Alright, let's be real. As a freelance designer, you wear a lot of hats. You're the creative genius, the project manager, and your own finance department. It's a lot.
You probably live on platforms like Dribbble to showcase your talent and land amazing clients. But what happens after the high-five for the finished project?
How do you actually get paid without confusing fees, and long waiting times?
In this article, we're breaking down Dribbble vs. Ruul to figure out which one truly serves a freelance designer's wallet and peace of mind.
Let's dive in!
Overview
Dribbble is a portfolio and job-finding platform designed exclusively for graphic designers. It helps designers create powerful portfolios for their careers and build a network of fellow graphic designers.
On Dribbble, you can publish your work samples, get inspired by other designers, post quick visuals called "Shots" (similar to a post on Instagram), sell your services, and apply for graphic design jobs in the "Job Board" section.
Ruul is a payment button that prioritizes ease, security, speed, and flexibility for freelancers. It helps you sell online services/digital products, offer subscription-based service packages, and receive payments in 140 currencies plus crypto across 190 countries.
Furthermore, Ruul does not limit itself to designers. It operates as an all-in-one MoR (Merchant of Record), helping all globally working freelancers to sell, issue invoices, and get paid quickly without legal complications.
The most fundamental difference between the two platforms
Dribbble and Ruul can play roles at different stages and for different needs within a freelance designer's workflow.
Dribbble is a useful tool more for the "front-end" of the workflow, that is, in the stages of marketing, portfolio building, networking, and potential client discovery.
Ruul, on the other hand, is positioned on the "back-end" of the workflow, handling the financial transactions, invoicing, and legal compliance stages after an agreement on a project has been reached.
In summary,
- Dribbble is portfolio-focused, but it is also possible to sell services and receive payments.
- Ruul is payment-focused, but it also makes a portfolio, job opportunities, and sales possible.
Commission rates
The commission fee will be our first comparison criterion because we know that, as a freelancer, it's a poor experience to lose a large portion of the money you've earned through countless efforts.
Let's compare Dribbble and Ruul!
Dribbble
Dribbble charges various commissions from both the designer and the client for each project. Let's take a look at this fee structure:
- Commission for Designers: As a designer, you pay a 3.5% commission on the project cost for every transaction. This amount is automatically deducted from your earnings.
- Commission for Clients: When your client makes a payment, they pay an additional commission of 5% of the project cost. This amount is included in the total project budget.
- Stripe Processing Fee: Dribbble uses Stripe for payment processing. The transaction fee charged by Stripe, typically 2.9% + $0.30 of the project cost, is added to the client's payment.
Platform commission fees are applied to both the client and the freelancer, and there is only one way for designers to avoid them: a Dribbble Pro subscription.
A Dribbble Pro subscription is currently $16 per month, but a discount is applied for annual billing. Being able to avoid the commission is good, but if you can't find clients and make sales on Dribbble, you'll continue to pay the Pro subscription fee every month.
Ruul
Ruul adopts a "pay-as-you-go" model. This means there are no upfront payments or monthly/annual subscription fees to use the platform. You don't pay a platform commission unless you receive a payment from a client.
So, how does Ruul cover its service costs? Ruul covers its service costs by taking a specific commission rate on each invoice it collects.
- Ruul's service fee is a fixed 5%.
And unlike Dribbble, Ruul does not charge separate commissions from both the freelancer and the client. Only one party pays the commission fee: you or your client. The choice is yours.
For example, if your client pays it, your entire earnings are yours, and this is a flexibility not available on Dribbble—just a single commission and the ability to decide who pays it.
Conversely, you can specifically invite your client to Ruul and cover the service fee yourself. However, when you invite an external client to Dribbble, you're essentially telling them to cover commission costs of "5% + 2.9% + $0.30."
Payment methods
Dribbble
Dribbble offers two payment methods: Stripe bank transfer and Payoneer.
If you get paid via Stripe, the money is transferred to the bank account you registered in the system. You do not have to pay an additional commission fee for payments processed through Stripe.
If you choose to receive payment through the other method, Payoneer, your money is not transferred directly to your bank account. Instead, after the payment is processed, you can manually transfer the money from your Payoneer account to your bank account.
When you choose Payoneer, you are required to pay an additional $1 per transaction.
Ruul
Ruul's flexibility in payment methods is no coincidence, as it was specifically created for this purpose. Especially if you are a globally working designer, Ruul allows you to receive payments from your clients in 190 countries and in 140 different currencies.
Among the methods you can use are Wise, Payoneer, or direct bank transfers. Additionally, Ruul offers an innovative payment method not found on Dribbble or most other freelance platforms:
Crypto payments...
To get paid with crypto, simply integrate your Binance account with Ruul, which only takes a few minutes. Afterward, you can receive all your payments in USDC, meaning the money will be in your account at light speed.
Payment process
Now let's look at how the process of getting paid works on Dribbble and Ruul. This comparison point is essential for understanding how to receive payments quickly and even automate them.
Dribbble
- Project proposal and agreement
In a likely scenario, a client reviews your profile and sends you a project proposal. The details of the offer (scope of work, deadline, fee, etc.) are discussed through Dribbble messages.
Once you reach an agreement, the project and payment process management begins.
Alternatively, your client can purchase one of the service packages from your "Services" page, for example, a package like "Icon set for a mobile app."
Outside of these two scenarios, you can invite your clients from other platforms to Dribbble, but the client needs to be aware of and agree to the commissions they will have to pay on Dribbble (5% + 2.9% + $0.30) from the outset.
Note: Dribbble explicitly prohibits sharing information such as "email, social media, WhatsApp, or PayPal" in the messaging section.
