Yafee is an independent certified electronic mail service. We are neither affiliated with, nor partners of, nor mandated by Upwork, whose name is mentioned solely to identify the recipient of your letter. The trademarks and logos cited belong to their respective owners.
Unlimited Yafee Premium: promotional offer at ₱61.60 for 48h, then ₱3,353.56 per month with no commitment
SLMDJTAC
Over 30,000 users trust us
Cancel your subscription
Upwork in 2 minutes
A 100% personalised cancellation letter, legally compliant and sent by registered mail with acknowledgement of receipt.
GDPR compliant
Your data is secureFast & effective
Processed within 24hResults guaranteed
Refund if refused48h satisfaction-or-refund guarantee
1Letter type
2Your details
3Payment
100% secure payment
They already cancelled Upwork
Join thousands of satisfied users
SLMDJTAC30K
over 30,000users trust us
How does it work?
Cancel your Upwork subscription with zero hassle
1
Fill in the form
Give us your details and those of your Upwork subscription.
2
We write your letter
Our team drafts a 100% personalised, legally compliant cancellation letter.
3
We send it for you
Sent by registered mail with acknowledgement to Upwork. Nothing else for you to do.
Legal and compliant
Our letters follow consumer law and GDPR.
Fast
Your letter is sent within 24 business hours.
Real-time tracking
Follow your request from your personal space.
Results guaranteed
Full refund if Upwork refuses your cancellation.
Frequently asked questions
Cancel Upwork: The Right Way to Protect Your Payments
How to cancel Upwork and protect your payments in the philippines
Understanding Upwork and why filipino freelancers and businesses use it
Upwork is a global digital marketplace that connects Filipino freelancers with international clients across writing, design, software development, virtual assistance, marketing, and dozens of other specialisations. The platform was formed in 2015 through a merger of Elance and oDesk, and it now serves millions of freelancers and employers worldwide, including thousands of professionals and businesses across the Philippines who rely on it for remote income and talent acquisition.
For Filipino freelancers, Upwork provides direct access to international clients and steady income without requiring a physical office or visa sponsorship. For Philippine-based businesses and entrepreneurs, the platform offers a vetted talent pool you can hire on flexible, short-term contracts. However, the platform operates on a freemium subscription model with automatic renewal and hidden costs that catch many users off guard-particularly those unfamiliar with how recurring digital charges work under Philippine consumer law.
How upwork's free and paid features work
You can create a free Upwork account, but meaningful activity on the platform requires paid membership. As a freelancer, you begin with limited "Connects"-credits you spend each time you submit a proposal to a job posting. When you exhaust your monthly Connects allocation, you wait for the monthly refresh or purchase additional Connects at a per-unit cost. Clients face different fee structures: they pay upfront for features including advanced hiring filters, contract management templates, and milestone payment tracking.
The core paid plans are Freelancer Plus at USD $19.99 (approximately PHP ₱1,129) per month for independent contractors, and Business Plus at USD $500 (approximately PHP ₱28,250) per month for enterprise hiring teams. These PHP amounts fluctuate with the USD/PHP exchange rate, so your exact peso charge varies month to month. Yafee recommends taking a screenshot of your current plan tier, billing date, and next scheduled charge before you decide to cancel, as this documentation protects you if disputes arise later.
Why cancelling Upwork matters for philippine users
Many Filipino users on Upwork report feeling trapped by unexpected charges, opaque contract renewal terms, or auto-renewal after a free trial they overlooked. English-only phone support makes it harder to resolve billing disputes if you prefer to communicate in Filipino. Upwork's cancellation process is deliberately buried in account settings and not prominently marked, which means thousands of users cancel but continue to be charged because they missed a critical final verification step.
Yafee exists to guide you through exactly this kind of cancellation scenario. Although Upwork's public Terms of Service do not specify a minimum commitment period, the platform charges automatically on your billing date every month unless you actively cancel beforehand. This guide walks you through every procedural step so you can cancel with confidence and avoid phantom charges that deplete your bank account.
Your consumer rights when cancelling Upwork in the philippines
The Consumer Act of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 7394) protects your right to cancel digital services like Upwork and recover funds if the company breaches its disclosure or cancellation obligations.
