How to Get Free Upwork Connects
When starting out on Upwork, Connects are one of the first things you’ll need to understand. You use Connects to submit proposals for most jobs, and when your balance runs low, applying for new opportunities may require spending money.
The good news is that you can get free Connects on Upwork. Depending on your account and eligibility, Upwork offers free Connects through monthly allocations, new freelancer rewards, talent badges, eligible activities, interviews with established clients, promotions and other rewards.
So, how do you get free Connects on Upwork in 2026, and how many can you actually earn? This guide breaks down every current way to get free Upwork Connects
Key takeaway on how to get Free Upwork Connects
You can get free Connects on Upwork through onboarding, eligible monthly rewards, talent badges, interviews, proposal rewards, and promotions. Availability varies by freelancer and current Upwork offers.
What Are Upwork Connects And How Do They Work?
Upwork Connects are virtual tokens that freelancers use to submit proposals for jobs on Upwork. Connects help independent professionals “connect” with clients to express interest in job posts and enhance visibility through ads. These virtual tokens help keep the marketplace free of spam by encouraging freelancers to be intentional about the proposals they send, while also signalling their level of interest to potential clients.
Here’s how they work:
- You need a certain number of Connects to submit a proposal, and the number required varies from job to job. Upwork determines the cost based on factors such as the project’s size, scope and market demand, and the required number can change while a job is live.
- Once you submit a proposal, those Connects are deducted from your balance. If you apply for several jobs, you’ll spend more Connects, so your balance can run down quickly.
- Connects are not cash, and you cannot withdraw them as money. They are simply a resource you use within Upwork to apply for opportunities and access certain features.
- You don’t always have to buy Connects. Depending on your plan and account eligibility, Upwork may give you free Connects each month, while other Connects can be earned through certain milestones, activities, interviews and promotions.
- You may also get Connects back in specific situations, such as when Upwork removes a job for violating its rules or when you qualify for certain Connects rewards. However, Connects are generally not refunded just because a client rejects your proposal or hires someone else.
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How many Connects do you get on Upwork?
There is no single Connects allowance for every freelancer because your allocation depends on your plan and the offer attached to your account.
Freelancers on the Basic plan may receive 10 free Connects each month, while Freelancer Plus members receive 100 Connects each month as part of their paid membership. New freelancers may also be eligible for a one-time bonus of up to 50 Connects.
You can also earn additional free Connects. For example, Upwork awards 30 Connects for each qualifying Talent Badge, including Rising Talent, Top Rated and Top Rated Plus. There are also occasional rewards for activities such as qualifying proposals, interviews and limited promotions. Learn more about Upwork talent badges.
How to Get Free Upwork Connects
There are several ways to build your balance without paying for every Connect you use. The options available to you depend on your account, plan and eligibility, but they include new freelancer rewards, monthly Connects, talent badges, qualifying activity, interviews and occasional promotions.
Here’s how each one works.
1. Get the new freelancer Connects bonus
If you’re new to Upwork, you may be eligible for a one-time bonus of 50 Connects. The offer appears during signup for eligible new users. Upwork says you may receive the bonus after purchasing a Connects bundle or subscribing to Freelancer Plus. You may also see opportunities to earn Connects by completing onboarding activities such as setting up your profile, verifying your identity or watching selected how-to videos.
This makes your first few steps on Upwork worth paying attention to. Before you start sending proposals, check your account for any Connects offers or onboarding activities available to you.
2. Check for free monthly Connects
Some freelancers may receive 10 free Connects each month. This depends on the offer attached to your account, so it isn't a universal monthly allowance for every freelancer. You can check your eligibility and Connects activity through your Connects history.
If your account is eligible, these Connects are added during your billing cycle. Keep an eye on your Connects history so you know when they arrive and how many you have available.
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3. Earn Connects by reaching talent badges
Upwork also rewards certain talent badges with free Connects. You can receive 30 Connects for each of these badges:
- Rising Talent
- Top Rated
- Top Rated Plus
That means you can earn up to 90 Connects across the three badges. You don't necessarily have to earn them in order. If you skip a badge, Upwork combines the associated Connects. For example, reaching Top Rated without previously receiving Rising Talent can earn you 60 Connects at that point. If you go straight to Top Rated Plus, you can receive all 90 Connects.
The Connects are a useful bonus, but the badges themselves can also appear on your profile and help communicate your track record to potential clients.
4. Earn Connects from qualifying proposal activity
Upwork is currently testing an activity-based reward that can give you 12 free Connects when you meet two conditions:
- You submit at least three proposals.
- You spend at least 54 Connects across those proposals.
