• Upwork

2021 CUSTOMER CHOICE AWARD

Upwork

Overview

Upwork has a rating of 3.18 stars from 2,761 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally satisfied with their purchases. Reviewers satisfied with Upwork most frequently mention great platform, long term, and full time. Upwork ranks 4th among Freelancing sites.

  • Service
    467
  • Value
    451
  • Shipping
    247
  • Returns
    282
  • Quality
    443

This company does not typically respond to reviews

Positive reviews (last 12 months): 18.8%
Positive
6
Neutral
2
Negative
24
270
See all photos

What reviewers want you to know

Positive highlights

  • Upwork is a best freelancing platform and simple to use.
  • They provide payment protection that helped me to complete the job and earn successfully.
  • 2021 Customer Choice Winner

Critical highlights

  • I tried to get help from customer service, but they refused to do anything!
  • Upwork has a credit card verification process that is extremely burdensome for businesses.
  • There is no customer support and they support these scammers to get their fees!
How would you rate Upwork?
Top Positive Review

“Good for finding a reliable freelancer”

Edward H.
11/23/20

This service is good for finding a reliable freelancer, especially when it comes to designers and IT specialists. Thank you for such a good platform!

Top Critical Review

“Horrible Company - Buyer beware”

Tony L.
3/6/24

Hired a freelancer who didn't speak much English but project was clearly posted as to what I wanted. Assumed if I had a problem, Upwork would help. Well freelancer completed 10% of the project, 90% NOT COMPLETED. And Upwork didn't provide a refund? Had to file a dispute with PayPal to get money back. Suggest you find help somewhere else as it seems Upwork sides with the dishonest freelancers when there is money to be made!

Reviews (2,761)

Rating

Timeframe

Other

Reviews that mention popular keywords

customer service (92) freelancing platform (135) credit card (22) customer support (43) payment protection (24) freelancing site (80) bank account (20) freelancing career (23)
Thumbnail of user annab944
1 review
8 helpful votes
January 20th, 2021

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.

Tip for consumers:
Put in the work and send out as many proposals as you can. Worth it!

Products used:
Freelancer, using their medium to get clients/contracts

Service
Value
Quality
Thumbnail of user tonyl1188
1 review
0 helpful votes
March 6th, 2024

Hired a freelancer who didn't speak much English but project was clearly posted as to what I wanted. Assumed if I had a problem, Upwork would help. Well freelancer completed 10% of the project, 90% NOT COMPLETED. And Upwork didn't provide a refund? Had to file a dispute with PayPal to get money back. Suggest you find help somewhere else as it seems Upwork sides with the dishonest freelancers when there is money to be made!

Tip for consumers:
Find another company

Products used:
Service

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user helenp249
1 review
17 helpful votes
March 23rd, 2020

If I didn't have such strong principles I would have just let them keep my money the mediation process was not worth the abuse I endured at the hands of the con and the one sided devious UpWork employee mediator. Of course upwork doesn't get paid anything if the freelancer doesn't get paid so naturally they will side with the Freelancer, Even after I eventually won my right to a refund I had to again call email and fight to get it returned to my bank account. And still waiting 60 days later.

Thumbnail of user nividiaa
2 reviews
6 helpful votes
February 29th, 2024

I eventually found the best freelancer for hire on here after a long search. He's fast and reliable

Thumbnail of user cann2
1 review
2 helpful votes
October 20th, 2020

I have been working on the freelancer platform for more than three years, and UpWork is one of the best platforms that I have a chance to experiment. UpWork did well in attracting the Clients and control the risks for the Client and the freelancers through their policies and algorithms.
The unique thing that I am not totally satisfied with UpWork is that I must take a few time to discover all of their functions.

Thumbnail of user jackj471
1 review
2 helpful votes
April 13th, 2021

I have been using Upwork for over two years, and am a big fan. At that time I signed up for Upwork and Freelancer.com. Initially I got more offers for work from Freelancer with much less work, but then I saw that over half of these offers were from scammers looking to purchase my identity from me. Yikes!

