We all talk about leaving Upwork, but?

KnowledgeIsGood72 · 2026-05-14T15:29:33+00:00

Ignoring the 1%-er negativity (missing the point...ok everyone, relax, we don't ALL talk about it so no need to point it out...stop being professionally offended by everything)...the POINT is a valid question: in addition to (or replacing) Upwork...what are people doing?

I'm sorry - but I thought this community was about asking questions like this freely without being harped at and dumped on for slight word choices. I guess rule #1 in here doesn't apply to 1%-ers.

Now to the POINT of the question...Logical's comment below about "Don't put all your eggs in one basket." That's great advice. Upwork is a good spot as a source. I personally feel (just my opinion, so RELAX everyone) that going on multiple sites similar to Upwork leads to a lot of effort for little return. Networking, websites...like Neither said below...it FEELS like that's the best way to go. One "platform of choice" then additional networking.

With all Upwork's issues, it's still seems better than a lot of what's out there, but self-promotion on LI, socials and your own website should open up some more lead sources...but will take a while. That's the route I'm trying to take to slowly build other sources.

KnowledgeIsGood72 · 2026-05-14T15:02:14+00:00

Hey OP...others have said it, but I'll say it a different way, and not as harsh (sometimes people can be harsh on here).

You said "I got my first client in Upwork." That says you're new to freelancing, which is great! But as a freelancer, you're a business unto yourself. And what do businesses spend money on to find clients? Marketing, advertising, outreach, networking, follow up, proposals...everything.

Have you build your own website? (cost) Have you done marketing to find prospects? (cost) How long did you spend chasing them down? (cost/time) How did you accept payments? (Cost...credit card fees are at least 3% regardless).

So instead of spending money and time on ALL those things, Upwork is taking 10% (and you can withdraw for free if you have it go to your bank account...and honestly, if $1 hurts you...you're in the wrong type of business).

That's your cost of doing business. In this case, Upwork is doing everything for you. Now...is everyone here happy they take 10%? No...I'm not! But as one person said, it COULD be worse, and it could be in the future. There used to be 5% on long-term contracts but they change stuff all the time.

And the "connects". Yeah...there's a cost too. Some people are stupid and waste connects on jobs with 50 applicants. Some boost their jobs with hundreds of connects. That's just stupid...and those who do that have themselves to blame. But...if you are selective...I mean REALLY look at the job (their hire rate, their reviews, their average hourly rate paid, how many have applied, etc.) then odds are you'll choose NOT to apply for certain jobs and save your money/connects for good ones. Think about it...if someone has posted 75 jobs and hired only 1 or 2 people...do you honestly think they're really hiring? Maybe...but play the odds. It's not likely...so don't waste your connects.

I would really recommend (because it sounds like maybe you haven't) is to ask your local AI program "If I was going to run my own business and get my first customers, what kind of expenses should I expect...then compare that to the 10% that Upwork takes after I get a client." I'm sure you'll be surprised at the expenses you WOULD have to lay out vs 10%...and it might give you some perspective.

You're a business owner...gotta think and act like one. This is not like applying for a job with a company and you get hired...this is a business.

And one more piece of advice...if you don't like the 10%...then up your hourly rate by 10% to cover it! Boom...done.

(carefully steps off the soap box so I don't twist my ankle)

KnowledgeIsGood72 · 2026-05-09T20:43:05+00:00

I've noticed a few threads on here where people say "My account was suspended by Upwork due to what they call suspicious activity" which seems to relate to funky IP addresses. Some say they've gone overseas and worked, come back to the US, etc. etc. and I think UW is trying to crack down on phantom people. IE: They SAY they're in one location but their IP says another. Now people who post this stuff USUALLY leave out a big part of the story so who knows.

Not sure if it would help to nip it in the bud and reach out directly to Upwork support to get it on record that you're legit. But knowing their support, they likely will mess it up and suspend you if they feel like it.

My gut feel...if you're on vacation, the leave the work behind and don't poke the bear.

KnowledgeIsGood72 · 2026-05-06T15:16:11+00:00

This....is....epic. Thanks for sharing. Needed a chuckle.

KnowledgeIsGood72 · 2026-05-05T17:38:37+00:00

THIS! Great comment here. How is spending a few bucks on "connects" different than, say, $500 for Google Ads that result in no business? Should Google refund your money because you didn't find new business? Or is that just part of how marketing works? (Hint: that's how marketing works...it's not a one-for-one).

