Question 1

What is PayHeld and how does it work?

Accepted Answer

PayHeld is a payment protection platform for freelancers and clients. When a client pays, funds are securely held by Stripe until the work is complete. Both parties approve the release, or payment auto-releases after 7 days. This protects both freelancers (guaranteed payment) and clients (only pay for completed work).

Question 2

How much does PayHeld cost?

Accepted Answer

PayHeld charges a 5% platform fee when payments are released. This is significantly lower than Upwork (20% fee) and Fiverr (20% fee). There are no monthly subscriptions, no hidden fees, and no upfront costs. You only pay when you successfully complete a transaction.

Question 3

Is PayHeld safe and secure?

Accepted Answer

Yes. PayHeld uses Stripe Connect for all payment processing, providing bank-level security with 256-bit encryption. Funds are held securely by Stripe until work is approved. We never store credit card information, and all transactions are PCI-DSS compliant. Your money is protected by Stripe's fraud detection and dispute resolution systems.

Question 4

How is PayHeld different from Upwork or Fiverr?

Accepted Answer

PayHeld has 75% lower fees (5% vs 20%), no forced marketplace (you bring your own clients), payment links that work without accounts, and faster payouts. Unlike Upwork and Fiverr, you keep full control of your client relationships and don't compete in a crowded marketplace. Perfect for freelancers who find their own clients.

Question 5

Do I need an account to use PayHeld?

Accepted Answer

Clients don't need an account to pay via payment links. Freelancers need a free account to receive payments and connect their Stripe account. Account setup takes less than 5 minutes with email verification and Stripe Connect onboarding.

Question 6

When do I get paid as a freelancer?

Accepted Answer

Funds release when the client approves your work, or automatically after 7 days if there's no dispute. Once released, money transfers to your bank account within 1-2 business days via Stripe. You can also request early release if both parties agree.

Question 7

What happens if there's a dispute?

Accepted Answer

If there's a dispute, both parties can submit evidence through PayHeld's dispute resolution system. Our team reviews all evidence and makes a fair decision based on the project agreement, deliverables, and communication. The dispute process typically takes 3-5 business days.

Question 8

Can I use PayHeld for international payments?

Accepted Answer

Yes! PayHeld supports global payments in 135+ currencies through Stripe. Both clients and freelancers can be anywhere in the world. Currency conversion is handled automatically, and payouts work in most countries where Stripe is available.

Question 9

What types of projects can I use PayHeld for?

Accepted Answer

Any freelance or contractor work: web development, design, writing, marketing, video production, consulting, virtual assistance, and more. PayHeld works for one-time projects, recurring work, milestone-based contracts, and hourly agreements. Both online and local services are supported.

Question 10

How does PayHeld compare to traditional payment methods?

Accepted Answer

PayHeld is specifically built for freelance work with lower fees (5%), faster setup, and features like payment links, milestone tracking, and automatic dispute resolution. Unlike direct bank transfers or PayPal, PayHeld holds funds securely until work is approved, protecting both parties. Optimized for $50-$50,000 freelance projects.