Is Upwork Legit & Safe? A Look into Its Credibility

In the fast-paced world of freelancing, trust and credibility are paramount for both clients and professionals. Upwork, one of the largest freelancing platforms globally, often sparks the question: Is Upwork legit? With its robust features, verified profiles, and secure payment systems, Upwork has become a go-to platform for businesses and freelancers alike. This article delves into Upwork’s credibility, safety protocols, and why it’s trusted by millions worldwide. Whether you’re looking to hire talent or showcase your skills, understanding what makes Upwork reliable is essential. Let’s explore!

What is Upwork?

Upwork is a global freelancing platform that connects businesses with independent professionals for a wide range of services, including writing, design, programming, and marketing. Clients post job descriptions, and freelancers submit proposals, showcasing their skills and experience. The platform offers features like secure payment systems, time tracking for hourly contracts, and a review system to build trust between clients and freelancers. It is widely used by individuals, startups, and companies to find cost-effective and flexible solutions for various projects.

Founder of Upwork

Upwork was founded by Odysseas Tsatalos and Stratis Karamanlakis in 1999 under the name Elance. Later, Elance merged with oDesk in 2013, and the platform was rebranded as Upwork in 2015. Today, Upwork is one of the largest freelancing platforms, connecting businesses with freelancers worldwide. 🚀

How safe and legit is Upwork?

You must have got the overview of Upwork. Let us now deeply understand if Upwork is legit on the basis of certain factors which will help you in deciding whether you should use Upwork or not. In these factors, we will look into 8 parameters to judge if Upwork is legit or not. 

1. Data privacy

This is the most important factor which is the privacy and security of each user that creates an account on Upwork. By leveraging advanced security measures and robust system infrastructure, Upwork ensures that users data is protected and safe throughout their journey while using the platform. It uses two-factor authentication, single sign-on for enterprise-level clients and custom session timeouts to prevent unauthorized access to the account. 

If any user is trying to access your account from another system or laptop, you will directly get an email and you can immediately restrict the account level access.

This is the best part which makes Upwork 100% legit. You will receive a notification on the spot, and if you feel someone is trying to access your account you can change your password.

Upwork’s two factor authentication is so strong that it asks for certain questions before you completely login into your account. This makes Upwork more safe to use.

For example, it asks me for my mother’s middle name to give me complete login access of the account. 

Also, data is encrypted during transit using HTTPS and HSTS protocols, while machine learning detects and prevents malware and spam. Upwork also supports confidentiality and intellectual property agreements, ensuring secure collaborations between businesses and freelancers. These measures provide a reliable and secure platform for achieving your business goals without compromising on safety.

2. Account details

Creating an Upwork account is very easy process. You can simply sign up on the platform using your verified Gmail account and get started within minutes.



Once you have created your profile, you need to complete your profile and get it verified. In this step, Upwork might ask you for certain information like your photo, profile title, employment history and skill tag. Certain details like photos, resumes and your work certificates are personal but you can trust the platform as the data shared on Upwork remains 100% encrypted. It means, no one expect you and your employer can look at those personal information. 

3. Payment information

Upwork ensures 100% protection of the payment via Hourly payment protection and Fixed price escrow which is safe for both freelancers and clients. For the hourly payment, clients can review the freelancers’ work diaries, which is basically a time tracking tool to track the actual working hours of freelancers and verify it for payment. If the freelancers have logged for irrelevant working hours, then clients may as them for a refund. Freelancers are guaranteed for payment only for the actual working hours only that meet the criteria of Upwork. 

For example, if a freelancer works on a website design and logs accurate hours using Upwork’s app, their payment is protected. 

In fixed-price projects, clients deposit funds into escrow, which is released upon milestone approval. For example, a writer submitting an article can expect payment within 14 days if the client neither approves the work nor disputes it. 

Disputes are handled through Upwork’s assistance, ensuring fair resolution. These systems foster transparency and trust, making transactions secure for all parties.

4. User control over data

Upwork gives 100% freedom to users to manage their data and account settings through their transparent system. Users can manage their AI preferences under settings > My info > AI preferences, which allows them to opt out of allowing Upwork to use their data for AI model training. 

Users can also edit and update their account details anytime they want.

They can also restrict their profile and make it private which will be visible only to you. Plus, you also get an option to keep your earnings private and not show it to your clients.

Upwork never sells user data and follows strict privacy policies, such as anonymizing data, limiting vendor access, and prohibiting the use of data to train third-party AI models.

Privacy is integrated into Upwork’s service design, ensuring compliance with global standards and legal requirements. For example, contracts with service vendors restrict unnecessary data access, while built-in security protocols protect sensitive information. Transparency is a priority; Upwork clearly communicates when AI is being used, how it works, and its benefits.

