---
title: Upwork Reviews
meta_title: 'Upwork Reviews 2026: Details, Pricing, & Features | G2'
meta_description: Filter 3217 reviews by the users' company size, role or industry
  to find out how Upwork works for a business like yours.
aggregate_rating:
  rating_value: 4.5
  review_count: 3217
  scale: '5'
date_modified: '2026-08-14'
parent_category:
  name: HR
  url: https://www.g2.com/categories/hr
---


# Upwork Reviews
**Vendor:** Upwork Inc.  
**Category:** [Freelance Platforms](https://www.g2.com/categories/freelance-platforms)  
**Average Rating:** 4.5/5.0  
**Total Reviews:** 3,217
## About Upwork
Upwork is a freelance hiring platform and work marketplace that connects businesses with independent professionals across more than 10,000 skill categories. It functions as an end-to-end solution for sourcing and managing contingent workforce needs — from project specialists to long-term contractors — without the overhead of full-time hiring. Businesses of all sizes use Upwork to fill skill gaps, execute complex projects, and scale results without adding headcount. Creating an account and posting a job is free. You pay only once a contract begins. Most clients hire within three days of posting. There's also no need for a fully defined scope to get started. You can browse freelancers by skill, experience level, location, and availability, review work histories, and save profiles as you define your needs. Upwork covers a broad range of disciplines, including web and app development, AI engineering, design, finance, customer support, marketing, writing, and consulting. You can hire individual freelancers or assemble multi-person project teams. Upwork is particularly well suited for businesses that need specialized expertise quickly, including freelancers who combine deep domain knowledge with AI tools to amplify their output and deliver results more efficiently. Key platform capabilities include: AI-assisted matching — Uma™, Upwork's Mindful AI, analyzes project details like skills, budget, scope, and timeline to surface relevant freelancers. You can also search and filter independently and invite specific candidates to apply to your job. Transparent freelancer profiles — Evaluate candidates through detailed profiles, portfolios, verified work history, client feedback, skill certifications, and badges. Message or interview freelancers before starting a contract. Flexible contract types — Choose between hourly contracts, billed weekly based on logged hours, or fixed-price contracts funded in milestones, depending on how the work is structured. Built-in payment protection — For fixed-price projects, funds are held in escrow and released only upon client approval. For hourly projects, logged hours can be reviewed before billing is finalized. Centralized project management — Contracts, messaging, milestones, timesheets, and payments are managed from a single dashboard, with dispute assistance available if issues arise. Upwork is primarily used by business owners, hiring managers, and procurement teams looking for a faster, lower-risk alternative to traditional staffing or full-time recruitment, whether for a single project or an ongoing contingent workforce strategy.



## Upwork Pros & Cons
**What users like:**

- Users commend the **ease of use** on Upwork, facilitating job searches and secure payments seamlessly. (665 reviews)
- Users value the **wide variety of job opportunities** on Upwork, facilitating connections with clients globally and ease of application. (367 reviews)
- Users appreciate the **convenience and reliability** of Upwork, finding it ideal for freelancers seeking secure and rewarding projects. (358 reviews)
- Users appreciate the **time efficiency** of Upwork, enabling quick navigation and easy contract management. (288 reviews)
- Users value the **secure payment systems** and organized management, fostering trust and reliability in job transactions. (266 reviews)
- Talent Quality (231 reviews)
- Payment Reliability (215 reviews)
- Convenience (191 reviews)
- Many Options (186 reviews)
- Helpful (149 reviews)

**What users dislike:**

- Users find Upwork to be **expensive** due to costs associated with Connects and commission on earnings, impacting accessibility. (474 reviews)
- Users express frustration over **high fees** on Upwork, feeling increasingly burdened by costs and reduced earnings. (454 reviews)
- Users express frustration over **job scarcity** on Upwork, citing competition and low-paying clients as significant challenges. (207 reviews)
- Users face **intense competition** on Upwork, struggling to secure jobs despite qualifications due to aggressive bidding practices. (155 reviews)
- Users face significant **limitations** on Upwork, including cumbersome messaging, slow payouts, and a flooded talent pool. (123 reviews)
- Hidden Fees (114 reviews)
- Freelancer Issues (106 reviews)
- Lack of Information (94 reviews)
- Payment Issues (93 reviews)
- Users report a rise in **scams** on Upwork, with fake accounts and untrustworthy freelancers causing financial loss. (93 reviews)

## Upwork Reviews
  ### 1. A Reliable Platform for Finding Flexible, Secure Freelance Work

**Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Diyosa M. | Customer Service, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** January 28, 2026

**What do you like best about Upwork?**

What I like best about Upwork is how it makes finding and managing freelance work simple and secure. It brings clients and professionals together in one place, with built-in tools for proposals, communication, and payments, so you can focus on delivering work instead of chasing clients or worrying about getting paid. The flexibility to choose projects that match your skills and schedule is also a big plus.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

One thing I dislike about Upwork is the level of competition, which can make it harder—especially for new freelancers—to stand out and win projects. The service fees can also feel high at times, and some job postings attract low budgets or unrealistic expectations, which means you have to be selective and spend time filtering for quality opportunities.

**What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Upwork solves the problem of finding reliable clients and getting paid safely as an independent professional. It reduces the friction of outreach, contracting, and payments by putting everything—job discovery, proposals, communication, and escrow protection—into one platform.

This benefits me by saving time, lowering the risk of non-payment, and giving access to a global pool of clients. Instead of spending energy chasing leads or handling contracts and invoicing manually, I can focus on delivering quality work and choosing projects that fit my skills and schedule.

  ### 2. Unmatched Opportunities and Smart Tools for Every Freelancer

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Kaushik M. | Frontend Team Lead | UI/UX Designer | Freelancer, Information Technology and Services, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** January 10, 2026

**What do you like best about Upwork?**

The best part is the sheer scale of the platform. No matter what our specialty is, there are always active job postings from startups to huge companies. The buit it tools like "Uma" also help us write better proposals and find the best project matches much faster than searching manually.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

The worst part is the high competition and rising fees. because it is so large, we often compete with hundreads of ther people for one projects, which can lead to a race to the bottom on pricing.

**What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Upwork solves the problem of finding new clients and projects without having a massive sales team. It gives my company access to a global pool of businesses that need our skills. This benefits us by providing a steady stream of leads and protecting our payments through their escrow system, ensuring we get paid for the work we deliver.

  ### 3. As a Freelancer with over 7 years of Experience on Upwork

**Rating:** 2.5/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Mohsin S. | Electrical Engineer, Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** December 17, 2025

**What do you like best about Upwork?**

Upwork connects you to clients worldwide in many niches — tech, marketing, design, writing, admin, and more. It’s a reliable way to find clients without spending your own time on cold outreach.
There are jobs posted every minute at all experience levels — from entry-level gigs to high-paying expert contracts.
Your Upwork profile becomes a trusted resume. Good ratings and client feedback help you win higher-paying jobs over time.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

Especially on popular categories like VA, data entry, writing, or web dev, you compete with freelancers worldwide — often from lower-cost regions.
Upwork fees are:

20% on the first $500 billed with a client

10% up to $10,000

5% beyond that
This can significantly reduce your net earnings compared to direct client work.
You use Connects to submit proposals, and you must buy more once they run out. This encourages careful bidding but also limits how many jobs you can apply to daily.
Many clients post very low-budget gigs. You may waste time filtering or receiving offers below your rate expectations.
Upwork can temporarily suspend accounts for policy violations or when disputes arise. Reputation matters — one misunderstanding can temporarily lock you out.
For new freelancers, winning the first few jobs can be slow due to limited reviews. Your rate and job invites usually grow only after positive feedback.
Some clients prefer to keep communication and payments on Upwork even if you want to move off platform later. This can limit negotiation flexibility.

