Toptal Reviews

Read unbiased Toptal reviews from 50 verified users to discover if it's the best choice for you. Toptal is currently ranked #1 in the freelance platforms industry with an average star rating of 4.4 and sentiment score of 69%. Keep reading to learn more.

Toptal logo
Toptal
Toptal provides businesses with access to elite freelance talent, ensuring high-quality results through its stringent vetting process. It is widely used for projects requiring specialized expertise and quick turnaround times.
Founded
2010
Location
San Francisco, United States
Industries
Freelance Marketplace, Technology, Finance, Software
Social Links
TrustScore
84
Excellent TrustScore (out of 0 to 100)
Industry Rank
#1
#1 out of 7 companies in this industry
Industry Standing
100.0%
Leading the pack in this 7-company market
Sentiment Score
69%
Customer overall sentiment score
Average Rating
4.4
Star rating out of 5
Total Reviews
50
Last updated: 2025-01-31 17:22:41
Industry Comparison - Freelance Platforms
CompanyRank
TrustScore
RatingSentimentReviews
Market Share
Freelancer.com#1844.564%592
26.8%
Toptal#2844.469%50
22.3%
FlexJobs#3754.245%398
21.2%
Fiverr#4723.750%2,197
35.8%
Guru.com#5341.8-16%38
1.1%
Upwork#6251.2-25%79
-2.0%
PeoplePerHour#7191.1-40%36
-5.2%

In the Freelance Platforms industry, Toptal leads with the highest trust score of 84%, performing 49.6% above average, while PeoplePerHour has the lowest trust score of 19%, 66.2% below the industry average. Toptal has the highest sentiment score of 69%, and Fiverr has the most customer feedback with 2,197 reviews.

Industry Average Rating
3.0
Industry Average Sentiment
21%
Industry Total Reviews
3,390

Toptal Trust Score

0
out of 100
Rating Score (40% weighted)4.4 / 5
Sentiment Score (60% weighted)69%

TrustScore is a combination of 1 to 5 star rating (40% weighted) and -1 to 1 sentiment score (60% weighted) to provide an accurate and comprehensive measure of customer satisfaction. Learn more.

Toptal Sentiment Overview

Total Reviews
50
Positive
88%
44 reviews
Neutral
2%
1 reviews
Negative
10%
5 reviews
Toptal Customer Reviews

Reviews by Category

Positive Feedback

Negative Feedback

Most Recent Toptal Reviews

Positive Reviews

Direct source to our development and design needs. . Pedro and Andre were there step by step. . Pricing was fair and transparent. They never...

Dalton Cox

Exceptional Talent and High-Quality Results. We’ve had a fantastic experience using Toptal to find the right talent for our projects. The platform made it easy...

Rupert Reyneke

Toptal has the best of the top 3%…. Toptal has the best of the top 3% premium professionals in the world. I am happy I...

Enonchong Michael Eneke

Negative Reviews

I tried to log in on google and…. I tried to log in on google and linkedin and it simply saying there isn't any account...

Alen Devlin

never thought id waste so much time with such a professional looking company i Now know i have to do more research before working with...

Sam Friedman

Never trust a company that ask for your CC before doing anything! . Never trust a company that ask you to: Give your CC before...

Philippe H.

The sentiment analysis above has highlighted customer feedback at scale. The Toptal review below provides an expert take at the features that matter most to help you decide if this company is the right choice for you.

Company Overview

Toptal is a global platform connecting companies with top-tier freelance talent in software development, design, finance, product management, and project management. Known for its rigorous screening process, Toptal ensures that only the top 3% of applicants are accepted, providing businesses with access to highly skilled professionals. The company leverages advanced matching algorithms and personalized service to connect clients with freelancers who best fit their needs.

Industries

Freelance Marketplace
Technology
Finance
Software

Target Audience

Startups needing specialized talent for short-term projects
Large enterprises seeking vetted professionals for critical tasks
Small businesses looking for cost-effective access to skilled freelancers

Unique Selling Points

Toptal's rigorous screening process ensures only the top 3% of freelancers are accepted, guaranteeing high-quality talent.
The platform uses advanced algorithms to match clients with freelancers who have the most relevant skills and experience.
Toptal offers a risk-free trial period, allowing clients to evaluate freelancers before committing to long-term engagements.
Pricing Plans
Hourly Engagement
$60-150/hourly
Renews at $Varies/hourly
Free Trial
Full refund available during the trial period if the freelancer does not meet expectations.

