Reasonable pricing but no vetting or support. Vetted talent but with high costs. There’s always a tradeoff when hiring remote talent, and you have to set your priorities accordingly. If you’re comparing Toptal vs Upwork, you’re in the right place.
This guide breaks down the key differences and shows how Arc sits in the middle, so you don’t have to compromise on quality or budget. By the end, you’ll understand each platform’s offerings and costs and which best fits your project.
Looking for top talent fast? See how Arc can help you:
⚡️ Find developers, designers, marketers, and more
⚡️ Freelance or full-time remote + fully vetted
⚡️ Save up to 80% with global hires
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Toptal vs Upwork vs Arc TL;DR
Getting to know Toptal vs Upwork vs Arc
Toptal
Toptal connects you with the top 3% of freelance talent, including software developers, marketing experts, designers, and finance experts. Its strict vetting process ensures only highly skilled professionals make the cut.
Unlike other Arc and Upwork, Toptal doesn’t offer a resume database or search filters. Instead, it matches you with freelancers based on your needs. Once a match is found, a Toptal expert will guide you through the next steps.
Toptal is ideal for companies that need top-tier talent and are willing to invest in quality.
Upwork
Upwork is one of the largest freelance platforms, connecting you with a global network of freelancers across a wide range of categories. Its open model lets you post jobs, browse freelancers, and hire directly.
Upwork Enterprise provides an exclusive network of pre-vetted freelancers access for an extra fee. However, unlike Arc and Toptal, vetted talent isn’t a standard part of the hiring process.
Upwork includes built-in project management tools like time tracking and milestone payments. It’s a great option if you need flexibility, a large talent pool, and cost-effective hiring.
Arc
Arc gives you instant access to top remote developers, designers, marketers, product managers, project managers, and assistants without the hassle. Just upload your job description, and HireAI delivers a curated list of skilled candidates in seconds.
Unlike Upwork, there’s no need to spend hours sorting through profiles. And unlike Toptal, Arc provides vetted talent at a price that fits any business size. With professionals from 190+ countries, Arc helps you hire at lower rates than local hires in high-cost regions.
You can save up to 80% hiring top talent. Whether you need freelance, contract-to-hire, or full-time talent, Arc lets you tailor your hiring strategy to minimize overhead with expert recruiters who are always available to assist.
Read More: Remote Developer Salary Calculator compares salaries in different regions
Toptal vs Upwork vs Arc: Pricing and fees
Knowing the platform fees upfront helps you avoid surprises after making your decision. Below are the pricing structures for each platform.
Toptal fees & pricing
Toptal uses a premium pricing model to match businesses with top-tier talent. It charges a $79 monthly platform fee and invoices you twice a month based on freelancer roles. Invoices follow Net 10 terms, allowing time for review before processing.
Freelancer rates are not publicly listed, but customer reviews estimate an average of $100–$149 per hour.
Upwork fees & pricing
Upwork charges a tiered pricing structure to accommodate different budgets and business needs. The basic plan includes a 5% service fee for AI-powered features, project management tools, reporting, and flexible payment options.
The business plan charges a 10% service fee, including experienced freelancers, consolidated billing, a dedicated advisory team, and detailed reporting. It also offers monthly invoicing with Net 30 terms for easier financial management.
The enterprise plan has custom pricing and provides advanced features. It includes SSO and integrations with VMS, ATS, and HRIS systems, hiring pre-approvals, talent onboarding workflows, customized reporting, and compliance services.
Arc fees & pricing
Arc keeps pricing simple with the freelancers hourly rates, typically ranging from $15 to $110+, depending on role, expertise, and location. For full-time hires, Arc charges a one-time fee based on the first year’s salary, with the typical standard rate being 20%.
With no extra fees, Arc offers a cost-effective way to hire top talent without sacrificing quality. With global hires, Arc further reduces costs by providing access to professionals in lower-cost regions, allowing you to save while ensuring seamless remote collaboration.
Read More: Freelance Developer Rate Explorer: How Much Do Freelance Developers Charge Per Hour?
