• Bookmark

    Upwork

Upwork

Write a Review

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

This company does not typically respond to reviews

Positive reviews (last 12 months): 16.7%
Positive
3
Neutral
0
Negative
15
View ratings trends
270
See all photos
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
See positive reviews
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
See critical reviews

Reviews (2,119)

Rating

Timeframe

Other

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 juliab33
Iowa
1 review
4 helpful votes
  • Send Message
February 21st, 2015

Elance got me started writing professionally. I made sure my proposals stood out from the rest… And I was able to gain a couple of good writing jobs that have been paying very well. There is a lot of competition on Elance but if you take the time to write a good proposal and show them just what you can do then you should be able to get what you're looking for.
The fee they receive is a little bit high but if it wasn't for elance I wouldn't be making the money that I am making today.

Date of experience: February 21, 2015

Thumbnail of user katt30
South Africa
1 review
10 helpful votes
  • Send Message
November 18th, 2015

I had my 5 star account closed without any warning. I was informed that my client satisfaction was low and they would not reconsider my account. That was in September. Since then I have had numerous emails from them telling me that my account satisfaction is low and I should try to improve it. The latest email states that I need to pay a client back $9 as they found I had not completed the job to satisfaction. Fine. I just wanted Elance out of my life so I agreed to pay. Now I have been told I need to do a wire transfer as they don't accept PayPal. So I need to pay $45 in fees and drive a 4 hour round trip to sort out a money transfer. Yeah right. Elance can go jump in a lake.

Date of experience: November 18, 2015

Thumbnail of user johnbillym
Philippines
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
October 31st, 2020

I'm now a 1 year upworker and still working on some of my clients before, will continue working on this platform for the security of payment and also build and develop my skills as a video editor and graphic artist.

Date of experience: October 31, 2020

Thumbnail of user justint460
KR
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
April 10th, 2022

Recently, hired the team from India and it ended up $#*!ty and not completed project I have complained about the freelancer to upwork and they could not help. And I have ended my project and tried to get the files that has been so far and I have paid 90% of the total project cost. And upwork could not even helped to the files. They kept say "We understand your situation blah blah " but nothing was use-full. I have left feedback for the freelancer and I did not know that freelancer can delete the client's feed which was worse than I expected UPWORK"S service.

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality

Date of experience: April 10, 2022

Thumbnail of user markl135
New York
1 review
1 helpful vote
  • Send Message
August 26th, 2015

Hello,

For the individuals that read my last review. I wanted to post the link again for app opera. I believe that this can be a better alternative to Elance for both the customers and the developers. This company will take your comments and suggestions seriously because they want to provide world class service to their customers. I was very impressed with their service. Below is the link

www.appopera.com

Date of experience: August 26, 2015

Thumbnail of user maximb34
RU
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
December 22nd, 2020

Upwork strictly selects freelancers to the apply to the exchange. Next, verifies the freelancer via video communication. This helps to validate the competence of the freelancer. Therefore, real proffessionals work with clients. I recommend all employers to post job on this platform

Date of experience: December 22, 2020

Thumbnail of user nirmals14
India
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
November 25th, 2020

I am a Front-end developer. I was doing job 9-5. After that, I decided to leave the job and started full-time freelancing. On startup, 2-3 months were tough and hard to survive. But after that, I won more jobs on Upwork and did hard work to get a Top Rated Badge on Upwork.
Thank you, Upwork to give us the freedom of freelancing.
Nirmal Singh

Date of experience: November 24, 2020

Thumbnail of user merryr1
District of Columbia
1 review
6 helpful votes
  • Send Message
September 2nd, 2015

After contacting Elance to discuss a Freelancer who behaved, in my opinion, in a very unprofessional manner and supplying screenshots as requested, Elance informed me that they would most likely NOT provide me with the outcome of the review of the problem. Useful? No...

Date of experience: September 2, 2015

Thumbnail of user samuels397
Slovakia
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
December 11th, 2020

I have only good experience on Upwork. Its great platform for remote work. Getting jobs or finding freelancers to help to work on stuff that you need is realy easy. Freelances on Upwork have lot of opportunities to find various jobs that they need.

