Great marketers drive business growth. The right expert brings strategy, creativity, and execution that deliver real results, but finding them isn’t always easy.
MarketerHire offers vetted professionals, but its high costs and limited flexibility don’t work for everyone. Luckily, other options provide access to skilled marketers, often with more control, lower costs, and a hiring process tailored to you.
This guide highlights the best alternatives to help you find top-tier marketing talent that fits your budget and goals.
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What is MarketerHire?
MarketerHire connects you with pre-vetted marketers through AI-powered matching, so you get the right candidate fast without the wait. With pre-vetted talent, you work with the top 1% of marketing experts. Quick hiring gets you matched in just 3–5 days.
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.
Why consider other sites like MarketerHire?
MarketerHire is solid, but it’s not the only game in town. Looking at other options might make sense if:
- You want access to the talent pool: While MarketerHire vets freelancers and matches you with a suitable one, this also limits your ability to choose from a broader range of candidates.
- You need lower-cost options: The platform’s pricing can be high, and other sites may have more budget-friendly plans.
- Hiring Dashboard: You need an interface to track applications, manage hiring, and view close-match candidates.
- Flexible hiring options: You need flexible hiring models, including freelance, full-time, project-based, and fractional roles, with the ability to scale as needed.
Top 12 MarketerHire Alternatives for Hiring Elite Marketers
| Platform | Key Features | Vetting Process | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arc | Vetted marketers, instant HireAI matching, global access, personalized support, flexible options, a two-week free trial, and affordable rates. | Strict vetting process with only the top 2% passing | Hourly rates for freelancers; full-time hires require a fee based on first-year salary |
| Creative Circle | Studio and agency services, US-based talent, customized screening and interview coordination | Pre-interviewed candidates | Hourly rates for freelancers and full-time hires require a percentage of first-year salary |
| Fiverr | Global talent pool, customizable service packages, Fiverr Pro for premium talent, AI-powered hiring assistant (Fiverr Neo) | No vetting in basic plan, vetted candidates come at a higher cost | 5.5% service fee per payment plus $3 for small orders |
| Growth Collective | Data-driven growth marketing, comprehensive execution from ideation to optimization | Highly experienced marketers in the tech industry | Pricing not disclosed on website |
| GrowTal | Rigorous vetting process, freelancer rematch, US-based experts, accelerator packages for quick solutions | Proprietary multi-step screening process | 30% fee with no platform costs |
| Mayple | AI-powered matching, strict vetting process, dedicated strategist for monitoring, flexible service options | Data-driven process based on real results from past campaigns; top 1% candidates pass | Marketing strategy starts at $5,250; email marketing from $1,850; consultations from $1,600/month |
| Near | Comprehensive vetting, end-to-end hiring support, fast hiring, 15-day trial period | Comprehensive vetting including background checks, skill assessments, and cultural fit evaluation | Pricing not disclosed, but emphasizes lower costs due to Latin American salaries |
| Olivine Marketplace | Flexible pricing and scope, customizable hours, flexible hiring options | Marketers are vetted through a test project and interviews | Consultants set their hourly rates |
| Right Side Up | Custom hiring solutions, flexible engagement models, vetted marketers with in-house experience | Screened using advanced tech and in-house experts | Pricing not disclosed; requires consultation |
| The Starters | Flexible hiring, curated talent pool with pre-vetted professionals, quick hiring within 24 hours | Marketers vetted for experience, portfolio quality, and credibility | Starts at $195/month; freelancer rates begin at $40/hour |
| Toptal | Top 3% talent, quick hiring, two-week trial | Five-step process including language assessment, skill review, live screening, and test projects | $79/month subscription + bi-monthly invoices based on role |
| Upwork | 2M+ freelancers, flexible contracts, built-in project management, pre-vetted talent options at extra cost | No vetting; Enterprise Plan offers pre-vetted talent at additional fee | 5%–10% service fee, Enterprise Plan with custom pricing |
1. Arc
Arc helps you hire skilled marketers across 190+ countries worldwide. With AI-powered matching and personalized hiring support, finding the right expert in SEO, social media, event, or growth marketing has never been easier.
