By I’m currently planning my first extended stay abroad in Australia! I’m filled with feelings of excitement, nervousness and overall anxiousness. I don’t want this to be a typical vacation for me. I want to step out of my comfort zone and really immerse myself in a different culture.
For that reason, with the help of websites like Workaway and Helpx, I’m able to plan a less traditional vacation to Sydney. I want to do a combination of couch surfing and volunteer work (in exchange for room and board) to extend my travels.
Both Workaway and Helpx are sites that allow travellers to access a database of hosts by country and region of working holiday opportunities. The idea is that in exchange for 2-5 hours of work a day (usually 5 days a week) at a hostel, farm, eco-project or family home, travellers are rewarded with free room and board. This offers the off-the-beaten path traveller the unique experience to extend their time away while not breaking the bank.
I’ve been using both sites religiously while trying to secure a spot abroad. Below are the pros and cons of each:
Helpx:
– Membership costs $29 USD for 2 years
CONS
- You can see all of the amazing opportunities that await you by viewing a host’s listing. You won’t, however, be able to access their contact information unless you sign up for a Premier Membership for the above cost. They definitely tease you a bit and lure you in to pay for that exclusive contact information!
- You cannot upload a photo unless you upgrade to a Premier Membership.
PROS
- Creating a profile is free.
- Helpx postings are sorted by which ones have been most recently updated. This way you’ll know that you’re emailing and active host rather than one that let their profile get old, or one that forget they had it all together.
- You are encouraged to answer back all inquiries, even if you are declining an offer, so that a potential inquiry doesn’t hang in thin air, so to speak. There’s nothing more nerve-racking than waiting to hear back for a confirmation that will never come.
- What do you say to sell yourself? After all, these people are opening their homes to you out of the kindness of their hearts. Helpx offers a page on what to write to people, suggesting that you stay away from mass-messages and add a personal touch to each note.
- The companion tab is like a Craigslist for travellers. Here, you will find a constantly updated forum of travellers world-wide looking for company, whether it be someone looking for a museum buddy in Italy or someone to fill the last seat in a caravan for a an east coast Australian road trip. The possibilities for meet-ups are endless.
Workaway:
-Membership costs $29 USD for 2 years
CONS
- You can’t tell how recent the hosts’ postings are. You can be emailing a host’s posting from yesterday or last year. There is no way tell the last time a host updated their profile. I’ve received emails from hosts saying their circumstances have changed (sometimes drastically), they have moved across the country, or are generally unavailable and didn’t bother to take down their listing.
- I have hard time getting a consistent reply from those I emailed. About half of those I’ve messaged have gotten back to me with bad news and the other half have not responded at all. I have one possible host out of many many emails I’ve sent out, nearly exhausting all of my options.
PROS
- The layout is more comprehensive and aesthetically pleasing.
- Their mission is commendable- making travel more affordable AND rewarding
- Workaway is a great way to facilitate initial contact with possible job opportunities abroad
If you are looking to join either of these websites and only want to sign up for one, which one do you choose?
The winner? Helpx, mainly because the postings are more consistently current and the repsonse rate is high.
Which site do you use to organize your working holiday volunteer opportunities? Have you used Helpx or Workaway? Which do you like better?
Brave New World Traveler 
Great summary! I’m already using HelpX and I think it’s a better option to go abroad. Take care and good luck with your trip to Australia mate!
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I have a big problem with Workaway about the conection.
Sometimes and now ,very often, I don’t receive the emails from workawayers and they don’t receive my replys.
I am hosting a workawayer woman from Australia and we had fixed the date in June 2014 to help me at my home.
When she arrived in Italy she sent me 2 e-mails that I didn’t receive. After she send another one and I received it but she didn’t receive my reply so wrote again, at the point I understood that it was something wrong in the conection. Fortunately, in some, emails before she wrote me the name of the hotel where she stayed so I was able to contact her by phone.
This happens to me with other workawayers . I have wrote to Workaway.support several times but sincerly I am not sure that they have done something for this big problem.
Workaway is a comunity if the conection doesn’t work what kind of the comunity is.
Another thing, it is not possible to write another email adress on your profile.
It seems that the website is not safe.
