How To Get More Connects on Upwork in 2026

Connects are Upwork's virtual tokens that freelancers use to submit proposals and grow their business on the platform. You can get more Connects by purchasing bundles of 10 at $0.15 each, upgrading to Freelancer Plus for 100 per month, or earning them for free through talent badges and activities.

What to know about getting Connects

• Freelancers on Upwork may receive 10 free Connects each month, or 100 per month with a Freelancer Plus membership. Additional Connects are available in bundles at $0.15 each.
• You can earn free Connects by completing onboarding tasks, reaching talent badge recognition, and meeting activity thresholds.
• To buy Connects, go to your profile menu, select Connects, and choose a bundle. Upwork applies your available earnings balance if you have enough to cover the full amount;  if not, your billing method will be charged.
• Agencies on Upwork need to upgrade to Agency Plus before purchasing Connects.

Research from the Upwork Future Workforce Index 2025 report indicates that skilled knowledge freelance work generated over $1.5 trillion in earnings in 2024.. Getting more Connects on Upwork — whether you buy them in bundles or earn them — keeps you ready to go after those opportunities.

This article explains why Connects matter and how to get more Connects on Upwork so you can invest strategically in your freelancing career.

Why Connects matter

As a freelancer, you can spend Connects as virtual tokens on Upwork to submit proposals to jobs that you’re interested in, run ads, and get noticed by clients. Think of Connects as a tool you can use to win work and show clients you’re serious about working with them. 

Each proposal requires a specific number of Connects depending on the job's value and level of competition, so getting Connects and keeping them on hand means you're always ready to apply when the right opportunity shows up. The Connects Calculator helps you figure out how many Connects you’ll need each month to submit proposals and create a budget for running ads. 

“I started small on Upwork, each time I completed a job, I reinvest a 10% of my earning for Connects (10$ for 100$ earned for example).”

— u/CharlesEchowave via Reddit

How to get Connects on Upwork

You can get Connects on Upwork in 2026 by receiving a free monthly allocation, earning them through specific activities, or buying them in bundles.

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(Keep up to date on Connects here: Understanding and using Connects)

Freelancers may receive 10 Connects each month at no extra cost, though this may depend on when you created your account. Upgrading to Freelancer Plus gives you 100 Connects every month to spend on submitting proposals and running ads. Any you don't use will roll over to the next month and expire after one year.

“You need Connects to bid anyway, and Freelancer Plus makes it simple. It gives me plenty of Connects plus extra premium benefits, making it a worthwhile monthly investment.”

— Rajeev Mehta, Top Rated market research analyst

There are nuances to each method, which we’ll cover in the next section.

How to earn free Connects

Upwork helps freelancers succeed on the platform by occasionally awarding free bonus Connects for completing specific actions and achievements. These are some of the ways  you may get more Connects for achieving certain outcomes or levels:

• New freelancers may get a one-time bonus of 50 Connects after purchasing Connects or subscribing to the Freelancer Plus plan. If you’re eligible, you’ll see this offer when you sign up for Upwork.
• Complete onboarding tasks like profile setup, identity verification, and watching how-to videos. 
• Receive 30 free Connects for each talent badge, Rising Talent, Top Rated, and Top Rated Plus. If you skip right to Top Rated Plus, the Connects are combined for a total of 90. 
• You’ll earn 18 Connects when you submit three or more proposals AND spend a total of at least 54 Connects while doing so. You can earn this reward twice per calendar year. 
• After submitting a proposal, you may have an opportunity to receive a one-time Connects bonus by completing educational content about trust and safety on Upwork. 
• Receive 10 Connects the first time you successfully boost one of your proposals (you must be charged for it). 
• You may receive free Connects when you interview with an established client on Upwork. Some may show up as a refund, and the rest will be awarded. 
• Sometimes Upwork offers free Connects as part of a promotion, and you’ll receive a promo code to redeem these free Connects. 

How to buy Connects on Upwork

Another way to get Connects on Upwork is by purchasing them. Connects cost $0.15 (USD) each and are sold in bundles of 10. When you purchase more Connects, you're investing in your ability to grow your client base and increase your visibility on Upwork.

1. Log in to your Upwork account

2. Open your Connects history

Once you’re logged in, select your profile picture and then Connects from the drop-down menu to view your balance and purchase more Connects.

Under your balance, select Buy Connects to add more to your account.

3. Choose how many Connects you want to purchase

Select a bundle that fits your needs, or enter a custom amount.

Keep in mind that you’ll need to have a verified billing method set up on your account to be able to purchase Connects. 

