---
title: Upwork Reviews
meta_title: 'Upwork Reviews 2026: Details, Pricing, & Features | G2'
meta_description: Filter 3204 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: 3204
  scale: '5'
date_modified: '2026-07-03'
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:** 3,204
## 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 use** of Upwork, finding reliable work quickly and managing projects effortlessly. (665 reviews)
- Users value the **abundant job opportunities** on Upwork, making it easy to connect and find diverse work. (367 reviews)
- Users value the **convenience and reliability** of Upwork, enhancing their freelance experience with secure payments and great opportunities. (358 reviews)
- Users value the **time efficiency** of Upwork, enjoying seamless navigation and quick access to contract opportunities. (288 reviews)
- Users value the **security of payments** and well-organized management, enhancing trust and reliability on Upwork. (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 cuts on earnings. (474 reviews)
- Users are frustrated by **high service fees** on Upwork that diminish their earnings and impact project quality. (454 reviews)
- Users express frustration with **job scarcity** on Upwork, highlighted by intense competition and low-paying offers. (207 reviews)
- Users express concern over the **intense competition** on Upwork, making it challenging to win jobs despite qualifications. (155 reviews)
- Users face **multiple limitations** on Upwork, such as low-quality talent, high fees, and a frustrating bidding 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. Best freelancer possibilities that are within your control

**Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Matthew C. | Self-Employed, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** August 14, 2025

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

Upwork still is the best platform for controlling your level of freelancer engagement. The best thing about it is you can set your rates and hours, so you can take on a little or a lot, and change that up at any given time. This flexibility it provides is the main benefit of freelancing. Unlike other sites that have hourly requirements and set rates, you have a lot more control over your career or just your side hustle.

“I received a gift card for sharing my honest review.”

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

You have to screen clients very carefully on Upwork. Some are not genuine, others are simply not serious or don't understand the platform very well. You have to choose who you work with very carefully because the platform can be unforgiving if you don't. Job requirements, expectations, and pay rates are not always clear at first and this lowers the efficiency of applying to and accepting jobs. But when you do take your time and find clients that match your skills and needs, the work relationship can last for months or years.

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

Upwork connects freelancers with clients who need work done. Without the platform, these two entities would never meet. It provides a solid framework where two parties can meet and get their employment needs met, although it can be a little difficult at times.

  ### 2. Upwork has helped me grow my career, side businesses, and complete personal tasks with ease.

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Nicole M. | Community Manager, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** August 14, 2025

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

What I like best about Upwork is the ability to connect with highly skilled professionals for such a wide range of needs. I’ve had great success using the platform for everything from blog editing and co-writing to social media design, property management tasks, personal budgeting, and other personal projects. Not only have I consistently received high-quality work, but I’ve also built long-term relationships with talented freelancers for ongoing projects and have confidently referred them to friends and family.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

What I dislike about Upwork is that service fees can add up over time, especially for ongoing projects, but the quality of talent and results I’ve received still make it well worth the investment.

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

Upwork is solving the challenge of finding reliable, skilled professionals across multiple industries all in one place. In the past, I had to search multiple platforms or rely on word-of-mouth to find the right help, which was time-consuming and inconsistent. Now, I can easily connect with qualified experts for my blog editing, co-writing, social media design, property management tasks, personal budgeting, and other personal projects. The platform’s built-in communication tools, secure payment system, and talent reviews save me time, give me peace of mind, and ensure consistent quality. As a result, I’ve been able to complete projects more efficiently, maintain long-term working relationships with top freelancers, and even refer them to friends and family—allowing my career, side businesses, and personal goals to grow seamlessly.

  ### 3. Great platform for freelancing

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Mariah R. | freelamcer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** August 14, 2025

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

Upwork makes it easy to connect with a wide range of skilled freelancers from around the world. I appreciate the secure payment system, clear project tracking, and the ability to filter talent based on reviews, rates, and expertise. The messaging and file-sharing tools help keep projects organized and efficient.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

The service fees can feel high, especially for smaller projects. Sometimes it takes a while to find the right freelancer due to the large volume of proposals, and a few profiles can be misleading. The job posting process could also be streamlined for faster setup.

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

Upwork helps me quickly find skilled professionals without the time and cost of traditional hiring. It solves the challenge of accessing specialized expertise on demand, allowing me to scale projects up or down as needed. This flexibility reduces overhead, speeds up project completion, and ensures I can focus on core business priorities while trusted freelancers handle specific tasks.

  ### 4. Easy Option for Freelance Writers

**Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Kelli T. | Marketing Content Writer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** August 14, 2025

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

I love the fact that fixed fee contracts use an escrow account where promised funds are held as soon as you start the work. No sending out invoices or tracking people down. The money is there as soon as you begin your projects and payments are guaranteed; you know exactly when to expect your payments- even when clients are slow to review or respond.

I did receive a gift card incentive for completing this review (but I’m happy to do so since I’ve had a lot of success with this platform).

