The gig economy has dramatically changed the way independent contractors find work. Instead of searching job boards or relying on word-of-mouth, freelancers can now leverage online marketplaces to connect with clients and projects across the globe.
Two of the most popular on-demand work platforms in the IT services industry are Field Nation and Work Market. But which one is better for tech contractors?
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll analyze the key differences between Field Nation and Work Market, including their features, pricing, support, and more.
Whether you’re a freelancer looking for your next gig or a business needing to staff an IT project, read on to determine which on-demand work platform is the best fit.
A Brief Comparison Table
| Particulars | Field Nation | Work Market |
| Focus | IT & technical services | Broad professional services |
| Screening Process | Highly rigorous vetting | Verification but less intensive |
| Pricing | No membership fee, 10% transaction fee | Monthly membership, 7.5% transaction fee |
| Support | Phone, email, chat | Email, chat only |
| Network Size | 180,000+ freelancers | 60,000 freelancers |
| Client Quality | Higher on average | Mixed reviews |
| Opportunities | Abundant IT focused gigs | Less IT specific roles |
| Pros | Pre-vetted talent, fair rates, fast payment, great support | Flexibility in role types posted |
| Cons | Slower onboarding, all IT focused | Mixed client quality and pay, less IT specific |
Overview Of Field Nation And Work Market
Field Nation and Work Market both operate as inverse-marketplaces, meaning the clients post projects and freelancers can bid on them. This gives contractors flexibility to choose the assignments they want.
Let’s take a high-level look at each platform:
Field Nation
Founded in 2008, Field Nation is one of the largest and most established on-demand work marketplaces. They specialize in IT and technical services, connecting businesses with freelance computer technicians, help desk support professionals, network engineers, and more. Field Nation heavily vets its freelancer network.
Work Market
Work Market launched in 2010 and was acquired by ADP in 2018. Like Field Nation, they focus on technology, creative, marketing, administrative and other professional services. Work Market works with both independent contractors and agencies/firms to provide talent.
Both platforms have robust networks of skilled tech talent, with Field Nation touting 180,000+ freelancers and Work Market featuring 60,000. Field Nation caters more specifically to IT support and field services, while Work Market serves a broader professional services audience.
Also Read: Is Smoothstack Better Than Revature?
Key Feature Differences
Now let’s dig into some of the key features of each on-demand work platform and how they compare:
- Project Posting
On Field Nation, businesses post discrete projects specifying the scope, timeline, and budget. Freelancers then apply to work on projects of interest.
Work Market allows for both project-specific postings and broader position openings. For example, a company could post a one-time web development project or an ongoing opening for a software engineer.
Winner: Tie – Both platforms offer flexibility for clients to post short-term gig projects or longer-term openings.
- Freelancer Screening and Verification
Field Nation heavily curates and vets the freelancers in their network through background checks, skills assessments, credentials verification, and more. Their freelancers go through a rigorous application process.
Work Market also verifies freelancers’ identities and qualifications, but the screening process is not quite as intensive as Field Nation’s.
Winner: Field Nation – They have the most thoroughly vetted talent network.
- Pricing and Billing
On Field Nation, freelancers set their own hourly rates for projects. Clients pay Field Nation, who then pays the freelancer upon project completion. There are no membership fees – just a 10% service fee on each transaction.
Work Market charges freelancers a monthly membership fee to be on the platform. Clients pay Work Market, who pays freelancers every two weeks. For hourly work, Work Market takes a 7.5% service fee.
Winner: Field Nation – The pricing and transaction model is simpler and cheaper for freelancers.
- Support and Customer Service
Field Nation provides phone, email, and chat support options. As an established industry leader, their customer service is top-notch and responsive.
Work Market offers email and chat support with somewhat mixed reviews from users. Phone support is only provided for corporate or agency partners, not individuals.
Winner: Field Nation – They provide better and more responsive support options.
- Opportunities and Network Size
With 180,000+ freelancers, Field Nation has one of the largest networks in the on-demand IT and technical services space. This gives you access to tons of opportunities.
Work Market also has a substantial network of 60,000 freelancers but across more industries, not just IT. They have less depth specifically for technology gigs.
Winner: Field Nation – You’ll find more opportunities tailored to IT freelancing.
- Client Quality and Repeat Business
Due to their highly selective screening process, Field Nation tends to attract higher quality clients willing to pay fair rates. It’s common for freelancers to get repeat business from clients on the platform.
Work Market clients span the gamut from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies. Some freelancers complain of low pay for the amount of work required on some projects.
Winner: Field Nation – Attracts better clients and more repeat work.
Also watch this video about Field Nation!
Pros And Cons Of Each Platform
Based on the comparisons above, here are the key pros and cons of each on-demand work platform:
Field Nation Pros
- Rigorous freelancer vetting means clients get access to qualified talent
- No membership fees for freelancers – just a 10% transaction fee
- Provides phone, email, and chat support
- Massive network with 180,000+ freelancers translates to abundant opportunities
- Attracts quality clients willing to pay fair rates
- Freelancers often get repeat business/ongoing work from clients
Field Nation Cons
- Freelancer onboarding and approval takes longer
- Support options could still be expanded (i.e. 24/7 phone support)
- Job opportunities cater only to IT/technical services freelancing
Work Market Pros
- Can post both short-term projects and long-term openings
- Broader range of professional services roles beyond just IT
- Still a sizable freelancer network of 60,000
- Name recognition being an ADP company
Work Market Cons
- Mixed reviews of support responsiveness
- Freelancers must pay a monthly membership fee
- Not as tailored to IT freelancers compared to Field Nation
- Lower client quality and pay rates in some cases
- Less repeat business compared to Field Nation
Which Platform Is Better For Freelancers?
For independent contractors specifically looking for IT and technical services gigs, Field Nation is likely the better choice between the two platforms. Their highly screened talent pool, abundant IT-focused opportunities, fair pay rates, and lack of membership fees make Field Nation ideal for tech freelancing.
Work Market may be a better fit for freelancers in other fields like marketing, creative, HR, etc. But for IT contractors, Field Nation emerges as the winner.
Which Platform Is Better For Businesses?
From a business perspective hiring freelancers, Field Nation also stands out as superior. Their rigorous freelancer vetting saves you time finding qualified talent. Plus, the abundance of tech talent in their network ensures you can staff projects quickly.
Work Market gives businesses flexibility to hire both short and long-term freelancers across more industries. But their talent pool isn’t quite as targeted or screened as Field Nation for IT roles specifically.
Also Read: Differences Between Skillstorm And Revature.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Field Nation competitors include Work Market, Upwork, Fiverr, Freelancer.com, Guru, OnForce, Wonolo, and Expert360. But within the IT staffing space, Work Market is their closest rival.
For IT freelancers, Field Nation provides abundant tech-focused opportunities with quality clients at fair pay rates. The platform access and support outweigh the 10% transaction fee.
Clients pay Field Nation, who then pays freelancers after deducting a 10% service fee. Payments process within 4 days of completing a project. Fast payment is a major perk of Field Nation.
Field Nation specializes in short-term IT projects and technical services like computer repair, network installation, help desk support, and more. Ideal for IT freelancers.
The Verdict
In the on-demand staffing space, Field Nation edges out Work Market for IT and technical freelancers. Key advantages include:
- Rigorous screening results in higher quality clients
- Massive pool of 180,000+ qualified tech talent
- No membership fees for freelancers – just 10% transaction fee
- Excellent support and resources for freelancers
- Quick payments upon project completion
But Work Market offers greater variety in professional services roles beyond IT. For tech contractors specifically, Field Nation is the top choice of these two leading freelance platforms.