Poor success rate I’ve used the site 4 times and only once have I received what was paid for. Full of untrustworthy freelancers who just do not deliver on tasks.

Customer service is dishonest and not… Customer service is dishonest and not trustworthy. I tried to complain about the fake jobs posted on their platform. I just got blamed for responding to the fake jobs (when I did not know a lot of the posting their are fake. Then I told the that nonpaid clients should not be able to contact applicants. Instead I received a warning for responding to them

Terrible website full of sharks and… Terrible website full of sharks and there is NO protection or customer service. We found a freelancer on Upwork - who caused us so much damage. They also sneakily get you to sign up to there dreadful service and its impossible to find out how to stop the subscription. All automated CS no one interest and couldn't give a damn. Still trying to contact them - the chat is a BOT not a person

Complete waste of time and money A complete waste of time and money. Their pro membership gives you more connects, but it doesn't help you get work. When you're starting from scratch its literally impossible to get work without any reviews. You can be the most talented, experienced professional in your field but you'll lose out to a cheap off-shore solution. I've spent hundred of dollars on membership, sending proposals, cutting costs to the point of it not even being worth it, and still no interest.

Poor growth potential So far my experience on Upwork has been beyond forgettable. It is a great format and interface, but the total lack of growth potential for people not willing to shell out huge amounts of money is just gross. When you apply for jobs, you have to essentially purchase the right to apply with an in-site currency called Connects. While you are awarded some for free based on completing a couple of major tasks on the site (signing up, booking your first gig, etc), you otherwise have to pay for them or wait one month into the next "billing cycle" to get more. The Connects do not get returned to you unless the Job Poster formally closes the job, which most of them don't. My free Connects were eaten by 10+ people who hired from their posts and then never closed their jobs. There needs to be a slim time limit or some other system where Upwork automatically closes jobs so you get returns on the currency you're expected to PAY FOR. Paying to apply for a job is already a joke of a system. The ONLY benefit to the Connects is that it forces you to be selective about what you apply for, so a handful of jerks can't run around taking all the jobs. Nevertheless, it is a system for people who can afford to pay. I've used up all my free credits and can't apply to any more for another three weeks. And I'm not going to buy any, obviously, because I'm not going to pay to apply for a job and then not get my Connects returned when they hire someone else. Next, if you make under $100 they make you wait 5-8 days before they let you pay out which is nonsense. An embarrassing amount of Secret Shopper scams on this site too, they make the Talent jump through far more Verification hoops than the Employers. I want to like this site because I've truly applied to some good stuff and booked some good easy money, but the way it's being run under the current format of its Connects system simply does not create fair or viable opportunities. If you sign up for this site do not stake your rent payment on it, this is a Casual Side Cash website at best.