Whether you're a startup sprinting toward your MVP or an enterprise expanding at scale, one truth cuts across the board: top tech talent is hard to find and even harder to retain.
In a market where speed and quality define success, your developers can be a breakthrough and a breakdown for your project.
That’s why platforms like Toptal have become so popular, known for their strict vetting process and access to highly skilled professionals.
Toptal is often the first name that comes to mind when companies need top talent fast. But what are some good alternatives to Toptal worth considering in 2025?
In this guide, we will break down the best Toptal alternatives for developers, and you’ll find actionable insights to help you choose the platform for all your IT staff augmentation needs.
Let’s Start With Toptal and Its Pricing
Toptal is a talent platform that specializes in connecting companies with the top 3% of freelance developers, designers, finance experts, and more.
It is often favored by businesses seeking Toptal alternatives, as it supports both short-term freelance projects and longer-term, dedicated engagements, thereby minimizing hiring risk.
The platform’s pricing is premium, ranging from $80 to $ 200 per hour. However, for startups or small businesses, that level of investment is not always feasible.
A Quick Glance at Toptal Alternatives to Hire Developers
Platform | Approx. Pricing | Vetting Level | Engagement Models | Suitability |
Crewmate | $30 to $100/hr | High | Staff augmentation, dedicated teams, hourly and project-based | Businesses wanting a tailored, pre-vetted team with flexible scaling and engagement models |
Upwork | $5–$150+/hr | Low to Moderate | Hourly, project-based, long-term | Cost-conscious clients, varied project sizes |
Fiverr | $5–$1000+ per gig | Low to Moderate | Fixed-price gigs | Quick, well-defined tasks, budget-friendly options |
Guru | $10 - 100 per hour | Low to Moderate | Freelancers | Suitable for projects, the scope of which is fully defined |
Gun.io | $75 to $150/hr | High | Freelance contracts | US-based companies needing highly vetted senior developers |
Turing | $50 to $100 per hr | High | Long-term contracts | Startups and enterprises scaling remote engineering teams |
Freelancer | $5 to $100+/hr | Low to Moderate | Hourly, milestone, project-based | Startups and small businesses with flexible budget needs |
Flexiple | $30 to $100/hr | High | Freelance, contract | Startups wanting hand-picked, vetted freelance developers |
Arc.dev | $60 to $150/hr | High | Freelance, contract | Startups and agencies looking for pre-vetted technical experts |
PeoplePerHour | $10 to $100+/hr | Low to Moderate | Hourly, project-based | Small businesses needing affordable, self-service freelancer hiring |
1. Crewmate
Crewmate is an IT staff augmentation company that focuses on helping global enterprises and startups scale their development teams with highly vetted, experienced talent, including developers, graphic designers, UI/UX experts, and more.
Unlike open freelance marketplaces, Crewmate emphasizes providing curated developers who follow the best software development practices, making it one of the strong alternatives to Toptal for companies that want quality without compromise.
Pricing
Crewmate offers transparent and flexible pricing across all the engagement models it offers:
- Hourly Basis: The hourly pricing range is from $30 to $100 depending on the seniority and experience of software developers.
Monthly Basis: Crewmate provides you complete flexibility in terms of pricing.
How to Hire Dedicated Developers from Crewmate?
Crewmate follows a easy, 3-step process to hire dedicated developers in India:
Developer Profile Review
You receive curated profiles of pre-vetted developers that match your project's needs.
Interview with Developers
Once you have shortlisted the developers, you can assess their technical and problem-solving skills.
Onboarding
The selected developers are now ready to onboard iand ntegrate with your team using your tools and workflow.
Quick Decision Matrix for Business Leaders
When Crewmate is the Right Fit | When Crewmate Might Not Be the Best Fit |
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2. Upwork
Upwork is one of the largest global freelance marketplaces, connecting businesses with millions of independent professionals.
As one of the best-known Toptal alternatives for developers, Upwork offers sheer scale and flexibility.
The platform’s marketplace model is ideal for companies that want control, cost variety, and access to a broad pool of developers from different experience levels and price ranges.
Pricing
Pricing on Upwork is highly variable, which can be a major draw for businesses watching their budgets. Typical rates for developer
- Entry-level developers: $10–$25/hr
- Mid-level developers: $25–$50/hr
Senior/Expert developers: $50–$150+/hr
How to Hire Developers from Upwork
Upwork emphasizes self-service hiring but also offers premium options. Here’s a step-by-step guide for the hiring process:
Post a Job
Define the project scope, required skills, timeline, and budget. On the job posting, freelancers can apply directly with proposals.
Browse and Invite Talent
Search for freelancers using filters such as skills, hourly rate, location, and reviews.
Evaluate Proposals
Review based on their profiles, portfolios, client feedback, and interviews with top developers.