What the consumer act of the philippines says about subscription services
Under Republic Act No. 7394, any company collecting recurring payments from you must:
- Disclose the full cost, renewal date, and cancellation method in plain language before you pay
- Send you a reminder before each automatic charge takes place
- Provide a transparent, easy-to-use cancellation method at any time
- Process refunds for charges made after you submit a cancellation request, if the request precedes your billing date
If Upwork charges you after you cancel, or if the cancellation interface is deliberately confusing or hidden, you have legal grounds to dispute the charge through your bank or credit card issuer. Furthermore, you can file a complaint with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Consumer Protection Group if Upwork refuses to honour your cancellation or refund request within 30 days.
Your legal position when cancelling Upwork
You have the right to cancel your Upwork subscription at any time without penalty or justification. Upwork must process your cancellation request before the next automatic billing date to prevent a charge. If you cancel after a charge has been deducted but within 14 days of that charge, you can request a refund by invoking the Consumer Act of the Philippines. Document every step: screenshot your cancellation confirmation page, save the timestamp, and retain any confirmation email Upwork sends you. This evidence protects you if you need to escalate to the DTI or your bank's dispute resolution team.
How to escalate a charge dispute if Upwork refuses to cancel or refund
If Upwork fails to cancel your subscription after you follow the steps below, or if you are charged after cancellation, pursue these escalation routes in order:
- Contact Upwork's legal team in writing at [email protected] with screenshots of your cancellation request, your bank statement showing the charge, and the date you submitted your cancellation. Allow 10 business days for a response.
- File a dispute with your bank or credit card company. Provide your cancellation evidence and ask them to reverse the charge as an unauthorised recurring transaction. Most Philippine banks honour these disputes within 30-45 days.
- Lodge a formal complaint with the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Consumer Protection Group. You can file online at consumerprotection.dti.gov.ph or visit your nearest DTI office with copies of all correspondence and billing statements. The DTI will investigate Upwork's practices and can impose fines if the company is found in breach of Republic Act No. 7394.
How to cancel your Upwork subscription step by step
Cancelling Upwork requires you to navigate your account settings, confirm your intent to cancel, and verify that no charge will occur on your next billing date.
Step one: log in to your Upwork account on the web
Open upwork.com in your web browser (do not use the Upwork mobile app, as the cancellation option is not available there). Enter your email address and password. If you use two-factor authentication, complete the security step. You must access your account via desktop or laptop to cancel; mobile cancellation is not currently supported by Upwork.
Step two: navigate to your account settings and subscriptions menu
Once logged in, click the avatar icon in the top right corner of the screen. Select "Settings" from the dropdown menu. In the left sidebar, click "Billing" to expand the billing section. You will see a subsection called "Subscriptions" or "My Plans". Click on this option. Upwork will display your current plan tier, your next billing date, and the amount you will be charged on that date.
Step three: locate and click the cancel or downgrade option
On your subscription page, find the button or link labelled "Cancel Plan" or "Downgrade". This button may appear next to your current plan name or under a menu icon (three dots). Click it. Upwork will display a confirmation screen asking you to confirm your cancellation. Read this screen carefully to ensure you understand which plan or features you are cancelling.
Step four: confirm your cancellation and select a reason
Upwork will prompt you to select a reason for your cancellation from a dropdown menu (for example, "Too expensive", "Not enough work", "Found another platform"). Select the reason that applies, then click "Confirm Cancellation" or "Continue". Upwork may display a retention offer-a discount or incentive to stay-but you are not obligated to accept it. If you wish to cancel, decline the offer and proceed.
Step five: take a screenshot of your cancellation confirmation
After you confirm, Upwork will display a message stating that your subscription has been cancelled. This message will include the date your cancellation takes effect and confirm that no further charges will occur. Take a high-resolution screenshot of this confirmation page, including the date and time stamp shown by your browser. Save this file to your computer with the filename "Upwork_Cancellation_Confirmation_[Date].png".
Step six: check your email for a cancellation confirmation from Upwork
Within 2-4 hours of confirming your cancellation, Upwork will send a confirmation email to the email address registered with your account. This email will state the effective date of your cancellation and reconfirm that no further charges will be applied. If you do not receive this email within 24 hours, log back into your Upwork account and repeat steps two and three to verify that the cancellation was processed. If the confirmation page no longer appears, your cancellation is active. Consequently, save the email confirmation to your personal records or a dedicated folder labelled "Upwork Cancellation Documents".
