# Upwork Reviews **Vendor:** Upwork Inc. **Category:** [Freelance Platforms](https://www.g2.com/categories/freelance-platforms) **Average Rating:** 4.5/5.0 **Total Reviews:** 3,195 ## 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 appreciate the **ease of finding work** on Upwork, praising its organized management and secure payment system. (665 reviews) - Users value Upwork for its **diverse job opportunities** and reliable client connections across various fields. (367 reviews) - Users value the **global client connections** and **secure payment processes** Upwork offers for freelancers. (358 reviews) - Users appreciate the **time efficiency** of Upwork, enabling convenient pay schedules and streamlined work management. (288 reviews) - Users appreciate that Upwork provides **global connections and security** , ensuring a professional and reliable freelancing experience. (266 reviews) - Talent Quality (231 reviews) - Payment Reliability (215 reviews) - Convenience (191 reviews) - Many Options (186 reviews) - Helpful (149 reviews) **What users dislike:** - Users express concerns about Upwork's **high service fees** , which significantly diminish earnings, particularly on smaller projects. (474 reviews) - Users express concern over **high service fees** on Upwork, which significantly cut into their earnings on projects. (454 reviews) - Users find **job scarcity** on Upwork discouraging, struggling to secure work despite qualifications and feedback. (207 reviews) - Users find **intense competition** on Upwork discouraging, as it often overshadows their qualifications and achievements. (155 reviews) - Users highlight **systemic issues** on Upwork, including low-quality talent, high fees, and a frustrating proposal process. (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. Upwork is an excellent platform for finding clients, building long-term relationships. **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Jenifer G. | Data Migration Engineer and Owner/Operator, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** September 15, 2025 **What do you like best about Upwork?** I appreciate the flexibility to choose projects that fit my skills and schedule. **What do you dislike about Upwork?** I have not found anything I dislike about the platform. **What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?** Since joining Upwork in 2020, one of the things I value most is how the platform has expanded my professional network. I’ve been able to connect with clients across industries and from different parts of the world—opportunities I wouldn’t have had otherwise. These collaborations have not only helped me grow my skills but have also turned into lasting professional relationships, with many clients returning for repeat projects. Upwork has essentially opened doors to a global network, allowing me to showcase my expertise, learn from diverse client needs, and continue building a reputation within my field. The ability to work with such a wide range of people has strengthened both my professional experience and my confidence as a freelancer. ### 2. Upwork is a great platform for reaching millions of people with diverse skillsets **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Jon M. | Board Member, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 20, 2026 **What do you like best about Upwork?** It gives us access to millions of people around the world and it makes it easy to find new people for our projects. Easy to use, easy to teach new people to use the system. **What do you dislike about Upwork?** I would love to have more filtering and control over the candidate searches **What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?** Upwork is central to how we run our operations -- we depend on Upwork to source and complete our non-profit projects, and it is directly helping us accomplish our mission. ### 3. Long Time User of Upwork - Great Place to Find Freelance Work **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Suzette F. | Sr Accountant, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 27, 2025 **What do you like best about Upwork?** The Upwork platform is use friendly and gives me access to individuals and companies searching for my skills and expertise. My profile is designed to let potential clients see what services I offer and work I have performed without having to jump through hoops. It is easy to screen out non-compatible work and clients that don't fit my work philosophy and style. The platform works best when I'm in it several times a week to read through projects to find the best matches. It also works best when my bids are specific and tailored to the project requirements. **What do you dislike about Upwork?** Unfortunately, there are clients that are "tire kickers" that are only searching for the lowest dollar bids. Likewise, there are many providers that undercut on pricing. It takes time to go through the projects to find good matches. **What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?** Upwork brings clients to me. I don't have to advertise or search other sources. ### 4. Great Platform for Freelancers, but Beware of Scams **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Vanessa M. | Data System Analyst, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** October 15, 2025 **What do you like best about Upwork?** It's the biggest marketplace where you can market your skills, work freelance, or work consulting, with tons of clients and potential projects and work available. No matter the skill I try to pracice, its a great way to practice projects, get inspired to work on new things, and continue learning while freelancing. **What do you dislike about Upwork?** High amount of scams, security measures seem week **What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?** They're trying to bridge the gap between business, consulting, and the customer without recruiting and 1099 and other legalities. It's nice to be able to work on demand, have your own schedule, and find a niche for almost any industry available. It is extremely competitive however that seems to be paywalled, the more you pay seems to be more likely you are to get the gig. ### 5. My Thoughts On Freelancing with UpWork **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Janice P. | Program Coordinator, Manufacturing, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 27, 2025 **What do you like best about Upwork?** As a freelancer on Upwork, I enjoy most that I can make my own schedule. It can be difficult to have concrete desk jobs, which I have, but to have some freedom in which you can take jobs and not worry too much about over loading your work plate. Truthfully, I have been using Upwork to subsidize my income, since my concrete desk job has cut my hours. I also have the ability to pick and choose the jobs I want - and not be forced to do projects that I have to do. Freedom is a hot commodity and Upwork helps me with that freedom. **What do you dislike about Upwork?** With every upside, there are downsides - and I'm not one to really hit hard on dislikes. I would have to say that it can be difficult to take certain jobs when the amount of credits used to submit proposals can be high. Most of my tasks are high credits to submit a proposal. It would be nice to get a percentage back if we didn't get the contract. **What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?** Upwork has made communication between clients and freelancers easier. I really appreciate having several ways of communication, as sometimes I will miss a notification on the app but see it in my email. ### 6. I highly recommend Upwork! **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Brea M. | Vice President of Special Projects, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 27, 2025 **What do you like best about Upwork?** I have been on Upwork since 2015 after becoming a mother. I didn't want to leave the house because I wanted to take care of my baby, but I found a way to make income while working with my baby in my lap, thanks to Upwork. There are SO many opportunities on there with different skillset levels. I ended up getting hired by a different company that I thought would be long-term, so I deleted my Upwork account. After I lost that job, I created a new Upwork account and shortly became Top Rated again. The money is definitely there; you just have to stay consistent. You're able to download the Upwork app on your phone so it's super easy! You can either use desktop or your mobile phone. However, if you have an hourly contract, you will need to work off the desktop to use the hourly tracker device -- unless your client says you can manually input your time. Upwork makes it super easy to find jobs on there. You can search by category, skillset, whether the client is payment verified, and sooo much more! I definitely recommend only working for clients who are payment verified -- that way you are guaranteed your money, no matter what (Upwork protection - woop woop!) Customer support is a little tricky to get ahold of - in my opinion. But overall, the few times that I have had to reach out and found out how - they were kind. Overall, if you are looking for a remote job, I highly recommend creating an account on Upwork! I don't think you will be disappointed! Good luck! **What do you dislike about Upwork?