Comparisons
SDK Enterprises vs Upwork: how the models differ
Upwork is a marketplace: you post a job or buy a pre-scoped project, then vet, contract with and manage freelancers yourself. SDK Enterprises is a remote AI and software agency: we send a shortlist of engineers we have checked, and we can manage them or deliver the whole project under our own contract.
Last reviewed: September 26, 2026
The two models side by side
| Question | Upwork | SDK Enterprises |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | UpworkA marketplace with tools to find freelancers and agencies, manage contracts and pay. You post a job and receive proposals, or buy a pre-scoped project from Project Catalog.[1][2][3] | SDK EnterprisesAn AI and software agency. We build and run software with in-house engineers and vetted freelance specialists, and we find freelancers for your own team. |
| How you find people | UpworkPost a job and review proposals, search and invite talent using filters, or buy a Project Catalog project. On Upwork Enterprise, Upwork's team can send you a shortlist.[1][2][7] | SDK EnterprisesYou send a short brief. We send a shortlist of vetted freelancers who are available and have said they are interested, with their experience, skills and why we picked them. |
| How people are checked | UpworkUpwork says clients are responsible for vetting and choosing freelancers. It screens freelancers to check they are eligible to join, and awards badges such as Expert-Vetted after its own evaluation, which includes an interview.[2][9] | SDK EnterprisesOur engineers review each person's work history and technical fit for your need before we propose them. |
| Who manages the work | UpworkYou manage the contract: you review logged hours or deliverables and approve payments. Upwork says it is not involved in client and freelancer engagements. Enterprise plans add program managers for large projects.[2][3][8] | SDK EnterprisesYou choose per person: hire them directly and manage them yourself, or let SDK manage them. When we build a project, we run the team and show you working software every week. |
| Who you contract with | UpworkThe freelancer or agency you hire. Freelancers are not Upwork employees, and Upwork requires you to pay people you find there through its platform.[2][3][6] | SDK EnterprisesSDK Enterprises, when we build a project or manage a freelancer for you. If you hire someone directly, they work on your own contract. |
| Pricing and payment | UpworkHourly contracts are billed weekly for logged hours; fixed-price milestones are funded in escrow before work starts. You also pay a Client Marketplace Fee on payments to freelancers, which depends on your plan, and a one-time Contract Initiation Fee per new contract.[1][4][5] | SDK EnterprisesNo public price list. The first 30-minute call is free, and a project starts with a written scope and a fixed first milestone before you commit to a larger budget. |
| Hiring someone directly | UpworkThrough Upwork's contract conversion process, which includes a conversion fee. Hiring someone found on Upwork outside it without converting may breach Upwork's Terms of Service.[6] | SDK EnterprisesOne of the two options from the start: for each person on your shortlist, you can hire them directly. We introduce you and hand them over. |
| Who you can hire | UpworkIndividual freelancers, or agencies (teams of freelancers under one profile) for work that needs several skills, such as design, development and marketing.[3] | SDK EnterprisesSoftware engineers: backend, frontend, full-stack, mobile, cloud and DevOps, AI and ML, data and security engineers, and tech leads. We also deliver projects and give technical advice. |
| Location and language | UpworkTalent search can be filtered by region, country, city, time zone and language.[7] | SDK EnterprisesA remote team working with clients worldwide. Calls are held in French or English. |
When each option fits
Upwork may suit you better if
- You want to post a job and choose from proposals, or buy a pre-scoped project with a set price and timeline.[1]
- You want hourly or fixed-price contracts, with milestones funded in escrow.[4]
- You want to filter talent yourself by hourly rate, location, time zone and language.[7]
- You have the time and in-house knowledge to vet and manage freelancers yourself.[2]
SDK Enterprises may suit you better if
- You want engineers to check each person's technical fit before you see them.
- You would rather not run freelancer contracts and payments yourself: we can manage them under our contract.
- You want a project delivered, with one company accountable for the result.
- You prefer a team you can talk to in French or English.
Questions buyers ask
Is SDK Enterprises like Upwork?
No. Upwork is a marketplace where you post jobs, review proposals and vet freelancers yourself. We send a shortlist of freelancers our engineers have checked, and we can also deliver the project under our own contract.
Who manages the freelancer?
On Upwork, you do: you manage the contract, review hours or deliverables and approve payments. With SDK, you choose per person: manage them yourself after a direct hire, or let us handle the contract, admin, payments and any replacement.
Can I take a freelancer on directly?
On Upwork, you first go through its contract conversion process, which includes a conversion fee, and can then handle contracts and payments yourself. With SDK, hiring directly is one of the two options from the start: we introduce you and hand the person over.
How does paying work?
On Upwork, hourly work is billed weekly and fixed-price milestones are funded in escrow, plus Upwork's client fees. SDK does not publish prices: after a free 30-minute call, a project starts with a written scope and a fixed first milestone.
Sources
Facts about Upwork come from its own public pages below, as read on the date shown. They may have changed since.
- [1]Upwork Help Center: How to start hiring on Upworkhttps://support.upwork.com/hc/en-us/articles/211063398-How-to-start-hiring-on-UpworkAccessed September 26, 2026
- [2]Upwork Help Center: Roles and responsibilities on Upworkhttps://support.upwork.com/hc/en-us/articles/19892282107411--Roles-and-responsibilities-on-UpworkAccessed September 26, 2026
- [3]Upwork Help Center: What's the difference between a freelancer and an agency on Upwork?https://support.upwork.com/hc/en-us/articles/211063508-What-s-the-difference-between-a-freelancer-and-an-agency-on-UpworkAccessed September 26, 2026
- [4]Upwork Help Center: How hourly and fixed-price contracts are different on Upworkhttps://support.upwork.com/hc/en-us/articles/211063418-How-hourly-and-fixed-price-contracts-are-different-on-UpworkAccessed September 26, 2026
- [5]Upwork Help Center: What is the Client Marketplace Fee?https://support.upwork.com/hc/en-us/articles/4660220468499-What-is-the-Client-Marketplace-FeeAccessed September 26, 2026
- [6]Upwork Help Center: Use contract-to-hirehttps://support.upwork.com/hc/en-us/articles/17932901778707--Use-contract-to-hireAccessed September 26, 2026
- [7]Upwork Help Center: Search for talenthttps://support.upwork.com/hc/en-us/articles/17935950691347--Search-for-talentAccessed September 26, 2026
- [8]Upwork Help Center: Upwork Enterprisehttps://support.upwork.com/hc/en-us/articles/226526507-Upwork-EnterpriseAccessed September 26, 2026
- [9]Upwork Help Center: What is Expert-Vetted status on Upwork?https://support.upwork.com/hc/en-us/articles/360049625454-What-is-Expert-Vetted-status-on-UpworkAccessed September 26, 2026
Upwork is a trademark of its owner. SDK Enterprises is not affiliated with Upwork.
Not sure which model fits?
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