Upwork (NASDAQ:UPWK – Get Free Report) and Rakuten (OTCMKTS:RKUNY – Get Free Report) are both computer and technology companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, valuation, earnings, profitability, institutional ownership, risk and dividends.
Institutional & Insider Ownership 77.7% of Upwork shares are owned by institutional investors. 4.9% of Upwork shares are owned by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.
Analyst Recommendations This is a summary of recent recommendations and price targets for Upwork and Rakuten, as provided by MarketBeat.com.
Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Upwork 0 10 3 0 2.23 Rakuten 0 1 0 1 3.00 Upwork presently has a consensus target price of $15.50, suggesting a potential upside of 62.64%. Given Upwork’s higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe Upwork is more favorable than Rakuten.
Valuation & Earnings This table compares Upwork and Rakuten”s gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.
Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Upwork $787.78 million 1.49 $115.43 million $0.81 11.77 Rakuten $16.70 billion 0.68 -$1.19 billion ($0.37) -14.07 Upwork has higher earnings, but lower revenue than Rakuten. Rakuten is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Upwork, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.
Volatility & Risk Upwork has a beta of 0.99, indicating that its share price is 1% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Rakuten has a beta of 1.12, indicating that its share price is 12% more volatile than the S&P 500.
Profitability This table compares Upwork and Rakuten’s net margins, return on equity and return on assets.
Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Upwork 13.81% 17.92% 8.54% Rakuten -4.83% -10.02% -0.44% Summary Upwork beats Rakuten on 11 of the 15 factors compared between the two stocks.
About Upwork (Get Free Report)
Upwork Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates a work marketplace that connects businesses with various independent professionals and agencies in the United States, India, the Philippines, and internationally. The company’s work marketplace provides access to talent with various skills across a range of categories, including administrative support, sales and marketing, design and creative, and customer service, as well as web, mobile, and software development. Its work marketplace also enables clients to streamline workflows, such as talent sourcing, outreach, and contracting. The company’s work marketplace offers access to various functionalities for remote engagements with talent, including communication and collaboration, ability to receive talent invoices through their work marketplace, and payment protection. Its marketplace offerings include Upwork Payroll and Upwork Enterprise, as well as managed and escrow services. The company was formerly known as Elance-oDesk, Inc. and changed its name to Upwork Inc. in May 2015. Upwork Inc. was incorporated in 2013 and is headquartered in San Francisco, California.
About Rakuten (Get Free Report)
Rakuten Group, Inc. provides services in e-commerce, fintech, digital content, and communications to various users in Japan and internationally. The company operates through three segments: Internet Services, FinTech, and Mobile. The Internet Services segment provides range of e-commerce sites, such as Rakuten Ichiba, an Internet shopping mall, online cash-back sites, travel booking sites, portal sites, and digital content sites. It also offers messaging services and sells advertising; and manages professional sport teams. The FinTech segment offers financial services over the internet related to banking and securities, credit cards, life insurance, general insurance, electronic payment business, crypto asset (virtual currency) spot transaction, etc. The Mobile segment provides communication services and technology, electricity supply, and digital content site services. The company was formerly known as Rakuten, Inc. and changed its name to Rakuten Group, Inc. in April 2021. Rakuten Group, Inc. was incorporated in 1997 and is headquartered in Setagaya, Japan.
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PALO ALTO, Calif., July 21, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Upwork Inc. (Nasdaq: UPWK), the world’s human and AI-powered work marketplace, today announced that it will report its financial results for the second quarter of 2026 on Monday, August 10, 2026 after market close. The company will host a Q&A conference call to discuss these results at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time (5:00 p.m. Eastern Time) on the same day.
A live webcast of the call will be available on the Upwork Investor Relations website at investors.upwork.com.
An audio replay of the conference call will be available for one week following the call and will be archived via webcast on the Upwork Investor Relations website at investors.upwork.com for approximately one year.
About Upwork
Upwork Inc.’s (Nasdaq: UPWK) family of companies connects businesses with global, AI-enabled talent across every contingent work type including freelance, agency, fractional, and payrolled. This portfolio includes the Upwork Marketplace, which connects businesses with on-demand access to highly skilled talent across the globe, and Lifted, which provides a purpose-built solution for enterprise organizations to source, contract, manage, and pay talent across the full spectrum of contingent work. From Fortune 100 enterprises to entrepreneurs, businesses rely on Upwork Inc. to find and hire expert talent, leverage AI-powered work solutions, and drive business transformation. With access to professionals spanning more than 10,000 skills across AI & machine learning, software development, sales & marketing, customer support, finance & accounting, and more, the Upwork family of companies enables businesses of all sizes to scale, innovate, and transform their workforces for the age of AI and beyond.