**What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Upwork solves several critical problems in the global freelance economy, and those solutions directly benefit me as a freelancer in practical, measurable ways.

1. Trust Gap Between Clients and Freelancers

Problem:
In a global marketplace, clients hesitate to hire remote freelancers due to fear of poor quality, missed deadlines, or fraud. Freelancers, on the other hand, worry about non-payment or scope creep.

How Upwork Solves It:
Upwork acts as a trusted intermediary through:

Verified client accounts

Escrow protection for fixed-price contracts

Hourly payment protection

Transparent contracts and dispute resolution

How This Benefits Me:
I can focus on delivering results instead of worrying about whether I’ll get paid. This security allows me to confidently take on international clients and long-term projects.

2. Client Discovery & Lead Generation

Problem:
Finding qualified clients independently requires time, money, and marketing skills (cold outreach, ads, networking).

How Upwork Solves It:
Upwork aggregates demand by bringing clients actively looking to hire into one platform, with searchable job posts and invite-based opportunities.

How This Benefits Me:
Upwork becomes a consistent lead source, reducing the need for cold emails or paid advertising. I spend more time working and less time prospecting.

3. Payment Processing & Cross-Border Barriers

Problem:
International payments involve currency conversion issues, delays, high fees, and trust concerns.

How Upwork Solves It:
Upwork handles:

Invoicing

Currency conversion

International payments

Tax documentation (where applicable)

How This Benefits Me:
I receive reliable, on-time payments regardless of client location, without dealing with banks, PayPal disputes, or compliance issues.

4. Quality Signaling & Reputation Building

Problem:
Freelancers struggle to prove credibility without referrals or prior relationships.

How Upwork Solves It:
Upwork provides:

Verified work history

Client reviews and ratings

Job Success Score

Skill badges and certifications

How This Benefits Me:
My profile becomes a public, verifiable record of my performance, making it easier to win higher-value contracts and attract repeat clients.

  ### 4. Perfect Platform for Affordable Freelance Work

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Stacy R. | Senior Social Media Strategist, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** February 23, 2026

**What do you like best about Upwork?**

I find Upwork perfect for people in my industry who do social media work. It's great that you can find jobs specific to social media and freelancers that are within your budget. It's useful that you can work with freelancers from literally any location across the world and share their experiences. I've hired plenty of freelancers this way, and I get 99% of my clients from Upwork. Setting it up was very easy, and my identity was verified within twenty-four hours. The process was smooth and straightforward.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

I think vetting freelancers would improve my workflow a lot better. I've gone through a lot of freelancers. It's been a whole trial and error process of people who are not actually qualified to do the job. Who claim that they have the experience and then can't actually do the work.

**What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?**

I use Upwork to outsource freelance work at an affordable rate. It helps by screenshotting users' computers, so I don't worry about checking timesheets.

  ### 5. Reliable Hub for Freelancers with Efficient Payment System

**Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Devroux D. | Business Development Consultant, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** January 27, 2026

**What do you like best about Upwork?**

I find Upwork valuable for lead generation, allowing me to find projects without spending months on marketing myself. I particularly appreciate the consistency of free job requests and the availability of legitimate jobs, which I believe sets Upwork apart. The escrow system works well, as I haven't had any disputes since joining. The initial setup was straightforward, and once I landed my first project, they started coming in more consistently.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

The time capture feature on the desktop app could be somewhat more responsive in terms of capture randomisation.

**What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Upwork solves lead generation for me, acting as a central hub for projects and offering a safe space for payments. It provides consistent, legitimate job requests, making it easier to find and secure work.

  ### 6. Empowering Freelancers with Global Opportunities and Flexibility

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Mike M. | Debt Advisor, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** December 18, 2025

**What do you like best about Upwork?**

Upwork offers a number of attractive features for freelancers. It connects professionals with a broad selection of projects spanning many industries, such as writing and web development. The platform allows freelancers to set their own schedules and workloads, which supports a healthier work-life balance. With its global reach, Upwork enables users to collaborate with clients from all over the world, often resulting in interesting and diverse opportunities. The secure payment system, including both hourly and fixed-price contracts, helps foster trust between freelancers and clients. Additionally, working on various projects and receiving feedback allows freelancers to continually develop their skills and advance professionally.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

The service fees, the bidding process, and the additional charges for bid boosts are all concerns for me. Additionally, there have been issues with some contracts not being executed well with certain clients.

**What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Access to clients, job security, skill development, and flexible work,

  ### 7. Great Opportunities, But High Competition and Costly Applications

**Rating:** 3.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Jennifer D. | Bookkeeper/Small Business Owner, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** November 18, 2025

**What do you like best about Upwork?**

The marketplace is massive, so there’s a wide variety of job opportunities. The infrastructure (contracts, payments, dispute resolution) is solid, which is attractive to both clients and freelancers. There are a few ways to get free Connects (the credits you need to apply for jobs), depending on your plan or promotions.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

The biggest challenge is the limited number of Connects compared to the number needed to apply for jobs. With only a small amount provided each month, freelancers often have to purchase more just to stay competitive, and those credits disappear whether or not a client ever views the proposal. On top of that, the competition is extremely high, with some job posts receiving hundreds of bids. This makes it hard to stand out unless you spend even more Connects to boost your proposal, creating a system that feels pay-to-play. While Upwork has solid tools and a wide range of opportunities, the cost of applying, combined with the intense competition, makes it very challenging to consistently land work.

**What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Upwork helps centralize freelance opportunities in one place, which saves time compared to searching across multiple platforms. It also provides a structured system for contracts, communication, and payments, which adds a layer of security and professionalism to client interactions. While landing work can be difficult due to limited Connects and heavy competition, the platform does solve the problem of finding legitimate job postings and gives freelancers a way to manage projects and payments in a single, reliable environment.

  ### 8. Upwork Review

**Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Dan B. | Owner and Creative Director, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** August 26, 2025

**What do you like best about Upwork?**

It's convenient, I can find projects, work and get paid from home. I can be my own boss and choose projects and other freelancers using search features that promise the best jobs and workers for my needs.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

Upwork used to rank freelancers based on quality of work, talent, and performance via client reviews and scores. Now, Upwork uses a pay to play scheme that ranks you higher through the use of "connects" which cost money. It's not performance or talent based. So, if you want to show up as a top prospect to clients, you need to use connects to boost your ranking. You also use connects to promote yourself and to show clients that you are available. So, you now you need to pay for membership, pay to promote yourself and run ads, pay to indicate that you're available, and then Upwork takes 10% out of whatever you earn. Additionally, having a complimentary "Agency Account" used to be free, and allowed you to team up with other freelancers and create your own online agency. Now you need to pay for another membership to have an agency. So, all in all, it's difficult to make and clear the same income I was making before, and to rank as high as I did before.

**What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Upwork solves the problem of having to leave home and work for someone else. It solves the difficulty in finding projects. It solves the difficulty in finding top talent that can assist me with graphic design needs.

  ### 9. Great Platform for Finding Clients, Needs Better Project Matching

**Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Quan l.

**Reviewed Date:** January 20, 2026

**What do you like best about Upwork?**

I like that Upwork helps me connect with clients I normally won't find outside of my network. You're able to find many clients on the platform. It's valuable to me because it helps me find a consistent workflow, providing another avenue and channel for consistent work. That's what makes it valuable to me.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

Upwork doesn't always show the project that best matches my skill sets. I've been using it for four or five years, and it's clear from my profile that I'm an industrial designer, product designer, making prototypes, and doing some engineering and CAD work. However, the algorithm sometimes still shows me projects that don't fit my skill set, like UX user interface projects. Another issue is with the review and job success score. I've maintained a 100% success rate for the most part until one client recently brought it down to 94% despite fulfilling all their requirements. There's no option to negotiate with Upwork to remove that one project's impact after having successfully completed 40 or so other projects. The initial setup wasn't super easy; I needed to do a video call to verify my identity, which is understandable, but still not very straightforward. Additionally, friends outside of the US find it hard to get projects on Upwork, so location can affect the experience.

