Learn about Business Plus features on Upwork, including Expert-Vetted talent, Uma Recruiter, advanced reporting, and flexible billing options.
Business Plus is an Upwork plan designed to support clients who want more help, flexibility, and confidence when hiring. It includes additional hiring, support, and payment features beyond the Basic plan.
This article explains the Business Plus features you have access to, what each one does, and how it can help you get more value from your plan.
Hire the top 1% of talent
Business Plus gives you access to freelancers and agencies across 125+ categories who have been vetted for skills and reliability.
What this means
Expert-Vetted talent complete a rigorous evaluation process, including work history and client feedback, including a 30-minute interview to assess both hard and soft skills. These professionals maintain a high average rating and are intended to help reduce uncertainty when hiring.
Why this is useful
Hiring from the top 1% can help you:
- Spend less time screening large numbers of profiles
- Feel more confident in candidate quality
- Move forward faster when quality matters
How to use it
When searching for talent, look for profiles marked as Expert-Vetted. These indicators help you quickly identify candidates who meet higher quality standards.
Find top talent faster with the Expert-Vetted filter
Business Plus includes exclusive access to Expert-Vetted talent and there’s a search filter to help you find them quickly.
What this means
The Expert-Vetted filter allows you to narrow search results to vetted freelancers and agencies only.
Why this is useful
Filtering to Expert-Vetted talent can:
- Reduce time spent reviewing profiles
- Help you identify candidates in the top 1% of talent on Upwork
- Simplify shortlisting for specialized or high-impact roles
How to use it
Apply the Expert-Vetted filter in search results or when reviewing proposals to limit results to vetted professionals.
Get your shortlist in under six hours with Uma Recruiter
Business Plus includes access to Uma Recruiter, an AI-assisted hiring experience.
What this means
Uma reviews profiles and delivers a curated shortlist of top-matching candidates, typically within the same day.
Why this is useful
Uma Recruiter can help:
- Reduce manual screening work
- Surface strong matches faster
- Keep hiring moving when time is limited
How to use it
After posting a job, you can use Uma Recruiter to request a shortlist. Uma evaluates candidates based on your role requirements and delivers recommendations for review.
Send more invites and messages
Business Plus increases how many candidates you can reach per job.
What this means
With Business Plus, you can:
- Send up to 60 invites per job
- Send up to 15 direct messages per day
Why this is useful
Higher outreach limits are helpful when:
- Hiring for competitive roles
- Proactively reaching talent
- Exploring multiple options quickly
How to use it
Use invites and messages to reach out to candidates directly from search results or job posts.
Priority 24/7 support
Business Plus includes priority access to Upwork support.
What this means
You can contact support anytime through live text chat, phone, or email, with priority handling.
Why this is useful
Priority support can help when:
- You have questions during an active hire
- You need help with account or plan issues
- You want faster assistance without delays
How to use it
Access support through your account’s Help section and choose your preferred contact method.
Advanced reporting
Business Plus provides enhanced reporting tools to track spend and freelancer activity.
What this means
Advanced reports give you more visibility into:
- Total spend
- Freelancer activity
- Ongoing work across projects
Why this is useful
Reporting helps you:
- Monitor budgets
- Understand hiring patterns
- Manage work more effectively over time
How to use it
Reports are available from your account dashboard and can be reviewed as your hiring activity grows.
Monthly invoicing and 30-day payment terms
Business Plus supports billing options designed for business workflows.
What this means
You can receive monthly invoices and access 30-day payment terms when available. Some options, such as Pay Later, may require application and approval and are available only to eligible U.S.-based clients.
Why this is useful
Flexible payment options can help:
- Align hiring costs with business cash flow
- Simplify accounting and reconciliation
- Reduce the need for per-contract payments
How to use it
Billing options can be managed from your account settings. Availability may vary based on eligibility.
Direct contracts
Business Plus allows you to manage and pay freelancers sourced outside of Upwork.
What this means
You can create direct contracts with freelancers you’ve sourced independently and manage payment through Upwork for a monthly fee per active contract.
Why this is useful
Direct contracts help you:
- Keep all freelancer payments in one place
- Apply Upwork protections and processes
- Manage external talent alongside Upwork hires
How to use it
Direct contracts can be set up from your account and billed monthly per active contract.