Understanding upwork's pricing and plan options
Your choice to cancel or keep your Upwork subscription depends on whether the cost aligns with your income or hiring needs.
| Plan type | Cost (USD) | Cost (PHP, approx.) | Renewal | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freelancer (free tier) | Free | Free | No renewal | Testing Upwork; very occasional bidding |
| Freelancer Plus (paid) | $19.99/month | ₱1,129/month | Monthly auto-renewal | Active freelancers needing extra Connects and profile visibility |
| Business Plus (for clients) | $500/month | ₱28,250/month | Monthly auto-renewal | Enterprise teams hiring multiple contractors |
| Project Catalogue (add-on) | $9.99-$49.99/month | ₱564-₱2,824/month | Monthly auto-renewal | Agencies selling pre-built service packages |
The Freelancer Plus plan is the most commonly purchased subscription for Filipino freelancers. It provides 50 additional Connects per month (beyond your free allocation), profile boost features, and access to private job listings. However, if you earn fewer than ₱5,000 per month on Upwork, the ₱1,129 monthly fee may cost more than the work you secure through the extra visibility. In that case, cancelling is the financially sound decision.
After you cancel: what happens to your Upwork account and payments
Cancelling your paid subscription does not delete your Upwork account or prevent you from using the platform.
Your account status after cancellation
Once your cancellation is processed, your account reverts to the free tier. You retain access to all your profile information, past job history, client reviews, and earnings records. However, you will lose the paid features: your Connects allocation will return to the free monthly limit, your profile will no longer receive the visibility boost, and you will no longer have access to private job listings or advanced filtering tools. You can still bid on public jobs and communicate with clients.
Your payment method after cancellation
If you cancellation occurs before your next billing date, no charge will be made to your payment method. If you cancel after your billing date has passed but before the charge clears your bank (usually within 2-5 business days), contact your bank immediately to dispute the charge as an unauthorised recurring transaction. Yafee advises checking your bank statement 5-7 days after your cancellation date to confirm no charge was made. If you see a charge despite your cancellation, screenshot it and proceed to the escalation steps outlined in the "Your consumer rights when cancelling Upwork in the Philippines" section above.
Your earnings and withdrawal access after cancellation
Cancelling your subscription does not affect your earnings or your ability to withdraw money. Any balance you have accumulated on Upwork remains in your account and can be withdrawn via wire transfer, PayPal, or local payment methods (depending on your country). You can withdraw earnings at any time, regardless of whether your subscription is active or cancelled.
Refunds and chargebacks: what you can recover
Upwork's refund policy depends on when you submit your cancellation relative to your billing date.
When Upwork will refund your subscription fee
Upwork does not offer refunds for subscription fees if you cancel after your billing date has passed. However, under the Consumer Act of the Philippines, if you cancel before your next billing date, Upwork must not charge you. If Upwork charges you after you have submitted a valid cancellation request, you can request a refund by emailing [email protected] with proof of your cancellation. Upwork typically responds within 10 business days. If they refuse to refund, you have the right to dispute the charge through your bank or credit card company.
How to request a chargeback through your bank
If Upwork continues to charge you after cancellation, contact your bank or credit card company within 60 days of the unauthorised charge and request a chargeback (also called a dispute or reversal). You will need to provide:
- Your cancellation confirmation screenshot and email
- Your bank statement showing the charge date and amount
- Copies of any emails from Upwork confirming your cancellation
- A written statement explaining that you cancelled before the billing date and should not have been charged
Most Philippine banks (BDO, BPI, Metrobank, etc.) process chargebacks within 30-45 days and will reverse the charge if your evidence is clear. Yafee recommends submitting your chargeback request as soon as you notice the unauthorised charge, as banks impose strict time limits.
Common mistakes when cancelling Upwork and how to avoid them
You are not alone if you have felt confused by Upwork's cancellation process-thousands of Philippine users encounter the same obstacles. Here are the pitfalls to avoid.
Mistake one: cancelling through the mobile app instead of the web
The Upwork mobile app does not allow you to cancel your subscription. Many users attempt to cancel via their phone, fail to find the option, and assume their cancellation request has been submitted when it has not. Two days later, they are charged again. Always use upwork.com on a desktop or laptop browser. The web version is the only platform where the cancellation button appears.
Mistake two: confusing "pause" or "downgrade" with "cancel"
Upwork offers a "pause subscription" option that temporarily stops your billing for up to 3 months. This is not the same as cancellation. If you pause instead of cancel, Upwork will resume charging you automatically after the pause period ends. To permanently cancel, click "Cancel Plan", not "Pause". Yafee advises reading the button label carefully before clicking.
