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UPWK vs FVRR
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
Internet Content & Information
UPWK vs FVRR — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | ||
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Staffing & Employment Services | Internet Content & Information |
| Market Cap | $1.32B | $405M |
| Revenue (TTM) | $788M | $429M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $152M | $29M |
| Gross Margin | 77.8% | 81.3% |
| Operating Margin | 16.4% | 2.9% |
| Forward P/E | 7.0x | 5.4x |
| Total Debt | $369M | $5M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $294M | $129M |
UPWK vs FVRR — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upwork Inc. (UPWK) | 100 | 81.0 | -19.0% |
| Fiverr Internationa… (FVRR) | 100 | 17.3 | -82.7% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: UPWK vs FVRR
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
UPWK has the current edge in this matchup, primarily because of its strength in long-term compounding.
- -52.4% 10Y total return vs FVRR's -71.8%
- 19.3% margin vs FVRR's 6.7%
- -35.9% vs FVRR's -58.0%
FVRR is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and growth exposure.
- beta 0.97
- Rev growth 10.1%, EPS growth 16.7%, 3Y rev CAGR 8.5%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.97, Low D/E 1.2%, current ratio 1.94x
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | 10.1% revenue growth vs UPWK's 2.4% | |
| Value | Lower P/E (5.4x vs 7.0x) | |
| Quality / Margins | 19.3% margin vs FVRR's 6.7% | |
| Stability / Safety | Beta 0.97 vs UPWK's 1.16, lower leverage | |
| Dividends | Tie | Neither stock pays a meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | -35.9% vs FVRR's -58.0% | |
| Efficiency (ROA) | 11.7% ROA vs FVRR's 3.1%, ROIC 14.4% vs -0.2% |
UPWK vs FVRR — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
UPWK vs FVRR — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
UPWK leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
UPWK is the larger business by revenue, generating $788M annually — 1.8x FVRR's $429M. UPWK is the more profitable business, keeping 19.3% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to FVRR's 6.7%. On growth, UPWK holds the edge at +3.6% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $788M | $429M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $152M | $26M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $152M | $29M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $234M | $103M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +77.8% | +81.3% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +16.4% | +2.9% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +19.3% | +6.7% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +29.7% | +24.1% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +3.6% | -1.6% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -89.3% | +9.7% |
Valuation Metrics
FVRR leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 12.0x trailing earnings, UPWK trades at a 40% valuation discount to FVRR's 20.1x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, UPWK's 8.9x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than FVRR's 20.8x.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $1.3B | $405M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $1.4B | $281M |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 12.00x | 20.11x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 7.00x | 5.44x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 8.93x | 20.80x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.67x | 0.94x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 2.25x | 1.02x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 5.43x | 3.89x |
Profitability & Efficiency
Evenly matched — UPWK and FVRR each lead in 4 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
UPWK delivers a 24.2% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $24 in annual profit, vs $7 for FVRR. FVRR carries lower financial leverage with a 0.01x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to UPWK's 0.59x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), FVRR scores 8/9 vs UPWK's 6/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +24.2% | +7.0% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +11.7% | +3.1% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +14.4% | -0.2% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +16.2% | -0.3% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 8 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.59x | 0.01x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $75M | -$124M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $294M | $129M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $369M | $5M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 201.40x | — |
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
UPWK leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in UPWK five years ago would be worth $2,517 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $626 for FVRR. Over the past 12 months, UPWK leads with a -35.9% total return vs FVRR's -58.0%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors UPWK at 7.8% vs FVRR's -26.2% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -49.2% | -42.8% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -35.9% | -58.0% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +25.4% | -59.9% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -74.8% | -93.7% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -52.4% | -71.8% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +7.8% | -26.2% |
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — UPWK and FVRR each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
FVRR is the less volatile stock with a 0.97 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than UPWK's 1.16 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. UPWK currently trades 44.1% from its 52-week high vs FVRR's 33.0% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 1.16x | 0.97x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $22.84 | $34.13 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $10.02 | $9.67 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +44.1% | +33.0% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 37.8 | 56.7 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 3.3M | 937K |
Analyst Outlook
Insufficient data to determine a leader in this category.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates UPWK as "Buy" and FVRR as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 129.6% upside for UPWK (target: $23) vs 49.5% for FVRR (target: $17).
| Metric | ||
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $23.14 | $16.83 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 23 | 17 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | — | — |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +10.3% | +8.0% |
UPWK leads in 2 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Total Returns). FVRR leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 2 tied.
UPWK vs FVRR: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is UPWK or FVRR a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Fiverr International Ltd.
(FVRR) is the stronger pick with 10. 1% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 2. 4% for Upwork Inc. (UPWK). Upwork Inc. (UPWK) offers the better valuation at 12. 0x trailing P/E (7. 0x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Upwork Inc. (UPWK) a "Buy" — based on 23 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — UPWK or FVRR?
On trailing P/E, Upwork Inc.
(UPWK) is the cheapest at 12. 0x versus Fiverr International Ltd. at 20. 1x. On forward P/E, Fiverr International Ltd. is actually cheaper at 5. 4x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — UPWK or FVRR?
Over the past 5 years, Upwork Inc.
(UPWK) delivered a total return of -74. 8%, compared to -93. 7% for Fiverr International Ltd. (FVRR). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: UPWK returned -52. 4% versus FVRR's -71. 8%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — UPWK or FVRR?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Fiverr International Ltd.
(FVRR) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 97β versus Upwork Inc. 's 1. 16β — meaning UPWK is approximately 19% more volatile than FVRR relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Fiverr International Ltd. (FVRR) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 1% versus 59% for Upwork Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — UPWK or FVRR?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Fiverr International Ltd.
(FVRR) is pulling ahead at 10. 1% versus 2. 4% for Upwork Inc. (UPWK). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Fiverr International Ltd. grew EPS 16. 7% year-over-year, compared to -44. 7% for Upwork Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, FVRR leads at 8. 5% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — UPWK or FVRR?
Upwork Inc.
(UPWK) is the more profitable company, earning 14. 7% net margin versus 4. 9% for Fiverr International Ltd. — meaning it keeps 14. 7% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: UPWK leads at 16. 4% versus -0. 3% for FVRR. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — FVRR leads at 80. 7%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is UPWK or FVRR more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Fiverr International Ltd.
(FVRR) trades at 5. 4x forward P/E versus 7. 0x for Upwork Inc. — 1. 6x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for UPWK: 129. 6% to $23. 14.
08Which pays a better dividend — UPWK or FVRR?
None of the stocks in this comparison currently pay a material dividend.
All are effectively zero-yield and should be held for capital appreciation rather than income.
09Is UPWK or FVRR better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Fiverr International Ltd.
(FVRR) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 97)). Both have compounded well over 10 years (FVRR: -71. 8%, UPWK: -52. 4%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between UPWK and FVRR?
These companies operate in different sectors (UPWK (Industrials) and FVRR (Communication Services)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.
In terms of investment character: UPWK is a small-cap deep-value stock; FVRR is a small-cap quality compounder stock. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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