**What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?**

I use Upwork to find freelance projects as an industrial designer. It helps me connect with clients I wouldn't find otherwise and provides a consistent workflow. I appreciate being able to find many clients on the platform.

  ### 10. Great place to make some extra cash

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Alisha A. | Freelancer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** September 15, 2025

**What do you like best about Upwork?**

I think upwork is a great place to make some extra cash. I do find it difficult sometimes to be chosen for a job or task but you have to be persistent. It's great to have a place to go where I can make some extra money for my family. I received a gift card for sharing my honest opinion. I'm going to keep putting myself out there and keep making money.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

I love the FAQ section and I receive frequent emails on tips to have a better resume or how to stand out which is so helpful and nessesary. I would recommend Upwork to everyone!

**What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?**

I've had a couple employers choose me on upwork and Upwork has sent me emails right away letting me know those accounts were terminated due to being scammers. I received my connects back for applying and protected by upwork. I feel safe on there because of it.

  ### 11. Effortless Job Bidding, Major Revenue Boost

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Corey V. | Chief Content Curator

**Reviewed Date:** January 21, 2026

**What do you like best about Upwork?**

I really appreciate how easy Upwork makes it to connect with potential customers, bid on projects, and get paid. I like that I can browse available jobs and apply on the spot, which is the biggest revenue driver for me on the platform. The bidding system allows me to see where I stand compared to other applicants, so I can decide whether to invest more connects or money to try and get a specific job. Lastly, the initial setup was very easy, which made getting started a breeze.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

It would be preferred that after a certain threshold users can apply for instant pay.

**What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Upwork makes it easy to connect with potential customers, bid on projects, and get paid. It's the biggest revenue driver for me, allowing me to browse jobs and apply instantly, deciding where to invest effort based on my standing among other applicants.

  ### 12. A Trusted Freelancing Platform

**Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** katherine m. | Sales Manager, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** January 13, 2026

**What do you like best about Upwork?**

What I like best about Upwork is the flexibility and access to global opportunities. It allows me to work with clients from different industries while managing my time efficiently. I also appreciate the structured platform—clear contracts, secure payments, and transparent feedback—which creates a professional and reliable environment for both freelancers and clients

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

What I dislike about Upwork is the high level of competition, which can make it challenging for skilled freelancers to stand out initially. The platform fees can also feel limiting

**What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Upwork addresses the challenge of linking businesses with skilled remote professionals by offering a reliable and well-organized platform for both hiring and collaboration. For me, it provides valuable access to clients from around the world, ensures secure and prompt payments, offers clear contract terms, and maintains a system that fosters transparency and supports lasting professional relationships.

  ### 13. Upwork allowed me to break free from the rat race

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Mary T. | Editor/Ghostwriter, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** September 21, 2025

**What do you like best about Upwork?**

I use Upwork both as a client and a contractor. When I decided I wanted to go to work for myself full-time, Upwork made that possible. It took some time to get enough clients to make a living, but now that I've built a reputation, I actually make more than I did working a standard 9-5. There is no shortage of work, and with Upwork handling the escrow accounts, I feel secure in knowing I'm actually going to get paid at the end of the project. I'm genuinely very grateful for Upwork.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

I do think their fee is a bit too high, and it only seems to increase all the time. Additionally, I'm not sure why they hold funds for five days once a client has approved a project. In my mind, the assumption should be that the client has reviewed the submission, and if they have approved it, their happy with the quality of work.

**What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Upwork brings the talent right to the employers/individuals looking to hire, and it brings the work straight to the contractors. In addition, since it handles the escrow process, everyone is kept safe.

  ### 14. Beneficial platform for job opportunities

**Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Anna H. | Customer service agent, Security and Investigations, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** September 19, 2025

**What do you like best about Upwork?**

Upwork makes the process of searching for jobs an easy and smooth process. They offer many filters and advanced filters that are used to narrow down the search results. The amount of jobs and the variety of jobs that are offered is great. Upwork offers jobs for anyone, no matter your skills, experience, etc.  Everyone is bound to find a job that they want to apply to. I also like how Upwork has their site organized. It makes it so easy to navigate through the site to find exactly what I need to find.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

I'm not a fan of the credits and bidding system that Upwork has. I understand why it's in place and the purpose of it. I wouldn't say that I dislike it but more so that im not too keen of it. If there ever comes a time where credits run out on the account then more has to be purchased. The only way to apply for jobs is by using those credits and bidding. If you don't have credits and can't purchase more, at the moment, then no jobs can be applied to. That puts a damper on things!

**What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Upwork does a great job at offering legitimate, remote jobs that can be done at home. There are so many different work from home scams these days. It can be hard to distinguish the scams from the real work. Upwork helps to take that worry away by showing me nothing but legitimate job opportunities. This allows me the ability to earn extra income. So two problems that Upwork solves and helps me benefit from!!

  ### 15. Worth Exploring for Freelancers

**Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** James S. | Staff Writer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** September 18, 2025

**What do you like best about Upwork?**

The best thing about Upwork is that you see there are jobs available in your field and related fields. The clients have the openings up and there's definitely something for everyone depending on their skill set and experience.

I've found quick gigs, short-term projects and clients I've worked with for years now on Upwork.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

Having to wait 4-5 days to be paid on top of the client finally getting around to OK your work is very annoying. Three days should be the lengthiest end of your wait for funds.

Some might complain about the Connects system but having been on Upwork for over 10 years and coming over from eLance prior to it merging with oDesk, the payout time has been my main issue with the platform.

**What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Nothing, really. I'm a contributor/worker and Upwork has the work up for me to pursue if I wish. Again, it would be great if the payout time was shortened to 3 days at most but outside of that, Upwork is very "Help yourself" with work and I dig that.

  ### 16. Best choice for Freelancers

**Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Zeenah Z. | Peer Tutor, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** September 26, 2025

**What do you like best about Upwork?**

I like that there are a lot of jobs available and that you can see a companies reputation. It helps me choose clients and if you do have an issue, they do an investigation and make a decision if you get paid. It helps my peace of mind knowing that my work is protected.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

The fees are high. I understand that they need something from the jobs they arrange, but it's more than it should be. If they had a year cap for the year or after so long, they no longer take as much, then it would be more fair. I've worked for years with clients and they still take fees. I think 5%-7% would be fair, but it's as much as 20%.

**What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?**

It is ensuring that I get paid for the work that I do and that the jobs I apply to are real.

  ### 17. Reliable Platform with Secure Payments

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** María Angélica  E. | Virtual Assistant, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** September 18, 2025

**What do you like best about Upwork?**

What I like most about Upwork is how easy it is to build and improve your profile.
I can filter the job categories I want to search for, and I can easily track my proposals both on the website and in the mobile app.
I also like that it offers a video call option without needing to pay for a membership, which makes it easier for clients to contact you directly.

Upwork posts thousands of job opportunities every day, making job searching simple — with the right filters, you get a smart and tailored job search experience. Plus, the platform suggests job listings that match your profile.
Another thing I really appreciate is that there are also many job opportunities in Spanish, which allows me to work in my native language.

It is also great that if you report a suspicious job post or a scam, the support team quickly removes the fake profile and even refunds your Connects.

Finally, withdrawing payments is very easy, with several options available, which is very convenient.

"I received a gift card for sharing my honest review".

