Best Apps to Make Money as a Freelancer in the UK
Discover the best apps to make money online as a UK sole trader in 2026. Our guide covers features, fees, and things to note about each app.
Best Ways to Get Paid by Global Clients as a UK Freelancer
Getting paid by freelance clients should be simple, but international payments can quickly become expensive, slow or difficult to track if you choose a method that does not fit how you work.
In this guide, we've compared common ways UK freelancers can get paid by local and international clients, including local account details, bank transfers, card payments, digital wallets, payment links, recurring payments, marketplace payouts, PayPal and cash remittance.
We've also explained how Wise Business can help freelancers receive payments, hold, convert and manage money across multiple currencies, with features and fees varying by country, currency and account type.
⚠️ Note: Payment method features, fees, eligibility checks, availability, protections, processing times, settlement times and currency support mentioned in this article may vary by provider, client, business type, transaction type, country, currency and account type. Check the provider’s website and terms and conditions for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Summary of ways to get paid as a freelancer
| Method | Summary of the method |
|---|---|
| Local account details | Useful for freelancers working with international clients who want to pay in a familiar local currency. For example, with Wise Business, freelancers can receive payments using 8+ local account details in 24 currencies. |
| Bank transfers | Best for direct client invoices, B2B work and higher-value payments. Domestic transfers may be straightforward, SEPA can be useful for EUR payments in Europe, and SWIFT can support wider international transfers. Watch for incoming fees, intermediary bank fees, FX markups and slower settlement times. |
| Debit and credit cards | Useful when clients prefer to pay by card or when you sell services through checkout pages, booking pages or invoice links. Card fees vary by provider, card type and cardholder region. UK Finance reported that UK-issued debit and credit cards were used to make 31.4 billion transactions in 2024, with a total value of just over £1 trillion.1 |
| Digital wallets | Useful for fast mobile checkout when clients prefer wallet-based payments. Digital wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay are often funded by debit and credit cards in card-led markets such as the UK, US and Australia.2 Wallet fees often depend on the underlying card or payment processor. |
| Payment links | Useful for remote freelance work, one-off projects and clients who need a quick way to pay an invoice online. Payment links can help freelancers avoid building a full checkout flow, but fees and settlement times vary by provider. |
| Recurring payments | Useful for retainers, subscriptions, ongoing support packages and membership-style freelance services. Direct Debit or recurring card payments can reduce manual payment chasing, but fees, client authorisation rules and processing times vary by provider. |
| Marketplace payouts | Best for freelancers using platforms such as Upwork, Fiverr, PeoplePerHour, Etsy, eBay or similar marketplaces. Watch for platform commission, payout fees, FX conversion fees, minimum payout thresholds, payment holds and dispute processes. |
| PayPal | Useful for clients who already use PayPal or want an online checkout-style payment method. PayPal’s UK merchant fees include different rates for commercial transactions, QR code payments, international commercial transactions, fixed fees, currency conversion, disputes and chargebacks.3 |
| Cash remittance | Useful only in limited situations, such as occasional clients without easy bank access. Watch for transfer fees, FX markups, cash pickup costs, availability limits and record-keeping challenges. |
Disclaimer: The UK Wise Business pricing structure is changed on 26/11/2025. Receiving money, direct debits and getting paid features are not available with the Essential Plan which you can open for free. Pay a one-time set up fee of £50 to unlock Advanced features including account details to receive payments in 22+ currencies or 8+ currencies for non-swift payments. You’ll also get access to our invoice generating tool, payment links, QR codes and the ability to set up direct debits all within one account. Please check our website for the latest pricing information.
Local account details
Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Best for | International freelance clients paying in familiar local currencies. |
| How it works | You give clients local account details in an eligible currency, so they can pay using a local transfer rather than an international transfer route. |
| International suitability | Can be useful if you regularly invoice clients in USD, EUR or other supported currencies. |
| Admin benefits | Helps keep client payments easier to identify, hold and convert when needed. |
Fees
| Fee type | Details |
|---|---|
| Receiving fees | May vary by provider, currency, country and account type. |
| Conversion fees | Check whether the provider uses the mid-market exchange rate or adds an exchange rate markup. |
| Account feature fees | Some account details, receiving or invoicing features may depend on provider eligibility and plan type. |
💡With Wise Business, freelancers can receive payments using 8+ local account details in 24 currencies and counting, then convert funds between currencies at the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees.
