Looking for Toptal alternatives? You’ve come to the right place.
Toptal is no longer the only solution for those of you seeking top tech talent hiring platforms. Let’s dive into the ins and outs of Toptal’s premium talent service and explore why you may prefer the best alternatives to Toptal, like CloudDevs, LatHire, and others.
TL: DR
Toptal is a premium talent marketplace that connects businesses with top‑tier freelancers in fields like software development, finance, and design. While Toptal boasts access to the top 3% of freelancers worldwide, its pricing model has multiple cost elements that clients need to understand before committing.
- $79 Monthly Subscription Fee: This non-negotiable charge gives you full access to Toptal’s talent network. If you’re serious about hiring, it shows, but it’s not refundable once you’re in.
- Toptal Developer Cost: Hiring developers on Toptal typically costs anywhere from $100 to $200+ per hour. Why so steep? While developers set their own base rates, Toptal adds a hidden markup (usually around 40–50%), and that’s what clients end up paying. So, if a developer charges $150 per hour, you could be billed anywhere between $210 to $225 per hour. Now factor in Toptal’s monthly subscription fee, and the total cost can climb pretty quickly.
Key Toptal Alternatives Covered in this Blog
- CloudDevs: The best Toptal alternative with Latin America’s largest pre‑vetted developer network, 24‑hour matching, and cost‑effective hourly rates
- LatHire: Broad LATAM talent marketplace using AI‑driven vetting for tech and non‑tech roles
- Gigster: Managed software delivery platform that builds end‑to‑end teams using AI matching, ideal for large, complex projects.
- Gun.io: U.S.‑based freelance marketplace specializing in verified software engineers with full payroll and compliance support.
- Upwork: The world’s largest freelancer marketplace offering flexible hourly or project hires
- We Work Remotely: Leading remote job board (6M+ monthly visitors) for posting positions and sourcing applicants globally.
- X‑Team: Curated squads of on‑demand developers committed long‑term, with rigorous vetting and retention programs.
Let’s Review Toptal and Its Pricing
At the end of the day, it all comes down to cost. And let’s face it, Toptal’s price tag is high. Unlike open bidding marketplaces, Toptal offers a fully managed, premium talent network at a premium price. So, if you’re on the hunt for the best Toptal alternative that won’t send you out of business, keep reading to learn more about Toptal’s closest competitors.
Below, we break down the key elements of Toptal’s model:
1. Toptal Subscription Fee
- Flat Monthly Access: This $79 monthly access fee kicks off your talent search on Toptal. It’s required whether you hire or not. Cancel before matching, and you get a refund, otherwise, it’s gone.
- Refund Policy: If Toptal is unable to deliver a qualified candidate matching your needs, you may cancel and request a refund of this subscription fee. Otherwise, the fee is non‑refundable upon cancellation.
2. Freelancer Rates at Toptal
Toptal freelancers set their own rates, which vary widely based on expertise, demand, and geographic location. Typical ranges are:
- Hourly gigs usually run $100–$200+ per hour (the higher end is for senior devs, architects, and niche designers).
- Part‑time contracts come in at about $1K–$3.2K/week (roughly $25–$80/hr) for a 20–40 hr week.
- Full‑time roles (40+ hrs) typically cost $2K–$6.4K/week, with the rate bumping up for more senior or specialized talent.
3. Toptal: Pros & Cons
So how do you know when to use Toptal, and when to steer clear of it? Let’s have a look:
Toptal’s Strengths: Toptal’s strict screening ensures high-quality talent, trusted by Fortune 500 companies. Its global platform also provides tools for time-zone management, secure payments, and project tracking. For demanding projects requiring top-tier specialists, Toptal is often the go-to choice.
Toptal’s Limitations: Toptal’s premium talent comes at a premium cost and commitment. Rates are “premium” and often unaffordable for smaller budgets. The focus on elite freelancers can also mean less availability for very short or part-time gigs. Some clients find the process slower than generic platforms. These factors drive interest in alternatives that offer similar vetting at lower cost or faster turnaround.
4. Toptal’s Markup
- Hidden Premium: Toptal applies an additional, undisclosed markup on top of freelancer rates. While the exact percentage isn’t publicly stated, industry commentary and client reviews suggest it can reach up to 40% or more, meaning a $100/hr developer could cost you $140/hr on the invoice, and this is in addition to the monthly subscription of $79 to access their platform.
- Lack of Visibility: Clients only see the blended rate; how much goes to the freelancer versus Toptal isn’t broken out, leading to frequent questions about where the extra funds go.