Since its founding, Upwork Inc. has facilitated more than $30 billion in total transactions and services as it fulfills its purpose to create opportunity in every era of work. Learn more about the Upwork Marketplace at upwork.com and follow on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X; and learn more about Lifted at go-lifted.com and follow on LinkedIn.
PALO ALTO, Calif., July 14, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Upwork Inc. (Nasdaq: UPWK), the world's human and AI-powered work marketplace, today released its second annual Future Workforce Index 2026, a study of 2,400 U.S.-based skilled knowledge workers combined with Upwork Marketplace platform data. The research finds that over 1 in 3 skilled U.S. knowledge workers now freelance, up from roughly 1 in 4 a year ago, as AI restructures which work commands a premium.
The Future Workforce Index is Upwork’s annual research report on the future of work, exploring how AI adoption, workforce models, and changing career preferences are reshaping skilled work. Key findings from the report include:
Not all AI work is gaining value, and the split comes down to judgment, not just usage. Freelancers performing AI work on the Upwork Marketplace earn 34% more per hour than those not incorporating AI, but not all AI work is becoming more valuable. For example, generative AI and creative production work saw 90% year-over-year growth in contract starts while per-contract earnings declined 13%, suggesting that lower-complexity AI execution may become less lucrative as it scales.Complex AI-augmented work is driving higher earnings and new roles. Freelancers doing more complex work with AI saw earnings increase 45% year-over-year. AI-augmented professional services — where domain experts integrate AI into established fields — grew 72% in volume with earnings rising 22%. The research points to the early emergence of the "AI Orchestrator": a professional who connects AI tools to domain expertise, applies human judgment, and turns AI-enabled execution into business outcomes.Skilled freelancing is accelerating. Skilled freelancers now represent 38% of U.S. knowledge workers, up from 28% the prior year. At the same time, 58% of full-time employees now say they are considering freelancing, up from 36% the prior year. This shift suggests workers are seeking out more control over how they build expertise, choose projects, and monetize their capabilities as AI reshapes which skills are valuable.
Freelancers are among the fastest adopters of new tools, which makes their earnings and behavior a reliable early signal for where the broader labor market is heading. The findings suggest that the next phase of AI adoption will depend less on deploying more tools and more on developing and accessing the human expertise required to make them useful.
"There is a puzzle in the AI data: adoption is everywhere, but productivity gains are still hard to see. In a recent survey my colleagues and I conducted of nearly 6,000 executives, most firms reported little measurable impact from AI so far," said Nick Bloom, Professor of Economics at Stanford University and member of Upwork’s Economic Advisory Council. "Upwork's data adds an important clue. The value is not showing up evenly; it is concentrated in more complex work where people are applying expertise, judgment, and business context on top of AI."
The findings carry implications for both businesses and workers.
“As AI agents continue to proliferate, the advantage for talent will come from becoming an AI Orchestrator, someone that can direct, integrate, and be accountable for agents across complex workflows,” said Jennifer Brett, PhD, who joins Upwork as its new Managing Director of the Upwork Research Institute.
Brett, who previously held senior research and insights roles at Attentive, LinkedIn, and Google, will lead the Institute's research agenda on the future of work, AI's role in workforce transformation, and the evolving dynamics of the independent talent economy.
“For businesses, giving employees access to AI tools is only the first step. The real work is redesigning workflows, identifying skill gaps, and investing in employee learning to close those gaps and deliver results. Companies that treat AI as a technology rollout rather than a talent strategy will struggle to close the gap between adoption and outcomes,” Brett adds.
Explore the full findings of the Future Workforce Index here.
Methodology
The Future Workforce Index 2026 is based on a survey of 2,400 U.S.-based skilled workers conducted March–April 2026. Skilled workers were determined by targeting a representative sample of U.S. workers and limiting participants to those working above the administrative level across skilled organizational functions with earnings above a minimum threshold, as determined by analyzing U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics salary data. The margin of error is 2% at the 95% confidence level. The report also draws on Upwork platform data, including AI-related work categories, contract starts, hourly earnings, and YoY earnings trends, using an LLM-based pipeline to identify and classify AI-related jobs by how AI is being used.
