Toptal built a reputation on “Top 3%” talent and enterprise-grade vetting, but its premium model isn’t the only way to hire first-rate remote developers in 2025. It’s no secret that Toptal charges handsomely for its rigor: candidates undergo 2–5 weeks of screening, and clients must pay a deposit prior to starting the engagement). While that works for big budgets, many companies ask: do I have to pay Toptal’s markup to get top developers? The answer is no – today’s market has plenty of contenders. In fact, in tech forums and reviews you’ll often hear that “CloudDevs is the first choice for those seeking Toptal alternatives,” followed by “LatHire, the second best alternative to Toptal.” These remote hiring platforms leverage AI vetting, flexible contracts, and lower fees to compete with Toptal’s quality.
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