The wrong marketing hire can drain your budget, hurt your brand, and stall growth. Worse, choosing the wrong hiring platform only adds frustration, costing you time and money.
GrowthAssistant is one option but comes with high costs, rigid full-time commitments, and limited geographic reach. Fortunately, there are better alternatives that offer more flexibility, transparency, and control.
This guide breaks down the top GrowthAssistant alternatives so you can find skilled marketing professionals quickly and affordably.
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⚡️ Find developers, designers, marketers, and more
⚡️ Freelance or full-time remote + fully vetted
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What is GrowthAssistant and how does it work?
GrowthAssistant is a service that connects you with Philippines-based marketing candidates. You get a highly skilled marketer to handle tasks like ad management, reporting, and email marketing, without the hefty price tag of an in-house hire.
It works like this: GrowthAssistant vets and hires candidates, then matches a qualified growth assistant to your company based on your needs. You pay a fixed monthly fee; they handle payroll, benefits, and HR. It’s a plug-and-play solution for getting extra hands on deck fast.
Why should you consider GrowthAssistant alternatives?
While GrowthAssistant offers a simple way to hire offshore marketing assistants, it has some limitations that may make other platforms a better fit for your needs.
- Full-time commitment: Marketers on GrowthAssistant work 40 hours a week, which may not be ideal if you need part-time or flexible support.
- Expensive pricing: Starting at $3,000, GrowthAssistant can be costly for small and medium-sized businesses.
- Limited control: GrowthAssistant handles everything from sourcing to interviews, which may reduce your involvement in the hiring process.
- Freelancers based in the Philippines: It may limit flexibility in working across different time zones.
Top 13 GrowthAssistant Alternatives to Hire Remote Tech Talent
| Platform | Key Features | Pricing | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arc | Top 2% vetted marketers, instant AI matching, global talent, personalized hiring support, flexible hiring options | Hourly rate for freelancers; fee for full-time hires | Startups and tech companies needing vetted marketing experts |
| 1840 & Co. | Global talent, AI-powered recruitment, no job postings, detailed performance reports | Not disclosed; claims to reduce hiring costs by 70% | Businesses looking for outsourced marketing |
| Freelancer.com | Bidding system, direct hire, integrated project management tools | 3% fee on fixed and milestone payments | Companies needing affordable freelance talent |
| FreeUp | Pre-vetted top 1% freelancers, 24-hour matching, secure payments | $5-$75+ per hour, no startup or monthly fees | Businesses needing fast, high-quality freelancers |
| GrowthCollective | Vetted growth marketers, data-driven strategies, experience with startups and Fortune 500 | Not disclosed | Companies looking for full-funnel marketing solutions |
| HireDigital | Top 1% talent, managed teams, brand alignment experts | Not disclosed | Enterprises needing long-term digital marketing solutions |
| MarketerHire | Pre-vetted top 1% talent, AI-powered matching, quick hiring, two-week trial | Starts at $5,000/month | Mid-to-large businesses seeking top-tier marketers |
| Mayple | AI-powered matching, vetted experts, dedicated strategist, tailored solutions | $1,000+ for audits, $1,600+ per month for consultation | Small businesses and SaaS companies needing marketing strategy |
| Near | Latin America-focused hiring, AI-driven matching, payroll & compliance management | Not disclosed | US businesses needing cost-effective Latin American talent |
| PeoplePerHour | AI-powered matching, flexible hiring, milestone-based payments | Variable pricing based on freelancer bids | Businesses looking for flexible hiring options |
| Right Side Up | Flexible engagement, vetted freelancers with in-house experience | Custom pricing based on project scope | Businesses needing high-level marketing experts with flexible engagement options |
| Toptal | Top 3% of vetted marketers, quick hiring within 48 hours, two-week trial with free rematch | $79 monthly subscription + bi-monthly freelancer invoices | Companies looking for elite, pre-vetted marketing professionals with a trial period |
| Upwork | Flexible billing, built-in project management tools, vetted freelancers for Enterprise clients | Starts from 5% service fee, 10% service fee for business plan, and custom Enterprise pricing | Businesses of all sizes needing freelancers for short-term or long-term projects with flexible pricing |
1. Arc
Arc.dev is a top platform for hiring skilled marketers across a wide range of specialities. Whether you need experts in content, paid ads, social media, or growth marketing, Arc quickly connects you with the right talent.
Key features
- Top-tier talent: Only the top 2% make it through Arc’s strict vetting process.
- Instant matching: HireAI instantly matches you with the best marketer for your needs.