You can earn this reward up to twice per calendar month, and eligible Connects are delivered within 24 hours of meeting the criteria. However, Upwork says this reward is still being tested, so meeting the requirements does not guarantee that every freelancer will receive it.
In other words, don't send proposals you aren't genuinely interested in simply to chase the reward. The Connects you spend first still have value.
5. Get 10 Connects from your first successful boosted proposal
If you successfully boost your first proposal and are charged for the boost at the end of the auction, Upwork will give you 10 Connects. This reward is available once per freelancer and is delivered after the auction ends and Upwork confirms that the boost was successful.
Because you need to spend Connects to use the boost in the first place, think of this as a one-time reward for trying the feature rather than a completely free way to build your balance.
6. Get Connects when you land an interview
An interview can lead to more than a potential job. You may receive free Connects when you get an interview with an established Upwork client. The reward isn't guaranteed for every interview, and the number of Connects you receive can vary.
If you do receive Connects, some may appear as a refund of the Connects you originally spent on your proposal, while the remainder appears as awarded Connects.
For example, if you spent eight Connects to submit a proposal and receive 10 Connects for the interview, you would see the eight Connects returned and two additional Connects awarded.
So, a strong proposal can do double duty: it can put you in front of a potential client and, if you secure an eligible interview, potentially put some Connects back into your account.
7. Look out for Connects promotions
Upwork occasionally runs promotions that give eligible freelancers free Connects. These promotions can come with a Connects promo code, which you can redeem by going to Connects → Buy Connects, selecting an amount, entering the code and choosing Apply.
Note that there isn't a permanent promo code that every freelancer can use. These offers are limited, so if one appears in your account or inbox, check the terms and expiration date before letting it pass.
8. Check your Upwork account for other Connects rewards
Upwork can also offer Connects for selected activities, including educational content and other initiatives.
For example, you may see a banner on your My Proposals page offering a one-time Connects bonus for completing educational content about trust and safety. These opportunities are not always available, so they are worth checking when you log into your account.
Where can you see the Connects you've earned?
To see your Upwork Connects, go to the Activities section of your Earn Connects page to see your progress and available rewards. When you've reached the limit for an activity, it will show as completed.
You can also check your overall Connects balance from Find Work and view your Connects transactions through your Connects history.
Free Connects vs. Buying Connects
If you run out of free Connects, you can buy more from Upwork for $0.15 per Connect. You can choose a bundle or enter a custom amount, then pay using your Upwork earnings balance or an accepted billing method.
If you need to buy more Connects, you can also use a Raenest Virtual Dollar Card to pay for Upwork Connects. The Visa card works for online payments wherever Visa is accepted, and you can spend directly from your eligible Raenest balances. Don't have a Raenest card? Create one today.
In all, the important thing to remember is that free Connects are tied to specific offers, activities and milestones. There isn't one trick that gives every freelancer an unlimited supply. The smartest approach is to check what your account currently offers, collect the Connects you're eligible for, and spend them on jobs you are genuinely qualified to apply for.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I get free Connects on Upwork without buying them?
Yes. Upwork offers several ways eligible freelancers can receive Connects without directly purchasing them. These can include rewards for certain activities, talent badges, interviews with eligible clients, monthly offers, and promotional rewards. Availability varies by account and offer.
- Why did I not receive my free Upwork Connects?
Not every Connects reward is available to every freelancer. Some rewards are limited to eligible accounts, while others are part of tests or promotions. You can check your Connects history and the Earn Connects section of your account to see whether you qualify for available rewards.
- Can I transfer Upwork Connects to another account?
No. Connects are tied to the Upwork account that receives them and can't be transferred to another freelancer's account.
- Can I get free Connects after using all my Upwork Connects?
You may be able to earn more Connects through eligible activities or rewards even after using your existing balance. Check your Earn Connects section regularly because available opportunities can vary by account.
- Do Upwork Connects come back if a client cancels a job?
Yes, in certain situations. If a client cancels a project before a contract is created, Upwork says the Connects used to submit your proposal are returned, provided the job post hasn't expired. Connects can also be returned if Upwork removes a job post for violating its Terms of Service.
- Do I get my Connects back if a client doesn't hire me?
No. Connects aren't normally returned simply because a client rejects your proposal, chooses another freelancer, or the job expires without a hire.
- Can I get Connects back after withdrawing an Upwork proposal?
No. Upwork doesn't refund the Connects you used to submit a proposal when you withdraw it. If you submit another proposal for the same job, you'll need to use Connects again.
- What happens to my free Upwork Connects if I close my Upwork account?
Connects are tied to your Upwork account, so you shouldn't expect to retain or transfer them after closing the account. If you're considering closing your account, use or review your Connects balance and account information first.
