Is Upwork Still Worth it in 2025?

I’ve been freelancing a LONG time, and on Upwork a long time through different ventures on both sides fo the hiring. I’ve landed incredible clients, hired amazing freelancers, made real money, and even built long-term business relationships that moved way beyond the platform. So before I say anything else—yes, Upwork can still work.

But lately? It’s getting harder to say that with confidence.

Let’s talk about what’s going on.

The Fees Keep Creeping Up

We get it—platforms gotta make money. But Upwork’s latest fee structure is starting to feel more like a penalty than a cost of doing business. Service fees, proposal connects, and now a higher cut for “frequent freelancers” (aka, the people keeping the platform alive)? It’s backwards.

The more you work, the more you pay—but not always for better tools, support, or experience.

And for solo freelancers or boutique consultants running lean, these fees stack. It’s starting to feel less like a freelancing platform and more like a toll booth with a pitch deck.

The Quality Dip Is Real

If you’ve been on the site recently, you’ve probably noticed what I’m seeing: a wave of bad actors, spam clients, AI-generated job posts, and fly-by-night operations promising "equity-only" gigs for 30+ hour weeks. It’s noise. A lot of it.

I used to open Upwork and feel like I was stepping into a curated marketplace of real opportunities. Now? It’s a gamble. You spend connects just to apply to gigs that may or may not be real, serious, or even human-written.

And that’s a problem. Because good freelancers (who used to thrive here) are pulling back, taking their talent elsewhere, and leaving behind a weaker ecosystem.

The Algorithm Isn’t Helping

Upwork has always been a bit of a black box—but lately, that algorithm feels more like a wall than a filter. You apply to jobs you’re qualified for and never hear back. Your JSS (Job Success Score) gets dinged by silent clients. And now with AI assistants writing proposals? It’s a race to the bottom.

The platform is over-optimizing for volume and engagement metrics, and under-delivering on quality matching and human interaction. That’s not a good long-term play.

But Here’s the Thing…

Despite all this—I still work on Upwork. And I’m not alone. Plenty of smart freelancers are still landing big-ticket contracts, closing retainers, and building recurring revenue. You just have to work twice as hard to filter through the noise and stand out.

If you're experienced, have strong reviews, and know how to position yourself, it can still be a useful part of your revenue stack. But I no longer recommend it as the only channel to build your business.

So What’s the Move?

Use Upwork—but don’t depend on it.

Build your own ecosystem:

• A personal site with a clear services page

• An email list of past clients and leads

• LinkedIn and/or TikTok to show thought leadership

• Off-platform retainers you control

And if you do use Upwork? Treat it like a tool, not a career. Raise your rates. Set boundaries. Be selective. Say no to junk. The good clients are still there—they’re just buried deeper than before.

TL;DR:

Upwork isn’t dead. But it’s not what it used to be.
Fees are up. Spam is up. Patience is down.
Stay sharp, build outside the platform, and don’t let the algorithm define your worth.