** As much as I like Upwork, it does have it's cons (but it doesn't outweigh the pros). I do not like how Upwork calculates the JSS (Job Success Score). I was Top Rated on my old account then when I made a new account, I shortly becamse Top Rated Plus. After my last client ended the contract, they left a 4.6 star rating (and a nice, positive review) instead of 5.0 stars and my JSS went from 100% to 86% and took away my Top Rated Plus badge. It's just super unfortunate - I worked so hard and long hours to get where I was. I'm not getting any job offers now compared to receiving offers daily when holding Top Rated status. Another thing I don't like about Upwork are the "connects" which are virtual tokens that you use to bid for jobs. You only get so many free connects a month (I think like 40ish?) and if you want more, you have to buy more. Jobs will have different connects that are required to bid on but most jobs will require like 10-17 connects so your free connects disappear quicker than you think. I also wish they made customer support easier to get ahold of. It would also be nice if they would allow you to see current job openings for previous clients (or really all clients on Upwork). I like to reach out to old clients every so often to see if they need any assistance and there's no way to view that. Speaking of, it would be nice to be able to type a client's name/company name in the search bar and be able to view all current openings, current jobs in progress, and past jobs with review -- just like you can for freelancers. Despite these cons, I still highly recommend Upwork! It has given me the financial freedom while staying home with my kiddos! **What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?** Upwork is solving financial burdens and benefiting me by allowing me the freedom to stay home with my kids while also providing for them! I also love how most clients on there are happy to give a flexible schedule which is great because I homeschool. ### 7. Applying for Work Costs the Freelancer - No Longer Free to Apply **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Jessica B. | Freelance Writer and Editor, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 27, 2025 **What do you like best about Upwork?** From an employer’s point of view: Upwork provides strong support for employers. The platform makes it easy for them to post jobs, review candidates, and manage contracts. From a freelancer’s point of view: The only value I still find in Upwork is maintaining contact with long-term clients I’ve already worked with. It allows them to reach out to me directly for continued work, which is convenient. **What do you dislike about Upwork?** Upwork does not support freelancers the way it should. I started using the platform in 2018, when it was free to apply for jobs—just like most credible job sites. Today, freelancers must pay to apply for work, which I refuse to do. As a result, I no longer use Upwork to search for jobs. Upwork now profits from freelancers in multiple ways: Applying for jobs – Freelancers must purchase “Connects” to submit applications, and the free monthly allotment is nowhere near enough to apply for a single job. Earning income – Upwork takes a flat 10% service fee from every payment. Membership fees – Optional paid plans give freelancers extra visibility and features, creating a pay-to-play environment. In addition, too much time is wasted on lengthy applications where clients ask redundant questions, request information already available on your profile, or even demand free “samples” of work using their own documents. Upwork does little to protect freelancers from these practices, leaving us vulnerable and unsupported. **What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?** For me as a freelancer, the main benefit now is that it provides a platform where my long-term clients can continue to contact me for ongoing work. It eliminates the need to move projects off-platform and keeps communication and payments organized. ### 8. Effortless Hiring Platform **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Ky R. **Reviewed Date:** January 23, 2026 **What do you like best about Upwork?** I like how easy it is to find people on Upwork. I find it simple to pay them, ask them questions, upload documents, and get my work done. Everything I need is all in one platform, so I don't have to look to hire different people on different platforms, whether it's for web marketing, a life coach, or anything else. **What do you dislike about Upwork?** Sometimes the messages don't scroll up correctly. Sometimes the messages take a long time to send. **What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?** Upwork makes it easy to find and hire people for various roles like marketing and life coaching. It provides an all-in-one platform where I can see accolades, prices, communicate easily, and get work done without switching between platforms. ### 9. Upwork - Great place to find gig work but does take some time **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Hope H. | Freelancer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 27, 2025 **What do you like best about Upwork?** A lot of open diverse projects that you can bid on. International and US based both. Good search and bidding process makes it easy to bid on the jobs. Payment is made directly from within Upwork so you know that you are getting paid. Overall a good one platform choice for looking for a gig or side job/project. I received a gift card for sharing my honest review.” **What do you dislike about Upwork?** It can get a bit pricey if you are bidding for a lot of projects. You pay to bid and you pay a percent when you get paid for the project. There is a lot of competition for a lot of the projects so you have to be proactive and bid for them as they come available for the best chance to use. **What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?** Its a great marketplace for searching and getting projects as a freelancer. Much easier than trying to find freelance projects elsewhere. ### 10. Great place to hire freelance contractors **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Richard C. | Owner or CEO (Cheif Everything Officer) lol, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 26, 2025 **What do you like best about Upwork?** I really like the fact that you can filter your search by country. I have a hard time hearing and can't understand people even if they speak english perfectly. So I tend to stick with hiring Americans even though the price tends to be much higher. **What do you dislike about Upwork?** I don't see any downside to using upwork. I would like a direct phone number to be able to call customer service for help. But I do understand that comes with an expencive labor cost. I would be willing to pay for a customer service rep if that ever became an option. Kind of like the old 1-900 numbers that charged by the minute. This is just an idea. **What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?** Finding high quality contractors. I know that there are bad contractors out there but Upwork tends to have a lot more that actually know what they are doing and offering. If I go to fiverr I know that I am basically getting someone with little experience. ### 11. Freelancers Paradise **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Jordan R. | N/A, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 26, 2025 **What do you like best about Upwork?** Okay, so I've been working with Upwork for about 2 to 3 years now, I love everything about how they operate and how everything works; you are basically your own boss (which is a beautiful thing and it's something that we all work hard towards every day), on here you get to meet some pretty amazing people, they're independent contractors that are always looking for talent and it doesn't matter if you have 0 years of experience or even 10 plus years of experience, there are thousands and thousands of them that are actually willing to give you a chance to build your portfolio! I will say that it did take me a good few weeks before I was able to find my footing, I started off by proofreading for independent contractors, but I quickly found myself doing voice work for the independent contractors which officially became my groove for how I was able to generate money on there; you have a few methods that you can choose to get paid such as PayPal and a few others and you get paid every Wednesday which is bi-weekly. **What do you dislike about Upwork?** Okay, honestly there's really nothing that I dislike about Upwork, you truly have an opportunity to grow your own portfolio and again, there are so many opportunities and jobs that you can do, there is something for everybody on there which is the beauty of upwork! Now, the only thing I will change about Upwork is the fact that I would pay people weekly, instead of bi-weekly, that's literally it to be honest! **What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?** Okay, so for me I am merely a freelancer that does whatever work I can find and again my groove was doing voice over work so that's what I ran with and I get it left and right which is beautiful and that means I can get a amount of decent income from it, that is truly a beautiful thing that Upwork has so many opportunities for people to grow their portfolio and I can't stress enough how much of a beautiful thing that is! ### 12. The current leading platform for freelancers and clients **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Mario A. | Statistical Analyst, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 26, 2025 **What do you like best about Upwork?