Takeaways
- Upwork is the world's largest freelance work marketplace, connecting professionals with short- and long-term jobs.
- You can download the Upwork app from the App Store or Google Play.
- Upwork matches independent workers with small and large businesses.
- Upwork has marketplace users spanning over 10,000 professional skill sets.
- Upwork projects can range from creating presentations and developing logos to building websites and implementing AI solutions.
If you are one of the 41 million people participating in gig work, you should know about Upwork.[1] With thousands of job listings across a wide range of industries, Upwork connects clients and freelancers for both short-term gigs and long-term contracts.
Overall App Review
Best for: Freelancers looking to expand their income
Favorite feature: Job invitations and messaging
Why we like it: The Upwork app offers an intuitive way to start finding freelance work immediately. Whether you are focused on securing project-based contracts or looking for more long-term contracts, the Upwork marketplace offers thousands of opportunities. Our team appreciates the way Upwork safeguards both freelancers and hiring companies with robust payment protections and transparent pricing. If you want to start earning more money quickly, Upwork can be your one-stop shop.
Take the Next Step:
on Upwork’s Website
Upwork
Smart Money Rating: 4.9/5
Best For: Finding Remote and Freelance Work
Success: Freelancers earned $2.3B on Upwork in 2020
Upwork has become the dominant platform in the freelance world, serving as the go-to destination for searching for new work, bidding on projects, and interacting with hiring companies. If you want to become a freelancer, you can get up and running on the app or website in a matter of hours.
Simply put, Upwork has become a major player in the freelance marketplace, so we chose to review it. The Upwork app holds a 4.6 rating on the App Store and a 3.9 rating on Google Play, with over 10 million downloads.[2][3] Our team downloaded the Upwork mobile app and tested the desktop version to see how it works, identify what we liked, and determine how you might benefit from it. Here's what we found.
What Is Upwork?
Upwork is an online freelance marketplace where businesses and independent contractors connect for project-based, part-time, and long-term work.
If you are starting a business, you can find highly talented workers to help you execute your business plan. Alternatively, if you're looking to make more money, consider taking on projects and establishing a steady freelance income stream.
The platform supports both hourly and fixed-price contracts. It includes features such as work tracking, dispute resolution, and secure payments, which create a safe environment for both businesses and freelancers.
Read More: 10 Popular Freelance Jobs
How Upwork Works
Upwork acts like a massive digital job board. The app creates a marketplace of talented freelancers and pairs them with businesses needing their services. Here’s how the matching process tends to work:
1. Clients post jobs: Businesses outline the overall project, budget, timeline, and required skills. The job overview provides freelancers with a clear understanding of the expectations for the contract.
2. Freelancers submit proposals: You write a pitch, set your hourly rate, and showcase your experience. To entice businesses to choose your bid, you can highlight relevant work and even send a personalized message to the hiring business.
3. Clients review candidates: Clients can conduct interviews with candidates, request additional information via messages, or hire freelancers directly. The messaging app lets businesses see who is responsive even before a contract winner is selected. (For serious freelancers, our recommendation is to download the app to be able to respond to client messages quickly – especially during the bidding process).
4. Work begins: Projects can be billed either hourly using Upwork’s time-tracking app or at a fixed rate based on agreed-upon milestones. For example, you can work for $50 per hour until you finish the job or agree to complete a milestone-based project for a fixed price of $2,000.
5. Payments are processed: Funds are held in escrow for fixed-price contracts or billed on a weekly basis for hourly work. Once the client approves the work, payment is released to your account.
The platform also includes performance metrics and client reviews that let freelancers build credibility and help clients find trustworthy workers.
Our team thinks the review feature sets Upwork apart because it enables you to establish yourself as a trusted, high-quality freelancer, thereby building a brand on Upwork. With four- to five-star reviews, more clients will want to work with you. In turn, you can charge a premium for your work.
The same is true for businesses and clients, as freelancers can also rate their experience with you. This two-way review process is ideal for establishing a trusted marketplace.
How to Sign Up for Upwork
Getting started with Upwork is free. However, freelancers and businesses must create an account to get started, but the good news is that the process is relatively straightforward. To get up and running on the Upwork app, here’s what you need to do:
1. Create an account: To set up your account, all you need to do is enter your email and set a password. From there, you will enter your personal data to complete the account setup.
2. Build your profile: Part of creating an enticing profile is to breathe your own uniqueness into it. You can start by adding a professional photo, showcasing your unique skill set, selecting an hourly rate, highlighting your work experience, and displaying your relevant education and certifications.