Key features
- Instant matching: Upload your requirements, and HireAI instantly finds your best match based on your needs.
- Top-tier talent: Top 2% of candidates vetted for communication, remote work, and technical skills.
- Cost-effective hiring: Global talent pool helps cut hiring costs by up to 80%.
- Free trial: Test the services with a two-week free trial to see if Arc fits you.
- Flexible hiring options: Hire freelancers, full-time employees, or contract-to-hire professionals with the flexibility to scale as needed.
- Personalized hiring support: Dedicated assistance to ensure you find the right hire without the guesswork.
Pricing
Freelancer’s rates start at $15 per hour, and you pay an hourly fee without additional costs. For full-time hires, there’s a small fee based on the first-year salary.
Pros and cons of Arc
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Save on hiring costs with a diverse global talent pool | Limited to remote marketing hires only |
| Two-week free trial to test the platform risk-free | |
| Hire from the top 2% of rigorously vetted marketing talent | |
| Get instantly matched with the best candidates using HireAI | |
| Personalized support throughout the hiring process |
What our clients say
“I’ve been so impressed with Arc. I’ve sourced former founders, senior engineers, and even CMOs in less than 72 hours. Working with the Arc team feels like an extension of our own.” — Chris Bakke, Founder and CEO of Laskie (acquired by Elon Musk’s X)
2. Creative Circle
Creative Circle connects you with top marketing talent in North America. Hire a freelancer or a full team with agency-style services. Their network includes strategists, designers, and content creators, all with strong client support.
Key features
- Customized screening: Candidates are pre-interviewed and matched to you based on your specific needs.
- US-based talent: Talent across North America for high-quality work.
- Flex benches: On-demand talent for shifting project needs.
- Studio and agency services: Fully managed marketing projects.
Pricing
Creative Circle’s pricing depends on the candidate’s expertise and project scope. Freelancers and team builds are billed hourly, invoiced weekly, with payroll and benefits managed for you.
For full-time hires, you pay a percentage of the employee’s first-year salary. If they don’t work out within 90 days, Creative Circle will replace them at no extra cost.
Pros and cons of Creative Circle
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| US-based talent for reliable, high-quality service | Serves companies in the US and Canada only |
| End-to-end managed services for creative projects | US-based talent is more expensive than in other regions |
| Flexible staffing solutions to match changing project needs | Talent pool isn’t openly accessible |
What clients say
“Our experience with Creative Circle has been exceptional. They took full ownership of our point-of-purchase production initiative and handled all associated deadlines with efficiency and professionalism. The team’s proactive approach and attention to detail have been invaluable, and we look forward to continuing our partnership.” — Creative Circle client
3. Fiverr
Fiverr connects you with freelancers worldwide for digital marketing services like SEO, email marketing, and social media. Originally built on a $5 pricing model, it now offers gigs at various price points, from quick tasks to premium packages.
Hiring on Fiverr requires more time and effort since candidates aren’t vetted, and low prices can lead to subpar results. On the other hand, Arc connects you with the top 2% of marketers at affordable rates.
Key features
- Global talent pool: A vast talent pool with freelancers across 700+ categories.
- Customizable packages: Select tiered service options that fit your needs.
- Fiverr pro: Access a dedicated hiring manager, vetted talent, and advanced project tools for a higher cost.
- AI-powered tools: AI-powered tool, Fiverr Neo helps find the right talent for your project.
Pricing
Fiverr charges a 5.5% service fee per payment, plus $3 for small orders.
