When it comes to hiring top remote software developers, you have options. But how do you choose between popular platforms like Toptal, Turing, and Pi Tech?
Each platform has its strengths. Toptal is known for its rigorous screening process and high-quality talent pool. Turing leverages AI to source and vet developers from across the globe. And Pi Tech specializes in building teams for healthcare and other regulated industries.
So, which one is right for your project?
In this breakdown, we’ll compare Toptal, Turing, and Pi Tech across the things that matter: developer quality, vetting, pricing, speed, and how well they actually support your long-term goals.
By the end, you’ll know who to hire and why. Let’s get started.
Toptal vs. Turing vs. Pi Tech at a Glance
Pi Tech Overview
At Pi Tech, we specialize in building custom software for healthcare and other regulated industries. As a global development partner, we combine technical expertise with a deep understanding of compliance standards to help clients launch secure, reliable, and impactful products.
Our Specless Engineering approach lets us deliver real results without getting slowed down by rigid documentation. We work with senior-only talent. Experienced developers who know how to navigate complexity, make smart decisions, and drive projects forward.
We’re not a generalist shop. Our team understands the demands of HIPAA, FDA, and HITRUST compliance, and we’ve built software that meets those standards again and again. If you're building in a high-stakes environment, we’re the partner that gets it, and gets it done.
Pi Tech Core Features
- Specless Engineering Methodology
- Senior-Only Talent
- Healthcare Compliance Expertise
1. Specless Engineering Methodology
At Pi Tech, we don’t slow projects down with bloated specs or rigid processes. Our proprietary Specless Engineering approach is built to prioritize outcomes, not paperwork.
Instead of demanding exhaustive requirements up front, we focus on understanding your goals and iterating quickly toward a working solution. This model is ideal for healthcare and other regulated industries, where needs often shift based on user feedback, regulatory updates, or emerging research.
Our process has four key phases: Discovery, Proposal, Delivery, and Maintenance. Throughout each phase, we keep communication open and direct, with regular demos, status updates, and feedback loops to ensure alignment and transparency.
We’ve seen this approach reduce time-to-value significantly, all while maintaining the high quality and compliance standards our clients expect.
2. Senior-Only Talent
We don’t hire junior developers. Every engineer on our team has over 10 years of experience, and it shows in the way we work and what we deliver.
Our senior-only model means:
- Efficiency. Our developers don’t need hand-holding. They solve problems independently and make informed decisions that keep projects moving.
- Quality. With years of experience, our team anticipates edge cases, catches issues early, and writes cleaner, more maintainable code.
- Innovation. We challenge assumptions and bring fresh thinking to every problem, often uncovering better paths than the spec originally imagined.
- Domain expertise. Many of our developers have deep experience in healthcare, finance, and other regulated industries, so we don’t just write code, we understand your world.
This level of talent allows us to operate more like a strategic partner than a traditional outsourcing firm.
3. Healthcare Compliance Expertise
If you're in healthcare, you can't afford compliance mistakes. We get that, and we build with that in mind from day one.
Our team has extensive experience delivering software that meets the requirements of HIPAA, FDA, HITRUST, and other relevant regulatory standards. We’ve helped organizations avoid costly missteps while still moving fast.
Here’s how we do it:
- Secure Architecture. We bake in security from the ground up. Encryption, access controls, and logging aren’t add-ons, they’re defaults.
- Audit Readiness. We maintain clear documentation and audit trails throughout development, so you're never scrambling during inspections or certifications.
- Proactive Risk Assessments. We regularly evaluate vulnerabilities and shore up defenses using the latest best practices and threat models.
- Compliance Training. Every developer on our team is trained in healthcare-specific requirements and keeps that mindset throughout the build.
By making compliance a core part of our process, not an afterthought, we help you launch faster without putting your organization at risk.
Pi Tech Pricing
When you work with us, you’re not just paying for developer hours. You’re paying for senior-level expertise, faster execution, and fewer headaches.
Our pricing is simple and transparent:
- Project Work: Most projects fall between $75,000 and $650,000
- Staff Augmentation: Expect to pay $10,000–$15,000 per month per senior developer
- Engagements: Clients typically work with us on 1 to 4 projects per year, with staff engagements lasting 3 to 12 months
So why do clients keep coming back?
Because we get it right the first time. We don’t hand off your project to juniors or burn your time with trial and error. Our senior-only team solves real problems, makes smart decisions, and keeps things moving.
Positives of Pi Tech
- Healthcare Expertise: Deep understanding of healthcare-specific requirements and regulations.
- Senior Talent: Access to experienced, strategic developers who can solve complex problems.
- Flexibility: Variety of engagement models to suit different needs and budgets.
- Compliance Focus: Proactive approach to ensuring software meets relevant standards and regulations.
What Could Be Better
- Industry Breadth: While Pi Tech's specialization in healthcare is a strength, it may not be the best fit for projects in other domains. Clients in non-regulated industries may find more suitable partners elsewhere.
Book a call with us and let’s see if we’re the right fit for your next build. No fluff, no pressure. Just a straightforward conversation about what you need and how we can help.