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

What I dislike about Upwork is the service fees.
I find them quite high, especially when you are just starting out on the platform. Not every client relationship lasts more than six months, which makes it hard to lower the percentage fee. In the beginning, the more you earn, the more you end up paying in fees.

**What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Once, I had an issue signing a contract with a client, and the support team helped us solve it quickly and effectively.

  ### 18. Digital Illustrator review

**Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Paula T. | Freelance Illustrator and Portraitist, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** September 17, 2025

**What do you like best about Upwork?**

Flexibility, work in my field that is not otherwise easy to find, a time tracking app, legal and payment backup.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

Double Dipping: Freelancers have to pay to bid AND Upwork takes 20% of the fee.  
Take it or Leave it Bidding:  You have to pay for connects to bid for jobs that you are unable to ask any questions about.  If the client provides a vague job description--extremely common--there's no way to clarify.
Vague Job Descriptions: I've contacted Upwork six times regarding vague and nearly identical quality of their AI-generated job descriptions.  These tell absolutely nothing about the style of illustration the client wants, the age range of the book, the art style, the number of pages/illustrations, etc.  If I read the word "whimsical" one more time, I'm going to scream.  Why can't clients be encouraged to provide an image of the style they're looking for?  These may be great jobs with great clients, but all I can do is either skip them or gamble on wasting connect money.  I've left the platform completely for months.  Now I look from time to time, but it's become a low priority because of this impossible and incredibly frustrating situation.    
Scams: These seem less than they used to be, but they're still out there.

**What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?**

There appear to be less scam jobs.  Often, by the time that I can get to a scammer email, the client has been removed from the platform.  But they have NOT solved the vague job description issue well at all.

  ### 19. Upwork helps me find quality clients

**Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Kim K. | Bookkeeper, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** September 17, 2025

**What do you like best about Upwork?**

I like that I have control over who I choose to work with. It is very easy to use and releases funds to me after a certain timeframe even if the work isn't "approved" yet by the client. This helps because sometimes clients are forgetful :) I use it every day and have plenty of potential clients that reach out directly to me. I received a gift card for sharing my honest review.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

I think that a lot of people don't have realistic expectations about what someone should be paid. They want "expert" advice for $5.00/hr. It would be helpful if maybe Upwork could suggest an appropriate price range for payment.

**What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?**

I work very part time and would never be able to find such limited and flexible hours locally. I homeschool and have unpredictable times during the day that I work so not having to be logged on during certain hours of the day is very helpful and allows our family to continue homeschooling.

  ### 20. A Reliable Platform for Finding Freelance Talent

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Vivek D. | Software Developer, Computer Software, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** September 17, 2025

**What do you like best about Upwork?**

I recently started freelancing on Upwork. Getting the first client was challenging, but once I did, things improved significantly. I’ve since landed contracts with several clients, and it’s been a great experience working with them. Some of the features I really appreciate are:
1) Easy to setup and use, Even for begineers.
2) Transperancy between freelancer and client.
3) Good payment managment system which feels secure and reliable.
4) Great exposure to many opportunities.
5) Verified users and clients.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

Proposal System for jobs use too much connects which I think can be improved.
Getting first client is tough.

**What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Upwork helps connecting freelancer client in safe and secure ways. Instead of making connection to get work its the best place to find work where you know you will not be ghosted or scammed by client. I am using upwork to get the freelance jobs so I can use my skills in interesting projects and earn at the same time

  ### 21. Good spot to find clients

**Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Jakub K. | HTML5 Game Developer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** September 17, 2025

**What do you like best about Upwork?**

It provides access to a vast number of jobs and clients.
I can easily filter and search offers that match my criteria.
I see scope and salary.
It is easy to receive a salary from any banking system, for an equal fee.
If I didn't get a job where I applied, I'll receive my tokens back.
The token system is very clear and, in my opinion, helps reduce spam offers.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

The message system is not comfortable, and sharing files often fails.
Managing invoices by the current month is taking dates not from the invoice date, so I have to filter it manually (maybe the logic works for the USA, but not in my country's accounting system)
It's challenging to start, as receiving the first task without experience on Upwork can require some effort.

**What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?**

It give me access to clients that are looking for my services, I do not heve to making cold calls/emails.
I can show my portfolio easily on my profile

  ### 22. great freelancer website

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Ashia M. | Professional Freelancer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** August 14, 2025

**What do you like best about Upwork?**

What I like most about Upwork as a freelancer is the variety of projects I can choose from and the ability to connect with clients from around the world. It makes finding work flexible and convenient, and I appreciate how the platform provides tools to manage contracts, payments, and deadlines easily. Plus, the review system helps build my reputation and attract new clients. Overall, it’s been a great way to grow my freelance career and work on projects I’m passionate about.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

Honestly, one thing I find a bit challenging about Upwork is the competitive nature of the platform. Sometimes, there are many freelancers bidding on the same project, which can make it hard to stand out or get hired. Additionally, the service fees can add up, especially when you're just starting out, which affects how much you take home. And occasionally, the communication or payment process can be slow or a bit complicated. But overall, I still find it a valuable platform for finding work and building my freelance career.

**What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?**

finding quality leads

  ### 23. Freelancer Side Gig Work

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Jennifer K. | Data Analyst, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** September 16, 2025

**What do you like best about Upwork?**

It is easy to use. I am very easily able to find projects that are of interest to me, whether it is showing in my best matches, I was sent an invite, or I search for a project. There are a wide variety of projects - from beginner to expert and projects for all interests. It is a great place to get a side-gig. I have worked on some fun projects I have found through Upwork I wouldn’t have been able to do without it.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

It is very competitive to land a project. Multiple people are often applying to the same project so there are a lot of talented and qualified people you are competing with.
If you have the free version, you only get 10 connects a month to apply to projects. They encourage paying for a membership by offering 100 connects a month for those who pay. 
They also charge fees for the work that is being completed so you will only receive a portion of the final pay.

**What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?**

They are helping connect people who have a problem with those who know how to fix it. It is probably cheaper to do it this way, and response times are quick. People are able to get help with data manipulation, homework help, and many other tasks in a very quick and short amount of time that they may not be able to have any other assistance with from people near them.

  ### 24. Great for Freelancers!

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Zoila E. | Administrative Assistant, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** September 16, 2025

**What do you like best about Upwork?**

I really enjoy the experience. It's very convenient and easy to use, especially for new freelancers looking to find quality clients and projects. The platform offers a wide range of job opportunities, and the interface makes it simple to communicate, submit work, and get paid securely. Overall, Upwork has made freelancing life much more organized and accessible for me. Highly recommend it to anyone starting or growing their freelance career!

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

Currently, I don't have any dislikes. I like everything.

**What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?**

One of the main reasons I love using Upwork is the peace of mind it gives me as a freelancer. The platform has robust systems in place to protect freelancers if a client fails to pay. 
They have built a solid process where I know I’ll be paid for the work I deliver — as long as I follow the rules. That kind of security is hard to find when freelancing independently. It really feels like Upwork has my back, and that makes a huge difference.

  ### 25. Upwork

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Kara C. | Virtual Assistant, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** September 16, 2025

**What do you like best about Upwork?**

I highly recommend Upwork to anyone looking for flexible work opportunities or reliable freelancers. The platform is easy to navigate, with clear job postings and secure communication tools that make the process smooth for both clients and freelancers. Payments are handled safely, which gives peace of mind, and the review system helps build trust on both sides.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

One downside to Upwork is that it can take some time to land your first job. However, don’t get discouraged, stay persistent, keep applying, and the opportunities will come.

**What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Upwork solves the problem of connecting skilled freelancers with clients who need reliable talent. Instead of spending hours searching for opportunities or worrying about payment security, I can easily find projects that match my skills, communicate directly with clients, and get paid safely through the platform.

