Hiring top-notch developers is crucial for any tech-driven business. Toptal is one of the leading platforms offering access to freelance software engineers. In a competitive market, finding the right talent can make a significant difference in project success and company growth. This blog will delve into the Toptal fees to hire developers, providing a detailed overview for businesses considering this service. Understanding these costs is essential for making informed decisions about which platform to use when hiring skilled developers.
Toptal fees: Understanding the pricing model to hire Developers
Toptal hourly rates and billing cycle for Developers
Toptal's pricing model is designed to connect clients with highly skilled freelancers, primarily in the tech sector. The hourly rates for developers are approximately $110. This translates to about $17,600 per month, assuming a full-time engagement, which would result in an annual cost of $211,200. Clients are generally invoiced twice a month, with invoices issued on Net 10 terms. However, it is important to note that these prices are not available on Toptal's website; they are derived from client reviews and feedback. Hiring a web developer through Teilur Talent would cost around $4,375 per month, or $56,820 annually, for a full-time professional.

For a front-end developer, Toptal charges around $500 per day, which translates to $15,000 per month or $180,000 annually. In comparison, hiring a frontend developer through Teilur Talent would cost around $4,375 per month, or $56,820 annually, for a full-time professional.

Hidden costs and transparency when you hire Developers with Toptal
Toptal's inclusive rates explained
The rates disclosed by Toptal include their fee, which means the talent sets their own rates, and these are then incorporated into the hourly rates charged to clients. At Toptal, the process begins with a $500 down payment, initiating the search for top-tier development talent. This deposit, reassuringly, is refundable, offering clients peace of mind with a two-week trial to ensure satisfaction with the provided services. However, Toptal does not publicly disclose these prices on their website, leading to a lack of transparency for potential clients. This absence of clear pricing information can make it challenging for businesses to budget accurately and compare costs with other recruitment services.

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.
Comparing Toptal fees and Teilur Talent to hire Developers
Cost transparency: Toptal fees vs. Teilur Talent for hiring Developers
When comparing cost transparency, Teilur Talent offers a more straightforward model with its $4,735 flat fee per month, whereas Toptal's rates include their fees within the hourly rate set by the developers. Toptal does not publicly disclose their pricing, which can impact a client's understanding of where their money is going. For example, a client hiring a developer through Toptal can expect to pay approximately $17,600 per month, translating to around $211,200 annually. In contrast, Teilur Talent's transparent fee structure would result in an annual cost of $56,820 for the same developer. Clear and upfront pricing models help clients make informed decisions and avoid unexpected costs. Teilur Talent's transparent fee structure provides a clear advantage for businesses looking for predictable and understandable pricing.
Developer compensation and turnover rates: Toptal fees vs. Teilur Talent for hiring Developers
Teilur Talent focuses on fair compensation for developers, which can influence turnover rates. Lower turnover rates can benefit clients by reducing the costs associated with retraining new talent and ensuring project continuity. High turnover rates can disrupt project timelines and increase overall costs, making it essential to choose a recruitment service that values and fairly compensates its developers. Toptal's compensation model is integrated into the hourly rates, with flexibility in engagements, but the lack of transparent pricing can make it harder to assess the true value.
Client flexibility and engagement terms: Toptal fees vs. Teilur Talent for hiring Developers
Toptal offers flexible engagement terms without long-term commitments, which can be advantageous for clients with fluctuating project needs. This flexibility allows businesses to scale their workforce up or down based on current demands. Teilur Talent also provides flexible terms but emphasizes transparency and fair compensation in its engagements. Understanding the engagement terms and flexibility offered by each platform is crucial for businesses to manage their projects effectively and ensure they have the right talent available when needed.
Conclusion
When considering Toptal fees to hire developers, it's essential to take into account the lack of transparency in their pricing model. Toptal offers flexibility and access to a broad range of skilled professionals, but potential clients may find it challenging to understand the full cost upfront due to the absence of publicly disclosed prices. Teilur Talent presents a solution to this issue with its transparent pricing model. By charging a flat fee of $4,735 per developer per month, which includes all fees, Teilur Talent ensures that clients know exactly what they are paying for and that developers receive fair compensation.
To explore the detailed recruitment costs and fees for hiring developers, we invite you to use the calculator below. This tool will help you make an informed decision that aligns with your budget and hiring needs.








