If you’re exploring Toptal alternatives for hiring developers, this guide is for you. We’ll delve into the top seven Toptal competitors to lookout for in 2024, helping you navigate the talent landscape to find the ideal fit for your specific needs.
While Toptal remains a leader in the premium freelance market, its dominance is no longer uncontested. As more companies, regardless of size, embrace freelance talent, the remote talent space has witnessed the emergence of innovative solutions. These range from traditional bidding marketplaces to curated talent networks, all buoyed by the growing popularity for remote work.
So, if you’re looking to tap into quality talent beyond Toptal, we’re here to guide you through your options. Whether you’re seeking web design specialists, software developers, finance experts, product managers, or project managers, we’ve curated a list of the best Toptal alternatives to suit your needs.
Each alternative is meticulously categorized, offering you a comprehensive overview of the available options. Additionally, we’ve included a comparative summary to simplify your decision-making process.
However, we encourage you to conduct your own research to determine the best fit for your hiring needs.
Why You Might Consider Toptal Alternatives
Before delving into the array of Toptal competitors, it’s essential to understand the reasons behind seeking an alternative to Toptal. This understanding will help you select the most suitable Toptal alternative for your specific needs.
- More Pricing Options: If you require flexibility in pricing or wish to negotiate rates directly with freelancers, alternative platforms may offer more suitable pricing models.
- Unavailability of Freelancers: In situations where Toptal does not have freelancers that meet your requirements or budget constraints, exploring Toptal alternatives becomes imperative.
The market is brimming with Toptal competitors, each with its own distinct value proposition. Some excel in specialized domains and offer additional services such as project management and quality assurance, setting them apart from the crowd.
1. CloudDevs Vs Toptal
CloudDevs offers a unique approach to tech talent acquisition, focusing on providing high-quality developers for companies. CloudDevs operates on a curated model, handpicking developers based on their skills and experience.
Similar to Toptal, CloudDevs emphasizes the quality of its developers, ensuring that only top-tier talent is available for hire. CloudDevs expert recruitment team is able to match companies with the right talent from their time zone within 24 hours.
CloudDevs Developer Rates:
In terms of pricing, CloudDevs offers competitive rates of $45–$75 per hour for developers depending upon the talent’s skills and experience level. While CloudDevs may not have the same level of exclusivity as Toptal, it provides a viable alternative for companies looking to hire top tech talent.
CloudDevs Key Features:
- All senior developers on board with minimum 5 years of experience
- Fast hiring process of only 24 hours
- Timezone match with US clients
- 7-day risk-free trial period
- The option of a weekly rolling contract with no minimum commitment
Dev Hiring Process through CloudDevs:
- Discuss project needs
Schedule a call with the CloudDevs consultants and A dedicated consultant will help you identify the skills required for your project.
- Receive shortlist
CloudDevs will provide a curated list of top developers within 24 hours.
- Risk-free trial
Start working with your selected developer immediately, then take them on a week-long free trial to ensure a good fit.
Read more about CloudDevs Vs. Toptal here.
2. Arc.Dev Vs Toptal
Arc.Dev offers a fresh approach to hiring freelance and remote developers. With a focus on transparency and efficiency, Arc connects you with top-tier talent tailored to your needs.
Arc.dev Hiring Cost:
Freelance developers on Arc determine their own rates, typically ranging from $70 to $100+ per hour. For permanent hires, Arc charges a one-time fee based on the developer’s annual salary.
Key features:
- Arc’s transparent vetting process ensures you recruit the best freelance contractors and remote full-time team members for short or long-term projects.
- If you’re expanding your team, Arc can help you build a top-tier, co-located remote hub aligned with your preferred time zone.
- Offers a risk-free trial period and the option to cancel any time.
Dev Hiring Process through Arc.Dev:
Arc streamlines the dev hiring process through a bespoke AI-powered matching system. For freelance developers, Arc.dev aims to provide a curated shortlist of highly skilled candidates within 72 hours. For permanent hires, Arc collaborates with you to understand your requirements and matches you with pre-vetted developers who possess the necessary skills. You’ll may then interview the candidates and choose who to hire, with Arc managing the paperwork. On average, finding your new team member takes about two interviews.
3. Upwork Vs Toptal
While Upwork and Toptal are both popular platforms for hiring freelance talent, they cater to different needs and preferences. Upwork, unlike Toptal, does not offer a screening process for developers.
However, if you have the resources and time to vet developers yourself, Upwork can be a viable option. With a vast pool of freelancers spanning various price points, you’ll have access to a large number of applicants.
Dev Hiring Process through Upwork:
Upwork operates on a bidding system, where freelancers compete by offering their lowest prices for your project. This makes Upwork suitable for short-term projects and one-off tasks where cost efficiency is a priority over quality.
Toptal focuses on providing pre-vetted, high-quality talent, making it a preferred choice for long-term projects requiring top-tier developers.
- Sign Up: Create an account on Upwork as a client.
- Post a Job: Describe your project, including details such as the scope of work, budget, and timeline. This job posting will be visible to freelancers on the platform.
- Review Proposals: Freelancers will submit proposals detailing how they can complete your project. You can review these proposals, which often include the freelancer’s background, relevant experience, and cost estimates.
- Conduct an Interview: After reviewing proposals, you can select freelancers to interview. The interview can take place through Upwork’s messaging system, video calls, or other communication channels to discuss the project in more detail.
- Get Started: Once you’ve chosen a freelancer, you can finalize the terms of the project, including milestones and payment schedules, using Upwork’s built-in contract system. Work can then commence, with ongoing communication and updates facilitated through Upwork’s platform.
Upwork Cost:
Upwork offers a range of plans. The free plan includes verified work history, unlimited proposals, and collaboration tools. The Plus plan, priced at $20 per month, adds dedicated account managers and tailored search results.