This benefits me by giving me flexibility in when and how I work, access to a wide range of opportunities I wouldn’t have found otherwise, and the ability to build long-term client relationships.

  ### 26. Freelancer Upwork Review

**Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Cole A. | chief consultant, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** September 16, 2025

**What do you like best about Upwork?**

Been on the platform for a few years. Use it daily. Upwork has introduce me to some great clients and colleagues. People and companies that I have worked with closely for years now. It serves as a centralized place where you can find people with similar talent and collaborate forces, or find opportunties where contrasting skillsets can compliment each other as well.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

1) The fees are getting a little outrageous. 
2) Some non-Enterprise clients will try and leverage a good review or sabotage if you don't continually go above and beyond. 
3) as a freelancer, you have to spend credits (money) to bid on projects and it gets insanely expensive.
4) Hubspot support is virtually non existent and extremely hard to get ahold of.

**What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?**

It serves as a middle ground for people/companies needing specific skillsets to find each other. And the ability to review each others work provides transparency for future folks interested in working with either party. So there is a little bit of insight with expectations and working relationships.

  ### 27. Upwork: Good or Bad?

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Hridoy B. | GA4 & GTM Tracking Specialist, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** September 16, 2025

**What do you like best about Upwork?**

I like Upwork because it connects me with clients from all over the world. The platform makes it easy to find projects that match my skills and interests. I also like the secure payment system, which gives me confidence while working. Upwork allows me to build long-term client relationships and grow my career as a freelancer.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

Nowadays, most clients use Upwork's AI to write job posts. When AI writes a job post, it often fails to mention the actual issue the client is facing. Most job postings contain vague job descriptions: "I have a tracking issue that needs to be fixed." However, the exact issue isn't mentioned at all.

**What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Upwork is solving the problem of limited job opportunities by giving freelancers access to a global marketplace. It removes the barrier of location and allows me to connect with clients worldwide. The platform also solves trust issues with its secure contracts and payment protection. This benefits me by providing steady work opportunities, building long-term relationships, and ensuring I get paid safely for my efforts.

  ### 28. Can Be Amazing, Seems to Have Gotten Considerably More Competitive

**Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Krissy Anne W. | AI Content Evaluation Specialist, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** September 15, 2025

**What do you like best about Upwork?**

I have earned several thousand dollars on Upwork and had the opportunity to work on some very cool projects. I have enjoyed meeting the contacts I have made and the wide variety of projects I've had the chance to work on. Whether you are a beginner or an expert, there is a wide variety of projects at any given time to work on. I have found local projects and collaborated with teams from around the world. If I ever had any issues working with a client, Upwork's customer support was always quick to help me out.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

When I first started using Upwork, I received multiple offers for gigs sent to me on a weekly basis. There was so much work available, I often had to turn work down. If I ever wanted to get extra side gig work, it was easy to find someone to partner with. In recent years, much like the job market in general, it has become much more competitive. Specifically, in the field of copywriting and with the advancements of AI, it seems that many clients do not want to pay standard rates for professional work. Additionally, it appears that due to the high competition and monetization efforts of Upwork, you now need to spend considerable money to be "seen" by potential clients when bidding for a job or to have your profile stand out. This has caused me to lose interest in using the platform as frequently as I previously had.

**What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?**

The job market has become difficult and increasingly competitve in recent years for remote workers across many fields such as marketing, UX, programming, etc. Increasingly, employers are turning to contract work and laying off employees. The gig economy is likely to continue to grow. Upwork offers the opportunity to help build a side-income and buffer income loss associated with decline of long-term traditional employment opportunities.

  ### 29. Good opportunity, but definitely room for improvement

**Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Eugenia G. | Independent Consultant, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** September 15, 2025

**What do you like best about Upwork?**

I appreciate that Upwork offers access to a diverse range of projects and clients. It’s a great way to discover opportunities I might not have been exposed to otherwise, and it allows me to build skills across different types of work.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

Some projects seemed questionable or like potential scams, making it difficult to determine what was legitimate. There’s also a lot of competition, and having to pay for extra credits just to get your proposal noticed seemed unfair and potentially like bribery. Also, the payment process could be frustrating because it sometimes meant waiting weeks to actually receive earnings.

**What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Upwork solves the problem of connecting freelancers with clients from all over the world. Instead of spending time searching for opportunities on my own, I can access a wide variety of projects in one place. This has benefited me by giving me exposure to new types of work, building my portfolio, and helping me connect with clients I wouldn’t have reached otherwise.

  ### 30. A place to grow, learn, and connect

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Tori S. | Virtual Assistant, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** September 15, 2025

**What do you like best about Upwork?**

The ability to get started in a virtual field with little friction, overhead cost, or risk of losing money. It allows the users to easily get started in a new field without the stress of figuring things out on their own.

After I completed a couple of jobs and was given 5 star reviews, I had jobs being offered to me several times a week. So pushing hard at the beginning of your time on the website definitely pays off. 

It's easy to use, get a profile set up, apply for jobs, connect with potential clients, and log hours and get paid.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

The one downside is that the site is relatively over saturated. BUT, this doesn't *have* to be a bad thing. It means you have to stand out somehow.

Sometimes the process of logging hours can be a little confusing at first. Especially if you're trying to "clock-in" and not manually add time. The process of how to do this could be explained and laid out a little more clearly.

**What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Upwork has allowed me to get jobs in my field (virtual assisting), grow my portfolio, and build relationships with business owners and entrepreneurs.

  ### 31. Upwork is my favorite source of freelance work.

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Kevin C. | Screenwriter, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** September 15, 2025

**What do you like best about Upwork?**

There is no freelance platform I recommend to others more than Upwork. It has mightily improved my income and resume over the last decade. Sure, it took a while to build my resume on there (why shouldn't it?) but, once I had shown my skills on a few project, my client base started to build. That's when work began coming to me. It was a dealbreaker in tough times like the pandemic. An awesome resource for a stay-at-home creative / parent. They're the best.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

In my many years on the site, I have run into many jobs that are coming from places that want too much work for too little pay. You do run into some crazies so you have to be discerning.

**What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Without Upwork, I would have no way of contacting so many of the individuals I've found that are needing just the kind of screenwriting work that I provide. They are an excellent handshake with freelancers and those in need of freelance work.

  ### 32. Upwork Offers Opportunity and Protection, But Competition and Scams Are Real

**Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Summer K. | Reading Interventionist, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** September 15, 2025

**What do you like best about Upwork?**

Upwork has some solid checks in place to protect you as a professional, which is definitely a plus. Navigating the platform is user-friendly, the mobile app for iOS is convenient, and there’s a plethora of available jobs to explore. The idea of being able to connect with clients from all over is exciting and I'm glad the service/platform does exist. I like being able to feature my work in a portfolio, and I appreciate the automated procedures in place such as once you submit work, you get paid even if the client doesn't respond.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

The platform is extremely competitive. I don't appreciate having to pay to submit a proposal, which I assume is necessary because it is so saturated. Landing jobs often requires a lot of unpaid work and investment, and you can’t really factor that time into your costs without pricing yourself out of the market—especially when you’re just starting out. On top of that, I’ve been contacted more than once by what I believe were scammers posing as someone with a job to offer, so it’s important to stay cautious while navigating the platform.

**What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Upwork solves the problem of finding clients for your freelance business. As a freelancer, this aid to finding work and clients is a benefit.

  ### 33. UpWork is a great tool for finding work leads and growing your client pipeline

**Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Ruth Katharine C. | Community, Content and Career Coaching Strategist, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** September 15, 2025

**What do you like best about Upwork?**

Upwork is great for finding new clients without doing a ton of marketing legwork. You get access to projects from all over the world that you'd never find otherwise, plus the platform handles payments and has tools to track your work.

