Are you interested in traveling affordably through work exchanges, but not sure which platform to use?
This Worldpackers vs Workaway comparison is for you then! Let’s go over the pros and cons of both to see which will work best for you.
Why Use Workaway Or Worldpackers?
The term ‘work exchange’ means that you exchange your help for free food and accommodation.
It’s known by many names like help exchange, travel volunteering, voluntourism, etc. Many travelers use work exchanges to not only save money but to be immersed in local culture.
Both Workaway and Worldpackers are work exchange sites where you can browse volunteer opportunities from all around the world.
If you’re wanting to get involved with any particular work exchange, you will need to pay a fee to sign up for the yearly membership, create a profile, and then message the host of the work exchange that you’re interested in.
The main point of Worldpackers and Workaway is to connect you with locals around the world so you can arrange a unique and meaningful travel experience.
These sites didn’t create the concept of ‘work exchange’. Travelers have been doing them for a long time, so the goal of these platforms is to make it safer and easier to arrange them.
Though it’s important with any travel adventure, having travel insurance is even more important when doing work exchanges.This has to do with how you will most likely be more active during a work exchange.
Plus, many volunteer opportunities are set in gorgeous, but remote settings, so it’s important to be covered. It doesn’t matter where you are, emergency evacuations are expensive!
If you’re on a budget, check out SafetyWing for affordable coverage – their coverage is incredibly competitive ($40 for 4 weeks).Still need to know more? Check out these 12 helpful tips to find the right travel insurance for working and volunteering abroad.
Worldpackers VS Workaway
Even though this is an article that compares Workaway vs Worldpackers, the aim of this isn’t to convince you one way or another.
Since everyone is different, what works for me or you, might not work for someone else.
I want you to know that there isn’t one completely perfect work exchange platform, but I do hope that going over the pros and cons of each will help you see what’s best for you.
Disclaimer: This site contains affiliate links that will cost you nothing extra but offer me a little commission for any purchases made. This income helps me continue to offer helpful tips and information. Thank you so much for your support. I was also compensated by Worldpackers to create this content, but these are 100% my own honest opinions expressed.
Worldpackers
Founded in Brazil in 2014, Worldpackers was created to help travelers have transformative experiences, develop new skills, and make a positive impact.
Since Worldpackers started in South America, they used to be focused on opportunities there, but they have grown to the point where they have volunteer gigs all over the world now.
They also have a wide variety of volunteer opportunities to choose from – social and ecological projects, NGOs, farms, hostels, holistic centers, schools, homestays, etc.
They have almost 10,000 volunteer projects in 140 countries. You can browse these opportunities without paying or needing to make an account, so you can see what’s available before joining.
Hosts are manually vetted and verified by the Worldpackers team. They have to complete the verification before being able to message travelers or post any opportunities.
Their website is well organized and easy to use. They also have a convenient mobile app to use on the go.
Pros Of Worldpackers
- Major emphasis on safety (especially for women)
- Volunteers receive an official agreement between them and the host that outlines what was agreed upon
- They offer insurance (WP Insurance) to cover you in case the volunteer opportunity doesn’t work out – this doesn’t take the place of travel insurance though!
- They have their own platform (WP Academy) to learn more about volunteering and making travel a lifestyle
- They offer a few different ways (WP Programs) for you to earn some extra cash to help you travel longer
Cons Of Worldpackers
- Fewer volunteer opportunities
- Not as well known
- More expensive (but with my $10 discount it’s cheaper than Workway)
Worldpackers Review
One of the top priorities of Worldpackers is safety. It’s a huge emphasis for them. Around 60% of members are women, so it makes sense that they focus on women’s safety.
Since many members are solo female travelers, they have a helpful blog category dedicated to traveling women. You can find many great articles that will inspire and inform you there.
Another unique thing about Worldpackers is that you get an official agreement with the host you will be helping.
Once you find a host and agree to collaborate through the Worldpackers platform, you’ll get an official agreement.
This means that both parties know what is expected of them. Everything is clear, out in the open, and set in writing.
Having an agreement helps to foster safety and gives you peace of mind that your trip is safely confirmed.
The insurance that Worldpackers offers is a huge selling point for me. It’s there in case the host does not abide by what was previously agreed upon. If this happens, Worldpackers will help you find another host nearby.
