business logo of Upwork

Upwork

How would you rate Upwork?
grey star
grey star
grey star
grey star
grey star
Canada
1 review
8 helpful votes
Follow Amber D.
Unfollow Amber D.
Send Message
Share Review
Report Review

What a joke!
November 1, 2018

I spent two hours setting up the perfect profile and filling in all my info, taking tests, etc. I took the English to Italian translation test and literally scored #1 out of the *******+ people who took the test. They still rejected my application! So let me get this straight, you reject the candidate that is better than everyone you already have because you "have to many people" in the area? What an absolute farce.

Date of experience: November 1, 2018
Montana
1 review
1 helpful vote
Follow carolanne w.
Unfollow carolanne w.
Send Message
Share Review
Report Review

While it did take time to establish myself on Upwork (almost a year), I find it to be a solid freelancer site with plenty of opportunity. It has nice features like payment protection through Escrow, Talent Specialist coaching, and the time tracker tool.

An area for improvement is the steep service fee (20% for the first $500 per client, 10% thereafter). I think fees for this service should be in the 7-8% range, especially with the financial toll of the pandemic hitting hard this year.

Date of experience: December 1, 2020
Netherlands
29 reviews
9 helpful votes
Follow Martin S.
Unfollow Martin S.
Send Message
Share Review
Report Review

Scammers
October 7, 2024
Updated review

After several years they closed my account without any chance to appeal and explain. Now all my work and reviews are gone

Date of experience: October 7, 2024

Fake jobs they collect poor freelancer money for nothing in term called connects so to reach an employer that willing to pay you 25% of the actual cost + commission fees you will find yourself paying them instead of getting paid!, they even sell availability badge lol...

They will also close your account for any fake reasons

Date of experience: April 24, 2023

Bad service and greedy
June 23, 2022
Previous review

95% of the jobs are fake
They charge you for everything
Bad service if it is even exists
High commision rate 20%
Crippled always has problems and bugs platform

This was the case from 2015 so expect to get pennys from your hard work

Date of experience: June 23, 2022
AE
1 review
5 helpful votes
Follow Cory T.
Unfollow Cory T.
Send Message
Share Review
Report Review

I used upwork for a big e-commerce project I wanted to kick off. Once the project started and things started going wrong upwork was zero help in trying to resolve the issues with the freelance agency. They made all the right noises in their email but actually didn't do anything apart from play postbox. They sure didn't forget to collect their fees from every payment made but wanted nothing to do with managing the dispute. I have decided to make a claim direct with my credit card provider and intend to inform social media of their complete lack of dispute resolution. I will never use there services again

Date of experience: February 16, 2021
Ghana
1 review
0 helpful votes
Follow Isaac A.
Unfollow Isaac A.
Send Message
Share Review
Report Review

Work remotely
October 26, 2022

Upwork is a site full of professionals and employers
I have registered there and when I scroll through to see available jobs, it baffles me.
I will advice on professionals from video editing, autocad artists, writers and any artisans to check them out

Date of experience: October 26, 2022
New York
1 review
0 helpful votes
Follow Upwork E.
Unfollow Upwork E.
Send Message
Share Review
Report Review

Upwork was good in the first week, but I would be honest, there were so many unanswered proposals, but I managed to get two jobs that paid over $300. But the downside to Upwork especially for newcomers is the issue of connects. You need them to apply for jobs and unless you are a paying customer, you will be getting only a few, and you would be really lucky to land jobs with the initial batch. I am yet to buy connects though and have missed out on some opportunities I was confident I could have gotten. Upwork has to change policy to allow new users better benefits so they can apply and make money first, before being asked to buy connects. They are going to make money if the freelancer makes any, and they still charge for withdrawal

Date of experience: January 6, 2021
GB
1 review
1 helpful vote
Follow Kim W.
Unfollow Kim W.
Send Message
Share Review
Report Review

I've used the site as a freelancer for 6 years (originally O desk). To begin with it felt supportive and despite the huge competition from freelancers charging barely anything and clients wanting ridiculous amounts of work for pittance I started to build up work. I had 1 issue with a client and the support team resolved it fairly and quickly.

Nowadays I'm constantly getting emails about ‘changes to their terms' which are usually not beneficial for freelancers. The ‘connects' system is the final straw for me. Upwork already takes 20% of all my earnings (they charge the client 10 or 20% too on the same work) now they want me pay a monthly fee to be allowed to apply for jobs that make them their money? It's no longer viable for me, I'll use my few free connects for occasional jobs but I feel a bit ripped off by Upwork.

Date of experience: September 11, 2020
Croatia
4 reviews
9 helpful votes
Follow Renato I.
Unfollow Renato I.
Send Message
Share Review
Report Review

Good
January 30, 2016

Not superb though, not user friendly either. I am satisfied because I found cheap labour but not quite satisfied with their performance. At first they were excellent but then started to let me down more and more. I ended up doing the job myself which is complete opposite of why i joined in the first place. Never mind, I am sure someone better will come along.

Date of experience: January 29, 2016
Armenia
26 reviews
1 helpful vote
Follow पपीता म.
Unfollow पपीता म.
Send Message
Share Review
Report Review

Upwork has been my trusted platform for finding freelance opportunities and connecting with clients from around the world. The platform's vast network of clients and freelancers, comprehensive job listings, and secure payment system make it easy to find meaningful projects and build a successful freelance career. I appreciate Upwork's commitment to transparency and professionalism, as seen in its dispute resolution process and feedback system, which ensure fair and equitable transactions for both parties. Moreover, the platform's collaboration tools and communication features enhance teamwork and streamline project management. With Upwork, freelancing is not just a job—it's a rewarding and fulfilling career.

