Can You Only Review Freelancer Once You Complete a Jon
We've assembled the ultimate drove of Upwork reviews from freelancers, clients, and employees who take rated their experiences with the platform.
Currently, freelancers contribute $1.four trillion to the US economy alone and take a much more meaning economic bear upon globally. The number of freelancers has been increasing steadily, specially with the pandemic confining people to their homes.
Freelancing platforms facilitate the connexion between clients and freelancers, often offering safe payment options, customer project managers, and much more than. Among all other freelancing websites, Upwork is arguably one of the most widely known sites.
Simply how good is Upwork? This article will examine Upwork reviews from freelancers and employers to help see both sides of the coin and make up one's mind if the platform is ideal for your requirements.
What Is Upwork?
Upwork is a freelancing platform that was produced as a result of the merger between oDesk and Elance in 2013. Later on, the platform rebranded to form Upwork in 2015 and has grown substantially since then.
Co-ordinate to Upwork's information, 59 million Americans were freelancing from the platform in 2020, which was forecasted to rise in 2021. Over the years, the freelancing site has get expansive enough to include diverse categories beyond different industries, such as tech, legal, writing, software development, mobile app development, pattern, and more than.
How Does Upwork Work?
Upwork facilitates growing businesses in working with top-rated talent from around the world. As a client, you simply accept to sign up, post a job and so review the proposals yous get to choose the all-time offer.
On the flip side, freelancers as well need to create their profiles, upload their portfolios and start behest on projects. Upwork has many tools to help both clients and freelancers communicate, pay, and interact efficiently with each other.
Upwork for Clients
Upwork has ii options for clients — Enterprise and basic. The basic plan is platonic for beginners who don't have specified needs and don't mind taking the added responsibility of finding and interviewing talent.
On the other hand, the Enterprise plan is suitable for businesses or individuals who need additional help from the platform to manage and hire talent.
Here are the steps involved in hiring a freelancer through a basic program:
- Sign up for an business relationship on Upwork.
- Write a job post.
- Specify if yous want the project to accept a fixed cost or be priced hourly.
- Review the proposals you receive from freelancers and interview the talent you have selected.
- Hire them and go your chore done.
Meanwhile, the steps in the Enterprise program are:
- Sign upwardly for an account and get information technology configured.
- Alternatively, you can email a Talent Specialist on the platform and tell them about your project.
- Yous may also post your task directly on the website.
Since Enterprise users have admission to pre-vetted talent, yous don't accept to get through the laborious process of interviewing a dozen freelancers who take sent you proposals.
Upwork for Freelancers
Freelancers tin create their accounts for free on Upwork. The platform allows yous to decorate your portfolio with your history, skills, work experience, an introduction video, and much more.
Afterwards that, you but accept to start bidding on projects. Some clients might interview you lot, while others — impressed by the reviews on your contour and your portfolio — may get right to assigning yous work.
Upwork's stock-still-priced protection means the client payments are released equally shortly as you reach a project milestone. Y'all tin can also choose to go paid for the hour — any rows your boat.
Is Upwork Legit and Safety?
Yes, Upwork is undoubtedly legit and safe. In fact, it has been the bread and butter of many freelancers for years. The platform takes great measures to ensure the safety of both the clients and the freelancers.
Upwork has Trust and Safe programs that safeguard the interests of both parties involved. Meanwhile, the Hourly Payment Protection characteristic ensures that the freelancers getting paid past the hour receive their payments in due fourth dimension.
As for other threats like malicious emails and phishing, Upwork has complete guides on how to stay safe from them. Y'all can also written report any security threats or problems to Upwork by reaching out to the support team.
Payment Protection
Upwork's Payment Protection allows safe and secure payments, whether they are fixed-rate or by the 60 minutes. Therefore, freelancers and clients can collaborate on projects without whatsoever monetary concerns.
Fixed-Price Protection
Upwork has fixed-cost protection for both freelancers and clients.
Clients and freelancers concord on the project deliverables and set milestones. The client and then has to deposit an corporeality, minimum $5 for a milestone, into escrow. The freelancer submits the work for approval, and the payment is merely released when the client approves the payment.
If the work is not satisfactory or requires changes, the client can enquire for an escrow refund or request the freelancer to make the necessary changes before blessing the payment.
