Gun.io offers a talent marketplace that connects senior technical talent with exceptional companies, providing flexible engagement options and solving top-of-funnel recruiting challenges. However, the transparency of its pricing and fee structure often leaves businesses seeking clearer information. This article aims to dissect Gun.io's pricing model, and provide insights on how Teilur Talent's transparent and straightforward approach offers a distinct advantage.
Gun.io Pricing for Companies in the U.S.
Gun.io employs a fee structure that includes various charges for both freelancers and agencies. The roles typically range between $11k and $12k per month. Mid-level positions are priced at $75-110 per hour, and senior positions are priced at $110-145 per hour. Here are the main points:
- Freelancer Service Fees: The rate includes the company's fee.
- Minimum Commitment: 20 hours per week.
- Contractor Costs: Typically, Gun.io offers salaries without additional benefits for contractor roles. Full-time roles may include employees in benefits at the same cost.
These fees can add up, making financial planning more complex for businesses. For instance, hiring a senior developer at $130 per hour for a full-time role can result in substantial monthly costs. This example highlights the potential financial impact of Gun.io's fee structure.
In comparison, Teilur Talent offers a transparent pricing model that minimizes additional fees, ensuring that clients are fully aware of their financial commitments from the outset. This transparency reduces costs for businesses and fosters trust and predictability in budgeting.
Gun.io Pricing Review
A review on Clutch highlights some of the challenges faced when using Gun.io. The CEO of a company in the real estate industry reported spending about $4,000 on a project that ultimately failed. The deliverable was over-engineered and did not meet the project's needs, leading to additional costs and delays. This review underscores the importance of transparency and effective project management, which were lacking in this case.



Another review on G2 praises Gun.io for its selection of contractors and ability to handle both short-term and long-term projects. However, it also notes issues with cost overruns and the need for better communication about additional time and budget requirements. These reviews highlight the importance of transparent pricing and reliable support.

Our thoughts on the pricing structure of Toptal
While it's not possible for us to find details about how much of what a client pays ultimately goes to a candidate, we believe clients looking for transparent and straightforward pricing may want to look at other alternatives.
Our opinion is that if they are charging a client more than $12,000 monthly for a developer, they should at the very least be giving $9,600 to the candidate, but it's likely that it's even less than that.
What Hiring Managers Should Ask Before Choosing a Talent Partner
Before partnering with any talent provider — whether Toptal, Teilur, or others — hiring managers should consider asking the following key questions:
- What percentage of the fee actually goes to the talent?
- Are replacement or satisfaction guarantees included in the contract?
- How are regional salary benchmarks determined?
- Is there full transparency in how rates are broken down?
- What is the long-term cost difference between hiring directly and through a platform?
These questions can help businesses make informed decisions and ensure that pricing aligns with both market realities and ethical compensation practices.
Conclusion
While both Gun.io and Teilur Talent offer valuable services in tech talent outsourcing, client experiences highlight critical areas for improvement in Gun.io's transparency and cost management. Teilur Talent emerges as the superior alternative, embodying the principles of clarity, efficiency, and predictability in every client interaction. If pricing transparency is important for you, consider a company that has transparent rate policies like Teilur Talent.
Explore our transparent pricing model with our price calculator below and see how you can benefit from our services.








