Toptal Review: Pros, Cons, Pricing and Best Alternatives in 2026

Looking for Toptal alternatives to hire developers? You’re in the right place.

Toptal is a top tech talent marketplace, but many new freelance platforms have emerged in the last 5 to 7 years. These platforms offer diverse options for hiring remote developers, designers, and product managers. Discover the unique features of each Toptal alternative to find the best fit for your needs.

Check out the latest freelance marketplace statistics to make informed hiring decisions for your enterprise.

Pros and Cons of Toptal

To help you decide if Toptal aligns with your needs, here’s a quick snapshot of its key advantages and drawbacks:

Pros of Toptal

• Rigorous vetting process: Toptal accepts only the top 3% of applicants, ensuring access to highly skilled and experienced professionals.
• High-quality, enterprise-ready talent: Companies like Microsoft and Salesforce rely on Toptal’s hand-picked freelancers for complex projects.
• Dedicated support & secure contracts: Toptal manages invoicing, payments, and dispute resolution, so you can focus on project delivery.

Cons of Toptal

• Premium pricing: Hourly rates often range from $150–$350+/hr, making it less suitable for smaller budgets or one-off tasks.
• Smaller, specialized pool: The exclusive “top 3%” model limits the number of available freelancers and focuses mainly on dev/design/finance roles.
• Up-front deposit requirement: The initial $500 deposit (even if refundable) can be a barrier for very small or short-term projects.
• Less flexible for quick gigs: The company is more suited for complex enterprise-level solutions.

Hourly rate:

Average developer: 65 to 150+/hr 

Hiring time:

Hiring time is based on the availability of devs within the platform.

For more details on customer experiences with Toptal, visit their G2 profile for reviews.

TL:DR – Brief Overview of The Best Toptal Alternative Platforms in 2026:

Platform	Best For	Typical Rates	Vetting Process
CloudDevs	Latin American senior devs & designers	$45–75/hr (senior LATAM talent)	Rigorous screening & skills tests; 24h matching
Gigster	Enterprise-level dev/design projects (teams)	~$52,000 minimum (per project)	Company assigns curated teams; managed delivery
Upwork	All-round freelance work across categories	$15–200/hr avg for devs	No formal vetting; clients review profiles and interview
Arc.dev	Pre-vetted developers for startups & remote teams	$60–100/hr avg for top talent	4-step vetting: skills interview, coding challenge, English check, client references
Turing	Silicon Valley-caliber developers for long-term roles	$50–100+/hr	Deep vetting: coding tests, work history analysis, soft skill checks

Top 10 Toptal Alternatives to Hire Remote Developers

If you’re looking for a Toptal alternative platform, you’re likely seeking pre-vetted talent. However, if you have the technical know-how to interview and vet talent yourself, a non-screened platform may work for you. Below is a mix of the best alternatives to Toptal, tailored to your specific needs.

1. CloudDevs Vs Toptal 

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• Toptal allows its freelancers to set their own prices. So, the cost of Toptal talent varies for each client.
  In contrast, CloudDevs charges a fee of $45 to $70 per hour for all vetted senior talent on its platform. They are the only top-ranking Toptal alternative to offer these rates without lowering their standards.
• CloudDevs has an 8000+ talent pool. It has elite senior developers and designers with a minimum of 5 years of experience. They are all exclusively sourced from the Latin American region.
• CloudDevs hiring process can take place within 24 hours.
• CloudDevs assures all their talents are assigned from the same time zone as the client. This is to ensure that all communications and delivery of services can be conducted efficiently.
• The company offers a 7-day no-risk trial. It guarantees the chosen talent is the right fit for the client. If the client is not fully content, CloudDevs is ready to either replace the talent or refund the money immediately.
• CloudDevs offers a weekly rolling contract with no minimum commitment. The client to cancel the project whenever they want.
• CloudDevs holds a 4.9 rating on G2

If you’re looking for a platform that focuses on connecting clients with remote developers for specific technology stacks, CloudDevs can be a favorable choice over Toptal. The platform offers an easy hiring process. It lets clients review developers’ profiles, skills, and past projects.

You can hire elite senior developers and designers from LatAm through CloudDevs. Their hourly rate ranges from $45 to $70 without compromising on the quality of their output.