- Lower costs with global talent: Hire from 190+ countries and cut costs by up to 80%.
- Personalized hiring support: Get personalized assistance to find the perfect fit.
- Flexible hiring options: Choose between freelance, full-time, or contract-to-hire roles.
Arc pricing
Arc keeps pricing transparent. You pay an hourly rate for freelance work with no extra fees. For full-time hires, there’s a small fee based on the first-year salary.
Pros and cons of Arc
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Access to highly vetted, top 2% marketing talent | Designed for remote marketing hires only |
| Instant candidate matching through HireAI | |
| Cost-effective hiring with a global talent pool | |
| Dedicated hiring support | |
| Two-week free trial |
What our clients say
“Arc quickly delivered candidates that met our very high bar — it’s the best remote hiring platform we’ve used!” — Derrick Mar, Co-founder and CPO of Pathrise
2. 1840
1840 & Co. helps you build a top-tier marketing team with flexible hiring. Hire marketers, outsource campaigns, or bring on full-time professionals without the risks of in-house hiring.
Key features
- Global talent: Access marketing professionals in 150+ countries.
- No job posting: Hire expert marketers without the hassle of posting jobs.
- Data analysis: Track performance with detailed reports and insights.
- Vetted experts: Work with pre-screened marketers, including multilingual options.
Pricing
1840 & Co. does not disclose specific pricing but focuses on affordability through a mix of outsourcing and freelancing. They claim to reduce hiring costs by 70%.
| Pros | Cons | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sources top local and global talent with the help of AI | Lack of transparent pricing information upfront | |||
| Global hiring across 150+ countries | Requires relying on 1840 & Co. to recruit, manage, and train talent, which may reduce direct control | |||
| Up to 70% cost reduction |
What clients say
“The team completes tasks on time and goes above and beyond. I’ve been pleased with everything so far.” — Mike M, Owner of Carve Financial
3. Freelancer.com
Freelancer.com helps you hire marketing experts through direct hiring or competitive bidding. Access millions of freelancers skilled in SEO, social media management, content creation, and more.
However, hiring on Freelancer.com requires effort to sift through hundreds of profiles, which can still lead to bad hires. Arc simplifies the process by offering vetted marketers with AI-powered matching, ensuring you find the right fit without the hassle.
Key features
- Bidding system: Post a project and receive freelancer bids to find the best rates.
- Integrated tools: Track time, manage projects, and process milestone payments.
- Flexible payments: Pay hourly or set a fixed rate.
- Direct hire: An option to skip the bidding process and hire top marketers instantly.
Pricing
Freelancer.com charges 3% or $3 (whichever is greater) on fixed-price projects and 3% per milestone for hourly projects.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Access freelancers worldwide from 247+ countries | The bidding system may lead to variable quality among proposals |
| Competitive bidding system helps businesses find affordable rates | Varied talent quality means extra time and effort to evaluate freelancers |
| Integrated tools simplify project management and communication | The bidding model slows hiring with an overwhelming number of proposals |
What clients say
“I have been using freelancer since 2009 and it has always been a great experience whenever i was on the platform. The support team is great and very helpful and prompt in response.” —
Kevin Anchi, Freelancer.com client
4. FreeUp
FreeUp connects you with vetted marketers to handle everything from strategy to campaign management and optimization. Manage hours, billing, and future hires easily from your FreeUp account.
Key features
- Pre-vetted talent: Only the top 1% of applicants pass a rigorous screening process.
- Fast matching: Get connected with the right marketer within 24 hours.
- Flexible hiring: Find marketers for short-term tasks or long-term projects.
- Secure payments: Pay safely through FreeUp’s protected platform.
Pricing
Freelancers range from $5 to $75+ per hour. There are no startup or monthly fees. Pay hourly or at a fixed rate with no minimums.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Rigorously vetted, top 1% freelancers | You cannot browse marketers directly |
| Freelancer matching within 24 hours | No free trial |
| Built-in project management and billing tools | Freelance-focused, not ideal for full-time hires |
What clients say
“FreeUp knows the good quality of work. They bring in the best of the best when it comes to contractors. You know you’re in good hands. Scale your business and do it now.” — Michael M., FreeUp client
5. GrowthCollective
GrowthCollective is a network of top-tier growth marketers serving Y Combinator startups, SMBs, and Fortune 500 companies. They’ve helped top tech startups in the US and UK improve ROI across channels and funnel stages.
Yet, GrowthCollective might not fit small, one-time projects best. Conversely, Arc offers vetted talent and AI-powered matching for projects of any size, whether short-term or long-term.