Vetted talent comparison: Toptal vs Upwork vs Arc
When comparing Toptal, Upwork, and Arc, it’s important to consider how each platform checks the skills of their freelancers to ensure they are high quality.
Toptal vetting
Toptal’s screening process begins with a language and personality assessment to evaluate English proficiency and ensure candidates are engaged and passionate about their work.
Next, applicants undergo an in-depth skill review, testing their technical knowledge and problem-solving abilities. Only those with exceptional results move forward.
Candidates then participate in a live screening with domain experts, followed by a test project lasting 1–3 weeks to assess specialized skills, real-world experience, professionalism, and integrity.
Only the top 3% of candidates make it to this stage. Once accepted, Toptal freelancers must maintain continued excellence, ensuring you receive top-tier performance in every project.
Upwork vetting
Upwork only provides access to vetted freelancers for the Enterprise plan. The vetting process is led by experienced Talent Managers with industry expertise and a proven track record of identifying top professionals.
Unlike automated sorting, Upwork’s vetting relies on human expertise. Talent Managers conduct in-depth assessments, leveraging their knowledge of industry trends and best practices to ensure only the most qualified freelancers are selected.
Arc vetting
Arc follows a strict vetting process, assessing English communication and technical skills based on the talent’s expertise. This ensures you get pre-qualified talent, saving time and reducing hiring risks.
Every candidate undergoes English fluency assessments to guarantee strong communication skills and evaluations of their distributed work experience, ensuring they can collaborate effectively across time zones.
Arc selects the top 2% of applicants through rigorous testing, making it even more selective than Toptal’s top 3%. In contrast, Upwork’s optional vetting through Upwork Enterprise may limit choices for small businesses looking for pre-vetted talent.
Read More: Freelance vs In-House Developers: Pros & Cons of Hiring or Contracting
Trial periods: Toptal vs Upwork vs Arc
Trial periods are important to see if a freelancer’s skills and work style fit your project, especially for larger or more complex tasks.
Toptal trial period
Toptal gives you a risk-free trial of up to two weeks, so you can be sure you’re hiring the right expert. If you’re satisfied, billing starts, and the engagement continues as long as you need.
If not, you won’t be charged. You can either end the process or try another expert with a new no-risk trial.
Upwork trial period
Upwork doesn’t offer a formal trial period, but you can start with a small project to evaluate a freelancer’s skills before committing to larger, more complex tasks.
Arc trial period
Arc offers a two-week trial period for hiring freelancers, giving you time to evaluate a freelancer’s fit. If you’re unsatisfied, simply notify Arc, and we’ll match you with another candidate at no extra cost.
Both Toptal and Arc provide risk-free trials, but Arc extends its trial period to three months for full-time hires. Upwork, on the other hand, doesn’t provide a formal trial, requiring you to assess freelancers through smaller projects instead.
Read More: 10+ Things to Consider BEFORE Hiring a Freelance Software Developer
Toptal vs Upwork vs Arc: Billing comparison
Billing is important for businesses managing projects with varying budgets. Here’s how Toptal, Upwork, and Arc handle billing, each offering a different approach to meet different financial needs.
Toptal billing
Toptal’s billing process is designed for premium service, allowing you to negotiate rates directly with freelancers. Due to the platform’s top-tier talent, hiring through Toptal requires a significant financial commitment.
Upwork billing
Upwork’s billing system is flexible, offering both hourly and fixed-price options to suit different project needs and budgets.
For hourly contracts, you pay based on the freelancer’s recorded hours in their work diary. Fixed-price contracts allow upfront or milestone-based payments, giving you more control over your budget.
Arc billing
Arc keeps billing simple so you can stay focused on your project. Freelancers log hours daily, and you receive weekly invoices with no hidden fees. This straightforward system makes financial management easy, especially for small businesses.
Billing structures vary across platforms. Toptal’s premium pricing reflects its top-tier talent and custom contracts, while Upwork offers flexibility with hourly and fixed-price options. Arc stands out with clear, fee-free billing that removes surprises and streamlines costs.
