Cancel Upwork: Easy Method

What is Upwork

Overview

Upwork is an online marketplace that connects freelancers, agencies, and clients worldwide for remote work across many categories.

Key functions

It offers job posting, proposals, time tracking, contracts, and payment processing to facilitate hiring and freelance work securely on a single platform.

How to cancel Upwork

Cancel a subscription via the web (Upwork.com)

• Sign in to your Upwork account and go to Account Settings > Billing & Transactions.
• Select the active subscription, choose cancel, and confirm. Your access continues until the billing cycle ends.

Cancel an iOS subscription (Apple App Store)

• If you subscribed through the iOS app, open the Settings app on your Apple device.
• Tap your name > Subscriptions > select the Upwork subscription > Cancel. Cancelling on Upwork.com will not stop an App Store subscription.

Cancel an Android subscription (Google Play)

• If you subscribed via Google Play, open the Google Play app and tap Menu > Subscriptions.
• Select Upwork > Cancel. Cancelling on Upwork.com does not cancel Google Play subscriptions.

What happens when you cancel

Access after cancellation

After cancelling a subscription you subscribed to on Upwork.com, your paid benefits remain active until the end of the current billing cycle.

Account and data retention

Your account and profile remain on Upwork unless you follow the account closure process in the Help Center.

Upwork retains data according to its policies; closing a subscription is different from closing an account.

Will I get a refund?

General refund policy

Upwork does not provide an automatic 14-day cooling-off refund; refunds are handled through the platform and are conditional.

Client-requested refunds and time limits

• Clients can request a refund from a freelancer or agency via the platform within 180 days of payment.
• For requests after 180 days and up to 365 days, clients must contact Upwork support.
• Approval of refunds is at the freelancer’s or agency’s discretion unless escalated to support.

Refund mechanics and Project Catalog

• Approved refunds are credited back to the original billing method, or to an Upwork balance if multiple methods were used, typically within 3 - 5 business days.
• For Project Catalog purchases, clients can request cancellation and refunds; if the freelancer approves, funds are returned usually within up to five business days but are not guaranteed.

Upwork plans and pricing

Core plans

Pricing depends on the purchase channel. Upwork lists the Freelancer Plus plan price in USD on its website.

Channel differences

In-app purchases via Apple or Google Play may carry different local prices due to store fees and currency conversion.

Your consumer rights in New Zealand

Refund and cooling-off rights

Upwork does not offer an automatic 14-day cooling-off right for subscriptions; refunds are managed through the platform and under specific conditions.

Platform compliance and consumer protections

• Refunds and chargebacks must be processed through Upwork only; issuing refunds outside Upwork may breach Terms of Service and risk fraud concerns.
• Subscriptions purchased through Apple or Google Play must be cancelled through those stores and may give rise to consumer protection questions if double charges or refund difficulties occur.

Where to seek help locally

If you believe a subscription or refund issue breaches New Zealand consumer law, consider contacting local consumer support or regulators for guidance.

Keep records of transactions and communications when seeking assistance from authorities or dispute resolution services.

Customer experiences

Positive experiences

Many users value Upwork for its global reach, secure payments, and tools that help build freelance careers on a reliable platform.

Negative experiences

• Complaints often focus on high fees (service fees, Connects, subscription costs) and marketplace saturation making job acquisition difficult.
• Users report issues with scammers, opaque refund processes, account blocks, and perceived bias toward clients in disputes.
• Cancellation difficulties are commonly reported for subscriptions purchased via mobile app stores.

Documentation checklist

What to prepare before cancelling

• Account login credentials and the email used for the Upwork account.
• Details of the subscription (plan name, purchase date, billing method).
• Receipts or transaction IDs for recent charges you may contest.

What to prepare for refunds or disputes

• Messages or contracts with the freelancer or client related to the payment.
• Project deliverables and timestamps if disputing work quality or non-delivery.
• Clear timeline of events and any attempted resolutions through the platform.

Common mistakes

Attempting to cancel app subscriptions on Upwork.com

Many users cancel on Upwork.com but forget to cancel the Apple or Google Play subscription, causing recurring charges to continue.

Always cancel via the app store used to purchase the subscription.

Expecting automatic refunds

Users sometimes assume a cancelled subscription triggers an automatic refund; Upwork refunds require approval and depend on timing and circumstances.

Do not rely on an automatic reversal - follow the refund request procedures and keep documentation.

Issuing refunds outside the platform

Attempting to refund payments outside Upwork (for example, direct bank transfers) can violate Terms of Service and complicate disputes.

Process refunds through Upwork or through the app store where the purchase occurred to remain compliant.

Comparative recap

Cancellation channels compared

This table summarizes the main differences between cancelling on the web, Apple, and Google Play.

After cancelling

Next steps

Verify that the cancellation was processed and keep screenshots or confirmation emails for your records.

Helpful links and support

• Upwork Help Center - general support and account closure articles.
• Apple: manage subscriptions - how to cancel App Store subscriptions on iOS.
• Google Play: cancel subscriptions - manage Google Play subscriptions on Android.

Address

Postal address

Upwork does not provide a publicly listed postal address in New Zealand for cancellations or account closure by post.

Online only

Account and subscription cancellations must be completed via the Upwork Help Center or the app store used to purchase the subscription.