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

There is a holding period of 5 days once a client approves your work and releases payment. I do wish the payments were instant, but I understand that extra measures are meant to protect both clients and freelancers, and it’s really not a big deal. Some payments are released early after you’ve been on the platform for a while, which is helpful.

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

Finding new clients and managing the process of requesting payment and receiving payments. It’s also great for annual reporting (taxes) and streamlines communication.

  ### 5. Upwork: Great Choice for Reliable Freelances and Quality Outcomes

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Monica "mOe" A. | Senior Clinical Dental Consultant (Certified), Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** August 14, 2025

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

I have used Upwork for years, and it has been an invaluable resource for finding talented, reliable freelancers. Over time, I’ve worked with professionals who have designed eye-catching graphics, created beautiful book covers, and, most recently, managed highly effective podcast promotion.

Every freelancer I’ve hired has demonstrated excellent communication, professionalism, and dedication to delivering quality work. The platform makes it easy to post projects, review proposals, and track progress, giving me confidence that my ideas will be brought to life exactly as envisioned.

Upwork has consistently exceeded my expectations, and I look forward to continuing to use it for future creative and marketing needs. Highly recommended!

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

The admin fees are higher than other platforms like Fiverr but the quality of work is also exceptional.

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

I don’t have a large in-house team, so Upwork allows me to access skilled professionals on demand. This means I can complete projects quickly and at a high level without the expense or commitment of hiring full-time staff. Outso

  ### 6. Long-term Writer with Upwork

**Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Karen B. | Freelance writer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** August 14, 2025

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

In my early days with Upwork, i was looking for clients, and that worked well. I found clients who were a good match for my skills. Now, I have long-term clients and steady work. Upwork comes in handy for communicating with clients, sending them projects, and getting paid. Upwork now does my taxes associated with the work. It is easy to use and does what I need it to do

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

When I first started with Upwork, the service was free for me. Then, they started charging fees for newcomers, but for those of us who had earned a certain amount (I think it was $10,000), we still had no fees. Then, Upwork started charging a 10% fee across the board for everyone. I can understand how that makes bookkeeping easier for them, but for those who have brought in tens of thousands of dollars in business, it seems unfair.

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

None -- at this point. I have enough clients and I'm not looking for more. Upwork is handy for communicating with clients and getting paid.

  ### 7. A Solid Source of Freelance Gigs

**Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Melissa S. | Content Writer and Strategist, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** August 14, 2025

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

Upwork has been a viable freelance marketplace for a long time, and I have used it off and on to get work. Some of these clients end up being long-term, while others are one-off. I have never had trouble getting paid on this app. I believe they mediate if there is an issue.

The message board system is good, and it's easy to discuss your work with your client privately.

I got locked out and somebody tried to steal my account and customer services was really helpful and actually nice. 

I don't use the app often, just every 6 months or so, but a few years ago it was my bread and butter. 

I received a gift card for sharing my honest review, just an FYI.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

Upwork is great but there are a lot of lower-priced gigs that I wouldn't want. Competing in a global marketplace is tough. They do, however, have a section for US-only gigs. I wish more people wanted that.

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

Upwork makes it much easier to look for work. There are a lot of ways to sort jobs, including by price and type, and you can easily choose what to bid on.

  ### 8. Amazing platform to jumpstart your digital nomad vision

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Lisa S. | Product, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** August 14, 2025

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

Upwork is truly my freelancing project pool more efficient than Linkedin. It fulfills my short-term career endeaver as Software Product Manager and long-term career in e-commerce. The bonus is that there are startup founders searching for talents - it's easier to have a conversation than Linkedin and that's how I get my AI related project! The platform is task based, can be quick like couple of hours and can be long like beyond couple of months. I have longer term clients now couple of months into the platform. People there are amazing, no office politics so far. The message is equivalent to the slack, zoom meeting are recorded, and job success score is the KPI where you can ask for the review each time finishing the task and building up your credit. I love Upwork and will keep it as my go to freelancer place.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

Trust and Safety has strong influence. Because I click too fast, I am more often identified as bot, I have to do my majority of the application through mobile app instead of web. Sometimes the job poster only few the earliest proposals from candidates so it's a bit hard for skilled candidate who did not apply in a timely manner.

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

Help people work on projects that are matched to their skillsets in a flexible way

  ### 9. Upwork review

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

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

**Reviewed Date:** August 14, 2025

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

Upwork gives me direct access to clients who actually need the skills I offer, without wasting time on cold outreach or chasing leads. The platform’s structure makes it possible to land meaningful, long-term relationships — not just one-off gigs — and I’ve built multiple ongoing contracts here. Their job posting and proposal system makes it easy to quickly identify high-quality opportunities, submit tailored pitches, and track results.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

The biggest challenge is sifting through a large volume of low-quality or under-budget job postings to find the ones worth pursuing. The fee structure also takes a significant cut from earnings, which adds up quickly on high-value contracts. You need to send a lot of proposals to achieve results. Many of the proposals are never even opened by potential clients since they often get hundreds of them, meanwhile you still have to pay to send them. Additionally, competition from less experienced freelancers willing to work for low rates can sometimes undervalue the expertise seasoned professionals bring to the table.

