Upwork. The platform has launched thousands of freelance careers—and left just as many writers frustrated in the process.
Full transparency, Upwork is where I got my start nearly a decade ago.
But in 2025, the freelance writing market looks a lot different. AI has flooded the internet with cheap content. SEO changes have devastated many content-first brands and altered their approach to strategy.
And Upwork? Well, it’s not the scrappy little gig site it once was.
All this begs the question, is Upwork still worth it for freelance writers in 2025? Or is it a glorified content mill that’s just a waste of time?
Let’s break it down.
The Case for Upwork (Why It’s Worth Considering)
We’ll start with the good stuff. You might not hear a lot of good things about Upwork these days, but it can still be a powerful tool if you know how to use it to your advantage.
1️⃣ A Huge Client Pool
Upwork puts you in touch with thousands of potential clients in one place. This is one of the few sites with a large enough pool of clients that sometimes makes landing work easier than cold pitching.
Yes, the competition is fierce. Yes, some clients expect 1,000-word articles for $10. But if you niche down and filter aggressively, you can find good clients who pay reasonable rates for quality work.
Pro Tip: It’s easy to waste hours on Upwork. Train yourself to automatically skip over any job posting that is low effort. If the client hasn’t bothered to write a clear brief, set expectations, or if they have a questionable hiring history, move on.
2️⃣ “Try Before You Buy”
Many companies like to use Upwork as a testing ground. They post short-term or one-off gigs to vet freelancers before committing to long-term contracts.
If you impress the right client, you can turn a single article into a monthly retainer that keeps your schedule full for the foreseeable future.
This is one of the biggest advantages of the platform today.
Clients know they can use Upwork to get in front of high-quality talent very quickly—and without risk. Though platform fees can make a long-term relationship costly, sometimes you only need to use it as a stepping stone to make a connection.
3️⃣ Secure Payments, No Hassle
If you’re just starting out as a freelance writer, managing the business side of things can be a headache. Invoicing, emailing, sharing testimonials, curating a portfolio, maintaining a social presence… the list goes on.
Upwork’s escrow system mitigates the risk of a client flaking after you’ve turned in work so you don’t have to worry about getting stiffed. New freelancers who don’t have bulletproof contracts or are hesitant to chase down missing invoices (looking at you, clients who “forget” to pay), this is a huge perk.
Make no mistake, you pay for these services (see below re: platform fees). But, in the early stages, it can be well worth it for the convenience and peace of mind.
4️⃣ It’s a Viable Entry Point
Landing your first few freelance clients is the hardest part. Ever. Upwork gives you an immediate way to gain experience, earn testimonials, and build your portfolio. These things all make pitching off the platform easier down the road.
At the same time, not having any experience can make it hard to stand out against applicants with proof behind their work. But if you’re new, this is something you’ll deal with anywhere.
Upwork, at least, gives you plenty of chances to connect. Clients on the platform may also be more willing to take a chance on someone new than those you reach out to via cold pitching.
Remember to take Upwork’s “pros” with a grain of salt. You won’t make six figures overnight. For many, the platform is a helpful stepping stone, but you shouldn’t consider it your final destination.
Why Upwork Isn’t Worth Your Time
Now, the downsides. Let’s be real, Upwork isn’t a great platform, and it certainly isn’t for everyone. The huge majority of seasoned freelancers have ditched it entirely. Here’s why they look for work elsewhere.
1️⃣ Race to the Bottom Pricing
Upwork’s biggest problem? Cheap clients and even cheaper competition.
Since AI writing tools like ChatGPT exploded, many of the platform’s clients are looking for bulk content at rock-bottom rates.
Here are a few real job postings I’ve seen in the past few weeks:
- Need 600-word blog posts for my e-commerce store (Budget $5 each)
- Looking for 50 SEO articles (Total Budget $100)
- Need someone to rewrite AI articles in the automotive niche (Budget $10 per 1,000 words)
The platform still has great clients, but you have to dig through a mountain of garbage to find them. And for many writers, that’s a waste of time.
2️⃣ High Fees Cut Into Your Earnings
Upwork takes 10% of your earnings right off the top. That’s down from the 20% cut they used to take (so, progress?).
But it still stings. Especially so if you’re landing premium clients who could be paying you directly.
The fees might seem modest at first, but they add up fast. Don’t forget that you’re already losing a chunk of your earnings to taxes. In the end, you could end up with just 60-70% of the face value of a contract.
3️⃣ AI is Killing the Platform
I’ll be honest, I don’t know how much longer freelance writers will find work on Upwork. AI is ravaging the low-end, SEO-style blog article niche.
Clients who don’t understand the difference between high-quality human writing and AI-generated fluff often choose the cheapest option. For Upwork, it’s a double whammy.
Clients use AI themselves to “write” content. Or they hire dirt-cheap writers to do the same thing.
If you’re a specialized writer (think long-form journalism, conversion copywriting, or anything requiring deep expertise), your future is more secure. But on Upwork, you’ll always be competing against both AI and low-cost freelancers worldwide.
Not exactly a fun game to play.
4️⃣ The Ever-Changing Algorithm
Upwork loves tweaking its algorithms, fees, and policies. Often, those changes aren’t in freelancers’ favor.
Recent complaints from Upwork writers include:
- Fewer invites to high-quality jobs
- Clients ghosting after interviews
- “Boosting” bids to get visibility (which means more spending just to be seen with no guarantee of success)
- Needing to pay for “Connects” (you use a certain number of these to apply to jobs) on top of hefty service fees
If you’re relying on Upwork as your main source of clients, this unpredictability can make or break your business.
So.. Should Freelance Writers Use Upwork in 2025?
Like most things in freelancing, the answer depends on your goals.
Upwork Might Be Worth It If:
✅ You’re new to freelance writing and need experience.
✅ You don’t mind filtering through lowball offers for a chance at finding good clients.
✅ You’re looking for a side income, not your main revenue stream.
✅ You aren’t ready to handle the “business side” of freelancing on your own.
Upwork Probably Is Not Worth It If:
❌ You’re an experienced writer who already knows other ways to find clients.
❌ You want premium rates without platform fees eating into them.
❌ You value long-term client relationships over short-term gigs.
❌ You want to build a stable, long-term career on your terms without algorithm changes pulling the rug.
Final Thoughts: A Tool, Not a Strategy
Upwork isn’t as awful as some would say. But it’s also not the great opportunity it once was.
For some, it’s a valuable stepping stone—a way to get experience, build a client base, and earn decent money while figuring things out.
For most, it’s too much hassle for too little reward.
If you plan on using Upwork in 2025, do it strategically. Treat it as one client acquisition channel, not your entire business.
Learn how to spot (and avoid) bad clients. And when you’re ready, move beyond Upwork and start seeking clients on your own terms. In the end, this is the only way to have a sustainable writing career.