Upwork's internal review and controls don't eliminate spammers, but greatly reduce it. Instead, I have had to fairly compete on an open marketplace for jobs that are posted and coming in all day every day.

Sure, I had to start with lower prices than the market would seem to be, but I worked hard, got good reviews, and started getting more work - and raising my prices. After becoming a Rising Star and then Top Rated, and maintaining a 100% JSS score (with the help of the ability to challenge the rare poor review) I now find Upwork a healthy supplement to my writing business.

Service
Value
Quality
Thumbnail of user booktalkkingston
2 reviews
2 helpful votes
March 26th, 2024
• Updated review

This platform is one that has gone from being a valuable resource for freelancers and clients to a platform overrun with numerous spam job posts, extremely unfair pricing to freelancers, complete lack of customer support, questionable business practices (holding back invitations to force freelancers to "pay to play," and an overall free for all atmosphere severely lacking in quality control to the detriment of both freelancers and clients.

Unless freelancers and clients wish to be continually frustrated by unfair practices, it's strongly suggested using other resources to find freelance work or, for clients, finding talent..

Abysmal Customer Service/Unfair Business Practice
January 24th, 2024
• Previous review

Rhe support team has refused to answer a simple tax document question. This is strange to me. I think this site has gone downhill the past 5 years, not only in terms of poor customer service, but business practices that are sketchy for both clients and freelancers. Another issue is the large amount of spam postings on the site. Upwork does not monitor these at all. Be careful on this site.

Sustandard Customer Support
September 7th, 2023
• Previous review

Poor customer service on issue I have been having for months with regard to spam invitations and those that have nothing to do with my profile, Upwork is very resistant to explaining how freelancers are highlighted to clients who post jobs. Basically, Upwork demands freelancers spend a good amount of money buying "connects" (those cost of which continues to grow exponentially) before they will put forth the freelancer's profile on projects. Overall, I have lost trust in this company and increasing my use of more reputable resources.

Service
Value
Quality
Thumbnail of user krism171
1 review
0 helpful votes
September 7th, 2020

Very helpful for freelancers especially this pandemic. Although searching for a client is not easy, I still enjoy working with Upwork.

Thumbnail of user ramila5
1 review
2 helpful votes
June 30th, 2021

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.

Tip for consumers:
Make sure to take time analyzing freelancers' past projects and reviews.

Products used:
Freelancer services

Thumbnail of user tausifahmadk
1 review
1 helpful vote
July 17th, 2022

I would Like to take this opportunity to thank you Upwork for maintaining a high standards which is what's makes them stand out and the only trustworthy freelancing platform.

However, the availability badge option should be reconsidered as it ask for a minimum of 6 connects per week to keep our profile visible which is not good.

With taht being said i am overall happy with Upwork.

Thank and God bless you.

Best Regards,
Tausif Ahmad Khan.

Service
Value
Quality
Thumbnail of user eguriaseu
1 review
0 helpful votes
September 29th, 2020

The platform is great, usual friendly and also ensures client and freelancers gets excellent customer service. The only issue is that number of connect required for job application is too high as you have to pay for the connect.

Thumbnail of user richs185
1 review
3 helpful votes
May 24th, 2020

Upwork's initial big draw for me was its escrow service. Throughout my long and storied freelance writing career, I've had to deal with clients who tried to burn me by either taking forever to pay or by skipping out on their obligations. Upwork ended this headache. My clients nowadays are required to put into Upwork's escrow system the money they'll owe me. Unless a client has a legitimate, refund-qualifying gripe with my work, Upwork guarantees I'll receive payment (and usually within two weeks).

Of course, I've found other reasons to appreciate and rely on Upwork. The most important of these secondary reasons is Upwork gives me access to some fairly spectacular potential clients. Were it not for Upwork, finding these great prospects would be like looking for a needle in a haystack. Also, Upwork made it easy for me to land many of these potentials, nearly all of whom went on to distinguish themselves as truly wonderful clients (you know, the to-die-for kind).

