- Connects are Upwork's bid currency. Cost: 2-6 Connects per proposal (varies by job size).
- Free: 10 Connects/month (basic). Paid: $0.15 per Connect. Plus plan ($14.99/mo) = 100 Connects.
- Strategy: only bid on jobs you'll win, save Connects for high-value bids, use Boosts for premium positioning on $1K+ jobs.
What Are Upwork Connects?
- Virtual currency required to submit proposals.
- Each job costs 2-6 Connects per bid (job-dependent).
- Without Connects, you can't bid.
- Replaced old "free unlimited bids" model in 2019.
How Many Connects Per Proposal?
| Job size | Connects required |
|---|---|
| Entry-level / small fixed | 2 Connects |
| Standard fixed-price | 4 Connects |
| Hourly / large fixed | 6 Connects |
| Boosted Proposal | +1-50 extra (auction) |
Free vs Paid Connects
| Source | Connects | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Free monthly (basic accounts) | 10/month | Free |
| Buy individually | Any amount | $0.15 each |
| Plus plan | 100/month | $14.99/mo |
| Top Rated bonus | +10/month | Free (status reward) |
| Top Rated Plus bonus | +30/month | Free |
| Job invitation accepted | + refund | Free |
How to Save Connects
1. Pre-Filter Jobs Aggressively
- Only bid on jobs with under 10 proposals.
- Verified payment method required.
- Posted under 24 hours.
- Budget matches your rate.
2. Don't Spam-Bid
Bidding on 50+ jobs/month with generic templates = wasted Connects. 10 personalized proposals beat 50 generic ones.
3. Watch for Connect-Refundable Jobs
- If client closes job without hiring: Connects refunded.
- If you receive job invitation: free (no Connects spent).
- Decline reasons: client pays, you keep your time.
4. Use Boosts Strategically
Boosted Proposals work like ad auctions:
- You bid extra Connects to be in top 4 placements.
- Best for jobs $1K+ where ROI justifies cost.
- 3x higher visibility on average.
- Don't boost on $50-$200 jobs — math doesn't work.
Connect Math: Is It Worth It?
Example: $0.15 per Connect, 4 Connects per bid = $0.60 per proposal.
| Win rate | Cost per won job |
|---|---|
| 5% | $12 (poor) |
| 10% | $6 (average) |
| 20% | $3 (good) |
| 40% | $1.50 (excellent — Top Rated territory) |
If your average job is $500+, even 5% win rate = profitable. Sub-$100 jobs need higher win rate.
Plus Plan — Worth It?
| Feature | Plus plan ($14.99/mo) |
|---|---|
| Connects/month | 100 (vs 10 free) |
| View competitor bids | Yes |
| Confidential earnings | Yes |
| Custom profile URL | Yes |
Worth it if you bid on 25+ jobs/month. Otherwise pay-as-you-go is cheaper.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do Upwork Connects cost?
$0.15 per Connect when buying directly. Bundles available at slight discount. Plus plan: $14.99/month for 100 Connects.
How many Connects do new freelancers get?
10 free Connects per month for basic accounts. New accounts also receive bonus Connects upon signup.
Are Connects refunded if I don't get the job?
Only if the client closes the job without hiring anyone. If you lose the bid to another freelancer, Connects are not refunded.
Should I use Boosted Proposals?
For high-value jobs ($1K+) where 3x visibility is worth the extra Connects. Skip for sub-$200 jobs.
Can I buy unlimited Connects?
Yes — no monthly cap on purchases. But if you're spending $50+/month on Connects, your win rate or job selection probably needs work.
Key Takeaways
- Connects = Upwork bid currency, 2-6 per proposal.
- Free 10/month + bonuses for Top Rated. $0.15 each to buy.
- Pre-filter jobs aggressively to maximize win rate.
- Boost only on $1K+ jobs.
- Plus plan worth it at 25+ bids/month.
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