Since the client's money is held in escrow, freelancers are guaranteed payment for their satisfactory work. If the customer doesn't asking any changes or approve the work in 14 days, the money is automatically released to the freelancer.
Likewise, if yous have submitted a milestone, but the customer refuses to approve the project, thereby withholding your payment, you tin file a dispute.
Hourly Protection
Upwork has Hourly Protection for clients and freelancers. Here's how this feature protects clients:
- Clients can monitor the freelancer's ongoing piece of work in the Work Diary. The diary shows snapshots of work in progress, allowing the customer to confirm that they are beingness invoiced for their piece of work.
- If the freelancer logs any hours unrelated to the client'southward work, they tin can file a dispute. Upwork refunds the clients for hours not qualifying for Hourly Protection.
- Bear in mind that Hourly Protection does not encompass manual fourth dimension, fixed-price projects, or bonuses.
As for the freelancers, they're protected by this characteristic too:
- Freelancers log in their daily hours in the Upwork Desktop App for hourly contracts.
- If they run into the criteria of Hourly Protection, they volition get paid for the time they invoice.
- Again, the feature does not employ to stock-still-toll projects, manual time, or bonuses.
Can You Go Scammed on Upwork?
Although Upwork goes to not bad lengths to maintain security on the platform for both clients and freelancers, there are however instances where you lot tin get scammed.
Upwork has detailed guidelines on practicing safe measures to prevent circumvention, account fraud, phishing, check-cashing fraud, shipping scams, and more.
Here are some pro tips to continue yourself safe from scams on Upwork:
- Don't accept payment or pay someone outside Upwork. You increase your run a risk of fraud and scams this way. Also, Upwork'southward Payment Protection does not apply to payments taken or given externally.
- Don't permit anyone else to use your account. Identity theft has become a huge issue these days, and yous should be cautious to prevent fraud.
- Remember that an actual client volition non ask you to work for gratuitous or requite them money to begin working for them. Therefore, if someone asks you lot to do this, you should immediately report it as suspicious behavior to Upwork.
Upwork Pros & Cons
Since Upwork has ample opportunities for freelancers and gives clients access to peak talent, information technology's an attractive platform for both parties. Notwithstanding, before y'all get-go working or hiring on this platform — or any for that matter — you lot need to weigh the pros and cons.
Pros
- Plenty of Piece of work: Upwork is a goldmine for freelancers who have marketable skills that they want to capitalize on.
- Payment Protection: Upwork'southward payment protection features requite both freelancers and clients peace of heed, assuasive them to focus more on work rather than money.
- Messaging: You can stay in touch with your client or freelancer through all Upwork fronts, including mobile, browser, and desktop.
- Periodic Screenshots: Upwork takes screenshots of a freelancer's piece of work every 10 minutes for hourly rate projects. Thus, the customer tin monitor the work in progress and make sure they are existence charged for the hours spent on their project.
- Filtering Power: Upwork lets y'all filter freelancers by geographical location, which is especially helpful if yous're looking for someone in the same time zone as you.
Cons
- High Fees: Upwork charges both clients and freelancers. The bigger the projection, the higher the fees.
- Increased Competition: Landing your first job every bit a freelancer on Upwork is quite expensive since the platform is highly competitive. Freelancers from outside the United states, who have lower costs of living in their countries, oftentimes bag projects by bidding low rates. That can get out more qualified and professional freelancers with fiddling to no jobs.
- Lengthy Process: Hiring freelancers on Upwork can exist a lengthy process since y'all have to interview several applicants. Upwork reports that it takes three days on average to hire a freelancer.
- Poor Client Support: Many users have complained about Upwork's poor customer support. Their support squad is unable to solve circuitous issues and is too deadening to respond.
- Lenient Selection Procedure: Upwork's freelancer selection process is a bit lenient as there are no skill tests involved to vet the applicants.
Genuine Upwork Reviews From Customers
Who could possibly know better about a platform than the people who use it? That's why we accept compiled reviews from all over the Internet, answering all your questions near the site.
Since Upwork caters to both freelancers and clients, we'll show you reviews from both parties.
