Upwork reviews

3.8

59% would recommend to a friend

(633 total reviews)
avatar

Hayden Brown

55% approve of CEO

43% positive business outlook

Upwork has an employee rating of 3.8 out of 5 stars, based on 633 company reviews on Glassdoor which indicates that most employees have a good working experience there. The Upwork employee rating is in line with the average (within 1 standard deviation) for employers within the Informationstechnologie industry (3.9 stars).

Reviews by job title

633 reviews
3.0
Nov 27, 2025

Great at first, but…

Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

- salary is in dollars so converted is much higher, even double, than local standard rate - lucky to be part of a supportive team

Cons

- no work, no pay - recently, Upwork seems to be struggling and has been laying off people with no strong reason every cycle

5.0
Nov 18, 2025

Loved working there

Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

1. Global Client Access You can work with clients from anywhere in the world, including the U.S., Europe, Australia, and more — giving you wider exposure and better earning potential. 2. Flexible Schedule You decide when, where, and how much you work. Perfect if you want control over your time, income, and workload. 3. Project Variety Upwork offers roles across customer support, sales, recruitment, design, development, writing, operations, and more. You can easily explore different niches and industries. 4. Easy Entry for New Freelancers You don’t need a company, agency, or large portfolio to start. A strong profile can still attract good leads. 5. Built-In Payment Protection Upwork handles contracts, payments, and dispute resolution, which removes a lot of risk compared to freelancing independently. 6. Opportunity for Long-Term Clients Many one-off jobs turn into ongoing contracts. Some freelancers build multi-year client partnerships through Upwork alone.

Cons

1. Service Fees Upwork takes a percentage from your earnings, especially in the beginning. This can feel heavy if you’re just starting. 2. High Competition You’re competing with freelancers globally — including those willing to charge less. Standing out requires effort, strong positioning, and consistent quality.

4.0
Nov 15, 2025

Great Place to Work

Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Large global marketplace Secure payment protection Strong rating and reputation system Flexible work opportunities Helpful tools for communication and project management

Cons

High competition, especially for beginners Upwork service fees can be expensive Many low-budget or vague job postings Strict verification and account rules Time-consuming to win quality projects initially

Viewing 310 - 312 of 633 Reviews

Glassdoor has 921 Upwork reviews submitted anonymously by Upwork employees. Read employee reviews and ratings on Glassdoor to decide if Upwork is right for you.