Note (October 2026): Turing and Gaper.io have since moved away from Toptal-style developer hiring, and the Ethereum token mentioned below belongs to Braintrust (BTRST), not Contra; the text has been corrected.
The best Toptal alternatives for hiring developers, as of October 2026, are Gun.io (managed, vetted developer shortlists), Braintrust (AI-powered talent network with zero talent fees) and Contra (commission-free network for independent creatives). Turing and Gaper.io, once close alternatives, now focus on AI training data and AI agent builds.
Key Takeaways
- Toptal says it accepts fewer than 3% of applicants and lists a $79 monthly subscription fee in its FAQ (October 2026).
- Gun.io is the closest managed developer-hiring alternative in this list.
- Braintrust charges talent zero platform fees and has its own BTRST token on Ethereum.
- Contra is commission-free for creatives; clients post jobs free.
- Turing and Gaper.io no longer present Toptal-style hiring services.
One of the most challenging parts of running any business is hiring reliable, verified tech professionals. This is especially true for organizations that do not operate in technology-related industries; however, in today’s digital world, modern technology is still necessary to run business operations smoothly.
To combat this issue, there are countless online, digital platforms for hiring software developers and professionals, with one of the most notable of them all being Toptal.
Promising to connect the best companies around the world with software professionals, there is no doubt that Toptal significantly eases the hiring process for many. However, many businesses still look for alternatives to Toptal, whether for price, specialization or a lighter-touch hiring model.
The following is a list of some of the best Toptal alternatives for anyone looking to hire software developers, checked against each company’s own website as of October 2026, along with client comments that were published for each of them.
Closest alternatives to Toptal
The best alternative to Toptal will rely on the kind of work that your organization is looking for and the preferences that come with it. Some may find that other platforms better suit their needs, for example because they offer a specialization that is not available on Toptal or because they cost less than Toptal for the same kind of work.
While some of these different options are very similar to Toptal, there are others that are still close alternatives, but have differences in certain aspects such as their business models.
Turing
When this article was first written, Turing was the Toptal alternative that most closely resembled the Toptal model of higher-end, heavily managed freelancing. As of October 2026, Turing’s own website describes the company mainly as a supplier of datasets, reinforcement-learning environments and human experts to frontier AI labs, and it recruits experts (including software engineers) for paid remote AI training and evaluation work. Its website no longer presents a service for hiring developers into client companies, so businesses that want a Toptal-style hire should confirm directly whether Turing can help.
Unlike Toptal, which also places designers, finance experts and project managers, Turing originally concentrated on web development, which meant a higher concentration of development jobs than on general freelance sites.
Testing to join the platform was extensive to ensure thorough vetting, and Turing used what it called an AI Matching Engine to match clients with developers.
Reviews for Turing
“We’re super excited about Turing as we will scrap our existing lengthy interview process and lean on Turing’s vetting to build up teams on-demand.” -via.
“Turing has been a valuable partner in helping us grow our team. We use Turing because it helps us quickly find great talent globally in the ultra-competitive market climate.” -via.
Gun.io
Gun.io is another developer-focused alternative. As of October 2026, Gun.io describes itself as an engineering governance layer that handles sourcing, vetting and delivery management for software teams, and it says it offers thousands of vetted software professionals.
The quality of developers that are on Gun.io’s platform remains quite high, and the company handles the majority of the initial onboarding and screening. Gun.io was historically known for a stronger focus on developers based in the U.S., which meant rates on the higher side, similar to Toptal. As of October 2026, its website says clients can access verified engineers from around the globe, with multi-currency payroll and tax compliance in 100+ countries.
Reviews for Gun.io
“Being able to find freelance support on short notice / with specific skills or expertise was easy with Gun.io. We jumped on a call to provide them with details of what we needed, and they sent out ‘job postings’ to their extensive network to see if anyone could fit the bill. The overall cost was reasonable, and they were quick to communicate via email.” -Michelle H.
“Gun makes the process of hiring a dependable, expert engineer incredibly easy. The communication through the entire process in amazing, and I was very satisfied with the end result. Will certainly be looking to use them again in the near future.” -Chris B.
Gaper.io
When this article was first written, Gaper.io claimed to work with only the top 1% of engineers from across the world and offered both part-time and full-time options. As of October 2026, Gaper’s website describes the company as an AI-native implementation partner that builds production AI agents, rather than an engineer-matching service.
At the time, Gaper.io said it used an AI-based system to match developers to clients’ projects. This article originally said Toptal required $500 upfront (credited to the first invoice) while Gaper.io had no fixed deposit and offered a 2-week risk-free trial. As of October 2026, Toptal’s FAQ and pricing pages do not mention a deposit, and Gaper’s current website does not list a trial.
Reviews for Gaper.io
“The engineers functioned as an extension of the in-house team. Not only were they adept at following instructions, but they also kept all parties up to date to facilitate remote work. Gaper’s project manager alleviated any potential burden from the internal staff. This made them ideal for startups.” –Jesper Faurby.
“Gaper was able to provide satisfying services for the client. The project management worked seamlessly with the internal team. Their approach to customer service is the hallmark of their service.” –David Cacik.
