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Upwork
Connecting Freelancers and Clients
4.6
(1,829)
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Upwork Pricing Overview

Upwork Pricing Plans
Subscription
Upwork has 2 pricing plans, from $49.00 to $199.00. Look at different pricing plans below and see what tier and features meet your budget and needs.
Work with contractors
$49.00
/ month
Hire employees
$199.00
/ month
Pricing information for Upwork is supplied by the software vendor or retrieved from publicly accessible pricing materials. The pricing details were last updated on February 18, 2024 from the vendor website and may be different from actual. Please confirm with the vendor website before purchasing.

Upwork Pricing Reviews

Small Business (50 or fewer emp.)
Dec 17, 2020
 Source
Overall Rating:
5.0
Ujjwal R. avatar
Ujjwal R.
Founder
Share
"Best way for freelancers and clients to connect but for a cost."
What do you like best about Upwork?

Ability to work with people overseas, services for protection against fraud such as Upwork hourly protection as well as the ability to solve disputes, also things like client's feedback, their previous projects, etc, also helps in making an informed decision. Clients can also make an informed decision by checking out out the freelancer's profile, past projects, portfolio, skills, as well as their certificates. Upwork has also added a new feature for the project catalog for freelancers to create project offerings and highlight the skills. I have used various similar platforms in the past, but Upwork, even being a little costly, is worth it.

What do you dislike about Upwork?

Upwork is relatively very expensive as it costs around 20% of the project for the first 500 USD, which is a lot outside of some developed countries. It makes it up for it with hourly protection and other services. Also, it seems that Upwork caters primarily to the USA (for example, providing extra benefits to a minority in the USA), but Upwork needs to understand that people outside the USA are also using this platform, and the same benefits should be available to other minorities as well.

What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?

I am a software developer and I have difficulty finding clients who need or values my skills in my country, as it is often "more expensive". With Upwork, I am able to connect to people worldwide who need my skillset to solve their problems, as well as are able to pay accordingly. Doing this wasn't possible for me without such a platform.

Small Business (50 or fewer emp.)
Dec 17, 2020
 Source
Overall Rating:
3.0
Areeb M. avatar
Areeb M.
Co Founder
Share
"Upwork needs certain improvement such as employer selection, payment methods, conversion fee etc"
What do you like best about Upwork?

Opportunities, financial outlook, flexibility. It offers trust, helps learn about mutual respect, and transparency. New connects system appears to be a bit freelancer friendly, which is appreciable. Platform offers a great community always eager to add to knowledge. It opens a whole new world for both clients and the freelancers alike. I have found great clients and helped them achieve their targets. Value addition is the key on such a platform.

What do you dislike about Upwork?

There must be some selection criteria while selecting employers too. I dislike the upcoming trend of $2 freelancers. It encourages "take money" attitude instead of "make money". Unfortunately, we humans are tempted to take advantage when it is about opportunities. UW must invest in stopping this. Additionally, the pricing model needs a review. The local bank transfer currency conversion feels like a major rip off. Transferwise integration is halted, that also adds to difficulty in freelancers life. Job search algorithms sometimes do not make any sense, that I personally feel needs improvement. Job success score is a huge pain point for the freelancers (especially newcomers). The success criteria should be amended so that there is a fair percentage calculation on the basis of total successful contracts instead of amount of money involved.

What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?

I help businesses achieve their best potential by the power of compelling content. Additionally, I help entrepreneurs and corporates in developing the right strategies, select the right tools to implement the action plans. I have discovered my niche in technical writing on Upwork. Again, that too comes with it's perks and disadvantages. One bad review from only one client can destroy your rating just because of $ amount they paid. No matter how many good reviews we earn, it eventually doesn't matter in the world of Upwork.

Mid Market (51-1000 emp.)
Mar 25, 2021
 Source
Overall Rating:
4.5
Stephanie S. avatar
Stephanie S.
Freelancer
Share
"10 Years on Upwork"
What do you like best about Upwork?

Upwork may be the best freelance platform out there to attain the financial freedom everyone aspires for. As a newbie on Upwork, it may be tough to get contracts. But once you've built a nice profile with plenty of feedback from different clients, there will come a point where you don't even need to scour the site for a possible contract, the clients themselves will invite you to apply. There are plenty of security and meditation features in place that encourage trust in the platform for both the freelancer and the client so there's almost never a worry that you're being cheated money for the work you've done or opportunity you've offered.

What do you dislike about Upwork?

The only qualm I have about Upwork are the rather hefty fees. Earnings withdrawn are charged a markup when being converted to local currency on top of the poor rates their bank uses as well as the other fees deducted for the use of the platform. Even bonus payments are being charged a fee both on the freelancer and the client's side which seems redundant and, to be honest, unfair.

What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?

In the decade I've been on Upwork, I've enjoyed financial stability which I otherwise would not have had through the usual office work route. Most importantly, being on Upwork has shielded me from being affected by the effects of the pandemic as my work was never interrupted.

Small Business (50 or fewer emp.)
Dec 19, 2020
 Source
Overall Rating:
4.5
AG
Verified Reviewer
Founder
Share
"Great Platform, But Fee's Too High!!!"
What do you like best about Upwork?

As a Job Poster, it is great. Free to post and fairly decent applicants. You of course have to really weed through them but no different than any other platform.

What do you dislike about Upwork?