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I had the exact same problems with workaway.info people don’t respond and don’t update their calendars. It’s somehow sad. I was aware of helpx.net but decided first for workaway.info because it seemed more interesting for me.
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I have had exactly the same experience with workaway.info – I’ve never once heard back from a single host I’ve contacted. I am beginning to think it is a scam. Has anyone out there *actually* gone and stayed with a host from workaway.info?
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I have never had any luck with workaway to be honest. I definitely endorse Helpx because I’ve had major successes with them!
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just to let everyone know – we ones signed up as a host and after a while decided to take down our account – it was Extremely confusing and frustrating to figure out how to do it (so no surprise if some ppl just leave it at that point), and even after I finally (!) did it, the inquiries still kept coming for good three weeks after that 0_o And I also had communication difficulties on the other end – as a volunteer, not the entire message, but just some was showing in ‘sent’ folder, which, of course, lead to confusion. Anyway, just wanted to let ppl know – it is not always 100% caelessness for a host not to take down their listing – they sure do not make it easy! 😉
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I can see why it can be frustrating for hosts and users. Thanks for your comment.
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was that workaway or helpx?
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Helpx
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Hi there,
I had the same problem and send a message to Workaway administration team. They answered I had to take better care of my profile to make it attractive! So, they really didn´t care about this big issue with their bussiness as they are not giving service, they get the money and run. But I discovered if you send emails just to “Last Minute” listing, you get a quick answer. Try also http://www.wwoof.org (World wide opportunities on Organic Farms) it works very good specially in Europe, Canada, etc!Try it and good luck!
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Interesting that they would respond that way to a complaint…in any case, thanks for the tips! I’ve heard that a lot of people have had success with Wwoof.org as well.
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It seems that many people had the same problem with the workaway hosts, no response. Maybe after so many complaints we got soms improvements, the host section show the level of activity and replies.
It seems to me that workaway has a broader variety of work whereas helpx offers mostly homestay and farm work.
I will sign out with workaway mainly because the have some amazing hosts/projects, I hope I won’t get disappointed.
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I think my membership fee to helpx was well worth the money, I have about an 80% response rate on average. Most hosts do respond, if only to say they are full at the moment. I have met only one workawayer, and his experience was not all that good, the woofers I have met have more positive things to say about their experiences.
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Hi there! I’m also a premium member in Helpx, but I sent 11 mails to the hosts and my inbox only got 1 and it’s a ‘no thanks’. Do you suggest me give them phone calls or send more mails and wait?I need to book plane tickets asap, so the situation is pretty urgent now.
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It’s been about 3 years since I’ve actively used Helpx…I’m wondering if people are less responsive these days. The website says to feel free to give them a call, and I wouldn’t feel weird to do that. After all, they are advertising on the site to look for helpers, so I don’t believe it to be out of the ordinary to contact them via telephone. I would hold off on booking until you have at least somewhere to land and get situated. Try calling them and if you can’t get ahold of them right away, make your trip anyway by staying at a cheap hostel or using couchsurfing. Hope this helps!
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Pretty great post. I simply stumbled upon your weblog and wished to mention that I have really enjoyed browsing your blog posts.
After all I will be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you
write again soon!
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hi there
we are using workaway to work our way around the world as a family and we have being very lucky, and all the hosts have being really good. we’ve visited to Europe, Central America and Canada, going to Australia and NZ next. so far so good!
Check our blog in ticket4three.com
one word of advice if contacting hosts in workaway, include your personal email, we find that is easier and quicker.
take care x
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Thanks for the advice! I really have had more luck with HelpX, but I would be glad to give workaway a chance again. Have fun on your travels!
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As a host for workaway, we have had 6 volunteers so far from USA (3) and Germany (3). They have all enjoyed our service and program. They offered to pay for some of the cost before they arrived when they heard of the programs and what we do. We have had excellent reviews from our volunteers, and some of them wrote on their blogs. eduvision.tumblr.com is our own daily updated blog. We respond within 24 hours, and also have updated calendar. We are, however, looking for women, retired teachers who can help children of ages 1-16, particularly those who love to teach.
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Thank you kindly for your post and positive attitude. As a ‘Veteran’ (yes that means I’m ‘aged’) of aid work globally and now about to embark on travels purely for myself I have found your post informative and exhilarating. May our paths cross during my new adventures.