Pros and cons of Fiverr
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Services start at $5, making it budget-friendly | Freelancers aren’t vetted, so you’ll need to invest time in evaluating their expertise yourself |
| Easy to use platform with search filters and AI tools for quick freelancer matching | Lower costs may mean varying quality |
| Detailed profiles, reviews, and ratings to help you hire with confidence | Vetted talent and dedicated hiring support comes at an additional cost |
What clients say
“One of the things I love about Fiverr is that we were able to look at a huge roster of really talented artists and bring in the right people for the right project.” — Stephen Baer, Co-founder and head of creative for The Game Agency
4. Growth Collective
Growth Collective is a growth marketing consulting firm specializing in helping tech startups develop their growth strategies. Their team of top-tier marketers has experience working with companies from early-stage startups to Fortune 500 enterprises.
GrowthCollective’s focus on full-funnel and psychology-based experimentation makes it less suitable for smaller projects. At Arc, you can tackle both complex and one-time projects with flexible hiring options and vetted talent.
key features
- Data-driven growth: Uses full-funnel strategies and psychology-based experimentation
- Comprehensive execution: Handles everything from ideation to optimization for paid campaigns and A/B testing.
- Versatile client base: Works with businesses of all sizes, from startups to Fortune 500 companies.
Pricing
GrowthCollective doesn’t disclose pricing on its website.
Pros and cons of Growth Collective
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Diverse experience working with early-stage startups and Fortune 500s | Best suited for larger budgets due to premium expertise |
| Data-driven growth to optimize conversions and maximize potential | Pricing details aren’t disclosed upfront, requiring consultation |
| Proven results with 5,100+ A/B tests run and $270M in ad spend managed | Specializes in growth marketing, with limited services in other areas |
What clients say
“I’m so glad we chose Growth Collective for our freelance talent needs. They were able to pair us with exactly who we needed and took care of all the frustrating paperwork. They really take the time to learn your needs and have an amazing pool of freelance talent to fit almost any scenario. Highly recommend!!” — Quintin Woods, Growth Collective client
4. GrowTal
GrowTal connects you with vetted digital marketing experts, ensuring you work with top talent. Whether you’re a startup or enterprise, you can hire full-stack marketers, interim CMOs, search engine marketers, and more.
But it requires an initial deposit, which can make you think twice, and there’s no free trial. Arc, on the other hand, requires no commitment and offers a free trial, so you can test before making a decision.
Key features
- Rigorous vetting: Every marketer undergoes extensive screening to ensure top talent.
- US-based experts: Work with high-quality marketers based in the US.
- Accelerator packages: Pre-designed bundles for quick solutions like sales strategy consultations or email automation development.
- Freelancer rematch: Get a replacement expert if unsatisfied.
Pricing
30% fee with no platform costs.
Pros and cons of GrowTal
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Variety of services, including growth audit, consulting, growth strategy, and execution | Unclear matching and onboarding process |
| Hire an expert within a week | US-based talent can be costly |
| Candidate rematch if unsatisfied | Requires a $500 deposit to hire a marketer through GrowTal |
What clients say
“If you need help with your marketing, GrowTal should be your first and only stop. Their vetting process is top-notch and experienced candidates can quickly be inserted into your team to hit the ground running. And if you are looking for paid search specialists they are best in the biz!” — Geoff Cudd, Owner of Don’t Do It Yourself
5. Mayple
Mayple connects you with vetted marketing freelancers and boutique agencies, using data-driven screening instead of reviews. With an average matching time of just 3 days, hiring marketers with Mayple is faster and easier.
Key features
- AI-powered matching: Connects you with the right expert based on your needs.
- Strict vetting process: Data-driven vetting ensures high-quality marketers.
- Dedicated strategist: A personal growth strategist monitors performance and provides objective feedback.
- Flexible service options: Choose from marketing freelancers, a full marketing team, auditing services, or consultation.
Pricing
Mayple uses tiered pricing based on project scope and business needs. Building a marketing strategy starts from $5,250, while email marketing starts at $1,850. Consultations begin at $1,600 per month.
Premium expert assistance, third-party tool integration, and competitor research are available for an extra cost. Arc, in contrast, offers all these features at a lower price with no additional fees.