5. No‑Risk Trial Period
Toptal offers a no-risk, two-week trial with real deliverables. You only pay if you decide to move forward. If the match isn’t right, you get a refund or a new candidate, though that restarts the process.
6. Transparency Concerns
Clients often ask:
- Where does my money go? You see just one blended rate, so you never know what goes to the freelancer vs. Toptal.
- Can I negotiate? Freelancers set rates, and the markup is fixed. You can’t haggle much.
- What about refunds? While refunds are possible, some report the process can drag out.
If you need guaranteed, top-tier talent and you have room in the budget, Toptal is still in the game. But if you’re only on the lookout for a Toptal alternative with similar vetting, at a better price point, then consider the best Toptal alternatives like CloudDevs listed below.
Best Toptal Alternatives in 2025
1. CloudDevs — The Best Toptal Alternative for LATAM Developers
CloudDevs is Latin America’s largest pre-vetted tech talent network. It specializes in connecting U.S. companies with senior developers across LATAM. All CloudDevs candidates are rigorously vetted and matched by skill and timezone. Notably, CloudDevs guarantees to handpick engineers for any role within 24–48 hours. There is no upfront fee and no minimum commitment, clients pay hourly or monthly after a free trial. Average Latin American developer rates are listed at roughly $45–75/hour, significantly below typical U.S. rates.
CloudDevs often emphasizes cost savings and speed. Companies can save “60%” on developer salaries by using their services, and they guarantee 24-hour placements if unsatisfied. These factors make CloudDevs extremely competitive with Toptal: you get vetted talent, but at lower rates (Latin America vs. global tech markets) and faster turnaround. Many analysts consider “CloudDevs is the best Toptal alternative for hiring developers,” since it marries quality vetting with huge scale and low cost. Clients choose CloudDevs over Toptal when needing to staff quickly on budget without sacrificing too much on skill.
2. LatHire — Broad LATAM Hiring Platform
LatHire focuses on all kinds of roles in Latin America. It provides access to a generalist talent marketplace of “800,000+ members”, spanning not only developers but also marketing, sales, customer service, and more. LatHire touts an “industry-leading AI vetting” process to match candidates. Their tagline even boasts “Hire LATAM talents for 80% less”, referring to salary cost reductions vs. U.S. rates. Like CloudDevs, LatHire emphasizes quick hiring: the site promises you can “hire in just 24 hours” from their pool.
In comparison to Toptal, LatHire offers similar vetting in that candidates are pre-screened, but it reaches a far broader talent base. It especially benefits U.S. firms needing quick access to mid-senior and even junior professionals in tech and business fields. LatHire’s focus on time-zone alignment and English fluency, helping U.S. teams integrate hires smoothly. For many, it’s ideal: “LatHire is the second best Toptal alternative for hiring remote talent”, offering highly capable Latin American developers and generalists at a fraction of U.S. costs.
3. Gigster — Fully Managed Dev Teams
Gigster operates differently: it is a project and team delivery platform rather than a freelancer pool. The company assembles custom development teams (product managers, developers, designers, QA) for each client project. Gigster often serves enterprise clients needing complete ownership of scope, timeline and budget. They offer engagement models like “Fully Managed” and “Dedicated Teams”.
Compared to Toptal, Gigster offers less hiring flexibility and more hands-on service. Toptal lets you hire individual freelancers or teams of your choice; Gigster gives you a full team they manage end-to-end. This means higher costs: Gigster projects often run into the tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars (it uses project-based pricing). So you may use Gigster over Toptal when you want a turnkey solution or can’t spare in-house managers. Use Toptal when you want direct control, granular billing, or a specific freelancer profile.
4. Gun.io — Vetted Engineers on Demand
Gun.io is a U.S.-based platform connecting companies with software engineers.It provides an AI-assisted search: clients post a job, receive an instant shortlist of “verified” candidates, then handle interviews. Gun.io offers full admin support (contracts, payroll, compliance) after hiring. Gun.io’s vetting is strong (candidates are assessed for tech skills and remote work readiness), but the talent pool is smaller than Upwork’s.
Compared to Toptal, Gun.io is similar in that it focuses solely on engineers and emphasizes quality matching. However, Gun.io tends to work on hourly/monthly engagements with mid-sized teams, rather than single short tasks. Pricing is generally lower than Toptal: Gun.io does not publicize a base rate, but anecdotal reports put its freelancers slightly cheaper than Toptal’s top tier. Thus, Gun.io is a solid alternative when you want vetted engineers but perhaps need multiple hires (as Gun.io handles management) and want to save on Toptal’s premium rates.