Key features
- Growth-focused: Uses full-funnel, psychology-based experimentation and data-driven strategies.
- Diverse clientele: Works with both early-stage startups and Fortune 500 companies.
- End-to-end execution: Covers ideation, creation, optimization, and analysis of paid campaigns and A/B testing for websites and apps.
Pricing
Growth Collective does not disclose pricing details on its website.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Experience working with both startups and Fortune 500 companies. | May not be suitable for small budgets |
| Provides strategic insights and tailored recommendations for decision-makers. | No clear pricing structure provided |
| Data-driven approach to improving conversions and maximizing growth. | Focused on growth marketing, with limited expertise in other areas |
What clients say
“Growth Collective has an amazing group of expert marketers that help you focus on growing your business without charging top talent prices. Max works closely with you to figure out your needs and pairs you up with the best resources to accomplish your goals. Look forward to working with Max and his team again.” — Vincent, GrowthCollective client
6. Digital
Digital connects you with top software and digital marketing talent while offering agency-style services for enterprise and Fortune 500 brands.
Key features
- Top 1% talent: Only the top 1% of applicants pass a rigorous selection process.
- Managed teams: Specialists, led by a team lead, integrate seamlessly into your brand for long-term success.
- Brand stewards: Dedicated experts ensure alignment, consistency, and quality within your team.
Pricing
Pricing information is not explicitly detailed on the website.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Access to highly vetted, top 1% talent | Focus on enterprise clients might make it less accessible for smaller businesses |
| End-to-end hiring support, from talent matching to interviews | Lacks transparency on marketer vetting process |
What clients say
“Digital makes it work every single time, and the quality of work is second to none. You can be assured that they will always deliver, regardless of what is sent to them.” — Jackson Sim, Cluster Director of Digital Marketing at Marriott
7. MarketerHire
MarketerHire connects you with pre-vetted marketers through AI-powered matching. Their process is fast so you won’t wait long for the right candidate.
These services with premium pricing for vetted talent and personalized support. In contrast, Arc offers top 2% talent, global access, and personalized support at a more affordable rate for small and medium-sized businesses.
Key features
- Pre-vetted talent: Work with the top 1% of marketing experts.
- Quick hiring: Get matched with a candidate in 3–5 days.
- Effortless hiring: No interviews required; candidates are ready to start.
- Free trial: Try for two weeks with a free candidate rematch if needed.
Pricing
Pricing starts at $5,000 per month for the Starter plan, $10,000 per month for the Pro plan, and $15,000 per month for the Elite plan. Custom pricing is available for full-time hires.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Highly curated, experienced talent | No access to a talent pool |
| AI-powered matching for fast, personalized results | Not budget-friendly for startups or small teams |
| Personal support throughout the hiring process | No dashboard to track and manage hiring |
| Two-week free trial with candidate rematching |
What clients say
“MarketerHire was critical to keeping momentum behind our paid media strategy as we adjusted our internal teams and resources.” — Nick Kriz, MarketerHire client
8. Mayple
Mayple helps you find the right marketer without the hassle of sorting through endless resumes. Simply share your needs, and their team matches you with a vetted expert tailored to your goals.
Key features
- AI-powered matching: Connects you with the right expert based on your needs.
- Strict vetting process: Ensures high-quality, results-driven marketers.
- Dedicated strategist: Assesses performance and provides objective feedback.
- Tailored solutions: Custom marketing strategies for different business types.
Pricing
Mayple uses a tiered pricing model based on project scope and business needs. A one-time paid media audit costs $1,000, while an SEO audit starts at $2,850. Consultation begins at $1,600 per month.
Additional services, such as premium expert assistance, third-party tool integration, and competitor research, come at an extra cost. In contrast, Arc offers all these features at a lower price with no additional fees.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| AI-powered matching for precise talent selection | High pricing, especially for small businesses |
| Vetted experts ensure quality marketing support | No free trial, so you must pay upfront |
| Dedicated strategist for performance monitoring | Data-driven vetting may overlook cultural fit |
| Tailored solutions for small businesses and SaaS companies | Not ideal for short-term or one-time tasks |
What clients say
“They care and really listen to our needs as a company and continue to set calls to discuss future projects they can help with. Their customer service has been top notch.” — Stephanie B., Mayple client
9. Near
Near helps you hire top marketing professionals from Latin America with ease. It handles sourcing, vetting, onboarding, and payroll, so you can focus on growing your business while Near streamlines the hiring process.