If they cannot relocate you, Worldpackers will pay up to 3 nights of accommodation in a shared room in a hostel in the same city/area.
Also, it is automatically part of the Worldpackers membership, you don’t pay anything extra for this.
They also have the Worldpackers Academy – a learning platform made by travelers, for travelers.
The academy aims to help you learn how to have a life full of more freedom, flexibility, and travel. Plus, all of the video lessons are created by travelers in the Worldpackers community.
You also can earn extra income through Worldpackers. There are 4 different opportunities to do this. I go more into detail about the Worldpackers ‘programs’ here.
These extra features are all something that no other work exchange sites do.
If you are looking for a site that offers great safety and insurance, ways to make extra income online, and even a learning platform, then Worldpackers would be great for you.
Like I mentioned in my pros and cons list, there are fewer opportunities than Workaway but in my Workaway review below, I talk about how that can be both good and bad.
Workaway
Founded almost two decades ago in 2002, Workaway is the largest site for volunteering with work exchanges.
Currently, they have 50,000+ opportunities in 170 countries. Workaway states that they want to help travelers connect globally and travel differently and describes those who use workaway to be,
“a traveller who wants to give back to the communities and places they visit. Open to helping hosts and using the experience to learn and immerse in the local culture.”
Similar to Worldpackers, they also have a wide variety of volunteer opportunities to choose from.
You can browse these opportunities without paying or needing to make an account, so you can see what’s available before joining.
Potential Workaway hosts are manually reviewed by the Workaway team before being accepted.
Also, one of the Workaway team members let me know that on average they reject over 50% of host applications.
Their website is easy to use and they have a mobile app to use on the go too.
Pros Of Workaway
- Well known – founded almost 20 years ago
- Even some of the most remote places are represented (opportunities in 170 countries)
- Largest work exchange platform in the world (50,000+ volunteer opportunities all in one place)
Cons Of Workaway
- Hosts are known to sometimes be unresponsive (potentially because they receive so many inquires)
- Workawayers often say they don’t like the review system and don’t receive adequate support
- Doesn’t have the extra features that Worldpackers has
Workaway Review
Workaway is great for a big, long-term trip (eg a gap year) because they have the most opportunities in the most countries.
If you’re trying to cast a wide net for your once-in-a-lifetime trip, Workaway makes the most sense.
If you want to find places all over the world because you’re planning to visit a lot of different countries, then you’ll want to have a platform with the most opportunities.
It’s not like you want to pay a membership fee for a year and then realize there are not many options, or any at all, in the place you want to go next.
It’s also great if you don’t have a fixed plan for your trip because the wide variety of options allows for being more free and spontaneous.
There is something to be said for quality over quantity though. Many in the Workaway community talk about how it can be difficult to get responses from hosts.
My Workaway hosts in Montenegro said that they receive so many messages that it’s impossible to keep up with answering them, especially since they have children and a business to run.
The popularity of Workaway is a curse and a blessing.
On one hand, it’s amazing because when you sign up, you’re going with a well-known organization/website with the most volunteer opportunities all in one place.
They have some very unique opportunities in remote countries that probably wouldn’t be on some of the smaller work exchange sites.
The downside of Workaway’s skyrocketing popularity is that it has caused it to be flooded with travelers looking for free accommodation and food.
This means that the hosts are bombarded with a lot of messages, so the chance of getting a reply will be lower (especially in popular tourist destinations like Paris or Hawaii).
Which Is For You – Worldpackers Or Workaway?
Workaway is great for…
- Those going on a big trip where you need a wide variety/availability of volunteer opportunities
- Those who are already experienced travelers and don’t need a lot of extra features
Worldpackers is great for…
- First-time travelers and those new to volunteering with work exchanges
- Women travelers
- Anyone wanting extra support and safety measure
- Those wanting to learn how to make travel their long term lifestyle (through the WP Academy)
- Those who want to make extra income to continue traveling (through WP Programs)
Final Thoughts
I hope this Worldpackers vs Workaway comparison has helped you figure out which work exchange site is best for you and your travel plans!
Have you used Workaway or Worldpackers before? Let me know which you like better in the comments.
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