Secure escrow for any custom project
Already found your client or your developer? Bring the deal to Esscro. We hold the payment in non-custodial escrow and only release it when the work is approved — so neither side has to just trust the other.
How a direct deal works
Agree the terms
One of you drafts the scope, milestones and price. The other reviews and agrees — that's your contract.
Client funds escrow
Money is locked in non-custodial escrow. The provider can see it's secured, but can't touch it yet.
Work is delivered
The provider does the work and marks the milestone delivered. The client gets a review window.
Funds release
Client approves → provider is paid. If something's wrong, an Esscro arbiter steps in — refund or release, nothing else.
Why Esscro for deals
| Esscro | Escrow.com | Upwork | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fee | 2.5% flat | 3.25%+ | ~10% |
| Settlement | USDC, no chargebacks | Bank / card | Bank / card |
| Custody | Non-custodial | Custodial | Custodial |
| Milestones | Yes | Limited | Yes |
| Arbitration | Built-in, refund-or-release only | Yes | Yes |
Questions
What kind of deals is this for?
Any custom project between two parties: website builds, graphic design, marketing, software, consulting — anything you'd normally pay a freelancer or agency for.
How much does it cost?
A flat 2.5% fee per deal. You choose who pays it — the client (added on top), the provider (from their payout), or a 50/50 split. Escrow.com charges 3.25%+ and Upwork takes around 10%.
How are disputes handled?
If the client and provider can't agree, an Esscro arbiter reviews the evidence and either releases the funds to the provider or refunds the client. The arbiter can never redirect money anywhere else.
Do milestones work like Upwork?
Yes — split a big project into stages and fund them one at a time. Each milestone is its own escrow that releases on approval. A simple job is just a single-milestone deal.