- Create a payment request
The client creates a payment request in the Dribbble system based on the agreed-upon fee. Typically, this first payment is a deposit, but it can also be the full amount.
Once the client makes the payment, the project is considered "started." At this point, Dribbble does not give the money paid by the client directly to you; it holds the payment and transfers it to you after the project is delivered.
- Complete and deliver the project
Finish the design, deliver it, and get approval from the client. The delivery process must also be done through the Dribbble messaging area, as required by the platform.
- The payment is released
When the client says "everything is okay," Dribbble sends the money to the payment account you have registered in the system (for example, Payoneer or a bank account).
If the client does not approve the payment even after you have delivered the project, Dribbble will automatically approve the project after 7 days and transfer the money to your account.
Depending on your chosen payment method, the money will reach you within 2-7 business days. In reality, the 7-day waiting period, followed by another 2-7 day wait for the money to reach your account, are periods that delay you from receiving your funds.
In Ruul, there are no such waiting times.
Ruul
The process of receiving payments and invoicing on Ruul for freelance designers is quite simple and user-friendly:
- Authorize Ruul as your "Merchant of Record" (MoR) partner
This step is necessary so that Ruul can manage invoicing, payment collection, and the relevant legal compliance processes on your behalf.
Sign up for Ruul with your email and password, or connect your Google account directly.
From the "Payment Accounts" section, when you click the "Add New" button, you will be automatically redirected to the identity verification page. Once you complete this process, you will have authorized Ruul.
Note: This is a one-time process.
- Send a payment request to your client
The only information you need to have about your client is their email address. Especially if you have clients you work with regularly, you can save their email addresses in the system and select them quickly when sending a payment request.
Create and send a payment request through the Ruul system that includes the price of the service you provided, the currency for the payment (140 currencies available), and other relevant project details (client information, service description, etc.).
Additionally, for the collection of the service fee, you will see "Me" and "My Customer" options in the "Service fee payer" section. The decision here depends on your agreement with your client.
You can pay it, or if your client agrees, you can select the "My Customer" option.
And here's a significant advantage: Your client can pay the invoice even if they are not registered with Ruul.
- Your client pays the invoice via the link
After the payment request, Ruul issues an official invoice to your client in your preferred currency and payment method, and manages the payment collection.
Your choice of currency does not affect your client. For example, you might choose to receive your payment in crypto, but your client can pay in dollars or euros. At the end of the transaction, you will receive the payment in your preferred currency.
Your clients do not need to register with Ruul to make a payment; they can complete the transaction through the payment link you send.
- Your earnings are transferred to your bank account
After your client pays , Ruul transfers this amount to the bank account or crypto address you have registered in the system. While crypto payments are credited instantly, bank payments are completed within 1 business day at the latest.
Which platform is suitable for which scenario?
Which platform a freelance designer chooses will vary depending on the source of the project, financial priorities, and working style:
Scenario 1: If the client is found on Dribbble
Dribbble's policies strictly require that projects initiated within the platform be processed exclusively through Dribbble, making it impossible to receive payment through Ruul or any other payment service.
In this scenario, continuing to manage the project through Dribbble is the best decision for both the security of the project and compliance with the platform's policies.
Scenario 2: If the client was found through channels outside of Dribbble
If the project was secured from a source outside the Dribbble platform, Ruul is a solid option. Especially for designers who sell services outside their own country, Ruul's "MoR" model provides significant ease in handling local legal and financial obligations.
Moreover, you don't need to force a client to sign up for Ruul to make a payment, because they can complete it via a link even without registering.
Conversely, if you invite a client from outside Dribbble to the platform, things get a bit clunky.
You would essentially be telling your client:
“Sign up for Dribbble. Learn the platform. Pay the commissions.”
And this might cause your client to simply walk away. In short, Dribbble is good for deals made within Dribbble.
Scenario 3: If you want to receive payment in cryptocurrency
If you want to get paid with crypto, which is quite understandable, as it's a fast and common method in today's freelance world.
In this case, Ruul is unrivaled because it helps you receive payments in USDC through its Binance integration. Furthermore, the currency your client pays in is irrelevant, because Ruul converts it and sends it to you as USDC.
In contrast, on Dribbble, payments are processed only through Stripe, and unfortunately, there is no option to receive payments in crypto.
Final comparison
Ruul's purpose for existing is to eliminate all barriers in the payment process. Instead of forcing your clients to join a platform and deal with complex commission structures, with Ruul, you offer them a professional invoice and countless payment options.
Furthermore, Ruul gives you financial control: the freedom to choose who pays the simple and transparent service fee, the flexibility to receive payments in over 140 currencies or with crypto, and it manages legal processes like invoicing on your behalf.
Dribbble, on the other hand, is for showcasing your talent, getting inspired by a global community, and being discovered by potential clients. It offers a powerful storefront and provides a workflow within its own ecosystem.
This isn't a comparison of "good" or "bad," but a matter of "specialization." I have tried to offer a perspective on what these two platforms focus on.
One brings the client to you; the other puts the earnings for that labor into your bank account in the most efficient way.
When you want to take your business to the next level, accelerate your cash flow, and maximize your profitability, choose Ruul, which was created for this very purpose, and join over 100,000 freelancers.
FAQ
How to accept payments as a graphic designer?
Designers can get paid through platforms like Dribbble or Fiverr, or use MoR platforms like Ruul for invoicing, tax compliance, and crypto payment options.
How to get more views on Dribbble?
The organic way to get more views on Dribbble is by posting Shots and aiming to appear on the “Popular” page. Upgrading to Pro also boosts your visibility in feeds.
Does Dribbble have an app?
There is no Dribbble mobile app available for iOS or Android.
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