Updated on 19 November 2023

Toptal Review

Item: Toptal
Rating: 4.7
Author: The Logician

Toptal is a little different than most freelance platforms. So, if you want to use it to find jobs or hire freelancers, check out this Toptal review first.

Updated on 19 November 2023

4.7

Offers Access to the Best Freelancers Available
Access to Higher-Paying Freelance Jobs
Rigorous Screening Process Which Leads to Less Competition

Starting From

$0/free

Get Started

Recommended: Best Freelance Talent

Toptal is a freelance platform that allows businesses to find the absolute best freelancers in the world. It focuses on finding and working with the best of the best by implementing a rigorous screening process every time a new freelancer applies on the platform. Here, you can find freelancers for many high-skill jobs, such as software development, project management, financial services, design, and more.

Price	Charges Freelancers a Reduced Rate
Customer Support	Support Is Available via Email, Phone, Knowledge Base
Number of Projects Posted	N/A
Number of Freelancers	Over 10,000
Reputation	Excellent

Highlight Your Freelance Talent with Only One Platform

Being a freelancer is becoming more and more common nowadays. But it seems like people aren’t aware of how much hard work and patience is needed. So, is there any way that you can make this whole process easier? Of course there is!

Thanks to the rapid technology advancements, you can now choose from many different freelance platforms. From my personal experience and expertise in this industry, I find Toptal one of the best solutions for enhancing your online presence and establishing a reliable brand identity.

In my Toptal review for freelancers, you’ll learn more about the origin of the company, some of its main aspects you must consider, get a short list of pros and cons, explore its standout features, and understand who Toptal is best for.

So, let’s get down to business!

Toptal At A Glance

Toptal was established in 2010, and since then, it has grown into a company that comes with an excellent freelancing platform, which will help you connect with web designers, software engineers, finance experts, product managers, and project managers.

Best Project Management Tools

Choosing the right project management software can be quite a hassle. So, narrow down your search by taking a look at my “Best Project Management Tools” list.
READ THE FULL GUIDE

2.

ClickUp

ClickUp

1.

Monday

Monday

3.

Trello

Trello

READ THE FULL GUIDE

Because of its excellent reputation and making-money opportunities, Toptal is used by some of the largest companies in the world, such as Shopify – an exclusive website builder, Duolingo – a worldwide accessible language site, Kraft Heinz – the third largest food and beverages company in the USA, and USC.

Best Website Builders

Want to create a stunning website that will launch your online business to new heights? You can use one of the website builders mentioned here to do so!
READ THE FULL GUIDE

2.

Wix

Wix

1.

Shopify

Shopify

3.

Divi

Divi

READ THE FULL GUIDE

Today, Toptal freelance serves 21,000+ clients from 140+ countries, according to the data on the official website. This is because Toptal only allows 3% of the freelancers that apply to enter the platform so that it can provide the best possible freelancing experience.

Once you get in, you can enjoy the benefits of global connections, working remotely, and enjoying flexible working hours.

Important

In November 2010, the Toptal.com domain became officially registered, which helped the company become Toptal LLC.

Toptal comes from “Top Talents” all over the world, which shows the company’s dedication to selecting only the best freelancers after a thorough screening process. Due to this, you can be sure that there are no scammers and fake portfolios. Also, you can apply or hire someone from the following Toptal careers:

Developers
Designers
Project and product managers
Financial experts

Note

Each of these categories comes with numerous sub-categories, which allow you to focus on the niche you’re best in.

Toptal Features, Pricing, & More

It’s not weird that Toptal earned a place on my list. This is because Toptal is an elite global network that includes experts from the fields of business, web design, and technology.

Important

Toptal has hired people from Google, Wharton, MIT, CERN, and industry-leading specialists from around the world in order to offer you guaranteed business growth.

It represents the home to people with exceptional backgrounds, such as founders, authors, mentors, inventors, researchers, thought leaders, etc.

Note

The most popular freelancing talents on Toptal in 2023 are UX and UI designers, iOS and front-end developers, digital project managers, financial modeling consultants, interim CFOs, and AWS experts.

All of this intrigued me to test the platform thoroughly and share with you its most vital aspects, such as the platform type, availability of work, project types, number of freelancers, client demographics, fees, payment terms and protection, skill tests and certification, support and resources, entry barriers, user experience, and reputation and trustworthiness.

Warning

You don’t need to consider only these aspects. These are just the most commonly explored aspects in the industry that I also find pretty important when making a decision.

Now that you can make some kind of an image in your head, let’s move on to the part of my Toptal review where you will get the best insights!

Type of Platform

Although Toptal is one of the best freelance platforms, you can’t find a freelancer for any of your jobs or share any of your skills. Instead, Toptal currently focuses on four main categories – developers, designers, project and product managers, and financial experts.

Note

This makes the platform suitable mostly for marketing purposes.

Due to this, I can say that Toptal is a specialized platform that allows you to progress in one niche and put all of your hard work, efforts, and determination into what you can do best.

Tip

For example, designers can specialize in Toptal jobs, such as branding, AI design, creativity, mobile apps, visuals, wireframing, etc.