** I like the personalization aspect and the current payment system. I feel that my payments will safely arrive after my hours are billed to a client. I also enjoy how I can customize my profile in a way that is neat and professional. It is easy to begin using and revisit for daily review of job posts. I check for jobs everyday. **What do you dislike about Upwork?** I don't like the often very low rates and lack of jobs/clients for my service area. The fees, paid connects to apply for projects, and subscription for basic functionalities are a disappointment. You would think that paying for these connects would at least help improve the odds that a client actually hires someone for their posting, but it is often the case that freelancers spend money on these connects for applications and promotional features only for them to prove ineffective because a client never intended on hiring or because the algorithm for advertising is poor. **What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?** Upwork helps me find jobs as a new freelancer and connects me to clients interested in my niche services. It has been helping to build experience and earn a small side income. ### 13. Upwork offers great opportunities, but mostly for those who already have skillsets **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** William C. | Copywriter, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 26, 2025 **What do you like best about Upwork?** Upwork streamlines the search for clients, meaning it helps you save countless hours of time. Plus, they do their best to make sure you get paid, offering protections for peace of mind. It's fast and free to sign up, so any freelancer who struggles to get clients (that's a lot of us!), should definitely give it a shot. I've used it for years, and earned a substtnail portion of my income from it. They also offer great support, integrated tools like Zoom and consultation features, and more. **What do you dislike about Upwork?** It's highly competitive, meaning you need a skillset to succeed. Additionally, there are plenty of clients who pay bottom-of-the-barrel rates. That being said, there are plenty that also pay very well. Connects and fees do cost money, but in my experience, it's worth it because with Upwork I have a steadier stream of clients. **What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?** Finding clients is one of the hardest parts of being a freelancer. It allows you to search jobs that you like or that you have the skills to complete, without cold emailing, applying for overly competitive jobs, or taking hours to find each client leaving little time to actually do the work you're paid for. ### 14. Once was good… **Rating:** 2.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Jason A. | Owner, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 26, 2025 **What do you like best about Upwork?** The beneficial aspect of UpWork is the ability to connect with prospective clients I received a gift card for sharing my honest review. **What do you dislike about Upwork?** They once were good…I’ve been on Upwork since back when they were oDesk…that’s a long time ago. Since the rebrand Upwork has become revenue fixated to the detriment of freelancers. It’s near impossible to land a high quality client when I have to pay, sometimes $10+ just for the ability to get my proposal in front of a prospect. Furthermore, clients are trained through this behavior to go for the lowest or quickest submission, not necessarily the best freelancer for them. Lastly, I’ve had problems with poor quality freelancers stealing my work and claiming it as their own both publicly and in private to their prospects. Sadly, what once was good has now become unusable to me. I hate to see decade + relationships end, but it’s obvious Upwork moved from relational to transactional…and that simply isn’t how I do business. **What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?** At this time is creates more problems for me than it solves so I have stopped using it. ### 15. Great for freelancers, in-between jobs, or extra income **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Nicole H. | Mental Health Therapist, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 26, 2025 **What do you like best about Upwork?** My favorite think about upwork is the variety of jobs available. There are jobs for every industry. I also like that you can review employers and that upwork does due diligence and removes posts that do not meet their standards. The platform is super easy to use and has recommendations, but also great ways to narrow down positions. There is no limit to how many jobs you apply for either. Another great thing is that if they remove a job you applied for, customer support will automatically send you the connectors back. I received a gift card for sharing my honest review. **What do you dislike about Upwork?** My least favorite thing is that you can use up your connectors pretty quickly and that you can be waiting a while to hear back from position s or never hear anything back. **What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?** Upwork is connecting freelancers with companies big and small or even individuals who need help. It's a great way to gain experience for a resume as well. ### 16. Funded My RV Life Adventure for Over 2 Years **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Madeleine H. | Scientific Copywriter, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 26, 2025 **What do you like best about Upwork?** Once you're established enough, jobs start coming to you! Once you get the "top rated" or "top rated plus" jobs start arriving in your inbox and you no longer have to apply for projects. Upwork gave me the financial freedom to do RV life, and since jobs are typically deadline-based rather than set hours, it allows you to work when and where you want. I received a gift card for sharing my honest review. **What do you dislike about Upwork?** The downside is how hard it is to get started. No one will hire you if you have no reviews so in the beginning you definitely have to grind out some jobs that you don't necessarily like, like product reviews or UGC. Also 20% cut can be pretty steep. The really high paying jobs a lot of people will "boost" their proposals which can be hard to compete with if you don't want to spend money to apply for projects. **What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?** Upwork provides a place for me to find projects and companies that are suited to my experience. It's much harder to get one-off jobs off of places like LinkedIn or services like fiverr where the setup is labor-intensive. ### 17. I have been using Upwork (formerly Odesk and Elance) for more than 10 years **Rating:** 2.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Fernando R. | CEO, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 26, 2025 **What do you like best about Upwork?** It is an easy platform to hire talent, quickly and targeted, without the hazzle to hire a team, without the tax burden that implies hiring a team, with an easy to work and hire system, where you are able to use metrics, such as reviews from other employers, experience, certificates, and full profile to make good decisions. You can find ample talent in any particular subject. It has a great ease of implementation, and we use Upwork frequently. **What do you dislike about Upwork?** It is expensive, Upwork has increased its rates and income stream steadily, making the process very expensive. Upwork charges on each opened contract, and then a percentage of the payment, and then on each new milestone, so there are many charging instances, where small hires could be almost 50% up in commissions. Still, could be convenient for long term hires. The problem is that long term hires are difficult since freelancers are exposed to so many jobs, that the relationships between freelancers and employers become temporary and superficial, being very difficult to establish long term relationships. Still, that happens with one out of 10 freelancers, and then you are on a win win situation. Also the review process does not work. If you leave an honest bad review to a freelancers, they will then use it against you and will also leave a bad review. So you are forced as an employer to leave only good reviews, as otherwise it will come against your profile. This is ridiculous but that is just the way Upworks work. We have also seen a decadence in service, benefits, cost and overall experience from Elance (100 rating), to Odesk (70 rating) to Upwork (50 rating). Customer support is not effective. We are currently looking for other options. **What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?** It is a great tool to manage freelancers, without the hazzle and complications of hiring them your self. And it is one of multiple platforms to hire freelancers. ### 18. All-In-One Freelance Job Webstie **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Ariana P. | Accountant, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 26, 2025 **What do you like best about Upwork?