ROI Analysis

Is Upwork Plus
Worth It in 2026?

We break down the features, the hidden costs, and whether you should invest in status (Upwork Plus) or speed (FreelanceFilter).

Quick Verdict

Upwork Plus ($14.99/mo) is worth it if you already buy Connects, as it effectively discounts them. However, its "exclusive" features like viewing competitor bids rarely help you win jobs. FreelanceFilter (Free - $37/mo) provides a higher ROI for serious freelancers by automating the search process and finding leads before the competition, but it doesn't give you free Connects.

Feature-by-Feature Showdown

Feature
Upwork Plus
FreelanceFilter
Monthly Cost
$14.99
$0 - $37
Included Connects
80 Credits
None
Instant Job Alerts
Competitor Bid Data
AI Relevance Analysis
Webhook Integration

Upwork Plus: The "Status" Upgrade

Upwork Plus is designed to keep you engaged on the platform. It removes some friction but doesn't fundamentally change how you find work.

Competitor Bids

You can see the min, max, and avg bid on a job.

⚠️ Often misleading. Low bids are usually spam.

80 Connects / Mo

Worth $12 if bought separately.

✅ The real reason to subscribe.

Custom URL

upwork.com/fl/yourname

ℹ️ Good for branding, low ROI.

Profile Visibility

Keeps profile active during breaks.

ℹ️ Useful for part-timers.

FreelanceFilter: The "Speed" Upgrade

FreelanceFilter is built for one purpose: to get you in front of the client first. It is an external tool that automates the "finding" part of freelancing.

Automated Lead Gen

Replaces manual refreshing. Finds jobs 24/7.

✅ Saves 10+ hours/week.

AI Relevance Analysis

Matches jobs to your persona, not just keywords.

✅ Filters out 90% of noise.

Webhook Delivery

Send leads to CRM, Slack, or Discord instanty.

✅ Enterprise-grade workflow.

Cost: Free - $37/mo

Free for basic, $37 for full automation.

⚠️ Higher investment, higher ROI.

ROI Scenarios

Scenario A: Upwork Plus Only

  • • You spend $14.99/mo.
  • • You get 80 Connects.
  • • You apply to 10 jobs (8 connects each).
  • • You apply hours after the job is posted because you were manual searching.
  • • Result: 1 Interview.

Scenario B: With FreelanceFilter

  • • You spend $37/mo (Automation Tier).
  • • You catch jobs in the first 5 minutes.
  • • You filter out bad clients automatically.
  • • You apply to 10 jobs (8 connects each, bought separately).
  • • Result: 3-4 Interviews (First Mover Advantage).

"The most expensive tool is the one that doesn't get you hired."

Related Articles

vs Saved Searches

Why native search pulls you down.

Income Case Study

Real results from automation.

Speed Strategy

Why time is money.

Frequently Asked Questions

Stop Guessing. Start Automating.

The real pros use both, but they rely on FreelanceFilter to find the work.