How to cancel Upwork in new zealand and protect your freelancer account
What Upwork is and how it works
Upwork is a global online marketplace that connects freelancers, agencies and clients for remote work across hundreds of job categories. You can use Upwork to find clients, submit proposals, track time on projects, manage contracts and process payments-all within a single platform designed for secure remote collaboration. The service operates on both free and paid membership models, depending on your needs and activity level.
Core features and subscription tiers
Upwork's freemium model lets you browse available jobs at no cost. However, paid subscription plans like Freelancer Plus give you premium features including increased monthly Connects (the credits you use to submit proposals), exclusive job alerts, profile visibility boosts and reduced service fees on direct contracts. These paid tiers suit freelancers who want to bid more frequently or access advanced tools.
Where subscriptions are billed
Upwork charges subscriptions through multiple channels: directly via Upwork.com, through the Apple App Store or via Google Play. This multi-channel approach creates a common trap-cancelling your subscription on one platform does not cancel it on the others. You must cancel your subscription on every channel where you have an active payment method to avoid unexpected charges.
Your consumer rights in new zealand
New Zealand law gives you specific protections when you purchase services like Upwork subscriptions. Understanding these rights strengthens your position if disputes arise.
Consumer guarantees act protections
Under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993, you have the right to services that are provided with due care and skill. If Upwork fails to deliver the features promised in your subscription tier, or if the service is not fit for purpose, you may be entitled to a refund or remedy. The Commerce Commission enforces this Act, and you can escalate complaints to them if Upwork refuses to act fairly. Keep records of any service failures, billing errors or missing features, as these documents strengthen your case.
Your legal position
You can cancel your Upwork subscription at any time without penalty under New Zealand consumer law. Unlike some services, Upwork does not offer an automatic 14-day cooling-off period, but you retain the right to request a refund if you believe you have been charged incorrectly or the service does not meet the standards outlined in the Consumer Guarantees Act. If Upwork disputes your refund claim, the Commerce Commission is your enforcement avenue.
Billing fairness and dispute resolution
The Fair Trading Act 1986 also protects you against misleading conduct in relation to pricing and subscription terms. If Upwork's billing practices are unclear, or if you discover recurring charges you did not authorise, you can lodge a complaint with the Commerce Commission. Yafee recommends documenting all communications and payment records before escalating formally.
When you should cancel Upwork
Cancellation makes sense in specific situations where the subscription no longer delivers value or your circumstances change.
Signs that cancellation makes sense
You may want to cancel if you are not landing jobs frequently enough to justify the monthly fee, if you have completed a major project and do not need active bidding for several months, or if you have found alternative platforms that better suit your niche. Review your job success rate and proposal conversion before deciding-some freelancers find that the Connects and features pay for themselves within a single project. If your income from Upwork does not cover the subscription cost, cancellation is prudent.
Alternatives before you cancel
Before cancelling outright, consider pausing your bidding activity by simply not using your account, or downgrading if Upwork offers a lower-tier plan. You can keep your profile active without a paid subscription and wait until a new project justifies re-subscribing. Many freelancers use this flexible approach to manage cash flow without losing their established reputation and feedback history. This preserves your career profile while reducing monthly costs.
Upwork pricing and subscription plans in new zealand
Upwork's primary paid plan is Freelancer Plus, but the price varies depending on your purchase channel and includes different fees depending on whether you buy directly or through an app store.
Current plan costs
| Plan |
Price (NZD) |
Billing cycle |
Key features |
| Freelancer Plus (Upwork.com) |
$35-40/month |
Monthly |
100 Connects per month; access to Uma AI writing tool; exclusive job alerts; profile visibility boost; 0% service fee on direct contracts |
| Freelancer Plus (Apple App Store) |
$54.99/month |
Monthly |
Same features as web version; includes Apple processing fees |
| Freelancer Plus (Google Play) |
$54.99/month |
Monthly |
Same features as web version; includes Google processing fees |
| Free tier (Upwork.com) |
$0/month |
N/A |
Limited Connects; basic job browsing; standard profile visibility |
App Store pricing is significantly higher than the direct Upwork.com price due to payment processing fees charged by Apple and Google. Yafee recommends purchasing directly through Upwork.com if you want the lowest cost. If you have already subscribed through an app, cancelling via that same channel will stop the higher recurring charge.
How to cancel Upwork on upwork.com
Cancelling your Upwork subscription through the main website is straightforward and takes just a few minutes. Follow these steps carefully to ensure your subscription ends and no further charges occur.
Step 1: log in to your Upwork account
- Open your web browser and visit upwork.com.
- Click the "Log in" button in the top right corner.
- Enter your email address and password.
- Complete any two-factor authentication if enabled.
Step 2: navigate to your account settings
- Once logged in, click your profile photo or initials in the top right corner.
- Select "Settings" from the dropdown menu.
