Software Alternatives & Startups

Upwork VS WorkJam

Compare Upwork VS WorkJam and see what are their differences

Upwork

Forget the old rules. You can have the best people. Right now. Right here.

WorkJam

WorkJam is the employee engagement suite empowering the digital workplace for shift-based, hourly and non-desk workers. Connect, engage, and empower your frontline workforce with a single, unified platform enhanced by AI.

Rating
1.0 · 1 review
Pricing
Paid
Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Which is more popular?

Based on our record, Upwork seems to be more popular. It has been mentioned 331 times since March 2021.

social mentions
331 vs 0
user rating
5.0 vs 1.0
Freelance Marketplace popularity
100% vs 0%
alternatives listed
240+ vs 84

Base details

Website, pricing, platforms and company facts side by side.

Upwork
WorkJam
Website upwork.com workjam.com
Pricing —
Platforms —
Desktop iPhone iOS Android Mac MacOS Windows Google Chrome Firefox Safari +7
Company Startup from the United States Startup from Canada · 250 - 499 employees · 2014
Listed in

About Upwork and WorkJam

In their own words, as submitted to SaaSHub.

Upwork
WorkJam

No description of Upwork yet.

Without WorkJam, operations departments may grapple with: Communication Barriers Siloed communication leads to disjointed efforts across departments and between corporate and field operations. Disengaged Employees When frontline employees get bombarded with everything they tune out. On the other...

Read more about WorkJam

Features and specs

What each product offers, as listed by its team.

Upwork 6 features
WorkJam 6 features
  • Large Talent Pool
    Upwork has a vast number of freelancers from various fields, enabling clients to find professionals with a wide range of skills and experience levels.
  • Flexible Work Arrangements
    Both clients and freelancers can choose from a variety of project types, including fixed-price and hourly jobs, to best suit their needs.
  • Global Access
    Upwork allows you to hire talent from around the world, increasing the diversity and pool of high-quality freelancers.
  • Escrow Payment System
    Upwork uses an escrow payment system to protect both parties. Clients deposit funds that are only released when agreed milestones are met, ensuring security.
  • Variety of Tools
    Upwork offers a variety of tools such as time-tracking software, work diaries, and real-time chat to facilitate project management and communication.
  • Ratings and Reviews
    The platform includes a ratings and reviews system, enabling clients to make informed decisions based on the experiences of others.

Possible disadvantages

  • Service Fees
    Upwork charges both freelancers and clients service fees, which can add up to a significant amount, especially for larger projects.
  • Competition for Freelancers
    Due to the large number of freelancers, competition can be fierce which might make it difficult for new freelancers to get noticed.
  • Quality Control
    While Upwork has a large talent pool, the skill level of freelancers can vary widely, requiring clients to spend time vetting candidates.
  • Platform Dependence
    Both clients and freelancers might develop dependence on the platform, making it risky if Upwork changes its policies or fee structure.
  • Limited Direct Contact Information
    Upwork restricts the initial sharing of direct contact information to avoid working outside the platform, which can complicate preliminary discussions.
  • Potential for Miscommunication
    Despite available communication tools, remote work inherently carries a risk of miscommunication due to different time zones and cultural differences.
  • Improved Communication
    WorkJam offers a centralized platform for internal communication, reducing the need for multiple emails and messages, which streamlines communication between managers and employees.
  • Enhanced Employee Engagement
    The platform encourages participation and feedback through surveys and employee engagement tools, helping to build a more involved and motivated workforce.
  • Efficient Scheduling
    WorkJam allows managers to create, modify, and distribute work schedules easily, which optimizes workforce management and helps employees better plan their time.
  • Learning and Development
    The platform includes tools for training and development, providing employees with opportunities to enhance their skills directly through the app.
  • Task Management
    WorkJam includes task management features that allow for clear assignment and tracking of tasks, which helps improve productivity and accountability.
  • AI Agent
    Give your teams round-the-clock employee support with an AI Agent securely informed by your organization’s own documentation and processes.

