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Upwork Reviews
49 reviews
- 01 Is Upwork any Good? My expert Review
- 02 Pros and cons from reviewers
- 03 Main features
- 04 How Upwork compare to similar software?
- 05 Who is Upwork best for according to our reviewers?
- 06 Upwork Reviews
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01 Is Upwork any Good? My expert Review
While my overall experience on Upwork has been positive, there have been several areas of frustration. On the plus side, I have successfully found and retained multiple long-term clients (including an ongoing SaaS client) and have earned well into the five-figures from these engagements ($15,000+). The escrow system has provided a level of comfort to both parties in the early stages of working together.
However, the platform is not all good. The cost of the "connect" system is too high for new writers looking to build their portfolio. At times I have burned up 16 "connects" on proposals that were never even opened by clients. The 10% service fee is also very costly for larger projects, and means that Upwork takes hundreds of dollars of money that could otherwise go to me.
One area of the platform that I think is particularly beneficial is the dispute resolution process. Last summer, I had a client who was trying to get a refund for completed work. Within 48 hours, the case was reviewed and resolved in my favor by Upwork. This type of protection is incredibly valuable to me as a freelancer.
It is also important to note that the quality of the postings on the site vary widely. There are often dozens of low budget postings to sift through before finding serious clients. I would recommend treating Upwork as just another channel to find potential clients and not relying solely on the site to generate income.
02 Pros and cons from reviewers
Pros from reviewers
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Global talent pool access
Connect with millions of skilled freelancers worldwide across 10,000+ categories, giving you instant access to specialized expertise that may not be available locally -
Flexible hiring options
Scale your workforce up or down based on project needs with hourly or fixed-price contracts, allowing you to manage costs effectively without long-term commitments -
Built-in payment protection
Benefit from secure escrow services and milestone-based payments that protect both clients and freelancers, ensuring work is completed before funds are released -
Integrated project management tools
Streamline collaboration with time tracking, messaging, file sharing, and video calling features all within one platform, eliminating the need for multiple software solutions -
Transparent rating system
Make informed hiring decisions based on detailed freelancer profiles, verified work history, client reviews, and success scores that help you identify top performers quickly
Cons from reviewers
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High Service Fees
Upwork charges freelancers a sliding service fee that starts at 20% for the first $500 billed with a client, decreasing to 10% for lifetime billings between $500 and $10,000, and 5% for billings exceeding $10,000, which significantly reduces take-home earnings especially for new freelancers or those working on smaller projects -
Intense Competition
The platform hosts millions of freelancers worldwide competing for the same jobs, making it extremely difficult for newcomers to land their first projects and establish a reputation, often resulting in a race to the bottom on pricing as freelancers undercut each other to win contracts -
Connect System Limitations
Freelancers must purchase Connects to submit proposals for jobs, with each proposal costing between 1 to 16 Connects depending on the project value, creating an additional expense that can add up quickly when applying to multiple opportunities without guarantee of being hired -
Inconsistent Client Quality
Many clients on the platform have unrealistic expectations, offer below-market rates, lack clear project requirements, or may disappear mid-project, leading to wasted time, difficult working relationships, and potential payment disputes that require platform intervention -
Algorithm and Visibility Challenges
Upwork's search algorithm and Job Success Score system can be opaque and unpredictable, making it difficult for freelancers to maintain high visibility in search results, while factors like response time, acceptance rates, and client feedback heavily influence profile ranking in ways that aren't always transparent or fair
03 Main features
Starting Price
Free Plan
Global talent pool
Secure payment system
Robust hiring tools
Project management tools
Communication channels
N/A
Free Plan
No
Global talent pool
Secure payment system
Robust hiring tools
Project management tools
Communication channels
04 How Upwork compare to similar software?
Upwork and Fiverr are established freelance platforms offering a variety of tools designed to connect businesses with talented freelancers. Both platforms enable businesses to find skilled professionals to complete projects efficiently, but they cater to different needs and preferences.
Both Upwork and Fiverr provide a range of freelance services across numerous categories, such as web development, graphic design, and writing. However, the main difference between the two lies in their approach to project management and hiring.
Upwork is known for handling complex, long-term projects. It offers tools that facilitate detailed project management, including time tracking, milestone setting, and secure payments. Upwork allows businesses to post job listings and invites freelancers to submit proposals. This model is beneficial for companies looking for freelancers with specific expertise and a commitment to longer-term collaboration. Upwork’s robust vetting process and detailed freelancer...