- Look for "Subscriptions" or "Billing" in the left-hand menu.
Step 3: locate and cancel your freelancer plus subscription
- Under the Subscriptions section, you will see your active Freelancer Plus plan.
- Click the "Cancel subscription" or "Manage subscription" link next to your plan.
- Upwork will display your current billing date and the next charge date.
Step 4: confirm cancellation
- Upwork will ask you to confirm that you want to cancel.
- Select the reason for cancellation (optional but helpful feedback).
- Click "Cancel subscription" to finalise.
- You will see a confirmation message stating your subscription has ended.
Step 5: verify cancellation in your email
- Check your email inbox for a cancellation confirmation from Upwork.
- This email confirms the exact date your subscription ended and that no further charges will occur.
- Keep this email as proof of cancellation for your records.
How to cancel Upwork on apple app store
If you subscribed to Freelancer Plus through the Apple App Store on your iPhone or iPad, you must cancel through Apple's system, not through the Upwork app itself. App Store subscriptions are managed separately from web subscriptions.
Cancelling via your iPhone or iPad
- Open the App Store app on your device.
- Tap your profile photo or initials in the top right corner.
- Select "Subscriptions" from the menu.
- Find Upwork in your active subscriptions list.
- Tap on the Upwork subscription.
- Tap "Cancel Subscription" at the bottom of the screen.
- Confirm your choice when prompted.
- Check your confirmation.
- You will see "Subscription Cancelled" on the Upwork subscription details page.
- Apple will also send you a cancellation email to your Apple ID email address.
Cancelling via your mac
- Open the App Store on your Mac.
- Click your account icon in the top right corner.
- Select "Account Settings".
- Scroll to the "Subscriptions" section.
- Click "Manage" next to Upwork.
- Click "Edit".
- Select "Cancel Subscription" and confirm.
How to cancel Upwork on google play
If you subscribed to Freelancer Plus through Google Play on your Android device, you must cancel through Google's subscription management system. This cancellation is separate from your Upwork.com web account.
Cancelling via your android device
- Open the Google Play Store app on your Android phone or tablet.
- Tap your profile icon in the top right corner.
- Select "Subscriptions" from the menu.
- Find Upwork in your active subscriptions.
- Tap on the Upwork subscription.
- Tap "Cancel subscription" at the bottom of the screen.
- Follow the prompts and confirm cancellation.
- Verify the cancellation.
- Google Play will display "Subscription Cancelled" on the Upwork subscription page.
- You will receive a confirmation email from Google to your Gmail account.
Cancelling via your computer (Google play web)
- Visit play.google.com in your web browser.
- Sign in with the Google account linked to your Google Play subscription.
- Click your profile icon in the top right.
- Select "Payments and subscriptions".
- Click "Manage subscriptions".
- Select Upwork from your active subscriptions.
- Click "Cancel subscription" and follow the confirmation steps.
Refunds and charges after cancellation
Understanding what happens to your account and billing after you cancel is essential to avoid surprise charges.
What you will lose after cancellation
Once your subscription ends, you lose access to premium features immediately. Your monthly Connects allowance reverts to the free tier amount, exclusive job alerts stop appearing and your service fee on direct contracts returns to the standard percentage. Your profile remains active and visible to clients, and all your feedback, portfolio and project history remain in place. You can reactivate your subscription at any time without losing your account data.
Refund eligibility and timeframes
Upwork does not offer refunds for partial months of unused subscription time. If you cancel mid-month, your subscription remains active until the next billing date, and you will not receive a pro-rata refund for the unused portion. However, if you believe you have been charged in error, or if Upwork failed to deliver the promised features, you can request a refund through your account or contact Upwork support directly. Yafee advises keeping your payment records and screenshots of any service failures to support a refund claim.
Addressing unexpected charges
If you cancel your subscription and still see a charge on your credit card or bank statement within 7-10 days, this is likely the final charge before your cancellation takes effect. If you see charges appearing after your confirmed cancellation date, contact Upwork support immediately. You can also dispute the charge with your bank or credit card issuer under the Consumer Guarantees Act if Upwork refuses to reverse an erroneous billing entry.
Common mistakes when cancelling Upwork
Many freelancers make preventable errors when cancelling, often leaving subscriptions active on multiple channels. Being aware of these pitfalls protects your budget and your account.
Forgetting to cancel on all channels
The most common mistake is cancelling your Upwork.com subscription but forgetting about your Apple App Store or Google Play subscription. Upwork maintains separate subscription profiles for each channel. If you have subscribed through multiple platforms, you must cancel on each one individually. Many freelancers discover this only when they see an unexpected charge from Apple or Google weeks after thinking they cancelled.
