Top Twine alternative for nearshore outsourcing services

Published on
Aug 12, 2024
Written by
Lisa Dahlgren
EDITED by
Maria del Mar Agudelo
Read time
3 Minutes
Category
Transparency Research

The complexities of digital projects demand the right talent to drive success. Twine.net serves as a bridge between freelancers and clients in need of creative services, yet many businesses are in search of more encompassing solutions, particularly in the realm of nearshore outsourcing services. This blog delves into why Teilur Talent stands out as a preferable choice over Twine, highlighting its transparent pricing, cohesive team dynamics, and effective developer recruitment strategies.

Teilur Talent Vs. Twine

Transparent Fair Pricing

Twine's pricing structure reveals a complex landscape of fees for both freelancers and companies. Freelancers are charged a $7.49 fee to access premium services, a necessity for those seeking to bypass the limitations of the free version, which restricts them to 15 job applications per month. For companies, Twine introduces a service fee upon hiring a candidate, structured as a sliding scale: 

  • 20% on payments up to $1,000
  • 10% on payments $1,000 to $10,000
  • 5% on payments over $10,000

This model, while offering access to a global pool of talent through its website for freelancers, may lead to higher overall costs for clients, especially when additional services like payroll are required, for which Twine charges extra fees. 

This approach contrasts sharply with Teilur Talent, which upholds a transparent pricing policy, guaranteeing that all parties, including clients and candidates, have a precise understanding of the expected compensation and expenses.

Team Focused, Not Client Focused

Unlike software outsourcing companies that engage directly with candidates to ensure a perfect match, Twine operates more as a passive intermediary. The platform does not involve itself in the critical processes of interviewing, analyzing, and negotiating with candidates, leaving companies to manage these tasks independently. 

This hands-off approach can burden companies with the time-consuming and expertise-demanding process of finding personnel that not only meets their technical needs but also aligns with their culture and values. 

On the trustpilot platform, A user expressed frustration with Twine's platform, describing it as cumbersome and not user-friendly, especially for freelancers navigating the free version. This user recommended seeking alternative websites for freelancers that offer more accessible features and better value for money.

Interfaz de usuario gráfica, Texto, Aplicación, Correo electrónicoDescripción generada automáticamente

The lack of direct involvement from Twine in these crucial stages places the onus on companies to ensure the cultural and professional fit of freelancers, risking mismatches that could impact project outcomes and team dynamics.

The Right Developer for Your Team

Twine's model, focusing on connecting companies with freelancers without intervening in the selection process, contrasts with the meticulous approach of Teilur Talent. Teilur Talent distinguishes itself by offering pre-vetted candidates, ensuring that each developer not only possesses the necessary technical skills and experience but also fits culturally with the client's team. 

This process, supported by recruitment agency software and a deep understanding of software team augmentation needs, allows clients to interview and assess candidates before making a commitment, guaranteeing a more personalized and cohesive team integration. 

Another long-term Twine member shared their disappointment in failing to secure work through the platform. They highlighted several issues, including a slow selection process and the unappealing requirement for companies to pay freelancers upfront.

Twine reviews

This feedback suggests a disconnect between what Twine promises and the reality, making it difficult for freelancers to find meaningful opportunities and for companies to efficiently hire the right talent.

A different user voiced concerns over Twine's customer support, highlighting its failure to respond promptly and effectively to their questions. This experience left them feeling neglected and questioning the platform's commitment to supporting its users.

Twine alternatives

The review calls for improvements in customer service to ensure a smoother, more reliable experience for both freelancers and clients using the platform.

Similarities and Differences between Twine and Teilur Talent

When Would You Recommend That My Company Choose Twine or Teilur Talent?

Twine might be suitable for short-term, creative projects requiring specific freelance skills. However, for companies looking for comprehensive nearshore outsourcing services, software outsourcing, or long-term software team augmentation, Teilur Talent is the recommended choice due to its focus on tech talent in Latin America and its alignment with U.S. time zones.

What Are the Top Benefits of Working with Teilur Talent Compared to Twine?

The top benefits of working with Teilur Talent include transparent pricing, a team-focused approach, and a rigorous vetting process. These ensure that clients not only understand the costs involved but also receive highly compatible talent, making Teilur Talent an ideal partner for nearshore outsourcing companies.

Twine Handles Payroll, Compliance, and Recruiting. How About Teilur Talent?

While Twine offers services like payroll for an additional fee, Teilur Talent provides a more integrated solution. They handle all aspects of payroll, compliance, and recruiting, offering a hassle-free experience for clients. This comprehensive service package is particularly beneficial for IT outsourcing companies and businesses requiring software outsourcing.

How Does Teilur Talent Ensure the Talent Is Retained Better Than Twine?

Teilur Talent focuses on long-term relationships between clients and developers. By ensuring a good match from the start and providing ongoing support, they significantly improve talent retention rates. This approach benefits companies looking for stable, reliable nearshore outsourcing services.

Our thoughts on the pricing structure of Toptal 

While it's not possible for us to find details about how much of what a client pays ultimately goes to a candidate, we believe clients looking for transparent and straightforward pricing may want to look at other alternatives.