Example: UK freelancer invoicing a US client
You invoice a US client in USD. Instead of asking them to make an international SWIFT transfer to a UK account, you can give them eligible USD account details, such as through Wise Business. They pay locally in USD, and you can hold USD (or convert to GBP at the mid-market exchange rate when needed if you're using Wise Business).
Bank transfers
Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Best for | Direct client invoices, B2B payments and higher-value freelance work. |
| Domestic transfers | Bank transfers can work well when both you and your client are in the same country and currency. |
| SEPA | Within Europe, EUR payments are often processed through SEPA. |
| SWIFT | International transfers outside the SEPA area frequently use the SWIFT network. |
| Potential fit | Can be useful for corporate clients that prefer traditional invoice payment workflows. |
Fees
| Fee type | Details |
|---|---|
| Incoming payment fees | Some banks or providers may charge to receive certain transfers. |
| Intermediary fees | SWIFT payments may involve intermediary bank deductions. |
| FX costs | International transfers may include exchange rate markups and conversion fees. |
| Settlement time | Domestic transfers can be quick, while international transfers may take longer depending on the route. |
💡With Wise Business, freelancers can send money to 140+ countries at the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees.
You can also use the batch payments tool to create and send up to 1,000 payments in a single transfer.
Disclaimer: The UK Wise Business pricing structure is changed on 26/11/2025. Receiving money, direct debits and getting paid features are not available with the Essential Plan which you can open for free. Pay a one-time set up fee of £50 to unlock Advanced features including account details to receive payments in 22+ currencies or 8+ currencies for non-swift payments. You’ll also get access to our invoice generating tool, payment links, QR codes and the ability to set up direct debits all within one account. Please check our website for the latest pricing information.
Debit and credit cards
Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Best for | Freelancers who sell packages, consultations, bookings or productised services online. |
| Client convenience | Cards are familiar to many clients and can be useful for one-off payments. |
| Online payments | Cards can be accepted through checkout pages, invoice links, booking tools or payment processors. |
| International suitability | Cards are accepted in many international markets. |
| Market usage | UK Finance reported that UK-issued debit and credit cards were used to make 31.4 billion transactions in 2024, both in the UK and abroad. The total value of those transactions was just over £1 trillion.1 |
Fees
| Fee type | Details |
|---|---|
| Processing fees | Vary by provider, card type and cardholder region. |
| International costs | Cross-border and international card fees can increase costs. |
| Disputes | Card payments can involve chargebacks or disputes, depending on the provider and transaction type. |
💡With Wise Business, you can get business debit cards with 0.5% cashback to keep track of freelance expenses and spend all over the world.
Disclaimer: The UK Wise Business pricing structure is changed on 26/11/2025. Receiving money, direct debits and getting paid features are not available with the Essential Plan which you can open for free. Pay a one-time set up fee of £50 to unlock Advanced features including account details to receive payments in 22+ currencies or 8+ currencies for non-swift payments. You’ll also get access to our invoice generating tool, payment links, QR codes and the ability to set up direct debits all within one account. Please check our website for the latest pricing information.
Digital wallets
Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Best for | Fast mobile checkout and clients who prefer wallet-based payments. |
| How they work | Digital wallets such as Apple Pay and Google Pay are mainly funded by debit and credit cards in card-led markets such as the UK, US and Australia.2 |
| Checkout experience | Rather than replacing cards, digital wallets act as a fast and convenient way for clients to access card payments.2 |
| International suitability | Can be useful when your client base is in markets where wallet adoption is high. |
| Market trend | Worldpay estimates that digital wallets accounted for 56% of global online and 33% of in-person spending in 2025.2 |
Fees
| Fee type | Details |
|---|---|
| Typical fees | Often similar to underlying card processing fees, depending on the provider. |
| What to check | Check wallet availability, supported countries, settlement currency, refund rules and processor fees. |
💡With Wise Business, you can hold money in 40+ currencies and convert currencies anytime at the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees.