Reddit users say CloudDevs assures high developer standards. They only hire the best talent for short-term or on-demand work.

Read more about why CloudDevs is considered the better alternative to Toptal here.

2. Upwork Vs Toptal 

• Unlike Toptal, Upwork does not screen its freelancers. So, the client needs to be able to vet candidates themselves. This may take up to 8 weeks to finish the hire.
• Upwork’s bidding system lowers the project’s price. But, it attracts many low-quality talent. So, it’s not the best place to find high-end developers for long-term projects.
• Reddit users say Upwork is another option for clients. It’s for those seeking low-cost talent, like Toptal.
• Upwork developers’ average rates are $8-$15/hr. They can go up to $200/hr based on seniority. You can pay hourly or per-project. Additionally, Upwork charges a commission at a rate of 2.75% per client.
• Upwork holds a G2 Score of 4.6

If you want a more flexible pool of freelancers with a range of prices, Upwork can be a better choice than Toptal. Toptal’s selection process is exclusive, unlike with Upwork. On Upwork, clients can review freelancers’ profiles, portfolios, and client feedback. This helps them make informed hiring decisions.

More on Upwork Vs. Toptal here.

3. Gigster Vs Toptal 

• If you’re wondering what is Gigster, it is a talent platform specializing in offering the entire tech team for hire. Gigster is unsuitable for small-minded clients who require only one specific task that can be accomplished by an individual developer. The company has access to a pool of top developers and project managers. It uses AI algorithms to bring the right team together.
• Gigster’s global network of developers spans many time zones. The company claims to find the right candidate in under 10 days from a network of 1000+ global members.
• Gigster pricing is high. They use project-based pay, charging a steep fee of a minimum of $52,000 per license.
• They offer a strong development base. However, the design elements in the projects from this Toptal alternative are different. This may lead to the client needing a third-party design team to do the final glow-up. That would increase the product’s total cost.
• Also, Gigster does not offer a trial. So, one has to put complete faith in them and hand over the reins, hoping for the best output.
• Gigster holds a G2 Score of 4.5

Try Gigster if you need to hire a whole team of skilled developers and designers. If you are not worried about the cost, Gigster may be your best option. But, Toptal, like many of Gigster’s competitors, also offers fully managed projects. If that’s what you need, you may want to consider Toptal too.

Learn more about Gigster Vs. Toptal here.

4. Gun.IO Vs Toptal 

• This is an exclusive, invite-only network. It has highly vetted and elite software developers from the United States. It uses a customized process to recommend developers to companies.
• But, their niche invite-only pool limits the client’s options. This is compared to other Gun.io competitors like CloudDevs and Toptal, which have larger talent pools to access.
• Gun.io lets you book freelance developers for the monthly hours you need. They also assure a 48-hour hiring time.
• The client is able to bring in additional resources or swap out talent as required.
• Gun.io has higher rates than Toptal and other Toptal alternatives. It charges over $80 per hour, depending on the project’s specs.
• Gun.io holds a G2 Score of 4.5

If you’re willing to pay a premium price for a product developed by a Toptal competitor that sources an exclusive group of software developers from the United States, Gun.io can provide talent services similar to Toptal. Gun.io provides dedicated account managers who assist in matching clients with developers who fit their specific project requirements.

But, if you won’t pay for the premium route, other top Gun.io competitors are listed in this article. You may want to consider them as they offer cheaper options.

Find out more about Gun.io Vs. Toptal here.

5. Turing Vs Toptal 

• Turing stands out with its cutting-edge AI matching engine. It is designed to align your project’s needs with the best professionals in its large global network.
• This network spans many time zones. It gives you access to a vast and diverse pool of talent. This however means that the platform does not allow for time zone alignment.
• However, it’s worth noting that Turing does not provide a trial period for potential clients. Instead, you must trust in Turing’s abilities and expertise. Do this from the start.
• Estimates show that hiring Turing developers can cost over $55 per hour.
• Turing has a G2 Score of 4.1, indicating an average level of client contentment with the platform’s services.

If your project demands a comprehensive team of highly skilled developers and designers, and you’re willing to invest in an AI-driven system that can match you with talent drawn from a rigorously pre-screened pool, then Turing could be the ideal choice for you.