Toptal Overview
Toptal is a popular freelance platform that connects businesses with top-tier software developers, designers, and other technical talent. Founded in 2010, they have built a reputation for a rigorous screening process that accepts only the top 3% of applicants.
One of Toptal's key strengths is the breadth of its talent pool. They have a global network of over 10,000 pre-vetted freelancers across 100+ countries, covering a wide range of technologies and domains. Whether you need an iOS developer, a machine learning expert, or a UX designer, chances are you can find them on Toptal.
Toptal offers flexible engagement models to suit different needs. Clients can hire freelancers on an hourly, part-time, or full-time basis, with the option to scale up or down as needed. They also provide a no-risk trial period, during which clients can test out a freelancer's fit before committing to a longer engagement.
Toptal Core Features
- Rigorous screening process
- Broad talent pool
- Flexible engagement models
1. Rigorous Screening Process
Toptal is known for its highly selective screening process, which they claim accepts only the top 3% of applicants.
This multi-step process includes:
- Language and Personality Assessment: Applicants must pass an English language and communication test to ensure they can effectively collaborate with clients.
- In-Depth Skill Review: Toptal evaluates applicants' technical skills through a series of tests and exercises tailored to their area of expertise.
- Live Screening: Promising candidates are invited to a live screening session with a Toptal screener, who assesses their problem-solving abilities, communication skills, and cultural fit.
- Test Projects: Final candidates must complete a test project to demonstrate their ability to deliver high-quality work on time.
This rigorous process helps ensure that clients have access to truly top-tier talent, reducing the risk of hiring underqualified or unreliable freelancers.
2. Broad Talent Pool
Another of Toptal's strengths is the breadth and depth of its talent pool. They have over 10,000 pre-vetted freelancers across a wide range of disciplines, including:
- Software Development: Front-end, back-end, full-stack, mobile, and more.
- Design: UI/UX, visual, interaction, and product design.
- Finance: Financial modeling, interim CFO, market research, and fundraising.
- Project Management: Technical project managers, scrum masters, and agile coaches.
With such a diverse pool of experts, Toptal can support a variety of project needs: from building a mobile app from scratch to redesigning a complex enterprise system.
3. Flexible Engagement Models
Toptal offers a range of engagement models to give clients maximum flexibility:
- Hourly: Clients can hire freelancers on an hourly basis for short-term projects or ad-hoc tasks. This model is best suited for clients who need specialized expertise for a limited time.
- Part-Time: For ongoing projects that don't require a full-time commitment, clients can hire freelancers on a part-time basis. This model allows for a more consistent collaboration without the overhead of a full-time employee.
- Full-Time: For clients who need dedicated resources, Toptal offers full-time engagements. This model provides the benefits of an in-house team member without the long-term commitment.
Regardless of the engagement model, all Toptal engagements come with a no-risk trial period. During this time, clients can evaluate the freelancer's work and communication style before committing to a longer contract.
Toptal Pricing
Toptal's pricing varies depending on the type of talent and engagement model:
- Developers: Hourly rates range from $60 to $250+ per hour, with an average of $100-$150 per hour.
- Designers: Hourly rates range from $50 to $200+ per hour, with an average of $90-$120 per hour.
- Finance Experts: Hourly rates range from $100 to $300+ per hour, with an average of $150-$200 per hour.
- Project Managers: Hourly rates range from $70 to $200+ per hour, with an average of $100-$140 per hour.
For full-time engagements, the monthly cost can range from $8,000 to $20,000+ per month, depending on the freelancer's experience and skillset.
It's worth noting that Toptal's rates are generally higher than other freelance platforms, reflecting the caliber of their talent pool. However, many clients find that the quality of work and reliability of Toptal freelancers justify the premium pricing.
Positives of Toptal
- Quality Talent: Rigorous screening process ensures access to top-tier freelancers.
- Breadth of Expertise: Wide range of technical and non-technical talent available.
- Flexibility: Variety of engagement models to suit different project needs and budgets.
- Reliability: No-risk trial period and high freelancer retention rates.
What Could Be Better
- Cost: Toptal's rates are generally higher than other freelance platforms, which may not be feasible for all budgets.
- Project Fit: With such a wide range of freelancers, it can sometimes be challenging to find the perfect fit for a specific project or niche.
Turing Overview
Turing is a relatively new player in the talent platform space, but they've quickly made a name for themselves with their AI-driven approach to sourcing and vetting remote developers. Founded in 2018, Turing aims to help companies spin up their engineering teams in the cloud at the push of a button.
One of Turing's unique selling points is the sheer scale of its talent pool. They claim to have over 2,000,000 developers across 150+ countries in their network; a staggering number compared to other platforms. This allows them to quickly match clients with developers who have the right skills and experience for their project.
Turing also places a strong emphasis on remote work and developer productivity. They provide their developers with tools and resources to work effectively from anywhere, and they use AI to monitor and optimize performance over time.
