How to use direct messages

What are “direct messages” on Upwork?

Direct messages let clients connect with freelancers on Upwork before a contract is in place. They’re one-on-one message threads that allow you to ask questions, follow up on invites, or explore a potential collaboration — all within the platform. You can:

• Learn about a freelancer’s availability, expertise, or rate expectations
• Start a conversation before posting a job, sending an offer, or starting a contract
• Build alignment early — especially when you discover talent through search

Good to know: 

Once a contract begins you’re free to message as much as needed. Messaging limits only apply to direct messages before a contract is in place. Once a contract is in place, you can:

• Chat in real time as much as you need
• Launch video or voice calls
• Add others to the chat
   

Who can send direct messages?

Clients on Basic plan

If you are a client on our free, Basic plan, you can direct message as many as five new freelancers daily. To qualify, you must:

•  
  • Have a verified billing method
  • Have an Upwork account in good standing

And either:

•  
  • Have spent $1,000 USD or more in the past 12 months
  • Or made a payment more than 90 days ago

Business Plus clients

If you're on a Business Plus plan, your direct message access depends on your total company spend:

If your company has spent up to $99.99 USD on Upwork:

•  
  • You can direct message five freelancers in total
  • This is a one-time allotment to try the option out

Once your company has spent $100 USD or more:

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  • You can direct message up to 15 new freelancers each day

Important: A verified billing method and email address are also required to use direct messages with Business Plus plan.

Enterprise clients

Enterprise clients have full access to direct messaging with no daily limits.

How do I send a direct message?

1. Once you find a freelancer you’d like to message, choose the Message button. You can send a message directly from the search results list or from the freelancer's profile
2. Compose your message and choose Send to start a conversation

Tip: If you’re contacting multiple freelancers about the same job, it may be faster to post a job and send invites instead.

What if I reach my direct message limit?

If you’ve reached your daily or total message limit, you’ll see a prompt to post a job instead. This allows freelancers to apply and ensures you can still engage with top talent — even when you run out of messages.

What do freelancers see about me when I direct message them?

To help freelancers decide whether to respond, they’ll see:

• How long you’ve been active on Upwork
• Your total spend, average hourly rate paid, and number of hires
• Your Upwork star rating
• Your job post history
• Your billing verification status
• Your city, country, and time zone
• Whether you’re an Enterprise client

Are freelancers required to respond to a direct message?

No. Freelancers are not required to reply to direct messages.