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

The built-in contract management, escrow payments, and dispute resolution remove most of the administrative and risk headaches that come with working independently. This allows me to focus my energy on delivering results, scaling my client base, and building long-term relationships that drive recurring revenue.

  ### 10. Great way to find one off jobs and other contract work.

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Michele M. | Quality Assurance Specialist, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** August 14, 2025

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

Using Upwork allows me to find one off gigs and side hustles that enable me to make up for shortfalls in my income and it also allows me to gain experience in my field that I may not be able to find anywhere else. I can also use other skills that I have to do small jobs that are not available in my regular 9-5.

Their customer service is great and they have many features available to enhance the search. Their interface is simple and easy to use and I love that they have the dark background feature available.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

Not a fan of the fee percentage they charge but I don't like fees at all. However, they need to make money and that is why they are a business service so I gues it'll do.

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

Supplementing my income shortfalls as well as hone skills I feel are lacking in my tool box.

  ### 11. Decent way to find work/freelancers, but not a preferred source

**Rating:** 3.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Jake S. | Freelance writer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** August 14, 2025

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

I've used Upwork both as a freelancer finding clients and as someone hiring freelancers. I like that Upwork has a big marketplace that makes it possible to make high-quality matches, and the platform is fairly easy to navigate.

I received a gift card for sharing my honest review.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

The fees are high and there's not enough flexibility. It's designed to keep you using the platform on an ongoing basis, but that's not always what's convenient for users.

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

Upwork helps me find clients to work with, and I can also find my own freelancers in many different areas like writing, design, and admin work. It's nice to have this two-way marketplace, but I think it would be better if it worked as more of a membership fee to make introductions, rather than using it for payments and communication too. The fees seem to be going up too, and the quality of matches isn't as high as it was a few years ago in my opinion.

  ### 12. Good platform to find work for established web developers

**Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Joseph M. | Web developer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** August 14, 2025

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

Upwork has been improving their transparency for hiring.  This is a huge win for freelancers and, honestly, I wish they would go even further.  Their customer support for freelancers has also improved and has become less biased.  The number of hiring clients on the platform is decent and enough to find consistent work for my niche (web development).

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

The time tracker is a bit buggy - it's an HTML page in a loader that suffers from some formatting and functionality issues.  The length of time for payments to clear is often frustrating, resulting in 1 to 3 weeks before money is available (depending on when your client pays).  Visibility for hiring has become "pay to play" which requires you to pay into the system to have consistent results.

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

Upwork facilitates mediation between clients and freelancers.  It allows you to just focus on doing work.  Payments are kept in escrow, there is buyer protection, time tracking, and of course, lead generation.  This is a great gateway to freelancing for people who are unfamiliar with it, and is a nice service for everyone else.

  ### 13. Good option to expand your reach

**Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Jennifer W. | Marketing Specialist, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** August 14, 2025

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

Upwork has allowed me to expand my reach to industries/companies that I wasn't typically working with. With a majority of my background in real estate marketing, I've expanded now into the food industries and books as well. It is fairly easy to apply for jobs, communicate, and review timecards and financials.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

The fee's are getting out of hand. You have to pay for everything. I have to pay to apply to a job - but I never see that back if that person never hires anyone. They want you to "buy" upgrades to get more visibility. Additionally, when (not if - because it happens to everyone) something goes wrong it is impossible to actually get someone on the phone to help get it resolved. I finally had to resort to putting a review on Better Business Bureau - that got my issue resolved immediately.

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

It gives me an additional platform to market my abilities to people and companies I most likely would never have come across.

  ### 14. Upwork is my go-to for thoughtful, talented freelancers

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

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

**Reviewed Date:** August 14, 2025

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

As both a consultant and hiring manager, I’ve used Upwork for everything from data engineering to launching a podcast. I’ve consistently been blown away by the quality of freelancers here. The people I’ve worked with have brought real care, curiosity, and craftsmanship to their work.

One of my favorite collaborations was with a podcast editor who helped me shape raw audio into a story that felt true to the heart of the project. They were technically skilled and they listened deeply, asked great questions, and cared about the final product.

Upwork has made it easy to find freelancers who are truly collaborating with me to build something meaningful. I keep coming back.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

There can be a learning curve when trying to identify the right fit, especially when you’re hiring for niche skills or values-aligned work. It takes time to write clear job posts and sift through proposals, but I think the recommended fit that Upwork provides are pretty spot on.

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

Upwork helps me find the right people at the right time especially when I need specialized skills but don’t have the capacity (or budget) to hire full-time. As someone who works across research, storytelling, and tech-enabled public service, I often need collaborators who can jump into a project quickly, understand the vision, and bring their own creativity to the table. Upwork has given me access to an incredible global talent pool.

  ### 15. Reliable, Skilled, and Results-Driven Talent on Upwork

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Maria P. | Marketing Strategist, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** August 14, 2025

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

I’ve been using Upwork for a variety of marketing, design, and development needs, and it has consistently delivered access to talented professionals. The platform makes it easy to find skilled freelancers, review portfolios, and manage projects from start to finish.

