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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 7th 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
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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 irfanz1
Pakistan
1 review
1 helpful vote
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March 10th, 2021

There is just one thing need to be fix we spend money to buy connects, now we are facing difficulty when we have to apply on any job for 6 or 4 connects. Only this thing has to be fixed. 2 connect are best to apply on any job.
One more thing some clients are interviewing a lot of freelancers but sometimes they just don't reply many of their freelancers. There must be apply some rules on clients as well.

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality

Date of experience: March 10, 2021

Thumbnail of user tanjak11
BA
1 review
0 helpful votes
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November 15th, 2020

If you have right skills and are hard working, talented and patient individual this is the right place for you. I have never had any problems with UpWork, and if any misunderstanding occurred it was taken care of in timely manner.
I am recommending UpWork to both freelancers and clients since out of 100% interactions I had 98% successful and only 2% were not... I think it is a good overall score!

Date of experience: November 15, 2020

Thumbnail of user ramons34
1 review
2 helpful votes
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October 18th, 2018

Like this service for the high-quality support and quick cooperation with the client. Yes, Upwork fees feel ridiculous at first, but the longer I use the system, the more I understand the need in place. Clients must verify their payment, they offer payment guaranteed jobs, and I am often approached by Upwork with jobs they matched me up with. The system also organizes my jobs, offers security. I'm doing well and am happy with UpWork and don't plan on switching platforms anytime soon.

Date of experience: October 18, 2018

Thumbnail of user khongorzulb
Mongolia
1 review
0 helpful votes
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November 27th, 2021

Hello, I wanted to share my honest opinion on the Upwork as a Freelancer.
- I have been working on it for half and year. During that time, I get paid from every job I did. There was no scam, no one left me empty handed.
- Upwork support freelancer. They gift 10 connects if you being active and answering proposals. (Connects is thing you use to sent proposals to the client. If you don't have it you buy it.)
- Upwork has an tax. I don't know how tax system works on USA. Anyways, Upwork gets 20% from the every single job you have done. For example, 20$ from 100$. Even though it is high, I think it is worth it considering their safety policy is protecting me.

Date of experience: November 27, 2021

Thumbnail of user uched
Benin
1 review
0 helpful votes
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February 25th, 2021

My stay on upwork has been doubt the best. Freelancing on Upwork is like no other, because of the safe and secure environment, I can work for clients without worrying about them being legit or not. Upwork's environment ensures a safe way for me to meet great clients and showcase my skills and get paid doing it. I really enjoy using Upwork and I'd recommend it to anyone looking to join a freelancing network.

Products used:
Working as a freelancer

Service

Date of experience: February 24, 2021

Thumbnail of user tinat303
Italy
2 reviews
8 helpful votes
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October 15th, 2020

I have a university degree and work experience in the relevant field. Upwork keeps rejecting my application and It is really interesting why I am not considered as good enough for them. They did not even bother to explain well why my application was rejected. They just sent me an email implying I do not have enough skills (I listed my skills on the website though?). They just create unnecessary obstacles for people who are willing to work.

Date of experience: October 15, 2020

Thumbnail of user clairee48
South Africa
1 review
0 helpful votes
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January 4th, 2021

Upwork is an amazing platform offering opportunities to freelancers and companies alike. It has changed my life! They are efficient and responsive. I like that they safeguard both clients and freelancers with their policies. I would recommend any day.

Service
Value
Returns
Quality

Date of experience: January 4, 2021

Thumbnail of user jenb190
Spain
1 review
0 helpful votes
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June 24th, 2020

I have used Upwork for almost 3 years now and I have found it to be a an excellent source of income while living in different countries. I have found interesting, challenging and also, sometimes, mundane work but always a guarantee of payment. I've had no issues and the one thing I really appreciate is that they continue to make it improvements to the platform.

