Ask Are the platform fees taken before or after the client releases payment?

[Brendan]

One thing that confuses a lot of new freelancers is how platform fees actually work, especially when it comes to timing. Some platforms take their fee from the total amount the client pays before anything reaches the freelancer, while others deduct it after the payment has been released. The difference matters because it affects how you calculate your earnings and how you price your services. Getting this wrong can mean you earn less than expected on a job. How does the platform you use handle its fees, and did it take you time to fully understand how the deductions work?