Through Upwork, I’ve worked with designers who brought brand visions to life, marketers who improved campaign performance, and developers who delivered clean, functional, and on-time code. I appreciate how seamless communication is, as well as the ability to track milestones and payments securely.

While every hiring experience depends on finding the right fit for the project, Upwork’s system of reviews, work history, and verified hours has made it much easier to identify trustworthy, competent professionals. It’s become a key tool in my business for scaling up quickly when specialized skills are needed.

If you take the time to vet candidates thoroughly, set clear expectations, and communicate openly, Upwork can be an excellent source for top-tier talent across multiple disciplines.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

While Upwork is a great platform for finding talent, it can sometimes be challenging to sift through a large number of proposals to find the right match. The quality of freelancers can vary widely, and it requires careful vetting to ensure the skills and professionalism align with the project. Additionally, service fees add up, especially on larger, ongoing engagements. That said, these are manageable trade-offs given the access to a global pool of skilled professionals.

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

Upwork gives me access to a global network of skilled professionals across marketing, design, and development, all in one place. This saves significant time compared to sourcing talent individually, and the platform’s work tracking, messaging, and payment protection systems provide an added layer of security and accountability. It also makes it easy to scale resources up or down depending on project needs, which helps me stay agile without the overhead of full-time hires.

  ### 16. Limited applications have their pros and cons

**Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Jen F. | Writer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** August 14, 2025

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

I got my start here and formed important client relationships over ten years ago. I've also formed friendships with freelancers who worked for me. Once you have a relationship and once you get started, it's really easy to mark milestones, and support is really responsive, actually, too. It's easy to upload work and maintain a portfolio. 

I didn't like the connects system when it first came out, but actually now I really like it because it keeps me from obsessively applying for every single job out there and has me stick to what I actually care about and/or think I can get. I've gotten a lot of enterprise invites as well because I've got a pretty complete profile (I'm using a modified version of the Daniel Throssell stuff taught in his Upwork in One Hour course). So that's really helpful.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

Actually getting jobs at first can be kind of discouraging (it takes a while). Once you get them, they kind of snowball. I wish this was available in more countries because a lot of people could really benefit from it.

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

Finding work. Getting started as a voice actor. I find it's very good for getting started in things--later, a lot of times you need to graduate to other platforms once you're more advanced, or to your own service.

  ### 17. Has improved a lot over ten years

**Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Kenzi W. | Content Writer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** August 26, 2025

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

I started using this platform back when it was still called eLance. After ten years of using this platform, I can say that it's the best freelance marketplace on the market. It's clean, and the escrow and contract systems keep me safe from scams. There are a lot of opportunities listed on the marketplace; all I need to do is wait ten minutes for more potential jobs to appear.

P.S. I received a gift card for sharing my honest review.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

UpWork has increased its prices for freelancers to bid on work, which isn't great. Clients overwhelmingly lack knowledge of how to use the platform, so I frequently find myself fielding tech support or UX questions.

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

UpWork protects my finances with its escrow system. It also attracts a lot of contracts, which makes it easy for me to find work without hopping between different platforms.

  ### 18. Effortless App Development with Upwork

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Jay D.

**Reviewed Date:** January 20, 2026

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

I find Upwork really helpful for developing my app because it connects me with people I wouldn't otherwise be able to reach, and it helps me do so at a low cost. I like that communication is easy, and payment is straightforward. These features make the process a lot easier, especially in terms of contract management and communication with talent, which helps me get work done quickly. The setup was also easy.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

Nothing

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

Upwork helps me connect with people I otherwise wouldn't, enabling app development at a low cost. Communication and payment are easy, making the process a lot smoother, and the contract management process simplifies doing business quickly.

  ### 19. Helpful resource for professionals

**Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Jessica R. | Education Records Specialist, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** September 15, 2025

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

I enjoy that I have discovered a way to utilize my professional abilities to complete projects that help small businesses to continue growing. Whether one time projects, ongoing or both, these have been a fun way to earn extra money on the side.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

The amount of fees for freelancing. When I am offered a gig, they take 30% immediately, and they have also risen the fees so unless I’m getting some sort of bonus, it’s made me feel like I have to not be as active.

I also had my account flagged (not just once) after accepting gigs on their website as if it’s my problem for not vetting the individuals or companies on their app when that should be done by them not by the freelancers.

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

It’s accepting gigs that help small businesses.

  ### 20. Good for Clients but unbalanced for Freelancers

**Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars

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

**Reviewed Date:** March 25, 2021

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

Easy of finding quality freelancers to work on projects for my company.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

Unfortunately for their freelancers, it works like a pyramid scheme. Ratings are based on experience only with UpWork clients. If you got in early and do good work, you continue to get the preponderance of the work. Freelancers who joined later, even if they have more experience, don't get considered for opportunities.

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

I use UpWork to hire freelancers, but none of my staff use UpWork to find work for themselves.

