In 2024, is Workaway worth it? Travel costs are rising due to inflation, so now more than ever, finding a way to save on accommodation is relevant if you want to be a budget traveler. For this reason, Workaway is worth trying out.
Workaway used to be the king of work exchange platforms – sites that help you find cool volunteering opportunities around the world where you can stay for free. Now there are a lot of sites like Worldpackers and HelpStay that are offering fierce competition.
I think the idea of work exchanging to travel is definitely worth it, but whether you should use Workaway or a competitor is the real question!
Is Workaway Worth It?
If you’re thinking about work exchanging but not sure if Workaway is worth it, here are some of the pros of Workaway that you should know. Let’s dive into it.
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Largest Work Exchange Platform
Simply put, Workaway is not only the largest work exchange platform with 50k+ volunteering gigs, but it’s also been around for a long time. There’s a lot of name recognition for Workaway.
Many travelers learn about the whole concept of work exchange from someone recommending that they try doing Workaway. You can also refer other people to get extra months of Workaway membership for free.
Wide Variety Of Work Exchanges
Workaway offers a huge variety of different travel volunteering gigs. You can find things like fixing up a sailboat, housesitting, building a treehouse, helping at a hostel, managing an Airbnb, marketing, website, social media help, kitchen help, cleaning, etc.
Some work exchange platforms have different focuses – whether that be on purpose, or just how they have grown.
You can see the organization of WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms) is explicitly for farming work exchanges.
The benefit of Workaway is that it does have a lot of options so you can choose different types of helping to do!
Widest Country Coverage
The idea of ‘traveling’ to most people meant going on a vacation for a week, and though there’s nothing wrong with that, the idea has expanded.
Traveling can mean going for more extended periods, like a gap year, or choosing to live abroad for a few months. Either way, if you want to have a lot of flexibility, Workaway has work exchange gigs in 170 countries.
This is great if you would like to be spontaneous or you’re doing a big trip with many destinations.
Why Workaway Isn’t Worth It
To put it bluntly, there is a lot of competition now for Workaway. There are some cons of Workaway that you should know. For many budget travelers, Workaway isn’t worth it anymore. The main concerns that travelers have about the platform:
- Customer service/support is lacking
- Workaway hosts don’t respond that much
- Workaway doesn’t offer as much value compared to competitors
- It might be better to pay for accommodation if the work is unreasonably long
Why Worldpackers Is Better Than Workaway
A little bit smaller than Workaway, Worldpackers has 10k+ volunteering gigs in 140+ countries.
They state that they have 4.6 million travelers and hosts, which is a huge number when considering the ratio of travelers to available work exchange positions.
Interestingly enough, they as say that 97% of members who send 3 applications receive responses from hosts. My experience has been the same, I normally get more responses on Worldpackers than I do on Workaway.
But that’s not the only reason why Worldpackers is better than Workaway.
It’s also because they offer a lot of perks and some ways to make extra cash with WP! Both of their membership plans include WP insurance which just means you’re covered if your work exchange goes wrong.
Like if you arrive and things are not as they were portrayed or the host breaks the agreed-upon conditions. Worldpackers support will then help you find a new work exchange and cover the cost of staying at a hostel nearby for a few nights.
Get reimbursed:
- $49 on the Trip Plan
- $199 on the Pack Plan
- $399 on the Pack Plus Plan
This ‘insurance’ perk of Worldpackers is really special because most other work exchange platform offers this level of assistance.
*Recently, Workaway has also added a “3 nights emergency help” feature when you sign up. They will reimburse up to $49 (the original amount you paid for your Workaway membership).
There is also the online WP Academy that has tons of resources to help you continue learning on the road. You can check out the different sections depending on what you’re interested in.
The basic one is included in the Trip Plan and all three sections are included in the Pack Plan and Pack Plus Plan.
The Pack Plan also offers lots of great travel discounts that might be worth it for you – you’ll have to decide on your own which plan suits your needs. Check out the complete breakdown of the WP membership plans here.
