• Upwork

Upwork

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Overview

Upwork has a rating of 2.5 stars from 2,117 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
    475
  • Value
    457
  • Shipping
    251
  • Returns
    287
  • Quality
    451

This company does not typically respond to reviews

Positive reviews (last 12 months): 22.7%
Positive
5
Neutral
0
Negative
17
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.

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.

Reviews (2,117)

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Reviews that mention popular keywords

customer service (91) freelancing platform (135) credit card (22) customer support (43) payment protection (24) freelancing site (80) bank account (20) freelancing career (24) post jobs (16)
Thumbnail of user ryang53
1 review
6 helpful votes
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August 16th, 2016

The idea of Upwork is actually quite a good one. Find a freelancer matching the skillset you need, and pay competitive prices for it.

However, as seen with the majority of the rest of these reviews, they don't actually offer any protection to the customer, with cowboy freelancers rife. I've now used three different freelancers that have blatantly lied about their skills in order to get paid.
Upwork claim that they have buyer protection in place, but their system to refund is flawed and doesn't make sense for the workflow of any business.
All the protection is on the freelancer, use with caution and if in any doubt, claim before 30 days after first payment.
My advice: avoid, use a competitor.

Tip for consumers:
Use with caution and if in any doubt, claim before 30 days after first payment.
My advice: avoid, use a competitor.

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Thumbnail of user denyss7
1 review
0 helpful votes
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November 27th, 2021

It was really hard to become an Upwork freelancer. I couldn't get verification during a year. But that is an actually the main idea how to immerse in the world of the best professionals with the most interesting projects. Decent pay and no fraud.
I love this freelancing platform.

Products used:
Freelance project

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Thumbnail of user iuriiz
1 review
4 helpful votes
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June 18th, 2017

I was using oDesk for ~10 years and liked it, but after it was merged with Elance and started implementing new policies it is terrible to use. High fees, ridiculous terms, fewer payout options, more delays. And recently they just suspended my funds with no reason and require me to video call them to get them back. That was a last drop of my patience. I quit Upwork.

And now I even can not close my account. It says "Thank you for using Upwork.
At this time we are unable to close your account."

Thumbnail of user thaliac25
1 review
5 helpful votes
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July 17th, 2019

I have been an active freelancer on Upwork for the last three years, with a top rated status and a job history of thousands of worked hours. Due to an issue in their system, most of my portfolio items suddenly disappeared. After discussing with support for over 2 months, they concluded that they can't bring back my portfolio just like that. When I told them that this issue has cost me thousands of dollars since I wasn't able to get any jobs these last months, many of my portfolio items have been lost forever, and I would have to re-build everything from scratch, they replied that they are willing to issue me 50 connects (which can be bought at $7.5). Terrible understanding of customer satisfaction.

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

A very reliable freelance platform,there are many jobs every day. I've had the experience of being scammed on other sites, but it's rare on this site. The only shortcoming is the mobile version of Upwork. Message chat interface sometimes works and sometimes doesn't work, When the page doesn't appear, it will say something like "We Couldn't Complete Your Request. Which makes me very upset sometimes. In the choice of school section of the profile, I graduated from a school in France. I can't find it.

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Thumbnail of user rodrigom94
1 review
0 helpful votes
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November 17th, 2020

I always dreamed of working in my own office. God opened this door for me through Upwork. In addition to having my own business, I still work in the comfort of my home with my family close by. God is good at all times!

Thumbnail of user duncanc73
1 review
0 helpful votes
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April 26th, 2021

Upwork is the best platform to help you grow in your career. This platform connects you with clients from various parts of the world and you get to interact with them by working on there projects hence gaining skills in your field of study.

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Thumbnail of user abhishekr8
1 review
7 helpful votes
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August 9th, 2016

I left my job for upwork. Have been working for 2 years have earned around ******* usd over this period from upwork clients and their referrals. Have worked out great for me at least from India. I work in data science projects. Yeah their increasing their fees is a pain

Thumbnail of user alib205
1 review
16 helpful votes
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November 15th, 2020

"Upwork" has consistently been the best stage to work around the world. I won't contrast with others yet as far it is worried about my experience, Upwork has always been on my first need, it is possible that you state FIVERR or some other. Credit to the group endeavoring to give imaginative individuals a space to explore their aptitudes and profit introduction around the globe. I would like to make more progress at meeting new individuals and companies through Upwork. Thankyou, Cheers.

Thumbnail of user eslingerj
2 reviews
0 helpful votes
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August 4th, 2019

I really like their freelancers, not sure why there are that much reviews. Please stop. Be aware that there are good and bad freelancers on UpWork. And you can't rate UpWork because you gave a job to some bad freelancer. You can always take your money back.

10/10 LOVE IT

Thumbnail of user anjalip20
1 review
1 helpful vote
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January 7th, 2021

I was working with a local digital marketing agency pre-covid during early March, and then my reporting manager told me about the lack of writing projects in the company and asked me to search for another job. It was during this time, I updated my profile on Upwork, where I found a couple of writing projects and the best part, they had an escrow system in place which relieved me about the non-payment issues faced by individual freelancers.

I would recommend you to get on Upwork to find relevant jobs and start making a living while freelancing from the comfort of your homes.

