Guru.com Reviews

Read unbiased Guru reviews from 38 verified users to discover if it's the best choice for you. Guru is currently ranked #5 in the freelance platforms industry with an average star rating of 1.8 and sentiment score of -16%. Keep reading to learn more.

Guru logo
Guru
Guru provides a reliable and secure platform for businesses to hire freelancers and manage projects efficiently. Its user-friendly interface and robust payment protection make it a popular choice among professionals and employers alike.
Founded
1998
Location
Pittsburgh, United States
Industries
Freelance Marketplace, Technology, Marketing, Design, Writing
Social Links
TrustScore
34
Average TrustScore (out of 0 to 100)
Industry Rank
#5
Out of 7 tracked companies
Industry Standing
42.9%
Growing in the market
Sentiment Score
-16%
Customer overall sentiment score
Average Rating
1.8
Star rating out of 5
Total Reviews
38
Last updated: 2025-01-31 17:30:42
Industry Comparison - Freelance Platforms
CompanyRank
TrustScore
RatingSentimentReviews
Market Share
Toptal#1844.469%50
22.3%
Freelancer.com#2844.564%592
26.8%
FlexJobs#3754.245%398
21.2%
Fiverr#4723.750%2,197
35.8%
Guru.com#5341.8-16%38
1.1%
Upwork#6251.2-25%79
-2.0%
PeoplePerHour#7191.1-40%36
-5.2%

In the Freelance Platforms industry, Toptal leads with the highest trust score of 84%, performing 49.6% above average, while PeoplePerHour has the lowest trust score of 19%, 66.2% below the industry average. Toptal has the highest sentiment score of 69%, and Fiverr has the most customer feedback with 2,197 reviews.

Industry Average Rating
3.0
Industry Average Sentiment
21%
Industry Total Reviews
3,390

Guru Trust Score

0
out of 100
Rating Score (40% weighted)1.8 / 5
Sentiment Score (60% weighted)-16%

TrustScore is a combination of 1 to 5 star rating (40% weighted) and -1 to 1 sentiment score (60% weighted) to provide an accurate and comprehensive measure of customer satisfaction. Learn more.

Guru Sentiment Overview

Total Reviews
38
Positive
36%
14 reviews
Neutral
3%
1 reviews
Negative
61%
23 reviews
Guru Customer Reviews

Guru customers are most satisfied with Support (90%), while being most critical of .

Reviews by Category

Positive Feedback

Support

Guru customer support is also atrocious and don t listen or read the email and just send automated responses linking websites for more information.

Negative Feedback

Most Recent Guru Reviews

Positive Reviews

I canceled my subscription within…2 days. I canceled my subscription within allotted time for a full refund, filled out the form, sent the email. Being...

Missy Black

A total scam, after your personal & card data. A total scam! Lengthy verification, asking for all different documents. ID, passport, address card. if you...

Customer707

Privacy and repeat billing issues, terrible support that goes in circles. And there is no law in the US that says they have to collect...

Jenna G

Negative Reviews

It's a scam website with scammers…. It's a scam website with scammers everywhere. Essentially they use something called safe pay. It's designed to protect all...

Sam

They take 9% for every payment you get and when i tried to withdraw money from my account they got stock and i got no...

Aleksei Shaparev

I think this company has more scammers…. I think this company has more scammers than real individuals. They also collect too much information. Thankfully I...

Jayden

The sentiment analysis above has highlighted customer feedback at scale. The Guru review below provides an expert take at the features that matter most to help you decide if this company is the right choice for you.

Company Overview

Guru is a freelance platform that connects businesses with skilled professionals across various industries. It stands out in the competitive freelance marketplace due to its SafePay payment protection feature, which ensures secure transactions for both parties. The platform also leverages advanced matching algorithms to help clients find the most suitable freelancers for their projects.

Industries

Freelance Marketplace
Technology
Marketing
Design
Writing

Target Audience

Small business owners
Startups looking for affordable talent
Freelancers seeking diverse project opportunities

Unique Selling Points

SafePay payment protection ensures secure transactions for both freelancers and clients.
Advanced matching algorithms streamline the process of finding the right talent for specific projects.
Multiple collaboration tools, such as workrooms and file sharing, enhance project management efficiency.
Pricing Plans
Basic
$Free/N/A
Renews at $Free/N/A
No Trial
No refunds as the plan is free.

