With platforms like Toptal and Revelo vying for your pick, the decision isn’t as simple as picking a name. Toptal is known for its rigorous vetting process, claiming to offer only the top 3% of talent, while Revelo taps into Latin America’s growing tech hub to offer skilled developers at competitive rates. But which one aligns with your team’s goals, budget, and timeline?
In this guide, we’ll explore the strengths and limitations of both platforms, helping you weigh their features against your specific needs. We’ll also consider whether a third alternative might better serve your requirements.
Toptal is a popular online platform for finding skilled IT talent, including software engineers, project managers, and more. Toptal strongly vets and accepts a small percentage of developers into its talent pool every year. For that reason, Toptal devs are known for being quite pricey and charge some of the highest hourly rates. This makes Toptal more suitable for enterprises and large mid-sized companies, although they also serve startups.
Revelo connects U.S. and Canadian businesses with remote software developers from Latin America. The company provides access to pre-vetted developers with expertise in various technologies and programming languages. It also handles remote work arrangements, manages compliance, and processes client payroll.
Hiring a developer through Toptal can take up to two weeks. Here’s how the process works step by step:
1. Fill out an online form detailing the skills and expertise you’re looking for.
2. A Toptal director of engineering will discuss your project with you to fully understand your technical requirements.
3. Toptal recruiters will match you with a carefully selected developer suited to your project.
4. Begin working with the developer on a two-week, risk-free trial. If you’re not satisfied, you can request a replacement at no additional cost.
Toptal’s vetting process is notoriously strict. Here’s the process devs go through to be selected:
Here’s how Revelo vets its software engineers:
1. Technical Assessments: Candidates undergo coding tests and technical challenges to evaluate their programming skills and problem-solving abilities.
2. Language Proficiency: Revelo staff assesses candidates for proficiency in English.
3. Background Checks: Revelo verifies candidates' professional backgrounds, including work history and references.
4. Interviews: Candidates participate in technical and behavioral interviews to assess their expertise, experience, and cultural fit.
5. Skill Matching: Engineers are evaluated for specific skills, technologies, and frameworks relevant to the roles they are being considered for.
Toptal developers set their own rates, which normally range between $100 and $200+ per hour. Toptal itself charges $79 per month to use its talent search services, so you have to factor this cost into your budget. Toptal used to charge a $500 initial deposit, but it's unclear if this policy still applies today.
Hourly rates of Revelo devs are between $50 and $80. Revelo used to charge a $500 initial deposit, but it appears that the policy no longer holds today. Revelo, however, bills you monthly. You pay directly to Revelo, and they handle payments to the hired devs.
Toptal generally has positive reviews on review sites. Many users like the quality of software engineers they hire. However, there are several complaints about the high hourly rates of their developers, and Toptal’s transparency with pricing and billing.
Clients like Revelo’s responsiveness to their requests and its fast matching time. However, some clients have voiced frustration with talents not being prepped for client interviews.
We recommend ReactSquad if your project is based on React.JS. We’re a marketplace of vetted React developers for SaaS startups. Our engineers go through rigorous vetting with 3 interview rounds and a paid test project. Our CEO, Jan Hesters, selects the best-qualified candidates to join our team of specialists. Here’s why our clients recommend us:
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