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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

This company does not typically respond to reviews

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 malikf17
Pakistan
1 review
1 helpful vote
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May 23rd, 2020

I always thought, freelancing isn't my thing and sitting on laptop and bidding for jobs isn't what I can do. But, I finally realized, this is a great way to work and earn money. I was already doing sourcing in China since 2 years but never thought about doing it online. But freelancing is the future.
I signed up on UpWork last month, I didn't use it for the first month, but since I have been active on this platform, I have done 3 jobs yet. My first job was for 100$.
I'm excited to build my profile and take it to next level. Cheers

Date of experience: May 23, 2020

Thumbnail of user hostang
Canada
1 review
4 helpful votes
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September 22nd, 2017

A complete nightmare of a network, I strongly believe it's due to the fact they use offshore call centers or support team that have no idea on how to deal with the international business community and its standards! A complete pity because there some good potential clients in there, how do you cancel a worker after he clocked hundreds of hours on the basis of ID, that we supplied you with?

Date of experience: September 22, 2017

Thumbnail of user maryo427
Oklahoma
1 review
0 helpful votes
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July 11th, 2020

I have used this online platform for several years now. Overall, it's great! It frees up my time as I can easily find work and have found some long-term clients too. I don't have to chase down my payments as they are guaranteed and that saves a lot of time and hassle too. My only complaint is the huge fees they charge. Of course, I just pass this on to my clients, and that's sad. Other than that it's a secure and safe place to find consistent work.

Date of experience: July 10, 2020

Thumbnail of user stevend88
BO
1 review
9 helpful votes
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March 26th, 2017

These filthy scammers stole my hard earned money. Beware. I strongly advise people not to use this website. They will close your account under any excuse and. Believe they have many, many excuses to do this. Such as ¨Your skills are irrelevant¨ and other false claims. The bottom line is they steal your hard earned money.

Date of experience: March 26, 2017

Thumbnail of user arkadiic
RU
1 review
0 helpful votes
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October 7th, 2020

Long story short, I was in search of a job of a web developer. I tried to find local job in Russia but the prices companies offered for my job was unsatisfying for me. I had an upwork account and decided to try it working there. I grew up fast during 1 month. Picked up the first client and now I am having a bunch of clients and a lot of job. I raised my skills as a developer and come closer to my life goals much faster than I expected. Highly recommend this platform especially if you have some skills.

Date of experience: October 6, 2020

Thumbnail of user ritcher
Philippines
1 review
0 helpful votes
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November 16th, 2020

ODesk was an answered prayer to me! I have been working in an office set up environment until I resigned due to changed circumstance. Gratefully, I found greener pasture at oDesk, now Upwork. Thank you so much for the privilege to work internationally while in the comfort of my home.

Date of experience: November 15, 2020

Thumbnail of user yuryv1
Ukraine
1 review
0 helpful votes
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March 11th, 2021

I am a video editor and I have only recently registered on upwork, but I have already received two orders that allowed me to earn good money. I have tried to offer my services on the local freelance exchanges in Russia and Ukraine before upwork, but I have not received any orders for a long time.
It seems to me that upwork offers freelancers great opportunities to make money.

Date of experience: March 11, 2021

Thumbnail of user shujahath1
Pakistan
1 review
2 helpful votes
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December 15th, 2020

I feel glad & proud to be a member of Upwork best platform.
Upwork is the best freelancing marketplace in the world. I love Upwork so much, because of its pattern, style & easy steps to work on it.
Their payment system is very fast to deliver the payment in your account & protecting from fraudsters and scammer activities. I really appreciate the Upwork supporting team, hope they will do all the best in the future as well.
Thanks & Regards
Shujahat Hussain

Date of experience: December 15, 2020

Thumbnail of user sakibh4
Bangladesh
1 review
0 helpful votes
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June 17th, 2020

I'm working with upwork for a couple of months now. Due to my low activity, I have not done much job till now but whatever I did, I am very satisfied with the working environment. Its safe, its easy, its modest and most of all, it's fun.

Date of experience: June 17, 2020

Thumbnail of user kirylp
Poland
1 review
0 helpful votes
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February 26th, 2021

It's really a great website for people who desire to work remotely and earn money from their skills and talents. This Website provides you 100% of safety during contracts. It's pleasure for me to work on this platform. Upwork brings me only positive emotions! Convenient, Fast, Safety.

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Quality

Date of experience: February 26, 2021

Thumbnail of user pamelag357
New York
1 review
0 helpful votes
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May 25th, 2020

Upwork has forever made me into a writing entrepreneur. I consistently get clients and the staff at Upwork is there for you 24 hours a day to answer all of your questions. They are all very personable as well. It is a cumulative experience so the more work you get and the positive reviews come in, the greater your chances are of being hired each time.

Date of experience: May 25, 2020

Thumbnail of user jonathang496
North Dakota
1 review
0 helpful votes
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February 23rd, 2021
Verified purchase

Nothing else has lowered the barriers to freelancing as much as Upwork has. I had skills and experience, but no qualifications or certifications - and it didn't matter. I was able to find clients and start earning more than I had in my previous career. It's important to take time to learn how the system works, to continue to develop professionally, and to network and find other channels for finding clients, but Upwork got me going and kept me going for a long time like nothing else could.

Service
Value
Quality

Date of experience: February 23, 2021

Thumbnail of user aleksandarg10
Serbia
1 review
0 helpful votes
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March 4th, 2021

Upwork is a very serious and professional website for freelancers and anyone who wants to do this kind of business. I warmly recommend everyone who has the will and who is persistent in their intentions.