** Firstly, I have been using Upwork for 4 years now. The website is very easy to use. Essentially, you can look at all the available jobs offered. You get to see what fits you best and put a proposal and you already know if you meet their requirements. I love that you can talk to the people you are working all through that chat. Using the time tracker is super nice. It will take a picture of your screen every 10ish minutes. I will say that this is a great way to ensure your money with hourly pay. If the person fails to pay you but you record your time with their application, you will get paid. It is VERY nice! They protect both parties in this regard. Also, you can easily track your hours, how much of the cut goes to UpWork and everything. I have had some help with customer support a few times and they are my heroes. They are kind and want to make sure everything works for you. I will say that the complete integration from UpWork is by far my favorite. In addition, they help avoid scammers and make sure to post if someone's payment method is verifited. **What do you dislike about Upwork?** Unfortunately, people can request for work and not use the platform appropriately. I have to say that reporting people and reviewing others is important. You can find out who is difficult to work alongside and who can maybe be a burden. People will try to get you off the site for communicating and I have even been offered payment outside of UpWork. I always remind people the point is for everything to flow through UpWork. **What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?** I do like that they have clearly expressed their rates and what cut they are taking. I love that I now with ease how much I will be bringing into my family each time. ### 19. Freelance Writing Gig for Aspiring Editors **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Sydney W. | Employee, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** September 15, 2025 **What do you like best about Upwork?** *Quick customer support *Extensive documentation for contracts *Wide variety of clients *Customizable profile and field of interest *Easy to get in touch with potential clients *Clients can reach out to you directly *Ability to set terms (hours, pay rate, and job) *Returning customers **What do you dislike about Upwork?** *There could be an option where clients must sign a waiver saying they will pay in "x" amount of days after freelancer delivers work. (I have had to go back and continue to reach out to several clients and end up finally with them saying I could just end the contract) *No option to talk directly with a customer service agent on the phone **What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?** I struggled to find an outlet for freelance marketing gigs. I wanted to do something on my own but didn't know where to go. Upwork has made freelance editing enjoyable, easy, and profitable. ### 20. Upwork is a great place for small gigs - this review is in exchange for monetary incentive **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Samantha M. | Freelancer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 26, 2025 **What do you like best about Upwork?** I love how you can find a wide array of different types of jobs on Upwork. I have found great contract work through up Upwork that actually gave me the opportunity to be hired on full-time and it was a flexible role that was remote and allowed me to balance being a stay at home mom and bring an income for my family. However, now that I’m at a different phase in life I love using up work for the small tasks that people need help with. Whether that be bookkeeping here and there were finding products that are useful to me to review. **What do you dislike about Upwork?** I get wary sometimes about jobs that are not legitimate and that could lead to scams or somebody accessing my information. I think they could also improve on the search bar results. Sometimes I try to search for a specific job type and it comes up with things that are not even remotely related. **What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?** I think they’ve done a good job at tightening up security and making it easier to find jobs that are applicable to me, despite the fact that they still have some improvements to make in these areas. In the past couple of years there definitely has been improvements made. In regard to finding work, Upwork, like I mentioned before, has been great for me because they offer a wide range of jobs. And you can find things that are full-time, contract work and even just tiny little side tasks to get you extra cash here and there. And for me that’s awesome! And I love that they work based on connects and not you having to pay like a monthly subscription or something. ### 21. Upwork's great for small teams and side projects **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Chris V. | Sr. Software Engineer / Office Manager, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 26, 2025 **What do you like best about Upwork?** When we have a small project or something that we need help with that's outside of the scope of our team, Upwork is our go to. Upwork has helped us with projects ranging from data entry and processing to application development over the course of 10 years. We've hired a number of freelancers successfully via Upwork and more recently hired more experts located in the US than abroad. Please note that I received a gift card for sharing my honest review, but Upwork has been great. The compensation here just incentivized me to share that experience with you. **What do you dislike about Upwork?** It's rare, but sometimes you hire someone and then they get started on your project but completely drop off and stop responding. The other downside is that sometimes timezone overlap is little to non-existent if the freelancer is on the other side of the world. In the stop responding case, Upwork will intervene and get you a refund so you can hire someone else. In the timezone instance you can just try to be a bit flexible or coordinate via messaging and the freelancer can just reply when they come online. **What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?** Skills gap Time issues / we are very busy on other things Niche / narrow skillsets that it's not cost effective to hire full-time for ### 22. Great freelancing network **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Ken W. | Managing Director, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 26, 2025 **What do you like best about Upwork?** Great clients Upwork is a freelancer site with great integrity Expert statistics and I really like the pro account upgrade **What do you dislike about Upwork?** Two things as a freelancer: - After proposing to a client's project, we have NO IDEA if and when the client chooses somebody with a hire. Frustrating, they should be given an option to inform freelancers who took the time to respond. - For some reason, I have to coercise clients (remind) that just leaving a star status is NOT E'NUF. I appreciate getting 5 stars, but 5 stars with no textual feedback reduces the value (to me, the freelancer). Once a client closes a project, Upwork should remind them the benefit and little time it takes to leave feedback (stars AND text feedback). I almost always add both for a client and since the client leaves their optional feedback first, they can't add their own feedback (memory jogger) unless the freelancer reopens the closed project to "allow feedback." Not impressed. **What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?** Getting me great business ### 23. Secure, straightforward and productive way to grow a freelance business **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Mary M. | Author, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 26, 2025 **What do you like best about Upwork?** You can market your editorial services until the cows come home but it will take far less time to find and develop clients when using Upwork. And the more you use Upwork, your reputation grows with you, attracting more clients. It's a perfect solution. The system is easy to use, provides a secure payment system (also puts the money in escrow so you don't get stiffed) and automatically issues payments weekly. **What do you dislike about Upwork?** Upwork has a competitive streak to it. You have to stay engaged. And bid for the best jobs. So it can be frustrating to balance your rates against the competition. It can take a little time to build your reputation as well. Patience is required. **What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?** Upwork solves the issue of developing a client base. I had a handful of clients when I started on Upwork, and slowly I've built up a full roster. My marketing costs are now minimal, while my reputation has grown. ### 24. Upwork bridges product owners and contractors all over the world **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Bret M. | Software Architect, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 26, 2025 **What do you like best about Upwork?