Availability of Work

As I mentioned, Toptal offers only four categories. But don’t worry! There are enough job positions for every freelancer, as there are many sub-categories for your needs. I can assure you that Toptal always follows the latest trends and updates its database.

However, the process of finding work is much different than what you might have been used to. Instead of selling your skills, you need to complete a Toptal interview process. More precisely, you answer a questionnaire that helps the Toptal algorithm and experts match you with the best freelancers for your project.

Note

You will need to answer questions about your company, previous experience, the type of project you need help with, the period of commitment that suits you, when you would like to start, whether you like to work with a remote freelancer, what kind of skills you look for in another freelancer, and share the budget for the project.

Once you’re connected to the most suitable freelancer for your needs, you get a 14-day free trial to review its expertise. If you’re not satisfied and decide not to work with the person who was assigned to you, you’ll get a refund.

Project Types

While the number of completed projects on the Toptal for freelancers platform is not known, they clearly share their project types. In other words, you can find full-time, part-time, or hourly projects. But it doesn’t end here.

You can also choose whether you would like to start immediately, in 1-2 weeks, or more than two weeks. If you’re the one that is hiring a freelancer, you can state whether you need them for:

Less than 1 week
1 to 4 weeks
1 to 3 months
3 to 6 months
Longer than 6 months
Or simply decide later

Tip

This helps Toptal match you with freelancers who are eager to work on projects of that duration.

Number of Freelancers

As stated in the beginning, Toptal doesn’t allow anyone to enter its network. Therefore, there are around 10,000+ freelancers from all of the applicants that earned to be part of the best 3%.

This shows that the platform carefully selects who will be part of the Toptal for designers platform, and it also contributes to less competition.

Warning

However, as all of the freelancers have a high level of expertise, you may still face stronger rivals.

Client Demographics

The company avoids having Toptal bad reviews, which is why it considers its client demographics. But what exactly I’m trying to say is that one bad freelancer that will try to scam its clients will directly affect the whole reputation of the freelancing platform.

But besides only the platform being affected, other freelancers may think you are incompetent, too. Due to this, Toptal decided to employ a detailed selection process, for which I’ll talk a bit later.

Fees

Toptal has a slightly different pricing model than other freelance platforms. It basically doesn’t have service fees like other platforms.

Note

You will earn 100% of your income.

From what I’ve read on their official page and in Toptal reviews for clients, the best part is that you can set the rate for hourly income and enjoy a fixed stream of income.

Important

You need to set the rate based on your location, experience level, and skills.

Here are the hourly rates you can receive:

Developers: $90–$170/hr
Designers: $80–$150/hr
Finance experts: $90–$230/hr
Project managers: $90–$150/hr
Product managers: $90–$150/hr

Payment Terms and Protection

Before starting a project, you must deposit $500. This acts as a guarantee to protect both Toptal and the freelancer from scams. So, as you may be used to screenshots about working hours or different types of secure payment mechanisms, forget about it. The deposit is the only security payment mechanism that Toptal employs.

Note

This is refundable if you decide not to work with the freelancer or apply as a first payment if you make a deal.

However, the payment terms are a bit longer than other platforms. In most of the Toptal reviews, clients express that they’re not satisfied with waiting 4-6 weeks to get paid. Although this is quite a long period, at least you get the full sum of what you’ve worked.

Skill Tests and Certification

Finally, we’ve come to the part you must have been waiting for. Toptal cares about its reputation and your freelancing experience. Therefore, before you get eligible for a Toptal address, you go through a lengthy screening process.

The screening includes an evaluation of skills, a personality test, a measurement of your English language knowledge, and a real-world test project.

Note

This process can take from 1-3 weeks to complete, and usually, they accept 2-5 freelancers from the thousands of applicants.

Support and Resources

Freelancing is challenging, and it may come with a lot of issues. That’s why I recommend you opt for Toptal, which has customer support via email and phone and an extensive knowledge base. But besides these basic services, Toptal offers additional ones!

You can access the Toptal Slack community, which has some pretty knowledgeable and eager-to-help people in it. Additionally, you will benefit from expert advice and many learning opportunities. Ultimately, you can take advantage of opportunities to get published on Toptal’s expert blog.

Warning

Toptal doesn’t come with a live chat.

Entry Barriers

Toptal has some pretty strict entry barriers. Therefore, not anyone can become a member of the 10,000+ freelancers. Thanks to its screening process, only a small amount of anyone who has applied is accepted in the top 3%.

Important

This reduces the competition and enhances your chances of establishing a successful and trustworthy business.

User experience

From my personal experience and the tests I’ve conducted, I must say that Toptal provides an incredible user experience. It is secure, specialized, and accepts only the best freelancers. Due to this, I think the company gained another in their Toptal good reviews.

Tip

To get the best insights about what this freelancing platform offers, I advise you to read expert and user Toptal reviews. It will be even better if they are from people in your business field.

Reputation and Trustworthiness

With its hard work in more than half a decade, Toptal has managed to create an unbeatable reputation. This ensures you’ll only get what’s best for you and your future business growth, as you’ll be connected only with the best 3% of freelancers.