About the Upwork Research Institute
The Upwork Research Institute is committed to studying fundamental shifts in the workforce and providing business leaders with the tools and insights they need to navigate the present while preparing their organizations for the future. Using proprietary platform data, global survey research, and academic collaborations, the Institute produces evidence-based insights to help create the blueprint for the new way of work. Learn more at upwork.com/research.
About Upwork Inc.
Upwork Inc.'s (Nasdaq: UPWK) family of companies connects businesses with global, AI-enabled talent across every contingent work type including freelance, fractional, and payrolled. This portfolio includes the Upwork Marketplace, which connects businesses with on-demand access to highly skilled talent across the globe, and Lifted, which provides a purpose-built solution for enterprise organizations to source, contract, manage, and pay talent across the full spectrum of contingent work. From Fortune 100 enterprises to entrepreneurs, businesses rely on Upwork Inc. to find and hire expert talent, leverage AI-powered work solutions, and drive business transformation. With access to professionals spanning more than 10,000 skills across AI & machine learning, software development, sales & marketing, customer support, finance & accounting, and more, the Upwork family of companies enables businesses of all sizes to scale, innovate, and transform their workforces for the age of AI and beyond.
Since its founding, Upwork Inc. has facilitated more than $30 billion in total transactions and services as it fulfills its purpose to create opportunity in every era of work. Learn more about the Upwork Marketplace at upwork.com and follow on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X; and learn more about Lifted at go-lifted.com.
PALO ALTO, Calif., June 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Upwork Inc. (NASDAQ: UPWK), the world's human and AI-powered work marketplace, today announced the Upwork Claude Connector, a new app inside Anthropic's Claude that connects businesses with the experts they need the moment a project takes shape.
According to recent Upwork research, 74% of SMBs plan to increase freelancer hiring in the near term, much of it tied to AI-driven growth initiatives. Now the same tools that support the project planning can also help with the hiring, without starting from scratch or losing the context that’s already been built.
“AI is changing how businesses plan and kick off work. But quality outcomes still depend on human expertise,” said Peter Sanborn, chief business officer at Upwork Inc. “Putting Upwork inside Claude closes the gap between where work gets started and the talent that can bring it to life.”
With the Upwork Claude Connector, a user can describe a project and immediately receive a shortlist of recommended talent drawn from the Upwork Marketplace’s more than 18 million professionals, including a global pool of AI-skilled talent, across 130 categories of work. They can also create a job post through the conversation, then continue to Upwork to make the hire — where Uma™, Upwork's AI work agent, helps manage the project to completion.
Claude users can get started with prompts like:
“Start an Upwork job post for a data analyst who can build an AI system that turns our raw customer support transcripts into weekly trend reports.”“Our finance team spends hours on manual reporting every month. Can you help me find an AI automation expert on Upwork who can build a solution to fix that?”“I've drafted this product spec in Claude. Find me a senior engineer who's shipped similar features and can build it.” When Shane Pope, CEO of Reflect Technology, set out to build Remi, an AI-powered mental wellness app, he turned to Upwork to find the AI expertise he needed. The app went from idea to the App Store in four months. “Sometimes you're working through a business problem and you realize you need an expert — and a real person would be 10 times more helpful than AI alone,” said Shane. “Being able to find that person on Upwork right there in the same conversation, without the back-and-forth, just removes the friction that makes you put it off.”
The Claude integration follows the launch of an Upwork app for ChatGPT in April, and is part of Upwork’s growing effort to expand access to expert talent inside the tools where ideas take shape.
All Claude users can get started now by connecting the Upwork app within Claude. Learn more at: upwork.com/claudeapp-support.
About Upwork
Upwork Inc.’s (Nasdaq: UPWK) family of companies connects businesses with global, AI-enabled talent across every contingent worker classification. This portfolio includes the Upwork Marketplace, which connects businesses with on-demand access to highly skilled talent across the globe, and Lifted, which provides a purpose-built solution for enterprise organizations to source, contract, manage, and pay talent across the full spectrum of contingent work. From Fortune 100 enterprises to entrepreneurs, businesses rely on Upwork Inc. to find and hire expert talent, leverage AI-powered work solutions, and drive business transformation. With access to professionals spanning more than 10,000 skills across AI & machine learning, software development, sales & marketing, customer support, finance & accounting, and more, the Upwork family of companies enables businesses of all sizes to scale, innovate, and transform their workforces for the age of AI and beyond.
