TL;DR

Fiverr is a popular freelance marketplace, but for many design buyers it carries serious risks: inconsistent quality, delays, and unclear pricing. For ongoing or business-critical design, unlimited design subscription services like ManyPixels often offer more predictable quality, better workflow, and pricing that scales with your needs.

What Is Fiverr?

Fiverr is an online marketplace where freelancers — including graphic designers — offer services (“gigs”) starting around $5.

While that low price is appealing, it often hides risks and limitations: unclear quality, hidden fees, slow or unpredictable delivery, and no accountability once work is delivered and accepted.

But, let’s go discuss that in a little more detail. 

5 Common Fiverr Design Scams & Problems

Here are the main issues people report when hiring design services on Fiverr:

1. Misleading Prices

• A gig may advertise $5 or $10, but that usually applies only to a tiny, bare-minimum deliverable with no revisions.
• Once you request revisions or additional files (print-ready, source files, multi-format exports), prices climb quickly.

👉 Result: You might end up paying much more than you expected.

2. Poor or Inconsistent Quality

• Anyone can set up a Fiverr gig — there’s limited vetting.
• Visual quality varies widely, even for “top rated” sellers.

👉 Result: You won’t get quality work and will still need to pay. 

3. Fake Portfolios & AI-Driven Work

• Some sellers misrepresent their work or use AI tools without disclosure.
• You may receive generic designs that lack strategic value or brand fit.

👉 Result: A huge waste of time with no tangible results

4. Delivery Issues

• Communication may be inconsistent.
• Some sellers deliver low-resolution files or refuse revisions.

👉 Result: Uncertain timelines and frustration.

5. Payment Outside Fiverr

• Certain sellers might request the payment to be made outside of Fiverr
• This can be done before or after the work is done

👉 Result: If you don’t get the work, or are unhappy about it there’s no way to get your money back. 

What to do in case of a dispute

Even if you do your best to avoid scams, they can still happen. So, here’s a quick guide on how to handle this. 

1. Gather Evidence

Collect all relevant evidence of the scam, including messages, files, and any other interactions you had with sellers on Fiverr. 

2. Contact the Seller First

Give the seller an opportunity to address your concerns and rectify the situation. More often than not this will work out to everyone’s advantage.

3. Use the Resolution Center

Fiverr provides a dispute resolution center where you can communicate with the seller to attempt to resolve disputes. This platform can be used to discuss issues, request revisions, or negotiate solutions.

4. Request a Revision or Refund

If the work delivered by the seller does not meet your expectations or if you suspect a scam, you can request revisions or a refund. Additional revisions might cost extra though. 

5. Contact Fiverr Support

If you're unable to reach a satisfactory resolution with the seller, you can contact Fiverr's customer support. Explain the situation, provide evidence, and ask for their assistance.

6. File a Dispute

If the issue remains unresolved, you might have the option to file a dispute with Fiverr. This can lead to a more formal investigation into the situation. Fiverr's support team can guide you on the steps to take.

7. Report the Scam

Fiverr takes scams and fraudulent activity seriously. Report the incident to Fiverr's support team so they can take appropriate action against the seller if necessary. 

8. Contact the Payment Provider

Fiverr handles all payments, including secure payment processing. So, there’s never a need for you to make payments outside the Fiverr platform. If you did, however, you might want to contact the payment provider (such as PayPal or a credit card), to try and request a chargeback.

9. Learn and Stay Safe

Check for reviews, complete profiles, and clear communication. Don’t click on suspicious links or share personal information.

When Fiverr Might Be OK

Does it seem like we’ve done everything to convince you that Fiverr is not a legitimate platform. That wasn’t our intention. 

Despite its downsides, Fiverr is still used by thousands of people daily, and with great success. Here’s how Fiverr can be a good choice for you. 

• You have a one-off project with a very narrow scope.
• You are comfortable managing revisions and file details yourself.
• The budget is extremely limited and quality expectations are flexible.
• You can spend a lot of time finding and vetting designers.

Still even in the best case scenario, things get overwhelming in the long term. Cost accumulate fast, and one person, no matter how talented, can hardly handle all your design needs. 

