Are you considering a freelance career?
If so, you might be wondering if Upwork or Toptal is the right platform for you. Upwork and Toptal are popular freelancing websites, but they have unique strengths and weaknesses.
In this blog post, we’ll compare Upwork vs Toptal so that you can decide which platform is right for you. You’ll get to learn about the basics of these two platforms and what sets them apart from each other. So stay tuned!
Upwork
Upwork, formerly known as Odesk, is a popular freelancing platform for web developers and mobile app programmers, among other services. You may browse Upwork’s freelancer database or post a project and receive bids from the best candidates.
As anyone who has ever hired a freelancer knows, finding the right person for the job is essential. But with so many options, it can be challenging to know where to start. That’s where Upwork comes in!
Upwork is one of the most popular freelancing platforms and for a good reason.
With Upwork, you can browse their freelancer database or post a project and receive bids from the best candidates. And because all freelancers on Upwork are screened and rated, you can be confident that you’re getting high-quality work. So if you’re looking for developers or mobile app programmers, Upwork is a great place to start.
Check Out: Upwork vs Freelancer for Video Editing in 2022
Upwork’s Process
There are several ways to discover a freelancer on Upwork.
The first is via a competitive bidding process. You create a project on their platform and invite freelancers to submit samples as proposals. You have the option of hiring one of these prospects.
Alternatively, you can browse Upwork’s list of pre-scoped projects and purchase those that match your objectives. Upwork also provides a talent scout feature that finds people that match your requirements.
Upwork Services
On Upwork, you may find a wide range of work and talent. Freelancing services include the following:
- IT and development
- Creative Marketing and Design
- Finance and Accounting Writing and Translation
- Administrative Assistance
- You can also look at each freelancer’s candidate profile on Upwork to see their portfolio and make better-informed judgments.
Upwork Pros
- Large Talent Pool: Upwork has a broader talent pool than other options, so you won’t be limited in your freelancer selection.
- Small Initial Fees: Upwork offers free job posting and only charges a 3% user fee. You will need to upgrade your account and pay a monthly charge if you want detailed hiring tools.
- Upwork’s dedicated dashboard makes searching, hiring, and managing freelancers simple. In minutes after posting a job, you’ll have candidates.
- Pricing Freedom: The bidding system and other elements enable additional pricing flexibility.
Cons of Upwork
- Due to the recruiting manager’s primary responsibility for vetting, the bigger talent pool contains some untrustworthy prospects. This can be time-consuming and dangerous, especially if you are unfamiliar with what to search for.
- Substantial Freelancer Fees: Because freelancers must pay a large income charge, some top applicants may choose to avoid Upwork altogether.
- Paywalls: Features such as email assistance and risk-free trials are behind paywalls.
- Although this is a benefit to some, it might be difficult for new recruiting managers who are unfamiliar with sector wage averages.
- It can feel like you’re in the “Wild, Wild West,” prone to con artists.
Toptal
Toptal is well-known for its dependable talent pool. Their website boasts that they have the “top 3%” of developer talent. Toptal connects users with specialists in various fields, from engineers to project managers, and works with them to find the best fit.
Toptal is a website that connects users with specialists in various fields. The website boasts that it has the “top 3%” of developer talent. Toptal works with companies to find the best fit for their needs. The company provides a variety of services, from engineers to project managers. Toptal also offers a money-back satisfaction guarantee.
This guarantee allows companies to try out Toptal’s services without risk. The company has been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, and Inc. Magazine. Toptal has a global reach and is headquartered in Santa Monica, California.
How Toptal Works
Toptal employs freelancers using a 5-step recruitment process that begins with a language and personality test and ends with various test tasks. This narrows the talent pool to the top developers and managers available.
Users of Toptal begin by speaking with one of the company’s industry experts to discuss their goals, expectations, and requirements. You’ll be paired with a freelance talent based on your conversation in a handful of days.
You can then collaborate with your freelancer and pay them to your satisfaction when the project is completed. You can also request another freelancer from Toptal if they aren’t the ideal fit.
Toptal Features
Toptal has a large number of certified freelancers with experience in the following areas:
- Advancement (iOS, Java, Python, R, JavaScript, etc.)