Is Upwork the Right Choice for Your Business?
Why Upwork Can Be the Best Choice | Why Upwork Might Not Be the Right Choice |
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3. Fiverr
Fiverr is a global freelance marketplace known for its gig-based model. Unlike high-end networks like Toptal, Fiverr is also one of the Toptal alternatives for developers as anyone can find a developer quickly and at a fixed, transparent price.
Key highlights of Fiverr:
- A massive pool of developers across all skill levels
- Transparent pricing upfront for each gig
- Tiered packages such as Basic, Standard, Premium
- Fiverr Pro for pre-vetted, high-end professionals
Strong ratings and reviews system
Pricing
Fiverr’s pricing is one of its biggest differentiators, making it one of the preferred Toptal alternatives for developers:
- Entry-level: $10–$50 per small task
- Mid-level: $50–$300 for more complex work
- Expert/Pro services: $300–$1,500+ per project
Key points about Fiverr pricing:
- Prices are set by freelancers in clear, upfront packages
- No hourly rates are applicable unless explicitly defined in custom offers
Buyers can choose precisely what they need within a budget that suits them
Quick Decision Table for Hiring Developers
Why Fiverr Can Be the Right Choice | Why Fiverr Might Not Be the Right Choice |
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4. Gun.io
Gun.io is positioned as one of the top Toptal alternatives for developers. The platform focuses exclusively on software development talent.
Gun.io is especially popular among startups, mid-sized companies, and even enterprise teams looking to hire freelance developers quickly while maintaining quality and reducing hiring risk.
Pricing
Gun.io’s pricing model is transparent but premium:
- Hourly Basis: Pricing ranges from $75 to $ 150 per hour.
Full-time Rates: It may vary from $6,000 to $12,000+ per month for long-term contracts.
Comparison Table Before Finalising the Decision of Hiring Developers
Why Gun.io Can Be the Best Choice | Why Gun.io Might Not Be the Right Choice |
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5. Turing
Turing is a remote developer hiring platform that connects companies with pre-vetted software engineers worldwide. The platform’s USP is bridging the gap with rigorous vetted software engineer screening, unlike open freelance marketplaces where anyone can list services.
The platform has built its reputation on its AI-powered matching system, vast global talent pool, and ability to support long-term, full-time hiring needs.
What really sets Turing apart? Its focus on remote engineering teams makes it an attractive option for both startups and enterprises.
Pricing
Although the platform doesn’t specify pricing, however, it offers a range of $30–$100 per hour, depending on the developer's seniority, tech stack, and location.
How to Hire Developers from Turing
Here’s a clear step-by-step look at the process:
Define Your Requirements
Share your project’s requirements, and Turing’s team will help clarify your needs to ensure the right fit.
Matching and Vetting
Turing uses its AI-powered Talent Cloud to surface candidates that meet your criteria.
Interview Selected Candidates
You can directly interview shortlisted developers to assess communication and problem-solving.
Onboarding and Management
Once hired, developers work full-time with you, integrated into your workflows.
Decision Table for Making the Right Call
Why Turing Can Be the Best Choice | Why Turing Might Not Be the Right Choice |
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6. Freelancer
Freelancer.com is one of the oldest and largest freelance marketplaces in the world, boasting over 50 million users across hundreds of categories, including software development, design, writing, and more.
It’s often named among the leading Toptal alternatives because of its vast, truly global talent pool.
Key features:
- Global reach with millions of registered developers
- Options for hourly, fixed-price, and contest-based projects
- Escrow payments and milestone tracking
Verified freelancer badges for higher-trust hiring
Pricing
One of the biggest appeals of Freelancer as an alternative to Toptal is its broad range of pricing options:
- Entry-level developers: $5–$20/hr
- Mid-level developers: $20–$50/hr
Senior or highly specialized developers: $50–$100+/hr
Freelancer itself doesn’t set these rates, but the market does. Clients post jobs, and freelancers on the platform bid on them.
Platform fees:
- Employers pay a 3% fee on fixed-price or hourly projects
Escrow ensures that payments are secure
Quick Decision Table
Why Freelancer Can Be the Best Choice | Why Freelancer Might Not Be the Right Choice |
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7. Flexiple
Founded in 2016, Flexiple has positioned itself as a premium Toptal alternative, focusing on providing highly vetted independent developers and designers.
What sets Flexiple apart? It has a rigorous screening process, accepting only the top 1% of applicants.
Pricing
Flexiple’s pricing is premium, reflecting the platform’s emphasis on quality:
- Hourly Rates: Range between $30 and $100 per hour, depending on seniority and specialization.
- Monthly Rates: Around $3,000–$8,000/month for full-time engagement (approx. 40 hours/week).
There are no upfront recruiting fees or subscriptions.
You pay only for actual hours billed after the engagement begins.