Pros and cons of Mayple
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Custom solutions for small businesses and SaaS companies to drive effective results | Requires upfront payment with no free trial to test the services |
| Dedicated strategist to track performance and optimize results | Maybe too expensive for small businesses |
| AI-powered matching using 35+ factors for precise talent selection | Not ideal for small projects due to high costs and fixed package options |
| Data-based vetting for accurate candidate evaluation | Marketers may not be assessed for cultural fit due to data-driven vetting |
| Requires a 3-month commitment with a 30-day cancellation notice |
What clients say
“It was great getting industry knowledge from experienced professionals. We feel like we gained a ton of insight and created actionable plans to move forward with our strategy.” — Melaina B., Mayple client
6. Near
Near is a marketing talent hiring platform that goes beyond recruitment, helping you build an efficient hiring process and providing ongoing support after the hire. It also supports team expansion, including high-volume hiring and executive search.
Key features
- AI-driven matching: AI connects you with candidates who best fit your needs.
- Comprehensive vetting: Near marketers are screened for both skills and cultural fit
- Fast hiring: AI enables recruitment in just 21 days.
- Cost savings: Latin American talent reduces hiring expenses by 70%.
- Trial period: A 15-day trial with a full refund (minus processing fees) lets you test before committing.
- End-to-end hiring support: Interviews, payroll, and onboarding are fully managed for you.
Pricing
Near claims to cut costs by 70%, likely due to lower Latin American talent rates, but does not disclose pricing on its website.
Pros and cons of Near
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| End-to-end hiring support | Limited talent pool outside Latin America for global hiring needs |
| Cultural alignment and time zone compatibility with US businesses | Relying on Near for payroll and compliance may reduce direct control |
| Lower hiring costs due to competitive salaries in Latin America | No upfront pricing details available |
| Placement within 21 days |
What clients say
“When I check with the department managers, they all say, ‘It’s like 100 out of 10.’ The talent we’ve brought in through Near has been professional, articulate, intelligent, and absolutely the right fit for our team.” — Gillian Alvillar, Human Resources Director at Rankings.io
7. Olivine Marketplace
Olivine Marketplace is a platform to hire vetted product marketing advisors, consultants, and freelancers for B2B SaaS startups. They connect you with top talent and support the engagement to ensure a smooth, successful collaboration.
Key features
- Flexible pricing and scope: Choose a consultant based on your budget and experience needs.
- Customizable hours: Start with as little as 5 hours per week.
- Transparent contracts: Three-month minimum with monthly auto-renewal and a 30-day cancellation notice.
- Proven expertise: Consultants are vetted through Olivine Playbooks training, a test project, and interviews.
- Choose your solution: Full-service team, vetted consultants, or self-serve playbooks.
Pricing
Each consultant on Olivine Marketplace sets their hourly rate. The minimum commitment is 5 hours per week for 3 months, with the flexibility to scale up as needed. All plans are calculated based on 4.33 weeks per month.
Pros and cons of Olivine Marketplace
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Candidate rematch if unsatisfied | Not suitable for B2C businesses |
| Option to hire an in-house marketer | Limited to product marketing |
| Vetted marketers through training, test projects, and interviews |
What clients say
“Olivine’s guidance and support has been instrumental in positioning Elation to meet its growth goals. They are trusted partners with professionalism, sharpness, and speed that makes working together easy.” — Adam Farren, CMO at Elation Health
9. Right Side Up
Right Side Up connects you with top marketers, from executive-level strategists to fractional experts and full-time hires. They offer tailored solutions for startups, high-growth companies, enterprises, and investors to accelerate growth.
Key features
- High quality: Vetted, highly experienced marketers with strategic and in-house expertise from top brands.
- Custom solutions: Tailored marketing solutions, blending expertise, proprietary technology, and multi-channel strategies.
- Flexibility: Flexible engagement models, no long-term contracts, and rapid talent deployment.
Pricing
Right Side Up customizes pricing based on project scope and expertise but does not publicly disclose rates.