Payment links
Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Best for | Remote clients, one-off invoices, deposits and small projects. |
| How they work | You create a payment link and send it to the client by email, message or invoice. |
| Client convenience | Clients can pay without you needing to build a full checkout page. |
| Potential fit | Useful for freelancers selling consultations, design packages, retainers, coaching or project milestones. |
Fees
| Fee type | Details |
|---|---|
| Typical fees | Vary by provider and underlying payment method. |
| Settlement time | Depends on the payment provider and payout route. |
| What to check | Check whether the link supports your client’s currency, payment method and country. |
Recurring payments
Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Best for | Retainers, subscriptions, maintenance plans and ongoing freelance services. |
| How they work | Recurring payments can be collected through Direct Debit, card-on-file payments or subscription billing tools. |
| Admin benefits | They can reduce manual invoice chasing when a client pays the same amount on a regular schedule. |
| Limitation | They may not suit one-off projects where the amount, scope or timing changes frequently. |
Fees
| Fee type | Details |
|---|---|
| Typical fees | Vary by provider, transaction volume and payment method. |
| Processing time | Direct Debit-style payments can take several working days or more. |
| What to check | Check client authorisation rules, cancellation process, failed payment handling and refund process. |
Marketplace payouts
Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Best for | Freelancers finding clients through marketplaces or gig platforms. |
| How they work | The platform collects client payments and pays you out through its built-in payout system. |
| Client convenience | Payment is built into the marketplace, which can reduce friction for clients. |
| Limitation | You may have less control over payment timing, fees and dispute processes. |
Fees
| Fee type | Details |
|---|---|
| Platform commission | Marketplace platforms may charge service fees or commissions. |
| Payout fees | Some payout methods may include additional fees. |
| FX costs | International clients or foreign-currency payouts may involve conversion fees. |
| Payment holds | Some marketplaces use minimum thresholds, holds or dispute windows before payout. |
PayPal
Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Best for | Clients who already use PayPal or want online checkout-style payments. |
| Online payments | PayPal may support online payments, PayPal checkout, card-funded payments, payment links or QR code payments, depending on eligibility and setup. |
| Commercial transactions | PayPal defines commercial transactions as including selling goods or services, receiving payments through QR codes, making other commercial transaction types, or receiving payment when you “request money” using PayPal.3 |
| International suitability | Can be useful for freelancers whose clients already prefer PayPal, depending on the market and checkout setup. |
Fees
| Fee type | Details |
|---|---|
| Card-funded payment from a user without a PayPal account | PayPal’s UK merchant fees currently list 1.2% + fixed fee.3 |
| QR code transactions of £10.01 and above | PayPal currently lists 1.5% + fixed fee.3 |
| QR code transactions of £10.00 and below | PayPal currently lists 2% + fixed fee.3 |
| All other commercial transactions | PayPal currently lists 2.9% + fixed fee.3 |
| International commercial transactions | PayPal says the applicable domestic commercial or QR code transaction fee applies, plus 1.29% for EEA sender markets or 1.99% for all other sender markets.3 |
| GBP fixed fee for commercial transactions | PayPal currently lists the fixed fee for commercial transactions received in GBP as £0.30.3 |
| GBP fixed fee for QR code transactions | PayPal currently lists the GBP fixed fee for QR code transactions as £0.10 for transactions of £10.01 and above, and £0.05 for transactions of £10.00 and below.3 |
| Currency conversion | PayPal currently lists currency conversion for business account balances and transactions where the receiver agrees to bear the currency conversion at 3% above the base exchange rate.3 |
| Chargeback and dispute fees | PayPal currently lists a £14 chargeback fee for payments received in GBP, a £12 standard dispute fee for GBP transactions, and a £24 high-volume dispute fee for GBP transactions.3 |
| What to check | Freelancers should review PayPal’s current fees, fixed fees by currency, chargeback fees, dispute fees, refund rules, currency conversion costs, eligibility requirements and product terms before choosing PayPal. |
Cash remittance
Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Best for | Occasional clients without easy access to bank transfers or online payment methods. |
| How it works | A client sends money through a remittance provider, and you receive it through an available payout route. |
| Potential fit | May be relevant only in limited circumstances where other payment methods are not practical. |
| Limitation | Record-keeping, availability and reconciliation can be harder than with bank or online payments. |
Fees
| Fee type | Details |
|---|---|
| Transfer fees | Fees vary by provider, country, currency and payout route. |
| FX costs | Exchange rate markups may apply. |
| Pickup or payout costs | Cash pickup or local payout fees may apply depending on the provider. |
Practical examples
UK freelancer invoicing an EU client in EUR
You invoice an EU client in EUR. Instead of asking them to pay in GBP or use a wider international transfer route, you can give them your eligible EUR account details (such as with Wise Business). Alternatively, you can ask them to pay by SEPA transfer, depending on your provider and client preference. They pay in EUR, and you can hold EUR or convert it to GBP when needed (the conversion would be at the mid-market rate with low, transparent fees if you're using Wise Business.)
