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No proxies, No middlemen. Just velocity.
2-Week No-risk trial. Pay only if satisfied.
✓ 50+ tech stacks
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Scale your startup with top 5% tech talent that plugs directly into your team, aligned with your hours and ready to ship fast. No middlemen. No proxies. Just real builders who ship.
Enjoy a 2-week free trial. Pay only if satisfied.
No more 'good enough' developers. epicX connects startups with pre-vetted, battle-tested engineers who feel like part of your team from day one.
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Wait, you’re telling me I can consider Toptal alternatives too?
Exactly, many startups are discovering a world beyond Toptal’s high costs and rigid processes, finding platforms that better suit their need for speed, flexibility, and budget-friendly talent.
Whether you’re a founder racing against time or a CTO building a lean team, the right hiring platform can make or break your roadmap.
The good news? There are founder-friendly, cost-effective options designed for startups like yours.
In this guide, we’ve curated the top 15 Toptal alternatives for 2025, focusing on platforms that deliver pre-vetted developers fast, without enterprise bloat.
From epicX’s 48-hour matching to Lemon.io’s boutique approach, you’ll find solutions tailored for startups and scale-ups.
Ready to hire top-tier talent without breaking the bank?
Explore the best platforms to hire developers for startups now!
Let’s be blunt: Toptal built its reputation on premium vetting, but the cracks are showing.
If you’ve spent time in startup and developer Reddit threads, you’ll see the same frustrations crop up again and again.
Here's what the top Reddit threads look like if you search "Toptal Alternatives"
Now you may wonder, what exactly are the reasons for such opinions lately. Well, here are a few that top this list:
Toptal’s “top 3%” claim comes with exhaustive paperwork, long matching cycles, and a process built for legal teams, not startup speed.
Their $500 up-front deposit, platform subscription fees, and 30-50% markups put serious strain on startup budgets. Many founders report sticker shock after seeing final invoices.
Candidates and clients can’t freely browse talent or opt for short-term trials. You get what you’re given, on Toptal’s terms.
Inconsistent support, timezone mismatches, and proxy hiring complaints leave many feeling disconnected from their own teams.
The most ambitious engineers (and clients) are seeking platforms that value context, autonomy, and real partnership over bureaucracy.
In short, if you’re a founder, CTO, or lead engineer in a high-velocity environment, the old playbook just isn’t cutting it.
That’s why so many are turning to next-gen platforms built for speed, transparency, and founder alignment.
We’ve cut through the noise and handpicked the 15 best Toptal alternatives for startups, scale-ups, and innovation-driven teams.
Here’s how they compare at a glance:
Founded in 2021 in London with operational hubs in Pakistan and South Africa, epicX was created by startup veterans to solve the hiring pain points they faced themselves.
Serving startups in healthtech, fintech, HRTech, and digital marketing globally, epicX delivers pre-vetted developers who integrate seamlessly with fast-moving teams.
At epicX, we’ve built everything around startup velocity and founder alignment. Our mission is simple: understand your mission, then build the right team to make it real, fast.
We’re transparent, hands-on, and unapologetically pragmatic. No middlemen, no proxies, just real engineers who ship. Here’s why more founders are calling us the most founder-friendly Toptal alternative for 2025:
"We scaled our engineering team by 3x without touching recruitment or burning budget." , Rosalia Miller, CTO, VISBA-AI
"It was the fastest we've ever hired vetted devs. And the quality? Outstanding." , Hunain, PM, SmartBenefits
"epicX plugged in senior devs fast. Absolute lifesavers." , John Stevens, CTO, MedCure
For more proof, check our client case studies or read unsolicited feedback on Trustpilot and Clutch.
Lemon.io is a boutique platform connecting startups with pre-vetted developers from Europe and Latin America. Known for its human-centric vetting and fast matching (24–48 hours), it’s a favorite for startups needing reliable, startup-ready talent.
Pricing ranges from $55–$85/hr, with a high first-match success rate. It’s ideal for founders seeking a personalized touch, though its focus is primarily on developers.
Pros
Cons
Gun.io positions itself as a freelancer network built specifically for scaling startups and growing businesses. They emphasize hand-vetted software developers, most of whom are based in North America, ensuring cultural alignment and senior-level expertise.
Rates typically range from $75–$150/hr, making it a premium but reliable option for startups prioritizing quality. Unlike open marketplaces, Gun.io maintains a curated network to ensure trust and consistency.
Pros
Cons
CloudDevs specializes in connecting startups with senior developers from Latin America. With rates starting around $40–$70/hr, it appeals to founders seeking affordability without sacrificing quality.
CloudDevs guarantees time zone overlap with US clients, and candidates are thoroughly vetted for technical and communication skills. While their pool is smaller, their niche focus on Latin American talent makes them attractive for startups prioritizing cultural proximity and affordability.
Pros
Cons
Moonlight is a platform designed for startups to find part-time or contract developers who thrive in startup environments. Now part of PullRequest, it offers flexible arrangements and is especially suitable for startups that don’t yet need full-time hires.
Rates vary depending on the role, but the emphasis is on quality over quantity, making it a strong choice for early-stage startups experimenting with their development needs.
Pros
Cons
Arc.dev uses AI and algorithm-driven vetting to connect startups with remote developers worldwide. With a strong focus on full-time remote placements, Arc is popular among startups that want a global reach but streamlined vetting.
Developers go through technical assessments, soft skill checks, and timezone matching before being recommended. Rates typically range from $60–$100/hr, and most matches occur quickly thanks to their matching algorithm.
