Fees · Toptal
Toptal fees explained for clients
| Item | What Toptal publishes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Platform subscription | Flat $79/month if you proceed with talent matching; cancel anytime; refund request if Toptal cannot provide talent | FAQ |
| Talent / engagement rate | Quoted per engagement (hourly, part-time, or full-time weekly framing on marketing pages). Not published as a rate card | FAQ / why page framing |
| Trial | Up to two weeks; unsatisfied → not billed for that trial; up to three trial individuals per position | FAQ |
| Invoicing | Typically twice a month, Net 10 terms | FAQ |
| Payment methods | Major credit cards, ACH, bank wires, PayPal | FAQ |
Subscription terms that change the $79 math
- The Platform Subscription Terms say the monthly fee is the amount shown at sign-up (or later communicated), and that you need written notice at least three business days before the next billing date to cancel, provided you do not have an active engagement.
- Subscription fees are described as non-refundable, except you may request a refund of up to one month if you cancel because Toptal is unable to present any talent.
- Read the live ToS before budgeting; contract language controls over this summary.
What you cannot honestly compare as a single %
Upwork and Fiverr publish marketplace take-rates. Toptal’s client cost is mostly the quoted talent rate plus the $79 subscription. A $5,000 Upwork month at Basic 5% is about $250 in marketplace fee on top of freelancers’ rates. A Toptal month is $79 plus whatever quote you accepted — which may be higher or lower for the same skill, but you cannot reverse-engineer it from a blog “average.”
Sibling: Toptal vs Upwork · hub: multi-platform fee comparison.
IP and billing hygiene (FAQ claims)
- FAQ: work created by a Toptal expert is the client’s via Toptal’s pass-through IP arrangement (confirm in your signed STA / agreements).
- FAQ: if an expert is unavailable for scheduled time, Toptal credits back the time billed (their claim — keep invoice notes).
FAQ
Does Toptal publish hourly rates?
No. The FAQ does not publish a client rate card. You receive a written quote for talent. Third-party “average Toptal rate” blogs are not official and should not be budgeted as facts.
What is the $79 charge?
Toptal’s FAQ lists a flat $79 monthly platform subscription if you decide to proceed with talent matching. It gives access to the client platform under the Platform Subscription Terms. You may cancel; if Toptal cannot provide talent, you can request a refund on cancellation.
What happens during the trial?
Engagements start with a trial of up to two weeks. If you are completely satisfied, Toptal bills for that time and continues. If not, you are not billed for that trial period, and Toptal may introduce another expert for a second no-risk trial. Clients may trial up to three individuals per position.
Sources
- Toptal FAQ — subscription, trial, billing, payment methods: www.toptal.com/faq (checked Nov 6, 2026)
- Toptal Platform Subscription Terms of Service: www.toptal.com/platform-subscription-tos (checked Nov 6, 2026)
No affiliate links on this page. Figures change; re-check the official page before you rely on them.