Key features
- Comprehensive vetting: Every candidate goes through background checks, skill assessments, and cultural fit evaluations.
- End-to-end hiring support: Near manages recruitment, onboarding, payroll, and compliance for a seamless process.
- AI-driven matching: Matches candidates based on skills, experience, and cultural alignment.
- Fast hiring: Hire within 21 days for 70% less.
- Trial period: If unsatisfied, get a 15-day trial with a full refund (minus processing fees).
Pricing
Near does not disclose specific pricing on its website but highlights cost savings through competitive salaries in Latin America and lower overhead costs with its hybrid outsourcing model.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Cost savings due to lower salary expectations in Latin America | No transparent pricing information upfront |
| Fast hiring process with placements typically completed within 21 days | Limited focus on regions outside of Latin America for global talent diversity |
| Comprehensive support for payroll, compliance, and onboarding | Dependence for payroll and compliance may reduce direct control over employment |
| Cultural alignment and time zone compatibility with US-based businesses |
What clients say
“Hiring with Near has been a great experience and the talent that we got has been great! We love our Near hires.” — Seema Chacko, CFO of CyberFortress
10. PeoplePerHour
PeoplePerHour helps you find skilled marketing professionals with flexible hiring and payment options. Its AI-powered tool promotes freelancers based on platform activity to ensure you see the ones actively applying.
The talent on PeoplePerHour isn’t vetted or matched to your needs, so you’ll have to sort through profiles to find the right fit yourself. Arc simplifies hiring by providing pre-vetted candidates and AI-powered matching, ensuring you find the right fit without the extra effort.
Key features
- AI-powered matching: Connects you with freelancers based on skills, experience, and project needs.
- Flexible hiring options: Choose hourly, fixed-price, or project-based engagements.
- Pre-packaged offers: Access ready-made service bundles for quick and affordable solutions.
- Collaboration tools: Communicate in real-time, share files, and provide feedback within the platform.
- Escrow payment system: Payments are securely held until you approve the completed work.
Pricing
PeoplePerHour charges a service fee of £0.60 plus 10% on credit card payments or PayPal payments. Freelancer rates vary, with custom pricing available based on project scope.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| AI-powered matching streamlines the hiring process | Service fees can add up for larger projects |
| Flexible payment structures (hourly or fixed-price) to suit different budgets | Quality of marketers may vary, requiring thorough vetting by clients |
| Pre-packaged offers allow businesses to test services affordably |
What clients say
“PeoplePerHour in essence, is an extremely useful platform which helps users find someone to do a job for them easily, and the website is very easy to use. It’s quick to post a job and the messaging system is well organised and works very well.” — PeoplePerHour client
11. Right Side Up
Right Side Up connects you with top marketing talent to tackle your biggest growth challenges. Whether you’re launching a startup, scaling a company, or leading a Fortune 500 team, you’ll get a marketer with the right experience.
Key features
- Custom solutions: Get talent plans and curated matches designed for your specific business models.
- Flexibility: Hire freelancers, full-time employees, or agency services as needed.
- High quality: Work with vetted marketers, evaluated through proprietary technology and experienced in-house marketers to ensure top strategic and functional skills.
Pricing
Pricing is customized based on project scope and expertise. Right Side Up offers premium, competitive solutions but does not publicly disclose rates.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Access to highly skilled marketers with in-house experience. | Pricing details are not transparent upfront, requiring consultation to determine costs. |
| Flexible engagement models for short-term or long-term needs. | No free trial period |
| Personalized matching process for optimal results. | Talent is primarily US-based, leading to higher costs |
What clients say
“They have a strong network of marketers who can plug into an existing business operation very quickly. As I’m building out my marketing org at Yelp, I need specific expertise and I often can’t wait for FTEs, and Right Side Up fills that need really well.” — Dan Kimball, SVP of Marketing at Yelp
12. Toptal
Toptal connects you with the top 3% of digital, growth, and content marketing experts. Their highly vetted talent helps you achieve your marketing goals efficiently, whether for short-term or long-term projects.
However, Toptal comes at a high cost, whereas Arc provides a more budget-friendly solution with global hiring, giving you access to top 2% talent at a better value.
Key features
- Top 3% talent: Only the most skilled applicants pass Toptal’s rigorous vetting process.
- Quick hiring: Find and hire candidates within 48 hours with flexible scaling options.
- Trial period: Includes a two-week trial with a free candidate rematch if needed.