Date of experience: April 22, 2024
New Mexico
1 review
1 helpful vote
Follow Beacon C.
Unfollow Beacon C.
Send Message
Share Review
Report Review

The client has no option to turn off Auto Time Tracker. Once Freelancer starts tracking time, they get paid no matter what. The client can "dispute" but it is a useless feature. Upwork is forcing the client to pay their BS guarantee to freelancers and they cares 0% about the freelancer doing work right. The site is full of garbage freelancers, it is a waste of time hiring and trying to weed the total crap freelancers from decent freelancers, The 5-star rating system is as useless as Amazon or anywhere else. If you have to use Upwork, do fixed-price contracts and small milestones.

Date of experience: December 22, 2023
Bangladesh
1 review
0 helpful votes
Follow Imran M.
Unfollow Imran M.
Send Message
Share Review
Report Review

I'm thankful to Upwork
May 15, 2022

Upwork is a blessed platform for me. I've made my freelance career with Upwork. I'm really happy with their management and worldwide work opportunities. Not only clients, freelancers are also now benefited when pandemic starts.

Date of experience: May 13, 2022
Serbia
1 review
0 helpful votes
Follow Miroslav D.
Unfollow Miroslav D.
Send Message
Share Review
Report Review

A challenge for you
July 27, 2020

A site-platform where you can look for associates, colleagues and future companies... globally all over the world. Start your business and always be up to date with events, market demand. Of course with the competition -challenge

Date of experience: July 27, 2020
Ethiopia
1 review
14 helpful votes
Follow Kumneger T.
Unfollow Kumneger T.
Send Message
Share Review
Report Review

Before joining Upwork, 8 months back, I never thought that skilled experts like me, who live in developing countries, can join the global workforce just because of where we are located.
Upwork has proved me wrong. By joining Upwork not only I have benefited from better earnings but also my service benefited clients all across the globe and that makes me a lot proud of myself and I'm thankful of Upwork for that.
Working remotely has become the new tradition, and Upwork has the best team and platform to ensure anyone from anywhere work everywhere!

Date of experience: October 14, 2020
Utah
1 review
8 helpful votes
Follow Anna B.
Unfollow Anna B.
Send Message
Share Review
Report Review

I love Upwork! Love it. I was new to freelancing when the pandemic hit, but I had to do something to make ends meet. Not only have I met amazing clients and increased my hourly rate over time, but I have payment protection that other sites don't offer. I know I'll get paid for my work. They even have features you can use to filter for like client's payment is "verified" or their rating from previous freelancers out of 5 stars.

Date of experience: January 19, 2021
DO
1 review
0 helpful votes
Follow Oscar P.
Unfollow Oscar P.
Send Message
Share Review
Report Review

Upwork is good for freelancers with beginning, intermediate or advanced skills in a particular area. There are jobs that require minimum expertise as well as more skillful jobs. It's definitely been worth it for me

Date of experience: March 16, 2021
VE
1 review
0 helpful votes
Follow Jean B.
Unfollow Jean B.
Send Message
Share Review
Report Review

Best site for freelancers
February 22, 2021

In less than two weeks I got three jobs!, Upwork helps new freelancers who have completed their profile and portfolio, it has excellent tools such as the phone and desktop application, the technical support is attentive and fast, it has been a very pleasant experience.

Date of experience: February 20, 2021
South Africa
1 review
0 helpful votes
Follow Candice O.
Unfollow Candice O.
Send Message
Share Review
Report Review

Upwork
March 26, 2021

I have been an Upwork freelancer since 2016 but I have been working consistently as a freelancer/independant consultant for the last 6 months and I am able to make my full-time income from home and online. I have worked with amazing clients who are all doing such good things in this world and I really enjoy the platform.The Upwork platform is user friendly, they provide an exceptional service pairing skills and talent with clients. They really have the best interests of the freelancer and the client at heart. Very communicative and their customer service teams respond promptly, they guide you along the way and ensure you get paid for the work you do.

Date of experience: March 26, 2021
Jersey
1 review
0 helpful votes
Follow Russ A.
Unfollow Russ A.
Send Message
Share Review
Report Review

I've been using the Upwork platform for around seven years now, and have seen constant evolution in their product offering, which has proven refreshing. Uptime is excellent and I've worked on some really great contracts through the platform. The time tracking app is easy to use and the system takes all of the hassle out of invoicing as they take care of the billing side of things. It takes a while to get established, but is an invaluable part of my life now.

Date of experience: April 22, 2021
Pakistan
1 review
2 helpful votes
Follow Raza N.
Unfollow Raza N.
Send Message
Share Review
Report Review

Being a freelancer i tried several platforms but did'nt got success then finally when i started working on upwork i feel so good that its beyond my expectations, their criteria is so good that you never experience scam on this platform because of their policies, and their dispute option is just awesome means even if you frustrate from any client then they will help freelancers to get the reward if they worked well with client. So I highly recommend to all freelancers to use upwork platform for better earnings.

Date of experience: March 24, 2021
Philippines
1 review
2 helpful votes
Follow Ramil A.
Unfollow Ramil A.
Send Message
Share Review
Report Review

Upwork has provided reliable and professional source of talent to meet my business needs. For short term and even long term requirements, I have always found amazing talents to work on my processes.

Of course this is no miracle solution. The key is meticulously reviewing and interviewing freelancers to best suit your business principles. It's the same with regular hiring. Upwork just makes it easier and faster.

Date of experience: June 30, 2021

Overview

Upwork has a rating of 2.3 stars from 2,123 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally dissatisfied with their purchases. Reviewers dissatisfied with Upwork most frequently mention customer service, credit card and job success. Upwork ranks 7th among Freelancing sites.

service
529
value
512
shipping
278
returns
323
quality
502
This company does not typically respond to reviews