15 Toptal Alternatives for Hiring Freelance Talent in 2025

Key Takeaways

Toptal alternatives offer a wide range of hiring options, from short-term freelancers to dedicated long-term professionals.
Some alternative platforms provide pre-vetted talent, while others allow businesses to manually review candidates before hiring.
Pricing structures for these alternative platforms vary, with some charging hourly rates and others offering flat fees or subscription-based models for better hiring flexibility.

Hiring freelancers should feel like an opportunity, not a compromise. The right developer, designer, or marketer can take your project to the next level. But finding that individual or team who will provide the perfect blend of skill, affordability, and cultural fit and can meet the demands of your timeline often means choosing a platform to help you with your hiring needs.

Toptal is a well-known platform that helps connect businesses with top-tier freelancers, but it may not necessarily be the best fit for everyone. Some businesses need more flexibility, lower costs, or talent from regions a little closer to home.

If Toptal’s model isn’t quite right for you, there are alternatives that might serve your business needs better. You just need to know where to start.

This guide covers 15 Toptal alternatives for hiring skilled professionals in 2025. Whether you're looking for nearshore talent in Latin America or a specialized recruitment firm, these platforms provide a variety of choices.

When Toptal Isn’t the Best Fit: Why Businesses Might Look Elsewhere

Toptal has a strong reputation, but its model doesn’t work for everyone, and its premium pricing can be a roadblock, especially for startups and businesses that are keeping a close eye on costs. While the platform’s rigorous vetting process helps ensure quality, some companies might need to find alternatives that offer pre-screened talent without the markup.

Project needs also come into play. Toptal focuses heavily on full-time and long-term placements, which isn’t ideal for businesses needing flexible scalability for short-term contracts or one-off projects. If flexibility is a priority—perhaps you want to hire per project or adjust your team’s size as needs shift—other platforms offer more adaptable models.

Regional hiring preferences matter too. While Toptal sources talent globally, some businesses might prefer to hire from nearshore companies in countries like Latin America for better time zone alignment and cultural fit. Businesses with distributed teams, for instance, might find Latin American (LatAm) developers to be a more practical choice because overlapping business hours facilitate real-time communication and collaboration.

For those prioritizing speed and cost-efficiency, specialized recruitment platforms often deliver faster matches without sacrificing quality. If hiring an entire development team seems financially out of reach, offshoring to skilled developers in lower-cost regions can be a smart way to scale without stretching the budget, and many alternative platforms can make connecting with freelancers from these regions easy.

Two women in their workplace discussing Toptal alternatives

How to Choose the Right Toptal Alternative for Your Outsourcing Needs

Not all hiring platforms operate the same way, and the best option depends on what you’re looking for. Whether you need a long-term software developer or an individual freelancer for a short-term marketing campaign, keeping these key factors in mind can help you make the right call.

Clarify your needs: Some platforms focus on short-term gigs, while others specialize in long-term placements. If your project requires ongoing support, look for services that provide dedicated talent instead of just one-off hires.
Time zone and location: Latin America is a popular choice for US-based businesses wanting cost-effective talent without major time zone differences. If real-time collaboration is essential for your business, nearshore hiring can help you avoid the scheduling challenges that come with a globally distributed team.
Vetting process: Some platforms offer pre-screened candidates, while others leave the vetting to you. If time is a concern, choosing a recruitment service that pre-vets talent can speed up the process while cutting down on the hiring risks.
Speed of hiring: Need someone ASAP? Some platforms provide instant access to freelancer profiles, while others have a structured (and sometimes lengthy) matching process. If you're on a tight deadline, understanding how quickly you can onboard a hire is key.
Costs and pricing structures: Platforms charge differently. Some take a cut of freelancer earnings, while others have flat rates or subscription fees. If you're trying to build a high-performing marketing team for less, for example, choosing the right pricing model can help you keep costs under control while still enabling you to access the top talent you need.

Finding the right platform isn’t just about securing top talent; it’s also about making sure the hiring process is smooth and affordable and fits your timeline.

15 Best Toptal Alternatives for Freelance Talent in 2025

Hiring the right freelance developers, marketers, designers, or managers requires looking in the right places. And where you look is going to depend on your specific needs. Some businesses need long-term professionals, while others are looking for on-demand freelancers for short-term work.

This guide covers 15 Toptal alternatives, breaking down the type of talent they offer as well as how the platforms operate and what to expect in terms of pricing. The list isn’t ranked, as each option brings something different to the table.