Why HelpStay Is Better Than Workaway
One of the biggest advantages that HelpStay has over Workaway, is that there aren’t as many travelers on the platform yet.
Though there are perks to Workaway being extensive, the authority also means there are tons of travelers signing up and messaging hosts.
It’s not published how many travelers are on Workaway, but it’s well-known that they greatly outnumber the number of hosts.
This means that hosts get bombarded with messages a lot, creating a lot of competition to get good work exchange gigs between Workawayers.
Since hosts receive a lot of inquiries, it is difficult to answer everyone since realistically people’s time is limited. They can’t spend all day replying.
So Workaway is known for being oversaturated, meaning that you will send many messages with few replies. Since HelpStay is smaller, the ratio between travelers to hosts is good. You can expect to get more responses from people due to this.
Are you covered? ➡️ I always reccommend trip protection, especially for work exchanging. My favorite is SafetyWing Insurance.
More Things To Consider
Workaway (and work exchanging in general) is often claimed to be a cost-effective way for budget travelers to explore new destinations while minimizing expenses. But does it always live up to its promises?
While the concept of exchanging labor for accommodation and sometimes meals sounds appealing on the surface, there are several potential drawbacks that budget travelers should consider before committing.
First and foremost, the term “work exchange” can be deceptive. In some cases, the amount of work required can far outweigh the benefits received.
Many work exchange programs demand a significant time investment, ranging from a few hours per day to full-time shifts. For a traveler eager to explore a new place and be immersed in local culture, this can be a substantial hindrance.
Time spent working could be better utilized for sightseeing, cultural activities, or even finding other forms of employment that offer financial compensation rather than just room and board.
Also, work exchange programs can often lack transparency regarding the nature of the work required. Tasks can range from enjoyable and enriching experiences to mundane and physically demanding chores.
Participants might find themselves disappointed when they realize they spend more time cleaning toilets or doing repetitive tasks than engaging in activities that contribute to personal growth or skill development.
This mismatch between expectations and reality can lead to frustration and dissatisfaction.
Related:
Besides that, relying solely on work exchange can limit a traveler’s ability to experience a destination fully. While the allure of cost savings is enticing, it can result in missing out on other opportunities.
For instance, budget travelers might sacrifice the chance to engage in activities that require upfront costs, such as guided tours, entrance fees to attractions, or local events.
These experiences can offer a deeper understanding of the local culture and history, enhancing the overall travel experience.
Another concern with work exchange is the lack of financial compensation. While it’s true that accommodation and meals are often provided, travelers still need to cover other essential expenses like transportation, personal items, and unforeseen emergencies.
This can strain a tight budget, leaving travelers feeling financially vulnerable. In some cases, the cost of travel to a work exchange destination might outweigh the benefits gained from the arrangement.
There’s also the issue that work exchange programs might not provide the level of security and support that budget travelers need.
Traditional accommodation options like hostels or budget hotels come with a certain level of reliability, whereas work exchange arrangements can be more unpredictable.
Travelers might find themselves in uncomfortable situations with limited recourse if issues arise with their Workaway host or the work environment.
Like anything, there are positives and negatives. Work exchange has some drawbacks, so choosing opportunities carefully is important.
If you’re looking for alternative ways to get free accommodation while you travel, read how to become a housesitter with no experience.
House sitters normally have to contribute a lot less time and effort in exchange for a free stay. The best and biggest platform is called TrustedHousesitters.
House sitters normally have to contribute a lot less time and effort in exchange for a free stay. The best and biggest platform is called TrustedHousesitters.
Is Workaway Worth It? Final Thoughts
Is Workaway worth it? Ultimately, you need to decide based on your own preferences – like how long your trip will be, how much security and perks you want, where you want to work exchange, etc.
I hope this guide has helped you sort this out – to know if Workaway is worth it for you and your travel plans.