  ### 21. Many opportunities if you can get in

**Rating:** 3.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Gaciel A. | Creative Writer and Freelancer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** August 14, 2025

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

The variety of work and contracts available are vast and unique. Some jobs only work in a short contract format, so there is a lot of variety. 

The UI for the site is clean and simple to use for.

Their support team was quick to resolve payment issues with my account as well.

I check it once per week to scan jobs or opportunities that may be available and could easily do more if I wanted since the amount of jobs update constantly.

I received a gift card for sharing my honest review.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

There is either not enough jobs for the amount of workers or some of the postings are abandoned. For every five applications you send which cost you connects (a finite resource), you may get one offer if you're lucky.

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

It is providing me with work experience and extra money in a time when both are scarce.

  ### 22. Allowed me to find good projects and clients to help sustain my freelance business and lifestyle.

**Rating:** 4.5/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Joshua J. | Chief Technology Officer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** August 14, 2025

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

I really enjoy the range of variety in the types of projects and clients. I've had clients who were individual inventors as well as start-ups and established small businesses. Upwork's filters make it easy to find potential projects that are a good fit and being able to have a thorough portfolio and review system takes a lot of the time and work out of screening potential projects and collaborators.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

With the wide range of people using Upwork, you have to be quite diligent and competitive to land the best projects. This makes sense and I think is OK, but for people who are just starting out, it may not be obvious to them. Perhaps Upwork could do a better job of helping new freelancers get established.

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

Lead generation. I rarely have to spend time looking for clients in part because Upwork has helped connect me with the right clients.

  ### 23. Effortless Talent Acquisition, Highly Recommend

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Bill N. | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** March 11, 2026

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

I find Upwork pretty easy and safe to navigate through, making it simple to find and pay the proper people. They actually do the work, which is great. Upwork's system is just easier to use, especially compared to other platforms I've tried. The initial setup was pretty easy too, and overall I'm really satisfied enough to recommend it to others.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

no much very easy

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

I use Upwork for CRM help, digital marketing, and email setup. It solves finding better talent for various tasks.

  ### 24. UpWork - Useful tool for freelancing professionals

**Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Michelle N. | Producer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** August 15, 2025

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

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

I've had a great experience with UpWork so far. I've been using the platform as a freelancer since 2020 and had the opportunity to work with some interesting companies and entrepreneurs. I've made around 60K on the platform. I'd recommend it!

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

The downsides of the platform are the poor customer service (especially for freelancers) and the rising percentage of income taken by UpWork before they pay their freelancers. This year fees went up from 10% to 15%. 

Tax forms are also a challenge, as they send a 1099 saying that the freelancer received 100% of the client's payment, when they actually receive 85%-90%. Other websites' 1099s reflect the actual amount received by the freelancer (after fees), which is much more accurate and avoids extra tax paperwork and inaccuracies in tax reporting.

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

Connecting with real clients; simplified invoicing.

  ### 25. Efficient Talent Sourcing, Needs Payment System Upgrade

**Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Ramona R. | UX Manager, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** April 22, 2026

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

I like that Upwork helps me find the right talent for writing blog posts and makes it easy to hire them. The initial setup of Upwork was also very easy.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

The way you do the milestone and pay. I wish it was easier to do it.

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

I use Upwork to find and hire the right talent to write blog posts for me.

  ### 26. Upwork is a Great Marketplace for Freelancers

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Anderson H. | Digital Transformation Analyst, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** August 14, 2025

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

Upwork makes it easy to search for freelancing opportunities, gigs, and part-time jobs offered by clients from all over the world. Almost any industry or talent, such as voiceover work, generative AI prompting, copywriting, programming, Web design, and more, can be found on the site. Freelancing on Upwork has been a good source of additional income for me, and others have scaled their businesses to provide a primary stream of livable income.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

The Connects system can be expensive and apprehensive for some freelancers, especially those who have not built a good reputation. It can be difficult to get initial jobs, meaning that someone looking to make money might spend more money looking for gigs than making money completing them. Competition can also be fierce since freelancers are competing with others from all over the world.

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

Upwork makes it easy to find clients to freelance and provide services for.

  ### 27. Wide Worker Selection and Easy Payments

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

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

**Reviewed Date:** March 11, 2026

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

I like the variety of workers that can be found and the ease of payment.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

I haven't had any problems with upwork so far.

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

Up Work is solving my need for a virtual assistance for my private practice. I'm also able to contract graphic designers.

  ### 28. Effortlessly Seamless with Top Recommendation

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Cristi M.

**Reviewed Date:** January 24, 2026

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

I love how seamless Upwork is. You just have to input information, and you get output without much hassle. The platform makes it easy for me because I don't have to think too much about the process; it's straightforward and simple. Although the creative side of doing ads isn't my strongest area, Upwork handles that part well, and I really appreciate it. The initial setup was also fairly simple.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

I don’t have any dislikes

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

I don't have to think much; I just provide the information, and they do it for me. It's seamless—just input and get output. I appreciate not needing expertise in ad creation.

