Upwork Review 2024: Find Freelance Jobs That Pay Better

Upwork is an online freelance platform that connects independent professionals with companies seeking their expertise.

And Upwork has lasted so long and has so many users because it lists the best remote jobs in popular industries.

With millions of jobs posted monthly, it can be a great place to find freelance work for new and experienced freelancers.

But is Upwork worth the hype?

My Upwork Review will look at what Upwork offers, how it works, and how it compares to other online marketplaces.

Key Takeaways

• Upwork is one of the oldest online freelance platforms and makes it easy to become a freelancer
• It’s even become a publicly traded company (UPWK)
• You can find remote work as a freelancer and apply for projects in your favorite industries
• Upwork handles payments and makes it easy to get your paycheck
• You will have to pay some service fees for the site, like commissions and your monthly subscription, and some additional fees for payment processing
• Clients can list gigs with a range of pay ranges, which can fit new and professional freelancers
• Check out the Upwork community for articles and Upwork tips to make the most of your membership

Upwork Review

If you’re a freelancer, you may have heard of Upwork and wondered if it’s worth your time.

After all, there are a lot of other websites that also offer freelance job opportunities.

So is Upwork the right site for you? Check out my Upwork review to learn more:

What is Upwork?

Upwork is a freelancing site that allows businesses and freelancers to connect and collaborate remotely.

Businesses can find and hire freelancers for various projects and tasks, from short-term assignments to long-term projects.

Projects on Upwork can range from web and graphic design to data entry to virtual assistant work.

There are even jobs on the freelance platform for people with specialized skills, such as coding and app development.

How Upwork Works

Upwork works as any job posting site does – clients post jobs and hire freelancers who apply.

Businesses can also search through the profiles of individual freelancers and contact them directly with job offers.

For freelancers, this means they can apply to a wide variety of jobs without having to go out and search for them on their own. 

Upwork freelancers also get access to various tools to help them manage their projects, such as time tracking and invoicing software.

It makes Upwork easy for both parties to keep track of progress on an entire project, as well as payments due or received.

Upwork also provides access to its secure payment system, ensuring that all transactions are safe and secure. 

Key Features

Before you jump onto the Upwork platform, it’s essential to understand its key features. Let’s take a look at what Upwork freelancers can do:

Project Postings 

Upwork is home to thousands of project postings from businesses around the world. As a freelancer, these postings are where you can find new gigs and clients.

You can narrow your search using job type, location, budget, and more filters. This makes it easy to find the jobs that best fit your skillset and experience level.

Connects

To connect with Upwork clients, freelancers use “connects.” A Connect is an “Upwork currency” used to bid on and apply for job postings on Upwork.

Clients post jobs and look through Connects to pick the right applicant for their jobs. Each job post typically requires one Connect to apply.

Upwork freelancers are limited in the number of Connects they receive each month based on their membership plan.

Freelancers can purchase additional Connects if they need more than the monthly allotment provided by their plan.

The cost of additional Connects varies depending on the number purchased and the freelancer’s account status.

Upgrading Your Membership Plan: As freelancers gain experience and a strong track record on Upwork, they may be eligible to upgrade to a paid plan.

It includes more Connects to bid on hourly and fixed-price freelance work and other benefits.

Other Ways To Earn More Connects: There are also some other ways that freelancers can get more Connects:

• If you earn a Rising Talent badge, you will get 30 free Connects.
• If you win an interview with an established client on Upwork, you will get a certain number of free Connects. 
• You will get a one-time bonus if you finish an Upwork Skill Certification.

Hiring Process 

Once you find a project posting that interests you, it’s time to submit an application or bid on the job. When clients accept your bid, they invite you to join their team on Upwork.

Once accepted into the team, you’ll have access to all their private messages and files related to the project.

After completing the project successfully, both parties can leave feedback for each other that will help build up your reputation on Upwork even further. 

Encourage each project to give you a client review to build up your reputation on the platform, plus learn from your mistakes as a beginner.

Upwork Time Tracker

If you work for an hourly rate, clients may ask you to keep track and provide proof of your time.

