Compare/Head to head

Hackajob vs Toptal

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

Starting price

Hackajob

Sales-quoted Free tier

Tech hiring marketplace with a UK and European pool of opted in engineers, now sourced by its Archer AI agent. A free Lite plan covers up to 3 live roles; Pro and SC are billed per live job with a 10 role minimum, and those prices are quoted on a demo.

Where Hackajob fits

UK and European companies hiring software engineers
Teams tired of unqualified inbound applications
Employers that want salary and competitor benchmarks with sourcing

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

Detail	Hackajob	Toptal
Starting price	Sales-quoted	$79/mo
Free tier	✓Yes	–No
MCP server	–No	–No
Public API	–No	–No
Listed under	Sourcing, Job boards	Sourcing

Where they pull apart

Hackajob

Stands out: The Archer agent sources from an opted in pool of 1.5m+ candidates, and the free Lite plan lets you see the candidates it finds before you pay. Candidates arrive knowing the salary, and the reply rates reflect it.

Watch out: Pro and SC prices are not published and need a 10 role minimum. The talent pool is concentrated in the UK and Europe, so US only hiring gets less value. It is built for tech roles only.

Not the right fit for

US only hiring
Non technical roles
Buyers who want a published per job price

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

Hackajob

Free Lite plan for up to 3 live roles, no card
Billing stops when a job closes
Security clearance filters on the SC plan

Paid per job prices not published
Pool strongest in the UK and Europe
Tech roles only

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

Hackajob

Sales-quoted

Hackajob now prices per job. Lite is free with no commitment and no card, for up to 3 concurrent live roles. Pro and SC are billed for each job the Archer agent is actively working, for as long as it is open, with a minimum of 10 concurrent live roles; SC adds security clearance filters. Per job rates are shared on a demo and are not published. Upgrading moves you onto a term. 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

Can you try Hackajob or Toptal for free?

Hackajob carries a free tier on our listing.

Not the pair you wanted?

All Hackajob alternatives All Toptal alternatives Every Sourcing tool

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