  ### 29. Great Selection of 3D CAD Designers on the Platform

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

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

**Reviewed Date:** April 22, 2026

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

A great selection of 3d cad designers on the platform

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

Nothing, maybe being able to speak with my designer virtually.

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

None at the moment

  ### 30. Great resource for creative design projects

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Rebecca H. | Marketing Director, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** September 15, 2025

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

We’ve had excellent experiences using Upwork for design needs ranging from stickers and t-shirts to marketing materials. It’s easy to find talented freelancers, share ideas, and bring creative projects to life. The process is smooth, and we’ve been impressed with the quality and variety of work.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

Sometimes it takes a little extra time to sort through proposals and find the right fit, but once you do, the results are worth it. The service fees can also feel a bit high, but the convenience and security of the platform make up for it.

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

With a smaller marketing team, Upwork helps us take on design projects we might not have time for in-house. It’s quick to find skilled freelancers, which saves us time and keeps projects like stickers, t-shirts, and marketing materials moving forward.

  ### 31. Perfect Platform to Find and Manage Clients

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Sandra C. | Freelance Translator, Proofreader, Content Writer, AI Evaluator, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** February 05, 2026

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

I really like the simplicity of using Upwork and appreciate its great professionalism. They are always very available for any of my needs. It helps me meet new clients and gives me the assurance that they are reliable clients. It suggests work projects based on my preferences and organizes billing very accurately. Moreover, it was very easy to start using it, and after 9 years I am still satisfied.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

At the moment, there is nothing I don't like.

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

I use Upwork to connect with new reliable clients, it suggests projects according to my preferences and carefully organizes billing.

  ### 32. Use Upwork to scale your business!

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Christopher K. | Chief Marketing Officer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** August 14, 2025

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

Long time user and believer in Upwork. (I have been using it since back when it was Elance!) my business would not be able to scale without this platform. You can solve any problem with experienced, sharp, kind, professional in this platform. I recommend it to other business owners and friends all the time.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

You have to know how to research through users reviews to ask the right questions before you hire. I recommend starting small with contractors to get a good sense of their services and if you’re a good fit first.

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

Long time user and believer in Upwork. (I have been using it since back when it was Elance!) my business would not be able to scale without this platform. You can solve any problem with experienced, sharp, kind, professional in this platform. I recommend it to other business owners and friends all the time.

  ### 33. Upwork : the best platform for freelancers

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Dr. Surbhi P. | Parenting & lifestyle blogger, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** August 14, 2025

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

i had an excellent experience working on Upwork. The platform provided me with valuable opportunities to connect with clients from across the globe. Each project helped me enhance my skills and broaden my professional expertise. Communication with clients was smooth, and deadlines were clearly defined, making the workflow efficient. The platform’s interface is user-friendly, which made managing multiple projects easier. I appreciated the variety of work available, allowing me to explore different industries and challenges. Payments were secure and timely, giving me peace of mind. Overall, Upwork has been a great environment for professional growth and building long-term client relationships. I highly recommend it to anyone looking to expand their freelance career.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

The rising Upwork fee sometimes feel annoying.

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

As a freelancer, I always look for flexible work opportunities with good pay . Upwork projects offer me same . They have high standards in maintaining their platform.

  ### 34. Hard to get things rolling

**Rating:** 2.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Ryan D. | Operations Technician, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** August 14, 2025

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

I like that there are all kinds of work and that pricing / contracts plainly put everything out there to see. There is a lot to go through.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

There is a lot of spam / junk to sort through and outside of having a few specific skills it is hard to find consistent work. There are a lot of jobs and you have a limited number of 'connects' to apply for them. You can buy more connects but being that upwork takes a fee from each contract AND buying more connects costs $$ it feels like upwork is actually making more $$ than I am. Those few notes combined make it some random $$ at best but not something you can rely on for any type of income.

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

It was supposed to be a way for some supplemental income but it never really made it to that.

  ### 35. This platform used to be great, but now the jobs are underpriced and the support is so-so.

**Rating:** 3.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Rob M. | Software trainer / developer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** August 14, 2025

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

I sometimes connect to clients who give me challenging work (training and developing software) at my going rate. In the past, once I got those first few jobs, it was a decent flow of work.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

It can take awhile to get any traction, and now the jobs are underpriced for an expert like me with 33 years of experience and certifications. If a flat fee job is listed for $30 and 20-50 people have bid on it, you know Upwork is a place that companies expect to easily find cheap labor. There is zero phone support; that disappeared some time ago. Email support is slow and often indirect and frustrating. The chat support feature is a picture that looks like support but isn't. I use Upwork less as time goes on. If you do cheap work, I suppose I recommend it.

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

It sometimes helps me find work.

  ### 36. Thanks to Upwork I was able to grow professionally and economically.

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Yudangie G. | Layout specialist and Project Manager, Consulting, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** September 15, 2025

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

What I liked most was the opportunities it offers for freelancers, in addition to the fact that it generates a lot of confidence to work on this platform that protects me in terms of payments and delivery of my work, thanks to Upwork I was able to generate income from my home without neglecting my family and it allows me to meet interesting people around the world.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

I think they should review the amount of monthly connections they grant, since the jobs have increased a lot in terms of connection costs.

