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Upwork

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Overview

Upwork has a rating of 2.5 stars from 2,119 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally dissatisfied with their purchases. Reviewers complaining about Upwork most frequently mention customer service, credit card, and job success problems. Upwork ranks 6th among Freelancing sites.

  • Service
    477
  • Value
    459
  • Shipping
    253
  • Returns
    289
  • Quality
    453

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Positive reviews (last 12 months): 16.7%
Positive
3
Neutral
0
Negative
15
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270
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How would you rate Upwork?
Top Positive Review

“Unlocking Freelance Opportunities with Upwork”

पपीता म.
4/23/24

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

Date of experience: 4/22/24
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Top Critical Review

“Not worth it”

P X.
9/10/24

Business practices are arbitrary and unfair with the cost for freelancers of doing business on the site constantly increasing and various services and perks taken away. Not worth it for freelancers--and clients don't fare much better.

Date of experience: 9/10/24
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Reviews (2,119)

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Reviews that mention popular keywords

customer service (91) freelancing platform (135) credit card (22) customer support (44) payment protection (24) freelancing site (80) bank account (20) freelancing career (25) post jobs (16)
Thumbnail of user cindyf25
Florida
1 review
7 helpful votes
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September 5th, 2015

This toxic company was all right when it started, but evolved into a flagrant example of the sociopathy currently destroying American capitalism. It has sought and obtained a laughable US patent on online competitive bidding. It has tried to compel honest workers into unethical practices and robbed them of the ability to seek justice though arbitration clauses. If workers tried to leave, the company could apparently invent and circulate falsehoods against them, perhaps without legal recourse. I'd say stay far away, but apparently it's finally closing down. I hope they try to turn it around in their next endeavors.

Date of experience: September 5, 2015

Thumbnail of user maej10
Washington
3 reviews
6 helpful votes
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September 29th, 2017

I received an email from Upwork today claiming I have a possible online interview for a job at CBRE. I set up the interview per the emailed instructions and about 10 min into it there were red flags everywhere--the person posing as hiring manager is asking me to buy $200 worth of iTunes cards to be used to "upgrade a laptop" they are sending me next week so that I can work right away. I called a local CBRE office and confirmed it was a scam. So shame on you Upwork! I deleted my account right way.

Date of experience: September 29, 2017

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

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

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

With taht being said i am overall happy with Upwork.

Thank and God bless you.

Best Regards,
Tausif Ahmad Khan.

Service
Value
Quality

Date of experience: July 17, 2022

Thumbnail of user vitaliis1
Ukraine
1 review
0 helpful votes
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August 15th, 2020

Upwork is interesting platform, I'm a developer and found that it's really complicated to find anything appropriate for the short period of time. And it's fine, because it's life and sometimes you just need to wait.

The thing to improve is scoring mechanism, to offer best freelancers to best clients. AFAIK upwork is working on it so hopefully it will work nicely soon.

Date of experience: August 15, 2020

Thumbnail of user nebojsat1
Serbia
7 reviews
60 helpful votes
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December 4th, 2018

I used to be a Rising Talent first then the Top Rated freelancer.

First, there was a 20% fee blow. As a freelance content writer, I can only dream about clients who would pay me $10K+ a year.

Then, I've submitted my suggestions to the Upwork support to improve their membership option more than once. With 60 bids/connects per month there's not much you can do. I didn't like the idea of paying $2 per additional bid.

Eventually, my account got suspended because I was bidding too many times with no success.

Thank you Upwork for all the years I spent there, but you aren't the only freelance platform out there.

Date of experience: December 4, 2018

Thumbnail of user delim
Massachusetts
1 review
6 helpful votes
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October 30th, 2018

Upwork doesn't understand that as a platform that connects freelancers and clients, they have a responsibility by referring freelancers to clients. When there is a problem with the quality of the service they provide, UPWORK will simply say that it is not their problem. It is like you take an UBER and the guy robs you or leaves you in the wrong city and Uber said "It is not my Uber's responsibility. If the driver didn't take you to your destination, you need to talk to the driver". How irresponsible is a company that doesn't understand their role in a commercial agreement? Please save yourself a lot of pain and use other services. Freelancers are great, but from time to time you will find a bad one. Just make sure you use the services of a great platform that takes their business seriously.

Tip for consumers:
Just dont use this service. Try:
Hubstaff Talent
Credo
Fiverr
Freelancer
Outsourcely
Textbroker
Workhoppers
Freeeup
PeoplePerHour

Service
Value
Returns
Quality

Date of experience: October 30, 2018

Thumbnail of user karens307
Pennsylvania
1 review
9 helpful votes
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April 4th, 2017

I have been a successful freelance writer for years, primarily through Elance and private clients in my industry. I began freelancing on Elance and Odesk and both were considerably more responsive. The Upwork site is difficult to navigate and their policies, including 20% fees for freelancers and holding escrowed money for 6 days after release by client is ridiculous. I never work there intentionally but sometimes respond to interview requests.