The reviews and ratings help build your reputation, which makes it easier to land better projects over time. You can also see what other people are charging, so you know if your rates are competitive.

It's especially useful as a backup when your regular clients go quiet or you're just starting out and need to build up your client base. Most successful freelancers don't rely on it completely, but use it alongside other ways of finding work. It's basically a good safety net that can turn into solid recurring income if you do good work.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

The fees can be painful, especially when you're starting out and paying the higher rates. There are also plenty of sketchy clients who try to get free work or aren't actually serious about hiring anyone.

Luckily, the platform offers information about spotting red flags. You learn to avoid clients who want to move conversations off-platform or ask for free samples upfront. Or, don't yet have payments verified.

But honestly, the ghosting is the worst part. You can spend a lot of time crafting a perfect proposal and then hear absolutely nothing back. It's brutal if you're a perfectionist because you want every proposal to be great, but that time investment really hurts when most clients don't even respond.

**What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Upwork is mainly solving my client pipeline problem - it gives me a steady stream of potential leads without having to do cold outreach or expensive marketing. It also helps with cash flow consistency, especially during those slow periods when my regular clients go quiet.

The platform is basically my backup plan and business insurance. Instead of panicking when work dries up, I can jump on Upwork and find something to fil the gap. Plus it exposes me to different types of clients and projects I might not find through my usual network, which could open up new possibilities.

It's also solving the credibility problem that a lot of freelancers face - the reviews and portfolio give me social proof that's harder to get when I'm just starting out or trying to break into new markets.

  ### 34. Upwork Makes Freelancing Easier and More Secure

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Tovah W. | Consultant Dietitian & Nutrition Science Expert, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** September 15, 2025

**What do you like best about Upwork?**

- Access to Contract Work: The platform makes it easy to connect with a wide variety of opportunities, from short-term projects to longer-term engagements, helping freelancers consistently find meaningful work.

- Contractor Protection: I appreciate the safeguards in place that ensure freelancers are treated fairly and paid for the work they deliver. This layer of security provides peace of mind that isn’t always guaranteed elsewhere.

 -Seamless Communication: The built-in chat and messaging system is simple and effective, allowing for quick updates, sharing of files, and smooth collaboration with clients.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

- Calendar Integration: It would be extremely helpful if meetings could sync directly with calendars. This would make scheduling smoother, avoid back-and-forth messages, and reduce the chance of missed appointments.

- Cost Structure: The cost to contractors has noticeably increased over time. While I understand platform fees are necessary, I wish the financial burden felt more balanced, with a larger share placed on the clients hiring, rather than falling so heavily on freelancers.

**What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Upwork solves the challenge of consistently finding reliable contract work by connecting freelancers with a wide range of clients and opportunities. It also provides a secure framework that protects contractors—both in terms of payments and dispute resolution—which gives me peace of mind and allows me to focus on doing quality work rather than worrying about administrative risks. On top of that, the platform’s integrated chat and collaboration tools make communication with clients smooth and efficient, reducing delays and helping projects move forward seamlessly.

  ### 35. My Upwork Experience

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Katie S. | Instructional Design Mentor & Coach, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** September 15, 2025

**What do you like best about Upwork?**

What I really appreciate about Upwork is its ease of use. The platform is incredibly intuitive, making it simple to navigate, find projects, and manage my work. As someone switching careers, the ease of implementation was a huge relief; I could set up my profile and start applying for jobs without a steep learning curve. This accessibility allowed me to quickly showcase my skills and connect with clients who valued my work.

The escrow payment system is also a lifesaver — it gives me peace of mind knowing I’ll be paid for the projects I complete. I also love that every job I take helps me build my portfolio and reputation. Seeing those client reviews stack up has boosted my confidence and brought me more invitations to work on projects I genuinely enjoy. I find myself using Upwork with high frequency of use, often checking for new opportunities and managing ongoing projects daily.

The platform offers a good number of features that are genuinely helpful, from time tracking to messaging tools, all designed to streamline the freelance process. While I haven't needed extensive customer support, the resources available have been clear and helpful when I've had questions.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

While I’ve had great experiences overall, I do find the competition can be tough — especially on lower-budget projects. Sometimes it feels like clients receive so many proposals that even strong applications don’t get noticed.

Another challenge is the cost of Connects. Having to spend extra just to apply to jobs can add up, especially when you’re starting out and trying to land your first few projects. It doesn’t always feel fair to pay before you’ve even secured work.

Lastly, I wish payments were released a bit faster. The escrow system is secure, but waiting through the hold period and bank transfer times can be a little frustrating when you’re managing tight budgets or quick turnarounds.

**What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Upwork solves one of the biggest problems freelancers face: finding consistent, reliable clients. Instead of spending endless hours networking or cold pitching, I have access to a global marketplace where opportunities are already waiting. This has taken away a lot of the uncertainty that comes with freelancing.

Upwork also benefits me by providing structure and tools all in one place — contracts, time tracking, messaging, and file sharing are all built into the platform. That means I don’t need to juggle multiple tools just to keep projects on track.

Lastly, the platform helps me build credibility. Every project I complete adds to my professional reputation, so instead of starting from scratch with each new client, I can showcase a track record that speaks for itself. This visibility has led to repeat work and even direct invitations, saving me time and helping me grow faster as a freelancer.

  ### 36. My Go-To Platform for Finding Work

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Paris M. | Administrative Assistant, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** September 15, 2025

**What do you like best about Upwork?**

Upwork has been an incredible platform for me. I’m impressed with how quickly I was able to find quality job opportunities that fit my skills and schedule. The site makes it easy to connect with clients, submit proposals, and manage projects all in one place. The user interface is intuitive, the payment system is secure, and communication with clients is seamless. Overall, Upwork has made freelancing straightforward and rewarding for me, and I’d highly recommend it to anyone looking for flexible work opportunities.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

The only thing I wish were different is that connects aren’t refunded if you don’t get the job. It would be great if unused connects were credited back to freelancers. Aside from that, Upwork has made freelancing straightforward and rewarding for me, and I’d highly recommend it to anyone looking for flexible work opportunities.

**What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Upwork has solved one of the biggest problems freelancers face: finding consistent, trustworthy work without spending hours searching. Instead of cold-pitching or relying on word of mouth, I can log in, instantly see projects that match my skills, and submit a proposal in minutes. It also handles the administrative headaches that used to slow me down — things like contracts, invoices, and secure payments, all in one place. Because of that, I spend less time chasing leads or worrying about getting paid and more time actually doing the work I enjoy. For me, this has meant a steadier flow of projects, faster starts with new clients, and a lot less stress running my freelance business

  ### 37. Grateful for the platform, but I miss the good old days

**Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Stephanie M. | Freelance Copywriter, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** September 15, 2025

**What do you like best about Upwork?**

I love the clients I've been able to connect with through Upwork. I love the opportunities I've had and the fact that I've been able to freelance full-time for 6 years now.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

I don't care for the bid process - I used to get rewarded for being top rated on the platform, but now my proposals are only seen if I use a LOT of extra connects to boost myself to the top. To me this does not reward long-time users, those with excellent feedback, or even the right person for the job - it just rewards the person who is willing to pay the most to be seen. I have tried to play this game, but my proposals are not even being opened lately. There have been many cases where I was beyond qualified for the job, but haven't even had my proposal opened. It's discouraging and a little scary to look toward the future of freelancing.

**What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Connecting with clients and finding opportunities. Lately it doesn't work like it once did, but it's nice to have a platform where I can at least attempt to find new clients.

  ### 38. My business runs on Upwork!

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Charles H. | Owner, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** September 15, 2025

**What do you like best about Upwork?**

In short, I would not have a successful web design business if a friend didn't introduce me to Upwork just over 2 years ago. 