Since its founding, Upwork Inc. has facilitated more than $30 billion in total transactions and services as it fulfills its purpose to create opportunity in every era of work. Learn more about the Upwork Marketplace at upwork.com and follow on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and X; learn more about Lifted at go-lifted.com and follow on LinkedIn.
The gig economy has experienced significant growth in the post-pandemic world. One of the key reasons behind its rising popularity is the flexibility it offers. Unlike traditional jobs with fixed schedules, gig work allows individuals to choose when and how much they want to work, helping them better manage personal responsibilities alongside their professional goals.
Currently, the gig economy extends far beyond its early role of connecting drivers with passengers. As the theme has expanded rapidly, it now encompasses a wide range of industries. From food delivery and grocery services to home repairs and creative freelance work, on-demand access to services has become an integral part of everyday life. Companies such as Uber (UBER - Free Report) , Angi (ANGI - Free Report) and DoorDash (DASH - Free Report) have effectively utilized this business model to enhance convenience and simplify tasks for consumers. At the same time, many workers are drawn to the opportunity to work independently and enjoy greater control over their careers.
Freelance platforms such as Upwork (UPWK - Free Report) and Fiverr (FVRR - Free Report) have further transformed the employment landscape by linking skilled professionals with businesses seeking short-term project support. These marketplaces give freelancers the freedom to select their clients, determine the projects they undertake, and set their own schedules—advantages that many find more appealing than the structured nature of traditional employment. Although gig work often lacks the stability of a regular paycheck, along with conventional benefits and job security, the independence and flexibility it provides continue to attract an increasing number of workers worldwide.
The strong outlook for the gig economy is reflected in its growth projections. According to Business Research Insights, the global gig economy is expected to reach $674.13 billion by the end of 2026 and grow to $2.52 trillion by 2035, at a robust compound annual growth rate of 15.8% between 2026 and 2035.
For investors, the gig economy offers exposure to innovation, growth and long-term opportunities. Those looking to capitalize on this trend can rely on our Gig Economy screen to identify promising companies operating in this space. Investors seeking attractive return potential may want to closely monitor stocks such as Uber, Lyft (LYFT - Free Report) and DoorDash.
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3 Stocks to Monitor NowUber comes across as one of the most successful examples of a company built around the gig economy model. Through its mobile platform, Uber connects riders with independent drivers, creating a convenient on-demand transportation network while offering flexible earning opportunities.
A major advantage for drivers is the ability to determine their own work schedules and hours. This flexibility enables individuals to drive either part-time or full-time, based on their availability and financial objectives. Rather than earning a fixed salary or hourly wage, drivers are compensated according to completed trips, with earnings influenced by factors such as distance, ride duration and customer demand.
By continually enhancing its platform and introducing ways for drivers to generate income, Uber underscores the increasing relevance and long-term potential of gig-based transportation services in today’s workforce. The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Lyft is another major participant in the ride-hailing market, providing drivers with a flexible way to earn income using their personal vehicles. Most of the company’s revenues are generated through ridesharing services, where drivers pay commissions and service fees to operate on the platform. In addition to standard ride-hailing, Lyft offers shared rides, electric bike and scooter rentals, and integrations with public transit systems.
Despite competing directly with Uber, Lyft distinguishes itself through a strong focus on sustainability initiatives and localized service offerings. To strengthen its growth prospects, the company has pursued strategic partnerships, including collaborations with DoorDash and autonomous vehicle firms such as Mobileye, May Mobility and Nexar.
Through ongoing innovation and efforts to create flexible earning opportunities, Lyft demonstrates the growing significance of gig-based transportation services and its role in shaping the modern labor market. The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3.
DoorDash represents one of the clearest examples of the gig economy in action, connecting millions of Dashers with customers across the United States and international markets. Its business model relies heavily on gig workers who deliver food, groceries, and other products. Dashers enjoy the flexibility to choose when and where they work while using their own vehicles.