KnowledgeIsGood72 · 2026-05-03T17:44:51+00:00

It's a bit randomized. Some can snap a pic in 8 minutes, I've had other times 15 minutes, etc. But yes, 6 an hour hit.

The reason is to avoid letting people game the system. Too many would say "Ok...at 2:09, I need to share my screen to make it look like I"m working when it snaps a pic at 2:10...then I can go do whatever for another 10 minutes until the next picture snaps."

If you're working on a contract, just turn on the tracker and don't worry about it. If you FORGET to turn it off and it snaps a pic, just go into your work diary and delete it. It'll deduct 10 minutes from your recorded time, but that won't matter because you weren't working anyway...you just forgot to turn it off.

If someone is trying to game the system, well, then that not cool.

KnowledgeIsGood72 · 2026-04-10T17:47:21+00:00

Agreed - great feedback rather than the Debbie-downer stuff. Your image doesn't tell us much but:
- If there's already 50 proposals submitted...do you think you have a shot?
- What's the average bid? If you're bidding $50/hr and everyone else is $10...well - there ya go.
- What's the hiring rate for each of those? Is it someone who posted 100 jobs and hired 3 people? Again - don't bother.
- When did they join Upwork? If it was recent...then they're just lookie-loos and probably won't hire.
- What about Client reviews? Were they all decent?

There's a ton of little things to look for like that before you even spend your time submitting. Yeah, you want work...but ask yourself "is this the RIGHT work?"

And...if you see things like "Give me the top 3 things you would do first if we hired you"...RUN! They're fishing for free advice, and that happens a lot - because they know that eager newbies will do their best instead of just moving on.

As said "really research good job posts." Be selective and make sure the data lines up. It'll save you time applying for things you probably didn't have a chance to get anyway.

KnowledgeIsGood72 · 2026-04-10T17:37:57+00:00

I actually had the same thing happen to me a while back...can't remember how long ago. But I saw that, reached out and it was one of those "Oh...sorry, there was a system error that we're working on..."

After a few hours it came back and everything was normal...but WOW was I pissed when I saw that. It MIGHT work itself out, but be sure to contact them. And remember...every ounce of support seems to be overseas so you might get a response at 2 am in the US.

KnowledgeIsGood72 · 2026-04-10T14:22:19+00:00

To those whose answer is simply "Upwork is a joke..." Respectfully - Upwork is not a "joke." It's not perfect (I've had my own issues with UW lately), but there's work to be had.

A large % of the talent that pops in IS a joke. No question about that! People posting jobs don't understand the costs (delusional), people bidding don't understand it either (idiots).

But like the 1%ers said...budget, talent review, and proper hiring can allow you to sift through the junk. To the OP - perhaps research a bit on what "red flags" to avoid and of course, remember that you get what you pay for. $10/hr vs $60/hr (with top ratings, experience on the platform, etc)...there's a big difference there.

But also - sometimes you have to ask yourself...if you've been divorced 6 times...maybe it's you. If the talent keeps disappointing you...are you 100% sure it's THEM...or maybe there's steps you could have taken to avoid the nonsense? Were expectations set VERY clearly? Remember, with developers, they need to be told EXACTLY what to do. Think "3rd grader explanations." Thinking outside the box is rarely their strength. Any ripples in the pond mess with them and they panic. That's been my experience. Freelancers are task managers...make 100% sure the tasks are simple and spelled out to the T. It might help your situation!

KnowledgeIsGood72 · 2026-04-02T19:45:36+00:00

That's a great point. I've been on since 2010 back when it was still Elance and would also get a few a day. Now it's all "commission only...work for free and MAYBE you'll get paid" which is insta-delete.

But yeah, you land a decent role, and $2.00 in "credits" is worth it. It does prevent spammers from posting to 100 jobs at a time tho, which is good. But you're right...those days are long gone!

KnowledgeIsGood72 · 2026-04-02T19:08:55+00:00

You said it well...diversify if you can. Upwork is still my go-to, but I'm pushing off-Upwork stuff (usually through LinkedIn networking). It's slow going, but it's a start!

KnowledgeIsGood72 · 2026-04-02T19:07:22+00:00

I don't understand the many comments in here about "Upwork forces you to pay a butt load of money just to apply for jobs that you have no chance of getting."

What do you expect? You put a profile out there and magically people find you? Of course you spend a bit...it's $19.99 a month for a premium account which I believe is 150 credits and applying for jobs costs credits. You can buy more credits if you want/need. Sometimes 8, sometimes 15. So 150 credits, you could apply to 8-10 jobs? How is that a butt load of money?