Pay for freelance talent on an hourly basis, ideal for short-term or flexible projects. This plan allows businesses to scale their workforce up or down as needed.

Best For:
This plan is best suited for businesses with short-term or irregular project needs. It is ideal for those who require flexibility in scaling their workforce.

What's Included

  • Access to top 3% of freelancers
  • Dedicated account manager
  • Custom matching process
  • Flexible hourly billing
  • Risk-free trial period
  • No long-term contracts
  • Project management support
  • Global talent pool

What's Not Included

  • Long-term discounts
  • Full-time employee benefits
  • On-site support
  • Training for freelancers

Hidden Costs

  • Currency conversion fees for non-USD payments
  • Additional fees for urgent project needs

Payment & Billing

Payment Methods:
Credit Card
Bank Transfer
PayPal
Currencies:
USD
EUR
GBP
Billing Cycles:
Hourly
Weekly

Free Extra Features

  • Risk-free trial period
  • Dedicated account manager
Part-Time Engagement
$1000-3000/weekly
Renews at $Varies/weekly
Free Trial
Full refund available during the trial period if the freelancer does not meet expectations.

Hire top freelancers for part-time engagements, typically 20 hours per week. This plan is ideal for businesses that need consistent but limited support.

Best For:
This plan is ideal for businesses that require consistent support but do not need full-time engagement. It works well for ongoing projects with predictable workloads.

What's Included

  • 20 hours of freelancer work per week
  • Custom talent matching
  • Dedicated account manager
  • Risk-free trial
  • Project management tools
  • Global talent pool
  • Flexible contract terms
  • High-quality output

What's Not Included

  • Full-time availability
  • On-site support
  • Employee benefits
  • Long-term discounts

Hidden Costs

  • Additional fees for weekend work
  • Currency conversion fees

Payment & Billing

Payment Methods:
Credit Card
Bank Transfer
PayPal
Currencies:
USD
EUR
GBP
Billing Cycles:
Weekly
Monthly

Free Extra Features

  • Risk-free trial period
  • Dedicated account manager
Full-Time Engagement
$2000-6000/weekly
Renews at $Varies/weekly
Free Trial
Full refund available during the trial period if the freelancer does not meet expectations.

Hire freelancers for full-time work, typically 40 hours per week. This plan is designed for businesses that need dedicated, long-term support.

Best For:
This plan is best suited for companies with long-term projects requiring dedicated and consistent support. It is ideal for businesses looking to integrate freelancers as part of their core team.

What's Included

  • 40 hours of freelancer work per week
  • Custom talent matching
  • Dedicated account manager
  • Risk-free trial
  • Project management tools
  • Flexible contract terms
  • Global talent pool
  • High-quality output

What's Not Included

  • On-site support
  • Employee benefits
  • Training costs
  • Long-term discounts

Hidden Costs

  • Overtime fees
  • Currency conversion fees

Payment & Billing

Payment Methods:
Credit Card
Bank Transfer
PayPal
Currencies:
USD
EUR
GBP
Billing Cycles:
Weekly
Monthly

Free Extra Features

  • Risk-free trial period
  • Dedicated account manager

Toptal is a great choice for businesses that prioritize quality and need access to highly skilled freelancers for critical projects. While the costs are higher, the value provided by the platform’s rigorous vetting and matching process justifies the investment.

Total Cost Calculator
Pricing Plan
Cost Breakdown

Hourly Engagement Plan

Monthly Cost$0/month
Hourly Cost$0/year

Total Cost over 3 Years

Year 1$0
Year 2$0
Year 3$0
Total after Year 1
$0
Total after Year 2
$0
Total after Year 3
$0

Optional Add-ons

  • Priority matching service
  • Additional project management support

Extra Costs not Included

  • Currency conversion fees for non-USD payments
  • Additional fees for urgent project needs
Explore Features

Feature Preferences

Select your feature requirements. Must-have features are essential for your needs, while nice-to-have features are beneficial but not critical.

Hold Ctrl (Windows) or Cmd (Mac) to select multiple features

Monthly Budget Range

Select your preferred budget range. This helps us find plans that fit your financial requirements.

Recommended Plans

Select features to get plan recommendations
Toptal Competitor Comparison

Select the features that are important to you. This will help us match competitors based on your needs.

Adjust how much you want to consider price in the comparison.