With a major share of the U.S. food delivery market, DoorDash maintains a dominant industry position. Strategic partnerships with retailers such as ALDI, Sprouts and Albertsons have broadened its offerings to include rapid grocery and alcohol delivery services. Additional collaborations with companies like Dick’s Sporting Goods and Big Lots have further expanded its service portfolio.
By continually enhancing its platform and providing incentives for Dashers, DoorDash remains a leading force in the gig economy, creating flexible income opportunities while meeting rising consumer demand for on-demand delivery services.The stock currently carries a Zacks Rank #3.
Law Offices of Howard G. Smith continues its investigation on behalf of Upwork Inc. (âUpworkâ or the âCompanyâ) (NASDAQ: [url="]UPWK[/url]) investors co
LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Glancy Prongay Wolke & Rotter LLP, a leading national shareholder rights law firm, continues its investigation on behalf of Upwork Inc. (“Upwork” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: UPWK) investors concerning the Company's possible violations of the federal securities laws.IF YOU ARE AN INVESTOR WHO LOST MONEY ON UPWORK INC. (UPWK), CLICK HERE TO INQUIRE ABOUT POTENTIALLY PURSUING CLAIMS TO RECOVER YOUR LOSS.What Happened?On May 7, 2026, Upwork released its first quarter.
NEW YORK, May 21, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Shareholders who held Upwork Inc. (NASDAQ: UPWK) stock lost approximately 19% of their investment value when shares plunged after the Company reported Q1 2026 earnings that fell short of consensus estimates and cut its forward guidance.
PALO ALTO, Calif., May 21, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Upwork Inc. (Nasdaq: UPWK), the world's human and AI-powered work marketplace, today announced that senior management will participate in a fireside chat at The Jefferies Software Conference in Newport Coast, CA on Thursday, May 28, 2026 at 11:30 a.m. PT/2:30 p.m. ET.
NEW YORK, May 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Upwork Inc. ("Upwork" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: UPWK). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, ext.
New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - May 25, 2026) - Levi & Korsinsky notifies investors that it has commenced an investigation into Upwork Inc. (NASDAQ: UPWK) ("Upwork Inc.") concerning potential violations of the federal securities laws. During the Q4 2025 earnings call on February 9, 2026, CEO Hayden Brown stated that revenue growth was "2.4%" and adjusted EBITDA margin was "29%" for the full year, and guided for "6%-8% revenue growth" in 2026.
NEW YORK, May 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Upwork Inc. (“Upwork” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: UPWK). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980.
Upwork Inc. reported 4% revenue growth and 27% adjusted EBITDA margin on its Q4 2025 earnings call -- After Q1 2026 results and a guidance cut, UPWK shares later fell 19%. NEW YORK, May 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Investors in Upwork Inc. (NASDAQ: UPWK) lost up to 19% of their holdings after the Company's Q1 2026 earnings revealed weakening fundamentals that had been obscured by prior reporting.
NEW YORK, May 28, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Upwork Inc. ("Upwork" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: UPWK). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, ext.
[url="]The Schall Law Firm[/url], a national shareholder rights litigation firm, announces that it is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Upwork Inc.
NEW YORK, June 02, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Upwork Inc. (“Upwork” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: UPWK). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980.
NEW YORK, June 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Upwork Inc. ("Upwork" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: UPWK). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, ext.
PALO ALTO, Calif., June 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- U pwork Inc. (Nasdaq: UPWK), the world's work marketplace, today announced changes to its Board of Directors to support its continued evolution and long-term strategy to power the AI-enabled labor market of the future.
LOS ANGELES, June 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Schall Law Firm, a national shareholder rights litigation firm, announces that it is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Upwork Inc. ("Upwork" or "the Company") (NASDAQ: UPWK) for violations of the securities laws. The investigation focuses on whether the Company issued false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose information pertinent to investors.
NEW YORK, June 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Upwork Inc. (“Upwork” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: UPWK). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980.
NEW YORK, June 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Upwork Inc. ("Upwork" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: UPWK). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, ext.
LOS ANGELES, June 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Schall Law Firm, a national shareholder rights litigation firm, announces that it is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Upwork Inc. ("Upwork" or "the Company") (NASDAQ: UPWK) for violations of the securities laws. The investigation focuses on whether the Company issued false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose information pertinent to investors.
