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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.
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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.
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.
As long as one finds the professional(s) she was looking for, the system works. It's sloppy (as of the UI), but works: money put in escrow, the freelancer does the job, gets paid when finished and both parties are happy.
The issues come when any, literally any problem raises, especially for when the freelancer fails to deliver:
As of Upwork handling your money: It runs back from escrow to your bank account. There are no other options for this. Can't be held in escrow, no "client account" in the system or anything. Means, if the job must get done, so should be posted again, it should also be financed again while one waits for the escrow money to arrive back to the bank account...
Adding to this, if the freelancer doesn't approve this action (e.g. She was gone for good, so won't be around to do so, or simply doesn't care), it takes a good 12-14 business days (in my experience) to get the money back.
As of Upwork handling you, as the "valued" customer: If one asks for help, gets the standardized, copy-pasted answer. If one asks for a solution, gets the same thing, as well as an excuse (mostly "our system works like that"...). If one complains stating this is not good. Gets a negative remark on her account...
I understand those who rate this site 3+ stars. I felt the same way for my 1st, minor project as I found the right candidate and the job was done.
BUT as soon as things go serious, investment goes high and actual professionals should be found for the large scale job, the system starts stuttering, the safety net is gone and one has to realize this site is useless, its processes are killing and very, very silly, as well as the support is impotent.
I definitely do not recommend using this site ever, for any business. Find someone better. It won't be difficult, go to any other provider...
Tip for consumers:
Just don't. Run while you can. Find a better service.
Date of experience: July 3, 2017
I have reached the minimum payout of upworkptr.com few months ago which is $20,000. I've got a total of $24,000 on my total earnings page. I was so excited thinking I hit a jackpot considering this huge and easy money over the net. So I immediately went to the request payout link. To my dismay, it gave me a message that I have not yet reached the minimum payout limit of $20,000 for standard members. I contacted support (no live chat nor forums available) which only replies through email. I was then told to wait for 30 days so I waited for 30 days. I did the same step 30 days after and there it goes again, I still have not reached the minimum pay-out (I already have $54,000 total earnings). I started to think my suspicion might be true, this website may be a scam. To give them benefit of the doubt I emailed support for the 4 time, asking why I still can't request for payout when in fact I'm over the payout limit for standard members and had passed the wait time (according to them which is not on their terms of service.) I got the same reply, I HAVE TO WAIT FOR ANOTHER 30 DAYS TO REQUEST PAY-OUT and INSISTED THAT I UPGRADE MY ACCOUNT. So I responded that I'm through with the waiting time, and never would I upgrade my account without getting the payment first. I have not heard anything again from them since...
Date of experience: March 14, 2011
Goes to show, keep trying, you WILL land a job, if not today, then tomorrow. I love Upwork and i ll be always there.
Date of experience: March 21, 2021
I am a high profile freelancer, worked for some very reputable clients and with years of a successful freelancer career.
I've invested a lot of time and efforts to make my Upwork profile stand out and I did it. I carefully selected what work to show on my Portfolio, I've taken a lot of skill tests on the system in order to prove my expertise.
And it worked for some time. But guess what happened to me this year - they asked me for ID and other documents to prove my identity, this process was hard enough because they rejected my ID image and wanted me to take another shot at it especially for them and then resubmit it. I did it and finally after days spent I was able to verify my profile.
Now (a month later) they just permanently terminated my account without any real reason given. I received a blanket "explanation", that after a quick Google search I found out it was nothing more than a blanket message, sent to many Upwork freelancers, who also ended up with their accounts terminated.
I've tried to at least ask for the real reason, but they failed to provide one. They don't care for freelancers, they are only moved by their own interest on the back of the freelancer community. I believe anyone, who wants to start a freelancer career on Upwork deserves to know the truth how freelancers are treated.
- you will spend a lot and a lot of time and efforts to build your profile,
- you'll be charged 20% (!) for the services, that you provide,
- and you may end up with a permanently terminated account at any time, with no explanation whatsoever and no possibility to appeal it.
All in all I think Upwork is a very wrong place to make a freelancer career online, really toxic for your career development. They will feed on you and your skills, but will dump you out whenever they want. You have no rights there. Like back in the days of slavery.
Don't get burned just like I did.
Tip for consumers:
Stay away from this toxic place for any reputable freelancer!