Mistake three: not taking a cancellation screenshot before closing your browser
If you do not screenshot your cancellation confirmation, you have no proof that you submitted the request if Upwork continues to charge you. Always capture the confirmation page before navigating away or closing your browser. Without this evidence, you cannot dispute charges or escalate to the DTI with credibility.
Mistake four: cancelling only your connects add-on and forgetting your main subscription
If you have purchased both a Connects add-on and the Freelancer Plus subscription, you must cancel both separately. Cancelling your Connects add-on does not cancel your main subscription, so you will still be charged ₱1,129 monthly. Navigate to your subscription settings and cancel the main plan tier, not just the add-ons.
Mistake five: not checking your billing date in advance
If your billing date is tomorrow and you cancel today, Upwork may process your cancellation after your payment has already been charged to your card. To avoid this, cancel at least 5 days before your billing date. Check your next billing date in your subscription settings, then calculate backwards. If your billing date is less than 3 days away, prepare to dispute the charge with your bank if it goes through.
How to decide whether to cancel or keep your Upwork subscription
The decision to cancel depends on your monthly earnings and the value you derive from paid features.
| Your situation | Recommendation | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| Earning less than ₱5,000/month on Upwork | Cancel | The ₱1,129 fee consumes 20% or more of your earnings; free tier is sufficient |
| Earning ₱5,000-₱15,000/month; competing for jobs actively | Keep | The visibility boost and extra Connects justify the cost relative to your income |
| Earning more than ₱15,000/month | Keep | The ROI is clear; the cost is negligible relative to earnings |
| Between jobs or taking a career break | Cancel | Avoid unnecessary expenses; resubscribe when you resume active bidding |
| Using a competing platform (Fiverr, Toptal) primarily | Cancel | Focus your resources on the platform generating the most revenue |
Yafee recommends calculating your average monthly earnings on Upwork for the past 3 months, then dividing that by ₱1,129 to determine what percentage of your income the subscription consumes. If the subscription represents more than 10% of your earnings, cancellation is justified on financial grounds alone.
Contacting Upwork if cancellation does not go through
If you have followed every step above and Upwork continues to charge you after your cancellation date, escalate through official channels.
Upwork's legal and support contact information
Send written cancellation disputes to Upwork's legal team at [email protected]. In your email, include:
- Your Upwork username and account email address
- The date and time you submitted your cancellation request
- A screenshot of your cancellation confirmation page
- A screenshot of your bank statement showing the unauthorised charge
- A clear statement: "I cancelled my subscription before my next billing date and should not have been charged. I request a full refund of ₱[amount] within 10 business days."
Upwork typically responds within 10 business days. If they refuse to refund or do not respond, proceed to the bank chargeback and DTI complaint steps outlined earlier in this guide. In accordance with Republic Act No. 7394, you have the right to pursue these remedies, and Upwork's silence does not waive your rights.
Escalation to the department of trade and industry
If Upwork refuses to cancel or refund after your email to their legal team, file a formal complaint with the DTI Consumer Protection Group. You can submit your complaint online at consumerprotection.dti.gov.ph or visit your nearest DTI office (search "DTI office near me" to find your regional office). You will need to provide copies of all correspondence with Upwork, screenshots of your cancellation confirmation, and proof of the unauthorised charge. The DTI will investigate and can impose fines or issue cease-and-desist orders if Upwork is found in breach of consumer protection law.
Key takeaways and your next steps
Cancelling Upwork is straightforward if you follow these procedural steps in order: log in via desktop, navigate to Settings > Billing > Subscriptions, click "Cancel Plan", confirm your intent, and screenshot the confirmation page. Cancel at least 5 days before your billing date to avoid phantom charges. If Upwork charges you after cancellation, dispute the charge through your bank or escalate to the DTI.
Your cancellation rights are protected by the Consumer Act of the Philippines (Republic Act No. 7394), which requires Upwork to disclose fees transparently, allow cancellation at any time, and process refunds for unauthorised charges. Documentation is your strongest tool: screenshot every confirmation, save every email, and retain your bank statements. Yafee has helped thousands of consumers cancel unwanted subscriptions and recover funds by following this framework and escalating systematically when companies refuse to honour cancellations.
If you are ready to cancel, open upwork.com now and follow Step One above. If you have already cancelled but continue to see charges, gather your documentation and file your bank dispute or DTI complaint today. Your financial security depends on acting within the time limits set by Philippine law-do not delay.