- Create (Adobe Illustrator, Android, brand development, data visualization, etc.)
- Finance
- Management of Projects and Products
- After your initial consultation with one of Toptal’s industry experts, you’ll be matched with a freelancer within 48 hours. You can scale your needs according to your business objectives and pay your freelancers hourly or full-time.
Toptal Pros
- Hiring Process: You will be matched with a freelancer without having to do any work.
- Users will be able to find a freelancer in less than 48 hours.
- Risk-Free Trial: You have two weeks to evaluate a freelancer before deciding whether or not to hire them.
- Top Talent: You can’t go wrong with the “top 3% talent” because you’ll get good work regardless of who you’re connected with.
Cons of Toptal
- Higher Hourly Rates: Talented employees frequently have slightly higher hourly rates.
- Before you may pay freelancers, you must first pay a $500 deposit to use Toptal’s services.
- Because of the extensive verification process, there is a smaller talent pool than with other firms.
Upwork vs. Toptal
- Comparing Prices
On the surface, Upwork appears to be the most cost-effective option. They charge a 3% service fee, whereas Toptal relies on hourly margins to earn money. Its freelancers are often less expensive per hour than those on other sites.
Because of its service costs, Toptal is the most expensive alternative. Its skill is more expensive per hour than comparable freelance programming sites such as Upwork.
- Talent Evaluation
It’s difficult to determine how factual Toptal’s “top 1%” or “top 3%” statements are. The quality of their freelancers, however, cannot be overstated. Many freelancers have corporate backgrounds, having worked for firms such as Microsoft, IBM, Toyota, McDonald’s, and others.
Because this platform employs a thorough vetting procedure, you get what you pay for with those two meanings; their talent is approximately equal. If you’re looking for elite talent, you can use Toptal. The type of freelancer you’re looking for will make a big difference. Toptal offers graphic designers, but Upwork focuses entirely on developers.
- Comparison of Job Categories
In terms of work categories, Toptal and Upwork both offer the most variety. If you’re looking for highly specialized abilities, Upwork has a distinct advantage.
For example, if you need someone who has worked with a specific plugin or software, you may specify that as a requirement in your job posting or use search to narrow down the top prospects.
Regarding developers, Upwork has the upper hand because it is their bread and butter. That’s not to say you won’t be able to locate a good developer on Toptal; it just might take a bit more effort and investigation to find the right person.
Which is More Effective?
We’ve gone through the benefits and drawbacks of these two platforms; now, it’s up to you to determine which is best for you.
- If you are looking to save money, then
If you want the most cost-effective option and want to save money on the front end, Upwork is your best bet. With Upwork, you give up some quality in exchange for lower prices, but it doesn’t imply their freelancers are inept.
Their prospects are capable of producing excellent work. Just keep in mind that finding the proper individual is a lengthy process. Before truly unleashing the floodgates, carefully vet freelancers on Upwork and, if possible, delegate 1-2 modest projects.
One thing to keep in mind is the value of your time. How much time will you have to devote to examining proposals? Do you know the typical hourly pay for the freelancer you want to hire? Will you be able to interview freelancers on many Zoom calls?
What if the freelancer flakes out and vanishes off the face of the planet after just one week of working with them? These are the kinds of questions you’ll have to think about. While Upwork is less expensive on the front end, it might be costly in terms of management.
Toptal removes much guesswork and legwork from the freelance hiring process. In the long term, this saves significant time and money.
- If you’re looking for the best talent available
Toptal is a great place to hunt for the best freelancing talent money can buy. In terms of talent, their vetting method and exceptional track record put them at the top. And it is the most excellent platform for finding the best developers.
If You’re Looking for a Wide Range of Skills
Upwork and Toptal offer the most diverse range of skills and jobs. If you’re on a budget yet require a diversified talent pool with experience in a variety of industries, UpWork might be the way to go. If you’re ready to invest a little more, Toptal offers a diverse pool of expertise in various fields.
Ending Notes
Upwork and Toptal are great platforms, but they have unique features and pros and cons. If you’re looking for a more specialized or niche freelancer, Toptal may be the better option. However, if you’re looking for someone with a broader skillset who can help with a variety of tasks, Upwork is probably your best bet.
