Do you want to travel affordably through work exchanges but are unsure about which website(s) to use?

Worldpackers and Workaway are two work exchange sites anyone in search of volunteer opportunities around the world can’t afford not to visit.

These websites make it possible to locate volunteer opportunities all over the world in exchange for accommodation and meals. Additionally, it links you up with locals worldwide so you can plan an exceptional and memorable trip.

Worldpackers vs. Workaway

Delving further, we will analyze these two websites based on their pros and demerits to ascertain which is better.

Worldpackers

Established in Brazil 2014, Worldpackers is a website as well as an online community where tourists from all over the world can hunt for suitable/acceptable volunteer positions where they can offer their services/skills and benefit the community in exchange for free accommodations.

Worldpackers offers a wide range of voluntary opportunities, which includes teaching, camping, homestay, working in hostels, guesthouses, holistic centers, surf camps, assisting local NGO’s, schools, communities, eco projects, farm, permaculture projects and even health and wellness centers.

It started in South America and thus has a lot of listings in that part of the world. One of the few websites that provide actual positions with globally renowned NGOs is Worldpackers.

In contrast to other work-exchange websites, Worldpackers provides “Experience Insurance.” This implies they will assist you in finding a new host as soon as possible and pay for you to stay in a nearby hostel for a few days if your work exchange turns out to be awful for whatever reason or your project is canceled.

On the website, they also post frank reviews that were made by former volunteers. Since the reviews aren’t entirely favorable, you can know they’re sincere and accurate.

Additionally, Worldpackers has a thriving online network of former and current volunteers and globetrotters. On the website, you can talk to former volunteers to learn more about what it’s like to live in different countries, how simple or challenging particular jobs are, or to meet new online pals.

The website allows volunteers to connect directly with the team, and this contributes to its reputation for having a committed volunteer support staff.

Also, its primary emphasis is on safety (esp for women) as 62% of its volunteers are women.

Cons of Worldpackers

• Fewer volunteer opportunities: It started in South America and thus has a lot of listings in that part of the world.
• Not as well known
• More expensive: Initial registration on the website is free (you can sign up using Facebook), but if you locate a host you’re interested in chatting, the cost is $49 per year.

There is also a strategy for couples and groups of friends, which goes for $59.

The Solo Pack is a further plan that is available. You’ll receive more insurance. In other words, Worldpackers will pay for your accommodations for seven nights if something goes wrong with your volunteer placement. This package may be purchased for $99.

Workaway

Workaway is another work exchange website established in 2002.

Out of all the work exchange websites, Workaway boasts the most hosts and volunteer opportunities. They also have listings with projects to be found in almost every nation of the world.

Like Worldpackers, you can first explore the website for free and look at some of the volunteer opportunities.

However, in order to access the entire list of host reviews and get in touch with a project host, you must pay up for a one-year membership, which is presently EUR 49 per year. Thus, It is less expensive compared to Worldpackers and allows visitors to volunteer on farms, in hostels, or at social initiatives all around the world in exchange for free accommodation.

When volunteers are abroad, Workaway offers online help through a contact form on their website. They do not, however, provide the same “experience insurance” as Worldpackers provide in the event that something goes wrong.

Workaway features a unique option where you may create a letter of reference for potential work possibilities or explain any significant gaps in your CV once your volunteer assignment is over and you’ve returned home.

In addition to free housing, some specific volunteer postings that need more than the typical 20 to 25 hours per week of work will also provide meals and, in some cases, a small amount of pocket money.

For instance, if you work at a hostel in exchange for free accommodation, the hostel can pay you commissions if you refer customers to one of their tours.

After completing their volunteer assignment, travelers can post a review on the Workaway website for prospective volunteers to read.

But there is one major problem: Workaway only displays the text of the favorable reviews, not the text of the negative ones.

Which is better?

In terms of user experience, value for money, reviews, online community and support team, as well as safety (Insurance), Worldpackers takes the lead.

On the other hand, in terms of prizes, volunteering opportunities, limit to working hours (Workaway limits its work away to 22-25 hrs per week compared to Worldpackers which is 32 hours per week), Workaway is more preferable.

Expatiating on both features, Worldpackers provides greater value for the money, a more vibrant, active, supportive as well as user-friendly network, an academy for acquiring more knowledge on volunteering/work exchanges, verified hosts, and experience insurance, which enables you to change hosts if something goes wrong during your stay with safety being one of its top priorities.

Workaway tends to be better in terms of providing more volunteering opportunities globally with over 1 million hosts available as well as more than 50,000 work exchange opportunities with diverse NGOs, offering boat projects, hostels, house stay, house sitting, welfare as well as farming projects, etc and also in terms of a lower price compared to Worldpackers.

Comparing these features, I think it is crystal clear that Worldpackers is better off than Workaway in general terms.

In Conclusion

Worldpackers and Workaway are two prominent work exchange websites that offer the best volunteering/work exchange services as well as add splendor and comfortability to your travel experience. Both websites are unique in their different features.

However, to choose which to use, you have to put diverse factors into consideration such as the country you intend to travel to (as Worldpackers has a lot of listings in South America, while Workaway has lots of volunteering opportunities in Europe and also in almost every country of the world) as well as your estimated budget, (considering the prizes for both websites) your experience (are you an experienced traveler or a newbie?) and most importantly your individual choice/preference will help you determine which of these websites to use.

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In a nutshell, Worldpackers is perfect for first-time travelers and those freshers to volunteer with work exchange, women travelers, and anyone in search of concrete support and safety measures (because of its insurance policy).

On the other hand, Workaway is excellent for those with much experience in work exchange services and for those going on a big trip where you need a wide variety because there is an availability of many volunteer opportunities there.