Freelance vs Full-Time Calculator
Compare full-time employment vs freelancing after tax, expenses, admin time, and unpaid leave. See your true effective hourly rate.
Enter Your Values
Using shared profile · 3,500/mo · EUR — edit on Dashboard
Results update automatically as you change values.
What-If Scenarios
Results update instantlyCost Breakdown
Net Income Comparison
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Cumulative Earnings
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Side-by-Side Comparison
Bars show relative size · ✓ marks the better option- Gross Income
- €16,500
- Tax Rate
- 28.0%
- Business Expenses
- €0
- Net Income
- €11,880
- Effective €/hr
- €5.71
- Billable Days/yr
- 260
- 5-Year Total
- €59,400
- Gross Income
- €90,000
- Tax Rate
- 30.0%
- Business Expenses
- €5,000
- Net Income
- €59,500
- Effective €/hr
- €30
- Billable Days/yr
- 200
- 5-Year Total
- €297,500
| Factor | Full-Time | Recommended Freelance |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Income | €16,500 | €90,000 |
| Tax Rate | 28.0% | 30.0% |
| Business Expenses | €0 | €5,000 |
| Net Income | €11,880 | €59,500 |
| Effective €/hr | €5.71 | €30 |
| Billable Days/yr | 260 | 200 |
| 5-Year Total | €59,400 | €297,500 |
Freelance earns €47620/year more. Freelance at €450/day × 200 days = €90000 gross, minus €5000 expenses and 30% tax = €59500 net. Full-time total comp €16500 nets €11880. Freelance effective rate: €29.51/hr vs €5.71/hr full-time.
Scenario Analysis
How the outcome shifts if your assumptions turn out better or worse than expected.
220 billable days
At stated billable days
160 billable days
Compare Scenarios
Pin up to 3 and see them side by sideSet your inputs, then Pin current to save this scenario. Pin a few variations to compare their scores and outcomes here.
Confidence & Assumptions
The outcome shifts meaningfully with your assumptions. Sensible, but revisit the key inputs.
Freelance Net: €46,900 (worst) → €47,620 (expected) → €65,800 (best)
These are the estimates the result depends on. Adjust them (and the Advanced inputs) to match your real situation — the closer they are to reality, the more reliable your decision.
These estimates are for informational purposes only and do not constitute financial advice. Actual results may vary based on factors not captured in this calculator.
How This Calculator Works
What this calculator does
This calculator compares net income from a full-time job versus freelancing, accounting for taxes, business expenses, unpaid admin time, and the lack of paid leave.
How the calculation works
Full-time net = (salary + bonus + benefits) × (1 - tax). Freelance net = (daily rate × billable days - expenses) × (1 - tax). Effective hourly rates include admin hours for freelancers.
Formula
FT Net = (Salary + Bonus + Benefits) × (1 - Tax) FL Net = (Rate × Days - Expenses) × (1 - Tax) Eff. €/hr = Net / Total Hours Worked
Example
Full-time €65k + €5k bonus + €8k benefits nets ~€55k. Freelance at €450/day × 200 days minus €5k expenses nets ~€59k — but includes 416 unpaid admin hours.
How to Use This Calculator
- 1Enter your numbers
Fill in the inputs for Freelance vs Full-Time Calculator. Defaults are realistic starting points — replace them with your actual figures.
- 2Understand the calculation
Full-time net = (salary + bonus + benefits) × (1 - tax). Freelance net = (daily rate × billable days - expenses) × (1 - tax). Effective hourly rates include admin hours for freelancers.
- 3Review results and scenarios
Check metrics, cost breakdown, comparison tables, and best / expected / worst scenarios. Use sliders to stress-test assumptions.
- 4Decide with the verdict
Read the decision engine recommendation and FAQ. Example: Full-time €65k + €5k bonus + €8k benefits nets ~€55k. Freelance at €450/day × 200 days minus €5k expenses nets ~€59k — but includes 416 unpaid admin hours.
Factors to Consider
- Freelancers need 200+ billable days to match full-time income
- Benefits (health, pension, paid leave) are worth €5,000-15,000/yr
- Admin and sales time is unpaid — budget 6-10 hrs/week
- Income volatility makes budgeting and mortgages harder
- Freedom and tax deductions are real but often overstated
Common Mistakes
- Multiplying daily rate × 260 without accounting for holidays and gaps
- Ignoring admin, invoicing, and client acquisition time
- Forgetting to buy your own health insurance and pension
- Using gross daily rate instead of net after tax and expenses
Frequently Asked Questions
What daily rate do I need to match my salary?+
Rough rule: divide your total compensation by 180-200 billable days, then add 30% for taxes, expenses, and unpaid time. A €65k job needs ~€420-470/day.
How many billable days is realistic?+
Most freelancers bill 160-220 days/year. Account for holidays, sick days, training, and gaps between clients. Below 180 days, income becomes unpredictable.
This calculator provides estimates for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Always consult a qualified professional before making important financial decisions.
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