Other competitive platforms, such as Toptal, are also in the market. They also offer fully managed projects. Depending on your specific requirements, Toptal might be a viable alternative worth exploring.

6. Arc.Dev Vs Toptal 

• Are you looking for a platform to help you find tech talent? One that uses an AI-powered matching system? Then, Arc.dev is a noteworthy option to consider. Arc specializes in building dedicated development teams. They use these teams to tackle your tech projects fully. They do this through their HireAI solution. Yet, Arc.dev may not be ideal for those seeking a human-centered approach. It’s better for those with a tech background who can define project specs at the start.
• Arc.dev uses its unique AI matching engine. It matches your project’s needs with the right professionals from its large network. This network spans many time zones, offering a wide pool of talent to choose from. In fact, Arc.dev has an impressive track record. It fills positions in under 7 days, thanks to its network of 1000+ global members.
• In terms of pricing, Arc.dev developers can cost from $70 to $100+ per hour. They are one of the pricier Toptal alternatives.
• In terms of trial options, Arc.dev also does not offer a trial period. From the outset, clients must trust in Arc.dev’s capabilities and expertise.
• Arc.dev holds a G2 Score of 4.7

If your project demands a comprehensive team of highly skilled developers and designers, and you’re willing to invest in an AI-powered system to find you talent matched from a pre-screened pool, then Arc.dev could be the right choice for you.

However, you must weigh your options carefully. Other competitors in the market, such as Toptal, also offer fully managed projects. Depending on your specific requirements, Toptal might be a viable alternative worth exploring.

7. HireDevelopers Vs Toptal

• If you’re wondering what HireDevelopers.com is: it’s a marketplace that emphasizes speed and flexible, pre-vetted remote engineers at a wide range of price points. HireDevelopers markets itself as able to match you with vetted talent quickly — they say you can get a shortlist within 24 hours — and they promote all-in-one hiring (payroll, compliance, onboarding) with month-to-month flexibility.
• HireDevelopers pitches low starting rates (they advertise talent “from $15 per hour”) and “no fee until you hire” — positioning themselves for teams that want fast, budget-friendly hires without long contracts or big upfront commitments.
• Toptal, by contrast, is built around a much narrower, highly selective talent pool — “the top 3%” — and a rigorous multi-stage vetting process. Toptal’s value prop is time saved and risk reduced: they do the deep screening so you don’t have to, and they back hires with a risk-free trial window and dedicated matching.
• On speed and matching: HireDevelopers advertises very fast turnarounds (shortlist in ~24 hours) and flexible week-to-week contracts, which is useful when you need someone quickly or want to test different seniorities and price bands. Toptal typically takes longer to surface deeply screened seniors, but aims for a very high trial-to-hire success rate by investing more time in vetting and matching up front.
• On pricing and fees: HireDevelopers positions itself for lower hourly budgets and cost-sensitive teams (their marketing notes hires “from $15/hr”). Toptal is a premium option: expect significantly higher hourly rates for senior talent (many market estimates put typical Toptal senior rates in the ~$150–$200/hr band), and there are platform/subscription mechanics to be aware of (Toptal’s FAQ describes a platform subscription model). If budget is tight, HireDevelopers is the cheaper, faster route; if you need proven senior talent and are willing to pay for it, Toptal is the premium choice.
• On guarantees, trials and risk: HireDevelopers emphasizes “no fee until you hire” and flexible contracts, which lowers short-term commitment. Toptal’s model centers on a risk-free trial and deeper guarantees — they explicitly call out their vetting and trial system as core to their low failure rate. That makes Toptal appealing for mission-critical roles where a high upfront assurance of quality matters.

On strengths and tradeoffs:

• HireDevelopers — strengths: fast matching, wide price range (good for budget hires), month-to-month flexibility, handles payroll/compliance.

• Toptal — strengths: deep vetting, more consistent senior talent, strong fit for specialist or leadership roles, risk-reduction via trial. Tradeoffs: higher cost, longer matching time, and less price flexibility for lower-budget projects.

Try HireDevelopers if you need a fast, lower-cost hire, want month-to-month flexibility, or are experimenting across seniority levels and time zones. Try Toptal if you need a small set of very senior, vetted engineers (or a managed engagement) and you’re willing to pay a premium for deep screening and stronger guarantees.