Upwork makes it easy with their Time Tracker so you and your clients have hourly protection for fair pay and deliverables.

If you have the desktop app, the tracker will take screenshots up to 6 times per hour- providing you consistent hourly protection for your work.

This can represent what you’re working on and demonstrate if you’re making progress and going to hit agreed-upon milestones in your project.

Get Paid On Time 

UpWork ensures that freelancers get paid on time via its payment protection system.

It securely holds payments until both parties are satisfied with the delivered work and releases funds accordingly.

This protects freelancers from malicious activity by ensuring timely payments for completed work.

Furthermore, invoices can be sent directly from the platform, ensuring that clients pay without any hassles or delays.  

Freelancers can also choose from multiple payment options, but make sure you know Upwork’s fees on your payments.

You’ll have a commission fee on your money:

• First $500 – 20%
• $500.01 – $10,000 – 10%
• $10,001+ – 5%

You can get deposits made directly into bank accounts via Instant Pay or PayPal accounts.  

Membership Plans

Basic Plan

The Basic membership plan is perfect for freelancers looking for an introductory level of service from Upwork.

It’s a free membership that gives you access to your profile and projects to bid on.

The Basic plan includes 10 free Connects each month. Once you use the 10 free connects, you can purchase a bundle of 10, 20, 40, 60, or 80 Connects for only $0.15 each.

The Basic Plan does not include access to any of the advanced features available with the Freelancer Plus Plan. It mainly allows users to browse job postings.

Freelancer Plus Plan

Upwork pricing for Freelancer Plus is $14.99, about $179.88 per year.

Several key benefits come with opting for the Plus Plan.

The most notable benefit is an increase in Connects from 10 per month (Basic Plan) to 80 per month.

This means you can apply for more jobs monthly without worrying about running out of Connects too quickly!

Another great benefit is seeing what price competitors have bid for a job posting- a great way to stay competitive without undercutting yourself or going over budget.

You also have the flexibility to keep your earnings confidential if desired and customize your profile URL- great for building your own personal online brand!

With this plan, your profile will never be hidden if you become inactive, so you can take a break whenever needed without worrying about losing visibility on search results pages.

Joining Upwork

So now that you’ve gotten the rundown from our Upwork Review, are you thinking about joining?

Joining Upwork is easy. All you need to do is go to the Upwork website and click “Sign Up. Then create an Upwork account using your email address.

Once your account is created, you must fill out your profile with information about yourself and your skill set.

Here are more details on getting your account set up and applying for jobs:

1. Create A Detailed Profile

To become a freelancer in the Upwork community, you must have a well-crafted Upwork profile. Potential clients will see your Upwork profile when looking for independent contractors with the needed skills.

The first step when creating your profile on Upwork is to fill out all the required information. This includes your contact details, education, work history, and other professional details such as skills and certifications.

Make sure each section is complete and up-to-date so prospective employers can easily find all the information they need about you.  

Your portfolio should be filled with examples of work demonstrating what you can do. Showcase projects where you succeeded in meeting objectives or working under tight deadlines.

Include any awards or certifications relevant to the job so potential employers know they’re getting someone with proven experience and expertise in their field.  

Also, a great profile photo goes a long way to making a good impression on potential employers. Make sure that your photo is professional and straightforward.

2. Pick A Membership

As one of the most popular freelance websites, Upwork offers an easy way to find jobs and connect with companies all over the world.

But before you can start, you must first pick the right membership plan, the Basic and Plus plans we listed above.

For freelancers who want to apply for more jobs and connect with more clients, the Plus Plan is the best bet to do as much as possible.

The Basic Plan would work best for someone who is freelancing as a side hustle and won’t take on as many projects.

Upwork pros tend to have the Plus plan mainly to get more connections and more chances to apply for jobs.

3. Connect With Others

Once your profile is complete, it’s time to connect with potential employers and make some Upwork proposals!

Upwork makes it easy to connect without having to pitch clients cold.

Browse job title postings by category or search for specific keywords related to your work type (e.g., web design).

Once you find a job that interests you, read all the details carefully before submitting Upwork proposals.