The Basic plan is ideal for freelancers and clients who are just starting and need access to essential features. It includes basic project management tools and limited support.

Best For:
Freelancers and clients who are new to the platform and require only basic tools to get started. This plan is a good entry point for testing the platform's capabilities.

What's Included

  • Access to job postings
  • Basic workroom features
  • Profile creation and listing
  • Limited proposal submissions

What's Not Included

  • Priority customer support
  • Advanced analytics
  • Higher proposal limits
  • Access to premium job postings

Hidden Costs

  • Transaction fees for payments
  • Limited customer support

Payment & Billing

Payment Methods:
Credit card
PayPal
Bank transfer
Currencies:
USD
Billing Cycles:
N/A

Free Extra Features

  • Profile visibility
  • Access to SafePay
Professional
$11.95/monthly
Renews at $11.95/monthly
No Trial
Refunds may be available upon request within the first 7 days.

The Professional plan is tailored for freelancers and businesses seeking enhanced features and greater visibility. It includes premium job access and higher proposal limits.

Best For:
Freelancers and businesses looking for increased visibility and access to premium job opportunities. This plan is ideal for those who want to scale their operations on the platform.

What's Included

  • Premium job access
  • Increased proposal limits
  • Priority customer support
  • Enhanced profile visibility

What's Not Included

  • Advanced analytics
  • Custom branding options
  • Unlimited proposal submissions
  • Dedicated account manager

Hidden Costs

  • Additional fees for featured profiles
  • Transaction fees

Payment & Billing

Payment Methods:
Credit card
PayPal
Currencies:
USD
Billing Cycles:
Monthly
Annual

Free Extra Features

  • Access to SafePay
  • Basic analytics
Business
$24.95/monthly
Renews at $24.95/monthly
No Trial
Refunds may be available upon request within the first 7 days.

The Business plan is designed for companies and teams that need advanced tools and collaboration features. It includes team management capabilities and custom branding options.

Best For:
Small to medium-sized businesses that require advanced tools for team collaboration and project management. This plan is ideal for companies managing multiple freelancers or projects.

What's Included

  • Team management tools
  • Custom branding options
  • Advanced analytics
  • Unlimited workrooms

What's Not Included

  • Dedicated account manager
  • Unlimited proposal submissions
  • Priority job postings
  • Custom API integrations

Hidden Costs

  • Transaction fees
  • Optional featured job postings

Payment & Billing

Payment Methods:
Credit card
PayPal
Bank transfer
Currencies:
USD
Billing Cycles:
Monthly
Annual

Free Extra Features

  • Access to SafePay
  • Priority support
Executive
$49.95/monthly
Renews at $49.95/monthly
No Trial
Refunds may be available upon request within the first 7 days.

The Executive plan offers premium services for large organizations with complex needs. It includes a dedicated account manager and custom API integrations.

Best For:
Large organizations and enterprises that require custom solutions and dedicated support. This plan is ideal for managing large-scale projects and multiple freelancers.

What's Included

  • Dedicated account manager
  • Custom API integrations
  • Priority job postings
  • Unlimited proposals

What's Not Included

  • Free featured job postings
  • Unlimited team accounts
  • Custom feature requests
  • Advanced marketing tools

Hidden Costs

  • Transaction fees
  • Custom feature development

Payment & Billing

Payment Methods:
Credit card
PayPal
Bank transfer
Currencies:
USD
Billing Cycles:
Monthly
Annual

Free Extra Features

  • Access to SafePay
  • Priority support

Guru is a solid choice for those who prioritize secure transactions and a straightforward user experience. While it has some limitations, its affordability and reliability make it a viable option for many users.

Total Cost Calculator
Pricing Plan
Cost Breakdown

Professional Plan

Monthly Cost$12/month

Total Cost over 3 Years

Year 1n/a
Year 2$143
Year 3$143
Total after Year 1
n/a
Total after Year 2
n/a
Total after Year 3
n/a

Optional Add-ons

  • Featured profile
  • Additional proposal packs

Extra Costs not Included

  • Additional fees for featured profiles
  • Transaction fees
Explore Features

Feature Preferences

Select your feature requirements. Must-have features are essential for your needs, while nice-to-have features are beneficial but not critical.