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

As a Venezuelan, the job opportunities in my country are limited, so Upwork allowed me to take the step from the national to the international job market, which has allowed me to form an interesting network.

  ### 37. Lucrative Opportunities for Freelancers

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

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

**Reviewed Date:** April 22, 2026

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

I like that on Upwork you can get paid, and there's a lot of opportunities available. It gives me the opportunity to earn some extra money. The initial setup of Upwork was really easy; I just filled in all the blanks.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

Everything is good

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

Upwork gives me the opportunity to earn some extra money and access a lot of opportunities.

  ### 38. Good, but not as good as it used to be

**Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Mark B. | Copy Editor/Writer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** August 14, 2025

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

There are jobs available on Upwork; you just have be like an old-timey gold prospector to find them. Also, most of the payments are guaranteed, so you never have to worry about payment and you often get paid the following work after your work is completed, especially the hourly work. Please note that I received a gift card for sharing my honest review.”

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

The fees seem a little higher than they should be, especially for long-time users of Upwork. There also seems to be a lot of "ghost" employers -- people who post jobs with no intention of hiring for them.

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

They are helping keep my freelance business afloat. I may not be getting as many jobs as I used to, but what jobs I am getting, I am getting them through Upwork. Please note that I received a gift card for sharing my honest review.

  ### 39. Upwork review

**Rating:** 3.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Carmela M. | Sales Executive Consultant, Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** December 10, 2024

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

You can find legit client and start earning at home. Clients will reach out directly if your skills are qualified for what they're lookibg for

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

The service is too much for the freelancers who earns not that much because of the fees

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

The pay out is always on time and as long as you close deal inside the upwork platform they will assist you

  ### 40. Perfect Platform for Hiring and Freelancing

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Toni Q. | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** March 11, 2026

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

I like Upwork's website and the easy layout that's simple to understand. I also appreciate that Upwork checks the credibility of people with reviews and background checking, which helps me know what type of people I'm dealing with. The initial setup of Upwork was very easy for me.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

I think the amount of money they take every gig could be lowered.

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

I use Upwork to hire freelancers and find gigs, solving my need to hire people and making money issues.

  ### 41. UpWork has changed my life, but it's changed a lot over the years

**Rating:** 3.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Verified User in Writing and Editing | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** October 20, 2025

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

UpWork has given me an opportunity to create a new career for myself. Since I started freelancing on Upwork, I've been able to quit my regular job and focus exclusively on freelancing. I don't use any of the tools, so I can't speak for those, but when I joined the platform years ago, it was much simpler to use. I'm glad I got in when I did.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

I was disappointed when they raised fees from 5% to 10% and now to 15%, especially after I had spent so much time building long-term relationships with my clients. I also find it a turn-off that you essentially have to pay to apply for work. It feels like they're skimming money off of me as often as they possibly can. I sprung for Freelancer Plus for a month to see if it helped me find new clients, but none of my applications were even viewed because I kept getting outbid. Basically, you have to pay UpWork to have them boost your profile to the top of the list before you even have a chance at being considered for a job.

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

It connected me with most of my first clients and allows me to maintain relationships with those I've been working with for awhile, but its use has been very limited recently.

  ### 42. Upwork Will Work for Some, But Not for Others

**Rating:** 3.5/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Steven F. | Freelance Writer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** September 15, 2025

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

Upwork is a marketplace where freelancers can often find work if they spend enough time there and are willing to optimize and work on their profiles.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

Upwork these days is oversaturated with individuals looking for various kinds of freelance work. It makes it difficult to bid successfully on jobs and to get hired consistently. Also, they now make you buy connects, which are credits you use to apply for jobs. Connects used to be free. The fact that you now have to pay for them just to apply for jobs is unfair.

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

Upwork has many companies and individuals who are looking for freelancers. It's a marketplace where there are many jobs that are potentially lucrative. I have had many clients and successful relationships on the platform over the years.

  ### 43. Verified Freelance Leads That Help Avoid Scams

**Rating:** 4.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Verified User in Human Resources | Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** April 27, 2026

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

It helps me find verified sources of freelncing opputunities to save me from online scam

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

Sometimes there are unclear job descriptions and very low dollar rate which are not apt for the credits charged to apply for jibs

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

Helping me find work from the ease of hime with national and international organizations offering free lancing work

  ### 44. A Great Platform for Serious Freelancers

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Raquel A. | Social Media Strategist, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** August 19, 2025

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

Upwork is an excellent platform for anyone looking to build a freelance career. The interface is intuitive and easy to navigate, and the filtering tools are great for finding the right jobs. What I like most is the robust payment security. it gives me peace of mind knowing I'll get paid for my work. I was able to grow and find success in just a few months, even as a beginner, because of the sheer number of opportunities available. I received a gift card for sharing my honest review.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

The only downside would be the service fees. While I understand they are necessary for the platform to operate and provide security, they can be a bit high at times.