Date of experience: April 4, 2017

Thumbnail of user arslani1
Turkey
2 reviews
0 helpful votes
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December 9th, 2020

I must begin by saying the platform accommodates freelancers and clients alike. I have found it to be the best remote work platform yet. Just one reservation is the processing time for payments from clients. Otherwise, it offers the most value for your money, time, and efforts.

Service
Value
Shipping
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Quality

Date of experience: December 8, 2020

Thumbnail of user jeffh1043
Utah
1 review
0 helpful votes
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December 13th, 2020

It takes a lot of work to get started. It's taken me the whole of 2020 to get $800. However, the more positive reviews you can collect, the more people start to approach you for jobs. Once you complete a job, the chances of landing similar jobs go up by a lot, and you can swing your weight around bidding for jobs like that one once you have reviews explaining success from someone else.

Bottom line, success is based on performance, but you need really spot on proposals to land gigs before you have positive reviews.

Date of experience: December 12, 2020

Thumbnail of user kaleems
Pakistan
1 review
0 helpful votes
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September 25th, 2021

"I enjoyed working on this project. All expectations and requirements were communicated up front and the client was responsive to any of my requests for clarification. I liked working with her and hope to have the opportunity to work with her again."

Tip for consumers:
APNA business

Products used:
Lead generation

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality

Date of experience: September 24, 2021

Thumbnail of user davidi312
Romania
1 review
0 helpful votes
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October 13th, 2020

I can tell Upwork invests heavily in technology, in customer & freelancer services, new functionalities, attracting major enterprises to their platform. For these, I am very grateful.
I am also grateful for the stability they offer and their exceptional customer (freelancer) support.
The fees are steep but it's understandable to a certain extent, given the above.
In respect to clients you might find on Upwork, there are two major categories: good people and bad people. I guess that is not surprising and it's a general rule of life :).
All in all, Upwork is a great platform to be a part of.

Service
Value
Returns
Quality

Date of experience: October 13, 2020

Thumbnail of user hugot34
Texas
1 review
4 helpful votes
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June 7th, 2021

I was scammed by a dishonest agent and paid $500 for nothing. After 2 months of waiting, the freelancer I hired finally declared that he wasn't able to deliver the work and didn't want to issue a refund. I asked for Upwork's help, and after 3 week of back and forth Upwork finally told me: Due to no agreement reached within the timeline given, the dispute and ticket is closed. You have the option to pursue the case independently outside Upwork"

This is basically called a robbery. Please all be aware that your payments are absolutely NOT protected on Upwork.

Service
Value
Quality

Date of experience: June 7, 2021

Thumbnail of user monikaj21
India
1 review
0 helpful votes
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April 4th, 2021

It's one of the amazing platform for freelancer. Upwork gives awesome opportunities to work with different clients throughout the world. There is no issues regarding payment and anything else. Thanks upwork for giving me the chance to work with amazing people! :)

Date of experience: April 2, 2021

Thumbnail of user bilalu
Italy
2 reviews
0 helpful votes
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July 3rd, 2020

I have been a part-time freelancer for over a decade and Upwork is the only platform where I have managed to find trustworthy and long-term clients that have quality work as well. Upwork's fees are quite high and while that could be discouraging in the beginning, I would urge a newbie to stick it through the initial period to reap the rewards later. If you're talented, you will soon get solid responses from clients. I've had to turn down offers at points because I couldn't manage the workload. Thank you Upwork for a great platform. I would love it if they charged a smaller premium fee but for the opportunities we are getting, I guess that's a price worth paying.

Date of experience: July 2, 2020

Thumbnail of user praveens44
Canada
1 review
5 helpful votes
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May 18th, 2020

Suggestion from a former loyal Upwork user - DO NOT USE IT. I'd been putting up with their high service fee (20%) charges as I believed that they were a reliable platform - but I was wrong.

Their customer service is TERRIBLE - rude and ignorant. If you did anything "they determined to be wrong" and that you aren't even aware of, next thing you'll find your account being suspended, and you'll receive an accusation email requesting you to write a statement like you have committed a crime.

If you don't follow their "rules", they'll do whatever they want to your account - for example, delete your information, terminate your account - because you are not "behaving".

Oh, forgot to mention their "conversion fee" - 12% of your 12-month earning. Don't know what they invented that for, but be careful as what you have been working hard on could be easily taken just like that. How convenient.

