Upwork Connects cost $0.15 each, and every proposal you send spends some. That makes Connects the real price of finding work on the platform, and most developers waste a good share of them. This guide covers what they cost, when you get them back, how boosting works and how to spend fewer for the same results.
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What Connects are
Connects are the credits you spend to submit a proposal. Upwork shows the number a job needs before you apply. It sets that number by project size, scope and market demand, so two jobs in the same category can cost very different amounts. The rules are in Upwork's guide to understanding and using Connects.
How much Connects cost
Each Connect costs $0.15, sold in bundles with a minimum of 10. There is no bulk discount.
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| Connects | Cost |
|---|---|
| 10 | $1.50 |
| 40 | $6.00 |
| 100 | $15.00 |
| 200 | $30.00 |
The useful number is cost per proposal, not cost per Connect.
| Connects the job needs | Cost of one proposal | Cost of 10 proposals |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | $0.90 | $9.00 |
| 10 | $1.50 | $15.00 |
| 16 | $2.40 | $24.00 |
| 20 | $3.00 | $30.00 |
Free Connects: what you really get
Upwork's help centre says some freelancers may receive 10 free Connects each month. It is not guaranteed for every account, so check your own membership page.
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The paid Freelancer Plus plan includes 100 Connects a month for $19.99. Whether that is good value depends on how much you bid, and we did the sums in Is Upwork Plus Worth It?.
Unused Connects roll over to the next month and expire a year after you receive them, according to Upwork's page on free Connects.
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When Connects are refunded
Rarely. Upwork returns Connects in two cases only:
- the client cancels the project before a contract is made
- Upwork removes the job post for breaking its Terms of Service
You do not get them back if your proposal is declined, if another freelancer is hired, if the job expires or if you withdraw the proposal. Treat every proposal as money spent.
Boosted proposals: how the auction works
Boosting means bidding extra Connects, on top of the base cost, to place your proposal in one of four top slots. The client sees a lightning bolt and a Boosted tag on it. Upwork explains the mechanics in how to boost your proposal.
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The rules that matter:
- You are only offered the option when Upwork judges you a strong match for the job.
- A bid table shows what others are bidding.
- The auction closes after seven days or at the first hire, whichever comes first.
- You are charged the boost at the end of the auction if you are still in the top four, or earlier if the client interacts with your boosted proposal.
- If you are knocked out of the top four and the client has not interacted with your proposal, the boost Connects are refunded. The base Connects are not.
- Your first successful boost earns a one-time reward of 10 Connects.
Boost when three things are true: the client is verified and has hired before, the job fits you closely, and the budget makes a few extra dollars irrelevant. Do not boost to rescue a weak proposal. A boosted proposal still has to be read and liked.
Seven ways to waste fewer Connects
- Check the client first. Unverified payment and a poor hire rate are reasons to skip. Our guide to finding jobs on Upwork has the full checklist.
- Apply early or not at all. A post with dozens of proposals and active interviews is mostly decided.
- Match the Connect cost to the budget. Spending $3 to bid on a $50 fix makes no sense. Spending $3 on a $3,000 build does.
- Narrow your niche. A proposal from a Laravel API specialist beats one from a generalist full-stack developer on a Laravel API job.
- Fix your profile before buying more. If proposals are not being opened, volume will not help. See our profile tips for developers.
- Use a tight proposal. Our proposal template keeps it short and specific.
- Track cost per reply. Divide Connects spent by replies received each month. If the number rises, change your searches before you change your budget.
What a client actually costs you
Here is a worked example. You send 10 proposals at 16 Connects each, which is 160 Connects or $24.00. Two clients reply and one hires you. That client cost $24 to win.
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On a $1,500 project that is 1.6% of the contract, before the service fee. On a $100 fix it is 24%. This is why small jobs are expensive on Upwork unless they lead to repeat work. The full picture, including service and withdrawal fees, is in Upwork Fees for Developers.
FAQ
How much is 100 Connects on Upwork?
$15.00, at $0.15 each.
How many Connects does a proposal cost?
It varies by job. Upwork shows the number on each post before you apply.
Do Connects expire?
Yes. Unused Connects roll over each month and expire one year after you receive them.
Do I get Connects back if I withdraw a proposal?
No. Refunds apply only when the client cancels the job before hiring or Upwork removes the post.
