Is Toptal Legit? Pros and Cons of Using Toptal

Did you know that 36% of US workers take part in the gig economy?

One of the emerging gig platforms is Toptal. Businesses now have the option to use this platform to help with their projects, but the question is— is it legit? Can you really trust this platform to deliver reliable talent?

Let's explore this further.

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What Is Toptal?

Founded by Taso Duval in 2010, Toptal stands for "top talent.” It is a gig platform often used for short-term or project-based work. 

56% of gig economy workers in the US are reported to have two or more jobs or projects. So when looking for top-notch professionals to help you scale, you may have to consider this. 

Toptal can connect you with some of the best freelance workers. These include software developers, designers, finance experts, product and project managers, and more.

But if you want to add skilled talent to your team for the longer-term, partner with MultiplyMii! We are remote staffing experts who can help connect with your ideal candidates (while saving on costs).

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How Do Businesses Use Toptal?

Toptal makes things simple. They closely examine your project's needs and match you with experts who have the right skills and experience and are available within your budget. Plus, there's no risk involved. If you end up not hiring anyone, you get your money back. And there's even a free trial to sweeten the deal.

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Here's how you can use Toptal in three steps:

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Step 1: Chat with Toptal experts

First, you'll talk to Toptal's industry experts. They'll dive deep to understand what you're after, from the big picture down to the nitty-gritty. They'll also check your technical needs and what traits you're looking for in a team member.

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Step 2: Find your perfect match

Next, you get to try working with your new team member on a trial basis. You only pay if you're happy with the work, making sure you find the right person for your project without any stress.

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Step 3: Get connected and start working

Finally, Toptal connects you with the best talent for your project quickly—in days, not weeks. This way, you can focus on getting the job done with someone who's truly hand-picked for your needs.

Still, before you use the platform, you must clearly know what you're getting yourself into.

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A Toptal Review: Pros and Cons of Using It

If you’re looking for an easy way to connect with freelancers, Toptal stands out for several reasons. 

Let's look at the pros and cons you may encounter when using the platform:

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Pros

Professional talent: Toptal freelancers are not just skilled but also professional and easy to work with. Thanks to their continuous quality checks and personality assessments, you're more likely to work with hardworking individuals.

‍Personalized matches: Toptal uses both AI and human insights to understand your project needs and match you with freelancers based on experience, pricing, and availability. This approach saves you time and effort in finding the right fit.

‍Hassle-free process: From selection to invoicing, Toptal handles the bulk of the admin work, allowing you to focus on working with your chosen freelancer to move your project forward.

‍Minimal risk: With Toptal, the risk is low. If you don't end up hiring, you get your down payment back. Plus, there's a free trial period, and Toptal ensures freelancers are held accountable for their work.

‍Flexible hiring: Whether you need someone remote or prefer on-site collaboration, Toptal accommodates both preferences.

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Cons

Higher costs: Quality comes at a price. Toptal's services are pricier than other platforms, and an initial $500 deposit is required to start. This setup might not suit smaller budgets or projects.

With the help of MultiplyMii, achieve savings up to 83% (depending on the role) without compromising! Grab a copy of our FREE salary guide to know more.

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Limited creative fields: While Toptal excels in technical, financial, and managerial roles, it's not the go-to for hiring creatives in areas like writing, photography, or music. Though some creative professionals are available, options are more limited.

‍Opaque talent pool: Accessing detailed information about available talent requires creating an account and submitting project details, which means you can't freely browse potential freelancers as you might on other platforms. This leaves you at risk of ghosting.

While platforms like Toptal have their own measures, this doesn’t eliminate the possibility of facing this challenge. According to an Indeed poll, 78% of job seekers have ghosted their prospective employers.

Toptal presents an option for businesses looking for high-quality freelance talent, particularly for technical, financial, or managerial roles. The platform's rigorous screening process and personalized matching make it a strong choice, though it might not suit all budgets or creative hiring needs.

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Is Toptal Legit?

To put it simply, Toptal is not a scam. After all, getting accepted into the platform as a talent isn't quick. It can take up to five weeks to get the thumbs up after being reviewed.

Here’s a peek at Toptal's hiring steps:

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Language and personality interview

They check if the talent can communicate effectively and mesh well personality-wise.
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• Communication skills: Toptal recognizes the importance of effective communication in a remote and freelance environment. During this interview, they assess the candidate's ability to articulate ideas clearly, both verbally and in writing.
• Personality compatibility: Apart from technical skills, Toptal values a good fit in terms of personality and work culture. They aim to create a cohesive and collaborative environment, so they assess how well the candidate can integrate with the company's values and expectations.

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In-depth skill review

This is where technical skills get a deep dive.
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• Technical proficiency: This step involves a thorough examination of the candidate's technical skills. Toptal assesses the depth of the freelancer's knowledge and proficiency in the relevant areas. This could include coding exercises, problem-solving scenarios, or discussions about past projects to evaluate hands-on experience.
• Expertise assessment: Toptal seeks to connect clients with experts in their respective fields. This stage ensures that freelancers possess the level of expertise required to meet the high standards set by Toptal and its clients.

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Live screening

Toptal includes a live screening to simulate a working environment. This involves putting freelancers in real-time situations or scenarios that mimic the challenges they might face while working on client projects. The purpose is to evaluate how well candidates can handle pressure, think on their feet, and perform in a dynamic work setting.

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Test projects

Candidates are often given practical assignments or test projects that mirror the kind of work they would be doing for Toptal clients. These assignments allow talents to showcase their actual abilities and give Toptal a tangible demonstration of their skills.

This step is crucial in gauging the freelancer's ability to deliver high-quality work within the specified timeframes. Toptal evaluates the completed test projects to ensure they meet the standards expected by clients.

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Build Long-Term Success with Remote Talent

Are you looking to thrive in today’s business environment?

Let MultiplyMii be your trusted partner in this journey!

As staffing experts with a decade of experience, we excel in connecting businesses with exceptional talent. 

What sets us apart is our commitment to versatility. We treat your business's unique needs as our own and ensure they are met without compromise!

Build a foundation for enduring success with our remote staffing solutions.

‍Book a consultation today!