Read More: Good Developers Don’t Always Make Good Freelance Developers
Beyond the Basics: Toptal vs Upwork vs Arc
Platform interface and user experience
Toptal: Streamlined and user-friendly
Toptal’s platform is designed for simplicity, making it easy to connect with talented freelancers. Its sleek interface streamlines your interaction with freelancers, ensuring a smooth hiring process.
However, Toptal doesn’t offer candidate search filters or a resume database. Instead, you receive an alert when a match is found, and a Toptal expert contacts you to discuss the next steps.
Upwork: Feature-rich and easy to manage
Upwork has an easy-to-use interface with built-in tools to track freelancer hours, billing, and more. You can also browse freelancer portfolios, view past reviews, and manage job applications within a centralized dashboard, making managing freelancers easier.
Arc: Precision and efficiency
Arc is designed for founders and team leads at startups and fast-growing companies that need to hire top freelance and full-time remote talent quickly. The platform is intuitive and easy to use, connecting you with pre-vetted talent worldwide.
With a focus on speed and accuracy, Arc handles hiring while HireAI delivers fast, precise candidate matches tailored to your needs and budget.
Unlike competitors, Arc combines a strong network of vetted tech talent with a seamless, user-friendly experience, making it the ideal choice for tech leaders who need expert hires on demand.
Here’s what our clients say about our platform:
“Arc was a great experience! The layout is user-friendly, making it easy to find what I needed. Customer support was quick and helpful, and I appreciated how smooth the overall process felt.”
Project management and collaboration tools
Toptal: Seamless integration for collaboration
Toptal goes beyond connecting you with top freelancers by integrating project management and collaboration tools for seamless workflow. The platform ensures efficient communication, progress tracking, and a collaborative environment that enhances project success.
With invoicing, timesheets, and payments built in, Toptal makes financial management easy. You get a centralized view of all projects, detailed productivity reports, and effortless time tracking from any device.
For managed projects, you can define tracking controls, while freelancers set their own for individual projects, giving both parties flexibility and transparency.
Upwork: Comprehensive tools for all projects
The Upwork Desktop App streamlines project management through time tracking, seamless communication, and better collaboration. You can easily review freelancer hours for hourly contracts, ensuring accurate payments and financial transparency.
The app also supports direct messaging through chat, video, and voice calls, making it easier to stay connected. Built-in payment protection adds an extra layer of security, ensuring smooth transactions and protecting your investment.
Arc: Tailored for tech
Arc is built for tech teams, making it easy for you to find and collaborate with top tech talent. The platform connects you with pre-vetted talent while ensuring smooth communication and project management.
Arc provides a clear dashboard where you can view shortlisted candidates, their profiles, expertise, and match scores. You can also track candidates at different stages of the hiring process, giving you a complete, organized view for easy decision-making.
Customer support
Toptal: Personalized and dedicated support
Toptal provides dedicated customer support with expert guidance at every stage of hiring. Their team offers in-depth knowledge and personalized assistance to help you navigate the platform and resolve any issues.
From choosing the right freelancer to managing your project, Toptal ensures a smooth experience with reliable support every step of the way.
Upwork: Comprehensive but varied support
Upwork provides customer support through self-help resources, community forums, and direct channels, but personalization is limited.
Personalized support is available only to enterprise plan users, who receive a dedicated Upwork team member to guide them through each step of the hiring process.
Arc: Targeted support for tech teams
You get hands-on support from expert recruiters and a team that understands your projects. This specialized guidance helps you find the right talent, tackle challenges, and collaborate seamlessly with Arc freelancers.
Unlike Upwork, where you aren’t provided personalized help and have to sift through portfolios yourself, or Toptal, which comes with high costs for its premium services, Arc delivers a faster, more affordable hiring experience.
Arc’s focus on personalized service has earned a 92% customer satisfaction rate and a 4.5/5 Trustpilot rating. Paired with Arc’s intuitive interface, this support makes hiring top freelancers and managing projects effortless.
Here’s what our clients say:
“From the onboarding process, to finding and working with the best Developer(s) for my project, everything has been amazing. Any questions I’ve ever had have been thoroughly answered and the customer service is unparalleled.”