Date of experience: June 24, 2020

Thumbnail of user stacieb237
France
1 review
0 helpful votes
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April 7th, 2022

Upwork is a perfect way to expose your professional skills and experience in order to find quality and fully remote jobs in the area you are proficient. I highly appreciate all the different features available on Upwork because each of them contributes to the freelancer's success.

Products used:
Services provided by Upwork

Date of experience: April 6, 2022

Thumbnail of user pampaj
India
1 review
8 helpful votes
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March 6th, 2017

I request all freelancers from all over the world and clients that please please permanently ban this mother $#*!er site upwork.com. The ceo is a big big mother $#*!er so kindly just kick his $#*! then he will realize what he did or doing with us.

Date of experience: March 6, 2017

Thumbnail of user alexinej
Philippines
1 review
0 helpful votes
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November 8th, 2020

For freelancers who are struggling to get gigs, I highly recommend you to join Upwork. The platform presented a lot of opportunities to me, not only I was earning dollars but I also had the chance to expand my network and meet clients across the world.

Date of experience: November 7, 2020

Thumbnail of user jasong100
Massachusetts
1 review
8 helpful votes
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March 24th, 2017

WASTE OF TIME!

Applied to the site a freelancer - I have 15+ years of experience, and a Master's Degree from a top school, my own consulting firm, etc. Application was rejected as they say there are too many people with my skill set in their system? I'm a digital, general AND brand marketer and have ton of different skills.

When I asked for more specific info, like "do you need analytics skills vs. creative?" as I have experience across the board, I keep get an auto response with the same message.

Tip for consumers:
Stay away!

Service
Quality

Date of experience: March 24, 2017

Thumbnail of user dejanc7
Serbia
1 review
0 helpful votes
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December 15th, 2020

My opinion is, that there is no better online platform to work with Upwork. Of course, like everything in life, everything has its good and less good things, but overall a great experience and that's why I've been at Upwork full time for 5 years and I plan to continue for many years to come.

Date of experience: December 14, 2020

Thumbnail of user nikal2
Malta
1 review
9 helpful votes
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January 24th, 2017

I spent many hours completing my Upwork profile, took tests to show my skills in subjects I have studied and developed expertise in and then found out my account was suspended and I needed to verify my identification. I did so with a video call.

After this, my account was re-activated only to find out that days later it would be suspended again. There was no warning or reasoning behind this decision. I responded through an appeal with copies of all three of my diploma certificates. Their decision was final with no explanation. It was a complete waste of my time setting up my profile and trying to establish myself through their network.

Date of experience: January 24, 2017

Thumbnail of user aleksandrak28
Poland
1 review
0 helpful votes
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November 18th, 2020

I've been using Upwork for over 8 years now and it's great place to get long term clients and build up your freelancer career. There are a lot of opportunities everyday, so if you are wanting to switch from your 9 to 5 and start working remotely it is a great place.

Date of experience: November 18, 2020

Thumbnail of user ayane
Pakistan
1 review
0 helpful votes
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May 11th, 2020

Upwork is one of the best freelancing platform where businesses meet great talent to work without limits. I'm working on Upwork since 1 year and I highly recommend to those who want to work as a freelancer independently and those who are looking for highly talented freelancers from all over the world.

Date of experience: May 11, 2020

Thumbnail of user alia971
California
1 review
0 helpful votes
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June 17th, 2022

Upwork have helped me to jump start my career 15 years ago and even now it is helping me. Instead I started my company Techgallop.com here on UpWork. Though there were few bumps on the road and few more on the way but I am glad I am still working with Upwork.
It challenges me to continuously improve my skills and add my team at Techgallop.com more to our arsenal in order to keep up with the intensely competitive market.
If you are confident in your ability to learn and adapt, this platform is highly recommended.

Tip for consumers:
I think that the best tip I can give people who want to use this site is to try and start now. You would be see for yourself how helpful and how many opportunities there are available.