** I enjoy using Upwork because it easily connects me with product owners all over the world. I get the opportunity to work with a diverse group of people on a wide-range or projects. Upwork has connected me with people I would have otherwise never met. While not every client turns out to be a great one, there have been some outstanding connections made through Upwork and I am grateful for those. Upwork forces me to branch out and explore new technologies as the landscape of my field changes. I get to see what clients are looking for and adapt with that flow. As a note - I received a gift card for sharing my honest review. **What do you dislike about Upwork?** The messaging system on Upwork has not always been great. The number of bot bids is still extremely high. Sometimes I wonder if real human bids are being found in the sea of bots. **What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?** Upwork seems to be working on their fee structure to better benefit all parties. They also seem to be exploring ways to reduce spam / bot bids. I hope they continue in that direction. ### 25. Upwork can be your main source of income **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Brenda L. | Consultant, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 26, 2025 **What do you like best about Upwork?** The best part about Upwork is the ability to connect and communicate with clients you would have not otherwise connected with. Upwork allows you to supplement your income or help support you if you want to make freelance work your main source of income. Clients will often times find you and message you directly but there are tons of opportunities to find work and apply for jobs..its all up to you! I also love the time reporting feature which makes keeping track of hourly work super easy. It autobills clients so there is no trying to remember what you did. The application process for jobs is easy and it is also easy to search for jobs. Clients are often very specific on what is needed so either you have the skill or you don't. But that allows you to hone your skills and be great at what you offer. **What do you dislike about Upwork?** What I dislike the most about Upwork are the fees. They have crept up since I began using the platform and you have to pay a certain percentage of everything you make. I have had to adjust my fee to clients to make up for this but it is still manageable and I am making money I would not have made otherwise had it not been for freelancing on Upwork. **What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?** Upwork is solving the problem of finding new leads and clients. This has benefited me because of my particular skill set. It is not easy to find clients who need this skill set otherwise. This has grown my customer base and often times, these customers become repeat clients. ### 26. Great place to both find freelancers and freelance work...if you know how to use it **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Mic Y. | It manager, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 26, 2025 **What do you like best about Upwork?** I have used Upwork for years as both a client and a contractor. It's basically the start of the living I am making now. I have found work and contacts that led to my last two jobs via this networking. On the other hand, I have working relationships with great talent that has lasted for years via Upwork. There is a lot of spam and are junk posts you have to learn to filter both job posts and freelancers to find what you are willing to work with. **What do you dislike about Upwork?** There are many, many spam or worthless job posts. You must use filters to weed these out. You have the usual issues with being ghosted online after someone bids on your job or you are talking to someone who ordered a job. You also have competition from the developing world that can drive prices down, as well as quality. The fees are definitely steep. **What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?** It's helped me find both work and talent. ### 27. Streamlined Hiring with Quick Turnaround Time **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Annali W. **Reviewed Date:** January 20, 2026 **What do you like best about Upwork?** I like that Upwork is easy to use, and I appreciate that the payments go through Upwork easily. It's great that I can add a bonus depending on how the project worked out. I also like that people on Upwork tend to be very nice and communicative, which is really helpful for my projects. **What do you dislike about Upwork?** Sometimes I wish Upwork was easier to find people's direct portfolios so I could see how their end results and outputs of their past projects have looked. It's really difficult to switch between my freelancer account and my hiring account, and the login can get crisscrossed, making it confusing. **What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?** Upwork solves fast turnaround time and helps me find trusted freelancers quickly. ### 28. Easy to Use and Full of Opportunities for Steady Client Work **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Nora A. | Senior Graphic Designer, Design, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** January 27, 2026 **What do you like best about Upwork?** I love how easy it is to use and how many opportunities I’ve found since I joined. I’m now working with new clients who have become a steady part of my regular income. **What do you dislike about Upwork?** Some of the jobs have requirements that feel excessive. It also takes too many connects just to apply. **What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?** I’m able to work with clients from all over the world, and I also have projects and income on a regular basis. ### 29. Vast Talent Pool and Seamless Global Collaboration **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Consulting | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** November 18, 2025 **What do you like best about Upwork?** The platform offers an extremely large talent pool, which is a significant advantage. Being able to connect with professionals across different time zones means that as a hiring manager, you can have a contractor working on your project even while you are asleep. I also like being able to communicate via text and to be able to send/receive files without issues **What do you dislike about Upwork?** Depending on the project, you might not be certain about the exact skill set you are getting until the work is already underway. Personally, I haven't had much success when trying to hire someone for photo editing. **What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?** I often require assistance with Excel projects, and I've found that there are many contractors who possess the necessary skills. From time to time, I also need help with website development and Python coding. Fortunately, it has been easy to find consultants in those areas as well. ### 30. Best Freelance platform for both beginners and expert **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Iseoluwa K. | Gohighlevel (GHL) Funnel and Automation Expert | HighLevel VA | CRM, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** September 15, 2025 **What do you like best about Upwork?** As a beginner who just start using upwork, I can say it's is the best for beginners, because upwork will push your account to buyers so they can invite you to job post and if you are serious and know what you are doing as a beginner, it will be easier to make money and grow steadily. What upwork care about is the quality of service you can provide not how much you have make and how long you have been on the platform **What do you dislike about Upwork?** Well I can't say I dislike anything about upwork for now, everything there is just perfect for me **What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?** They has been updating the platform and what truly benefits me most is their live chat with support. I get answers immediately to any issues I faced and it got solved, this is something I really love ### 31. Growing My Freelance Career on Upwork **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Amy K. | Consultant- CPG Strategist, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** September 15, 2025 **What do you like best about Upwork?** I like that I own my time and work hours and can log on anytime and even from my phone with the app. I like that I am now a rising star with a 100% JSS, and people are starting to come to me. It's an easy-to-use platform, you can log in as often as you want to check on proposals, and UMA can answer a lot of questions. It is relatively simple and easy to use. **What do you dislike about Upwork?** The bidding process can seem arduous as there are so many people on the platform and finding the jobs that differentiate me are competitive; I am still in my first real adventure on Linkedin - it's like anything else; Survival of the Fittest! **What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?** Its helping me by solving my income problem- ie, it is a way to provide a sourc of revenue. ### 32. Finding Top Global Talent Made Easy **Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Ryan C. | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 11, 2026 **What do you like best about Upwork?** I like that with Upwork, the freelancers' time automatically charges to my credit card on a weekly basis, which makes it just easy for bookkeeping. I also appreciate that Upwork allows me to find people all over the globe who have unique skills. Additionally, I thought that the talent on Upwork was better compared to the previous service I used. **What do you dislike about Upwork?