1. Near

Yes! That’s us—and here’s why: Near specializes in helping startups and companies scale quickly by providing rigorously pre-vetted talent. Unlike platforms that simply list candidates, Near takes the time to understand your company’s goals and culture, which leads to higher retention rates and better hiring outcomes.

How hiring works: Near matches businesses with pre-screened candidates, providing video profiles and detailed evaluations to streamline decision-making. Instead of sorting through hundreds of applications, companies receive a curated shortlist of the best matches.

With a rigorous assessment process, Near ensures that every hire meets both technical and soft skill requirements, reducing the risk of bad hires and making sure your business experiences seamless team integration.

Pricing: With our transparent pricing model and salary negotiations, there are no surprises. Clients always know exactly how much they’ll pay their hires, and they only pay once they find the right candidate.

2. BairesDev

BairesDev is a software development outsourcing company that connects businesses with dedicated engineering teams. It focuses on IT services, offering full-cycle development, IT staff augmentation, and autonomous teams to scale projects efficiently.

How hiring works: The process begins with a discovery call, where BairesDev assesses business needs. It then provides the most suitable software developers tailored to the company’s requirements.

Once onboarded, businesses can track performance and progress through its structured workflow.

Pricing: BairesDev does not publicly list pricing. However, businesses can request a quote via live chat or email to receive custom pricing based on project scope and talent needs.

3. Upwork

Upwork is a freelance marketplace that makes it easy for businesses and individuals to find skilled professionals in a wide range of areas, including IT, design, customer support, and HR. It offers access to a vast talent pool, making it a flexible option for both short-term and long-term projects.

How hiring works: Businesses post a project for free and promptly receive proposals. They can compare bids, review freelancer profiles, and conduct interviews before hiring. Its optional tiered membership plans, such as Business Plus, allow businesses to more readily access the site’s top 1% of freelancers. Payment options include hourly rates and fixed-price contracts, with payments handled securely through Upwork’s platform.

Pricing:

Marketplace: Free sign-up and standard job posting; up to 7.99% service fee on all payments made to clients.
Business Plus: 10% service fee, includes pre-screened talent and premium support.
Enterprise: Custom pricing with dedicated account management and compliance services.

4. Freelancer.com

Freelancer.com provides a competitive bidding system that helps businesses find affordable freelance professionals. It focuses on design industries like writing, SEO, and web design, as well as administration, virtual assistants, and data entry.

How hiring works: Businesses post a project for free and receive bids from freelancers within minutes. Alternatively, they can browse profiles and make direct offers. Live chat and progress tracking features streamline collaboration.

Pricing: Freelancers set their own rates, and businesses either accept a bid or negotiate a direct offer. Payments can be scheduled by milestones or made upon project completion. A 3% fee is levied for all payments made to freelancers on the site.

5. Crowdspring

Crowdspring is a design-focused platform that’s ideal for startups and small businesses needing quick, high-quality branding, web, and app design. Unlike traditional freelancing sites, it runs on a crowdsourced model, where multiple designers submit concepts for a single project.

How hiring works: Businesses fill out a Q&A form to outline their project needs. Designers submit concepts, and clients rate, review, and refine designs before selecting a winner.

Pricing: Pricing starts at $299 for around 60 designs, full copyright, and unlimited submissions. Higher pricing tiers offer additional features and access to top designers.

6. PeoplePerHour

PeoplePerHour is a freelance marketplace that connects businesses with vetted professionals in programming, design, development, marketing, and other fields. It offers access to a global talent pool, allowing companies to find the perfect freelancers for various project needs.

How hiring works: Businesses can post projects for free, detailing their requirements. Freelancers then submit proposals, and clients review profiles, portfolios, and ratings to select the best fit. The platform also offers AI-powered matching to suggest suitable freelancers.

Pricing: PeoplePerHour charges a service fee of 5% on all payments made to freelancers.

7. Guru

Guru is a freelance marketplace focused on highly experienced professionals in programming, development, finance, and sales. It prioritizes skilled experts rather than entry-level freelancers.

How hiring works: Businesses post a free job listing and receive quotes from freelancers. They can review profiles, feedback, and earnings history before hiring. Work is managed through Guru’s WorkRooms, facilitating unified collaboration.

Pricing: Freelancers set their own rates, and Guru charges a 2.9% invoice fee. However, payments made via eCheck or wire transfer receive a 100% cashback on handling fees.

8. Gun.io

Gun.io specializes in US-based software developers and IT professionals, offering a curated hiring experience for businesses needing top-tier technical talent.

How hiring works: Gun.io’s system automatically matches businesses with vetted developers based on job descriptions. Clients can shortlist profiles, interview candidates, and hire through flexible contracts managed by Gun.io.

