Contently vs ClearVoice: Which Platform Pays Writers Better? My Side-by-Side Income Comparison

As a freelance writer for over eight years, I’ve tested dozens of platforms promising decent rates and steady work. But two names consistently come up in discussions about premium content creation: Contently and ClearVoice.

Both platforms position themselves as higher-end alternatives to content mills, connecting skilled writers with brands willing to pay professional rates. But which one actually delivers better income for writers?

Instead of relying on vague claims or outdated information, I decided to conduct a side-by-side income comparison. For six months, I actively pursued assignments on both platforms, tracking everything from hourly rates to project volume.

This isn’t a theoretical comparison—it’s based on real assignments, real income, and real experiences from my 2025 freelance writing business. Let’s dive into what I discovered.

My Background and Testing Methodology

Before sharing my results, here’s some context about me and my testing approach:

• Experience level: 8+ years of professional writing experience
• Specializations: SaaS, fintech, and digital marketing
• Portfolio: Published in several industry publications
• Testing period: January-June 2025(6 months)
• Tracking metrics: Number of assignments, word count, total income, hourly rate, turnaround time, and client interactions

I created detailed profiles on both platforms and actively pursued opportunities whenever they became available. To ensure a fair comparison, I maintained similar availability for both platforms and applied similar effort levels to securing assignments.

Platform Overview: What They Promise Writers

Before revealing my income data, let’s quickly review what each platform claims to offer freelance writers.

Contently

Contently positions itself as a premium content creation platform connecting enterprise clients with top-tier freelancers. Their key selling points include:

• Access to Fortune 500 clients and major brands
• Higher-than-average industry rates
• A talent network limited to experienced professionals
• Streamlined workflow and payment processes
• No bidding or competing with other writers

ClearVoice

ClearVoice describes itself as a content creation platform that matches brands with freelance talent. Their main benefits for writers include:

• Ability to set your own minimum rates
• Public-facing portfolio system
• Diverse range of clients and industries
• Opportunity to become a regular contributor for brands
• No application fees or membership costs

Both platforms promise to eliminate the race-to-the-bottom pricing that plagues many freelance marketplaces. Butdo they deliver? Let’s look at the numbers.

Income Comparison: The Raw Data

After six months of actively using both platforms, here’s how my income broke down:

Contently Income (January-June 2025)

ClearVoice Income (January-June 2025)

Key Observations:

1. Total Net Income:
   • Contently: $22,630
   • ClearVoice: $11,707.50
   • Difference: $10,922.50 (93% higher on Contently)
2. Average Rate Per Word:
   • Contently: $1.04
   • ClearVoice: $0.70 gross ($0.53 net after platform fee)
3. Assignment Volume:
   • Contently: 17 assignments (2.8 per month)
   • ClearVoice: 26 assignments (4.3 per month)
4. Average Pay Per Assignment:
   • Contently: $1,331.18
   • ClearVoice: $450.29 (after platform fee)

Beyond the Numbers: Qualitative Comparisons

Raw income data tells only part of the story. Here are some qualitative factors that affected my experience on both platforms:

Assignment Types

Contently: Most assignments were in-depth articles (1,000-2,000 words), white papers, and case studies. Clients were primarily enterprise companies in tech and finance.

ClearVoice: Assignments tended to be shorter blog posts (800-1,200 words) with occasional longer pieces. Clients ranged from small businesses to mid-sized companies across various industries.

Work Process

Contently:

• Clear, detailed briefs
• Direct access to editors
• Streamlined revision process (typically 1-2 rounds)
• Integrated content management system
• Payment immediately upon completion (no waiting)

ClearVoice:

• Variable brief quality (some excellent, some vague)
• Communication through platform messaging
• More revision requests (2-3 rounds on average)
• Payment after client approval (typically 5-7 days)

Time Investment

I tracked my time spent on each assignment, including research, writing, revisions, and administrative tasks:

Contently:

• Average time per assignment: 5.2 hours
• Average hourly rate: $256($1,331.18 ÷ 5.2)

ClearVoice:

• Average time per assignment: 3.1 hours
• Average hourly rate: $145 ($450.29 ÷ 3.1)

Assignment Consistency

Contently: Less consistent flow of work. Some months had multiple assignments, while others were quieter. However, each assignment paid significantly more.

