPal is another payment solution for freelancers, thanks to its fast payment processing and user-friendly features. It also offers more advanced functions like advanced payment settings and more. The only drawback is that it charges a higher percentage of the total than other options. On the other hand, it offers a robust platform for your business and has a wide user base with high trust and positive reviews. If you’re a small business owner looking for a cost-effective and reliable payment solution, PayPal is a good option.
The company provides traditional business solutions like invoicing and payroll but has a small platform for accepting customer payments. This platform is available through the PayPal website or app, allowing freelance workers to accept payments for their work. It’s convenient for freelancers to receive some of their money without dealing with a traditional bank. It also means they can accept customers' payments without waiting for a bank to process the payment.
One of the drawbacks of PayPal is that although it’s available in over 200 countries, not all these countries can receive payments; they can only send and pay for stuff online. You can check your country’s eligibility here before opening an account.
For US transactions, PayPal charges $0.30 + 2.9% of the amount you receive from the United States. Non-US transactions cost 4.4% + fixed fee percentage, depending on the country. Many people consider this a drawback as the transaction fee for non-US transactions is outlandish. Now, let’s talk about some of the benefits of using PayPal;
Supports multiple currencies
PayPal supports 26 currencies, including USD, GBP, EUR, and some African currencies. This means freelancers can accept payments from anywhere in the world and convert them to their local currencies.
Online invoicing
One of the best features PayPal offers is the online invoicing system that allows users to create and send invoices to their customers/clients and get paid in minutes. This saves time and money for users who wouldn't otherwise be able to invoice their customers/clients. The system is easy to use and is accessible anywhere in the world. The system also allows users to customize their invoices and add extra information such as a note to make their invoices more personable and appealing.
3. Stripe
Most folks prefer Stripe because it supports over 135 currencies and is available in over 20 countries. Stripe is an online payment processing system that allows users to accept payments and handle transactions within an internet business. If you’re just getting started with accepting online payments, Stripe is an easy and reliable option. It provides a quick and easy setup and includes various features to help you get started. For example, you can create buttons for your website or blog that automatically accept payments from specific credit card types, send your customers a receipt via email, and even set up a secure offline transaction.
Using Stripe, businesses can accept payments in their local currency without needing costly international transactions. The company offers its services through a variety of web integrations, including the ability to accept payments on your site. You can also use the platform’s buttons, making it easy for visitors to make payments on your website or blog. The platform sends a confirmation notification to your customers, so they know their payment was accepted, and it keeps a secure record of their transaction details. Moreover, you can set up offline transactions with Stripe to accept payments in person. The company provides services in over 20 countries, making it an easy choice for businesses that need access to international markets.
Below are some of the benefits of using Stripe as your go-to payment solution as a freelancer or business owner;
Multiple payment methods
Stripe supports multiple payment methods, which include bank transfers, card payments, and many more. The availability of options is usually good for users to get payments from their clients as there will be no excuse whatsoever. If one payment method fails, there are always other options to explore.
High transfer limit
There’s no official limit to the amount that can be transferred on Stripe. However, the technical limit within the app, regardless of the currency, is set at 999,999.99. This means freelancers with big employers can receive big payments via Stripe without worrying about limits as long as they’re within the technical limit, which is the biggest we’ve seen on any digital payment platform.
Advanced fraud protection
Stripe has one of the best securities of any digital payment platform, with credible authentication and advanced fraud protection, including dispute handling. You can perform transactions knowing you’re in the safest hands possible, with all these security measures in place to protect you from fraudulent activities.
Other payment solutions you should consider include;
- TransferWise
- Xoom, A PayPal Service
- Payoneer
- Venmo
- Skrill
- Google Pay
- Cash App (know more about how you can receive payments from Cash App without an account in our detailed guide here).
- Moneygram
- Escrow
- Western Union
Conclusion
Choosing an ideal payment processor for your transactions is difficult as you have to make sure you’re choosing the best! Some of the factors to consider when doing this include currency support, country availability, transaction fees, transfer limit, processing time, and payment methods, among many others. Don’t forget you’re also doing this by considering your clients/buyers, as you don’t want them spending high transaction fees on getting your payments across to you.
IntaSend offers the best payment services in Africa, so you need to make them your ideal option if you’re an African freelancer. The brand has everything in place for you to receive your payments, from invoicing systems to several payment methods and security measures. PayPal also works fine, but it’s proved to us over the years that it’s not the best option for African users due to its account restrictions and held payments, among other issues.
We hope you explore other options and make the best decision for your brand/business. A good payment processor offers the best of everything, from transaction fees to ease of use. Sign up here today to get started.
Cover Photo by Ewan Robertson on Unsplash
