Upwork is a platform where people can find freelancers to help with various projects like writing, design, or programming. They offer membership plans that you pay for monthly, which can give you extra features if you're a freelancer. Clients who hire freelancers might get billed automatically each month if they set up ongoing contracts. Basically, if you see a charge from Upwork, it's likely for either a membership plan or paying freelancers for their work.
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The cancellation process for an Upwork subscription is straightforward and can be done directly on the website or, if purchased through Apple iOS app, via the Apple subscription management. The user must cancel before the renewal date to avoid being charged for the next cycle, otherwise cancellation only takes effect next cycle, which is a simple but important detail to note.
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minutes to cancel a Upwork subscription.
How to Cancel Upwork: Step by Step
If you purchased through Upwork.com:
- Log in to your Upwork account.
- Click on your profile icon in the top right corner.
- Select "Memberships & Connects" from the drop-down menu.
- Click on "View" or "Edit" next to the plan you wish to cancel.
- Choose the option to "Downgrade Membership" to the free Freelancer Basic plan.
- Review the cancellation information and confirm your cancellation. Make sure to cancel before your renewal date.
- You will receive a confirmation email regarding your cancellation.
Important: If you cancel on your renewal date, you will still be charged for that month, and the cancellation will take effect the following billing cycle.
Tips & Tricks for Canceling Upwork
- Cancel through the platform where the payment is processed: For example, cancel Upwork Freelancer Plus through Apple subscriptions if paid via Apple.
- Don't rely on Upwork's interface alone: Removing payment methods or cards on Upwork does not stop charges.
- Be persistent with customer service: Upwork may not allow easy cancellation; try multiple browsers or devices to access support.
- Escalate if no response: Try to reach a real representative if automated responses fail.
- Cancel after depletion of benefits: Some users wait until all their connects or benefits are used before cancelling.
- Use clear, concise language: Mention dissatisfaction or lack of value, such as "no job leads received," to justify cancellation.
- Check timing relative to billing cycle: Make cancellations before renewal dates to avoid unwanted billing.
- Document all interactions: Keep records of chats, emails, and cancellation attempts to support any escalation.
- Consider backing up or concluding active contracts: Close out active items as this may be required to fully cancel membership or accounts.
Upwork Customer Service Info
If you need assistance, here's how you can get in touch with Upwork's support team.
Cancel Upwork Script
Script
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Hello Upwork Support,
I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to request the cancellation of my subscription. Due to changes in my current workload and financial priorities, I can no longer justify maintaining my membership at this time.
I appreciate the services provided, but I have decided to pause my activities on the platform for the foreseeable future.
Thank you for your assistance in processing this cancellation. I look forward to your confirmation.
Best regards,
Frequently Asked Questions
Upwork's Freelancer Plus membership subscription bills monthly from your start date. To avoid being charged for the next billing cycle, you must cancel before your renewal date (midnight UTC). If you cancel on or after the renewal date, you will be charged for the current cycle, and the cancellation will take effect in the next billing cycle. There are no refunds, and failed payments move you to the free plan but allow re-enrollment anytime.
To cancel your subscription on Upwork, you need to do it before the renewal date to avoid charges. There is no explicit mention on Upwork's support pages about needing your password specifically to cancel the subscription, but since subscription changes are done through your account settings, you would generally need to be logged in, which requires your password. If you have forgotten your password, you can reset it using this link: https://www.upwork.com/ab/account-security/reset-password.
- Difficulty cancelling memberships: Users report errors and lack of clear cancellation processes causing frustration.
- Unclear auto-renewal notifications: Customers often do not receive clear alerts before membership renews, leading to unexpected charges.
- Billing issues through third parties: Memberships bought on Apple subscriptions require cancellation through Apple, confusing users who remove payment info on Upwork but still get charged.
- Increased membership fees without added value: Price increases for Upwork Plus membership cause dissatisfaction when perceived benefits do not meet expectations.
- Perceived lack of value from subscription benefits: Some users feel features like increased profile visibility, extra connects, coaching, or exclusive groups do not justify the cost.
- Automatic renewal charges without explicit consent: Customers complain about being charged without informed consent or easy opt-out options.
- Poor customer support access: Automated bots hinder direct access to real support representatives, making issue resolution hard.
- Financial burden from membership fees: The ongoing monthly cost is a concern, especially for freelancers with limited or inconsistent income from the platform.
- Lack of transparency and trust: Billing and cancellation processes cause customers to distrust the platform's subscription handling.
- Limited refund options: Users seek refunds for unwanted charges but often face barriers to obtaining them promptly.
Upwork requires you to cancel your subscription before the renewal date (which is midnight UTC) to avoid being charged for the next billing cycle. If you cancel on or after the renewal date, you will still be billed for the current cycle, and the cancellation will only take effect in the following cycle. There are no early cancellation fees or contracts, but no refunds are issued for partial periods, so if you miss the cancellation window, you'll pay for the full period before your membership ends.
Before cancelling your Upwork subscription, such as Freelancer Plus, you will lose certain benefits including the 0% freelancer fee on Direct Contracts, which means you will start paying the standard 5% fee instead. You will also lose access to premium features like enhanced profile visibility, the ability to see competitor bids, and additional Connects to submit proposals. It's important to cancel before your renewal date to avoid being charged for the next billing cycle, and any active contracts or payments must be managed properly before closing your account. After cancellation, your account will revert to the basic free plan, but you can re-enroll in a paid membership anytime if you choose to return. [source](https://support.upwork.com/hc/en-us/articles/40444525840915-I-pay-0-in-freelancer-fees-on-Direct-Contracts-because-I-subscribe-to-Freelancer-Plus-If-I-cancel-the-membership-what-happens)
- Upwork account login credentials (username/email and password)
- Access to your Upwork account dashboard
- Knowledge of renewal date for the subscription or membership
- Navigation to Settings via your profile icon in the top right corner
- Access to 'Memberships & Connects' section in Settings
- Ability to select and view or edit the current plan
- Confirmation for downgrading or canceling the membership or subscription
We've actually written a step by step guide on how to get a refund from Upwork. Check it out!
The Easiest Way to Cancel Upwork
If you’re frustrated trying to cancel your subscription, membership, or bill from Upwork—or if you didn’t even realize you were being charged—Chargeback can help. Chargeback is a personal subscription manager that automatically detects hidden, recurring charges like Netflix, Hulu, and hundreds of others. With one click, we can cancel unwanted subscriptions, flag suspicious billing, and even initiate refund requests on your behalf. No more waiting on hold or navigating confusing help pages. Just connect your bank or email account, and we’ll take care of the rest.
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Editorial Note: These articles reflect the opinions of Chargeback's writers. Everyone's situation is unique; therefore, it is important to conduct your own research and note that our self-help tools are not guaranteed to help with any specific problem.
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