4. Decide your billing method

When you buy Connects, Upwork first uses any available earnings balance on your account. If your balance doesn’t cover the full amount, the total charge will be made to the billing method you have on file. Keep in mind that payments can’t be split between your earnings balance and your billing method.

If you’d like to keep funds in your earnings balance specifically for purchasing Connects, you can set up a reserve balance that won’t be included in automatic or manual withdrawals.

When you’re ready, select Buy Connects to finalize your purchase. 

How to get  more Connects as an agency

If you manage an agency on Upwork, the process for getting Connects begins a little differently from freelancers. You’ll first need to upgrade to Agency Plus before you can purchase Connects. Once your membership is upgraded, you can follow the same steps freelancers use to buy Connects and start reaching out to new clients.

How to upgrade to Agency Plus

• Go to Settings › Memberships & Connects
• Click the View or Edit Membership Plan
• Click the Upgrade button on the Plus plan

Tips on using Connects

Getting more Connects is a key part of building your career on Upwork. They help you reach new clients, stay active in searches, and take advantage of features that make your profile stand out. Knowing how to use them strategically can help you get more out of every proposal and create more opportunities for long-term success.

1. Earn free Connects and build a balance over time

You don't have to spend all your Connects right away — unused Connects roll over each month and stay in your account for up to one year. This helps you build a balance so you can use them when the right projects come along. As you fulfill specific activities on Upwork, like earning a Rising Talent badge or completing onboarding tasks, your balance grows even more. 

This gives you the flexibility to be selective with your proposals instead of feeling pressured to spend Connects as soon as you get them.

2. Create a profile that stands out

Getting Connects is only part of the equation. You’ll need Connects to submit proposals, and you’ll still need to land the interview. Clients will see your profile alongside your proposal, so make sure your profile is tailored to your niche and highlights your skills and experience. A complete, well-written profile helps your proposals stand out and makes every Connect count.

3. Only apply to jobs that are a good fit

Instead of applying to every job when you get Connects, take a more strategic approach. Focus on projects that align with your strengths and the skills highlighted in your profile and craft personalized proposals that show clients how you can meet their needs. You can use the Connects you would have spent on jobs that aren’t a strong fit to boost the proposals that are. This thoughtful approach helps your proposals stand out and increases your chances of landing work that matches your goals on Upwork.

“You don't get a job automatically just from applying enough times…You have to win the bid, and to do that you have to sell yourself to the client as their best option among all the candidates…If you only applied to jobs that you are absolutely perfect for and can do a good job of communicating that to the client, your chances are good. If you just apply to any job without a good fit, you're just wasting Connects.” — u/upworking_engineer via Reddit

4. Write impactful and customized proposals

Make every Connect you get count by taking the time to craft a proposal that’s personalized and thoughtful. Tailor each one to the specific job and client, highlighting how your skills and experience can solve their challenges or help them reach their goals. Show that you’ve read the job post carefully, address their needs directly, and keep your proposal clear and concise. A well-focused proposal helps the chances that it will get viewed and you will land an interview. 

Impactful proposals are especially important when a client searches for talent with skills they need and specifically invites you to their job. The client is motivated and already thinks you might be a good fit.  If you receive a job invite from a client and you’re interested in the job, be sure to respond quickly with a customized proposal. A great thing about invites is you don’t need to use any Connects to submit a proposal. 

5. Market your business with Upwork ads

Upwork ads help you promote your freelance business and reach clients who are actively searching for your skills. You can run different types of ads depending on your goals. Learning how to boost proposals can help your proposals appear higher in a client’s list of applicants, increasing visibility and delivering up to 10 times more earnings on ad spend. Boosted Profiles help you appear higher in search results and can increase your chances of getting hired. 

The Availability Badge signals that you’re ready to take on new projects and can help you receive up to 70% more job invitations. Each type of ad works together to help you stand out to clients and grow your business on Upwork.

“I felt the difference [when I used ads] because clients check the top of the lists. I got more responses, I got more views, and people reviewed my profile and my proposals more often.”
— Oleksandr V., Top Rated Plus legal advisor

Get more Connects to expand your reach

Getting more Connects on Upwork is an investment in your freelance business. Using them strategically can be a powerful way to expand your reach, grow your earnings, and build strong, lasting relationships with clients. The more Connects you have and use, the more chances you create to win jobs and build momentum on Upwork.

If you’re ready to take the next step, upgrade to a Freelancer Plus plan or purchase a Connects bundle to keep growing your freelance business.