Upwork Reviews for Freelancers
Despite the complaints that freelancers take raised against Upwork, they seem to be predominantly satisfied.
Positive Reviews for Freelancers
An Escape From the Pandemic Task Crisis
When the pandemic struck, many companies started laying off their workers without any prior notice. As a event, a vast number of people had no means to sustain themselves. Many users joined Upwork during this time and found online work to sustain their homes.
A Global Connectedness
Many people have a life-long dream of working in different countries around the world. However, lack of funds and pandemic-based restrictions have put this dream on hold. But Upwork allows people to piece of work for anyone regardless of geographical limitations and barriers.
Payment Safety
Part of the reason many people are reluctant to work online is that they are worried they may not be paid for their piece of work. Nonetheless, as this review confirms, you definitely get paid on Upwork since the platform has strict payment guidelines in place.
Flexibility of Work
This review tackles something nearly individuals experience. They want to keep doing their nine-to-five jobs, but they also want to outset a side hustle with flexible timing. Upwork allows you lot to do this past deciding the number of hours you want to work and the projects you desire to take.
Enhances Creativity
Upwork gives y'all access to clients from a multifariousness of niches and different countries. As such, at that place's ever a project to challenge you, giving you the push button y'all need to explore your creative potential.
Financial Independence for At-Domicile Workers
Not everyone is a fan of dressing up for work every twenty-four hour period only to accept an 60 minutes-long commute before really starting their workday. Upwork is ideal for homemakers or anyone who wants to piece of work from the condolement of their homes in selected hours.
And yes, it'southward possible for you to earn more from Upwork at home than you would in a formal workplace.
Platonic for Freelancers in Smaller Countries
Upwork provides opportunities for people from smaller countries who may not be able to find on-site piece of work in their areas. Too, freelancers tin can be their own bosses and work in their own scheduled time.
Suitable for Unemployed Individuals
For some people, the geopolitical and economic weather in their countries make it difficult for them to get jobs. But as this reviewer states, Upwork provides many work opportunities, allowing them to work for clients across the globe while residing in their own land.
Negative Reviews for Freelancers
Although Upwork may be a safe and piece of cake-to-use platform for freelancers, they have sure complaints as was mentioned.
The Client Comes First
One of the major complaints nigh Upwork is that the platform is more inclined towards the customer. If you file a dispute, Upwork will mostly side with the customer — freelancers won't be favored even in situations where they should.
As well, many clients on the website run micro-businesses. This means they don't have the money for your loftier-end services fifty-fifty though they'll advertise their bid equally otherwise.
Poor Customer Support
Another alarming thing about Upwork is how a platform of such huge post-obit and caliber has an incompetent support squad. Like this reviewer, many users take complained almost not getting a response from the customer support team. Some freelancers accept stated that the platform sided with the client and denied them payment, even when they were in the right.
Low Rates for Professionals
Some freelancers, such every bit this reviewer on Upwork, are unhappy with the low rates offered by clients. While these rates may be higher than usual for freelancers from smaller countries, they're not sufficient for sustaining the toll of living for workers in nations similar the U.Southward.
Thus, Upwork may be nifty for beginners, only professionals cannot wait to get astoundingly high rates on the site.
No Protection for Freelancers
Upwork is notorious for non protecting the freelancers' interest as much equally the clients'. The dashboard ofttimes shows jobs from imitation accounts that intend to scam freelancers. Even if you report it as a suspicious activity to the platform, they don't actually do much about it, which is ironic considering they encourage freelancers and job posters to report such activities.
No Solution for Agencies
Agencies that want to change their accounts to Contained freelancers have no pick just to delete their existing accounts and register for a new one. Like Ashok, many other agencies also don't want to simply erase the hundreds of positive reviews they've received from clients over the years.
Unfortunately, Upwork doesn't offer an culling way out for these users.
High Fees
Upwork charges a lot to both freelancers and clients. On the one mitt, the platform takes 20% of what freelancers earn. On the other hand, it as well takes twenty% of what the clients pay. So, essentially, they are taking 40% in commissions, which often leaves freelancers with piddling.
Few Free Connects
When you sign up on Upwork, the platform gives you 50 costless Connects. Still, these aren't always plenty for newbies to get started since they need to bid on several projects before landing their first job. In many cases, freelancers have to buy a ton of Connects before they get hired.