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Thumbnail of user naume
1 review
3 helpful votes
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February 6th, 2018

It took me more than 1h! To find how to contact their customer support on their website! It's really hidden and confusing. It looks like they really don't want anyone to contact them.

When I finally wrote them I got an auto reply.

Few more e-mails and quite generic replies followed... I don't even know if it was a real person who answered.

They didn't accept my profile on their platform never got a clear answer why and what shall be improved. At the end now quite happily working via their competitor's platform.

Thumbnail of user muhammadz39
1 review
0 helpful votes
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June 15th, 2020

Upwork is really an amazing platform which provides equal opportunity to all freelancers. I am having great success here in short period of time with best experience with the clients all around the globe. Upwork team is really supportive and they try their best to solve any problems while using Upwork. Highly recommended platform for the one with great skills.

Thumbnail of user maheshm4
1 review
9 helpful votes
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August 10th, 2015

Elance has suspended my account for bidding on proposals. It has been almost more than 2 weeks and their risk management department is not replying to my emails and chats. I have chat with customer support services personals but all in vain. I called on elance helpline but they say me that Risk management department will reply you but they are not contacting me. They also have held my money from withdrawing from my account. Its getting worse and worse... I have noticed that lot of people has facing same issue. Now i understood elance is not safe for keeping balance... they are taking long time for solving a simple matter, don't understanding freelancer feelings

Thumbnail of user uttamg1
1 review
0 helpful votes
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August 27th, 2020

I started from 2011 and still working from upwork. I got excellent clients and worked with almost from all over the globe. Within this time frame I never have to stay without any work from upwork. It's life changing platform. Upwork support is best and very proactive. I can't say anything than thank you so much upwork and upwork team.

Thumbnail of user sumana12
2 reviews
3 helpful votes
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April 7th, 2021

I find this platform really worth spending time in. As a freelancer I find the posts real and serious. Turnaround time for selection of freelancer look very fast. And, UpWork.com as a platform works very professionally. The community inputs are really helpful. Even a new freelancer like me is never lost on any issue. I look forward to a great time ahead working on UpWork.com. Thanks.

Thumbnail of user avad13
3 reviews
30 helpful votes
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March 7th, 2019

I'm going through an arbitration case with Upwork right now. It's horrible. The best Upwork does is email between both parties before requesting $291 more so that the case can go to arbitration. It's the worst. I do not recommend using Upwork at all.

Thumbnail of user ashleyj51
1 review
7 helpful votes
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April 30th, 2016

The concept is good, but most of the jobs offered are scams. Upwork doesn't care to remove scammers. I don't work for free. Wish this site was closed to spare others from the disappointment of not being paid for their work. Don't trust them.

Thumbnail of user davids722
1 review
8 helpful votes
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March 27th, 2017

Upwork cannot be trusted!
They say you can contact them via telephone and email but this is false. They also take unauthorised payments with no way to get them to resolve the dispute.

Don't ever use this company. They should be taken to court.

Thumbnail of user timh642
1 review
0 helpful votes
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May 15th, 2020

I started with Upwork a number of years ago and found success and regular work. It was actually a large piece of where I found work as a voice artist. But then they changed their fee structure and I no longer try to find new work through the site.

We must now pay for audition credits AND they then take a percentage of the contracted fee.

I felt this was a money grabbing attempt and it made me decide to leave the platform except to keep my past clients who still work through this site.
Otherwise I have left and will spend my time elsewhere.

It is a good platform and one that I had success using. The value was once good. But not it is not a value for me any longer.

If you are just starting out it can still be a great platform for you to use. If you have been in the business a while I say skip it.

Thumbnail of user mattm101
1 review
14 helpful votes
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June 8th, 2016

Having problems with Upwork? Erik Manuevo may be to blame. There has been some major policy shifts such as if even your employer get's flagged (if they did something wrong or not), you will be banned as well :(. ...

Erik Manuevo seems to have failed at other companies and now failing at Upwork.com

Thumbnail of user kashifa7
1 review
1 helpful vote
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September 6th, 2017

Upwork suspended my account for no good reason, quoting that I am working outside of upwork with clients. Infact if the client itself is non responsive where is our fault. Stupid behavior shown by the support team quoting no need to contact them as account is suspended.

Thumbnail of user muhammadi98
1 review
0 helpful votes
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February 20th, 2021

Hello every one, I want to tell you that upwork.com is the best platform for Graphic Designers, there are a verity of lot of Jobs, You can easily achieved a job by putting your best skills within a week. I will recommend this Site to every professional.

Thumbnail of user johnchaeln
1 review
0 helpful votes
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November 28th, 2020

It helps even beginner freelancer on finding jobs that are suitable for their skillset. I am starting and I already feel like this platform provides the perfect tool for connecting small-time businesses and freelancers.

Thumbnail of user bhojendrar
1 review
9 helpful votes
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March 20th, 2018

My account was suspended by giving the following excerpted message:

We are contacting you to let you know we have suspended your access to Upwork indefinitely.

Our decision is based on a careful review and the fact that you have submitted a high number of proposals for jobs on our site without many contracts or earnings.

---

Do you see any reason? They have limited number of proposal credits but also it was not allowed. I had received two 5 star ratings on the job and was still trying to do the best.

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