Toptal Review, Feature, Pricing, Alternative and more
Toptal stands out among the many online freelance job boards by taking a unique approach to connecting businesses with top-tier talent. This Toptal review delves into the inner workings of the platform, the caliber of freelancers available, and the pricing structure.
Toptal stands out among the many online freelance job boards by taking a unique approach to connecting businesses with top-tier talent. This Toptal review delves into the inner workings of the platform, the caliber of freelancers available, and the pricing structure.
In addition, we examine the advantages and disadvantages of using Toptal to determine whether the premium cost is justifiable for accessing the most exceptional talent.
What Is Toptal?
Toptal connects businesses with the top 3% of freelancers, who are carefully vetted for their relevant skills, language proficiency, strong personalities, excellent communication skills, and successful past projects. This sets Toptal apart from other freelance marketplaces like Upwork and Fiverr, which do not vet their freelancers. As a result, Toptal’s freelancers are consistently high-quality and reliable, and many well-known companies, including Gucci, Duolingo, and Bridgestone, have used Toptal for their projects.
Toptal has an average rating of 4.60 from 2,698 reviews, indicating that most customers and employees are satisfied with the platform.
Toptal Features:
Hiring a freelancer on Toptal is a hassle-free and easy process. Unlike other job boards where you have to sift through numerous resumes, Toptal simplifies the process by taking care of everything for you. Here’s a quick overview of the steps you need to follow:
Toptal For Businesses And Companies:
- Sign up with Toptal and provide details about the type of freelancer you need.
- Toptal will select a freelancer that meets your requirements and arrange an interview for you to discuss your project
- If you are satisfied with the freelancer, you can begin a no-risk trial period that lasts about 2 weeks. If you are not happy with the freelancer during this period, you won’t be charged.
- If you decide to continue working with the freelancer, you can hire them to join your team.
Toptal For Freelancers:
For freelancers looking to join Toptal, the process is rigorous and highly selective. Toptal only works with the top 3% of freelancers, so getting accepted requires passing a comprehensive screening process. Unlike other freelance platforms that allow anyone to sign up and start offering their services, Toptal requires applicants to undergo various proficiency and skill tests, portfolio reviews, formal assessments, business cases, and live problem-solving sessions. This extensive screening process can take up to five weeks to complete, and only the most talented and experienced freelancers are accepted.
English language and communication personality test: Toptal requires fluency in English, and applicants must pass a test measuring their language skills and communication style. Approximately 26.4% of applicants pass this step.
Skill review: Toptal team members test applicants’ problem-solving abilities and technical knowledge. Exceptional results are required to move to the next stage, and only 7.4% of applicants pass this step.
- Live screening: Toptal screeners interview applicants to test their experience, communication skills, problem-solving ability, creativity, and other relevant factors. Only 3.6% of applicants pass this step.
- Test project: Applicants must complete a project in 1-3 weeks to demonstrate their professionalism and competence. Approximately 3.2% of applicants pass this step.
- Final project: The fifth and final step is another project that focuses on the applicant’s skills and abilities. Only 3% of applicants pass this step and become a part of Toptal’s elite pool of freelancers.
How To Get Started On Toptal
When it comes to hiring a freelancer on Toptal, the process differs from other freelance platforms such as Fiverr and Upwork. Rather than creating a job offer, you answer a questionnaire that helps Toptal’s algorithm and human workers match you with the most suitable freelancers for your project. This approach is designed to ensure that you are matched with only the best candidates who possess the specific skills and expertise required for your project.
1. Complete the questionnaire
To begin the process of hiring a freelancer through Toptal, simply click the “Hire” button on their website. This will lead you to a questionnaire where you will be asked to provide information about your project and company. The first step in this process is to select from one of five talent categories: developers, designers, project managers, product managers, or finance experts. This choice will help Toptal match you with the best-suited freelancers for your needs.
Once you have made your selection, you will be guided through a series of questions that will help Toptal understand your specific requirements and preferences for the project. After submitting the questionnaire, Toptal will provide you with a list of carefully-vetted freelancers who match your criteria. You can then review their profiles and schedule interviews to determine the best fit for your project.
Toptal’s questionnaire includes detailed inquiries, such as your company’s employee count, project requirements (new, existing, or ongoing), and preferred freelancer engagement length. These specific questions aid Toptal in identifying freelancers who are willing to work on projects of your desired duration.
In addition to choosing a talent category, Toptal’s questionnaire will also ask about the level of time commitment you require from the freelancer. You can select from full-time, part-time, or hourly arrangements depending on your project needs. You will also be asked when you would like to begin the project, with options ranging from immediate to more than 2 weeks in the future.
Afterward, you will have the opportunity to indicate the specific skills and expertise you require in a freelancer. Suppose you select “web design” as your desired freelancer type; in that case, Toptal might suggest relevant skills such as HTML, CSS, and Adobe Creative Suite. Additionally, you can manually add further skills or switch to another type of freelancer to receive an alternative list of recommended skills.