Account Suspensions for No Reason
Roma is non the merely freelancer whose business relationship was suspended by Upwork without any reason or prior discover. Many other freelancers accept also complained near the aforementioned issue. However, none of them seem to have gotten any helpful response from the support team.
Too Many Scams
1 other reviewer described Upwork as a 'scam magnet' since many freelancers have been victims of fraud. The pitiful news in this regard is that the platform somehow lets the clients proceed while freelancers are denied payments and are sometimes even barred from the website.
Upwork Reviews for Clients
Clients also have mixed experiences with Upwork. While some find it to be a goldmine for finding freelancers, others struggle with the platform's disruptive payment construction and other features.
Positive Reviews for Clients
Wide Range of Freelancers
Clients can go pretty much any chore done by freelancers on Upwork. The platform has people working in a comprehensive range of fields, so at that place will ever be someone who can complete your task to perfection.
Access to Creative Workers
Clients have admission to talented people from all over the globe. As a event, they tin can build their own remote teams and keep adding new people as they see fit.
Impressive Structure
Every bit highlighted by this reviewer, Upwork is a well-structured platform. Clients tin can navigate their way through the site pretty quickly. Since freelancers can share everything from proposals and past projects with clients, it becomes easier for employers to choose the right freelancer for the task.
Access to Overseas Talent
Clients tin can hands go far touch with overseas talent and hire them, regardless of their geographical locations. The main benefit for clients here is that they're in a better position to get a good deal — freelancers from smaller countries have comparatively reasonable rates.
Also, with the Enterprise plan, clients don't have to practise much. They just requite project details to Upwork, and the platform handles the employment details itself.
Negative Reviews for Clients
Many Upwork reviews for clients are negative, peculiarly concerning confusing payment methods and poor customer support.
Ineffective Payment Model
Upwork's payment model is not feasible for clients from all industries. For instance, this reviewer hires freelancers for programming, and the projects take weeks to months to reach completion. However, since clients must pay weekly for hourly-based projects, the model is not user-friendly for clients with long-term work.
No Vetting
Many clients mutter that Upwork does not vet freelancers before assuasive them to work on the platform. Every bit a upshot, clients take to endure at the hands of unprofessional and unqualified freelancers. Since Upwork only gets paid when the freelancer does, they often side with the freelancers.
Shady Freelancers
Some clients take been scammed by freelancers who are running imitation accounts, are not sufficiently qualified, or lack the skills needed for the projects they bid on. This reviewer was lucky to get their coin dorsum as many other clients were left with nothing.
Hiding Negative Reviews
Some clients reported that they couldn't see negative reviews of the freelancers who take bid on their proposals. Instead, they tin only see positive reviews and are often misled into choosing the wrong person for the chore. Equally this reviewer mentioned, Upwork is misleading clients by doing this.
Upwork Reviews on Social Media
You can too find several Upwork reviews on social media channels, such equally Quora, Twitter, YouTube, and Reddit.
Reddit Reviews
Freelancers on Reddit don't seem to accept any luck on Upwork equally nigh of them take some sort of complaint nearly the website. Hither are some good and bad Upwork reviews on Reddit.
Practiced for Freelancers With Realistic Expectations
We find this review to be very well-counterbalanced. On the one manus, the reviewer admits that Upwork is problematic since many projects become to freelancers who bid low rates. However, if you know your worth and take realistic expectations, y'all'll have better luck on the platform.
Hard to Find Work
Similar freelancers on other websites, Reditters as well complain about the tough competition on Upwork and how this makes finding piece of work a challenge. Freelancers have to exist okay with many low-paying and awful jobs in gild to get meliorate ones. Beginners tin rarely bag high-paying jobs.
Good for Top Rated Freelancers
If you manage to get a acme-rated freelancer, things can get easier for you. Notwithstanding, the journey to becoming a top-rated freelancer is quite challenging. Once y'all get there, it is worthwhile, though.
Low Rates
This is quite alarming! A data scientist earning only $3.v an hour is cruel. Merely that's the kind of grind you might take to become through if you want to go far on Upwork.