To further ensure data security, Upwork monitors legal and regulatory changes, adapts best practices, and maintains a commitment to responsible AI use. By combining privacy protocols with ethical AI principles—like accountability, responsibility, and trustworthiness—Upwork creates a secure environment for users to achieve their goals.

5. SSL

Yes, Upwork does has SSL certificate installed which encrypts the data transmitted between the users and its servers. This encryption ensures that sensitive data and information such as personal details, payment details and communications are secure and protected from unauthorized access. The presence of SSL establishes Upwork as a safe and legitimate freelancing website. The platform also incorporates robust measures such as secure payment system, two-factor authentication which I showed above and identity verification process further to ensure the safety and security of the platform.

Users can confidently use Upwork with the fear of data breaches and data leak. Also, they can make online transactions via Upwork without the fear of losing their money and bank details. 

6. Linkedin profile

Upwork maintains an official and verified LinkedIn profile with a significant following of over 1 million, showcasing its reputation as a legitimate company. The profile includes real employees, company updates, and engagement that reflect the platform’s credibility in the freelancing industry.

This transparency, coupled with their active presence on a professional platform like LinkedIn, reinforces Upwork’s authenticity and standing as a reliable marketplace for connecting freelancers and clients globally.

Is Upwork legit?

1. Company background

Upwork is a leading online talent marketplace connecting businesses with skilled independent professionals across the globe. Established in 1999 as Elance, it later merged with oDesk in 2013 to become Elance-oDesk before rebranding as Upwork in 2015. The platform serves clients ranging from startups to Fortune 500 companies, offering services across over 10,000 skill categories including web development, creative design, customer support, and finance.

Headquartered in Santa Clara, California, Upwork is helmed by CEO Hayden Brown. It provides flexible staffing solutions, enabling businesses to dynamically scale their teams. Upwork’s mission is to create economic opportunities for people to lead better lives. Over 30% of Fortune 500 companies, such as Microsoft, GE, and Airbnb, utilize its services, emphasizing its credibility and reach.

The company has received significant funding, amassing $168 million from investors like New Enterprise Associates, FirstMark, and T. Rowe Price. It has also formed partnerships with industry leaders to enhance its offerings and promote efficient professional collaborations. In 2022 alone, freelancers on Upwork earned over $3.8 billion​

With robust features such as secure payment options, diverse talent pools, and sophisticated matching technologies, Upwork has positioned itself as a pioneer in remote and freelance work, transforming how businesses and professionals interact in the digital age.

2. Transparency 

Upwork is recognized for its transparency, a key factor in establishing trust and credibility among freelancers and clients. The platform ensures that user profiles are comprehensive and include verified information such as skills, certifications, and work samples. This verification process builds confidence in collaborations. 

Furthermore, Upwork promotes open communication through a feedback and rating system. After completing projects, both freelancers and clients can leave public reviews, which provide valuable insights for future users about the reliability and performance of potential collaborators.

Pricing and payment structures on Upwork are also clearly outlined. Freelancers are aware of the service fees deducted from their earnings, while clients can see transparent costs associated with hiring freelancers. 

Detailed job postings, including budgets and deliverables, allow freelancers to assess opportunities before applying. Additionally, the platform’s milestone-based payment system for fixed-price contracts ensures that freelancers are paid upon successful delivery while safeguarding clients’ investments.

3. Customer support

Uowork’s customer support is really on top which makes them the number 1 freelancing platform in the world. They offer community based support where you can ask your doubt in the forum and get solutions from experts and like-minded people. Next, they have an academy where you can choose to learn about Upwork, how it work, and many other related courses that will help you to build your career in freelancing.

Third, they have a live chat support where you can ask your questions and the AI chatbot will give you links to articles that might solve your doubt. Last option is to raise a ticket and someone from their customer support team will reach out to you via email. 

4. Testimonial 

Is Upwork good or bad?

Upwork is a legitimate and reliable platform that has become a cornerstone for freelancers and businesses worldwide. It’s a solid choice for those looking to earn money as freelancers or hire skilled professionals. The platform has been operational for over a decade and is a publicly listed company, further affirming its credibility. Upwork boasts a network of real investors and employs dedicated individuals to maintain and grow the platform.

Its user-friendly interface and clean design make navigation easy, enabling freelancers to showcase their skills and clients to post projects efficiently. Safety is a top priority, as Upwork adheres to stringent protocols to protect user data and ensure secure transactions.

The platform offers opportunities across a vast array of industries, making it highly versatile for professionals and businesses alike. With transparent processes, verified profiles, and robust dispute-resolution mechanisms, Upwork remains a trusted environment for building professional relationships and achieving career growth. It provides a legitimate way for freelancers to monetize their skills while giving clients access to a pool of global talent. Overall, Upwork’s credibility and functionality make it a good platform for professional collaboration.