8. Fiverr Vs Toptal 

• Are you looking for alternatives to Toptal? If so, Fiverr has a database of freelancers with various skills. You can post your project and let freelancers bid on it. Or, you can directly approach the talent in their freelance network if you find the right one.
• Similarly, their bidding system on Fiverr is highly competitive. It forces talent to cut their rates to get gigs.
• One can hope to hire a developer within $5-$800 per project. Additionally, Fiverr charges up to 20% of the service fee from the buyer.
• They claim that hires can be made within 1 to 3 days. However, Fiverr does not vet talent. So, hiring can take longer if the client doesn’t find the right fit.
• Fiverr holds a G2 Score of 4.3

If you have a very tight budget and are willing to compromise on the quality of your project, Fiverr may be an option for you.

However, several Reddit users have pointed out the downsides of this Toptal alternative. Unlike other platforms, Fiverr does not offer pre-vetted talent. In comparison, Toptal freelancers guarantee high-quality output. This cannot be said for the talent at Fiverr, who are not screened.

Read more about Fiverr vs Toptal here.

9. SolidGigs Vs Toptal

• If you’re wondering what SolidGigs is: it’s a lead-generation service for freelancers, not a talent marketplace. SolidGigs hunts and curates freelance job leads for you (using a combination of human “gig hunters” and AI), then delivers matching gigs to your dashboard or email so you can pitch clients directly — you keep 100% of what you charge.
• SolidGigs pitches simplicity and predictability: you set search rules (keywords, budgets, locations, etc.), they scan dozens of sources and send vetted leads every weekday, and you apply directly to the original posting (SolidGigs doesn’t take a cut of your earnings). Plans are low-cost and subscription-based (examples on the site show entry plans and monthly/annual pricing with a free trial).
• Toptal, by contrast, is a highly selective talent marketplace that vets and represents top freelancers (their “Top 3%” screening process can take weeks). Toptal’s sell is deep vetting, managed matching, and risk-reduction via trial windows and platform guarantees — it’s built for companies that need proven senior talent and are willing to pay a premium for that assurance.
• On speed and fit: SolidGigs is fast to set up — you get a steady stream of leads immediately and can test many client types quickly (good when you’re hunting work across levels and niches). Toptal takes longer to surface vetted senior talent because of its multi-stage screening, but aims to deliver higher consistency and a higher trial-to-hire success rate for mission-critical roles.
• On pricing and business model: SolidGigs uses a fixed subscription model (low monthly or annual fee, with a trial) so it’s cheap and predictable for freelancers who want to keep full client revenue. Toptal charges clients premium blended rates for talent (plus a platform subscription for searches), reflecting the higher-touch vetting and service. If you’re cost-sensitive and can do your own candidate screening or client negotiation, SolidGigs is far cheaper; if you need guaranteed senior specialists and lower hiring risk, Toptal is the premium choice

Try SolidGigs if you’re a freelancer or small agency that wants predictable lead flow, low fixed cost, and to retain full billing control. Try Toptal if you’re a company hiring mission-critical senior engineers/designers/PMs and you value rigorous vetting and managed matching enough to pay a premium.

10. LatHire Vs Toptal 

• Unlike Toptal, LatHire focuses on remote Latin American talent, not just developers, but also designers, marketers, virtual assistants, and more. While Toptal has a famously rigorous vetting process, it also comes with a high price tag. LatHire offers a more affordable alternative with solid pre-screening.
• LatHire uses AI-powered matching, coding assessments, and background checks to filter for quality. Most hires happen within 7 days, not weeks. Plus, candidates are fluent in English and work in US time zones. This is ideal for startups needing overlap.
• Rates are monthly, starting around $1,999/month, which is often 60–80% less than US hires. You’re not paying per hour or per project. Instead, it’s a flat monthly rate with no hidden fees.
• LatHire has earned positive reviews for its service, simplicity, and ongoing client support. You get a curated experience without Toptal’s exclusivity or pricing.

If you’re looking to hire high-quality remote talent across roles, not just engineers, and want better cost-efficiency than Toptal, LatHire is worth checking out.

More on LatHire vs. Toptal here.

