Toptal

Toptal is a freelance talent network that connects companies with software developers, designers, product managers, project managers, and finance experts it describes as the top three percent of applicants. Its selling point is a rigorous multi-stage screening process covering communication, technical or domain skill assessments, and real-world project work, so clients can skip most of the sourcing and vetting they would otherwise do themselves. A client describes their need to a matcher, and Toptal proposes candidates within a couple of days, usually offering a short no-risk trial period before an engagement becomes billable. Freelancers work as independent contractors on hourly, part-time, or full-time arrangements, and Toptal handles contracts, payments, and dispute resolution. Beyond individual placements, Toptal assembles small cross-functional teams for projects and offers a managed delivery option. In 2025 the company added machine-learning matching to speed up candidate selection while keeping human curation, and it launched services for global contractor management and employer-of-record coverage. Toptal is aimed at startups and enterprises that need senior talent quickly for a defined period and are willing to pay premium rates for pre-vetted people rather than posting on an open marketplace and filtering applicants themselves.