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Braintrust vs Toptal
Braintrust and Toptal are both freelance sites. On a $1,000 payment you keep about $900–$1,000 on Braintrust and $1,000 on Toptal, before withdrawal or currency-conversion costs.
Updated · from each platform’s published fees and payout terms · how we verify
Key differences
- On a $1,000 payment you keep about $900–$1,000 on Braintrust and $1,000 on Toptal, before withdrawal or currency-conversion costs.
- Both pay out via Bank transfer. Only Braintrust offers USDC. Only Toptal offers PayPal and Payoneer.
- Only Toptal lists built-in payment protection (No-risk trial period for clients).
- Toptal is the older platform — founded in 2010, 8 years before Braintrust (2018).
Which should you choose?
Choose Braintrust if…
- You want to withdraw via USDC.
Choose Toptal if…
- Keeping more of each payment matters most — its fee is lower.
- You want to withdraw via PayPal and Payoneer.
- You want built-in payment protection.
- You prefer a long track record (since 2010).
Side by side
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Braintrust
A user-owned talent network that connects vetted freelancers with enterprise clients. Talent pays 0% fees and…
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Toptal
A premium network that screens applicants and accepts only a small percentage of freelance developers, designe…
Visit
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|---|---|---|
| Type | Freelance sites like Upwork | Freelance sites like Upwork |
| Category | Vetted Talent | Vetted Talent |
| Vetted | Yes | Yes |
| Work from home | Yes | Yes |
| Fees | 0% for talent, clients pay 10% | 0% - no commission on freelancer's set rate |
| Payment protection | — | No-risk trial period for clients |
| Withdraw via | Bank transfer, USDC | PayPal, Payoneer, Wire transfer |
| Availability | Worldwide | Worldwide |
| Founded | 2018 | 2010 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, California, United States | United States |
| Popularity | 126 views · 0 likes | 66 views · 0 likes |
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, Braintrust or Toptal?
On a $1,000 payment you keep about $900–$1,000 on Braintrust and $1,000 on Toptal, before withdrawal or currency-conversion costs.
Where are Braintrust and Toptal available?
Braintrust: Worldwide. Toptal: Worldwide.