Is Toptal the best option for finding a remote software developer? We might have an alternative for you; instead of hiring freelancers, why not hire remote full-time employees?
With the developers’ shortage in the US, the first option that comes to your mind is Toptal. After all, it is one of the top platforms in the IT freelance market over the past decade. Asking around, you heard positive feedback on its features and detailed screening. Also, you can access a wider talent pool and choose an option based on your business size.
It sounds efficient and safe, so why evaluate Toptal alternatives then?
First, a competitor analysis is always an excellent system to fully understand your possibilities. Secondly, following the global pandemic and the remote work revolution, there are other ways to widen your talent pool and find exceptional talent for your business, efficient and cost-effective.
Skip the challenges of the hiring process by heading to DistantJob’s hiring page and start by selecting the developer you need for your project (we cover over 100 tech stacks):
✔️ Contact us and let us know what developer you need
✔️ Once we understand your company’s culture, we headhunt globally to find you the right developer
✔️ In 2 weeks, you’ll start reviewing people that match your requirements.
✔️ Once you select the candidate, we handle all the contracts and payments from day 1. We also take the legal steps required to protect your IP.
Why Do You Need Toptal Alternatives To Hire?
Toptal is a freelancer marketplace connecting software developers, designers, finance experts, product managers, and project managers with thousands of companies worldwide. Founded in 2010, Toptal is one of the most popular hiring platforms, with over 500,000 companies in more than 150 countries.
However, there are some lacking areas where it’s a smart move to evaluate Toptal alternatives. Especially with a startup or small business, there are some weaknesses worth considering.
Here are three reasons why you should consider Toptal alternatives:
1. Toptal Costs
The first thing to keep in mind is that Toptal’s services come with a notable commission rate. If you want to hire a remote developer, the hourly rates can range from $80 to $200. A complete packet that guarantees an effective hiring process can weigh too much on the budget for startups and small businesses.
Additionally, Toptal’s initial deposit is $500, covering the first invoice to start the process. The company will return the warranty if the client doesn’t find the right candidate. However, deposits don’t cover the waste of time, and the hiring process slows down team productivity.
2. Inflexible Structure
Another point to consider is the rigid structure of the hiring contracts. Toptal offers a scalable solution for different business sizes, but customers have only a few options on the type of contract. For example, you can hire only 20 and 40 hour weekly contracts without customizing the agreement based on your requirements.
Additionally, Toptal doesn’t allow decreasing costs on long-term commitments and collaborations. If you want to hire a remote developer for longer than six months, Toptal alternatives are a better fit – unless you aren’t willing to pay extra commission all the way!
3. Lack of Direct Support
Toptal follows multiple touch-points before starting the hiring process, with a cycle taking from 1 to 3 weeks. Customer support has different contact points, rather than giving one reference. Usually, a company fills up an online questionnaire based on the business size. After that, a Toptal representative reviews the requirements with the client and starts the screening process.
Then, they pick the best candidates for your project and present them to the client for approval. If the candidate doesn’t match expectations, the representative connects the company with other candidates. This process can last longer than planned, and customer service isn’t always available.
Because of these three main reasons, for startups and small businesses, Toptal alternatives can be a better option for your project. When you build a team, a lack of support during the hiring process can slow down the company’s path. Additionally, a fixed contract can be a limit for a company that is starting a project. More flexibility in working hours contracts and lower agency costs can give you more room to adjust the team’s structure and build a solid company culture.
Toptal Talent Marketplace Alternatives
There are many Toptal alternatives on the market, following the same principles. They are:
- Flexiple
- Upwork
- Hubstaff Talent
- Gun.io
- Gigster
- Fiverr
- Guru
- Freelancer. com
But there is only one that knows the IT recruitment global market like no other: DistantJob. We are bias, yes.
At DistantJob, we have been IT headhunters for over a decade. Yes, we are also that old! During this time, we have improved our hiring strategies for the best remote developers worldwide.
Why DistantJob? Here are five reasons why we are the best Toptal alternative:
1. Full-time Remote Permanent Jobs
DistantJob is one of the first remote recruitment agencies. We have been improving remote hiring models for over a decade, and offering solid remote positions is how we got so far. Also, we have another winning card. We are specialists in hiring IT talent. Our policy isn’t just contacting candidates with job offers. Our recruiters establish long-term relationships with candidates, and as tech lovers, they talk to developers in their language. So, when we contact possible candidates, we don’t only know where to find them.
In the era of freelancers and temporary collaborations, we promote long-term contracts. And for a particular reason. We believe that great companies grow with great teams. That’s why we encourage long-term remote positions that suit our clients’ needs. With this stability, our sourcers can find more career-driven experts decreasing risk redemption.