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I have recently heard about a new resource similar to HelpX and Workaway called Harvest Hosts. If anyone is in the RV culture, it’s a great resource to use when trying to find free land to camp on. In exchange, your host asks that you purchase either a good or service from their winery, farm, etc and exchange a few travel stories. In any case, all of these resources are great when trying to arrange for alternative lodging arrangements.
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I hadn’t heard of Harvest Hosts previously. thank you for sharing this information. Another terrific option to support communities whilst educating ourselves with alternate cultures. Are you able to provide me with further information regarding this initiative please?
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I haven’t personally used harvest hosts, but those who I know of who have highly recommend it. Good luck on your journey. I’m glad my information could be of help to you!
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I am registered as a host on work away and have been trying to get soemone to help me for the last three months. Most of the replies are from people who haven’t read the description of what I am looking for. I need an experienced horse rider. Most of the people have never sat on a horse before. I do reply and point out the need for them to read profiles so they don’t end up with a broken neck.
But my biggest problem is lack of comunication. The first person I lined up said she could come in a month then changed her mind a few days before. The next said she’d come in two weeks and I never heard from her again. The third said he would come at the weekend. I got a message the following monday to say it would be the following wekend. He never got back to me after that. Frustrating isn’t the word. Several of my friends are hosts and don’t seem to have so much trouble though.
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I think this very problem is true of both hosts and workers. Lack of communication and flakiness are pretty common in the traveler’s circuit. A lot of traveler’s just go places on a whim and never really think twice about contacting someone to let them know plans have changed. I have been on the receiving end of having a hard time solidifying plans with flaky hosts: they are hard to reach, never really give me proper details or peace of mind and just seem to be “playing around.” On the flip side, I have had to cancel on hosts before because of last minute plans changing, but I always make it a point to reach out to whomever I made plans with and confirm that I won’t be arriving. I think the only thing worse than not showing up is saying you will and then don’t.
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This was very helpful in choosing which site to use! I’ve spent the past 5 hours browsing both and was having a difficult time deciding which to choose. Thanks
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Good comparison and analysis of the situation between the two websites. Thanks for sharing a lot many information which would be helpful indeed. Well done and keep sharing!
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I’m glad you found it helpful! You’re welcome!
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I too am beginning to suspect workaway is a scam. if you notice, there is a suspiciously high number of almost defensive posts in these comments from very pro workaway people. Almost no comments from helpx-ers (who i’m assuming don’t feel the need to be defensive because helpx is legit).
I think that workaway posts fake comments on blogs, etc… to make their business look better.
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It’s certainly possible. When it’s all said and done, I’d pretty much choose helpx over workawayany day.
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I volunteered through helpx with a young man in Puerto Rico who found the location we were working at through workaway. So there are hosts who post on either or both. I do understand your feeling about workaway, as they give of some negative vibes. This is exactly the reason why I paid for a membership with helpX and not them. 🙂
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Thanks, that was really very helpful. You put in a lot of effort.
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It is really interesting to read your post and all the comments as well. I’ve heard of workingaway through a friend who was travelling in Spain using it. He seemed happy with the results. But I read more and more negative comments now, so I might consider using HelpX. I have a question however concerning visa. When you travel and work for hosts, do you need a working visa? Or is a holiday visa enough?
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Hi! Thanks for this information, it was really helpful! I looked not only in this blog but many forums and blogs and in all of them people is complaining about workaway, I was about to buy the membership there but something funny happened, my friend and I have been planning this trip in central america for several months now, but we explore other destinies, I read the same description in 3 hosts, from different places, so I thought it was weird, and I started to read reviews, but I don’t need to read anymore it seems that helpx is the best option! 😀
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I’m glad you found the information helpful…definitely go with Helpx…you won’t be disappointed!