 

Best Toptal Alternatives Comparison:

Platform	Cost	Service Niche	Trial Period	Hiring Time	Candidate Screening	Candidate Seniority	Talant Location	Overall Client Experience
CloudDevs	$45-75/hour	Highly vetted senior developers and designers	7 Days	24 Hours	3-Step Vetting Process	7+ Years	Latin America	Excellent
Turing	$55+/hour	Pre-vetted global pool of developers	Present	–	Yes	–	Global	Average
Gun.io	$75-150/hour	Exclusive group of US-based developers	Present	48+ Hours	Yes	5+ Years	United States	Good
Gigster	$52,000/project	Specialist dev teams for complete software development projects	–	10 Days	Yes	Not Required	Global	Good
Upwork	$8-200/hour	Generic freelance marketplace	–	Up to 8 Weeks	No	Not Required	Global	Bad
Fiverr	$5-800/hour	Generic freelance marketplace	–	Up to 15 Days	No	Not Required	Global	Bad

 

Why Explore Alternatives to Toptal for Your Developer Recruitment Needs?

When it comes to securing tech talent, it’s wise to consider a range of options. Toptal may be popular. But, many other platforms offer other niche features and services. They may better fit your needs.

Currently, there are a multitude of Toptal alternative platforms to choose from. However, each of these Toptal competitors has its own unique value proposition. Some specialize in specific domains. They also provide extra services, such as project management and quality assurance. These services set them apart from the competition.

CloudDevs is a faster, more affordable alternative to Toptal, delivering enterprise-grade engineers at startup-friendly rates. With a strict vetting process and a LATAM talent pool, CloudDevs offers better communication, quicker ramp-up, and more reliable outcomes. It’s no surprise former Toptal engineers and satisfied clients often point to CloudDevs on Reddit as the best Toptal alternative.

Explore all the existing alternative options to Toptal. Look at their individual offerings. Do this to find the best talent match for your needs and preferences. Then, make an informed decision that serves your business’s long-term interests.

So which of these is the best alternative to Toptal, in your opinion?

Each of the platforms above offers distinct features. They are suitable for different needs. Based on your needs, you may want to consider the following options:

When to Use It	Option 1	Option 2
You require great quality LatAm devs at a lower price	CloudDevs	LatHire
You want the cheapest option regardless of quality	Fiverr	Upwork
You want to make a hire ASAP	CloudDevs	Gun.io
You wish to hire senior developers with 5+ years of experience	CloudDevs	Gun.io
You want the option of hiring a developer on a long-term basis	CloudDevs	HireDevelopers
You want pre-vetted global developers	HireDevelopers	Upwork

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is better than Toptal?
CloudDevs.com, Turing.com, Gun.io, Freelancer.com, upwork, and Gigster are all excellent alternatives to Toptal. They are great for finding top-notch freelance software developers at competitive rates. Upwork and Gigster are also good options.

Who are Toptal competitors?
Toptal competes with many platforms. They include CloudDevs, Gigster, YouTeam, Pangara, Adeva, Gun.io, Ellow, Turing, HireDevelopers, Upwork, Guru, Arc, LatHire, Fiverr, X-Team, and Freelancer.com.

What platform is similar to Toptal according to Reddit?
Reddit users frequently identify CloudDevs as the closest alternative to Toptal. CloudDevs stands out for its affordability and the lack of commissions. They offer a wide variety of projects. It is particularly appealing to individuals from the Latin American region seeking increased transparency.

How do vetted talent networks like CloudDevs and Gun.io differ from other Toptal alternatives?

Vetted talent networks, like CloudDevs and Gun.io, differ from other options to Toptal. These networks keep a pool of pre-screened developers. They ensure you have access to high-quality candidates for your project.

CloudDevs is a Toptal alternative that ensures top-quality remote tech talent through their multi-step screening process that evaluates tech stacks, communication skills, code quality, and personality of each candidate who applies to the platform.

What are the benefits of using bidding marketplaces like Upwork and Guru?

The biggest benefit of utilizing bidding marketplaces such as Upwork and Guru is the accessibility to talent that fits into any budget. However, it’s worth noting that all these offer non-vetted talent unlike platforms such as CloudDevs offering pre-screened candidates.