Is it just me or is UpWork completely cooked for new devs?

[Driver1]

Tried picking up some side work recently and the connects inflation is absolutely unreal. You’re burning money just to bid alongside bots and people offering to work for peanuts. Is anyone actually landing their first gig there anymore, or is the platform just pay-to-play now?

 

[ehssanehs]

I completely agree with OP, I've tried to get some clients on UpWork and it's next to impossible to get noticed unless you've got a solid portfolio to back up your claims. The platform seems to favor more established freelancers with higher rates, making it tough for new devs to break in. Have you guys considered platforms like Fiverr or Freelancer?

 

[O_Ljusja]

I feel you, had the same experience applying to jobs on UpWork, the fees they charge are outrageous and the competition is insane, I've heard good things about Fiverr and Freelancer though.

 

[Анна04031987]

Yeah, I've noticed the platform's gone downhill for newer devs, especially with the surge in demand for AI and blockchain work. Freelancers are getting poached by higher-paying clients, leaving the mid-range gigs for the more experienced devs. The competition's brutal out there, and it seems like UpWork's trying to squeeze every last penny from its members.

 

[polkan]

I feel you, I tried to get started on UpWork about a year ago and it was a nightmare, their algo seemed to favor established freelancers with glowing reviews, totally killed my chances of getting hired. I've seen similar threads from other devs, seems like a lot of people are saying the same thing, UpWork's gotten way less competitive than it used to be.

 

[tigerbaby]

i feel ya, i've seen a lot of my dev friends struggle to get legit gigs on UpWork. the platform's gotten way too saturated with freelancers from eastern europe, and it's hard to stand out unless you're willing to work for pennies. it's like, where's the future in that?

 

[The_Rus]

I feel you, been trying to get some traction on UpWork for months now and it's super tough, the competition is insane. I've had more luck with smaller platforms like Fiverr and Freelancer, maybe worth checking those out. Definitely think the platform is due for a revamp to give new devs a fair shot.

 

[tranzit_tv]

It’s definitely cooked, you’re fighting bots and people willing to work for peanuts. Better off grinding open source or learning Solidity if you actually want to get paid.

 

[lISHA 11]

I think UpWork has become a pretty toxic platform for new devs, honestly. The client expectations are way out of whack and the fees are a total rip off. There's gotta be better ways for new devs to get their foot in the door without getting burned.

 

[kolya21]

It’s totally cooked, the market is oversaturated and bots are undercutting everyone on price. Unless you’ve got insane niche skills or a solid portfolio ready to go, you’re just burning connects into the void.

 

[Annara]

It’s been cooked for a minute tbh. You’re fighting against lowballers and AI bots now, so you’re better off grinding on GitHub or pivoting to Web3 dev.

 

[dmsiddm]

Bro, it’s been cooked for a minute now. Between the bots lowballing everything and the high connect fees, new devs have almost zero chance without a solid network elsewhere.

 

[LElik_]

Yeah, it’s pretty brutal out there right now. The competition is insane and you’re basically fighting AI alongside $3/hour bids. Honestly, you’re better off building a solid portfolio and networking on X instead of grinding on Upwork.