Pricing
Toptal charges a flat monthly subscription fee of $79, plus bi-monthly invoices based on the role.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Rigorously vetted top 3% talent | Subscription fee can add up for small and medium-sized businesses |
| Quick hiring with no candidate assessment required | Not ideal for short-term or temporary projects |
| Two-week trial period with a candidate rematch |
What clients say
“I love using toptal. I have used it for several projects and can always connect with a team to help me. Everyone I have worked with has been knowledgeable and efficient. I honestly have nothing critical to say.” — Adrielle Ahokas, Toptal client
13. Upwork
Upwork helps you connect with over 2 million skilled freelancers, including marketers. Whether you need a freelancer for a one-time project or long-term marketing support, Upwork makes hiring easy and flexible.
Key features
- Upwork Enterprise: Get access to handpicked, pre-vetted freelancers for an additional fee.
- Flexible billing: Choose hourly or fixed-price payments to match your budget.
- Large talent pool: Hire professionals across 90+ categories.
- Built-in project management: Track time, set milestones, and manage projects within the platform.
Pricing
The Basic Plan has a 5% service fee and includes AI-powered tools, project management features, and flexible payment options. The Business Plan charges a 10% service fee, offering access to vetted talent, consolidated billing, and dedicated support.
The Enterprise Plan provides custom pricing with advanced features like SSO, integrations, and compliance support.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Supports both short-term projects and long-term engagements | Finding high-quality marketers can be time-consuming due to the large number of freelancers |
| Flexible payment structures to fit various budgets | Higher fees for accessing vetted talent and personalized hiring support |
| Integrated tools for efficient project management and communication | No free trial period for testing marketers before committing |
What clients say
“Excellent communication and didn’t make any empty promises – fulfilled work to an excellent standard in a timely manner – would recommend!” — Upwork client
What to look for in a GrowthAssistant alternative
Hiring a marketing expert shouldn’t feel impossible, buried under endless choices and uncertainty. If GrowthAssistant isn’t the right fit, understanding your specific needs and priorities is the key to finding a better alternative.
Understand your needs
Before exploring options, define your requirements to streamline the hiring process. Decide if you need a social media marketer, influencer outreach specialist, or marketing lead. Different platforms excel in different areas, so clear requirements help you find the right fit.
Figure out whether a freelancer, full-time offshore employees, or contract-to-hire model is best for your business. Knowing this upfront saves time and helps you focus on the right candidates.
Key factors to consider
- Speed of hiring: Some platforms provide instant matches, while others take weeks. Choose one that aligns with your urgency.
- Quality of talent: Look for platforms with rigorous vetting to ensure you’re hiring skilled professionals, not unverified freelancers.
- Cost and pricing models: Opt for services with transparent pricing to avoid unexpected fees.
- Flexibility: Consider whether you can quickly scale your team or if long-term commitments are required.
- Customer support: Responsive support is essential if issues arise. Avoid platforms that rely solely on automated systems.
- Global reach: If you need talent across different time zones, choose a platform that offers a worldwide network.
Why Arc is the best GrowthAssistant alternative
Whether you need top-tier talent, cost savings, or a faster hiring process, Arc is the best alternative. With AI-powered hiring and human support, you can immediately skip the endless searching and start working with the right marketers.
What makes Arc different?
- AI-powered hiring with HireAI: Upload your job description and get matched with top candidates in seconds. No scrolling, no guesswork.
- Access to vetted global talent: Only the top 2% of applicants pass Arc’s rigorous vetting process, ensuring high-quality professionals.
- Flexible hiring options: Choose freelance, full-time remote, or contract-to-hire roles to match your needs.
- Significant cost savings: Hiring through Arc can save you up to 80% compared to traditional hiring methods.
- Human support and expertise: Arc’s dedicated recruiters guide you through the hiring process, so you’re never alone.
How Arc works
- Describe your project: Outline your needs, including required skills and experience levels.
- Meet your matches instantly: HireAI provides a shortlist of top candidates in seconds. Review profiles and schedule interviews.
- Kick off work: Start working with your new hire immediately, with Arc’s team providing ongoing support.
Hire the right marketer based on your needs
Hiring the right marketer doesn’t have to be complicated. While GrowthAssistant offers a solution, it may not fit every business best. Factors like vetting standards, pricing transparency, and global reach can make a big difference in finding the proper support.
With AI-powered hiring, top 2% of global talent, and dedicated support, you get the expertise you need by hiring with Arc. Whether you’re looking to scale your team, reduce hiring costs, or streamline the process, sign up for Arc today and find the right marketing talent with ease.