Possible disadvantages

  • Learning Curve
    Implementing WorkJam can require time and resources for training, as employees and managers need to adapt to a new system, which might slow initial productivity.
  • Connectivity Requirements
    As a digital solution, WorkJam requires reliable internet access, which might be a barrier in locations with limited connectivity or for employees who lack access to technology.
  • Cost
    The deployment of WorkJam involves costs that might be significant for smaller organizations, especially when compared to traditional communication and scheduling methods.
  • Integration Challenges
    Some organizations may encounter difficulties integrating WorkJam with existing systems or platforms, which can complicate workflows.
  • Customization Limitations
    While WorkJam offers a range of features, it may not fully cater to unique organizational needs without additional customization, potentially limiting usability for some companies.

Analysis

An editorial look at what each product does well and who it suits.

Upwork
WorkJam

Overall verdict

  • Upwork is considered a good option for both freelancers looking to find work and clients seeking skilled professionals. However, experiences can vary based on job requirements, budget, expertise level, and personal expectations.

Why this product is good

  • Upwork is a popular freelancing platform that connects clients with professional freelancers across various fields. It is known for its wide range of job categories, global talent pool, and flexible work arrangements. The platform provides tools for communication, project management, and payment to ensure a smooth experience for both clients and freelancers.

Recommended for

  • Freelancers looking for flexible work opportunities across diverse industries.
  • Clients seeking to hire skilled professionals for short-term or long-term projects.
  • Individuals who prefer remote work and have the ability to manage their projects independently.
  • Entrepreneurs and businesses that want to scale their operations by hiring specialized talent without geographical limitations.

No analysis of WorkJam yet.

Videos

Walkthroughs and reviews on video.

Upwork 6 videos + Add
WorkJam 1 video + Add

Avoid Upwork! – Freelancers Beware: Upwork Review

More videos

  • - Upwork Review (From Someone Who Made it Work)
  • - Why Upwork Is NOT Freelance - It's TERRIBLE for Workers | #grindreel
  • - The Hard Truth about Upwork: 5 Things I Wish I knew before starting Freelancing
  • - Upwork Review From a Top-Rated Freelancer: Upwork Pros & Cons
  • - I Spent 30 Days Freelancing on Upwork

WorkJam - The Frontline Digital Workplace

Category popularity

How often each product is chosen within a category, 0–100% relative to the other.

Score bands 0–20 21–40 41–50 51–60 61–100
Upwork
WorkJam
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
100% 100%
100% 100%
0% 0%
0% 0%
POS
100% 100%

Questions & Answers

As answered by people managing Upwork and WorkJam.

Why should a person choose your product over its competitors?

WorkJam's answer:

A person should choose WorkJam over its competitors because it is the only digital frontline workplace that is complete, integrated, and advanced enough to handle all the needs of a deskless workforce. WorkJam created the category of Digital Frontline Workplace and defines its destiny.

Key differentiators that make WorkJam stand out include:

Unified Platform: WorkJam is a single "super app" that integrates essential employee functions—like task management, communication, scheduling, and learning—into one platform. This eliminates the need for employees to navigate multiple disparate apps, which can lead to "digital fatigue".

Advanced Compliance and Targeting: WorkJam is the only solution that offers precise targeting of employee groups based on criteria such as job title, location, skill level, and certifications. It also provides advanced features like geofencing and IP fencing to ensure communications are only received when an employee is on-shift, a critical feature for labor law compliance.

Seamless Integration: WorkJam is built to extend and augment existing enterprise systems, such as Workforce Management (WFM) platforms like UKG, HRIS, and payroll providers. This allows organizations to leverage their current technology investments while providing a modern, mobile-first experience for their frontline teams.

Proven Results: WorkJam has a high active associate usage rate of 97% with some customers. The platform has been shown to deliver significant business value, with a Forrester Consulting study finding that WorkJam customers achieved a 410% ROI in 6 months. Other examples include a global retailer saving over $8 million per year in employee retention and JCPenney increasing associate referrals by 3x.

Unique Functionality: The Open Shift Marketplace is a unique feature that enables employees to access and apply for unassigned shifts across different locations based on their qualifications and availability. This helps businesses optimize staffing and lowers labor costs while providing employees with greater flexibility.