So, for ongoing work, professional marketing, brand consistency, and predictable turnaround, Fiverr is rarely the best choice

Fiverr vs Unlimited Design Services

Although Fiverr is one of the biggest and best-known freelancer platforms out there, it’s no longer your only option for outsourcing design.

Unlimited design services are a lot cheaper than freelance designers in the long term. On top of that, you don’t have to worry about finding and vetting freelancers.

Here’s why many businesses choose subscription design services over Fiverr:

Predictable Workflows

Unlimited design services use task management tools (Trello, Slack, Asana) and dedicated queues, so you:

• Know where your requests stand
• Get consistent turnaround windows
• Have a single team familiar with your brand

Consistent Quality

Unlike Fiverr’s open marketplace:

• You work with a vetted design team
• Style and output quality are consistent across requests

No Per-Project Pricing

Instead of buying each design individually:

• You pay a monthly fee
• You submit unlimited requests
• Unlimited revisions are included for perfect results

👉 This often leads to lower costs for businesses with recurring design needs.

Case Example: How Costs Add Up

Imagine you need:

• 4 social posts per week
• 1 landing page redesign per month
• Email graphics
• Print materials

On Fiverr:

• 4 social posts × ~ $50–$100 each = $200–$400
• Landing page ~ $300–$800
• Total: $500–$1,200+ per month

On an unlimited design service:

• Flat monthly fee often < $800
• All requests included
• Faster turnaround, consistent quality

What to Use Instead (Safe & Scalable)

If you want professional design without the headaches of a gig marketplace:

🌟 Unlimited Design Subscription Services

• Flat monthly cost
• Unlimited design requests
• Managed queue + revisions
• Dedicated support

These are ideal for:

• Marketing teams
• Small businesses with recurring designs
• Agencies needing overflow support
• Content creators with frequent creative needs

👉 The ManyPixels service is structured this way, with clear deliverables, predictable workflows, and quality control.

Recommended Workflow to Avoid Fiverr Pitfalls

1. Define your brief clearly upfront.
   Include audience, deliverable specs, formats, and deadlines.
2. Compare quotes before starting the project.
   Set expectations early (revisions, source files, usage rights).
3. Ask for real portfolios (not stock examples).
   Check for work similar to your style goals.
4. Look at both negative and positive reviews.
   Make sure the reviews are from real clients.
5. Consider a subscription service if your needs are ongoing.
   This removes gig-to-gig negotiation frustration.

FAQ — Fiverr & Graphic Design

Q: Are all Fiverr designers unreliable?

No — some designers are excellent. But there’s no platform-level guarantee of quality.

Q: Does Fiverr charge commission fees?

Yes, Fiverr charges commission fees to buyers and sellers, with sellers generally paying a 20% service fee on their earnings, while buyers pay a separate service fee (around 5.5% plus a flat fee for smaller orders) on top of the order cost..

Q: Is there a monthly pricing option?

No, Fiverr doesn’t offer fixed monthly subscriptions. But you can make this kind of arrangement with your Fiverr freelancer. 

Q: Can I find cheap quality design work elsewhere?

Competitive marketplaces (Upwork, Toptal) offer vetted talent, but they often cost more than unlimited subscription services for recurring work.

Q: Are unlimited design services worth it?

If you frequently need new designs, they often pay for themselves with predictable results and faster delivery.

Final Thoughts

Fiverr can seem appealing for cheap design work, but the risks — inconsistent quality, hidden pricing, and vague deliverables — make it a poor fit for most businesses that need reliable and ongoing design support.

For predictable budgets, consistent quality, and growth-aligned workflows, unlimited design subscription services are usually the better choice.

With ManyPixels you can get all your designs under one roof - flat monthly pricing, experienced designers, and project managers to help the process run smoothly.

Starting at just $599 a month, ManyPixels is a fraction of the cost you’d pay more experienced FIverr freelancers, for just a couple of designs. 

So, whether you need a big project like website design, or ongoing weekly social media graphics, we’re here to help.

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