Assuming cancellation is immediate
Some users believe that clicking "Cancel subscription" means the service stops instantly. In fact, your subscription remains active until the next scheduled billing date. If you cancel on the 15th of the month but your billing date is the 20th, you will have access to premium features until the 20th. Plan your cancellation accordingly if you want to stop using premium features earlier.
Not saving your confirmation
Failing to save or screenshot your cancellation confirmation email leaves you with no proof if a dispute arises. Always download or screenshot the confirmation message from Upwork, Apple or Google. This evidence protects you if you need to file a complaint with the Commerce Commission or dispute a charge with your bank.
What to do after you cancel Upwork
Cancelling your subscription is only the first step. Taking action after cancellation ensures you maintain control of your account and can return to the platform if your circumstances change.
Monitor your bank statement
For the next 30 days after cancellation, check your bank statement and credit card bill regularly. Verify that no further charges appear from Upwork, Apple or Google. If you spot a charge you did not expect, contact your bank immediately to dispute it and ask for a reversal. Yafee recommends setting a phone reminder to check your statement 7 days and 30 days after cancellation for complete peace of mind.
Keep your profile active
You do not need to delete your account when you cancel your subscription. Your Upwork profile remains live and searchable by potential clients even without a paid plan. This means you may still receive job invitations and messages from clients, and you can accept work and build your reputation without paying for premium features. Many freelancers choose to keep their profiles active indefinitely as a passive income channel.
Update your payment method if needed
If your subscription was attached to an old credit card or bank account that you no longer use, update your payment details in your Upwork account settings. This prevents accidental charges if you ever re-subscribe or if any pending payments are still processing. Remove expired payment methods to avoid confusion.
Pricing comparison and alternatives
Before finalising your cancellation, compare Upwork's pricing with your actual usage and consider whether downgrading or exploring alternatives might be more cost-effective.
| Platform |
Entry-level cost (NZD) |
Key difference from Upwork |
| Upwork (Free tier) |
$0/month |
Limited Connects; no premium features |
| Upwork Freelancer Plus (web) |
$35-40/month |
100 Connects; premium visibility |
| Fiverr (seller account) |
$0/month |
Gig-based; fixed pricing model |
| Toptal |
$0/month (application required) |
Vetted top talent; higher rates; stricter screening |
| PeoplePerHour |
$0-20/month |
UK-based; hourly and project work |
If the cost of Upwork's premium tier exceeds your monthly earnings from the platform, the free tier plus periodic top-ups of Connects when you need them may be a more economical approach. Alternatively, diversifying across multiple platforms reduces your dependence on Upwork and spreads your monthly subscription costs.
Your consumer rights checklist
Use this checklist to ensure you have exercised your rights and protected your position under New Zealand consumer law.
| Action |
Completed |
| Save cancellation confirmation email from Upwork, Apple or Google |
[ ] |
| Verify cancellation on all three channels (web, Apple, Google) if subscribed to all |
[ ] |
| Check bank statement 7 days after cancellation for unexpected charges |
[ ] |
| Update or remove outdated payment methods from Upwork account |
[ ] |
| Keep records of service failures or billing errors for potential dispute |
[ ] |
| Document the date and time of your cancellation request |
[ ] |
Get support for your cancellation
Yafee understands that cancelling a subscription should be straightforward, but technical issues or billing disputes can arise. If you encounter problems cancelling through Upwork's standard channels, contact Upwork's Help Center directly by visiting their support portal. Select "Subscriptions" as your issue category and describe your problem clearly. Upwork support typically responds within 24-48 hours.
If Upwork refuses to cancel your subscription or disputes a refund claim, you can escalate to the Commerce Commission under the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993. The Commerce Commission is the official enforcement body for consumer protection in New Zealand. Lodge a formal complaint at comcom.govt.nz with screenshots, emails and your cancellation confirmation as supporting evidence.
For disputes with Apple or Google subscriptions, contact Apple Support (support.apple.com) or Google Play Help (support.google.com) directly. These companies process subscription payments and can reverse erroneous charges on their own authority.
Taking control of your subscription
Cancelling Upwork is a consumer right you can exercise at any time, with no penalty or justification required. New Zealand's Consumer Guarantees Act protects you against unfair billing practices and ensures you can dispute charges if the service fails to meet its promises. By following the step-by-step cancellation process outlined above-whether on Upwork.com, Apple App Store or Google Play-you regain control of your spending and can redirect resources to more effective marketing channels or tools.
Yafee has helped thousands of freelancers and small business owners cancel unnecessary subscriptions, recover erroneous charges and understand their consumer rights when dealing with global digital services. Whether you are cancelling Upwork permanently or temporarily, our clear, legally grounded guidance ensures you avoid hidden charges, maintain your account security and know exactly where to escalate if disputes arise. Start your cancellation today using the method that matches your subscription source, verify the cancellation within 7 days, and monitor your bank statement for peace of mind. Your financial control is non-negotiable-Yafee supports you every step of the way.