Date of experience: June 30, 2017
I've read the posts here and all your experiences are the same as mine. They suspended my account just because of a stingy client who reported me by telling him he's stingy. They are just on the client's side. So no matter how hard you explain yours, it will never matter to them because we are just freelancers. Their Help Support is NEVER a HELP because they are all one sided. They don't give you another chance because ONE MISTAKE you make will MAKE YOUR ACCOUNT BE SUSPENDED. This is totally insane. Another thing is the 20% deduction from our salary. How come they've come up with that? We are the ones working, not sleeping just to work, and Upwork is getting that percent from our earnings! I don't know if there is a way to FILE A LAWSUIT to this company but I am hoping that one day, Upwork will be down and just be gone so the new CEO and his cohorts will regret all their unfair treatment and abuse to us freelancers. I am really hoping and praying for that to happen. I hope someone will start something for the LAWSUIT.
Date of experience: February 27, 2017
Upwork is totally fraud. They close my account without any reason. Avoid freelancer to work on upwork.
Date of experience: December 10, 2016
The best platform I experienced as a struggling freelancer. I appreciate their effort for newcomers like me.
Date of experience: October 23, 2020
Thanks Upwork, my dream super seller of Upwork, I always happy for working in upwork.com.
Best regards
Date of experience: April 2, 2021
Excellent services by all means. Also the best platform for professional freelancers and the source of income.
Date of experience: August 18, 2020
There are many project for every body from different skills and background. And, it provides safe transaction.
Date of experience: November 9, 2020
Very cool service, very professional, trust and authenticity is at upper level.
Will go for order again.
Date of experience: August 31, 2020
They scam people out of money and reject profiles based on appearance very racist and horrible company
Date of experience: May 19, 2017
Excellent platform for skilled person to perform jobs while ensuring save payments for both freelancers and clients.
Date of experience: December 10, 2020
Tried several platforms but none are as organized and professionally supportive as Upwork — it's definitely the best place to freelance on the web.
Date of experience: July 27, 2020
Hello fellow freelancers! I must warn you before you waste your time like i did.
They charge at least 20% of your income on upwork. If your hourly rate is 60$, they release 48$/hour to you. I believe this portion is unfair. There is a wild competition among freelancers on upwork. To be able to get projects, you must decrease your hourly rates. It; s just making you less and less valuable. You may find yourself at 30$/h, 20% (6$) of this goes to Upwork. 24$/h, are we doing UBER? By the way they don't find any clients for you. You must spend hours to be able to find a project and convince the client.
After you work for hours, Upwork may suspend your contract with your client without asking you any single question. So you may find yourself unpaid and helpless with tired eyes looking at the screen. They don't have an online help service. They want you to send an email to them regarding this contract or payment problems. And what you get as an answer is a list of possibilities why the contract is suspended. When I told them I will cancel my account and leave if they don't pay the money I deserved. They sent me a reply explaining how to leave! :): ) Thanks for showing the way out! They make money from your efforts and they even don't ask any single question to you before they dare to suspend your contracts.
I feel extremely disappointed. They don't have clear guidelines showing how to use the hourly working system. And if there is anything missing, even if the job is done, even if the client has no complaints, they may suspend the contract. They are disrespectful to your efforts. My client felt bad and he tried to pay me out of upwork since he knows i deserved that money.
Date of experience: May 30, 2019
Yes, I got my best freelancing site that is Upwork. Highly recommended to work on Upwork if you are a highly skilled person. Thanks.
Date of experience: October 23, 2020
A great workspace for writers you will start at low prices but you can pick up fast and earn decently if you are dedicated
Date of experience: June 25, 2020
I like this site, it's so helpful most of freelance member. Keep up your site active so that many job hunters find their jobs.
Date of experience: November 9, 2020
I am just starting working at Upwork and do not have much experience, but I am enjoying it so far. Can recommend to try.
Date of experience: June 26, 2023
I am a freelance engineer and have found Upwork to be a great platform to connect with clients that match my areas of expertise.
Date of experience: November 16, 2020
I am really happy to work on upwork.com. Upwork is an honest business platform. I am here long time. Thanks for giving me chance.
Date of experience: April 11, 2021
Its a good place for freelancers to find clients or to get additional work. If you know your field, you wont have any problems
Date of experience: September 10, 2020
I like that the service cares about customers and their protection from fraud. If you work honestly, the service will help to earn money.
Date of experience: February 17, 2021
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