UK freelancer invoicing a client by retainer
You invoice a client for the same retainer amount each month (which you can also do with Wise Business. Instead of manually chasing a new payment every time, you can agree the payment method, currency, due date and invoice reference upfront.
Manage your international freelance earnings with Wise Business
For UK freelancers working with overseas clients, receiving money in different currencies can add extra admin, conversion costs and payment friction.
Wise Business can help freelancers receive local transfers from overseas clients, hold USD, EUR, AUD and other currencies, convert at the mid-market exchange rate, create invoices, separate freelance income from personal money, pay international contractors or suppliers, and sync with accounting software.
With Wise Business, you can:
- 🌍 Send money to 70+ countries at the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees and no hidden exchange rate markups (product availability varies by region)
- 📥 Receive payments in 24 currencies and counting
- 💵 Get local account details for 8+ currencies, including USD and EUR, to let your customers pay in a currency they know and trust - convenience for them and peace of mind for you
- 💰 Hold money in 40+ currencies
- 🔁 Convert currencies anytime at the mid-market exchange rate with low, transparent fees
- ⚡ Use the batch payments tool to create and send up to 1,000 payments in a single transfer
- 👥 Run payroll and make international payments for up to 1,000 employees all over the world - including paying suppliers using local payment methods like ACH, SEPA, and Faster Payments
- 💳 Get business debit cards with 0.5% cashback for you and your team to keep track of team expenses and spend all over the world, with real-time visibility and categorisation
- 🏢 Manage cash in 55+ currencies across international offices from a single business account and move money between business accounts in seconds (exact speeds can vary depending on individual circumstances and may not be the same for all transactions)
- 🧾 Connect and sync every business transaction to your favourite accounting software, including Xero, Quickbooks, and more
- 🔐 Create your own payment approvals process to manage your team better with customised access for different team members, roles and permissions
- 📑 Create custom professional invoices and schedule invoice payments for future dates
- 📈 Earn variable returns on GBP, USD and EUR with Wise Interest (Capital at risk, growth not guaranteed. Your money is at risk if governments default or interest rates go negative. Rates vary by country and currency. Rates are variable. Visit Wise Interest to find out more)
- 🔗 Create payment links and QR codes to get paid easily (Card payment acceptance for new Wise Business customers is currently unavailable. Payment methods subject to eligibility and availability.)
- ⚙️ Automate payouts with the Wise API (comes with 24/7 customer support, a sandbox account to test integrations, API tokens, and clear documents on how to implement and make the most of our API)
Make the wise choice when selecting a business account for your domestic and global needs.
Be Smart, Get Wise.
Disclaimer: The UK Wise Business pricing structure is changed on 26/11/2025. Receiving money, direct debits and getting paid features are not available with the Essential Plan which you can open for free. Pay a one-time set up fee of £50 to unlock Advanced features including account details to receive payments in 22+ currencies or 8+ currencies for non-swift payments. You’ll also get access to our invoice generating tool, payment links, QR codes and the ability to set up direct debits all within one account. Please check our website for the latest pricing information.
Sources:
- £1 trillion worth of UK card transactions in 2024
- GPR 2026 Trend 3
- PayPal Merchant Fees - Seller Fees | PayPal UK
Sources last checked on 23 June 2026
*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.
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