This will ensure that there aren’t any surprises down the line and also help ensure that your proposal is tailored specifically to the client’s needs. 

Once you have done your research, it is also essential to check the job success score of potential employers on Upwork itself.

Ratings will indicate how previous freelancers felt about their valuable experience working with that particular client or company. 

4. Add Your Offerings & Prices

Upwork freelancers also have a profile to fill out so clients can see their experience and contact them.

When listing your services, be sure to provide detailed descriptions of each service so potential clients know exactly what they are getting for their money.

You’ll even be able to make a project catalog with clear descriptions of potential projects with your pricing.

Before setting your rates (fixed or hourly rate), take some time to research what others in similar roles are charging for similar project deliverables.

You want to be compensated fairly but also charge what is expected of a new freelancer.

This will help ensure that you’re competitively priced and don’t undercharge for the quality of work you provide.

Once you have set up your hourly rate and fixed-price projects/packages, make sure they’re clearly outlined so potential clients know exactly how much your services cost.

5. Get Clients & Get Paid

Now it’s time for the fun part- finishing the work and getting paid!

Invoicing is easy on Upwork; submit an invoice detailing how much time was spent on each task and how much money is owed.

Payments are made directly through Upwork, so there’s no need for awkward conversations with clients about payment methods or due dates.

One of the drawbacks of using Upwork is that Upwork takes a cut of your earnings – whether you’re paid hourly or for fixed-price projects.

But the commission isn’t horrible, starting at 20% and getting lower the more you make. 

Upwork Reviews

Now let’s go over some real Upwork reviews from clients and freelancers alike.

Currently, Upwork reviews on Trustpilot have hit over 9,200 reviews, but the score has decreased over the last year- from 4.2 to 3.3!

Reading things over, it seems like clients have encountered freelancers who didn’t complete the work or didn’t do it correctly.

And customer support didn’t help get things cleared up in the dispute process to get their money back- yikes.

So it seems like they may not be verifying freelancers and might be letting scammers on the site- which seems to affect how many jobs are listed on Upwork.

Reddit is another place to find reviews and even Upwork tips to get a feel for the platform.

On the r/Upwork page, checking out their Upwork reviews and comments, it seems like freelancers are seeing a decline in jobs.

Even freelance professionals have noticed fewer job postings and an influx of new freelancers- which could be the cause of “incorrect work” I saw on Trustpilot.

In the last few years, remote work has been booming, and many people have started side hustles as freelancers.

It could be changing the quality of things on Upwork, and not for the better.

Upwork Alternatives

After seeing some Upwork reviews, it seems like the quality they present and the Upwork pros may not be enough among clients and freelancers.

But we’re in luck because Upwork isn’t the only site out there; plenty of other options are available for freelancers to land paying gigs.

No Upwork review would be complete without telling you the other platforms to check out:

FlexJobs

FlexJobs has a wide variety of remote and freelance gigs available in many different industries.

Whether you’re looking for part-time or full-time work, there is something for everyone here.

FlexJobs hires freelancers for jobs like: 

• Proofreading 
• Web design/development 
• Data entry
• Virtual Assistant 
• Writing
• Editing
• Customer service  

Fiverr

One of Upwork’s biggest competitors is Fiverr a platform designed for freelancers starting their careers.

While Fiverr does offer some higher-paying jobs, it’s generally used by new freelancers.

It’s a great platform for those who want to gain experience with smaller projects.

Plus, Fiverr also offers users access to an array of tools that make it easier to market themselves and build a portfolio.

For a more in-depth comparison, check out our Upwork Vs. Fiverr review.

Steady

Steady works by creating a marketplace where freelancers and companies can connect, collaborate, and get projects done quickly and efficiently.

As a freelancer on the platform, you’ll be able to showcase your skills and experience to companies that are looking for your services.

You’ll also have access to a wide range of job opportunities, like graphic design or web development, from various industries around the world.

Freelancer

Freelancer offers users access to short-term projects and full-time jobs with larger companies, making it ideal for those seeking a more permanent position within the freelance world.