Contra
As of October 2026, Contra describes itself as a commission-free professional network for independent creatives, including web developers, AI developers, designers, video editors and social media marketers. Contra is far lighter-touch than Toptal: clients can post a job for free, creatives apply directly, and creatives get paid without a commission. The original version of this article also said Contra handles billing and invoicing; check Contra’s current terms for the details.
The original version of this article also said developers from Contra could be hired by companies full-time, off the platform (confirm this in Contra’s current terms), allowing for an easier adjustment of working arrangements based on your needs.
Reviews for Contra
“Wow the design here is gorgeous! Super helpful tactical knowledge to have too, as a founder who’s constantly hiring freelance talent for my company.” –Gavin D.
“This product is great. Love the design and simplicity of the experience and profile!! Can’t wait to add all my past projects !” –Samir Mody.
Braintrust
Braintrust launched as a decentralized talent network that connected clients with larger budgets to software engineers. As of October 2026, Braintrust calls itself an AI-powered talent network, cites 2M+ vetted professionals across 100+ countries, and sells an AI Recruiter (AIR) alongside its Talent Marketplace. This article originally said clients paid a 10% fee per invoice; Braintrust’s current pricing page says talent pays zero platform fees but does not publish a client fee percentage.
Braintrust (not Contra, as an earlier version of this sentence said) has its own cryptocurrency token, BTRST, issued on the Ethereum blockchain and also available on Base. The original article also listed payment options such as Transferwise, which rebranded as Wise in February 2021 and suits clients and freelancers whose preferred currency is not USD.
Reviews for Braintrust
“They’re very good at building relationships and making a more personalized effort, versus a business or robotic effort.” –Fred DeSota.
“When I first worked with them, they were a smaller firm, and have expanded since. This speaks to their quality. They’re creative, and also flexible and open to input from us. They don’t impose anything and there’s a lot of dialogue between us.” –Tom Xavier.
How Do These Toptal Alternatives Compare?
The platforms in this list have changed a lot since they were first compared with Toptal. The table below summarizes what each company says about itself on its own website as of October 2026.
| Platform | What it offers (as of October 2026) | Best fit |
|---|---|---|
| Toptal | Freelance network that says it accepts fewer than 3% of applicants; software engineers, designers, finance experts, product and project managers; trial period of up to two weeks; flat $79 monthly subscription fee listed in its FAQ | Companies that want a pre-screened freelancer fast |
| Turing | Datasets, RL environments and expert work for frontier AI labs; recruits experts for remote AI training work | AI labs, and engineers seeking AI training work |
| Gun.io | Shortlists of vetted developers plus contracts, onboarding, payroll and compliance in 100+ countries | Software teams that want a managed developer service |
| Gaper.io | AI-native implementation partner that builds production AI agents | Businesses that want an AI agent built, not a hire |
| Contra | Commission-free network for independent creatives; free job posts, creatives apply directly | Design, web, video and AI freelance projects |
| Braintrust | AI-powered talent network (2M+ vetted professionals claimed), AI Recruiter, zero platform fees for talent | Companies hiring skilled freelancers or automating screening |
What Changed Since This List Was First Published?
Two of the original five alternatives no longer work like Toptal. Turing now focuses on supplying data and human experts to AI labs, and Gaper.io now builds AI agents for businesses. Braintrust has added AI recruiting tools, and Contra positions itself as a commission-free network for creatives. Gun.io remains the closest in spirit to a managed developer-hiring service.
The client comments quoted under each platform were collected when this article was first written. They were not independently verified and may not reflect the current service.
How to Choose a Toptal Alternative
- Define the role first. Decide whether you need a full-time engineer, a short project or a specialist skill. A clear brief makes every platform faster; see this guide on how to hire remote talent for a small business.
- Check the vetting. Ask how candidates are screened (coding tests, live interviews, reference checks) and whether you can interview them yourself.
- Read the current pricing page. Fees, subscriptions and trial periods change; Toptal, for example, lists a $79 monthly subscription fee in its FAQ as of October 2026.
- Use the trial period. Toptal offers a trial of up to two weeks with each new engagement and says you are not billed if you are not satisfied.
- Compare with other models. An agency or outsourcing partner can suit larger projects; weigh the benefits of outsourcing software development and the trade-offs of hiring local vs. remote developers.
Before you hire, it also helps to know the essential skills of freelance web developers and the reasons freelancers turn down some clients.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best alternative to Toptal?
The best Toptal alternative depends on the work. As of October 2026, Gun.io is the closest managed developer-hiring service in this list, Braintrust suits companies hiring skilled freelancers with zero talent fees, and Contra suits design, web and video projects with commission-free freelancers.
Is Turing still a Toptal alternative?
Not in the same way. As of October 2026, Turing’s website describes the company mainly as a supplier of datasets, RL environments and human experts to frontier AI labs, and it does not present a service for hiring developers into client companies.
Does Toptal require a deposit?
Toptal’s FAQ and pricing pages, checked in October 2026, do not mention a deposit. The FAQ lists a flat $79 monthly subscription fee and a trial period of up to two weeks for each engagement.
How selective is Toptal?
Toptal says it accepts fewer than 3% of applicants to its network, which it markets as the top 3% of freelance talent.
Which Toptal alternative uses a cryptocurrency token?
Braintrust has its own token, BTRST, issued on the Ethereum blockchain and also available on Base. Contra does not have this token.
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