Date of experience: May 18, 2020

Thumbnail of user kevinc1180
California
1 review
0 helpful votes
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September 29th, 2020

Upwork has changed everything about the way I write. I've read some of the other, more negative, reviews and I can remember some of the frustrations they have about the fees and finding the real, viable clients. You have to do the work and build your profile. I've done so and result is that I now have high-paying clients seeking me out (so I never pay to submit anymore). The 10% finder's fee I pay them is well worth it (and is exactly what I pay my reps in the "real world" for my offline connections in my industry). Upwork is excellent - get on there and build your profile... then the jobs will come to you...

Date of experience: September 29, 2020

Thumbnail of user aarons544
Ohio
1 review
0 helpful votes
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February 8th, 2021

Upwork has quality clients. I've tried a few different sites in the past to look for creative work (screenwriter, storyboards, animation) and I find that it's hard to stand out from the crowd even if your work is on a different level than those in your same field.

Upwork puts you where you need to be. I have had multiple clients contact me without having to go find work which is great.

The only downside is that when you have a good paying reoccurring client, Upwork keeps their rates too high. I can take a client off site to a contract company like Bonsai and more of the money goes into my pocket.

Service
Value
Quality

Date of experience: February 8, 2021

Thumbnail of user huguettem
Canada
1 review
6 helpful votes
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October 29th, 2013

Same thing happened to me. Month after month, they are telling me over and over again that I have to wait for another month. They owe me to this day 96,500.00$ and never paid me anything. I even sent the support service with a copy of my back office to show them that I was way over the 20,000.00$ minimal payout, but they never got back at me. No answer, no explanations nothing!

Date of experience: October 29, 2013

Thumbnail of user vanoirj
Brazil
1 review
0 helpful votes
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June 10th, 2020

You can see in every detail the high level of professionalism. The site is clean and beautiful, you have the relevant information, many features and even a desktop software. But, for me, the most important thing is the amount of work with Moodle, that you can't find anywhere else. I use and recommend.

Date of experience: June 10, 2020

Thumbnail of user rachelg34
Arkansas
1 review
7 helpful votes
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May 14th, 2015

I built my freelance writing and editing portfolio through Elance. I have worked with amazing clients and started my freelance career via this site. 99% of my experience has been positive. I can't vouch for everyone on the site, but I have been able to be selective about whom I work with. For the past ten months, I've watched my confidence, professional skills, and bank account grow.

Date of experience: May 14, 2015

Thumbnail of user joer813
Canada
6 reviews
32 helpful votes
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October 27th, 2022

I hired a freelancer on Upwork.com, who ended up scamming me for big money. I tried to get help from customer service, but they refused to do anything! Stay away from this scammy website! It is very similar to Fiverr, both full of scammy freelancers and have poor customer support!

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Value
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Quality

Date of experience: October 27, 2022

Thumbnail of user mariar512
Germany
1 review
7 helpful votes
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October 9th, 2019

I am apparently one of many who also received an email stating that my UpWork account would be closed without notice. It happened around 2 months after my father died. I had spent 1 whole month helping my mother with insurances and lawyers and after that I was sick for 5 weeks, was barely able to work but I did the minimum which entailed my own office work so I wasn't on UpWork.
I was shocked when I received the email. Weeks later I checked to see if I had been paid at the end of the quarter and to my disbelief, UpWork had not sent me the money owed.

This is unforgivable.

Sincerely,
Maria Robichaud

Date of experience: October 9, 2019

Thumbnail of user daianac5
Argentina
1 review
0 helpful votes
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October 26th, 2020

I started working on Upwork a year ago and I couldn't be happier. The amount of job offers is really good, and their support team is top notch. My profile and income scaled substantially since I started. Best freelancing site ever.

Date of experience: October 25, 2020

Thumbnail of user mohammada375
Bangladesh
1 review
0 helpful votes
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December 25th, 2020

It has been just a month, I started working on Upwork. Working on this site for a month, I had noticed that Upwork allows the clients and freelancers to have a business relationship easily. It's what makes this site, one of the leading freelancing sites in the whole world.

Service
Value
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Quality

Date of experience: December 25, 2020

Thumbnail of user mini.mad.gabre
GB
8 reviews
2 helpful votes
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May 18th, 2023

Upwork is a great tool to make some extra cash on the side. All fees are upfront. Prepare yourself... you need to build your profile and do a handful of jobs before you get a proper rating. So do all sorts of quick and cheap jobs to start with to earn yourself a rating so that you can secure bigger tasks

Date of experience: May 18, 2023

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