ClearVoice: More consistent work availability, with 3-6 assignments available each month, but at lower rates.

Platform-Specific Insights

Contently Insights

Pros:

• Highest per-word and per-hour rates I’ve found on any platform
• No platform fees or commissions
• Prestigious clients that enhance your portfolio
• Immediate payment upon completion
• Excellent editorial support

Cons:

• Highly competitive to get accepted (took me three application attempts)
• Inconsistent work volume (feast or famine)
• Long wait times between initial acceptance and first assignment
• Limited control over which clients see your profile

Getting Started: The application process involves creating a portfolio, linking published work, and waiting for approval. It took me about 3 months from application to first assignment.

ClearVoice Insights

Pros:

• More consistent work flow
• Ability to set your minimum acceptable rate
• Wider variety of clients and industries
• Easier acceptance process
• Public portfolio that can attract clients

Cons:

• 25% platform fee significantly reduces net income
• Lower average rates even before the platform fee
• More revision requests on average
• Payment delays until client approval
• Less prestigious client roster overall

Getting Started: The onboarding process is straightforward—create a profile, set your rates, upload samples, and wait for opportunities. I received my first assignment within 2 weeks of creating my profile.

Which Platform Pays Better? The Verdict

Based on my six-month comparison, Contently clearly pays better than ClearVoice by nearly every metric:

• 93% higher total income despite fewer assignments
• 77% higher hourly rate ($256 vs. $145)
• No platform fees compared to ClearVoice’s 25% cut
• Higher-profile clients that can lead to direct work

However, this doesn’t necessarily mean Contently is the right choice for every writer. Here’s my nuanced take:

Who Should Choose Each Platform?

Contently is better for:

• Established writers with impressive portfolios
• Specialists in high-demand niches (tech, finance, healthcare)
• Full-time freelancers who can weather inconsistent work volume
• Writers seeking prestige clients for portfolio building
• Those prioritizing hourly rate over steady volume

ClearVoice is better for:

• Writers building their portfolios who need more consistent work
• Those in diverse niches looking for variety
• Part-time freelancers seeking supplemental income
• Newer writers with some experience but not extensive portfolios
• Those prioritizing work consistency over maximum rates

Strategies to Maximize Income on Each Platform

Based on my experience, here are some tips to maximize your earnings on each platform:

Contently Strategies:

1. Complete your portfolio meticulously with your absolute best work
2. Specialize in high-value niches like finance, tech, or healthcare
3. Respond immediately to assignment opportunities (they fill quickly)
4. Over-deliver on first assignments to get repeat work
5. Build relationships with editors for steady work flow
6. Don’t rely solely on Contently due to inconsistent volume

ClearVoice Strategies:

1. Set your minimum rate higher than you think (you can always lower it)
2. Create a compelling profile with specific expertise areas
3. Turn around assignments quickly to become a preferred writer
4. Request direct client relationships for repeat work
5. Negotiate higher rates after establishing yourself
6. Factor in the 25% fee when setting your rates

My Personal Approach Going Forward

After this six-month experiment, I’ve decided to maintain active profiles on both platforms, but with different strategies:

• Contently: My primary focus for high-value assignments. I’ll continue pursuing every opportunity that matches my expertise.
• ClearVoice: A supplemental income source during Contently dry spells. I’ve increased my minimum rate to partially offset the platform fee.

This combined approach allows me to maximize income while maintaining a relatively steady workflow.

Final Thoughts: Is Either Platform Worth It?

Both Contently and ClearVoice offer significantly better income potential than content mills or general freelance marketplaces. Based on my experience, here’s my verdict:

Is Contently worth it? Absolutely yes, if you can get accepted and don’t mind inconsistent work volume. The rates are the highest I’ve found on any platform.

Is ClearVoice worth it? Yes, but with caveats. The 25% fee is substantial, but the rates are still above average compared to most platforms. It’s worth using, especially as a supplementary income source.

The ideal scenario? Get accepted to both and use them strategically, as I’ve done. This approach has significantly increased my freelance writing income in 2025.

Your Experience?

Have you worked with either Contently or ClearVoice? I’d love to hear about your experience in the comments below. Did your income comparison match mine, or did you find different results?