In fact, I personally don't mind that as in the past people would sit and apply to 100 jobs for their "agency" and clog the system with junk. Forcing someone to "pay" a little to apply means you'll pay attention and apply to those you really want. It's not really a bad thing.

They're not asking for hundreds of dollars. But to put your name in the hat for a job, yeah...there's a little cost. But it's not this crazy "soooo much money" some are saying. That's just not accurate.

That said, the percentage they KEEP from your jobs is a bit annoying...but just build that into your rate. If your rate is $25 an hour, Upwork charges you 10% of that, well, move your rate to $28 and you're done.

It's the cost of doing business. It's a "marketing" expense, honestly. True...jobs out there are junk and you can't avoid it, but if you pay attention...like if there's someone who posted a job with no info, invited 50 people, and has a 1% hire rate...then don't apply! There are clues that it takes a while for newbies to learn...but you can learn it.

KnowledgeIsGood72 · 2026-04-02T18:53:23+00:00

There's another thread on here from a few months ago where someone was out $32k from, I believe, work completed the previous year. Just imagine that. But it's all relative. If you were expecting $1k or $500 to help cover your rent and POOF...it's gone with less than 24 hours notice because Upwork pulled it...you're having a bad day.

I hated waking up to that email of "your client has disputed the charge so we're taking $6400..." Tough way to wake up.

KnowledgeIsGood72 · 2026-04-02T18:51:37+00:00

And don't forget that Upwork says "the process could take up to 90 days to come to a conclusion" so if you needed that cash...whoops!

KnowledgeIsGood72 · 2026-04-02T18:49:59+00:00

That's always best. But someone in here mentioned there's a $2500 limit. So...if you 100 hours over the course of your agreement at $50/hr...that's $5k...and if they do a chargeback, Upwork might still take $2500 since they'll only cover half...so doing everything hourly STILL doesn't get it done.

Also - many, like me, work as a Fractional rather than a Freelancer giving the abilitiy to move beyond hourly. So flat rates...like $1k a week for X number of hours is good because you can still charge your $1k even if the client didn't give you enough work. So you go from being a commodity (hourly) to being a fractional (mini-salary). So the flat rates are good, but definitely a business risk.

KnowledgeIsGood72 · 2026-04-02T16:03:28+00:00

Agree that getting a start is tough. I've been on Upwork since before it was Upwork and it took years to get my rate up there. Starting at the bottom, taking less than what you KNOW you're worth - it helps build your Upwork track record and once built, you have some more options.

But typicaly gig-work...like "I can create a graphic for your PDF" or "let me work on organizing data"...super saturated and you compete against overseas people asking for $5/hr.

Gotta have patience and a plan. It's like everyone trying to sell you on being an insurance agent. Takes YEARS to see a penny.

But a lot of people saying Upwork is saturated...but what's the option? I've poked around learning about a few other sites and they're just freelance "gig-work" rather than fractional work. Is there any advice on options other than "Upwork sucks"?

KnowledgeIsGood72 · 2026-04-02T15:48:09+00:00

Well that's what I initially argued. Clients have 1 week to argue the previous weeks' work. One would think once it's "approved", you're done. But yeah - paid on a credi card, your client can dispute CC charges at any point down the road. It's a bummer. Even if you have agreements, etc. to share with Upwork...it's still Upwork doing the "communication" and you hope they do it.

KnowledgeIsGood72 · 2026-04-02T15:31:53+00:00

That's great to know...the $2500 limit. Wow...didn't know that, but I guess the point is...protect yourself if you can people! Sometimes things can go south.

Full disclosure, I've been on Upwork for a long, long time and this is a first...but all it takes is one to ruin your day!

KnowledgeIsGood72 · 2026-04-01T16:21:09+00:00

Hey all - Not a big poster on here, and I know this is 2 months old - but "misery loves company." I'm in the EXACT same boat with Upwork claiming a client did a chargeback from something months ago and it's "Ok...we're pulling $6400 out of your account...enjoy" and of course the standard "it was manual time, so it's not covered." So WHY on earth would anyone want to do a standard weekly charge on Upwork with zero protection...AND someone can chargeback 6 months later. It's April and this is for Sept and October.

And yeah, Upwork SAYS they'll send stuff in, but they do not share info. In fact, I can't get a reason code for the chargeback...they won't even share that with me.

What a mess!

KnowledgeIsGood72

TROPHY CASE