Date of experience: December 10, 2020

Thumbnail of user violeti9
Arizona
1 review
2 helpful votes
  • Send Message
March 5th, 2023

Do not sign up with this company on any of your future projects. Poor costumer service and bad support. I hired someone to finish a job for me, the name of this stupid unprofessional person is Sanjivani P. Do not hire this person! She was sitting in a cave in India probably watching YouTube videos how to build a website. Very poor service and no creativity at all. I've been charged $287 for a work that was not done properly and the job I assigned her was not done. She messed up all my previous work and she has no basic idea how to upload photos on a website. Poor communication and bad service. Whatever you say or do Noone will stand up for you. They don't care about their clients, they are trying to get as many hours as they can and as many money from you. Horrible experience!

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality

Date of experience: March 5, 2023

Thumbnail of user dmitryn6
RU
8 reviews
6 helpful votes
  • Send Message
November 11th, 2018

1. Too expensive. 20% on the freelancer's side + some % on employer side + 1% transfer fee + monthly payment
2. Can't upload files more than 20M in the 'submit job' form, although can upload big file in the chat.
3. Have to pay $3500 to quit Upwork with a client

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality

Date of experience: November 9, 2018

Thumbnail of user saadk13
Pakistan
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
March 30th, 2021

I am using Upwork for some time now and I am quite happy to say that it is the best platform for those who have the skill and who want to earn online by providing their services.
The only concern that I have with Upwork is their policy is a bit too strict about Job success score (JSS). Otherwise, I am quite happy with the services Upwork is providing. I will definitely recommend to all those who have tried many different ways to earn online that should try Upwork.

Tip for consumers:
Never gave up, just work hard and try try again. Harder, you fall higher you bounce.

Products used:
I sell my services

Service
Value
Returns
Quality

Date of experience: March 30, 2021

Thumbnail of user williams726
Florida
1 review
8 helpful votes
  • Send Message
September 6th, 2016

I am a freelancer who occasionally uses Upwork. I was ripped off last week by a client who canceled my contract and asked Upwork not to pay me. I protested this action to Upwork and requested arbitration. My protest was denied because "I had not taken notes on the work that I was doing." Upwork has screen shots of my work plus a copy of the completed work yet used a technicality to avoid payment. It is my belief that THERE IS NO ARBITRATION. Upwork will always side with the client. I placed a call to a "Dispute Resolution Specialist" who knew only enough to read from a prepared script. He was, of course, in India and had no ability whatsoever to interpret the dispute. I gave Upwork two stars instead of one because their website is at least much easier to use than others.

Date of experience: September 6, 2016

Thumbnail of user mahmouda61
PS
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
September 2nd, 2020

I am Recommending work on Upwork because they have nice and high quality of supporting for us as a freelancers and gives us all the attention to make our experience in their website extremely excellent, I love Upwork very much.

Date of experience: September 2, 2020

Thumbnail of user darnello1
South Africa
1 review
1 helpful vote
  • Send Message
April 2nd, 2020

I am a skilled Tekla Draughtsman with over 12 years of experience. I worked as a project manager and drawing office manager but somehow, I am not skilled enough to join Upwork. I resubmitted my application 3 times, but they still think that I am not skilled enough. They wasted my time. Don't even bother with them big time waste.

Date of experience: April 2, 2020

Thumbnail of user darkov4
MK
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
December 10th, 2020

I've been work in Upwork (previously oDesk) for 8 years and they have been very helpful for me as a freelancer and I love that they are working to improve their platform and satisfy both sides (clients and freelancers).

I feel more and more comfortable working on Upwork and I am more and more satisfied with their assistance.

Date of experience: December 9, 2020

Thumbnail of user ksdesignd
Ohio
1 review
7 helpful votes
  • Send Message
October 1st, 2014

Hello,

Elance is the biggest scam I have come across, my account had loads of connects which came with my membership.
I was accumulating them for few months, they suddenly suspended my account. This came wthout any warning or notification to me. There is no appeal process as well. I have lost connects worth months of membership money which they charged to my
Card. Biggest scammers, shameful company, I would never register in their workplace again.

With Regards,
Kscoped

Tip for consumers:
Please do not use this site, they are scammers who run away with your money

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality

Date of experience: October 1, 2014

Thumbnail of user maximiliana1
New York
1 review
8 helpful votes
  • Send Message
June 4th, 2016

After eLance was acquired by Upwork, we were forced to use this site. From the low level of support to the platform, everything has been a huge step back for us. And we can't even close our account since their system has been down since yesterday!
I wonder how worse a service company can be. STAY AWAY FROM THIS!