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We are hosts- firstly on wwoofer and then we joined workaway and helpx. I like wwoofer even though hosts have to pay the organisation are always there to speak to and help if there are issues or as a new host you have a query. the helpers here like to work outdoors and are quite into green issues and for us as meat eaters tend to lean towards veggies .On the whole I think helpx are the most genuine helpers. Workaway take some sorting through to find someone who is happy to help and capable and not just wanting 5 star treatment as a non paying guest . I ask for one person at a time and then from workaway a couple /2 friends send an enquire -this is just a time waster to me and I always reply with a no but I do reply. We have had good and bad experiences and I guess it works both ways .I feel the best way is to ask lots of questions and be honest if you are asked them back . We had a Spanish boy whose profile looked fine .When he got here his lying caught him out so I had no hesitation but to ask him to leave.
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It’s good that you always reply to inquiries. It’s nice for us as prospective helpers to get a definite answer one way or the other. Of course, as with any travel, or anything in life really, you take a risk to trust people. I’m sorry that the boy staying with you didn’t work out, but for every “bad apple” there are plenty of good ones!
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this is a free alternative to helpx, workaway and wwoof – a small not-for-profit project made by volunteers for volunteers http://www.volunteersbase.com 🙂
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Hello Tom. Thank you for your link. If you have the time and/or inclination could you please provide me via my email any further information about this organisation. I wish to volunteer in Southern Italy for 3 months this year. I’m looking at July, August September but I’m flexible. I’m a Registered Nurse, Counsellor-Drug & Alcohol, Caseworker- Youth, Pregnancy and Aged Care Dementia Specific and a Music and Art Therapist
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I have only received one response on workaway and I have sent many inquiries to hosts! wish I would of known about these other websites before I paid for it. 😦
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For anyone visiting Nepal to volunteer, you still have to register with Ministry of Labor as non-paying worker. Foreigners cannot work without work permit. And we offer our volunteering opportunity through our own contacts only, do not use workaway anymore. We are campaigning on cleaning the environment and are active in school, colleges and neighborhoods. https://www.facebook.com/efhetauda Anyone interested can directly contact us for detail through facebook or tumblr.eduvision.com
Thanks.
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An interesting post and also great comments.I note the comments that hosts do not reply to E mails. We find the same thing happens with workaways. What is annoying is when they change their mind and do not have the courtesy to let us know, a quick e mail to say they have changed their minds, allows the host to offer the place to someone else.
Having said that, we have had 2 wonderful workaways (1 of them came back and stayed with us on her return trip to the USA and will visit us as a friend this summer) and one not so wonderful workaway,
Pecora Nera
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I always say, the traveler is always capricious…sometimes the unexpected pops up on the road and you have to change course. In any case, it’s good to alert those who may house you to your changing traveling plans. It’s not fair to put somebody out like that. I definitely encourage you to remember the good workawayers because they far outweigh the not so good ones!
Jill
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I have just been let down for the next 2 weeks as the girl double booked and I only found out yesterday when I emailed her to ask what bus she would be arriving on Monday. I think we have to take the view – it is their lose. We are better off if they are behaving like that not to have them in those case. Fortunately not all helpers are like this .It is very much luck of the draw I think the more times you have helpers the more you find out which types work for you and which dont. Also I try and get a reference if at all possible and if we are not sure we just say No thank you Anna
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I would definitely say don’t let the few “bad apples” ruin it for everyone. There are a lot of people out there who are genuine, awesome good people and Helpers. It’s too amazing of a concept to let fall to the wayside. I definitely recommend like you say checking out their references to make sure they are a good fit for you!
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i’ve registered on workaway and so far no answers despite my numerous requests . I’m planning to visit Canada very soon. I’m now considering registering on Helpx after what I’ve read. It’s a shame really.
this will be my first trip out of Europe (I’m French) and I’m also wondering if we need a working visa permit since I’m over 35 years old. If anyone can answer to this question I would be very grateful.I’m always wondering if older people can do it. and what do you say at the customs???
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You should register for Helpx, but recently I haven’t had that much luck with them either. The most you can do is try your best to line something up before you get there, but be open to changing plans. Perhaps you will be in a hostel and hear about a work-trade scenario you’re interested, or meet people who have leads you didn’t know about. You can try to WWOOF as well. I’m not sure what sort of visa you might need. When I volunteered abroad in Australia, I had to apply to a visitor’s visa, which was good for 3 months. TECHNICALLY you aren’t supposed to work on a visitor’s visa, but I figured I’m volunteering for a private family and worse case if custom’s asked, I would say I’m just staying with family. I’m not sure what the rules are in Canada, but if you are staying only a month or two and planning on Helpxing during your stay, there’s no reason to divulge that information. It’s not like you’ll be making money or getting a tax ID or anything.