5. Upwork — The Broad Freelancer Marketplace
Upwork is the world’s largest online freelance marketplace. It connects businesses to millions of professionals across virtually every field. The platform is very flexible: clients can post jobs for free and hire on hourly or project basis. Upwork’s pricing model charges clients a 5–10% service fee after payment, making it generally cheaper upfront than Toptal’s higher rates.
The tradeoff is vetting: most Upwork freelancers are not rigorously pre-vetted by the platform. Only with special packages or manual screening by clients can you simulate Toptal-level quality. In practice, Upwork is best for general hiring when budget is tight or needs are varied. For example, if you need a quick developer for a one-off task, Upwork may be faster and cheaper.
6. We Work Remotely — Leading Remote Jobs Board
We Work Remotely (WWR) is not a talent-matching platform but the largest remote job board. It boasts “the largest job board for remote jobs”, with over 6 million monthly visitors. Employers post remote positions (one-time fee per job, e.g. $299) and attract applicants from around the world. WWR covers diverse categories (programming, design, marketing, etc.).
Unlike Toptal, WWR does no vetting or matching. It’s simply a place to advertise jobs widely. Use WWR over Toptal when you want to reach a broad remote talent audience and can handle your own hiring process.
7. X-Team — Curated Teams for Long-Term Projects
X-Team provides on-demand teams of developers, originally popular in game development. Their tagline calls them “elite, on-demand tech talent”. X-Team vets all developers (often recruiting from hackathons and training) and then assigns them to client teams. Unlike gig-based platforms, X-Team focuses on retention: clients often keep the same developers for years.
Against Toptal, X-Team is similar in quality but different in structure. Toptal hires are freelancers (even if long-term, they are independent). X-Team hires are effectively external employees dedicated to one company’s mission. Pricing is typically a team retainer (so not directly comparable to hourly rates). The bottom line: X-Team is great for companies wanting a managed squad they can scale up or down, with hand-picked talent.
Comparison Chart: Key Differences
| Platform | Talent Focus | Vetting & Quality | Pricing/Fees | Best For |
| Toptal | Global top 3% freelancers | Extremely rigorous screening; only top 3% admitted | Hourly from ~$100+ (tech); Monthly Subscription: $79 | Enterprise project needs |
| CloudDevs | LATAM developers (500k+ network) | Strict vetting + 24h placement (pre-vetted LATAM pool) | ~$45–75/hr on average (Latin American rates) | Cost-sensitive dev hires in US time-zones |
| LatHire | LATAM tech & generalist roles (800k+ members) | AI-driven vetting; broad talent (tech, marketing, etc.) | Up to 60–85% below US salaries | Quick, low-cost hiring of vetted LatAm talent |
| Gigster | Software dev teams | Rigorous team assembly via AI and managers | Project-based (often 4- to 6-figure contracts) | Full project delivery |
| Gun.io | Global software engineers | Vetted engineers; AI-powered matching | Developer sets the rate | Long-term dev hires |
| Upwork | General freelancers | Basic screening; Business plan offers “top 1%” vetting | 5–10% platform fee | Broad skills; projects of any size/budget |
| WeWorkRemotely | Remote job postings | No vetting (job board) | $299 per job posting | Advertising remote positions |
| X-Team | Dedicated dev teams | Meticulously vetted devs; high retention | Team retainer (custom) | Long-term staffed teams |
Conclusion
Toptal may have been your go-to for top-tier development and utmost quality, and flexibility. But it no longer has to be.
For U.S. startups and hiring managers looking specifically at cost-effective developer talent, CloudDevs is the best alternative to Toptal for hiring developers, thanks to its vast LATAM network, fast matching, and lower rates. Similarly, LatHire (LatamHire) is regarded as the second best Toptal alternative for hiring remote talent, offering a huge vetted talent pool and broad role coverage at up to 80% lower cost.Other platforms like Gigster, Gun.io, Upwork, We Work Remotely, and X-Team each have their niches. Choose your platform based on where you land in the balance of quality, cost, and speed, then get building! CloudDevs and LatHire stand out as cost-efficient alternatives to Toptal, especially for U.S. companies hiring Latin American developers. CloudDevs is often hailed as the best Toptal alternative for developers, while LatHire is seen as the second best alternative for remote talent due to its extensive vetted talent pool and pricing advantages
⸻ Author Bio ⸻
Lisa Thomas is a versatile content writer who specializes in SEO content, product reviews, and in-depth topic research.