The last step in the questionnaire is providing information about your project’s budget. Toptal uses an hourly billing rate, so you will need to estimate the total number of hours required to complete the project and divide your total budget by that number to determine your hourly budget. This information will help Toptal match you with a freelancer who is available within your budget constraints. However, keep in mind that the actual number of hours needed to complete the project may vary based on the project’s complexity and the freelancer’s skills and experience.
Once you have completed the questionnaire, Toptal’s algorithm will take a few minutes to match you with suitable freelancers who meet your requirements. If a match is found, you will be able to review their profiles and schedule interviews to select the best candidate for your project. If no suitable match is found, you will be redirected to the homepage and can start the process again.
2. Conduct a Call with a specialist
In the event that Toptal finds suitable freelancers for your project, the subsequent stage involves submitting your contact details to allow a Toptal representative to get in touch with you. This typically comprises your name, email address, and phone number.
The representative will utilize this information to provide you with additional information regarding the matched freelancers and answer any queries you may have. Once you have provided your contact details, the representative will follow up with you to discuss the next steps in the process.
If you prefer to speak with a Toptal representative before proceeding with the hiring process, you can schedule a call at a time that is convenient for you. To do so, you can typically use a calendar tool or scheduling software provided by Toptal to select a date and time that works for you.
During the call, the representative will discuss your project requirements, budget, and any other relevant details. They will also provide you with more information about Toptal’s services and answer any questions you may have.
If you need more time to review the information provided by Toptal or have additional questions before speaking with a representative, you can request to postpone the call. This will give you the opportunity to learn more about Toptal and its services before moving forward with the hiring process.
3. Connect with skilled professionals
Once you have completed the account setup process and reviewed the terms and conditions, you can browse through hand-selected talent profiles on the Toptal platform and connect with them. Once you find a freelancer who meets your project requirements, you can proceed with the free 14-day trial period.
During the trial period, you will have the opportunity to work with the freelancer and assess their skills, communication style, and overall fit with your project. If you are satisfied with their work, you can continue working with them beyond the trial period by agreeing to a contract and payment terms.
If you are not satisfied with the freelancer’s work, you can ask for a new one and restart the trial period with a different freelancer. Toptal’s team will work with you to ensure that you find the right freelancer for your project needs.
What Kinds of Freelancers Can You Find on Toptal?
- Project Managers: technical and digital project managers, scrum masters, etc.
- Product Managers: product consultants, product owners, technical product managers, etc.
- Front-end Developers: JavaScript, HTML5, CSS3, etc.
- Back-end Developers: Django, Ruby, Python, Java, C++, PHP, iOS, etc.
- Finance Experts: market research, FP&A, financial valuation and modeling, pricing analysis, etc.
- Quality Assurance: Cucumber, Unit Testing, PHPUnit, JUnit, etc.
- Designers: Interaction, UI, UX, Visual.
Toptal Review: FAQ
What Are Toptal’s Project Types?
1. Android Development
2. Artificial Intelligence Development
3. Blockchain Development
4. Business Consulting
5. CFO
6. Cryptocurrency Development
7. Data Science
8. eCommerce Website Development
9. Fintech Consulting
10. Front-End Development
11. iOS Development
12. Management Consulting
13. Mobile App Development
14. Product Design
15. Software Quality Assurance
16. SQL Server
17. UI Design Services
18. UX Design Services
19. Virtual Reality Development
20. Web Design & many more.
How does the trial period work?
Toptal offers a 2-week trial period for freelancers, allowing clients to decide whether to hire them or not. If they are satisfied with the work, they will be billed for the time, but if not, they won’t be charged and can try another expert. Over 93% of Toptal’s clients are happy with their first match.
Is Toptal a good company to work for?
Toptal typically offers higher compensation compared to other freelance platforms, and you have the chance to work on exciting projects for major corporations. Although Toptal deducts a commission, the freelancers still receive a competitive salary.
Can I only hire Different experts on Toptal?
That depends on your needs.
Toptal offers clients three engagement models to work with freelancers:
- Individual freelancers for project-based work
- Multiple freelancers for bigger projects
- Entire teams of freelancers for large-scale projects.
Is Toptal legit?
Yes! Toptal is a reputable company that has been on the market for over a decade and has an impressive list of clients.
How much money can I make on Toptal as a freelancer?
That depends on your level of expertise, but many freelancers are making $80,000 per year and more on Toptal.
Is Toptal Better Than Fiverr?
Both Toptal and Fiverr offer different types of freelancers for various projects, and the platform you choose ultimately depends on your needs and budget. However, Toptal is known for providing top-quality freelancers who are experts in their field, while Fiverr is generally more affordable but may not offer the same level of expertise.
Pricing
Toptal Pricing: What Are Toptal’s Freelancer Hiring Costs?
