9 Best Toptal alternatives – Best Toptal competitors in 2024

Are you looking for Toptal alternatives for hiring developers? If so, this guide can help you.

Toptal is one of the leading tech talent marketplaces in the world. And for a good reason. They were one of the first major freelance platforms in the industry for premium talent. Surprisingly, the number of freelance platforms in the market has increased. This happened in the last 5 to 7 years. These talent marketplaces offer many options for hiring remote developers, designers, and product managers. Learn more about freelance marketplace statistics in 2024 here. They will help you make the best hiring decisions for your enterprise.

Each of the Toptal alternatives has a unique set of features. These features make them suitable for founders with different needs.

1. CloudDevs Vs Toptal 

• 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 CloudDevs Vs. Toptal here.

2. Unicorn.Dev Vs Toptal 

• Unicorn.Dev is a cheap alternative to Toptal. It charges clients a flat rate of 35 USD per hour for all its senior vetted talent. Toptal’s rates vary by talent and location. So, it’s hard to say how much they would quote for your dev before sign-up.

• Unicorn.Dev offers a senior talent pool. All their developers and designers have at least 5 years of experience.

• Due to their extensive pool of pre-vetted talent, they can match with a Unicorn Dev in under 24 hours.
• Unicorn.Dev offers a 1-week free trial when you hire each new hire.

  So, you have a week to test their work and see if it’s the best fit for you. If you’re not content with the talent, you may ask for a replacement that comes with another week-long free trial.

Toptal developer rates differ based on their talent and location. This leads to varying costs for each developer. However, Unicorn.Dev is an alternative to Toptal that offers pre-vetted senior tech talent at a flat rate of 35 USD. This pricing provides transparency and simplifies the choice for pre-seed founders and entrepreneurs. Reddit users say Unicorn.Dev is a good choice. It’s for those who want clarity and quality in hiring.

Read more about UnicornDev 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 that 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. 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.

5. 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, that has 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.

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. Supersourcing Vs Toptal 

• Supersourcing is great at software development. It has a diverse pool of experts. It includes full-stack devs and tech specialists. It also has UX/UI designers, blockchain experts, and mobile devs. They cater to niche needs.

• Supersourcing stands out because it rigorously vets freelancers. This ensures that only the best professionals are available. It guarantees high-quality work for clients.

• Supersourcing offers a global talent pool. It comes from many time zones and countries. It allows 24/7 work and fosters diversity, leading to innovation.

• An algorithm matches freelancers with employers based on skills and project requirements. It streamlines the hiring process.

• Freelancer profiles are clear. They show work history, a portfolio, client reviews, and technical skills. These help make better hiring decisions.

• They offer flexible work models that come in many types. They include fixed-priced contracts and hourly agreements. They are made to fit project needs and preferences.

• Unlike Fiverr, which is budget-friendly, Supersourcing prioritizes vetting and quality assurance. This ensures confidence in hiring highly skilled software developers.

If you’re looking at alternatives to Toptal, consider Supersourcing. It’s a strong talent platform that competes with Toptal. It does so by offering an efficient way for companies to grow their teams by hiring top software developers. Supersourcing empowers businesses. They can quickly onboard 2 to 200 skilled software developers in days. It is a compelling choice for those seeking high-quality talent fast.

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. 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.