** I think that the app needs work. Sometimes it doesn't load or it crashes. **What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?** Upwork lets me find skilled freelancers globally and handles billing automatically, simplifying my bookkeeping. ### 33. Best freelancing platform **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Olajire J. | Social Media Marketing Manager, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 21, 2025 **What do you like best about Upwork?** Upwork has been a game-changer for me. The platform connects me with clients from all over the world and gives me the opportunity to showcase my skills, build long-term relationships, and grow my career. I love how secure the system is with contracts, milestone payments, and dispute protection, which makes freelancing feel safe and professional. Since joining, I’ve been able to land great projects, earn income, and continuously improve my expertise. Upwork truly makes freelancing easier, reliable, and rewarding. **What do you dislike about Upwork?** Upwork can improve in how clients invite and post job without hiring and wasting one connect **What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?** Before I joined Upwork, one of my biggest challenges was finding reliable clients and projects that matched my skills. Traditional job hunting was stressful and often came with uncertainty about payments and trust. Upwork solved that problem for me. The platform connects me directly with clients worldwide, gives me a secure way to handle contracts and payments, and allows me to focus on doing great work without worrying about being scammed or underpaid. Upwork has not only helped me grow my income but also build my reputation, gain confidence, and work with people I never would have reached on my own. For freelancers like me, it’s more than just a platform—it’s a career builder. ### 34. Upwork got me my start and helped me then expand my business with subcontractors **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Ricki O. | Founder, Copywriter, & Digital Strategist, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 20, 2025 **What do you like best about Upwork?** Upwork was a place for me to first get copywriting work for my marketing business. Then as I grew my skills and expertise. I was able to gain clients off the platform. But when I grew to having too much work to do on my own, or needed things I couldn't do myself, I came back to Upwork to find subcontractors to help me. **What do you dislike about Upwork?** The only thing I've struggled with is that once when I needed to use customer service it was very difficult to find a way to reach someone. That may have changed since it was a few years ago, but I ended up searching so many forums online trying to find the answer or how to actually get help. **What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?** As a marketing solopreneur, I rely on Upwork to solve the dual problems of scaling my business and securing a steady workflow. When I need to subcontract specialized tasks or manage work overloads, the platform gives me instant access to talent, while also providing a reliable source of new clients when my own project pipeline is low. Ultimately, Upwork offers the flexibility, security, and administrative efficiency my business needs to thrive in our crazy fluctuating market. As a note, this is entirely my honest opinion but I'm being transparent: I received a gift card in exchange for writing this review. ### 35. Very pleased with Upwork **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Ian W. | Freelancer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 20, 2025 **What do you like best about Upwork?** I have had a great experience working with different clients from around the world. It offers me flexibility to choose the jobs I want to bid for, and the hours I want to work. They make it very easy to find work opportunities I never would have found otherwise. They also handle payments and communication between the freelancer and the lient. **What do you dislike about Upwork?** I applied for one job that ended up being a scam. Buying connects to apply for jobs can be a little cumbersome, but overall not a bad way for them to monetize their site. I'm not ready to commit to their Freelancer Plus plan. They also take a 15% cut of all your earnings. **What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?** They connect people from a variety of fields and industries looking for specific tasks to freelancers with the skills to complete those tasks. I don't want to have to scour the internet to find remote work opportunities. ### 36. Great Filters and an All-in-One Platform for Landing Your First Job **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Verified User in Consumer Services | Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.) **Reviewed Date:** April 06, 2026 **What do you like best about Upwork?** It’s a really good option for starters who are looking for a job. The filters are great, so it’s easy to narrow things down and find a role that works for you. It feels like an all-in-one platform: you can go from searching for a job to getting interviews, then getting hired and paid. **What do you dislike about Upwork?** I honestly don’t think there’s anything I dislike about Upwork. If I had to pick one thing, it would be the Upwork fee, since it takes a 10% cut from my pay. **What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?** It’s a hassle having to sift through job listings that don’t match my skills or preferences. I also worry about the security of the hiring process. ### 37. I highly Recommend Upwork as job/project Platform **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** 🏕 Kelley S. | Executive Assistant to The Office of the CEO, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** September 15, 2025 **What do you like best about Upwork?** I appreciate the chance to explore various functions, areas of expertise, and the duration of jobs or projects. The variety of work options is unique. I also like that there are very few spammers on this platform. Additionally, I value the helpful customer support available. It is very easy to navigate and use. **What do you dislike about Upwork?** The connects are difficult to use and understand at first. You need to read the fine print to know when to use the bidding process. It takes some time to set up your profile and prepare to search effectively. The job alert feature for Freelancer Plus needs further improvement. It should work like the search feature. **What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?** I am a location-neutral job hunter. Upwork provides me a way to connect with work. I can choose which jobs to bid on or which interviews to accept. ### 38. Upwork is a fantastic platform that has enabled me to launch a freelance career **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Sarah O. | Freelance Writer and Designer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** September 15, 2025 **What do you like best about Upwork?** Upwork is incredibly reliable and trustworthy; you know that the jobs posted are legitimate and they make everything from applying for a job to getting paid for the work to be very simple and transparent. They truly support freelancers and share ways to help their customers expand work and grow professionally. I have had an excellent experience. **What do you dislike about Upwork?** The downside is that they do charge a fee so when you are paid a portion goes to Upwork. However, I appreciate that in general the payment is received quickly and easily. **What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?** They are addressing the rise of AI in work and actively asking for input from their users. I really appreciate that because they seem to be thoughtful about how it will impact freelancers and how to best implement that type of work in a way that is fair. ### 39. Efficient Hiring Platform with Easy Setup **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Christina G. | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** March 11, 2026 **What do you like best about Upwork?** I like the option of contractors that I can hire quickly and efficiently. The ease of using the platform stands out to me, and the initial setup was very easy. **What do you dislike about Upwork?** I dislike that contractors can skew the reviews. They can offer a cheap simple job and get a ton of reviews then come up higher in search for a high level position that they are not qualified for. **What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?** Upwork helps me grow my business by allowing me to hire contractors quickly and efficiently with ease of use. ### 40. Best Career Move Ever **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Becky B. | Freelance writer/editor, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 19, 2025 **What do you like best about Upwork?