The Enterprise plan on Upwork, with pricing varying, provides custom configurable contracting and onboarding processes, worker classification compliance services, and a dedicated account executive.
Toptal, on the other hand, operates on a different model and typically charges hourly rates for its pre-vetted talent.
While Upwork offers a wide range of freelancers at various price points and is suitable for short-term projects, Toptal provides high-quality, pre-vetted talent and is more suitable for long-term projects requiring top-tier developers.
4. Gigster Vs Toptal
Gigster stands out as a comprehensive solution for quickly augmenting tech teams, making it ideal for enterprise companies. It offers a pool of top-tier developers and project managers, leveraging AI-based algorithms to assemble the right team for each project’s scope and requirements.
Unlike Toptal, Gigster provides an end-to-end solution, allowing you to hire an entire team of developers and project managers. Gigster focuses on projects above a certain minimum threshold and charges a per-project fee, setting it apart from most vetted marketplaces.
Gigster Cost:
Gigster’s minimum project cost is $52,000 per license, although specific pricing information is not provided on their website. To inquire about pricing and other details, interested parties can contact Gigster directly.
Dev Hiring Process through Gigster:
Gigster’s innovative business model supports entrepreneurs with app concepts by offering a team of freelance developers specifically tailored to each project.
- Project selection triggers the Gigster Talent Network to receive project details.
- Qualified candidates compete for inclusion in the team.
- The project’s Engagement Manager adjusts the team composition as needed for optimal skills in each phase.
Gigster has delivered thousands of custom software development projects, including machine learning models and consumer web applications.
Gigster Key Features:
- They specialize in offering comprehensive tech teams for project development outsourcing.
- Gigster’s talent pool has undergone multiple rounds of screening and vetting to ensure that the best has made it in.
- Gigster uses AI technology to determine project quotes and match talent to new projects.
- Gigster operates globally, tapping into a diverse pool of talent, and offering clients access to a broad spectrum of skills and cultural perspectives.
Gigster’s ability to rapidly build and manage distributed teams makes it a compelling option for enterprise companies seeking to scale their tech teams efficiently.
5. Fiverr Vs Toptal
Fiverr revolutionized the freelance marketplace with its bidding system, where freelancers offer services for one-off, small-scale, specific tasks. Services on Fiverr start at five dollars, with freelancers setting their own rates based on the project’s complexity.
Dev Hiring Process through Fiverr:
To hire a project manager on Fiverr, you simply use the search bar to find a suitable candidate, order their services, confirm and pay, and provide your requirements. Fiverr ensures payment protection, offers guaranteed upfront pricing, and provides 24/7 customer support.
Toptal is renowned for its rigorous screening process and focuses on providing high-quality, pre-vetted talent for comprehensive projects. While Fiverr offers a wide pool of freelance developers, it lacks a screening process, leading to varying quality of work.
Developer Cost on Fiverr:
Fiverr’s pricing ranges from $5 to $995, depending on the complexity of the task. It’s important to note that while Fiverr is suitable for small tasks, Toptal is better suited for larger, more complex projects requiring top-tier talent.
Key Features of Fiver:
- Non-vetted global talent pool requiring additional screening and interviewing from clients
- Highly competitive bidding system enabling clients to find talent and low rates
6. Gun.IO Vs Toptal
- This exclusive invite-only network of highly vetted and elite software developers sourced from the United States incorporates a customized recommendation process to match developers with companies.
- However, their niche invite-only pool reduces the number of options the client has to pick from compared to other Gun.io competitors like CloudDevs and Toptal which have larger talent pools to access.
- Gun.io offers the ability to book freelance developers for the monthly hours required by the client, and in general, assures a hiring time of 48 hours.
- The client is able to bring in additional resources or swap out talent as required.
- Comparatively higher in its rates than Toptal and other Toptal alternatives, Gun.io charges upwards of $80 per hour depending upon the required specifications.
- 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. However, if you’re not willing to opt for the premium route, there are other top Gun.io competitors listed in this article that you may want to consider, offering more cost-effective options.
Find out more about Gun.io Vs. Toptal here.
7. Turing Vs Toptal
Like Toptal, Turing focuses on providing high-quality developers for remote tech projects.
One of Turing’s standout features is its talent pool, which consists of developers from around the world. This global reach allows companies to access a diverse range of talent and expertise. Turing also boasts a rigorous vetting process, ensuring that only the most skilled developers are available for hire.
Turing’s developer assessment process includes a Work Experience Survey, Tech Stack Quiz, Challenge, and Practical test. These assessments are used alongside an AI Matching Engine to pair qualified engineers with remote positions at leading U.S. companies. If a candidate does not pass a test, they can retake it after a three-month period.
Developer Hiring Process at Turing:
Turing’s efficient matching process enables most companies to find the right developer for their needs within 3 to 5 business days, and sometimes even on the same day. The hiring process through Turing.com is straightforward and involves four steps:
- Specify the required skills for the position.
- Provide additional details about the company and the job.
- Turing.com presents a list of pre-vetted candidates.
- Schedule interviews with selected candidates.
One notable aspect of Turing’s payment policy is that developers receive their complete compensation without any tax deductions.
Turing Cost:
In terms of Turing pricing, Turing offers competitive rates, with hourly rates varying based on the developer’s location and experience level. Their general pricing is around $55 per hour. Additionally, Turing provides a seamless hiring process, allowing companies to quickly and efficiently onboard developers for their projects.
Turing provides a compelling alternative to Toptal for companies looking to hire remote developers. Its global talent pool, rigorous vetting process, and competitive pricing make it a strong contender in the tech talent market.
Key Features of Turing:
- Global talent pool spanning multiple time zones
- Pre-screened tech talents
- AI powered matching system