Comparison Table for Informed Decisions
Why Flexiple Can Be the Best Choice | Why Flexiple Might Not Be the Right Choice |
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8. Guru
Guru is a global freelance marketplace that connects businesses with professionals across development, design, writing, and more.
Key features:
- Over 2 million freelancers worldwide
- Secure payment via SafePay escrow system
- Profiles with detailed work histories, reviews, and portfolios
Multiple hiring models: hourly, fixed-price, recurring, or task-based.
Pricing
Here is the complete breakdown of Guru’s pricing:
- Developers typically list hourly rates from $10/hr to $100+/hr, depending on skill and location.
- Fixed-price projects can start at $50–$500 for small tasks, but complex work may range $2000+.
Guru charges a service fee to freelancers (5%–9%), but employers see pricing transparently in each proposal.
How to Hire Developers from Guru
Guru uses a straightforward, self-service hiring model, the process of which is:
Post a Job
Define your project, timeline, budget, and required skills, and post it on the platform where freelancers can submit proposals.
Receive and Review Proposals
Freelancers apply with custom pitches, rates, and timelines, and employers can compare profiles based on work samples.
Interview and Selection
Use Guru’s messaging system, and you can schedule an interview and choose the best-fit freelancer.
Manage Work
Set milestones, deadlines, and collaborate using Guru’s built-in tools.
Payment via SafePay
Funds are held in escrow until the work is approved, ensuring payment protection for both parties.
Comparison Table
Why Guru Can Be the Best Choice | Why Guru Might Not Be the Right Choice |
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9. Arc.dev
The team behind Codementor founds Arc.dev. The platform has earned a reputation as a trusted alternative to Toptal by focusing on delivering pre-vetted, experienced developers who are ready to integrate seamlessly into remote teams.
Arc.dev stands out with its “Silicon Valley-caliber” promise.
Pricing
The platform doesn’t publish rigid pricing tables but instead offers transparent and competitive pricing, depending on the engagement type and developer experience level.
- Hourly Rates: The price range is from $60 to $150 per hour, based on developer seniority and skill set.
- Monthly Rates: Often between $5,000–$12,000/month for full-time placements.
No upfront recruitment fees, as the payment starts once work begins.
Comparison Table for Better Decisions
Why Arc.dev Can Be the Best Choice | Why Arc.dev Might Not Be the Right Choice |
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10. PeoplePerHour
PeoplePerHour is a global freelance marketplace that is positioned as one of the best Toptal alternatives.
The platform offers access to a much broader pool of freelance developers, ranging from entry-level to senior talent.
It is beneficial for small businesses, startups, and even agencies looking for on-demand tech talent without committing to full-time hires.
Pricing
PeoplePerHour is known for transparent pricing, catering to businesses of all sizes:
- Hourly Rates: Freelance developers typically charge $15 to $100+ per hour.
- Fixed-Price Offers: Start from as low as $10 for micro-tasks, scaling to $1000+ for complex projects.
Platform Fees:
1. Employers pay a service fee of 0%–10%, depending on usage and tier.
2. Freelancers pay commission (usually 20% on initial billings, dropping to 5% with volume).
Comparison Table
Why PeoplePerHour Can Be the Best Choice | Why PeoplePerHour Might Not Be the Right Choice |
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Final Thoughts
Choosing the right platform to hire tech talent can define the success of your projects. When you’re exploring Toptal alternatives for developers, the key is aligning the platform’s strengths with your budget, timeline, and specific technical needs.
From curated marketplaces to open freelancer hubs, these alternatives to Toptal give businesses more options than ever to find the right developer fit.
By evaluating criteria such as pricing, vetting processes, and ease of hiring, you can make an informed choice that delivers quality results without unnecessary overhead or risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you choose the best Toptal alternatives for developers?
Choosing the right alternative depends on your project’s complexity, budget, and need for vetting. Platforms like Crewmate, Gun.io, and Flexiple focus on highly vetted developers, while marketplaces like Upwork, Fiverr, and Freelancer offer broader talent pools and pricing flexibility but require more manual screening.
Which Toptal alternatives are best for small businesses?
Small businesses often prefer cost-effective options like Upwork, Crewmate, Fiverr, and Freelancer. These platforms offer flexible pricing, self-service hiring, and access to a wide range of skill levels, making them accessible even for tight budgets.
What are some good alternatives to Toptal for urgent hiring needs?
If speed is a top priority, Upwork and Fiverr are great for rapid, self-service hiring. For pre-vetted talent, you can deploy quickly, consider Crewmate, Gun.io, or Turing, which are designed to streamline onboarding while maintaining quality.
Gaurav has 19+ years of experience building and managing scalable web and mobile apps end-to-end, including product design, frontend/backend development, deployment, server management, uptime, performance, and reliability.