** I wanted to be a writer for years, but I understood how difficult it was to gain the interest and attention of publishers. However, when I found Upwork, it changed everything! I found opportunities I would have never known about without the platform, and within a couple of years, I had a solid enough client base and job flow that I could begin writing full time. Now, ten years later, I have made a whole career out of writing, and I couldn't be happier! I would not be where I am today if I hadn't found Upwork. I can't recommend this platform highly enough! **What do you dislike about Upwork?** The only thing I dislike about Upwork is the security hold on payments. I understand why such measures are taken, and my grievance is not such that I would ever stop using Upwork as a result. However, it would be super helpful to have payments available sooner in some cases! **What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?** The biggest problem I've noticed that Upwork solved for me was scam jobs. Once upon a time, it was impossible to trust job offers found on the internet. However, Upwork takes their freelancer's time and security very seriously. They strive to ensure that scammers do not get the chance to post on their platform at all. If the occasional scammer does slip through by going through all the motions to appear legitimate, they have information provided to freelancers on their site to help us keep an eye out for "too good to be true" offers or for people who might put up a payment initially, then remove the payment and cancel our contracts as soon as they receive the work they commissioned without paying us. They also have incredible support that helps us if anything like that ever should happen (I would like to add that because of the information and tips they offer, this has never happened to me). Because of their competency, I have every confidence in them that they will not allow any of their freelancers to be had by scams and scammers! ### 41. Upwork is Fantastic For Creatives **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Austin W. | Author, Proofreader, Editor, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 19, 2025 **What do you like best about Upwork?** One of the most valuable aspects of Upwork is its ability to connect clients and freelancers. Building those connections elsewhere can be time consuming, so it's really helpful to have clients looking for freelancers and the tools to find them all in one place. Another is the security of payment. By having Upwork serve as an intermediary, I can be confident that I'll get paid if I've done the work. I received a gift card for sharing my honest review. **What do you dislike about Upwork?** I can't say I'm a fan of this recent push to integrate AI. You're a site for freelancers; why are you working against your own product? I'm also not fond of the recent changes to their service fees, which seems arbitrary and profit-driven. I received a gift card for sharing my honest review. **What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?** The main problem Upwork solves for me is finding clients, especially when it comes to editing and proofreading. They can be hard to track down on your own, so I appreciate having so many potential clients all in one place. ### 42. Upwork is a good marketplace to find a nice clientele in Data Engineering & Analytics **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Subha G. | Sr. Consultant - Data Engineering & Analytics, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 19, 2025 **What do you like best about Upwork?** I received a gift card in exchange for writing this review. I have been using Upwork since 2018. What I like about Upwork is that it helps you connect with clients remotely and work on meaningful projects. Through Upwork, I have had the opportunity to work with both non-profit organizations and large enterprises. I have seen some people drop off the platform after attempting to submit proposals a few times. Once you know how to submit business proposals (which are distinct from cover letters), you can stay true to your work niche (in my case, data engineering). Upwork also offers invite-only opportunities with large global enterprises, including Fortune 500 companies, for highly skilled and reputable consultants. Once you work with a Fortune 500 company, you get added to their Talent Cloud via Upwork. Whenever a new opportunity is available with the same company, you will be notified via the cloud and can apply to those opportunities. **What do you dislike about Upwork?** I have seen several feature changes and policy changes from time to time. Not all of them have worked for me. Their commission changes had affected my revenue for long-term contracts around 2023. Earlier, the 'Connects system' offered more credits, but with the introduction of new paid plans, the free plan has taken a hit. In addition, the number of Connects required to submit a job proposal used to be much lower than it is today. Today, connect credits get exhausted quickly; since each proposal submission requires a lot more connects. Off late, I also find that there is too much competition for jobs. Moreover, clients have also started ghosting you after an initial call. They don't bother to say a candid 'yes/no' after having a conversation. I feel Upwork can intervene in such scenarios and send the client a gentle nudge to let consultants know that they were not going ahead with a candidate. It can even be something as simple as a 'Not going ahead with you' button in the client's message window. Another challenge is that some jobs remain open on the platform even after a hire has been made. This leads to wasted Connects for freelancers who continue applying to such positions. A job should be closed once a hire is made. The job does mention that a hire was made but leaving the job open may prompt people to think that it is still available. **What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?** Reaching out to clients globally and the ability to work remotely. ### 43. A safe and flexible way to work as a new mom **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Lucía C. | Polyglot Project Manager, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 19, 2025 **What do you like best about Upwork?** The platform makes everything easier: finding jobs, managing contracts, and receiving secure payments. I feel safe knowing that my work is protected, which gives me peace of mind while balancing freelancing and motherhood. It’s also great to have so many opportunities in one place, no matter the niche or language. **What do you dislike about Upwork?** At times, competition is tough and the service fees take a noticeable cut, especially when starting out. But if you stay consistent and build good client relationships, it really pays off in the long run. **What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?** Upwork solves one of the biggest challenges for freelancers like me: finding trustworthy clients and getting paid securely. As a new mom, it’s hard to balance work and family, but Upwork gives me the flexibility to choose projects that fit my schedule. It also lets me use my language skills to connect with clients from different countries, something I wouldn’t be able to do locally. Thanks to this, I can keep growing my career, earn income from home, and still be present for my baby. ### 44. You can land jobs with persistence **Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Stacy Y. | Project Manager, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 18, 2025 **What do you like best about Upwork?** You can find work on Upwork, but be prepared to put in the time and effort. I started off taking a couple of low-paying jobs for $5 or $10. These didn't require any skills or a lot of my time, but they are a good way to add experience to your profile. I ended up finding a long-term freelance role with the same company. I've been working with them for over a year, so I'd consider this a success. However, it took almost a year of being on Upwork - and applying to many jobs - to find a legit source of income. You don't have to pay to apply to jobs, which is great. You just use "connects" when applying. Every job requires a different number of these connects. I never had to buy additional connects - they just keep accumulating. Applying is relatively easy and quick. **What do you dislike about Upwork?** There are A LOT of freelancers on Upwork vying for the same jobs, so it can be hard to stand out. I applied to jobs that I thought fit my background, and never got a response from the employer. When you apply, it appears in the Proposals section. Sometimes you can see if an employer viewed your proposal. I've had jobs disappear from there as if I never applied, which is extremely annoying. I don't expect to win every job, but I spent time applying and would expect a response either way. If I had one suggestion for Upwork, it would be to require employers to send a quick reply to all the applicants they didn't choose. It doesn't have to be personalized or lengthy, just a response. It's a matter of courtesy and consideration for people's time. **What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?** Upwork helps me fill in work gaps so I can earn additional income. ### 45. Reliable platform with room for growth **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** ANDREA B. | Freelancer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 14, 2025 **What do you like best about Upwork?