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

Upwork helped me solve the problem of needing to work remotely. I researched the platform to find a way to make that happen.

  ### 45. I'd recommend Upwork

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Devan R. | owner, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** November 18, 2025

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

Upwork makes it easy to find global talent. It has been really helpful to me as a small business owner, as it helps me save on talent by opening up the market of potential talent.

Note: I received a gift card for sharing my honest review. However, I'm not letting the gift card influence my review. I'm giving my raw and honest thoughts on Upwork.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

The fees for contracts are too high. Also, if I want to schedule a meeting with an Upwork freelancer before paying them, they make that too hard too.

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

Finding good talent affordably

  ### 46. Upwork gave me a freelancer's dream career

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Brandon F. | Demand Generation Strategist, Paid & Organic Social, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** August 14, 2025

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

The quality of clients I receive. Over the last 7 years, I've had the privilege of helping more than 450 businesses achieve their goals through upwork's platform. For that experience it's hard to put a price on.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

Unfortunately, over the years I've seen upwork prioritize features like ai and alienate features. That actually would help freelancers be more profitable and productive. Nuanced things like how well the app is designed for freelancers have never changed in the 7 years. I've used upwork. Also, the billing terms and payment options that clients have for freelancers could also be vastly improved. One of my biggest pain points with upwork is the inability to have effective retainer clients.

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

For years, upwork has been the marketing arm for my services. Upwork has found a way to provide fairly steady Business development for me with quality that produce clients.

  ### 47. Upwork is perfect for me as a stay at home mom

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

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

**Reviewed Date:** August 14, 2025

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

I’ve been looking for gig work and actual clients and a secure way to get paid online and quickly for awhile and Upwork has been by far the best option. I’ve connected with lots of clients with a variety of work for me, who become contacts for future work. I’m a stay at home mom who can’t work out of my home full time so doing jobs on Upwork has been great and paid me a very decent amount.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

Limited free connects to apply for jobs, 5 day wait period for pay AFTER the job has been fulfilled and client releases the funds to you.

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

A way to access jobs of all different industries, even small tasks for a decent amount of pay, and the ability to negotiate and take on long and short term projects one at a time or all at once.

  ### 48. Upwork gives me freedom to live remotely and do what I love!

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** James C. | Senior Software Developer, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** August 14, 2025

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

I love the flexibility and freedom to be able to support myself with freelance work from anywhere in the country. I've met amazing people as clients and my skills have grown through new challenges. Upwork is what you make of it... and yourself. Upwork makes things easy and helps handle some of the "business" side of contracting so I can focus on my work! I've used Upwork for over 6 years and the site and services have only improved for the most part!

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

Upworks monetization practices can feel unfair sometimes. Buying connects to bid on jobs is expensive and it feels random whether buying ads actually helps you or not. Hourly contracts can just ask for a refund and you just won't get paid.

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

Upwork gives me a steady stream of clients and handles billing them and organizing many details of the contracting process.

  ### 49. Easy Hiring with Affordable Rates

**Rating:** 5.0/5.0 stars

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

**Reviewed Date:** January 20, 2026

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

I like that Upwork makes it easy to find virtual assistants at a low price. The review system is also great because it ensures that virtual assistants can't mess up work and encourages them to try hard. The initial setup of Upwork was easy, which is a huge plus.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

It's hard to leave honest reviews because the VAs will know right away, and they often request to fix it to be good.

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

I use Upwork to hire VAs for website development tasks like building or fixing sites. It's easy to find VAs at low prices. The review system ensures they maintain high-quality work.

  ### 50. Convenient but Costly Freelance Platform

**Rating:** 2.5/5.0 stars

**Reviewed by:** Timothy S. | Owner/ freelance accountant, Small-Business (50 or fewer emp.)

**Reviewed Date:** August 14, 2025

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

I like Upwork for its ease of use and the flexibility it offers, which allows me to work flexible hours. Setting it up was also very easy, and I appreciate that about the platform.

**What do you dislike about Upwork?**

They do not side with freelancers and keep increasing their fees. They want all of the proof of claims or errors from the freelancer. The client files the dispute and you have to prove it wrong.

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

I use Upwork to earn more income remotely, enjoying its ease of use and flexible hours.


## 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?open_modal_url=%2Fes%2Fproducts%2Fupwork%2Fwishlists%3Fhost_path%3D%252Fproducts%252Fupwork%252Freviews%26source%3Dpdp_avatar&page=9&section=pricing&secure%5Bexpires_at%5D=2026-07-04+13%3A57%3A06+-0500&secure%5Bsession_id%5D=6013d254-f0e4-40d4-93a8-033a3900c09f&secure%5Btoken%5D=0db745cb066b36d1756b2587b07cc0ed036cfd45030614d22be7515711dbb0d5&format=llm_user)
## Upwork Integrations
  - [Adobe Acrobat](https://www.g2.com/products/adobe-acrobat/reviews)
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  - [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 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)
  - [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

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