Upwork charges freelancers a service fee of between 0% and 15% on each contract, and shows the exact rate on the offer before you accept it. On top of that, you pay for Connects to send proposals ($0.15 each, with most jobs needing several), a withdrawal fee that depends on your payment method, and any currency conversion costs. Upwork moved from a flat 10% fee to this variable fee in May 2025, so older guides that quote 10% or 20% are out of date. This guide explains each cost with worked examples. To see your exact take-home pay, use our free Freelance Fee Calculator.
Upwork fees for freelancers at a glance
| Cost | Amount | When you pay it |
|---|---|---|
| Freelancer service fee | 0% to 15% of what the client pays, set per contract | On every payment from that contract |
| Connects | $0.15 each, with jobs typically needing several per proposal | When you apply for a job |
| Freelancer Plus (optional) | A monthly subscription that includes Connects and extra features | Monthly, if you choose it |
| Withdrawal fee | Depends on the method (shown in your Get Paid settings) | Each time you withdraw |
| Currency conversion | Charged by your payment provider or bank | When converting from USD |
Fees checked in November 2026. Upwork shows the fee on each offer and the cost of each withdrawal method in your account. Confirm current figures in Upwork’s help center.
How the variable service fee works
Instead of one rate for everyone, Upwork now sets the freelancer fee for each contract, anywhere from 0% to 15%. The fee is shown on the job post or offer before you commit, so always check it when deciding whether to apply or accept. It applies to hourly and fixed-price contracts alike, and you see the amount deducted on every payment in your transaction history.
Worked examples
| Client pays | At 5% fee | At 10% fee | At 15% fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100 | You get $95 | You get $90 | You get $85 |
| $500 | You get $475 | You get $450 | You get $425 |
| $1,000 | You get $950 | You get $900 | You get $850 |
Don’t forget Connects. If a job needs 10 Connects, applying costs $1.50. If you win one job in every 10 applications, each new contract cost you about $15 in Connects. On a $100 job at a 10% fee, that leaves around $75 before withdrawal fees. Improving your proposal success rate is one of the most effective ways to keep more of your earnings.
How to price your work on Upwork
- Work out the amount you want to receive for the job.
- Divide it by (1 minus the fee rate). To receive $90 at a 10% fee, quote $100. At 15%, quote about $106.
- Add a share of your Connects cost for longer or harder-to-win jobs.
- Check your price against similar freelancers’ rates and the client’s budget.
Our guide to pricing freelance work shows how to set an hourly rate that covers your time, costs and taxes.
Upwork vs Fiverr fees
Upwork’s fee can be lower than Fiverr’s flat 20%, but Upwork adds the cost of Connects to find work, while Fiverr buyers usually find you through your gigs. Which one costs you less depends on your fee rate, how many proposals you send and how you win clients. See Fiverr fees for sellers and compare more options in our list of the best freelance websites.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Upwork take from freelancers?
Between 0% and 15% of each payment, depending on the contract. The rate is shown on the offer before you accept it. Connects and withdrawal fees are extra.
Is Upwork’s fee still 10%?
No. Upwork replaced its flat 10% freelancer fee with a variable fee of 0% to 15% in May 2025.
How much do Upwork Connects cost?
Connects cost $0.15 each. The number needed to apply varies by job and is shown on the job post.
Can I avoid Upwork fees by taking clients off the platform?
Moving payments for clients you met on Upwork off the platform breaks Upwork’s terms and can get your account suspended. Upwork’s terms describe a conversion fee if you want to work with a client directly.
Upwork’s fees and Connects pricing can change and may vary by account and country. This article is general information, not financial or tax advice.