Most Jobs Are Specific for United states of america Talent
Many clients fix restrictions on who can employ for the gig. While some clients simply desire to rent native freelancers, others prefer freelancers from smaller countries since they charge less. In both cases, it's unjust to other qualified freelancers who have to await for months to become their start project.
Bidding System Is Inefficient
The new bidding system allows anybody to bid for the job, even those who might not fit the requirements. For case, if the client specifically needs someone from the U.S., even non-American freelancers can too bid.
As a result, clients end up with dozens of bids in only an hour or two of posting a job. That makes the freelancer selection procedure very lengthy and tedious.
Twitter Reviews
Scammer Warning
Even on Twitter, people are lament about getting scammed on Upwork. Sadly, it goes both ways. Clients scam freelancers and freelancers scam clients — it's a fell cycle.
Unvetted Freelancers
Since Upwork does not appropriately vet freelancers, clients are frequently stuck with people who don't have the knowledge required for the projection they are behest on. On acme of that, when clients written report these freelancers, they stop up getting in more trouble.
Suspended Accounts
Information technology'due south almost a bit besides mutual how many people become their accounts suspended by Upwork. To brand matters worse, Upwork hardly always gives a reason for suspending users' accounts. Their support squad doesn't respond in time, leaving the complainants hanging.
Quora Reviews
Platonic for Hardworking Freelancers
While it's true that finding your initial gigs on Upwork can have time, in one case you start getting clients, your earnings increase substantially. Many freelancers from smaller countries state that they earn more from Upwork than they were getting from their nine-to-five jobs.
Hard To Win Recurrent Clients
Like many other sites, freelancers on Quora take also complained well-nigh the tough contest on Upwork. Getting projects is quite hard, especially if you're looking for long-term tasks or clients that keep coming back with more than work.
Allows Everyone To Bid
Many clients are concerned about the new bidding and freelancer choice process on Upwork. Previously, the platform only allowed freelancers to join if the category wasn't saturated enough. However, they currently permit pretty much everyone to enter the platform and bid on every project.
On the one paw, this has led to a saturated market. On the other hand, information technology makes the selection process laborious and hard for clients — they have to go through a lot of useless and irrelevant bids before finding the right person for their job.
Account Suspensions
Information technology seems as if Upwork suspends the users' accounts for niggling reasons. That means your payment isn't always condom. Therefore, many users recommend getting your payment out of Upwork as soon as possible and to brand sure you don't deviate even slightly from the platform's rules and guidelines.
Use Your Sixth Sense
The only manner to beware of scams on Upwork is to use your intuition. Information technology's easy to spot suspicious activity, such as someone asking yous to do gratuitous work or enervating payment for assigning y'all to work.
However, the problem here is that Upwork's back up squad doesn't respond to these issues as is required. This is why they have persisted for so long.
Faux Reviews
Many clients complain that some freelancers accept faux reviews that they have bought from somewhere or accept asked their friends and family to postal service. As a outcome, it becomes hard to filter capable freelancers from unreliable ones.
At the moment, Upwork doesn't take a system in place to set up this problem. So, your best bet is to exist careful about who you lot piece of work with.
YouTube Reviews
Common Beginner Mistakes
The reviewer talks virtually how many freelancers sign up on Upwork expecting to country a project the very start day. But since the platform is very competitive, information technology tin can sometimes take freelancers months to go their first project. Plus, Upwork has a client-first approach, which can ofttimes put freelancers at a disadvantage.
Both Good and Bad
Upwork may take its flaws, just it has immune many people to earn thousands of dollars sitting at domicile. You simply take to decide if the pros are worth bearing the cons.
Opportunity for Income
If you lot put in your center and effort, y'all tin can make Upwork work for you. Still, carry in mind that the process will exist rocky, and you might have to wait for weeks — sometimes even months — just to get your first reply from a client.
Upwork'south Assessment on Consumer Review Sites
Now that you've read specific reviews from users on different sites, let's assess the overall sentiment towards Upwork on popular consumer review sites.
BestCompany Reviews
Upwork has a rating of ane.5 on BestCompany, receiving negative reviews from many users who merits the platform doesn't provide value, quality, or service. Withal, in that location are also some positive reviews from freelancers and clients who have found their matches on the platform.
