Comparisons
Comparisons
There is no single right way to work online. Some people value stability and the protections an employer provides, others want the freedom to choose projects, and others like combining several options. Below is a comparison of work formats and payment terms to help you see what suits you and where the pitfalls are.
Choose a format not by its promises but by who will be responsible, and how, if something goes wrong.
How this section works: we compare work formats and payment terms in broad strokes, without naming companies or platforms. For a decision in your particular case, read the contract and the official guidance.
Four ways to work online
| Format | What it offers | What to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Remote employment under contract | An employment contract, a regular salary, paid leave and sick leave; the employer handles tax payments for you | There is a work schedule and a reporting line, and formal hiring is required; the employer must be real and verifiable |
| Freelancing through a platform | A stream of projects in one place, a contractor rating, often an escrow-style payment mechanism and dispute resolution | Platform fees and rules, dependence on its decisions, stiff competition for the first projects |
| Direct clients | No middleman; you can build long-term relationships and negotiate terms directly | You have to find clients yourself, draft contracts and protect yourself against non-payment |
| Self-employment | A legal way to pay tax on income from independent work and issue receipts to clients | It is a tax status, not a source of work; there are limits on income and types of activity |
Payment terms: what to choose
| Terms | What the contractor gets | What to consider |
|---|---|---|
| Full upfront payment | The lowest risk of not getting paid | New clients agree reluctantly; you are fully responsible for the result |
| Partial deposit | Balanced trust: both sides risk part of the amount | The balance is paid after delivery, so the result must be described clearly |
| Milestone payments | Convenient for long projects; money comes in as the work progresses | Each milestone must be described and accepted separately |
| Payment on delivery | Familiar to clients and fine for a long-standing relationship | With an unfamiliar client, all the risk is on you |
Read next
- Key concepts
Key concepts of working online: types of work arrangements, client and contractor, contracts, payment, tax and the main risks.
- Guides
Step-by-step guides: how to land your first projects, write a proposal, discuss a test task and deliver the work. The article catalogue is here too.
- FAQ
Answers to common questions about this guide, finding projects and getting paid, the tax for the self-employed, and keeping money and accounts safe.
- Problems
Unpaid work, a client who vanished, a blocked account, a missed deadline: a calm, step-by-step plan for each situation.
Sources
- Federal Law No. 422-FZ of 27.11.2018 (Russia)
- Federal Tax Service of Russia: information on the professional income tax
Information on Russia's professional income tax and on what the Bank of Russia publishes was checked against official sources as of the date this material was prepared. Terms set by platforms, banks and employers change, so check the current version before any important decision.