Service
Value
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Quality

Date of experience: March 4, 2021

Thumbnail of user carolinag62
Pennsylvania
1 review
0 helpful votes
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September 1st, 2020

I am a starting Freelancer. It is hard to find jobs at the beginning but Upwork gives very good tools to learn how to create a good profile and winning proposals. Of course at the beginning is very difficult to get jobs because some of them need experienced freelancers, or because you don't know hot to reach the client.
Only thing that I don't like about Upwork is that it charges 20% to the Freelancer when you have jobs for less than $500. I think for starters its too much since we are trying to make a living of it.

Date of experience: September 1, 2020

Thumbnail of user jenelp
Philippines
1 review
0 helpful votes
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February 12th, 2021

Upwork is a great website that offers services and jobs to freelancers like me. It helps us to reach out to our clients easily and our monetary allowances are very safe. Well-recommended! Loving it forever!

Service
Value
Quality

Date of experience: February 11, 2021

Thumbnail of user jimmyd46
Georgia
1 review
9 helpful votes
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June 29th, 2016

I am very annoyed that they wasted my time. I have almost 30 years of experience but they were concerned with a mean nothing college degree. Whatever been dealing with that BS all mylife. I certainly don't need to make money for anyone but myself. That's why I started freelancing anyway- tired of others trying to make money off my skills.

Date of experience: June 29, 2016

Thumbnail of user farrukha1
Pakistan
1 review
2 helpful votes
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February 9th, 2017

This is just an other semi fraud company first of all they will deduct 20% from your earning, and they will randomly create blocks on your account.

I had 60 connects available i used just 20 and got account suspended, reason told by site administration was that i 5 to 10 contract application.

They allow 60 connects and by just using 5 of them you get you account suspended better not uses this website waste of time and may be a future scam in making.

Tip for consumers:
Donot use this website.

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Value
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Quality

Date of experience: February 9, 2017

Thumbnail of user kaitlyng5
Oklahoma
1 review
17 helpful votes
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July 1st, 2016

I have used this site for several freelance projects. I also help clients in my non-profit to start their own businesses and have recommended Upwork to them. Because of this Upwork suspended my account claiming I had multiple accounts. They will not tell me why they think this but listed several of my clients as "linked."
I explained the situation and asked why they thought this. They are all separate individuals with their own accounts and verified financial accounts. However Upwork still tried to demand copies of driver licenses and bank statements to "prove" these were individuals.
This is an absolute violation of privacy and completely unreasonable not to mention unnecessary. I will have to find a new site for myself and my many clients to use.

Date of experience: July 1, 2016

Thumbnail of user faizq
Pakistan
1 review
0 helpful votes
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January 20th, 2021

In today time up-work is one of the best platform for the beginners and for the experienced as well, when you are doing business on up-work you don't have need of any job even you can be a entrepreneur by making numbers of clients.

Service
Value
Shipping
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Quality

Date of experience: January 20, 2021

Thumbnail of user hosseinn3
Turkey
1 review
0 helpful votes
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July 27th, 2020

Upwork is a platform for professionals not rookies, for people who want to grow with big businesses not who are looking for a second job as a hobby. I met very professional and well paid projects from New York to Australia and some of the employers became my best friends and colleagues now.
Thanks Upwork for this opportunity.

Date of experience: July 27, 2020

Thumbnail of user furkanc7
Turkey
1 review
1 helpful vote
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December 25th, 2020
Verified purchase

Upwork gives you a reliable, secured and free world to work. If you want to improve yourself, learn new things to do the jobs or earn money by your skills, Upwork is the place you need. Easy to reach jovs/clients, clear job descriptions, reliable clients and trusted website. You are sure while offering a proposal, accepting an offer, doing the job or with payments. Upwork has thought everything for you!

Tip for consumers:
Work hard, earn money and talent.

Products used:
I did jobs, got payments.

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality

Date of experience: December 24, 2020

Thumbnail of user dang41
Nevada
9 reviews
37 helpful votes
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February 14th, 2021

So you find a freelancer that might fit the bill, you cannot direct message them without an upgraded account. You can "Invite" them which means you have to post a job to all freelancers, not just to the person you are interested in. In order to direct message the freelancer, I had to use the Hire option but I still don't really know if I want to hire this person since we haven't even exchanged even one msg. Goofy system (by design).

Date of experience: February 14, 2021

Thumbnail of user amits192
India
1 review
0 helpful votes
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November 4th, 2020

I am a full stack web developer and UX/UI designer. I started serving in Upwork and it really helps me to expose my design and technical skills throughout the world. Its really wonderful to work and experience with people around the globe and help them solve various problems. I also realized that it is challenging but worth it.

Date of experience: November 4, 2020

Thumbnail of user joyn27
Philippines
1 review
3 helpful votes
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May 26th, 2017

They suspended me for sending too many proposal when in real life situations that's like sending many CV to many potential clients. What sort of people would suspend you for actually trying to find a successful contact for you to start work? What a horrible site. Turns out I'm not the only one who had problem with the site. To summaries my experience with UPWORK.com they are not helpful at all. Not helpful to those who are genuinely looking for freelance work. Giving them 1 star isn't even worth it. They deserve no star.

Date of experience: May 26, 2017

Thumbnail of user angela307
Florida
1 review
12 helpful votes
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October 14th, 2020

So Far I've been on Upwork for a month and I've had about 5 gigs come my way. Once I figured out how to best present my work on the platform and approach clients. I got several projects. I think the best thing about the platform as a freelancer is the safety net of having a third party secure the funds and payment from prospective clients. So far it's been a good experience and I recommend the platform.

Date of experience: October 14, 2020

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