--- title: "SDK Enterprises vs Toptal: how the models differ" description: "A sourced comparison of Toptal and SDK Enterprises: how you find people, who checks and manages them, who you contract with and how pricing works." canonical: https://sdk.enterprises/en/compare/sdk-vs-toptal language: en --- # SDK Enterprises vs Toptal: how the models differ Last reviewed: 2026-09-26 > Both Toptal and SDK Enterprises propose people to you instead of asking you to browse profiles. Toptal is a global network of freelancers across many professions, with a trial period and a Managed Delivery service. SDK Enterprises is a remote AI and software agency: we find software engineers for your team, and we also build and run software under our own contract. ## The two models side by side | Question | Toptal | SDK Enterprises | | --- | --- | --- | | What it is | A network of freelancers that Toptal describes as exclusive. You hire people it matches from the network (On-Demand Talent), or Toptal runs a team for you (Managed Delivery). [1][3] | An AI and software agency. We build and run software with in-house engineers and vetted freelance specialists, and we find freelancers for your own team. | | How you find people | You talk to someone on Toptal's team about your goals and needs. Toptal then introduces people it hand-selects from its network. [1][2] | You send a short brief. We send a shortlist of vetted freelancers who are available and have said they are interested, with their experience, skills and why we picked them. | | How people are checked | Toptal screens applicants before admitting them to its network. It lists portfolio reviews, technical challenges, live problem-solving sessions and a test project among its methods. [2] | Our engineers review each person's work history and technical fit for your need before we propose them. | | Who manages the work | With On-Demand Talent, you select the people and manage their work. With Managed Delivery, Toptal manages the team, tools and processes, and a delivery manager is your main contact. [3] | You choose per person: hire them directly and manage them yourself, or let SDK manage them. When we build a project, we run the team and show you working software every week. | | Who you contract with | Toptal. You accept its client agreements, and Toptal has its own agreement with each member of its network. [2] | SDK Enterprises, when we build a project or manage a freelancer for you. If you hire someone directly, they work on your own contract. | | Pricing and payment | A flat monthly subscription applies if you go ahead with talent matching, and Toptal invoices the work, typically twice a month. Engagements range from hourly to full-time. Each starts with a trial of up to two weeks, not billed if you are not completely satisfied. [1][2] | No public price list. The first 30-minute call is free, and a project starts with a written scope and a fixed first milestone before you commit to a larger budget. | | Hiring someone directly | Toptal's FAQ says you can hire a Toptal worker full-time into your company in most cases, through an arrangement agreed with Toptal. [2] | One of the two options from the start: for each person on your shortlist, you can hire them directly. We introduce you and hand them over. | | Who you can hire | Developers, designers, marketing experts, management consultants, project managers, product managers and sales experts. [1] | Software engineers: backend, frontend, full-stack, mobile, cloud and DevOps, AI and ML, data and security engineers, and tech leads. We also deliver projects and give technical advice. | | Location and language | Global and mostly remote. Toptal says most of its experts are in the Americas and Europe, the vast majority work remotely, and every expert writes and speaks fluent English. [1][2] | A remote team working with clients worldwide. Calls are held in French or English. | ## When each option fits ### Toptal may suit you better if - You also need designers, marketers, product managers or management consultants from the same provider. - You want a trial period at the start of each engagement. - You want access to people in many countries, including the Americas. - You want one provider to run work beyond software, such as business transformation projects. ### SDK Enterprises may suit you better if - You need software engineers and want a team you can talk to in French or English. - You want to choose, person by person, between hiring directly and having us manage them under our contract. - You want software built and run under one contract, with weekly demos and a documented handover. - You want the same engineers to give technical advice, such as an architecture review or due diligence. ## Questions buyers ask ### Is SDK Enterprises an alternative to Toptal? For software engineers, yes: both propose checked people rather than asking you to browse profiles. The difference is the model. We are an AI and software agency: we also deliver projects under our own contract, and you decide per person whether to hire directly or have us manage them. Toptal covers more professions and runs its own Managed Delivery service. ### Can I try someone before committing? Toptal starts each engagement with a trial of up to two weeks and does not bill it if you are not completely satisfied. With SDK, you see each person's experience, skills and why we picked them before you decide. If someone we manage is not the right fit, we find a replacement. ### Who owns the work? Toptal's FAQ says its contracts make the client the owner of the work its talent creates. When SDK builds for you, the code sits in your repositories and the infrastructure in your cloud accounts, so you can run it without us. ### Where are they based, and in which languages do they work? Toptal says most of its experts are in the Americas and Europe, that the vast majority work remotely and that every expert speaks fluent English. SDK Enterprises is a remote team that works with clients worldwide, in French or English. ## Sources Facts about Toptal come from its own public pages below, as read on the date shown. They may have changed since. 1. [Toptal: home page](https://www.toptal.com/) (Accessed 2026-09-26) 2. [Toptal: Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.toptal.com/faq) (Accessed 2026-09-26) 3. [Toptal: Managed Delivery](https://www.toptal.com/managed-delivery) (Accessed 2026-09-26) Toptal is a trademark of its owner. SDK Enterprises is not affiliated with Toptal. [Book a call](https://sdk.enterprises/en/book-a-call). [Start a project](https://sdk.enterprises/en/start-a-project).