Making the right choice for your Projects: Upwork vs Toptal vs Arc
Choosing the right freelance platform depends on your needs and project goals. Upwork, Toptal, and Arc each offer unique advantages, making them ideal for different hiring situations. Here’s when to choose each:
Toptal: Vetted talent for key projects
Toptal’s strict vetting process selects only the top 3% of freelancers, making it ideal for high-stakes projects that require top-tier expertise. If you need the best talent and are willing to invest in premium quality, Toptal delivers industry-leading professionals.
However, Toptal’s high costs may not be the best fit if you’re a small or medium-sized business looking for a more budget-friendly option.
Arc, on the other hand, provides access to the top 2% of talent with no extra cost or platform fees. You still get personalized hiring support and free candidate rematches, ensuring you find the right fit without the high price tag.
Upwork: Flexibility and diversity
If you want flexibility, Upwork gives you access to a wide range of freelancers at different price points. It’s a great choice for entrepreneurs needing flexible freelancers for one-off tasks while controlling costs.
However, this flexibility comes at the cost of not having personalized support. You’ll need to find and vet freelancers yourself. If you want access to vetted professionals, you’ll have to upgrade to the Enterprise plan, which comes with additional costs.
To ensure quality while staying within budget, Arc connects you with interview-ready talent at no extra fee. Plus, you get personalized hiring support to help you find the right fit faster.
Arc: Specialized expertise in tech teams
Arc is a global marketplace for top remote talent, specializing in tech roles like developers, designers, and marketers. Whether you need freelance, full-time, or contract-to-hire professionals, Arc connects you with vetted experts in days, not months.
For complex tech projects, Arc simplifies hiring by removing job ads and resume screening. If you need top tech talent fast, Arc’s HireAI instantly matches you with qualified, interview-ready candidates, making hiring quick and easy.
Hiring from a global talent pool also means significant cost savings. Arc connects you with Silicon Valley-caliber professionals in lower-cost regions, allowing you to cut hiring expenses without sacrificing quality.
For example, with all these offerings, Civitas Learning cut hiring time by 75% with Arc’s pre-vetted developers in LATAM, staying within budget without compromising on quality.
FAQs
What’s the difference between Arc, Upwork, and Toptal?
Arc is the best platform for hiring top tech talent quickly and within budget. Upwork offers flexibility with built-in tools and various hiring options but does not provide vetting. Toptal gives access to the top 3% of tech talent but comes with high costs.
How fast can I hire remote talent through these platforms?
With Arc, you can hire remote freelance talent within 24 hours. Toptal allows hiring within 48 hours. Upwork requires manually sorting through proposals, which can take at least a few days.
Are Arc’s freelancers pre-vetted?
Yes, all Arc freelancers are pre-vetted for communication, remote collaboration, and technical skills. When you sign up on Arc, you’re matched only with vetted talent.
Is Arc budget-friendly?
Arc helps you save up to 80% by hiring globally at lower costs. For example, hiring a developer from Mexico can cost up to 60% less than in North America, while hiring graphic designers and marketers can save you up to 55%.
How to hire with Arc?
Hiring through Arc is fast and hassle-free. Here’s how to get started:
- Share your goals: Upload your requirements, budget, job details, and location preferences, or schedule a call to discuss your hiring needs.
- Receive matched candidates: HireAI instantly connects you with top interview-ready freelancers based on your requirements.
- Choose, interview & start: Select the best fit for the interview, and Arc handles the rest. A risk-free two-week trial ensures satisfaction with secure freelancer payments and compliant global hires through trusted EOR partners.
Conclusion: Choosing the right platform
The best freelancing platform depends on your goals, budget, and support needs. Upwork offers flexibility, Toptal provides top-tier talent, and Arc specializes in fast, high-quality tech hiring. Identify your needs and compare each platform to find the best fit.
If you need to hire quickly but care about quality and budget, sign up for Arc now to get matched with top freelancers instantly. With interview-ready candidates and cost-effective, personalized hiring, Arc makes finding the right talent easy and hassle-free.
You can also try Arc, your shortcut to the world’s best remote talent:
⚡️ Access 450,000 top developers, designers, and marketers
⚡️ Vetted and ready to interview
⚡️ Freelance or full-time