Turing Core Features
- AI-driven talent matching
- Massive talent pool
- Remote work focus
1. AI-Driven Talent Matching
At the core of Turing's platform is an AI-powered talent matching system. When a client submits a job request, Turing's algorithms analyze over a hundred data points to find the best-fit developers from their global pool.
This matching process takes into account factors such as:
- Technical Skills: Proficiency in specific programming languages, frameworks, and tools.
- Industry Experience: Proven track record of delivering projects in relevant domains.
- Communication Skills: Ability to collaborate effectively with remote teams.
- Time Zone: Availability to work in the client's preferred time zone.
By automating much of the sourcing and vetting process, Turing can surface qualified candidates quickly, often within 24-48 hours of receiving a job request.
2. Massive Talent Pool
Turing boasts one of the largest talent pools in the industry, with over 2,000,000 developers across 150+ countries. This global reach allows them to find niche skillsets that might be harder to source locally.
Some key features of Turing's talent pool:
- Diverse Skillsets: Turing has developers with expertise in a wide range of technologies, from mainstream languages like Java and Python to emerging fields like blockchain and IoT.
- Full-Stack Capabilities: Many of Turing's developers are full-stack engineers who can handle both front-end and back-end development tasks.
- Multiple Seniority Levels: Turing offers developers at various experience levels, from junior developers to senior architects and technical leads.
With such a large and diverse pool of talent, Turing can support a wide range of project needs and scales.
3. Remote Work Focus
Turing is built around the premise that remote work is the future of software development. They've designed their platform to support remote collaboration from the ground up.
Here are some of the ways Turing optimizes for remote work:
- Productivity Monitoring: Turing uses AI to track developer productivity metrics, such as code quality and task completion rates. This helps ensure that remote teams are performing at a high level.
- Communication Tools: Turing provides a suite of communication and collaboration tools to help remote teams work together seamlessly.
- Time Zone Matching: Turing can match clients with developers in compatible time zones to facilitate real-time collaboration.
- Remote Work Resources: Turing offers guides, best practices, and training to help both clients and developers make the most of remote work.
By embracing remote work fully, Turing can tap into a global talent pool and provide clients with 24/7 development capabilities.
Turing Pricing
Turing takes a different approach to pricing. There are no upfront costs to find or hire developers. Instead, you get a two-week risk-free trial with each engineer. You only start paying if you’re satisfied and decide to move forward.
Unlike traditional platforms, Turing doesn’t set developer rates. Each developer sets their own pricing based on their experience, skills, and availability.
While rates vary, most mid-level and senior developers on Turing charge between $100 and $200 per hour, according to sources like ReactSquad and EarlyNode.
This model offers clients flexibility and transparency, but it also means that pricing can fluctuate depending on who you hire and their level of demand.
Positives of Turing
- Speed: AI-powered matching can surface qualified candidates within 24-48 hours.
- Scale: Massive global talent pool allows for rapid team scaling.
- Flexibility: Subscription model accommodates changing project needs.
- Remote Work Support: Robust tools and resources for effective remote collaboration.
What Could Be Better
- Vetting Process: While Turing does vet their developers, their process isn't as rigorous as platforms like Toptal, which may result in more variability in quality.
- Niche Expertise: With such a broad focus, Turing may not have as much domain-specific expertise as specialized firms like Pi Tech.
Conclusion: Which Platform is Right for You?
Toptal, Turing, and Pi Tech each serve different needs, and the best choice depends on what you’re trying to build.
- Toptal is a strong option if you’re hiring freelance developers and want access to highly vetted talent. You’ll pay a premium, but you’ll get reliable, experienced professionals with minimal hand-holding. It’s best suited for companies that need one or two excellent developers and have the budget to match.
- Turing is built for speed and scale. If your team needs to grow fast, or if you’re experimenting with different tech stacks and want flexibility, Turing’s global pool and two-week risk-free trial can be appealing. Just keep in mind that the quality and experience level can vary depending on who you hire.
- Pi Tech is built for complex, high-stakes environments, especially in healthcare and regulated industries. If compliance, senior-level expertise, and long-term product thinking are essential, Pi Tech is the safest bet. We focus on delivering outcomes, not just developer hours.
So, How Do You Decide?
Ask yourself:
- Are you hiring for speed or depth?
- Do you need freelancers or a committed team?
- Is compliance a requirement or a risk you can’t afford?
- What’s more important: the lowest rate, or the right result?
If your project requires developers who understand the stakes and can deliver from day one, book a call with us. We’ll walk you through how we work and help you figure out if we’re the right fit.
Get Started with Pi Tech
What sets Pi Tech apart from platforms like Toptal and Turing is focus. We specialize in building software for healthcare and other regulated industries, where compliance isn’t optional, and mistakes are costly.
Our Specless Engineering approach gives you room to adapt as your needs evolve. Instead of locking you into rigid specs, we prioritize outcomes and stay aligned through open, ongoing collaboration.
With our senior-only team, you’re working with developers who know how to solve complex problems, write secure code, and keep projects moving, without micromanagement or rework.
If you’re building in a regulated space and need software that just works (and clears audits), we’re the partner you want.
Ready to talk? Book a call and let’s see how we can help.