3. Submit your profile for review: Part of what makes Upwork special is the ability to maintain a well-curated group of freelancers. After you submit your profile, Upwork will evaluate your profile according to its guidelines.
4. Start submitting proposals: Once your profile is approved, you will receive a limited number of "Connects" (the tokens used to apply for jobs). Additional Connects can be purchased as needed. Read more about this below.
5. Accept Hourly or Fixed-Contracts: After you begin submitting your profile to job bids, you might start landing jobs right away. We suggest titrating your hourly and contract rate once you establish yourslf on the platform. Sometimes the hardest part is getting started and not pricing yourself out of the market.
Upwork's Fee Structure
According to Glassdoor, the median pay for workers on Upwork is around $34 per hour; however, as a freelancer, you need to be aware of the fees.[4] While it is free to create a profile and browse jobs, Upwork earns money by charging service fees and membership fees.
Upwork changed its fee system as of May 2025. Here is the current fee schedule:
Freelancer Service Fees
- Ranges from 0%-15% of all earnings, depending on the job (hourly, fixed-price, or Project Catalog work).
- Fees are locked in once the agreement is signed and will not change.
Additional Costs
- Connects – Submitting proposals costs “Connects,” which are tokens used to apply for jobs. These Connects are priced at $0.15 each and expire one year from the date of purchase, rolling over on a month-to-month basis.
- Membership Plans – The free plan offers basic features, including 10 Connects per month. The $19.99/month "Freelancer Plus" plan includes profile insights, bidding assistance, and 100 Connects.
- Profile Boosts – You can strategize on when to boost your profile to clients by choosing to boost your profile, which costs Connects. You can set the number of Connects you want to spend to enhance your visibility with clients to secure a job.
Pros of Upwork
- Access to Global Clients: Upwork connects you with entrepreneurs, small businesses, and even large companies worldwide. This provides freelancers with exposure to opportunities you might not find in your local market.
- Built-In Payment Protection: Whether you are working on an hourly or project basis, Upwork’s escrow system ensures you receive payment for approved work. Our team loves this feature for freelancers. It also offers mitigation in the event of a dispute.
- Flexible Work: With Upwork, you control when, where, and how much you work. Take your laptop to a beach, co-working space, or relax on your couch. Upwork can provide the ultimate work from home solution because it empowers you to design your work schedule according to your preferences.
- Professional Tools: Upwork offers a range of helpful tools, including time trackers, file sharing, milestone settings, and feedback systems, all in a single platform.
Cons of Upwork
- High Competition: Competition for high-paying jobs can be fierce. The platform is saturated with freelancers, particularly in popular categories. We recommend playing to your niche skill set.
- Service Fees: Upwork’s commission structure means you won't take home your full rate. Because the platform supports all the payment processing, job hosting, and Connects, it takes a chunk of your earnings. We think the fees are well worth the cost of using the platform.
- Clients Can Be Hit or Miss: While many clients are great, some may be unclear in their expectations or offer low pay. Establishing clear expectations about timelines, deliverables, and product quality is essential to receiving great feedback and ratings.
- Connect Costs Add Up: Although proposals are relatively inexpensive, applying to many jobs without securing work can quickly deplete your wallet. Focus on the jobs you think you can easily secure and be sure not to price yourself out of the market.
Alternatives to Upwork
Upwork isn’t for everyone. If it doesn’t feel like the right fit, here are a few similar platforms worth considering:
- Fiverr - Ideal for selling predefined services (called "gigs") at fixed prices.
- Freelancer.com - Like Upwork but with different categories and bidding styles.
- Toptal - A premium site that matches elite freelancers with high-end clients.
- PeoplePerHour - Similar to Fiverr, freelancers post their available freelance services for hire.
- Guru - Offers a more flexible fee structure, allowing for direct negotiation with clients.
Smart Summary
Upwork is a comprehensive online freelance marketplace that connects talented professionals with clients worldwide. It's an intuitive, easy-to-use platform that lets you get up and running quickly. Upwork offers a secure payment system and a global client base, making it a go-to resource for both freelancers seeking meaningful work and businesses looking to hire top talent.
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(1) Gig Economy Data Hub. How many gig workers are there? Last Accessed June 17, 2025.
(2) Apply. Upwork. June 17, 2025.
(3) Google Play. Upwork. June 17, 2025.
(4) Glassdoor. Total salary range for Upwork Freelancer Hourly Pay. Last Accessed June 17, 2025.