Fiverr
Used by 1743 members
Platform for connecting companies and freelancers
10% off your first purchase
Save up to $100
05 Who is Upwork best for according to our reviewers?
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Freelancers
Upwork provides independent professionals with access to a global marketplace of clients, streamlined project management tools, and secure payment processing that eliminates the hassle of invoicing and chasing payments -
Small Business Owners
Upwork enables small businesses to quickly scale their workforce by hiring specialized talent on-demand without the overhead costs of full-time employees, making it ideal for companies with fluctuating project needs -
Startups
Upwork offers startups cost-effective access to diverse expertise from developers to marketers, allowing them to build their products and grow their businesses without committing to permanent hires during uncertain early stages -
Enterprise Companies
Upwork helps large organizations supplement their existing teams with vetted specialists for specific projects, providing flexibility and reducing time-to-hire while maintaining quality through its talent vetting system -
Marketing Agencies
Upwork allows agencies to expand their service capabilities by connecting with freelance specialists in niche areas like SEO, content creation, or graphic design, enabling them to take on more diverse client projects without maintaining a large permanent staff
06 Upwork Reviews
Upwork rating
Upwork Reviews
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Miss Marybeth Kling
Strong Paper Trail for Multi-Contractor Work
Upwork is one of the few platforms where I feel like the review system gives me something useful. Between Job Success Score, completed hours, and written feedback, you can usually tell who’s professional and who just writes a good proposal. I also got a first-contract discount through Joinsecret, about 10 percent, and while that didn’t change everything, it definitely made testing the platform easier
July 20, 2026
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Krystyna Simonis V
Structured Yet Flexible Hiring Flow
For ongoing freelance help, Upwork has been reliable. The weekly billing for hourly contracts and the work diary screenshots are helpful when I need visibility without micromanaging. I also like being able to convert a one-off project into a longer contract without restarting the whole process
July 11, 2026
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The Hon. Eduardo Lind
Clear Terms and Streamlined Milestones
Upwork helped me standardize freelance hiring a bit. Instead of juggling invoices, NDAs, and payment methods manually, I can keep most of that inside one system. I did happen to get a small reduction on the first project through Joinsecret, roughly ten percent, which was useful, but honestly the bigger value has been the payment protection and easier admin side
July 7, 2026
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Dillon Gulgowski
Review Signals You Can Trust
I’ve had a good experience using Upwork for short projects that could have easily dragged out over email. The contract terms are clear, the approval flow for milestones is simple, and the built in chat reduces context switching. If you’re willing to spend time writing a precise brief, the quality of applicants is usually pretty good
June 30, 2026
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Mrs. Bill Rippin
Quick Access to Niche Experts
What works best for me on Upwork is the paper trail. Every offer, milestone, revision request, and payment is documented, which really helps when managing multiple contractors at once. The reporting isn’t super advanced, but it’s enough to keep finance and operations aligned
June 23, 2026
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Domingo Pouros
Reliable Ongoing Hourly Management
I was skeptical at first, but Upwork turned out to be solid for hiring niche talent. I found a HubSpot specialist there in less than two days, and the proposal history plus interview flow made it easy to compare approaches. I had also used a Joinsecret perk on the first contract, which knocked a bit off the starting cost, so that was a nice surprise
June 15, 2026
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Dale Jacobs
Milestones, Escrow, and Time Tracking Control
One thing I appreciate about Upwork is the balance between structure and flexibility. I can post a fixed-price project, ask screening questions, and quickly narrow down serious applicants. I also ended up getting a small discount on my first hire through Joinsecret, around ten percent if I remember right, which was a nice extra but not really the main reason I stayed
June 6, 2026
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Benny Greenfelder DC
Smooth Contracts with Saved Searches
I’ve used Upwork for design and web maintenance, and the contract setup is smoother than I expected. Milestones, escrow, and the time tracker make it easier to keep projects under control, especially when the scope changes halfway through. It’s not the cheapest option every time, but I’ve had fewer payment and communication issues here than on other freelance platforms
June 1, 2026
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Devin Raynor
Powerful Filters and Easy Comparisons
I like that Upwork makes it pretty easy to compare freelancers side by side before committing. I mostly hire developers and content people, and the built in work history and client feedback save me a lot of guesswork. The platform can feel crowded at first, but once you learn to use saved searches and invite-only jobs, it becomes much more manageable
May 24, 2026
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Luisa Prosacco
Transparent Histories with a Low-Risk Start
After using a few hiring channels, Upwork stands out for its transparency on feedback and work history, and the 10% off Upwork deal from Joinsecret was a pleasant surprise that made our first month feel less risky to try out
May 19, 2026
Start saving on the best SaaS
Secret has already helped tens of thousands of startups save millions on the best SaaS like Microsoft Teams, Google Workspace & many more. Join Secret now to buy software the smart way.