Hold Ctrl (Windows) or Cmd (Mac) to select multiple features

Monthly Budget Range

Select your preferred budget range. This helps us find plans that fit your financial requirements.

Recommended Plans

Select features to get plan recommendations
Guru Competitor Comparison

Select the features that are important to you. This will help us match competitors based on your needs.

Adjust how much you want to consider price in the comparison.

Features OnlyBalancedPrice Focused

Competitor Rankings

Upwork
Best Match

Upwork is one of the largest freelance platforms, offering a wide range of job categories and tools for project management.

Match Score: 0%
Upwork's service fees range from 5% to 20%, depending on the freelancer's earnings, which is higher than Guru's fees.
Key Differences: Upwork charges higher service fees compared to Guru but offers more robust collaboration tools and a larger talent pool.
When to Choose: Choose Upwork if you need access to a larger talent pool and advanced tools for managing complex projects.
When Not to Choose: Avoid Upwork if you are looking for a platform with lower fees and simpler tools.
Fiverr

Fiverr focuses on quick, one-off projects with freelancers offering services at fixed prices starting at $5.

Match Score: 0%
Fiverr's pricing starts at $5 per gig, but additional fees for premium services can add up.
Key Differences: Fiverr is better suited for small, quick tasks, while Guru is ideal for long-term projects and collaborations.
When to Choose: Choose Fiverr for small, quick tasks that require minimal collaboration.
When Not to Choose: Avoid Fiverr for complex projects that require ongoing collaboration and management.
Toptal

Toptal is a premium freelance platform that connects businesses with top-tier talent in various fields.

Match Score: 0%
Toptal's pricing starts at $60 per hour, making it much pricier than Guru.
Key Differences: Toptal has a rigorous vetting process, ensuring high-quality freelancers, but it is significantly more expensive than Guru.
When to Choose: Choose Toptal if you need access to the best talent for high-stakes projects.
When Not to Choose: Avoid Toptal if you have budget constraints or need freelancers for smaller tasks.
User Feedback

Common Praise

The SafePay feature ensures secure and reliable transactions, providing peace of mind to both freelancers and clients.
The platform's user interface is intuitive and easy to navigate, making it accessible for users of all skill levels.
Guru offers a wide variety of job categories, allowing freelancers to find projects that match their expertise.

Common Complaints

High transaction fees can be a deterrent for some users.
The customer support response time can be slow, especially for users on the Basic plan.
Limited access to premium features for free users reduces the platform's appeal for beginners.

Success Stories

A freelance graphic designer secured a long-term contract with a major marketing agency through Guru, leading to significant career growth.
A small business owner successfully completed a complex web development project by hiring a skilled freelancer on the platform.
A startup used Guru to assemble a remote team of experts, enabling them to launch their product within a tight deadline.

Potential Deal Breakers

High transaction fees can significantly impact earnings for freelancers.
Limited customer support for non-paying users can lead to unresolved issues.
The platform's premium plans may not justify the cost for occasional users.
Final Verdict

Guru is a reliable and versatile freelance platform that caters to both freelancers and clients with diverse needs. Its SafePay feature ensures secure transactions, while its user-friendly interface makes it accessible to a wide range of users. However, the platform’s transaction fees and limited customer support for basic users are notable drawbacks.

Guru Pros

  • SafePay ensures secure transactions.
  • User-friendly interface.
  • Wide range of job categories.
  • Affordable premium plans.

Guru Cons

  • High transaction fees.
  • Limited customer support for free users.
  • Premium features may not justify the cost for occasional users.

Recommended For:

Guru is ideal for small businesses, startups, and freelancers seeking a secure and straightforward platform for managing projects and collaborations.

Not Recommended For:

Guru may not be suitable for enterprises requiring advanced tools or individuals looking for a completely free platform with premium features.

Guru is a solid choice for those who prioritize secure transactions and a straightforward user experience. While it has some limitations, its affordability and reliability make it a viable option for many users.

Frequently Asked Questions