THE FEES ARE RIDICULOUS TO FREELANCERS AS FREELANCER, THEY ASK YOU TO BUY CREDITS TO APPLY TO JOBS, THEY DO NOT CREDIT YOU THE CREDITS IF A POSTER CLOSES A JOB (so you have no idea when you are applying that the position was filled yesterday, etc.) AS A FREELANCER their fees are too high. 30%!!!!! with a sliding scale. They set themselves up to probably be circumvented despite it being in violation of the rules. if you think about an individual who might make $5.00/hour this costs becomes too prohibitive and yet the job they do is not worth $10.00 just so they can make $7.00. At the same time, they are also collecting fees from the employer.

What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?

The ability to find virtual assistance for lower prices than in the US is the largest benefit.

Small Business (50 or fewer emp.)
Nov 04, 2023
 Source
Overall Rating:
3.5
Rune E. avatar
Rune E.
Strategic Media Positioning And Client Acquisition At Agency Deluxe.Com
Share
"Upwork, works, but their fees are just rising and rising"
What do you like best about Upwork?

So, what I like the most about Upwork is the ability to get a lot of different services done for my business. Hiring is transparent enough as vendors come vetted.

What do you dislike about Upwork?

The downsides of Upwork... UPDATED FOR November 2023. THEY KEEP INCREASING THEIR FEES. IT's HARDER to get a job, and it costs a LOT MORE. The fees are not so nice if you are a vendor yourself. They take a rather large cut of the transactions which makes it a not-so-nice experience. And, it is HARD to get a client because of the competition from other vendors. People have used months to get just one client, which is not sustainable imho. As a buyer of services from the platform, it is ok. We can find experts there, and newbies in the trade. What is not so cool when hiring is that we pay a high fee to Upwork for hiring. As someone who sees both sides, I feel the vendors deserve more. And when hiring it is not always 100% transparent if you get the right person because there are lots of people responding to a gig. This leaves us with the most verbal pro to win. And not always the best vendor.

What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?

They can provide coders, and other professionals that are in demand for someone who needs custom work. Mostly all marketing services are covered rom graphics, coding, pr, va, copywriting and more. I've used it for a number of different services. I've been pleased, mostly.

Small Business (50 or fewer emp.)
Dec 23, 2020
 Source
Overall Rating:
5.0
Sissy Y. avatar
Sissy Y.
Founder // Creative Director
Share
"The Place for both Seasoned and Newbie Freelancers"
What do you like best about Upwork?

Upwork is great for anyone who is looking to get started in the freelance world but also for seasoned freelancers who are just looking for a different method of finding new clients. It has something for anyone, beginners, novices, and experts, and the prices paid out reflect such. I also like how you can filter through jobs, to see whether it's something you actually want to do or not and if it's in the price range of what you're willing to do it for. Also Upwork seems to have a great customer service team, which I'm grateful for!

What do you dislike about Upwork?

The fees, oh man the fees are rough. But it is what it is, I suppose! I always charge extra to offset it but it would be nice to have lesser fees.

What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?

Now that I'm a bit established on it, it's been really nice to have invitations to work so that I don't have to go hunting for work. It saves me time and energy...and money! Because when you get invited to a project, you don't have to use up your credits!

Small Business (50 or fewer emp.)
Oct 05, 2017
 Source
Overall Rating:
5.0
NS
Nidhi S.
Author
Share
"The best"
What do you like best about Upwork?

All the features in upwork are the best. Few of them are: . Great ease of use . Best possible maintenance and customer support. . Payment protect gives you an extra push to choose upwork to work as a freelancer. . User interface is very good. . The feedback system is good. . One can work from anywhere and any time. . You can work for anyone in the world.

What do you dislike about Upwork?

. The job pricing is very much reduced. Though it was mentioned a couple of times to upwork through feedback and suggestions, there are still lots of jobs that are being under paid. Few freelancers work for much lower prices which is reducing the market value. . The payment from upwork takes around two weeks from the review time which is too much. These two are my only concerns.

What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?

I do all my projects through upwork. . I can work in my comfortable timings. . I can work on projects which best suites me. . I need not worry about the payment because upwork will be taking care of it, i just need to track the time.

Small Business (50 or fewer emp.)
Mar 23, 2021
 Source
Overall Rating:
5.0
CH
Connie H.
Education Consultant
Share
"Professional Experts Who Provide Quality Products and Services"
What do you like best about Upwork?

Each job can offer specific details I need. I can provide exactly what I need/want so people who apply know exactly what is involved, or I can keep it more open and allow the expert to help guide the project based on their experiences. Then I can review samples of work applicants have done. I also appreciate being able to choose the level of experience needed for a job. Sometimes I want someone with a very small learning curve who can take the lead and help me - other times I know exactly what I want and am willing to communicate that to someone just getting started. Everyone I have actually hired has been wonderful and exceeded my expectations. I've even boasted about how fast and economically I have had projects done. Payment is also a breeze. I feel comfortable knowing that the contractor isn't going to be paid before the job is done and everyone knows exactly what the cost will be. There are no surprise fees or up charges that come out of nowhere.

What do you dislike about Upwork?

I have only had positive experiences. The only hurdle that had to be managed was time zones. If there was a significant difference between my time and theirs, it can slow down the process when waiting for someone on the other side of the world to wake up.

What problems is Upwork solving and how is that benefiting you?

I didn't know where to turn for certain needs. Even very small and specific tasks can be contracted out without hiring a large company or starting from ground zero. Now if I need a small task, I can post it for $10 without a minimum cost that many other companies might require. I have even hired two different applicants for the same job to get a variety of options. Problem with that was - it's too hard to decide because both where great.