What makes your product unique?

WorkJam's answer:

WorkJam is unique for several reasons, primarily because it pioneered the concept of the "Digital Frontline Workplace". It is positioned as the world leader in this category.

Key differentiators include:

A Unified "Super App": WorkJam is a single, modular platform that integrates all essential employee needs, such as tasks, shifts, learning, and communications, into one app. This approach reduces digital fatigue for deskless workers who would otherwise have to switch between multiple applications.

Advanced Targeting and Compliance: WorkJam is the only solution that offers precise targeting of employee groups by factors like title, location, and skill level. It is also the only solution that can use geo and IP fencing, GPS, and beacons to ensure employees only receive communications while on-shift, which is crucial for compliance with labor laws.

Seamless Integration and Extensibility: The platform is designed to extend existing workforce management (WFM) and HR systems to the frontline. It has deep partnerships and integrations with leading WFM providers like UKG, as well as collaboration tools like Microsoft Teams. This allows organizations to maintain their current systems of record while providing a rich, mobile-first experience for employees.

Proven Business Impact: WorkJam has a high active associate usage rate of 97% with some customers and has demonstrated significant return on investment (ROI). Customer success stories show quantifiable results, such as a global retailer saving over $8 million per year in employee retention and a hospitality chain saving $4 million by increasing productivity with targeted messaging.

"WorkJam" as a Verb: The brand strategy is built on the idea of using "WorkJam" as a verb, like "xerox" or "google," to signify the act of revolutionizing the frontline workplace. This creative messaging helps reinforce its position as a category leader.

How would you describe the primary audience of your product?

WorkJam's answer:

Our primary audience consists of leaders in HR, IT, and operations, as well as field managers who work with deskless employees daily. These are the individuals responsible for the success and well-being of the frontline workforce.

What's the story behind your product?

WorkJam's answer:

The story of WorkJam is about starting a revolution for the frontline workforce, a group that is historically underserved by tech companies. We're all about fundamentally changing and improving how deskless workers work, communicate, and train. WorkJam created the category of "Digital Frontline Workplace" and we're the world leader in it.

Our mission is to transform the way frontline workers operate to help simplify their day-to-day and create happy, engaged employees for higher productivity. We do this by using a concept called Workforce Orchestration™, which gets frontline workers into an easy, steady rhythm, resulting in dramatic gains in performance and productivity.

Who are some of the biggest customers of your product?

WorkJam's answer:

  • Starbucks
  • Portillo's
  • Aramark
  • Circle K
  • Shell
  • Woolworths
  • Marshalls
  • Homesense
  • WFS
  • TJX
  • Cardenas
  • Panda Express
  • Kroger

User comments

Share your experience with using Upwork and WorkJam. For example, how are they different and which one is better?

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Reviews and articles

External articles and on-site reviews we used to compare the two products.

Upwork 5.0 · 1 review
WorkJam 1.0 · 1 review

View more

  • Rated 1/5 by Guest
    SaaSHub review
    · Jan 2022

    I can never log into my WorkJam or Itrent accounts. There is always a problem signing into my accounts as it is says invalid all of time and I have to change it so many times and yet it still doesn’t work! I never...

Social recommendations and mentions

Recommendations tracked on public social media and blogs since March 2021.

Upwork 331 mentions
WorkJam 0 mentions
  • How to Make Money From Coding: A Beginner-Friendly Practical Guide
    Upwork: Great for beginners, wide variety of projects. - Source: dev.to / about 2 years ago
  • I was an actual shill for 9 months, AMA
    If you are learning web development, goto upwork.com and start doing projects. Your old projects & code is a lot more valuable than some references from a company. Source: almost 3 years ago
  • Insulin pens are driving me bonkers
    I just wanted to say, for anyone reading this far: this is the sort of thing you can hire a programmer to whip up for you to carry around on your phone. u/dark_rug just up and did it, but for anybody else finding themselves with a... Source: almost 3 years ago

View more

Tracking WorkJam since Mar 2021.

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When comparing Upwork and WorkJam, you can also consider the following products.