Andela vs. Toptal: Which is better for hiring remote developers?
When it comes to hiring remote developers, there are many options available in the market, but two of the most popular are Andela and Toptal.
Both platforms offer access to talented developers from around the world, but which one is better? While Andela provides a great solution for hiring entry-level developers and training them, Toptal offers a more flexible and higher-quality service that caters to businesses of all sizes and industries.
Let's take a closer look at the two platforms and find out which one is the better choice for hiring remote developers.
What is Andela?
Andela is a global talent marketplace where companies source for vetted software engineers from Africa, Latin America, Eastern Europe, and Asia. Andela has a sizeable talent pool of more than 250,000 tech developers from 100+ countries. It works by matching you with a list of suitable talents that fit your project requirements.
How to hire a developer from Andela
- You create a job listing, detailing the type of role, and the skills required.
- Andela provides you with a shortlist of recommended candidates that fit your job requirements and budget.
- You can schedule interviews with candidates and talk directly with them.
- Onboarding your preferred developer and immediately start working with them.
Andela’s vetting process
Round 1: Andela proactively sources for talented developers through various channels.
Round 2: Candidates undergo psychometric tests and paired programming exercises.
Round 3: English proficiency test
Round 4: Coding evaluation to test their knowledge and abilities.
Round 5: Final interview with senior officials to assess culture fit and competency.
Andela pros and cons
Pros
- Developers are highly skilled because they undergo intensive training.
- Very suitable for long-term projects and permanent jobs.
- Uses AI for fast
Cons
- Talent is mainly sourced from Africa and Asia, so you need to keep your time zones in mind.
- Not the best option for contract jobs as contracts are signed for at least 12 months
- Expensive
What is Toptal?
Toptal is a tech-focused platform where tech companies can hire freelance developers, designers, and project managers around the globe. With a strict vetting process, they claim to have only the top 3% of the world’s best software developers. However their developers are also known for charging very premium rates so you'll need deep pockets to comfortably hire a Toptal freelancer.
How to hire a developer from Toptal
- Give details of your requirements, e.g. type of skill, number of hours, and the tech stack/s you’re hiring for.
- Toptal sends you a shortlist of suitable candidates within a few days.
- You get to interview the matched candidates to see if they’re a fit.
- After signing off on your choice and paying an initial security deposit of $500, the developer can start working with your in-house team in a 2-week risk-free trial period. You can ask for a refund if you opt out within the 2-week period.
Toptal’s vetting process
Toptal has a notoriously strict vetting process to maintain a high quality talent pool.
Round 1. A communication skills interview to assess candidates’ language proficiency.
Round 2. Coding assessments to make sure technical skills are up to scratch.
Round 3. Live coding exercises to assess problem-solving skills, creativity, and experience.
Round 4. Candidates who advance to this round are given a mini-project that lasts about 3 weeks.
Candidates who successfully pass all 4 rounds are added to Toptal’s talent pool.
Toptal pros and cons
Pros
- Diverse tech talent from various industries is available.
- Strict screening process to ensure access to high-quality talent.
- You can enjoy a risk-free 2-week free trial with your preferred developer.
Cons
- Quite expensive compared to other alternatives in the market.
- Slow hiring process, which can sometimes take weeks.
- Developers are based in Europe and North America.
- Small talent pool due to limited geographical location and strict vetting process.
Comparing Andela and Toptal
We’ve put together a number of factors to judge between these two platforms and help you make a decision.
Criteria
Toptal
Andela
Time-to-hire
24hrs to 3 weeks
48hrs to 2 weeks
Tech stack specialties
Major tech stacks
Major tech stacks
Hourly rate
$100 - $250 per hour
$25 - $100 per hour
Any upfront fees?
$500 initial deposit
No
Payment options
Card, PayPal, ACH
Card, PayPal
Free trial?
Yes
No
Can I work with the developer on-site?
Yes, but rarely happens.
Yes
Andela vs Toptal: Client reviews
Here’s what clients had to say about the two companies.
Andela reviews
Andela grooms their developers for permanent jobs and is relatively new to offering freelance developers. This has affected the quality of developers coming through their pool.
Toptal reviews
Toptal has a 4.7 rating on G2. Most client reviews appear to be positive. But there are some reservations about Toptal’s quality of service.
Any great alternatives to Andela and Toptal?
Yes, there is. The thing is, Andela and Toptal are decent, but they have their limitations. Andela, for example, often prioritizes permanent hires. Plus, their platform doesn’t appeal much to senior developers. Toptal, on the other hand, is quite expensive, and your options are limited due to location.
However, if your project requires React.js, then consider ReactSquad. With ReactSquad you can get a React.js specialist embedded into your team and shipping code within 7 days.
Why We Recommend ReactSquad
- Unlike other alternatives, ReactSquad is fully focused on one tech stack:
- Their developers have high expertise in various industries
- The firm has a rigorous vetting process for their developers; with 4 interview rounds and 4 weeks working on a paid test project
- All developers are seniors with 5+ years experience
- Competitive rates (starting from $85/hr)
- 14-day risk-free trial with your matched developer and a replacement guarantee at any point during your project.
Visit ReactSquad to get matched with top React developers for your next project.
