Freelance & Digital Services

Get paid for the work. Not the promise of payment.

Freelance work fails for the same reason on both sides: someone has to go first with no guarantee. NEFIMS holds the client's payment before you start, and releases it the moment the work is approved.

Why It Matters

The freelance trust gap, solved.

Clients ghost after delivery

Funds are already secured before you start work — there's nothing left to chase.

Freelancers disappear mid-project

Milestone-based release means clients only fund the next phase once the last one is approved.

Scope disputes turn into non-payment

A structured mediation process replaces the standoff with a documented resolution.

The Process

Built around milestones, not a single lump sum.

Step 1

Define milestones

Break the project into stages, each with its own deliverable and payment amount.

Step 2

Client funds the milestone

Payment for the current stage is held in escrow before work begins.

Step 3

Deliver & approve

Once the client approves the milestone, funds release — and the next one opens.

Fees for Freelance Escrow

What it costs

2.0% of transaction value, minimum $15 per milestone.

Fee is split evenly between buyer and seller by default, or can be assigned to one party in the agreement terms.

See full fee schedule →
I stopped taking 50% deposits and hoping the rest showed up. Now every milestone is already funded before I touch the project.
— Freelance Developer, closed via NEFIMS
Common Questions

Before you start

The milestone stays in escrow and both parties can revise the deliverable or open a dispute — funds are never returned or released unilaterally.

Yes. Set up a recurring escrow agreement that funds automatically at the start of each billing period.

Only what's in the agreement terms — NEFIMS doesn't share your other clients or rates.

Start your next project already funded.