Date of experience: June 4, 2016

Thumbnail of user sheebad2
India
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
July 27th, 2020

I joined Upwork or Elance as it was called then in 2014, when we started IoT solutions development and was looking to reach customers; clueless as we were, as to who they were and what they were looking for. Upwork not only gave us customers who were looking for cutting-edge solutions; the rating system kept us agile and sharp.
I am very happy with Upwork without which we wouldn't have developed our IoT capabilities.

The only issue I have is the lack of transparency in the rating system - we have had 100% job success score most of the time, but some times it is just reduced for a client not having communicated for long and keeping a project open. If we are given some warning before hand then we could take action; as we are not deliberately doing it. We stick to all the Upwork terms. Client responses to bids drastically comes down when the rating is anything less than 100.

Date of experience: July 27, 2020

Thumbnail of user joannem36
Pennsylvania
1 review
12 helpful votes
  • Send Message
November 14th, 2015

I want to know which FEDERAL AGENCY I can ask to investigate this group. They take money into escrow and then it magicallly disappears. Freelancers write with complaints about money and completed work disappearing. The site is IMPOSSIBLE to navigate, with tabs and labels that make no sense. Oh! Do NOT enroll or sign up. So much of my outsourced work has been lost, incomplete, late or never even received by the bidder. On a side note, the freelancers are non English speakers who really cannot handle even mildly sophisticated projects.

Date of experience: November 14, 2015

Thumbnail of user sharm87
Hong Kong
1 review
2 helpful votes
  • Send Message
August 22nd, 2017

They withheld the connects that I had subscribed for just because they were carried forward and though I was applying for the proposals clients did not respond. They do not have a stron policy for the payment that a freelancer makes. Very bad policy.

Date of experience: August 22, 2017

Thumbnail of user antonioc202
Portugal
4 reviews
7 helpful votes
  • Send Message
May 12th, 2021

I had 200usd from a job that wsn´t done and was refund and I left in my account. Now my money is not in my balance and upwork refuse to transfer my money to me.

According to the support:

"As we have not received any response nor action from our previous communication, the funds have already been sent to the state of Delaware on 02/18/2021."

They can´t give my money and if this is true, they have to pay to me.

Tip for consumers:
Plesae don´t use this site.

Products used:
Was a IT service.

Service
Value
Quality

Date of experience: May 12, 2021

Thumbnail of user marjana4
Serbia
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
July 4th, 2020

I started off way back when Elance and oDesk were still a thing, they were great but something was missing and then UpWork came to be. Rarely will you see a platform skyrocket to success like UpWork did but this is well justified. From the clean design, easy to use interface and lots of must-have features to a professional community that keeps on giving, super-friendly and helpful staff and plenty to explore, UpWork has it all and thereby remains in top of my list of best freelancing platforms that a freelancer must be on. For the 4 year's I've been a Top Rated member I have met some truly amazing people to work with. It's that one site where you enjoy your profession like you're meant to and earn extra needed to help you and your family. I have only the best of recommendations for UW!

Date of experience: July 4, 2020

Thumbnail of user mohameds168
Egypt
1 review
0 helpful votes
  • Send Message
January 31st, 2021

To be honest UpWork is different than any of other applications, the high level security make upwork unique the quality of the clients and freelancers in the site are different, rarely to see inappropriate posts or tricky clients and freelancers, it the best olace to work in

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality

Date of experience: January 30, 2021

Thumbnail of user ionc1
Ohio
1 review
5 helpful votes
  • Send Message
January 29th, 2017

At any moment they closed my account for verification. After passed verification could not import my profile from elance.com. After i put 5-6 bids they decided again to close my account - had not picked after 5-6 bids. Arrogant and greedy managers

Date of experience: January 29, 2017

Sitejabber for Business

Gain trust and grow your business with customer reviews.

From the business

Find freelancers and freelance jobs on Upwork - the world's largest online workplace where savvy businesses and professional freelancers go to work!

Company Representative

Thumbnail of user visitors
Visitor S.
Typically does not respond to reviews

How do I know I can trust these reviews about Upwork?

  • Sitejabber’s mission is to increase online transparency for buyers and businesses
  • Sitejabber has helped over 200M buyers make better purchasing decisions online
  • Suspicious reviews are flagged by our algorithms, moderators, and community members
Have a question about Upwork?