Pricing: Developers set their own rates and keep 100% of their earnings. Businesses pay only when hiring a candidate, with no additional platform fees beyond the stated rate. Custom pricing is available based on project requirements.

9. CloudDevs

CloudDevs connects businesses with pre-vetted LatAm developers and designers, offering a cost-effective alternative to Toptal. It specializes in tech talent, ensuring quick placements without compromising quality.

How hiring works: Clients book a call with a senior consultant to discuss project needs. Within 48 hours, CloudDevs matches them with pre-vetted professionals, and hiring starts with a 7-day free trial.

Pricing: Rates range from $45 to $70 per hour, with transparent pricing and no hidden fees. Clients can cancel anytime or request a new match.

10. Fiverr

Fiverr is best suited to short-term, small-scale tasks, listing freelancers in several categories, including design, marketing, development, and content creation.

How hiring works: Clients browse freelancer profiles, compare pricing, and hire based on reviews and past work. Alternatively, they can post a gig and receive bids from interested freelancers.

Pricing: Rates start at $5, but pricing varies depending on project complexity and freelancer expertise. Fiverr provides payment protection and upfront pricing for transparency.

11. Hubstaff Talent

Hubstaff Talent is a remote talent platform solution that is a part of the Hubstaff employee management suite. It specialises in software development and, together with Hubstaff, offers work tracking, payroll, and productivity tools for total talent management.

How hiring works: Businesses find remote professionals and use the free Hubstaff Talent feature to monitor work hours, productivity, and payroll. It integrates with tools like Slack, Jira, and Asana for streamlined management.

Pricing: Hubstaff Talent is free, and then Hubstaff plans start at $499 per seat/month, with advanced features like payroll automation, integrations, and productivity tracking available at higher tiers. Enterprise plans offer HIPAA compliance and corporate deployment.

12. Arc

Arc is a global talent marketplace focused on freelance and full-time remote developers, designers, marketers, product managers, project managers, and assistants. It offers a rigorous vetting process and an AI-driven hiring experience.

How hiring works: Arc’s HireAI instantly shortlists pre-vetted developers for freelance or full-time roles. Businesses can interview and hire candidates within 24 to 72 hours, with Arc handling the paperwork.

Pricing: Freelancers set their own rates, typically $40 to $100+ per hour. Full-time hires come with a one-time hiring fee based on salary.

13. X-Team

X-Team connects top software engineers with leading brands, offering teams of full-time remote developers on flexible contracts. It focuses on front-end, back-end, blockchain, and data science roles while supporting developer growth.

How hiring works: X-Team assigns a dedicated account manager to help businesses integrate developers into their teams. Contracts are billed monthly, and developers work as long-term extensions of the client’s team.

Pricing: X-Team does not list pricing publicly. Businesses must contact the company for custom quotes based on their unique project needs.

14. Aloa

Aloa is a tech talent outsourcing platform that connects businesses with vetted software developers, engineers, and designers. It offers project management tools for centrally managed collaboration.

How hiring works: Businesses receive a curated shortlist of talented developers through Aloa’s stringent vetting process. A custom project management platform provides progress tracking and quality assurance throughout development.

Pricing: Aloa offers custom pricing based on project scope. Startups are encouraged to use hourly or monthly engagement models rather than fixed-price contracts for greater flexibility.

15. Index.dev

Index.dev is a global talent network specializing in senior-level software engineers, designers, and IT consultants. It sources high-performing remote professionals from Latin America, Central Eastern Europe, the Balkans, and Asia.

How hiring works: After signing up, businesses work with an account manager to define project needs. Index.dev provides 3-5 interview-ready candidates, and hires come with a 30-day risk-free trial period.

Pricing: Senior developers typically charge $60 to $90 per hour. There are no platform fees, and businesses only pay when hiring a candidate.

Final Thoughts

Finding the right Toptal alternatives comes down to your specific hiring needs. If you’re looking for quick, flexible access to freelancers, platforms like Upwork and Fiverr provide a wide talent pool.

If you need dedicated, long-term professionals, options like BairesDev and Index.dev can connect you with pre-vetted experts who are ready to work on your project immediately.

At Near, we do things a bit differently. We invest time to understand your company's goals and culture, ensuring we match you with candidates who align perfectly with your needs and vision.

Our comprehensive services cover sourcing, screening, onboarding, and payroll management, streamlining the entire process for you. Whether you're growing a startup or expanding your team, we make it easy to find the right professionals—fast.

Looking to hire? Get a tailored list of pre-vetted candidates and get started today.