Features OnlyBalancedPrice Focused

Competitor Rankings

Upwork
Best Match

Upwork is a popular freelance platform offering a wide range of talent across various industries. It provides an open marketplace where clients can browse freelancers and post job listings.

Match Score: 0%
Upwork generally has lower costs compared to Toptal, but the quality of talent may not always be as high.
Key Differences: Unlike Toptal, Upwork does not have a rigorous vetting process, which means the quality of talent can vary significantly. However, it offers more flexibility in terms of pricing and freelancer selection.
When to Choose: Choose Upwork if you need a wide range of freelancers at varying price points and are willing to vet talent yourself.
When Not to Choose: Do not choose Upwork if you require guaranteed high-quality talent and a streamlined matching process.
Fiverr

Fiverr is a freelance platform specializing in quick, affordable services for small tasks and projects. It operates on a gig-based model, making it easy for clients to find freelancers for specific needs.

Match Score: 0%
Fiverr is significantly cheaper than Toptal, but the quality and scope of services are more limited.
Key Differences: Fiverr focuses on small, one-off projects, while Toptal is better suited for long-term engagements and specialized expertise. Fiverr does not offer a vetting process comparable to Toptal's.
When to Choose: Choose Fiverr for small, budget-friendly tasks that do not require specialized expertise.
When Not to Choose: Do not choose Fiverr if you need highly skilled professionals for complex or long-term projects.
Freelancer.com

Freelancer.com is a global platform connecting businesses with freelancers for a wide range of projects. It offers competitive bidding, allowing clients to choose freelancers based on price and reviews.

Match Score: 0%
Freelancer.com is generally more affordable than Toptal but lacks the same level of quality assurance.
Key Differences: Freelancer.com emphasizes competitive bidding, which can drive down costs but may compromise quality. Toptal, on the other hand, ensures high-quality talent through its vetting process.
When to Choose: Choose Freelancer.com if you are looking for cost-effective options and are willing to invest time in vetting freelancers.
When Not to Choose: Do not choose Freelancer.com if you prioritize quality and need a streamlined matching process.
User Feedback

Common Praise

Clients appreciate the high-quality talent available on Toptal, noting that freelancers consistently deliver excellent results.
The platform's rigorous vetting process ensures that only top-tier professionals are available, which is a major advantage.
Users value the personalized matching process, which saves time and ensures a good fit between freelancers and projects.

Common Complaints

Some users find Toptal's pricing to be higher compared to other freelance platforms.
The vetting process for clients and freelancers can be time-consuming, which may delay project initiation.
Limited availability of certain niche skills in specific industries has been reported by some users.

Success Stories

A startup used Toptal to quickly assemble a team of developers for a critical product launch, achieving their goals ahead of schedule.
A large corporation successfully outsourced financial modeling to a Toptal freelancer, saving significant costs compared to hiring a full-time employee.
An e-commerce company hired a Toptal designer to revamp their website, resulting in a 25% increase in conversion rates.

Potential Deal Breakers

High costs compared to other platforms may deter small businesses with limited budgets.
The lack of a fully open marketplace limits flexibility for clients who prefer to browse freelancers directly.
The vetting process can exclude talented freelancers who do not meet Toptal's specific criteria.
Final Verdict

Toptal is an excellent platform for businesses seeking top-tier freelance talent for specialized and complex projects. Its rigorous vetting process ensures high-quality results, making it a reliable choice for critical tasks. However, its premium pricing may not suit all budgets.

Toptal Pros

  • Access to the top 3% of freelance talent.
  • Risk-free trial period for evaluating freelancers.
  • Personalized matching process saves time and ensures a good fit.
  • Dedicated account managers provide excellent support.

Toptal Cons

  • Higher costs compared to other freelance platforms.
  • Limited availability of certain niche skills.
  • Time-consuming vetting process for both freelancers and clients.

Recommended For:

Toptal is ideal for startups, large enterprises, and businesses with critical projects requiring highly skilled professionals. It is particularly well-suited for those who value quality over cost.

Not Recommended For:

Toptal is not recommended for small businesses with tight budgets or those seeking freelancers for simple, low-cost tasks. It is also less suitable for clients who prefer browsing freelancers directly without a vetting process.

Toptal is a great choice for businesses that prioritize quality and need access to highly skilled freelancers for critical projects. While the costs are higher, the value provided by the platform’s rigorous vetting and matching process justifies the investment.

Frequently Asked Questions