** Let me start by stating I received a gift card for sharing my honest review. I love that freelancers like myself can find reliable work on Upwork. They make it easy to find a variety of clients and projects and the messaging is perfect to discuss terms and milestones. I also love that the payments through escrow and hourly protection add peace of mind so getting paid feels secure. Most of all, the job success score and client feedback features help elevate my profile and win more opportunities. **What do you dislike about Upwork?** I dislike the fees that are taken out. The service fees that range from 10% up to 20% significantly reduce earnings, especially on large contracts. Also competition is high. Sometimes it's hard to get the visibility you need to stand out without paying for extra connects. **What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?** One problem Upwork is solving for me is I no longer have to chase gigs through word or mouth or job boards. Now we have the ability to search through gigs that are actually verified and all in one centralized location. Another problem that Upwork has solved is freelancers often face issues with non-payment or late payment. With Upwork’s escrow system, clients fund the project before work begins, and we get paid automatically once milestones are approved or hours are tracked. ### 46. Been using Upwork for several years and I was happier with Elance **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Mary "Cathy" A. | Dietitian Consultant🌮 | Marketing Expert | Business Development✨ Freelancer/Contractor/Consultant, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** December 18, 2020 **What do you like best about Upwork?** They get many prospective clients of good quality. You can be sure it's a valid position on this platform compared to others. **What do you dislike about Upwork?** I find it hard to pay 20% of my pay up to a certain point. I do many small jobs and I automatically have to pay the highest level of commission. It really has been a deterrent at times to applying. The Job Success rating is not accurate at all. Again, I am punished for having a client who only needs a small job done. **Recommendations to others considering Upwork:** Be selective about which proposals you put out because they cost Quite a bit. Don't take short term, low budget clients because it will affect you scores. **What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?** I am a freelancer, and the platform helps me get my name out there, so there are plenty of jobs available. I would not have otherwise known about the need. ### 47. A Trustworthy Way to Provide Freelance Services **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Robert B. | Patent Agent, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** September 15, 2025 **What do you like best about Upwork?** I get to choose who I work with, and what I work on. **What do you dislike about Upwork?** I dislike that it does not distinguish between my fees and those that are passed through to the US Patent and Trademark Office. As a result, I have to mark up my USPTO fees in order not to be subsidizing my clients pass-through fees. **What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?** I get to see client job postings and can decide if I want to pursue or not. It is helpful that Upwork provides how much a poster has already spent on Upwork and whether its credentials have been verified. That benefits me by not having to solicit work. I can now pick and choose from posted job descriptions. I also do not have to invoice and follow up on accounts receivable. I like that funds are escrowed in advance. ### 48. Some Good, Some Bad **Rating:** 2.5/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Wilton B. | Content Strategist, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** September 15, 2025 **What do you like best about Upwork?** I am a provider and a client on Upwork. As a provider, I appreciate having access to numerous job opportunities. As a client, I love having access to tons of providers. I'm a long-term member of the platform, and I find it easy to use, and I've never had any technical problems. I received a gift card for sharing my honest review. **What do you dislike about Upwork?** Most jobs in my content creation category pay too little for me to bother applying. That's my biggest problem with the platform, pay rates. That may be more of a problem in the market than Upwork. Either way, I don't use upwork much anymore as a provider or a client due to low pay and lower quality output. **What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?** Connecting me with providers. It's difficult to find and vet providers. Upwork does that for you. ### 49. Upwork Helps Me Find Freelancers Far More Skilled Than Myself **Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Shawn W. | Founder, Internet Marketing Guru, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** September 23, 2021 **What do you like best about Upwork?** I use Upwork to find affordable freelancers for different parts of my business, mostly coding. I’m a coder myself, but honestly, the coders I find on Upwork (especially from other countries) are like superheroes. They’re way faster than me and often do a better job. I’ve also hired people for videos, content, and marketing, and it’s been just as good. The platform is simple—I can post a job, hire someone, and manage the project all in one place. I really like the time tracking feature too because I know exactly how much time was spent on each task. I definitely recommend Upwork. It’s made my life a lot easier. **What do you dislike about Upwork?** The only thing I don’t like is when I post a job and get flooded with copy-paste responses. A lot of freelancers just drop in what looks like an AI-generated answer, so it’s hard to know if they really understand the job or if ChatGPT just wrote it for them. I don’t mind if people use AI to help with projects, but I wish proposals showed real thought from the freelancer. Sorting through all the generic replies gets old fast. **What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?** Upwork saves me a ton of time. Instead of trying to do everything myself or searching all over the internet for help, I can quickly post a job and get skilled people to jump in. It also lets me work with talent from around the world that I never would have found otherwise. Because of that, I get projects done faster, better, and usually at a lower cost than if I tried to handle it on my own. ### 50. Upwork Is Great, When you make it work for you. **Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars **Reviewed by:** Moriah R. | Designer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.) **Reviewed Date:** August 17, 2025 **What do you like best about Upwork?** I do like that the platform provides protection for both the client and freelancer. We get to see their reviews from other freelancers, and payments are released when projects are approved. I've been able to find clients who I work well with, but you definitely have to know how shift through the scam posts and AI to find people who align with your work. Though it's saturated with freelancers, I do feel like if you're a skilled professional, it's a great stepping stone to receive clients. **What do you dislike about Upwork?** Personally, they take too much money from us. We have to pay to bid or submit a proposal, pay a significant portion of our earnings each week, and for some jobs, it's not even worth it to apply after that. Also, in my opinion, they don't have a cap on what a client can request for a certain amount of money. Certain jobs paying $2 /hr or even less with no regulation is an easy way for freelancers to be exploited, even if you're giving them the "choice" to apply to what they want. It creates a power imbalance and sends a message to clients that they can get "cheap labor" because they can access people from all over the world. Sometimes we are treated badly for wanting to be paid fairly. **What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?** We need access and exposure to clients. Otherwise it would be word of mouth of expensive advertising. Unlike other boards, there's still a freedom around managing your schedule and clientele and no cap to how many clients you can work with. ## 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?page=7§ion=pricing&secure%5Bexpires_at%5D=2026-05-28+15%3A12%3A00+-0500&secure%5Bsession_id%5D=13ee495b-7054-4225-beac-f9376e0663bf&secure%5Btoken%5D=820c6ab395aeb2da02b9af76a34d4570a6e29d506da42fd3487395672888d968&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) - [Agentforce 360 Platform (formerly Salesforce Platform)](https://www.g2.com/products/agentforce-360-platform-formerly-salesforce-platform/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) - [Behance](https://www.g2.com/products/behance/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 Work Management](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) - [Slack](https://www.g2.com/products/slack/reviews) - [TimeTracker.pro](https://www.g2.com/products/timetracker-pro/reviews) - [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 - [Fiverr](https://www.g2.com/products/fiverr/reviews) - 4.3/5.0 (455 reviews) - [Bark.com](https://www.g2.com/products/bark-com/reviews) - 1.6/5.0 (322 reviews) - [Toptal](https://www.g2.com/products/toptal/reviews) - 4.7/5.0 (269 reviews)