Clients are too satisfied with the Enterprise programme since it allows them to sit down back and relax while a project director takes charge of everything.
BBB Reviews
Upwork isn't accredited by Better Business concern Bureau, and it has a terrible rating of 1.i on the platform. Upwork has merely airtight 46 complaints in the past twelvemonth and 150 in the past three years.
Many users have reported getting their accounts suspended and existence victims of scams. The trends seem to be like across all consumer review sites. Here are some user reviews on BBB:
Capterra Reviews
Upwork has 82 reviews on Capterra with a solid iv.5 rating. About users accept highly rated the ease of use and overall efficiency of the platform. Still, customer support has the everyman rating of all metrics, just like all other consumer review sites.
This review sums up the overall sentiment of Upwork users on Capterra:
ConsumerAffairs Reviews
Upwork has a rating of four.0 on ConsumerAffairs. Although about users seem happy with the service Upwork provides, the same complaints of scamming and accounts getting suspended plague ConsumerAffairs. More importantly, the inefficiency of the support squad has been highlighted by many freelancers and clients.
G2 Reviews
Upwork has a rating of 4.half-dozen on G2, and many users accept mentioned ease of use, availability of global talent, and payment protection to be some of the pros of the platform.
Some users were dissatisfied with the new bidding organisation, but other than that, they are happy with Upwork'due south services.
Gartner Reviews
Upwork has a rating of four.2 on Gartner. While most users are happy with the variety of talent and work opportunities available on the website, some have complained about getting scammed by unvetted freelancers or clients who never wanted to pay in the start place.
The tendency of users being inconvenienced by the support squad'southward late response is consequent across all consumer review sites.
Pissed Consumer Reviews
Upwork has a rating of 2.ane on Pissed Consumers, which is apt considering the platform's name. Some reviewers take expressly advised others to "run far away."
Meanwhile, some clients take mentioned "dishonest freelancers" to be a con of the platform. Clients are charged for certain hours even when freelancers aren't working, and the support team is as well slow or unresponsive to resolve these issues.
Review.io Reviews
Upwork only has five reviews on Review.io, with an overall rating of 2. Some freelancers said they had a proficient feel on the platform.
Meanwhile, ane client mentioned how they had been scammed for $27,000, and the customer support did nada to assistance them become out of this problem.
Once again, there was a complaint of a user whose account was suspended for no reason. Users were also appalled by the 20% commission fee.
Sitejabber Reviews
With ii,618 reviews, Upwork has a rating of four.37 on Sitejabber, indicating the satisfaction of most users with the platform. The satisfied users mention the website's multifariousness of job opportunities and income potential for people from smaller countries.
Clients are besides happy with the talent they hire from the platform.
Meanwhile, virtually freelancers believe Upwork is an excellent platform since information technology offers a safe identify to observe work. Moreover, yous can cull how you want to be paid, which is a pop feature among reviewers on this website.
Trustpilot Reviews
Upwork has a rating of iv.v on Trustpilot, where nearly reviewers are happy with the manner Upwork offers its services and guarantees payment to freelancers. The common complaints mentioned in negative reviews were scams, unnecessary account suspensions, and unvetted freelancers.
TrustRadius Reviews
Upwork has a rating of viii.7 out of 10 on TrustRadius. Clients are satisfied with Upwork's Piece of work Diary that lets them monitor any ongoing project the freelancer is working on. On the other manus, the common problems discussed past reviewers revolve around the difficulty in filtering people to find the best freelancers for the job.
Yelp Reviews
Upwork has a 1-star rating on Yelp. While freelancers say that there are many job opportunities on the website, virtually complain virtually Upwork favoring the clients more than freelancers and the extreme competitiveness that makes it challenging to score jobs.
One reviewer too rightfully said that Upwork exploits the workforce by charging them money for Connects to bid on projects. The platform is already taking twenty% in commission fees, so there should exist no room for additional burden on the freelancers.
And again, to no i's surprise, there were mentions of scams.
Upwork Employee Reviews
Up to here, we've only looked at the reviews of clients and freelancers well-nigh Upwork. Let's take a expect at Upwork employee reviews now.
AmbitionBox Reviews
Upwork has a rating of iv.three on AmbitionBox, and most employees country they are happy with the work civilization, chore security, career growth, skill development, benefits, and salary.
