Upwork vs Referron
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
Upwork
This app provides a unified platform for hiring and freelancing, allowing users to post jobs, submit proposals, message clients, and manage projects on the go. It streamlines the work process, offering a flexible and efficient experience for all users.
- Post jobs and submit proposals
- Message clients and manage contracts
- Track projects on the go
- Purchase Connects for proposals
- Unified work management experience
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One app. All of Upwork. Enjoy a smoother, faster, and more flexible experience designed to help you get work done. Manage your work on the go. Whether you're hiring, freelancing, or doing both, you can post jobs, purchase Connects and submit proposals, message, track projects, and manage contracts — all from a single app. Some features, including submitting proposals, require Connects. Connects are available as in-app purchases. This unified experience saves you time and helps you stay focused on what matters most: getting great work done. It’s everything you need, all in one powerful, easy-to-use app, built to support the way you work. Terms of Use: https://www.upwork.com/legal#terms-of-use To learn more about opting out of the "sale" or "sharing" of your personal information, please visit our Privacy Center: https://www.upwork.com/legal#privacy-center
Referron
This app facilitates professional networking by allowing users to easily share digital business cards, refer contacts, discover new connections, and monitor their networking activities. It aims to enhance professional relationships and streamline the process of expanding one's network.
- Digital business card sharing
- Contact referral system
- Discover new connections
- Track networking activity
- Enhance professional network
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Referron is the ultimate networking app designed to help you effortlessly send your digital business card, refer contacts, find new connections and track your activity. - Enhance your professional network with ease, - Share your credentials instantly, and - Connect with like-minded professionals. Download to connect, refer and track your activity with ease. Terms and conditions https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is review sentiment: Referron at 100% against Upwork's 30%. Referron also leads on ads (none vs shown) and rating (5.0 vs 4.6). Upwork's advantage is ratings volume (72K vs 15) and update cadence (fortnightly vs every 5 weeks). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Upwork sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $27.00 per month and Referron sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $10.00 per month. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.
Referron holds the better App Store score, 5.0 against 4.6. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: Upwork has 72K ratings behind it against 15, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 30% of Upwork's written reviews are positive against 100% of Referron's.
Upwork ships an update fortnightly, Referron every 5 weeks. The most recent releases landed on November 11, 2026 and November 8, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | Upwork | Referron |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.6 (72K ratings) | 5.0 (15 ratings) — better |
| Positive reviews | 29.6% of reviews | 100.0% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 72K — better | 15 |
| Update frequency | Fortnightly — better | Every 5 weeks |
| Ads | Yes | No — better |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Freemium |
| Best chart rank | #118 — better | — |
| Devices | iPhone | iPhone, iPad — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 — better | 16.4 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 138 MB | 92 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Upwork Global Inc. | Referron |
Customer experience
Upwork
Referron
Bugs and requests
Upwork
Reported bugs
4 issues- App crashes and freezes
- Inconsistent behavior when applying for jobs
- Verification and account suspension issues
- Unreliable push notifications
Requested features
4 requests- Ability to save search criteria
- Improved messaging and notification system
- Better integration between app and website
- More transparency around fees and payment process
Referron
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
Upwork
- Plus$27.001 Month
- Plus$29.991 Month
Referron
- Monthly7 Days trial$10.001 Month
- Annual Subscription 75$75.001 Year
- Annual Subscription 85$85.001 Year
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- Annual Subscription 95$95.001 Year
- Annual Subscription$100.001 Year
- Basic Group Pack$60.00
- Growth Group Pack$200.00
- Pro Group Pack$300.00