We can solicit skilled and specialized talent from their current job – which for you means no limits in hiring possibilities. That’s why we offer stable and remote positions. Working remotely has countless benefits, and after this 2020 pandemic can even be considered a privilege.
This strategy sounds great for employees. But where are the benefits for an employer? Hiring a freelance is cheaper and requires less work on your side in terms of payroll and onboarding. Believe it or not, hiring full-time remote developers is a better option when looking for stable collaborations. In addition, you can trust our experience in the remote world. Here are some of the main benefits of hiring a full-time remote developer:
Engagement
A full-time developer will focus on your company’s growth. With a stable team, it is easier to build a solid company culture and stimulate engagement within team members.
Usually, freelancers commit to more projects at the same time. Indeed, this doesn’t mean that freelancers don’t deliver on time or cannot do teamwork. It just means that their focus isn’t only for you. And if you have an important project in your hands, relying on a stable and solid collaboration is the winning card.
Company Mission
Another reason why full-time programmers are a better option is collaboration and initiative. A software developer who understands your company mission will be more proactive in collaborating with the rest of the team and sharing ideas. As insiders, they will have a better overview of the project and what you want to achieve in the future. A freelancer, on the other hand, tends to work on specific tasks. Freelancers often deliver quality projects but don’t fully understand your company’s mission, values, and processes. Your full-time remote developer will.
Hiring Costs
Full-time hiring is expensive. We are all aware of it. Hiring remotely, however, gives you the benefits of looking outside the US. You can find IT talent who will work for you for a lower salary based on their local living costs. Freelancers can charge lower prices, but they often have lower rates because they want to work on more projects at once or need to improve their portfolios.
2. We Take Care of All Your Requirements
Our first concern is understanding your requirements and company culture. When we know what your business is about, we tailor our headhunting strategy to get the best fitting candidates for you. This policy sounds quite an ordinary step in a recruitment agency. But how German philosopher Ludwig Wittgenstein used to say: ‘the very things that are most obvious can become the most difficult to understand.’
Hiring a full-time developer is different from hiring a freelancer. As we mentioned, a freelancer isn’t an integral part of your team. And to a certain extent, they don’t need to integrate with your team or feel part of your company culture. When you hire someone long-term, you want someone who will become part of your team and mission. That’s why, for us, contract requirements and company culture are equally important. When we screen upon possible candidates, we try to imagine who will fit better with your team. It’s not only about finding skilled candidates; it’s also about finding candidates that will make a great fit in your team.
3. Recruit Skilled And Motivated Talent
As a fully remote company, we believe in the benefits of remote work far before it became mainstream. Our goal is to bring everyone together whether they live nearby or on the opposite sides of the world. And it worked better than we expected!
Remote positions aren’t just a way to save the company money. It’s also a strategy to build a solid team that will last in time. That’s why we offer long-term contracts. Based on our direct experience, working for a single company and contributing as an active team member keeps the staff focused, motivated and reduces burnout. In addition, remote work means that we can recruit worldwide without geographical limits.
4. Top HR Department & Hiring Process Support
When you decide to hire with us, we don’t just pass you over a list of possible candidates. An Account Manager will attend all the interviews to analyze the candidate’s responses. Our managers have years of experience in reading people during interviews, and they will help you understand who is the best fit for your company. This immediate feedback allows us to continuously improve our interview process and make the hiring process faster.
In addition, we like to do things at our best. So, our policy is to make a 360º Candidate Evaluation. All our candidates pass through a multiple-step evaluation in the recruitment process to filter their skills based on the client’s expectations and culture. And, if you think that a candidate isn’t a good fit, just tell us, and we’ll refine our vetting process for you.
When you find your ideal candidate, our job just begins. That’s right, our work doesn’t finish when you hire a new developer. Our HR team is the spearhead of our company. Our HR takes over all the candidate needs, from payroll and legal contracts to benefits and a professional working environment.
Unlike other agencies and marketplaces, we keep scheduling regular check-ins with hired candidates and their managers to receive two-way feedback. Based on this regular feedback, we ensure optimal performance, retention, and job satisfaction. And that’s what makes us unique in the remote job market: our care and passion.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a remote developer for a single project, a freelance platform like Toptal can be a good alternative. If your company isn’t investing in a development team, you can also look into outsourcing companies.
Any solution can be a good solution. However, if you are looking to build trust and long-term relationships, these options can waste time and money. Remember that it is better to spend a little more for an effective hiring process than to save a few resources and struggling with the wrong person.
Contact us and our brilliant team can find the best remote developer for you in no time!