Blind Reviews
There are 22 Upwork employee reviews on Bullheaded, and the site has a iii.3 rating. Although employees are happy with what they are being paid, the company culture has been called toxic by many workers.
Many employees also seem to be reminiscing near what the company used to exist every bit it has apparently fallen into the hands of the wrong leadership now.
Comparably Reviews
With 62 Upwork employee reviews, the platform has a rating of four.1 stars on Comparably. Once more, most employees are happy with the bacon and benefits but believe the team leadership could be meliorate.
Glassdoor Reviews
With 74 Upwork employee reviews, the platform has a 4.2 rating. 74% of the reviewers will recommend the system to their friends, while 87% of them approve of the CEO, Hayden Brownish.
Nearly reviewers say that the company has a lot of intelligent people who are a delight to piece of work with. Plus, the salary and benefits are decent. However, the leadership lacks people suited for success, which is why the platform has lost its charm.
Indeed Reviews
Upwork has a rating of 4.0 on Indeed, with the highest rating being for the metric "work-life residual." Although employees are satisfied with task security, advancement, and salary, at that place are some concerns near company culture and management.
Upwork Myths: Fact-Checking Common Behavior
Let's deflate some Upwork myths that might be making newbies reluctant to join.
Simply Cheap Projects Are Available
Not true. Upwork has a lot of high-paying projects, mainly in the following fields:
- Objective-C $66
- Golang $64
- Windows PowerShell $62
- Excel VBA $60
- Kotlin $60
- VB.NET $59
- Ruby $59
- Java $58
- Swift $56
- C# $56
The prices next to each gig represent the hourly rate.
It's Too Competitive To Notice Work
While that's somewhat true, y'all shouldn't let it discourage you lot from getting started on the website. You will soon become your showtime chore if you write stellar proposals and bid on the right projects.
Freelancers Can But Make So Much
As a beginner, you shouldn't expect Upwork to make you six figures in your get-go month. However, there are many freelancers on Upwork who earn a lot from their online jobs.
An example is Danny Marguiles, who is a copywriter charging $250 an hour.
Freelancers Should Take Whatsoever Task Starting Out
Not necessarily. Although the common trend is beginners charging low rates to get their proposals accustomed, you lot don't accept to do this if yous believe you deserve to earn more. Know your worth and explain to the customer in your proposal why yous are charging what you are.
Is Upwork Good for Freelancers?
It depends on how much hard work y'all are willing to put in. Since Upwork is very competitive, yous need to requite it your best.
The Positives
- College paying projects as compared to other freelancing sites
- Two options of getting paid
- Facilitates working from anywhere in the world
- Admission to clients from renowned companies
The Negatives
- A recent increase in scams
- Unexplained account suspensions
- Fierce competition makes information technology difficult to land jobs
How To Become Hired on Upwork?
If you want to get hired on Upwork, you need to send in proposals every unmarried twenty-four hour period. Don't re-create and paste proposals from the Cyberspace. Instead, make sure y'all read the client's needs and explain how you can fulfill them.
Upwork Connects Explained
Connects are sort of like tokens that you need to submit proposals and bid on jobs. You get 60 complimentary Connects every calendar month and can buy more in bundles if yous demand. Depending on the payment a client is offering, you lot demand 1 to vi Connects to apply for a chore.
Skill Certifications
Upwork skill certifications indicate that y'all are proficient in the skills listed in your Upwork profile. However, these certifications are simply available for creative fields and mobile or web software development.
By taking a certificate, you become a Talent Specialist, and Upwork gives priority invitations to specialists for submitting proposals.
Resume Review
Later on you lot take created your account, y'all need to ensure your profile is at 100% completion. Add your past works and other details that are important for the clients to know. Your resume should have everything from reviews from previous clients to your samples.
Proposals That Work
Co-ordinate to Upwork, your proposal is bound to get accepted or at least viewed by the client if:
- Information technology is straightforward and addresses the customer's core problem or need.
- It has a clear statement telling the client how you tin can solve their problem.
- It is a brusk pitch, comprising two to three sentences.
You should also add attachments, such equally your sample work or links to your portfolio.