Toptal Pros & Cons

Best for

Connecting with clients in 24 hours
Thorough and rigorous screening process
Secure payment terms
Specialized platform type
No fees on your payroll
14-day free trial
No need for justifying your rates to other clients
Wide range and beneficial customer support

Not good for

No job options for copywriters and SEO specialists
You must respond to invitations quickly
You may wait up to 6 weeks for your payroll

Toptal Standout Features

So far, we’ve seen some pretty extraordinary stuff from Toptal. But what if I tell you that you haven’t seen everything? That’s right! Toptal has much more to offer, so let’s briefly examine its standout features:

98% trial-to-hire success rate
No termination cost
No recruiting fee
Pre-screened candidates

Who is Toptal Best For?

Toptal is not one of those platforms that everyone can use. Due to this, I decided to make the best selection about who Toptal is best for:

Established companies that want to hire top-quality talent
Individuals who wish to work for an hourly rate
Companies that seek larger projects
Business owners who are ready to pay a bit more
Highly skilled individuals who want to receive only the best for their business

Conclusion

Toptal is a freelance platform that allows businesses to find the absolute best freelancers in the world. It focuses on finding and working with the best of the best by implementing a rigorous screening process every time a new freelancer applies on the platform.

Here, you can find freelancers for many high-skill jobs, such as software development, project management, financial services, design, and more.

Is there anything else you are looking for? If not, I highly recommend Toptal for agencies that need robust and reliable freelancing solutions!

Best By The Logician

Discover my personal recommendations in my Best By section, ranked in quality according to my experience with the products.

Best By The Logician

Get Started

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, Toptal is a good company to work for. It comes with access to the best freelancers available, higher-paying freelance jobs, and a rigorous screening process that leads to less competition.

Yes, Toptal is legit. In order to ensure you won’t scam a client, you go through a screening process, and you also pay a $500 deposit.

Employees working at Toptal are pretty satisfied. They are mostly satisfied with the Manager, Executive Team, and Team categories.

Toptal charges a bit more than other platforms. The initial cost in order to start forking is $500, and if you hire clients, you can charge somewhere between $80 and $230/hour.

Toptal offers various jobs for developers, designers, project and product managers, and financial experts. In each category, there are additional sub-categories that allow you to specialize in one field.

Yes, it is hard to get on Toptal. This is because you need to have high-quality skills and go through the screening and interview processes. Then, only 2-5 freelancers can become part of the top 3%.

Toptal is located in San Francisco, California, United States. Surprisingly, there are no other headquarters.

Yes, you can get Toptal support. Although the platform doesn’t have a live chat option, you can reach their expert team via phone, email, and browse through the knowledge base.

Toptal chooses its freelancers according to their previous experience, skills, and knowledge of the English language. You go through a long screening process before you are accepted by the company.

You get paid from Toptal only in USD via a fully automated process. Therefore, you don’t need to manage anything.

No, Toptal is not good for beginners. The platform is specialized and requires only freelancers with a lot of skills and a high level of knowledge.

To get your first job at Toptal, you need to complete the application and pass the screening process. Then, you can apply for jobs that you are interested in and be matched with freelancers who are considered the best fit for you according to your profile and availability.

No, Toptal is not a full-time job. You will benefit from flexible working hours, as well as engage in part-time or hourly projects.

How much you make on Toptal depends on your specialty, location, and the duration of the project. Due to this, if you get paid hourly, you can get from $60.00 to $250.00 per hour; part-time jobs from $1,000.00 to $4,000.00 per week; and full-time jobs from $2,000.00 to $8,000.00 per week.

The Toptal screening process helps the company identify talent by measuring your expertise, professionalism, and communication skills.

Yes, it is hard to get hired on Toptal. This is because only 2 out of 5 freelancers get employed after going through the screening process.

To get started on Toptal, you need to pass language tests, skill reviews, a live screening, and test projects. After that, if you’re accepted, you need to deposit $500, and that’s it.

Some good Toptal alternatives are Upwork, Gigster, and Fiverr. They come with pretty amazing features and are a decent substitute for Toptal.

get started

The Logician

Trademark of a Living Legend

Toptal Review

4.7

$0/free

Recommended: Best Freelance Talent

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Toptal a good company to work for?

Is Toptal Legit?

How Satisfied Are Employees Working At Toptal?

How Much Does Toptal Charge?

What Kind of Jobs Does Toptal Offer?

Is It Hard To Get On Toptal?

Where Is Toptal Located?

Can You Get Toptal Support?

How Does Toptal Choose Its Freelancers?

How Do I Get Paid From Toptal?

Is Toptal Good For Beginners?

How To Get My First Job At Toptal?

Is Toptal A Full-Time Job?

How Much Can You Make On Toptal?

What Is The Toptal Screening Process?

Is It Hard To Get Hired On Toptal?

How To Get Started On Toptal?

What Are Some Good Toptal Alternatives?

The Logician

Related Products

$0/free

$0/free

$0/free

$0/free

$0/free

$0/free

$0/free

$0/free

$0/free