The average hourly rate for Toptal freelancers is $80+, which is higher than other platforms like Upwork or Fiverr. However, this is due to the company’s stringent vetting process that ensures only top-tier freelancers are on the platform. It’s important to note that while freelancers with similar skill sets may be available on other platforms for cheaper rates, the quality of work may not be as high as that of Toptal’s freelancers.
Toptal’s pricing is flexible and tailored to each project’s needs. When Toptal finds you a freelancer, they will provide a price that includes the freelancer’s salary and Toptal’s fee. There are no hidden charges or fees, and Toptal doesn’t charge freelancers any commission. Additionally, there are no termination or recruiting fees.
Toptal requires an initial deposit of $500, which is fully refundable if you decide not to move forward after the 2-week trial period or applied as a credit towards your first payment. During the trial period, you can test a freelancer before paying, giving you the opportunity to ensure that they are the right fit for your project.
Technology Experts, Project Managers, and Design Professionals on Toptal:
- Full-time: 40+ hours per week ($60-$120/hr+)
- Part-time: 20+ hours per week ($60-$120/hr+)
- Hourly ($70-$150/hr+)
- Full stack developer – $45-$80 per hour.
- Front-end developer – $40-$75 per hour.
- Back-end developer – $40-$75 per hour.
Finance Experts:
- Full-time: 40+ hours per week ($100-$200/hr)
- Part-time: 20+ hours per week ($100-$200/hr)
- Hourly ($125-$200/hr)
Toptal’s rates vary across different specialties, but this information provides a general idea of their prices. Rates may also differ based on location; for instance, the average hourly rate for a full-stack developer in North America is between $70 and $120. Keep in mind that these rates are set by freelancers and do not include Toptal’s service fee, which is added on top of the freelancer’s rate and presented to hiring companies as a unified rate.
If you’re on a tight budget, you may be able to find cheaper rates elsewhere, such as on Upwork, where the “intermediate” full-stack developer rate is around $32.80 per hour. However, Upwork earns money by taking a commission from freelancers, while Toptal charges an added service fee to hiring companies.
Alternatives
Best Toptal Alternatives
Toptal vs. Upwork
Upwork is a great platform for those looking to find affordable talent quickly. However, the platform has a much larger pool of freelancers, which can make it harder to find the perfect match for a specific project. This can lead to a longer selection process and may require more time and effort to find the right person for the job.
Additionally, Upwork does not have the same level of vetting that Toptal has for their freelancers. While they do have a verification process, it is not as rigorous as the one Toptal employs. As a result, businesses on Upwork may need to spend more time verifying the quality of work and expertise of their freelancers before they can trust them with important projects.
Overall, both platforms offer a range of benefits and can be great choices depending on the specific needs and budget of a business or individual. While Toptal may be more expensive, the level of quality and expertise provided by their freelancers may make it worth the investment for certain projects. Upwork, on the other hand, can be a great choice for those looking to find talent quickly and at a more affordable price point.
Toptal vs. Crossover
It’s important to note that while Crossover may not be the best platform for hiring freelancers, it does offer a unique approach to talent management. Crossover specializes in finding top-tier full-time employees who work remotely for companies around the world.
Crossover’s screening process is rigorous, and they only hire the top 1% of talent that apply. This means that companies who use Crossover can be assured that they are getting access to some of the best remote workers in the world.
However, for those looking to hire freelancers specifically, Toptal may be a better fit as they specialize in connecting businesses with highly skilled freelancers.
Toptal vs. Turing
Toptal has a more rigorous screening process, where each freelancer goes through a comprehensive vetting process before they are accepted into the network. This ensures that clients are matched with only the top 3% of talent available.
Turing, on the other hand, claims to have a more automated vetting process that uses AI and other technology to assess a freelancer’s skills and experience. While this may speed up the hiring process, it may not be as effective as Toptal’s human-driven approach.
Furthermore, Turing focuses on offering developers from around the world, while Toptal has a more diverse range of freelancers. This may be a factor to consider depending on the specific needs of a project.
Toptal vs. Gigster
Toptal has a more rigorous vetting process for its freelancers, ensuring that they are top-notch professionals in their respective fields. Gigster, on the other hand, has a more streamlined process for getting started with a project, but there is less emphasis on the quality of individual freelancers. Overall, businesses that need a team of developers and have a higher budget may find Gigster to be a better fit, while those who need individual top-tier freelancers for their projects may prefer Toptal.
Toptal vs. Codeable
Codeable specializes in WordPress development and charges $80-$120 per hour, which is slightly higher than Toptal’s developer rates. The cost also depends on project complexity, urgency, and size. For unique plugin creation, the price ranges between $960 and $3,460. However, for other services, we recommend Toptal, while for WordPress development, particularly, we recommend Codeable.
Toptal vs. Fiverr
Fiverr is a lower-quality alternative to Toptal, offering a range of services for just $5, including logo design, web development, and SEO help. However, the quality of services is often poor, and customer service is lacking. While Fiverr may be a low-cost option for businesses, be aware that the quality of work may not be up to par.
There are no reviews yet.