Products used:
website design
software development

Date of experience: June 17, 2022

Thumbnail of user kushagraj1
India
1 review
0 helpful votes
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January 9th, 2021

It's a great place to find work for freelancers. In the initial days, things might be a bit slow but as you keep applying for jobs your presence will increase and you will start getting a good quality of work and everyone knows that with quality comes money :)

Service
Value
Returns
Quality

Date of experience: January 8, 2021

Thumbnail of user rijaniainaalainr
Madagascar
1 review
0 helpful votes
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September 24th, 2022

Upwork is a reliable site for looking for talent. It is also a website that guarantees the safety of these freelancers. Upwork helps freelancers and employers to achieve their goal with ease. In any case, as a freelancer, upwork allowed me to achieve what I was aiming for in 3 years.

Tip for consumers:
Freelancer and Employer.

Date of experience: September 23, 2022

Thumbnail of user moniruli6
Bangladesh
1 review
0 helpful votes
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December 6th, 2020

I have been working with upwork more than 7 years. I believe this is the best online marketplace now a days. You can find out long term or short term contract from here. I have completed *******+ hours successfully in upwork. I believe this is just beginning for me. Thanks upwork for supporting us and to create a fantastic platform.

Date of experience: December 6, 2020

Thumbnail of user vanessar333
DO
1 review
0 helpful votes
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July 28th, 2021

This could sound dramatic but it's the truth. Finding Upwork changed my life in the best way. I started offering my services on their website and quickly found enough GOOD clients that I was able to quit my job and become a full-time freelancer. I moved to the Caribbean and am currently enjoying the best life thanks to this. In Upwork, you can find serious clients that pay fair prices and value your time and work as a freelancer. I recommend this website 100%

Tip for consumers:
Make sure you have all your goals clear so you can be more noticeable amongst the other freelancers. Find something that separates you from the rest.

Products used:
This company not only offers a job search service but they also have an academy in which you can continue learning from other Freelancers

Service
Value
Quality

Date of experience: July 27, 2021

Thumbnail of user robc66
District of Columbia
7 reviews
17 helpful votes
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July 15th, 2016

I've been working on upwork for a long time (since it was an Odesk).
I was excited when they moved to a new domain upwork.com. I hoped that it will improve some small issues that Odesk had. But unfortunately, when I started using the new site, it became the worst experience working with a freelance platforms.
Guys trying everyday to improve the site usage but I'm not sure when they will get success.
Anyway, there are a lot of good specialist on the site.

Date of experience: July 15, 2016

Thumbnail of user paulm2417
Florida
1 review
1 helpful vote
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February 28th, 2021

I've used both sides of Upwork, as a freelancer and as a client hiring other freelancers. I can tell you from first hand experience Upwork creates an extremely helpful marketplace that is able to actually connect talent with clients who are looking for work. With the pandemic fueling remote based work, I saw that Upwork became even more in-demand and the opportunities are flowing. I encourage everyone to give it a try whether you want to build a side-hustle or a full-time income. OR... if you have a business and need to hire a freelancer to help you with your project, give it a shot!

Date of experience: February 27, 2021

Thumbnail of user ruh17
South Africa
1 review
8 helpful votes
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May 20th, 2016

I was doing quite well on upwork, then one day a client's payment didn't go through. Both my account and the client's account was suspended. Now I don't have any access to my funds (still don't up to this day) just because a client screwed up!
They really take long to reply every time I ask them how the investigation is going; and even then they just reply "We're still looking into it".
Rather just stay away!

Tip for consumers:
Tip: Don't use this site.

Service
Value
Returns
Quality

Date of experience: May 20, 2016

Thumbnail of user alexsisa
MD
3 reviews
0 helpful votes
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February 10th, 2021

I was a freelancer here since it was called oDesk.
Over the years, as both the freelancer and client markets expanded it became harder to find quality work. Despite that it remains a good platform to get your start in the industry. Yes, it's brutal to both clients and freelancers. If you put in the necessary hard work, you'll see growth and success.
Whether the platform works for you or not is all up to how much effort you put in to it.

Service
Value
Quality

Date of experience: February 9, 2021

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