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Lemon.io vs Toptal
Lemon.io and Toptal are both freelance sites. On a $1,000 payment you keep about $1,000 on Lemon.io 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 $1,000 on Lemon.io and $1,000 on Toptal, before withdrawal or currency-conversion costs.
- Only Toptal lists built-in payment protection (No-risk trial period for clients).
- Toptal is the older platform — founded in 2010, 5 years before Lemon.io (2015).
- Lemon.io is based in Ukraine, Toptal in United States.
Which should you choose?
Choose Toptal if…
- You want built-in payment protection.
- You prefer a long track record (since 2010).
Side by side
Lemon.io
A vetted network matching startups with senior software developers, mainly from Europe and Latin America.
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Toptal
A premium network that screens applicants and accepts only a small percentage of freelance developers, designe…
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|---|---|---|
| Type | Freelance sites like Upwork | Freelance sites like Upwork |
| Category | General Marketplace | Vetted Talent |
| Vetted | Yes | Yes |
| Work from home | Yes | Yes |
| Fees | 0% explicit fee, margin built into client rate | 0% - no commission on freelancer's set rate |
| Payment protection | — | No-risk trial period for clients |
| Withdraw via | — | PayPal, Payoneer, Wire transfer |
| Availability | Europe and Latin America developers | Worldwide |
| Founded | 2015 | 2010 |
| Headquarters | Kyiv, Ukraine | United States |
| Popularity | 54 views · 0 likes | 69 views · 0 likes |
Frequently asked questions
Which is cheaper, Lemon.io or Toptal?
On a $1,000 payment you keep about $1,000 on Lemon.io and $1,000 on Toptal, before withdrawal or currency-conversion costs.
Where are Lemon.io and Toptal available?
Lemon.io: Europe and Latin America developers. Toptal: Worldwide.