The platform also features an extensive list of skill sets ranging from web design and coding to copywriting and creative design so users can easily find jobs suited to their specific skillset.  

Freelancing Jobs

The beauty of freelancing is that you can make a living doing what you love—and the possibilities are endless.

You can become a freelance developer, business consultant, and more.

From graphic designers to copywriting, there’s something for everyone on these freelance platforms.

Here’s a look at some of the different freelance jobs that you can do from home. 

Proofreader

Proofreading is an essential step in the publishing process. A proofreader is responsible for catching any errors or inconsistencies in written documents before they are published.

This could include books, magazines, websites, legal documents, or other written material.

As a proofreader, your job is to ensure that all text is accurate and free of errors, typos, misspellings, and other mistakes. 

With an excellent knowledge of the English language and strong organizational skills, anyone can become an effective freelancer in this field.

Proofread Anywhere’s free workshop gives you information about proofreading and how to start a proofreading business.

Freelance Writer

Writing jobs are one of the most popular types of freelance work available. You can find writing gigs ranging from copywriting to blogging to editing.

Freelance writing involves creating content for websites, blogs, or other marketing materials.

Content writers are expected to write engaging content optimized with target keywords while still providing readers with valuable information, whether for one client or multiple clients.

This job requires strong writing skills and the ability to research topics to create accurate and informative content. 

Freelance Write From Home offers a FREE E-book to help you learn more about freelance writing!

Virtual Assistants

Working as a virtual assistant offers many advantages, including flexibility, variety, and accessibility- making it an ideal job opportunity if you want to make money while still having freedom!

VA services help small business owners with administrative tasks like scheduling appointments, running errands, filing paperwork, preparing presentations, and much more. 

Savvy Systems tells you the steps you need to know to get started as a virtual assistant.

Bookkeeper

Becoming a freelance bookkeeper is an excellent way to earn money while working from home on your own terms.

With some training, organization skills, and dedication, anyone can learn how to become an efficient freelancer who provides valuable services for clients all around the world!

As a freelance bookkeeper, you can help small businesses manage their finances by taking care of accounting tasks like creating invoices, reconciling bank statements, and tracking expenses.

It’s an in-demand profession that can offer financial stability and the flexibility to set how many hours you work. 

Bookkeeper Launch offers three FREE classes to help you decide whether you want to start a bookkeeping business.

FAQS

Why should I start freelancing?

Freelancing is a great way to make some extra money on the side, explore new career paths, or gain more experience in an area of expertise.

With freelancing, you can work remotely from any part of the world and often have more flexibility with your working hours than you would in a traditional job.

Is Upwork legit for freelancers?  

Yes, Upwork is legit and safe for freelancers. It offers a variety of protection measures to help ensure both freelancers and clients are safe and secure.

These include:

• A payment protection program that guarantees freelancers will be paid for their work
• A dispute resolution process that helps resolve any disagreements between the freelancer and the client
• The ability to review and rate clients and freelancers after every project
• 24/7 customer support from Upwork’s team of experts

Are job sites the best way to find clients?

Many freelancers find that using job sites is the best way to connect with potential clients, while others find that networking and word-of-mouth are more effective methods.

Ultimately, it’s up to each individual to decide which job site or method works best for them to find a freelancing.

Is Upwork free for freelancers?

Yes, the basic plan for Upwork is free- and the Freelancer Plus plan is $14.99.

There are also other free sites available to help you find remote jobs.

You can use job boards, social media platforms such as LinkedIn and Twitter, or even classifieds websites to connect with potential clients.

Final Thoughts

We hope our Upwork Review has helped you learn more about Upwork and whether it is right for your freelancing career.

Is Upwork legit, or is Upwork worth it? I think it is if you want to find work-from-home jobs, but you’ll need to have high quality work and great customer service.

Upwork is still one of the most popular project management platforms for freelancers today, even with the bad Upwork reviews floating around Trustpilot and Reddit.

People have successfully used it for their freelancing careers and there could be some potential for you yet.

Whether you’re just starting as a freelancer or are looking for ways to optimize your current workflow- consider giving Upwork a try.