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Thanks for your answer. I don’t need a visa from France going to Canada but I know that being a visitor does not allow me to work even as a helper. I was just wondering how the travellers over 35 did then????
I’m actually planning to stay 2 months and that will be my first trip out of Europe (so little bit worried!).
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Don’t be worried! It’s a very easy country to navigate and people are generally friendly. I believe on a tourist visa you are not allowed to volunteer but if you simply don’t mention it to the customs officials you should be alright.
I also tried workaway with no success but helpx was very good when i was in Spain. Wwoof Canada is a very well organised site and is definitely legitimate.
Have a great trip!
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Helpx certainly has the most older helpx on it and where I have now started to look first .I am up to host on both sites including Wwoofers but take myself off workaway most of the time as people dont read the profile and it can waste such a lot of time . I always reply even if it is just the words no thanks. I am getting on average 3 enquiries a day at this time of year. But sorting “the corn from the chaff” is another matter
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Problem with paid websites is that after paying your membership there is not guarantee you will find a place to work as volunteer.. it happened to me with helpx and workaway 😦 .. lately I have been using this free alternative, works in the same way except you don’t pay anything to contact hosts http://www.volunteersbase.com
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Nice resource..can’t wait to check it out
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Good Day,
For what it’s worth:
Be very careful, as a workawayer, in the selection process regarding your future host. Some of them are quite unscrupulous and are looking only for extra cheap laborers. Ask questions & pictures, pay attention to details, don’t be too enthusiastic and prepare yourself to everything….
I got screwed myself a month and a half ago by a couple in Finnish Lapland who are using Workaway to run their entire operation: a guesthouse, a shop, a kennel with 40 plus dogs, horses and reindeers, a small hotel with a restaurant and a bar….
The principle is very basic: The workawayers are working their asses off (forget about five hours a day) and those very charming but quite manipulative hosts collect the money. Simple as that! Did I mention the fact they are “recruiting” all year round in order to get boots on the ground to take care of business while they’re on vacation?
Now don’t get me wrong! It might be a wonderful experience for a few weeks, it’s all about your personality and not all hosts are the same. I did not like it but maybe somebody else will….
Good Luck!
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Hi Mike-
Thanks for your perspective. I think that your anecdote is a good reminder for everyone to be cautious when they travel. I always recommend having a backup plan or a little nest egg in case your hosts aren’t what you thought. I volunteered for almost 6 months without the intention of making money. I knew from the beginning I wasn’t there to make money. I was working at an eco-hostel doing work trade and it didn’t occur to me until months later that the volunteers were generating income from our help. It didn’t bother me that much though, because they were fair and only “made” us work (aka volunteer) 3 hours a day. It seemed like a fair trade off for being able to stay in paradise for free.
I think the best advice for people is to again, be cautious, do research is possible and have a back up plan if needed!
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The reality of work exchange programmes is that the host will be either “making Money” or “saving Money” (employing a volunteer rather then employing a local). This is the point of employing work exchange travelers on a Barter basis, rather then employing on the cash market. Host do not do it from the “goodness of their heart”, The travelers ARE NOT volunteers, they are employees. (that is the law in Australia) In your applications to be employed off a work exchange programme, treat you application as such. We have been Hosts on both Workaway and Helpx for about 5yrs, having employed about 70 travelers in that time. Helpx is by far the better. We are rated as a 5 star host, receiving between 5 and 10 requests per day. We respond to all who have bothered to read our profile, which is very specific. We ignore those that have obviously not even bothered to read the profile.
My best advice to travelers, is to treat applying to vist in a serious nature, there is a LOT of competition out there to stay with good hosts.
GEOFF
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Hi Geoff,
I’m inclined to agree with you that you become an employee, but what you’re getting paid in is often times not money, but rather experience, room and board, etc. HelpX is by far the winner, and I agree that travelers take going overseas for a work trade opportunity seriously. Work hard, get what you want out of it, and have respect!