Upwork Hourly Rate
Your minimum hourly rate on Upwork should be more $3 since the platform doesn't accept anything beneath that. Y'all can choose your hourly rate afterwards viewing the profiles of other professionals in your niche.
Upwork Fees
Upwork charges hefty fees to both clients and freelancers, especially those working on smaller projects.
Fees for Clients
Clients take to pay a 3% fee on all payments.
Fees for Freelancers
The Upwork fees for freelancers are the same for all types of contracts:
- $0-$500: 20%
- $500.01-$ten,000: x%
- $x,000.01 or more than: 5%
It's understandable why Upwork reviews for freelancers mention high fees.
Upwork Fourth dimension Tracker
Upwork'southward Desktop App lets you log in the number of hours you've worked equally per an hourly-based contract. Here'south how you lot can log your time:
- Open up the app and log in to your account.
- Select the contract you are working on.
- Turn the Off toggle to On.
- If you desire to add an activity label or memo, write it in the "what are yous working on" box.
How To Become Upwork Reviews
Let'south cut to the chase — the best way to get Upwork reviews is to actually work on the platform and satisfy your clients. Every other style will state you in problem or get your account suspended.
Feedback Example
On Upwork, both clients and freelancers write reviews for each other. Here'due south an case:
Buying Fake Reviews: Resist the Temptation
Finally, and most importantly, don't buy faux reviews. That will get your business relationship suspended. Plus, nearly clients are smart plenty to meet through the shady reviews and might flag your account. Instead, piece of work hard and earn good reviews by working every bit per your clients' expectations.
All-time Upwork Alternatives in 2021
Let's bring everything to a close by briefly discussing some Upwork alternatives that you lot can try in 2021.
Fiverr
Here is a comparison table showing the merits and demerits of both platforms:
Flexjobs
FlexJobs is likewise expertly curated and comprised of vetted freelancers. This means that yous don't have to worry well-nigh scams. Equally opposed to Upwork, the platform is subscription-based, and you tin can cancel your subscription if you aren't happy with the service.
Freelancers also take admission to resume review and career coaching for a ane-fourth dimension fee, which increases their chances of landing a job.
Guru
Guru offers no-price chore posting for clients and has additional features like E-Bank check support, messaging, time tracker, and wire transfer support. Compared to Upwork, Guru can become quite expensive for freelancers since the subscription plans can be as high as $49.95. It's important to note, though, that both platforms have scamming concerns.
Thumbtack
Although Thumbtack is similar to Upwork in many regards, it'south superior because job posters do not have to pay anything. Also, there are over 2000 services on the platform. The drawback is that information technology's sectional to the US, whereas Upwork is available worldwide. Thumbtack is ameliorate for labor-intensive local jobs, while Upwork should be your pick for remote jobs.
Freelancer
Freelancer and Upwork have a lot in common, although in a negative way. Both platforms are infamous for scams and business relationship suspensions. However, if you want access to more jobs and meliorate rates, Upwork should be your option. On the other hand, Freelancer's interface tin be helpful for beginners who are merely entering the gig economic system.
Gigster
Gigster is ideal for freelancers or clients working in software and mobile development niches. Unlike Upwork, where you lot have to do most of the work yourself unless yous accept an Enterprise account, Gigster assigns a project manager to make certain your projects are going as planned.
Gigster also gives you periodic reports on your project'due south progress — on Upwork, you take to practise this yourself. Simply and then again, Gigster is focused on development projects while Upwork has a wide range of categories.
99designs
Both 99designs and Upwork allow clients to find freelancers in two ways. Upwork lets yous find a freelancer or post jobs, while 99designs lets you find a freelancer or host a contest.
Both platforms have high-paying projects. Whereas 99designs is specifically for blueprint-related tasks, Upwork is ideal for freelancers with varying backgrounds.
Final Words
With that, we've come to the end of this commodity about Upwork reviews. We mentioned Upwork reviews for freelancers to decide the desirability of working through the site.
Nosotros've also compiled Upwork reviews for clients from different consumer review sites and social media to alert task posters of the hiccups they may face on the platform.
All things considered, this comprehensive guide should have prepared you lot for your freelancing or hiring journeying on Upwork.
Source: https://revelo.io/blog/upwork-reviews