How Does Upwork Work?

Upwork helps businesses easily connect with skilled freelance professionals around the world—whether you need help for a quick project or you’re building a longer-term team.

There are three flexible ways to get started. All are powered by Upwork’s award-winning platform and Uma, Upwork’s Mindful AI.

Talent Marketplace

This is a full, self-service option. Post a job and hire the right freelance professional—sometimes in just a day. Uma helps you write job posts in seconds and sort proposals fast, so you can find the right person sooner.

Best if: You’re comfortable managing the hiring process and need freelance help now and then.

Business Plus

Everything in Talent Marketplace, plus more tools and support when you want them. Benefits include: instant access to Expert-Vetted freelancers (the top 1% on Upwork), hand-curated short lists per project, net 30 payment terms, and more.

Best if: You’re scaling quickly, have more complex projects, and could use extra support hiring.

Enterprise Suite

Designed for large businesses with ongoing or complex needs. Get access to top-tier talent, dedicated account management, compliance solutions, system integrations, and more.

Best if: You want dedicated, customized support and a secure and flexible way to work with freelance professionals at scale.

See how the services compare below.