Fiverr vs Upwork:Which is more popular in New Zealand?
In October 2026, Fiverr had more branded searches than Upwork among freelance marketplaces in New Zealand. Fiverr had about 5,430 branded searches, while Upwork had 3,720. Fiverr made up 57.9% of all freelance marketplace searches we track, and Upwork accounted for 39.7%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about freelance marketplaces, Upwork appeared in all five answers and Fiverr in four. Upwork was mentioned before Fiverr in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Fiverr, about 46% more searches than Upwork
Who does AI mention more?
Upwork, mentioned in every answer we collected
Who does AI recommend more?
Upwork, named ahead of Fiverr in every answer
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Top freelance marketplaces in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Upwork appeared in all five answers. Fiverr was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Upwork was listed before Fiverr in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
- Upwork1st
- Fiverr2nd
Contra3rd
Zealancer4th
Toptal5th
Freelancer5th
99designs7th
DesignCrowd–
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
- Upwork5 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
- Fiverr4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Toptal2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- 99designs2 of 5Named in 1 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
- Freelancer2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Contra2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- Zealancer2 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
- DesignCrowd0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about freelance marketplaces
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Which freelance marketplace should I use in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best freelance marketplaces in New Zealand?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What's the best freelance marketplace in New Zealand for a small business hiring contractors?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“best freelance marketplace”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“hire contractors online”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in New Zealand on October 21, 2026.
Is Fiverr or Upwork more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Fiverr and Upwork by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight freelance marketplaces we track, month by month, from searches in New Zealand.
Share of searches by month for Fiverr, Upwork. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Fiverr | Upwork | Toptal | 99designs | DesignCrowd | Freelancer | Contra | Zealancer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 2025 | 61.9% | 34.8% | 1.4% | 0.53% | 0.38% | 0.53% | 0.08% | 0.3% |
| Dec 2025 | 62.3% | 34.8% | 1.4% | 0.61% | 0.38% | 0.38% | 0.08% | 0.15% |
| Jan 2026 | 57.6% | 39.2% | 1.5% | 0.35% | 0.49% | 0.63% | 0.07% | 0.21% |
| Feb 2026 | 62% | 35.6% | 1.1% | 0.38% | 0.38% | 0.38% | 0.08% | 0.15% |
| Mar 2026 | 55.3% | 41.5% | 1.5% | 0.67% | 0.47% | 0.34% | 0.07% | 0.2% |
| Apr 2026 | 56.6% | 41% | 1.2% | 0.34% | 0.34% | 0.27% | 0.07% | 0.21% |
| May 2026 | 59.9% | 37.5% | 1.2% | 0.51% | 0.29% | 0.37% | 0.07% | 0.15% |
| Jun 2026 | 60.7% | 36.4% | 1.1% | 0.52% | 0.52% | 0.52% | 0.07% | 0.07% |
| Jul 2026 | 56.3% | 40.9% | 1.2% | 0.42% | 0.42% | 0.59% | 0.08% | 0.08% |
| Aug 2026 | 56.4% | 40.6% | 1.5% | 0.59% | 0.42% | 0.25% | 0.08% | 0.17% |
| Sep 2026 | 57.4% | 40.2% | 1% | 0.52% | 0.43% | 0.17% | 0.09% | 0.17% |
| Oct 2026 | 57.9% | 39.7% | 1.3% | 0.43% | 0.32% | 0.21% | 0.11% | 0.11% |
How has branded search for Fiverr and Upwork changed in New Zealand over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Fiverr was ahead of Upwork in every measured month of the 12 months ending October 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Fiverr’s share of searches among freelance marketplaces in New Zealand moved from 61.9% to 57.9%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 8.2K to 5.4K.
- Across the 12 months ending October 2026, Upwork’s share of searches among freelance marketplaces in New Zealand moved from 34.8% to 39.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 4.6K to 3.7K.
How did search popularity change for New Zealand freelance marketplaces in October 2026?
2 changes
In October 2026, Fiverr gained share of searches among freelance marketplaces in New Zealand, from 57.4% to 57.9%.
In October 2026, Upwork lost share of searches among freelance marketplaces in New Zealand, from 40.2% to 39.7%.
How are Fiverr’s and Upwork’s branded searches counted?
12 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Fiverr’s and Upwork’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
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