Connects are virtual tokens that freelancers and agencies use to pursue work and promote their services on Upwork. This overview explains where Connects are used, how balances work, and where to find more detailed help.
In this article
- Where Connects are used
- When Connects are not required
- What Connects cost
- How balances, rollover, and expiration work
- Why the Connects needed for a proposal can change
- How to check your balance and history
- Freelancer and agency balances are separate
- What happens if I misuse Connects or try to game the system?
Where Connects are used
| Activity | How Connects work |
| Submit a proposal | The job post shows the number of Connects needed. This is the base proposal cost. |
| Boost a proposal | You may bid extra Connects for a promoted position. Boosting is optional and separate from the base proposal cost. |
| Boost your profile | You choose a bid and budget. Connects are charged for eligible client interactions while your profile is promoted. |
| Boosted Messages | You choose a bid and budget. Connects are charged when your message is successfully delivered to a client’s inbox. |
| Use the Availability Badge | You set a maximum weekly amount. Connects are deducted in increments while the badge is on. |
| Get the identity verification badge | The optional badge costs 35 Connects and requires successful identity verification within seven days. The 35 Connects are not refunded if you cannot complete verification or do not finish within seven days. |
Using Connects does not guarantee that a client will view a proposal, send a message or invitation, interview you, or hire you. Use them selectively on work that closely matches your skills and availability.
When Connects are not required
You do not use Connects to:
- Respond to a client’s invitation to apply, whether you accept or decline
- Accept a direct offer
- Participate in an invitation-only Talent Accelerator opportunity
- Work on or communicate about an existing contract
Responding to an invitation does not deduct Connects. However, some new freelancers must first make a qualifying Connects purchase or join Freelancer Plus before they can submit any marketplace proposal, including one in response to an invitation.
What Connects cost
Connects cost $0.15 USD each. They are sold in bundles, and a custom amount may also be available on the purchase page.
To purchase Connects, use a web browser and go to Connects > Buy Connects. Buying Connects is not available in the Upwork mobile app.
Learn how to buy and earn Connects.
How balances, rollover, and expiration work
- You may purchase or earn any number of Connects on your freelancer account.
- Unused freelancer Connects roll over; there is no monthly freelancer rollover limit.
- Every Connect expires one year after the date it was issued.
- Upwork does not send email reminders before Connects expire. Check your history to monitor expiration.
- Expired Connects cannot be restored or refunded.
- Agency balances follow separate rules. An Agency Plus account can roll over up to 400 unused agency Connects each month, and agency Connects also expire after one year.
Why the Connects needed for a proposal can change
The number of Connects needed to submit a proposal may change while a job is live. Upwork considers factors such as project size, scope, market demand, and activity on the job post.
Always review the total shown immediately before you submit. If the requirement changes while you are preparing a boosted proposal, part of your total bid may be applied to the updated base proposal cost.
How to check your balance and history
- Balance: Go to Find Work. Your current balance appears on the page.
- History: Open Connects history to review credits and deductions from the past 7, 30, or 90 days.
- Connects Hub: Open Connects to know your current balance, review your Connects history, check your stats and trends, and see all the opportunities you got to earn Connects.
Your current balance is the total shown after the latest transaction in your history. Do not add only the rows from a limited date range to calculate your balance.
Understand Connects charges, returns, refunds, and history.
Freelancer and agency balances are separate
A freelancer balance and an agency balance are separate, even when the same person owns both accounts.
- Freelancer proposals and promotions use the freelancer balance.
- Agency proposals and agency-funded profile promotions use the agency balance.
- Agency members share the agency’s Connects balance.
- Connects cannot be moved between freelancer and agency accounts through self-service.
- Agency Basic cannot buy agency Connects or pursue new non-Enterprise work. Enterprise direct offers and invitations are exceptions. The agency must have Agency Plus for other new agency work.
If a balance or charge looks wrong, first switch to the account that made the transaction and check that account’s Connects history.
What happens if I misuse Connects or try to game the system?
Connects are designed to help you submit thoughtful, relevant proposals. Attempts to misuse Connects, such as creating duplicate accounts, artificially inflating activity, or engaging in other behavior intended to game the system, aren’t allowed. If we detect misuse, we may restrict or block your account. Learn more about our policies and how we enforce them here.