Compare/Head to head

Arc.dev vs Toptal

Same facts, side by side: starting price, free tier, MCP, API and what each one is actually built for.

Starting price

Arc.dev

$15/hr

Arc.dev is a vetted talent marketplace for remote developers and other tech roles. Freelancers cost $15 to $110+ per hour, and full-time placements cost 20% of annual salary, paid only on hire. It fits US startups and tech companies that want pre-screened remote engineers without running the whole search.

Where Arc.dev fits

  • Startups hiring remote software engineers
  • Teams needing freelance developers fast
  • Companies hiring in LATAM or APAC
  • Hiring managers without a recruiting team

Toptal

$79/mo

Toptal is a vetted freelance network for companies that want senior contract talent fast. It costs a $79 monthly platform fee plus quoted talent rates. It fits teams that value speed and a trial period over the lowest hourly price.

Where Toptal fits

  • Startups needing senior contractors quickly
  • Teams that want a trial before paying
  • Short projects or crunch-time capacity
  • Hiring beyond engineering, such as finance or design

At a glance

DetailArc.devToptal
Starting price$15/hr$79/mo
Free tier–No–No
MCP server–No–No
Public API–No–No
Listed underSourcing, Job boardsSourcing

Where they pull apart

Arc.dev

Stands out: Arc publishes its fees, which is rare among vetted developer networks: a clear hourly range for freelancers and a flat 20% of salary for full-time hires. HireAI screens applicants and auto-sources matching candidates, and every plan comes with a dedicated recruiter. Arc says full-time roles fill in about 14 days on average.

Watch out: A 20% of salary fee adds up quickly on senior engineering salaries. The freelance trial is described as risk-free, but the exact terms are not spelled out on the pricing page, so confirm them before you start. ATS integration is listed for full-time hires, but no ATS names are published.

Not the right fit for

  • Budget-conscious teams posting many roles
  • Onsite or local-only hiring
  • Employers who want to run their own job ads

Toptal

Stands out: Every engagement starts with a trial of up to two weeks, and you pay nothing if you are not satisfied; clients can trial up to three people per position. Toptal reports a 98% trial-to-hire rate and says 90% of clients hire the first candidate introduced.

Watch out: Talent rates are not published, so you only learn the real cost after a call with a matcher. Toptal does not offer screening or testing for candidates outside its own network.

Not the right fit for

  • Budget-first buyers wanting published rates
  • Companies screening their own applicants
  • Teams needing on-site staff

Pros and cons

Arc.dev

  • Published hourly rates and placement fee
  • HireAI screening and auto sourcing included
  • Free replacement within the first three months
  • 20% of salary is costly for senior hires
  • Freelance trial terms are not detailed
  • No named ATS integrations

Toptal

  • No-risk trial before you pay for talent
  • Fast introductions, often within 24 hours
  • Client owns all work product
  • Talent rates not published
  • Monthly platform fee on top of rates
  • No screening service for outside candidates

What each one costs

Arc.dev

$15/hr

Arc.dev publishes two pricing models. Freelance hires are billed hourly at $15 to $110+ per hour depending on the talent, with a risk-free trial period of up to two weeks. Full-time hires cost a fee of 20% of the candidate's annual salary, paid only when you decide to hire, and Arc will match a replacement free of charge within the first three months if you are not satisfied. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 4 Nov 2026

Toptal

$79/mo

Toptal charges a flat $79 monthly platform subscription once you move ahead with talent matching, and you can cancel at any time. Talent rates are not published; they depend on skills, seniority, location and whether the engagement is hourly, part-time or full-time. Invoices go out about twice a month on Net 10 terms. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 4 Nov 2026

Common questions

Is Arc.dev cheaper than Toptal?
Arc.dev starts lower, at $15/hr against $79/mo for Toptal. That is the entry plan on each side, so the real number depends on seats and the tier you land on.
Can you try Arc.dev or Toptal for free?
Neither carries a free tier on our listing.

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Editorial listings, never paid rankings. Prices checked 4 Nov 2026. Confirm current terms on the vendor site. Spot an error?