Another important reason I'm an Upwork loyalist is the platform's reliability. It seems like it's never down, so there's no sitting around and cooling my jets.

If you're a freelancer and you want to be successful, Upwork is a must-have. I strongly recommend it.

Thumbnail of user aminuli7
1 review
0 helpful votes
October 16th, 2020

Upwork is the best marketplace at this time. Having much opportunity for a professional freelancer who has the best skill. One thing is more appreciable which is Upwork payment system is secured and reliable.

Thumbnail of user muhammads172
1 review
0 helpful votes
August 17th, 2020

One thing for sure is that you can't fool or can be fooled on this platform. Moreover, working in the right direction may also lead you to earn thousands of dollars.

Thumbnail of user hocined2
3 reviews
22 helpful votes
November 12th, 2020

This website helps scammers to steal your money, an Indian scammer scammed me and Upwork told me "we can't force him to refund you" can you believe this? What a joke!

Edit: After 4 months, I was able to get all of the money back after I opened a claim with my bank account.
Btw, PayPal didn't help me at all.

Service
Value
Quality
Thumbnail of user musharrafj
1 review
17 helpful votes
August 27th, 2020

I am on upwork for the last 8+ years as freelancer. Doing a job is good to get regular earnings but could not help you to become rich or get full reward of your hard-work. Upwork is good for skilled and experienced professionals around the world especially from under developed countries to sell their services on good rate remotely and get full reward of their work. If you know what you are doing then you should join upwork and earn some extra money.

Thumbnail of user charlesw493
1 review
4 helpful votes
December 28th, 2019

Created a new account and posted a job. 1 hour later, got an email stating my account was suspended without any reason! After multiple emails, they stated they need some additional information, all of which I already posted on the job. They wanted me to re-type everything to them again! What a waste of my time. Will never use this website again.

Thumbnail of user hairs7
1 review
0 helpful votes
June 4th, 2020

I find it difficult to get a job on Upwork but i get it.its good experience with website. Milestone option is good to protect seller.

Thumbnail of user diamakaa
1 review
0 helpful votes
May 28th, 2020

It's a very good freelancing website. It's difficult at the beginning (just like every good thing), nonetheless, its services are top notch. Highly recommend!

Thumbnail of user andrianr
1 review
0 helpful votes
August 5th, 2020

I use Upwork to find most of my work and I love it. There's plenty of work. The rates are good and the fees are fair. I recommend Upwork for everyone looking for work above every other site.

Thanks Upwork.

Thumbnail of user nadims3
1 review
0 helpful votes
April 4th, 2021

Introducing to you... the most trustworthy and usable freelancing site. There might many other... but comparing to them... in my opinion Upwork is the best... it's secure... it's look classy... it's perform well.
Love to work with Upwork.

Thumbnail of user bojanj4
1 review
14 helpful votes
November 8th, 2020

Even I recently started my career on Upwork, I feel that this is right place to successfully reach my goals, such learning new things, have good contacts and of course get paid. Support is great, community is large and if you follow the rules you are totally safe. The only drawback can be a difficult start for new members, so I think that support in the sense of a larger number of connects or a smaller commission would be a great thing. Anyway, a recommendation!

Thumbnail of user razan1
1 review
2 helpful votes
March 24th, 2021

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.

Thumbnail of user zoranm10
1 review
1 helpful vote
April 20th, 2021

My experience with Upwork is great so far.
Thee weeks ago I started applying activilly to jobs and found a few.

There is a lot of jobs and Upwork has great filters - by price, client reputation, number of freelancer that applied to that job so even new freelancers that don't have reputation on the platform can found a job
And get selected.

I'm planning to continue to work on upwork :)

Thumbnail of user destinya54
1 review
0 helpful votes
September 16th, 2022

It's been an amazing experience for me on Upwork in less than 3 months on the platform have learnt a lot and still learning, the truth is that it takes Consistency, Persist-ency, Hard work and Never Say Die Attitude to get to the top. Thank you Upwork for giving such opportunity to add value through my problem solving skills

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality

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Typically does not respond to reviews

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3.2
2,761 reviews
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