The platform provides a steady source of qualified client leads plus a suite of features to manage contracts, milestones, payments and reviews. The helps ensure a favorable outcome for both parties, which results in more opportunities.  

Some of the features I like include:

- Ability to filter by US Only and Worldwide projects
- The escrow model for payments
- The rating system
- The Connects feature

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

The one thing I would like to see improved is Customer Support. It's been almost a year since my last interaction, which I recall being frustrating due to the number of interactions it took to resolve my issues.

**What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?**

1. Qualified Lead Generation: Upwork is a key lead source for new projects
2. Revenue: The revenue from the projects I close is an important part of my revenue stream.

  ### 39. Upwork is a great platform for freelancers around the world

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Faith M. | Administrative Assistant and Marketing Coordinator, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** September 15, 2025

**What do you like best about Upwork?**

I love how easy it is to find jobs and apply for new projects that are tailored to my interests.  I also love the ability to look for projects that are higher paying with longer contracts or shorter, easier, one-off projects.  I have been using Upwork off and on for about 7 years now and I love that I can always go back to it whenever I need to pick up another job or apply for more projects.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

The 10% service fee is the biggest downside about Upwork, but I have learned to calculate this into my rates so that the cost is offset.

**What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Upwork helps me solve the problem of finding clients. Now that I have been on the platform for several years and have a certain amount of earnings, potential clients will reach out to me with job offers.  I have even moved to a different country for a job that found me on Upwork!  So it has definitely helped me out many times when I have needed money or clients

  ### 40. Makes it easy for freelancers to get hired

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Amanda F. | Customer Service Rep, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** September 15, 2025

**What do you like best about Upwork?**

I love that Upwork connects freelancers with companies looking for contractors  in a way that makes it safer for both parties. 

I like that they make the company create a description and pay amount.  I also really like the feature where you can see if they have a verified payment method or not.  I feel like that helps with weeding out spam postings.

It's really easy to sign up and start applying for jobs.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

I sometimes have a difficult time looking for open jobs, I feel like the job search function could be improved.

I also feel like the feature that tracks your time is kind of buggy and makes it frustrating to use.

**What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?**

I have gotten many freelancer jobs from Upwork.  This would have likely taken me a lot of searching on other job boards like Indeed since most jobs there aren't contract jobs.  It makes it a lot easier to get a side job.

  ### 41. Upwork is a good platform for freelancing -- but you have to find your niche.

**Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Megan H. | Data Analyst, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** September 15, 2025

**What do you like best about Upwork?**

I have made more than 40K on Upwork. I love the reliability of getting paid automatically ever week on longer contracts. The majority of my work is not on Upwork, but is has been incredible for filling in gaps between between other projects. I use it often for that purpose, and ended up finding several projects that went on for multiple months. The platform is pretty easy to use and navigate once you get the hang of it. I have been able to find projects that pay well within my skillset.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

The fees can take a significant bite out of what you earn. It has been worth it to have reliability and the guarantee of getting paid, but it's the biggest issue I have with Upwork. As an expert level freelancer, it can also be overwhelming trying to find projects that pay well. The huge number of worldwide projects with low pay rates is hard to sift through. You really have to find a niche and the right search terms. Once you do that it can work extremely well, but getting to that point takes some work.

**What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Upwork helps me find new clients and projects when I have gaps or need to fill in my income. It is an easy way to find new clients without doing a lot of marketing or networking.

  ### 42. Great place for gig work!

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Melissa S. | Writer & Editor, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** September 15, 2025

**What do you like best about Upwork?**

I got my start in freelance writing on Upwork many moons ago, so I have nothing but great things to say about it. I have found plenty of work here for many years, and the support staff have always been helpful and friendly. The variety of work available has only grown over the years and the system makes finding and "bidding" on work easy and fast. I'd give it 11 stars if I could. Upwork was a real game changer for me and my family. I received a gift card for sharing my honest review.”

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

I can't think of anything that I don't like about this platform. I really love it. If anything, I'd like to see even more companies and individuals utilizing it for their needs whether that's content creation or website design - the possibilities are endless and the talent available is boundless.

**What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Upwork has been very instrumental in helping me find freelance work as a writer and editor.

  ### 43. Great Platform for Small Businesses Offering Professional Services

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Emma Z. | Product Descriptions Article Writing, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** September 15, 2025

**What do you like best about Upwork?**

Upwork has plenty of freelance job postings that update daily, allowing you to submit and review the postings for jobs tailored towards your specialty. It is also a secure place to have a transaction between buyer and seller, assuring that the seller offering the service gets paid within an acceptable time table turnaround. Also, the platform is very easy to navigate between your profile, the jobs listed, messages, and current jobs you are working on, so you can see everything when you click on the tabs. You can manually transfer earnings to your bank, or you can set up an automatic transfer as well.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

Nothing really. You can work as much or as little as you want, depending on how proactive you are with your profile and business.

**What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?**

They may be a little harsh with their levels because I got bumped down a level due to the fact that I haven't been as active on the platform because I was busy in the "real world." But, I don't think that is something they will change.

  ### 44. 6 Years on Upwork, Top Rated Plus, 100% Job Success -- but it's been a struggle!

**Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Nicole R. | Fractional CSIO/Operations, Strategy, and Innovation Consulting, Management Consulting, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** August 26, 2025

**What do you like best about Upwork?**

I love the ease of using Upwork - it really is a user friendly platform. The chat functions make it easy to collaborate with clients and partners, and there's a lot of features within the profiles that allow me to showcase my skills effectively. Search is fairly straightforward as well, and I appreciate always having an updated opportunities feed. The clients that I do get are mostly high value and well aligned.

Disclaimer: I received a gift card for sharing my honest review.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

I feel like the value of opportunities has dropped within the past couple years. While there are many opportunities listed, most want entry level or low rate freelancers, so I have had fewer proposals convert to actual clients. There is no way to set certain features, like "U.S. only," as a default, even for saved searches, which is frustrating. I have to hyper-filter my results, and even then, there's a lot of misalignment between my search and what I'm seeing.

**What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Upwork allows me to find new clients and project work that aligns with my skillset. It benefits me, because as a top-rated profile, I can easily show my successes (100% job success, $100k+ earnings, 2500+ hours worked) which instantly builds my credibility with new prospects.

  ### 45. Fast Access but Payment System and Text formatting Needs Improvement

**Rating:** 3.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Mike M. | Co-Founder | President, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** January 27, 2026

**What do you like best about Upwork?**

I like the fast access to skilled workers on Upwork. It provides access to projects as a freelancer and allows me to access consultants for projects.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

I think the payment system for paying someone is poorly designed. As a freelancer, you do not have immediate access to your funds, even though the client is paying Upwork immediately. Also, their text boxes for creating your profile or submitting a proposal don't allow any formatting; they're very basic. A lot of projects seem fake, especially those from overseas.

**What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?**

I use Upwork to find projects as a freelancer and to access consultants. It provides fast access to skilled workers, but you have to be careful in determining the right match, especially with overseas contractors.

  ### 46. Upwork: Not Perfect, but Reliable

**Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Emily B. | Freelancer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** September 15, 2025

**What do you like best about Upwork?**

The site itself is easy to use. It's easy to get started. There is an abundance of features that are at your disposal. You can message and video chat with clients, and filter potential jobs to get the work opportunities you need.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

Through the years that I've used Upwork, the fees have increased. Also, there's a lot of spam. I often get job offers that are just sent to every freelancer available, that don't even apply to me and what I do.

**What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?**

By providing a platform where clients can post jobs they need done, Upwork makes it easier for freelancers to find work.The clients lay out their requirements and expectations in their job listings, so it's easy to know if I'm a good fit from the get-go. And they can see information about me, too. That kind of equal understanding lays a good foundation for the work to come.