Thanks for your comment.
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Thank you all for the post and, specially, for the comments. I plan to stay a month in Argentina and a month in Uruguai. I’ve been doing research about the oppotunities to enjoy a long period spending few and living as a local. I’ve been into couchsurfing, mostly receiving people in my place, but I consider unsuitable for very long trips. It seems just too exhausting changing places every 3 days. Workaway was more seductive, their layout is easier, but I have found better references of Helpx. I’ll post about my experience in the future. Thanks a lot!
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Hi Jillian, I’m planning a little get away to Australia myself.I’m doing some helpx work also, I just got my tourist visa, not really thinking I needed a workers visa. Did you go through the workers or tourist visa?
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I just used a tourist visa. I think I actually found somewhere that if you are just volunteering, you don’t need the workers visa. Plus, I knew I wasn’t earning any monetary income from Helpxing, so I just stuck with the tourist visa.
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hi, jillian!
thanks for all of your information. i read through all of these comments! i am also so disappointed by workaway. some situations seem almost too good to be true, and sure enough, i haven’t gotten ONE RESPONSE FROM ANYONE IN OVER A MONTH. i feel like i wasted my money. i am so devastated. i am going to look into helpx. t
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I’m sorry to hear about your negative experience with Workaway, Kay. I don’t think the website is once what it was. I think you’ll find better luck with Helpx. Cheers!
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Great summary i just signed up for Helpx maybe will get a chance to use it someday while travelling 🙂
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I was considering both before I started travelling but I chose workaway in the end (I have to say that web design is much more pleasing which is often an important factor for me – superficial, I know 😀 ). Anyway, I´m so happy that I used it for my two stays in Sweden – I had really wonderful experience in both cases, communication ran smoothly and everything was ok. I got many responses when I was trying to find my first host (either positive or negative). I have to say, though, that it was much more difficult to get any answer this year – I just decided to skip working holidays in the upcoming months. Communication is the issue of both hosts and travellers – I don´t think there is anything special the sites can do – you should definitely be responsible when applying/offering something and answer everyone. I´m sorry to hear that some people have had bad experience – my advice: you should always read the reviews and description properly. If 20 other travellers had a great time, you are likely to enjoy it, too.
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I’m glad you had such a positive experience. Honestly, one bad experience can leave a poor taste in someone’s mouth for an entire organization which is sad, but true. I had a great experience with Helpx, but I know that hosts and guests can be hit or miss. It’s always better to try to get a homestay, though, if possible. It’s truly a better way to travel. Thanks for your thoughts!
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I subscribed to helpx many years ago and receive responses to my enquiries about 90% of the time. I subscribed to workaway about 1 year ago and received one response from about 20 emails. I think many of the hosts on workaway are made up, you will not get a response from them.
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Hey Max, Yes I’ve had just about the same response. I would say Helpx is definitely the winner when it comes to people being reliable and following through!
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hola everybody,one question jilian what do u mean by u cant contact the host n helpx even by paying the 2years membership??means u need to pay more money?thank u
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Hola! You can’t contact the host until AFTER you pay the 2 year membership cost. You can browse the listings for free though. If you see something you like, then pay the membership to contact them!
Hope that helps!
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Hi! I’ve recently joined workaway and I’ve sent my first email to a host. Although the host has seen my email, she didn’t bother to respond. It’s been already 3 days and I’m beginning to lose my patience. Should I email her again? Or should I wait a few more days? Thank you!
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I’ve been doing Workaway for a year, actually Im doing one right now. My only complain is with some Hosts that I have contact, they say 25 five hours in their profile, and then email me with another conditions, such as no food, 36 working hours, 6 days, étc.
They had great feedback, so the problem is that we as volunteers, accept abusive behavior, not realizing that is not fair.
So do not accept terms different than Workaway rules and if you find a discrepancy report it to the staff, the message is private. Think about the other volunteers when you do that.
Thanks!
Ana
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Something went wrong i think with my comment,this is a double please delete it.
Ana i totally agreed with you,thanks for the tip to report any discrepancies in a private message to the staff.Don’t think many volunteers know about it.
What’s your number one tip you can give a new workawayer for a better workexchange?