Pros
Cons
Turing brands itself as a “deep jobs” platform, leveraging AI to vet and match developers with startups. Their automated vetting process includes coding challenges, communication tests, and timezone compatibility.
Startups get access to developers from over 100 countries, and Turing emphasizes long-term placements. While it competes closely with Toptal in scope, it’s often more accessible in terms of pricing, usually ranging between $40–$70/hr.
Pros
Cons
Adeva is a remote-first talent network using data-driven vetting to connect startups with software developers, product managers, and designers. Its focus on inclusivity and diversity makes it unique among algorithmic platforms.
Rates are generally $50–$90/hr, with matching timelines of just a few days. Adeva works well for startups that need not only technical expertise but also leadership or design roles beyond development.
Pros
Cons
Revelo specializes in matching startups with full-time remote developers from Latin America using AI-driven tools. Their focus on time zone alignment with the US makes them a go-to for American startups.
With an emphasis on payroll, compliance, and HR support, Revelo acts as both a hiring and employment partner. Rates typically fall in the $40–$70/hr range, making it cost-effective compared to North American talent.
Pros
Cons
RemoteOK Talent leverages job board data and AI-driven insights to match startups with remote workers globally. Unlike traditional marketplaces, it blends algorithmic matching with a self-serve database of remote candidates. Its pool spans developers, designers, and marketers, making it slightly broader than Toptal’s developer-heavy approach.
Pros
Cons
Upwork is the world’s largest freelancing marketplace, connecting startups with millions of freelancers worldwide. Its bidding system allows founders to set budgets and timelines while choosing from a wide range of skills beyond development, including design, marketing, and operations.
Hourly rates range anywhere from $10–$150 depending on expertise. While it offers flexibility and scale, quality can vary, requiring careful vetting on the founder’s part.
Pros
Cons
Freelancer.com is a global freelancing marketplace where startups can post projects and receive competitive bids. It spans roles from software development to marketing, writing, and admin work. Pricing is flexible, with options for hourly or project-based engagements.
While it’s one of the largest marketplaces worldwide, startups need to invest time in filtering candidates, as quality assurance is less rigorous than curated networks like Toptal or Lemon.io.
Pros
Cons
Fiverr Pro builds on Fiverr’s massive marketplace by curating top professionals into a premium service tier. It’s designed for startups that need high-quality talent without the hassle of sorting through thousands of profiles.
Services span design, development, writing, and more. Rates start at $50–$100/hr depending on expertise. While more reliable than standard Fiverr, it’s still best suited for short-term projects rather than long-term hires.
Pros
Cons
PeoplePerHour is a UK-based freelancing platform offering startups access to talent across design, development, and marketing. The platform allows fixed-price offers or hourly rates, making it flexible for small teams. Popular among European startups,
PeoplePerHour blends marketplace flexibility with light vetting for quality assurance. Rates vary widely, from $20–$120/hr. While convenient, it is less startup-specialized than boutique networks and requires hands-on filtering for the best matches.
Pros
Cons
Workana is a freelancing marketplace popular in Latin America, providing startups with affordable access to regional talent. It spans development, design, writing, and digital marketing. Rates are lower than North American or European platforms, usually between $15–$50/hr.
For startups seeking Spanish or Portuguese-speaking talent, Workana is particularly attractive. However, its regional focus and lighter vetting process make it less competitive for startups seeking global coverage.
Pros
Cons
The market for elite tech talent has changed, startups are done playing by old rules. If you’re seeking pre-vetted, startup-ready engineers (without the enterprise bloat, endless fees, or slow onboarding), the alternatives above give you more options than ever.
At epicX, we’re obsessed with making your mission real, fast, and we invite you to experience a truly founder-first, risk-free way to hire.
In our experience, it comes down to speed, transparency, and cost. Toptal’s enterprise-style process, mandatory deposits, and high markups don’t align with the needs of fast-moving startups. Many founders also want more flexibility, risk-free trials, and a partner who truly understands startup urgency.
epicX matches startups with pre-vetted, startup-ready engineers within 48 hours, compared to Toptal’s typical weeks-long process. Our clients routinely save up to 65% compared to Silicon Valley rates, with no up-front deposits or platform fees. Plus, we offer a true 2-week risk-free trial, something Toptal doesn’t provide. See our full comparison here.
In our view, founder-first platforms like epicX (with hands-on partnership and transparent pricing) or Lemon.io (for boutique, startup-focused matches) are ideal. Platforms relying on self-vetting or algorithmic matching (like Upwork or Arc) may require more technical screening from your side.
Yes, at epicX, you get a 2-week, no-obligation trial. If the fit isn’t right, you pay nothing. This lets you test the engineer’s skills, ownership mindset, and communication in your real environment, risk-free.
epicX specializes in assembling dedicated, startup-aligned teams fast. Whether you need a full squad or to augment your existing team, our process is built to scale with you, without friction, fees, or lock-ins. Just book your strategy call and we’ll show you how simple it can be.
With platforms like epicX, quality is ensured through rigorous vetting, including technical tests, startup-context interviews, and native English proficiency. Our developers align with US/UK time zones and are trained for startup agility, minimizing communication or cultural gaps.
Most platforms, including epicX, support popular stacks like JavaScript, Python, React, and Node.js, as well as AI/ML and cloud technologies. Check platform-specific tech offerings (e.g., epicX’s case studies) to ensure alignment with your project’s needs.
Some platforms, like epicX and Lemon.io, offer flexible, no-lock-in contracts ideal for short-term needs. Others, like Turing or Gigster, are better for long-term engagements. Review contract terms to match your project duration.