Pros and cons of Right Side Up
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Customized hiring plans tailored to your specific needs | US-based talent may come at a higher cost |
| Highly skilled marketers vetted through proprietary tools and industry expertise | Pricing details only available through consultation |
| Flexibility to hire freelancers, full-time employees, agency teams, and advisors | No free trial available before committing to the service |
| A talent pool of 10,000+ marketers, though other platforms offer a more diverse selection |
What clients say
“Right Side Up is the most versatile, strategic, efficient agency I have ever worked with in my 10 years in CPG.” — Laura Brooks, Director of Marketing, Solid Gold Pet
10. The Starters
The Starters connects you with vetted marketing freelancers, advisors, and full-time employees to grow your e-commerce business. You can browse and reach out to suitable candidates directly through their platform.
Remember that it has a monthly fee on top of freelancer rates, which start at $40, making it costly. Conversely, Arc is more cost-effective, with freelancer rates starting as low as $15.
Key features
- Flexible hiring options: Choose from freelancers, advisors, or in-house employees.
- Curated talent pool: Browse pre-vetted professionals with rates, availability, bios, and case studies.
- Quick hiring: Hire a marketer within 24 hours.
Pricing
Pricing starts at $195/month, with freelancer rates beginning at $40/hour.
Pros and cons of The Starters
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Quick hiring process | Monthly fee in addition to freelancer rates can add up quickly |
| Vetted marketers | No free trial |
| Specialized expertise in e-commerce |
What clients say
“I’ve been super impressed with the quality of talent on the platform.” — Jeremy Cai, CEO at Italic
11. Toptal
Toptal is a marketplace for top marketing experts, consultants, and managers. Trusted by top companies and startups, Toptal connects you with the top 3% of marketers through rigorous vetting.
Toptal’s subscription fee and $50,000 minimum project size may not be ideal for small and medium-sized businesses. Arc offers a more affordable solution with global hiring, connecting you to the top 2% of talent at a better value.
Key features
- Top 3% talent: Toptal’s rigorous vetting process matches you with the best marketers.
- Fast hiring: Hire within 48 hours and scale as needed, no long-term commitments.
- Risk-free trial: A Two-week trial and free rematching ensure you find the right fit before committing.
Pricing
Toptal requires a $79 monthly subscription fee, plus bi-monthly invoices based on the role.
Pros and cons of Toptal
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Every candidate is pre-interviewed and tested, allowing you to start working immediately | Not ideal for short-term or temporary hires |
| Rigorously vetted candidates for skills, language proficiency, and long-term performance | High subscription fees and project minimums may not suit small and medium-sized businesses |
| Scale up or down to match your evolving needs | |
| A two-week trial guarantees your satisfaction |
What clients say
“Simple, efficient, professional, risk free, delivered on every promise – takes everything that’s painful out of recruiting” — Neil Harvey, Toptal client
12. Upwork
Upwork offers a talent pool of 2M+ freelancers, giving you full control to browse profiles and choose the right fit without third-party involvement. It’s built-in project management and billing system makes hiring easy and flexible.
However, you need to sift through candidates on your own based on client history, and vetted marketers cost extra. Arc matches you with the top 2% of marketers and offers personalized support, saving you time and ensuring high quality.
Key features
- Extensive talent pool: Access to over 2 million freelancers across 90+ categories.
- Upwork Enterprise: Access to pre-vetted marketing talent for an additional fee.
- Flexible payment options: Supports both hourly and fixed-price projects, allowing you to choose what works best.
- Project management tools: Time tracking and billing tools streamline managing multiple projects.
Pricing
Upwork offers tiered pricing, starting with the Basic Plan at a 5% service fee, which includes essential features and unvetted freelancers. With a 10% service fee, the Business Plan provides advanced features, vetted talent, and hiring support.
The Enterprise Plan offers custom pricing with features like SSO, integrations, and compliance support.