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Hi There,
My number one tip is to make sure your host communicates with you. They should be responsive, willing to answer questions, and make you feel secure about arriving there. If you get a bad vibe, or are getting ignored, more on to the next opportunity!
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Hi Su,
If the host you’ve chosen have feedback, its also helpful to write the volunteers that can be contacted.
Best wishes!
Ana
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Oops, looks like others had too that unresponsiveness from Workaway hosts.
Actually, I’ve just send out 3 messages which is not a big number but nobody replied since two weeks. On the other hand my profile is 40% so now I’m gonna cosmetic it up a bit, put up a photo which I lack, etc. Hope It’ll make a difference. And yes, I have a friend who volunteered with W.a. in France and had a great experience – it IS possible 🙂 Used HELPX for 2 years (helpx account is two years exp. time.) and volunteered at four places, really easy. Almost anyone gave me an answer -the ones that not logged in 2 years don’t. So, for anything else HelpX seems better and less commercial feelings than (at least I saw) workaway (and now couchsurfing). Con is 85% farm work.
I’m really don’t get this unresponsiveness: If I were them and get a somewhat sympatic message from anyone I would -at least!- give a reply whether they had a “good” profile or not. Who cares? In Couchsurfing I made a reply to everyone in most circumstances even if that was a NO.
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That is the most frustrating thing as a traveler, I think, is to not get a response from someone when you really need one. My advice to anyone is to put a long of queries out there, and hopefully you will get one that bites back and will work out! Thanks for your thoughts!
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Hi Jill,
thank you so much for this comment. At the moment I am checking options where I should sign up for a farmstay and was pretty close to sign up on workaway, until I discovered that volunteers have to PAY 29,- EUR for a membership and for hosts is for FREE!!
I wrote an e-mail to them and asked, why they “sell” volunteers like this, because it`s pretty unfair and it`s obviously that the hosts see volunteers sometimes a bit different as you can read her under comments:
https://workawayblog.com/unsure-about-signing-up-to-workaway-as-a-host/
“We’ve had volunteers leaving us without notice as well. I don’t think those people realise how we’re counting on them – both for the work, and with the amount of groceries we probably did to feed them that week!”
As workaways writes in their information for hosts, the main character of their offer is the cultural exchange and not to replace paid workers, there might be an issue, when the hosts can get volunteers completely for free. A couple of hosts on workaway worry more about the work and the food they bought to “feed” the volunteers and not about the cultural exchange. I was very surprised about this, because I already did some wwoofing in NZ and I got a completely other impression of my hosts I worked for.
I got this back from workaway (Chris) by e-mail:
“Thanks for your opinion, however, the site has grown having this system in place and is here because of the way it is structured.”
And, very interesting, I wrote also a comment on the side above, where I asked the hosts for more respect to the people the come over to help on their farms and offer their most value they have; a part of their lifetime, manpower and health and this for FREE. Workaway didn`t publish it… They don`t care about their volunteers, they only think about their own business: as more farms, as more volunteers sign up, as more mone they can make…
I will make my decision definitively for helpx!
Cheers & thanks a lot to the option to leave a comment about this topic
Olana
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Hi Olana,
Thanks for your thoughts. You experiences sort of remind me, again, that Helpx is the way to go. It’s less commercialized. Yes, there is farm work, but there are other opportunities, too. I would say don’t expect to have fabulous blogging or social media jobs, or jobs where you will be doing something exotic or high-end. A lot of it is learning the value of hard work, working with your hands, and valuing the experience of being somewhere new and meeting new people. All of my Helpx hosts have valued those things, and those were the things I was seeking to fulfill in my travels, which I did.
Don’t get too upset at Workaway. Give Helpx a shot, and see what happens.
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Love the way you have divided the details. Its very informative and helpful ( pros and cons ). I am looking forward to volunteering so I looked onto these two websites but was still confused and couldn’t make a decision. Then I stumbled upon another similar platform name Hippohelp. It seemed to be a good one. have you tried it?
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Hello! I am so glad you found the article informational. Volunteering in exchange for accommodations was the highlight of my travels – such a rich experience if you can afford to take some time off to explore. I’ve never heard of Hippohelp, but I will be sure to look into them. Thanks for the tip!
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