Software Engineer - Anonymous employee Toptal Employee Review

3.0
Oct 13, 2016
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

* Access to many interesting projects with different technologies. * Clear process to taken on projects (as a freelance/contractor, that is). * Fast interview process * Events with other developers in the network.

Cons

* Way too many front-end or full stack projects to choose from - even if there are many backend projects, the ones highly dominating the spectrum are the front-end ones. Bad if you are a backend guy. * Can take so much time between project and project, depending on the client, the client & Toptal interaction (paperwork and similar), or the client can turn you down in the middle of the interview process. * There's a slight tendency to advise developers to keep their salaries relative to their region. This is not enforced but I was told a few times to decrease my fees as they are 'too high for your city/country'.

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Toptal Response
9y
Our goal is to ensure Toptalers have access to a variety of project types and opportunities, but ultimately project availability is a reflection of client and market needs. Client budgets also play a part, and that necessarily means working within client limitations when matching you to projects. Our team has extremely high standards around how quickly we can match you to jobs, but ultimately clients must have time to make decisions and set starts as appropriate for them. Finally, we also provide a variety of professional development resources for you to hone, update, and expand your technical skills so you can have access to a wider range of job opportunities.

Explore other reviews about Toptal

5.0
Jul 7, 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Professional and interested in quality work.

Cons

Not really a con, but more work waiting than hours allow.

1.0
Jul 3, 2026
Anonymous employee
Recommend
CEO approval
Business Outlook

Pros

Met some good dedicated employees and freelance workers.

Cons

Lack of any real industry solutions or capabilities since 100% of delivery services are freelance contractors. Model has been successful as providing staff augmentation to clients, but all intellectual capital and outcomes are owned by the clients or the freelancer. Toptal is simply a staffing platform broker who marks up the freelance talent. Great if you need a plumber, but not if you're planning to build a bathroom.

2
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