How it works
Payments that protect both sides
FreelanceShield uses milestone-based escrow to ensure freelancers get paid and clients get delivery. Every time.
Client creates a contract
Define the project scope, break it into milestones, and set payment amounts for each. Share an invite link with your freelancer -- they can be someone you found on LinkedIn, Twitter, a referral, or our built-in project board.
Fund milestones into escrow
Before work begins, the client funds the milestone via Razorpay. The money is held securely -- the freelancer can see it's locked, but neither party can touch it until the milestone is complete.
Freelancer delivers work
The freelancer completes the work and submits their deliverables through the platform. The client is notified to review. A configurable auto-release timer starts counting down.
Client approves, money releases
If the work is good, the client approves and funds are instantly transferred to the freelancer. The milestone is marked complete. Both sides move to the next one.
What if things go wrong?
Client doesn't respond?
Every milestone has an auto-release timer (3-30 days, set by the client). If the client doesn't approve or raise a dispute before it expires, funds automatically release to the freelancer. No money stuck in limbo.
Disagreement on quality?
Either party can raise a dispute. Funds are frozen immediately. Both sides present their case. The dispute is resolved through the platform, and funds are released to the rightful party.
Freelancer disappears?
If the freelancer doesn't submit work, the client can cancel the milestone and get a full refund of the escrowed amount. Your money is always protected.
Is my money safe?
All payments are processed through Razorpay, India's leading payment gateway. Funds are held in a secure escrow state with 256-bit SSL encryption. We never touch your money directly.