Software Developer applicants have rated the interview process at Toptal with 3.5 out of 5 (where 5 is the highest level of difficulty) and assessed their interview experience as 41% positive. To compare, the company-average is 38.1% positive. This is according to Glassdoor user ratings.
Candidates applying for Software Developer roles take an average of 22 days to get hired, when considering 82 user submitted interviews for this role. To compare, the hiring process at Toptal overall takes an average of 23 days.
Common stages of the interview process at Toptal as a Software Developer according to 82 Glassdoor interviews include:
Phone interview: 31%
Presentation: 20%
One on one interview: 15%
Skills test: 13%
Other: 6%
Background check: 5%
IQ intelligence test: 4%
Personality test: 4%
Drug test: 2%
Group panel interview: 1%
Here are the most commonly searched roles for interview reports -
I applied online. The process took 3 weeks. I interviewed at Toptal
Interview
The interview process is lengthy, but everyone was friendly, responsive and communicative.
It starts with a video interview to assess your communication skills in a remote-work environment. Next, there's an online coding test on the Codility platform. They have a preset threshold that I didn't quite pass, but they moved me to the next stage anyway. This was a live skills test over video chat. I found the questions substantially simpler than in the previous stage. However, this one is pass/fail and you need to complete each task before moving on. I failed one of the tasks and didn't get any further in the process. I believe they are generally happy for you to wait a few months then try again.
I'd recommend prepping for the skills tests via the Codility website itself.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
What do you think are the most important aspects to pay attention to when reviewing another team member’s code?
I applied online. The process took 2 weeks. I interviewed at Toptal (Cape Town) in Jun 2026
Interview
The interview process has been structured and professional so far. It started with the initial application and screening, followed by an online coding assessment with algorithm-style questions focused on correctness, edge cases, and problem solving under time pressure. After completing that stage, I was invited to schedule a live technical interview. Communication has been clear, with detailed instructions about the interview format, environment requirements, screen sharing, and expectations around working without external assistance. The process feels rigorous and time-sensitive,.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Write a function to return the maximum number of words in a sentence from a given string containing letters, spaces, and sentence-ending punctuation.
Tech screening and then tech interview, leetcode style questions. Then there was a take home project.. not in-person. all done remotely and online. Good interviewers, helpful, easy process and good communication
I applied to Toptal and I'm having an interview days later. What can I prepare for now? I wanna get some details or tips from you. Please help me with your toptal screening interview experience.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
What was the last project you have worked on and what did you do in that project?