Is Upwork safe to make money?

Yes, Upwork is safe for making money due to its robust payment protection policies designed for both freelancers and clients. Here’s an overview of how Upwork ensures a secure platform:

Hourly Payment Protection

For Freelancers:

• Upwork’s Hourly Payment Protection ensures freelancers are paid for time logged via the Upwork Desktop App, provided the logged hours meet Upwork’s criteria, including clear work descriptions and relevant work-in-progress screenshots.
• It does not cover manual time entries or bonuses.

For Clients:

• Clients can monitor work-in-progress snapshots through the freelancer’s Work Diary, ensuring transparency.
• If freelancers log irrelevant hours, clients can dispute those within the previous week’s period. Refunds are provided for any hours that don’t meet protection criteria.

Fixed-Price Escrow Protection

For Freelancers:

• Before starting a milestone, the client deposits funds into escrow, guaranteeing payment once work is approved.
• If a client delays or refuses approval, funds are automatically released 14 days after submission unless changes are requested.

For Clients:

• Clients can request changes or refunds for unsatisfactory work.
• Funds remain secure in escrow until deliverables are approved, ensuring that payments align with project progress.

Dispute Resolution

Both freelancers and clients benefit from Upwork’s structured dispute resolution process, which helps resolve payment-related conflicts in a fair and transparent manner.

Key Points About Safety:

1. Transparency: Upwork provides detailed records of work and payments, fostering trust.
2. Escrow System: Both hourly and fixed-price contracts have mechanisms to secure payments.
3. Accountability: Clients and freelancers are accountable for upholding agreements, backed by Upwork’s policies.

By adhering to its protection guidelines, Upwork provides a secure environment for freelancers to earn and for clients to hire with confidence.

Is Upwork safe for students and beginners?

Upwork is a safe and reliable platform for students and beginners looking to earn money and gain experience. It provides a secure environment with systems like escrow payments to ensure that freelancers are paid for their work and clients receive the deliverables they expect. For beginners, the platform offers entry-level opportunities in areas such as writing, data entry, graphic design, and virtual assistance, making it an ideal starting point to develop professional skills and build a portfolio.

Upwork’s features, such as profile creation and learning resources, help new users showcase their expertise and understand how to succeed on the platform. The payment protection system ensures that freelancers are compensated as long as they meet contract terms, giving peace of mind to those new to freelancing. Additionally, students benefit from the flexibility Upwork provides, allowing them to balance work commitments with their academic schedules

How to avoid scams at Upwork?

In order to determine if Upwork is safe or not, you need to learn about some of the Upwork scams and avoid them. Below I have mentioned some of the popular scams that happen on Upwork and ways you can tackle it. 

1. Check the freelancer’s profile properly

First things first, when you have decided to hire a freelancer via Upwork, then make sure to check the freelancer’s profile thoroughly. 

A legit freelancer on Upwork will have a looking profile with a real image, reviews, hours worked and an amazing description of the expertise he or she may have. In the above image, you can see the profile of freelancer is neatly filled with all the relevant information, legit reviews and a number of hours worked. 

Some of the freelancers create fake profiles and get fake reviews as well. You can easily come across such profiles by checking the total hours worked and the amount earned by the freelancer to date. 

2. Do not deal outside of Upwork

In some cases, freelancers might ask you for an upfront payment of a certain fee outside of Upwork. They will either ask you to connect elsewhere via LinkedIn or email and seek for upfront payment via another platform like Paypal or Payonner. This is a red flag and you need to avoid it. Do not pay any freelancer upfront outside of the Upwork payment system.  Whatever you do, do not agree to pay outside of the platform. First, ask the freelancer to complete the work and put the payment in the escrow system. Once the work is done, you can release the payment of the freelancer. 

3. Do not fall for upfront payment 

If a freelancer asks for upfront payment or requests you to pay anything before the start of the work – it is red flag. Scammers often use this technique promising to deliver high-quality work only after the payment is done. They might ask you for half of the payment or a small token as a security deposit. However, this is a scam Make sure that you only accpet and make the payment via Upwork’s milestone or hourly system and never agree to do any transaction outside of Upwork. Also, be cautious of clients with unverified payment methods. 

4. Believe in your gut

Whether you are hiring a freelancer or working as a freelancer on Upwork, your intuition is one of the best defences against scams and bad experince. If a job offer seems to good to be true, or a freelancer asks for upfront payment or payment outside of the Upwork portal, trust your gut and walk away. This can be a scam and you might end up losing your money or data. Upwork provides secure payment systems—use them to protect your hard work. Many freelancers regret ignoring red flags, so listen to your gut, verify clients, and report suspicious activity. Your safety and success depend on smart decisions. 

FAQs on Upwork’s Legitimacy and Safety