  ### 47. A great platform for freelancers to connect with global clients

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Ehsan Ahmad N. | Upwork, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** August 26, 2025

**What do you like best about Upwork?**

What I like most about Upwork is the variety and reliability of job postings. It brings together clients and freelancers in one place, making it much easier to find opportunities that match my skills. The platform saves time compared to searching for clients on social media or other sources, and the built-in system for contracts and payments adds trust and professionalism to every project.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

The connects system is something I dislike. Although it helps improve the quality of proposals and reduces spam, it can still feel expensive, especially for beginners who need to apply to more jobs to get started. A more balanced or affordable connects policy would make it easier for new freelancers to grow.

**What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Upwork is solving the problem of finding trusted freelance work opportunities in one reliable place.The platform benefits me by saving time, providing a secure payment system, and helping me build long-term professional relationships

  ### 48. Freelancing on Upwork

**Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Chloe A. | Self employed, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** September 18, 2025

**What do you like best about Upwork?**

I like how you can select job categories. Personally I've been able to land some entry level tasks. There are a good amount of job opportunities but also a lot of scams. If you're looking for a career or just a side hustle.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

I dislike the scams. I understand upwork works hard to throughly review all jobs posted but some slip through the system.Depending on how serious you are about your job seeking you can find a good job but if your entry level then l would suggest to start with one time projects. Today I received a gift card for sharing my honest review about Upwork. I think out of all the freelance job websites Upwork is fairly easy to use and navigate.

**What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Upwork helps with making a little side money by doing various entry level tasks. I get connected and complete the task and then wait for payment once the job is done.

  ### 49. Diverse Projects and Real Opportunities, But Also Competition

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Michael P. | Senior Software Engineer, Backend, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** October 27, 2025

**What do you like best about Upwork?**

Upwork is an excellent platform for finding realistic contract work. There are always going to be people who want the next TikTok on a $100 budget, but those are few and far-between on Upwork. There are a range of projects from a 1-hour bug-fix to extensive backend development assignments that can last for months.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

Competing with other contractors to be the first to submit can be challenging. However, if there were fewer people on the platform, there would also be fewer jobs available, so that aspect is unlikely to change much.

**What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?**

Upwork makes it easier to find jobs and simplifies the payment process. I no longer have to worry about clients disappearing after I deliver my work, since projects are prepaid on the platform.

  ### 50. Loved it in the beginning. Now, not so much

**Rating:** 3.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Riley S. | Social Media Manager, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** September 02, 2025

**What do you like best about Upwork?**

I love being able to serch through thousands of freelance jobs from all over the world, and being able to sort through them by skill or industry

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

I hate that it feels almost impossible to get a job now, thanks to the connects system that was implemented after Upwork went public. I started on the platform when it was free to apply to as many jobs as you wanted. It is where I got my start in my freelance career. Although you had to compete with other freelancers, it felt easy enough to stand out. Once the connects program was introduced, I was wary, but still used it. However, as of recently, it now costs an absurd amount of connects to apply to a single job, and paying for connects to essentially get ghosted after every application no longer feels worth it.

**What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?**

It hosts thousands of freelance opportunities in one easy-to-access place


## Upwork Discussions
  - [Is Upwork better or Fiverr?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/upwork-is-upwork-better-or-fiverr) - 3 comments, 4 upvotes
  - [What is Upwork used for?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/what-is-upwork-used-for) - 2 comments, 2 upvotes
  - [As a new user of Upwork, how can I effectively use its proposal bidding system to increase my chances of winning projects?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/as-a-new-user-of-upwork-how-can-i-effectively-use-its-proposal-bidding-system-to-increase-my-chances-of-winning-projects) - 2 comments, 1 upvote
  - [How Can I grow more on Upwork?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/how-can-i-grow-more-on-upwork) - 1 comment, 1 upvote
  - [Is there any plan to reduce/increase the service charge by Upwork?](https://www.g2.com/discussions/is-there-any-plan-to-reduce-increase-the-service-charge-by-upwork) - 1 comment, 1 upvote

- [View Upwork pricing details and edition comparison](https://www.g2.com/products/upwork/reviews?filters%5Bsentiment_snippet%5D=1173567&qs=pros-and-cons&section=pricing&secure%5Bexpires_at%5D=2026-08-14+16%3A27%3A17+-0500&secure%5Bsession_id%5D=bc88094c-9cff-4dc9-b6ff-563b0e1c0245&secure%5Btoken%5D=4f7f2901c40ffb185dbb9032c4c5a328a0633c23071cd3b151bce30ec8ab51b1&format=llm_user)
## Upwork Integrations
  - [Adobe Acrobat](https://www.g2.com/products/adobe-acrobat/reviews)
  - [Adobe Illustrator](https://www.g2.com/products/adobe-illustrator/reviews)
  - [Adobe Photoshop](https://www.g2.com/products/adobe-photoshop/reviews)
  - [Asana](https://www.g2.com/products/asana/reviews)
  - [AWS Auto Scaling](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-auto-scaling/reviews)
  - [AWS Lambda](https://www.g2.com/products/aws-lambda/reviews)
  - [Calendly](https://www.g2.com/products/calendly/reviews)
  - [Canva](https://www.g2.com/products/canva/reviews)
  - [ChatGPT](https://www.g2.com/products/chatgpt/reviews)
  - [ClickUp](https://www.g2.com/products/clickup/reviews)
  - [Dropbox](https://www.g2.com/products/dropbox/reviews)
  - [Fiverr](https://www.g2.com/products/fiverr/reviews)
  - [GHL](https://www.g2.com/products/ghl/reviews)
  - [Google Analytics for G Suite](https://www.g2.com/products/google-analytics-for-g-suite/reviews)
  - [Google Workspace](https://www.g2.com/products/google-workspace/reviews)
  - [Labelbox](https://www.g2.com/products/labelbox/reviews)
  - [LinkedIn Job Search](https://www.g2.com/products/linkedin-job-search/reviews)
  - [Literatu for Google Docs for G Suite](https://www.g2.com/products/literatu-for-google-docs-for-g-suite/reviews)
  - [Microsoft Excel](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-excel/reviews)
  - [Microsoft Word](https://www.g2.com/products/microsoft-word/reviews)
  - [monday AI Work Platform](https://www.g2.com/products/monday-com/reviews)
  - [Payoneer](https://www.g2.com/products/payoneer/reviews)
  - [QuickBooks Online](https://www.g2.com/products/quickbooks-online/reviews)
  - [Salesforce Headless 360 Platform (formerly Salesforce Platform)](https://www.g2.com/products/agentforce-360-platform-formerly-salesforce-platform/reviews)
  - [Slack](https://www.g2.com/products/slack/reviews)
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  - [Zapier](https://www.g2.com/products/zapier/reviews)
  - [Zoom Rooms](https://www.g2.com/products/zoom-rooms/reviews)
  - [Zoom Workplace](https://www.g2.com/products/zoom-workplace/reviews)

## Upwork Features
**Platform Basics**
- Payment
- Project Management
- Dashboard

**Generative AI**
- AI Text Summarization

**Hiring**
- RFP Creator
- Messaging
- Freelance Screening
- Freelance Profiles

**Platform Performance**
- Interoperability
- Performance

**Project Management**
- Calendar
- Guidelines and Policies
- Workflow Builder
- Digital Asset Management

**Platform Content**
- Contracts
- Request Tool
- Selection Management
- Invoicing Tool
- Proposal Tool

**Payment**
- Payment Automation
- Secure Payments
- Multi-Currency Payments
- Multiple Payment Methods

**Platform Additional Functionality**
- Reporting
- Mobility
- Portal

## Top Upwork Alternatives
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