Pros and cons of Upwork
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Works for both long-term and short-term projects with flexible contract options | Takes time and effort to evaluate candidates |
| Tiered pricing designed to meet various business needs | Access to vetted talent requires an additional fee |
| Built-in tools for easy project management and billing | No free trial; the only way to test marketers is through short paid projects |
What clients say
“Thanks for the great work. It gives me confidence to give you more work that will be bigger in size in volume. Looking forward to work very soon again.” — Upwork client
Tips for hiring the right marketer
Marketing can make or break your business, so you need someone who truly understands your goals, delivers results, and sticks around when things get tough. Instead of choosing the first person with a good profile, follow these steps to find the right fit.
Define clear objectives
Know exactly what you need before you start looking. Are you launching a product or growing an email list? Clear goals help you find a marketer who aligns with your strategy and delivers real results.
Evaluate experience
Not all marketers have the same expertise. A B2B SaaS specialist may struggle with e-commerce, and vice versa. Find someone with proven results in your industry to drive meaningful growth and improve your marketing efforts.
On Arc, all marketers are pre-vetted, so you don’t have to rely solely on resumes and portfolios to evaluate their experience.
Ask insightful interview questions
Forget the generic “What’s your greatest weakness?” Instead, focus on real-world scenarios to gauge problem-solving skills, creativity, and strategic thinking.
Try questions like:
- Can you walk me through a past campaign? What was the goal, strategy, and outcome?
- How would you approach increasing organic traffic for our website?
- What marketing trends impact our industry, and how would you adapt?
- How do you diagnose and fix the issue if a campaign isn’t delivering results?
Expert marketers will provide clear, strategic answers. They may not be the right fit if they struggle to articulate their approach.
Check platform support
Hiring platforms can save you time and effort, but only if you take full advantage of their resources. Instead of sorting through candidates alone, use platforms that offer expert guidance.
For example, Arc provides personalized hiring support based on your needs, ensuring you’re matched with the right marketer.
FAQs
How do I hire a marketer?
Start with clear goals. Define what success looks like, whether it’s more leads, higher conversions, or brand awareness. Look for marketers with relevant experience and proven results. Ask about past projects and how they’d tackle your specific challenges.
How does MarketerHire work?
MarketerHire matches you with a vetted freelancer based on your needs. Tell them about your project, and they’ll find your ideal marketer. Get matched in as little as 48 hours, with regular check-ins to keep everything on track.
Are there more affordable options than MarketerHire?
Arc is a cost-effective yet reliable alternative to MarketerHire, offering vetted marketers and AI-powered matching to save you time and effort.
Platforms like Upwork and Fiverr might seem appealing with lower costs, starting as low as $5 on Fiverr, but lower prices often mean subpar results and more time spent sifting through candidates.
How do different platforms vet their marketing professionals?
Vetting varies by platform. Top-tier options like Arc uses rigorous screening to assess technical skills, industry knowledge, and communication.
Some platforms use data-driven vetting, which may overlook cultural fit, while others rely on client reviews and portfolios, requiring more effort to find the right candidate.
Which MarketerHire alternative should I choose?
Arc is your best option for pre-vetted marketing talent at a lower price. While some platforms offer rigorous screening and others rely on client reviews, the right choice depends on your budget and hiring style.
If you want to find freelancers yourself, marketplace platforms offer affordability but require more time and may vary in quality. For a hands-off approach, agencies offer managed services but often come at a higher cost.
Choosing the Right MarketerHire Alternative for Your Project
MarketerHire offers vetted talent but at a high cost with limited flexibility. The best alternative depends on your needs. Wherever you hire, set clear objectives, evaluate experience, ask the right questions, and use expert support for a quality hire.
For example, Arc offers rigorously vetted marketers at an affordable price with global hiring, while some platforms with similar vetting tend to be more expensive. Budget-friendly options exist, but lower rates can mean subpar results.
Arc connects you with the top 2% of pre-vetted marketers through AI-powered matching. With global access, personalized support, and a two-week free trial, it’s a cost-effective alternative to MarketerHire. Sign up today to get matched with top marketing talent.