Our opinion is that if they are charging a client more than $12,000 monthly for a developer, they should at the very least be giving $9,600 to the candidate, but it's likely that it's even less than that.


What Hiring Managers Should Ask Before Choosing a Talent Partner

Before partnering with any talent provider — whether Toptal, Teilur, or others — hiring managers should consider asking the following key questions:

  • What percentage of the fee actually goes to the talent?

  • Are replacement or satisfaction guarantees included in the contract?

  • How are regional salary benchmarks determined?

  • Is there full transparency in how rates are broken down?

  • What is the long-term cost difference between hiring directly and through a platform?

These questions can help businesses make informed decisions and ensure that pricing aligns with both market realities and ethical compensation practices.

Toptal vs Teilur Talent Comparison
Concept Toptal Teilur Talent
Transparency Pricing details are not publicly disclosed. Clients see a blended hourly rate that includes both Toptal’s fee and the freelancer’s pay. Fully transparent rate breakdown. Clients see exactly how much goes to the talent and how much is retained by Teilur as a service fee.
Commission / Markup Estimated at up to ~50% based on third-party reports and client testimonials. The exact markup percentage is not officially stated. Capped at 20%, ensuring that at least 80% of the client’s payment goes directly to the developer.
Monthly Subscription Fee $79/month, non-optional, grants access to Toptal’s vetted talent network. (Source: Toptal website). No subscription fees. Clients only pay when hiring or engaging talent.
Initial Deposit $500 refundable deposit required to begin a talent search. No upfront deposit required to start the matching process.
Trial Policy Two-week no-risk trial. Clients are billed only if satisfied with the match. N/A (direct matching) – Teilur focuses on pre-vetted, long-term placements with transparent trial terms discussed case by case.
Pricing Range (Developers) $60–$200+ per hour depending on experience and project complexity (includes platform markup). $6,000–$7,000/month for senior LATAM developers, equivalent to ~$35–$45/hour — transparent, with no hidden markups.
Payment Structure Bi-monthly invoices; payment terms like Net 10. Includes blended rate. Monthly invoices with clear cost breakdown (talent pay + Teilur fee).
Toptal vs Teilur Talent Comparison
Concept Toptal Teilur Talent
Business Model Global freelance marketplace connecting clients with vetted professionals in software, design, and finance. LATAM-focused recruitment company connecting businesses with full-time remote developers and tech professionals.
Selectivity Claim Claims to accept less than 3% of applicants, based on its internal screening process. Works only with pre-vetted, bilingual professionals in LATAM, selected for technical and communication skills.
Recruitment Process Multi-stage: timed skills test → English interview → real-world project → live screen evaluation. Direct evaluation of experience, portfolio, and communication ability. Matches candidates by vertical (QA, Software, Cybersecurity, Data & BI) and company culture.
Trial or Test Period Offers a two-week trial, refundable if client isn’t satisfied. No fixed trial period — focuses on long-term retention and transparent onboarding.
Contract Type Typically weekly contracts (20 or 40 hours) with limited flexibility for short-term projects. Flexible monthly agreements, allowing scalability per project scope and company needs.
Transparency Pricing details not publicly disclosed. Clients see a blended hourly rate including Toptal’s markup. Fully transparent pricing model. Clients see how much goes to the developer and how much is Teilur’s service fee.
Commission / Markup Estimated around 40–50%, based on user reports and external reviews. Capped at 20%. At least 80% of client payment goes directly to the developer.
Initial Deposit Requires a $500 refundable deposit to start the search process. No upfront deposit required.
Client Support Account managers available during hiring and engagement. Support quality varies by project. Personalized support from start to finish, ensuring alignment for both client and talent.
Developer Pay Transparency Developers are contractually restricted from disclosing their actual pay rates. Developers know their full compensation and see transparent rate breakdowns.
Geographic Focus Global, with talent from Eastern Europe, Asia, and LATAM. Exclusive to Latin America, optimizing time-zone alignment and cultural fit.
Turnover Rate Not publicly disclosed. Reported below 15%, reflecting strong retention and satisfaction.
Best For Large enterprises or teams needing globally distributed freelance specialists. U.S. and international companies seeking transparent, long-term partnerships with vetted LATAM developers.

Need help with cost expectations?

Our hiring costs vary depending on the candidate's accepted offer. Use our calculator to estimate costs for different roles.

These are our recommended salaries, but clients are free to set their own rates.

Estimate cost
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Expected monthly cost

$

0

Candidate's salary
$

0

Teilur's fee
$

0

Total payment
$

0

Start hiring empezar aplicación
Median:
$
0
Min:
$
0
Max:
$
0

Client Reviews

Teilur Talent
Teilur Talent Reviews
Madhulika Sharma

Teilur Talent featured in...

"Argentina offers highly competitive labor costs compared to other nearshoring destinations. With a strong focus on software and IT services, Argentina's tech talent pool is growing, and the country is already a resource for tech giants like Google."

Teilur Talent featured in...

"Brazil offers an attractive combination of cost-effectiveness and high-quality talent. With reportedly more than 500,000 software developers and an impressive annual growth rate, Brazil boasts the largest tech talent pool in LATAM."

Teilur Talent featured in...

"Teilur Talent recognized as the top IT Recruiting & Staffing firm in Latin America, Teilur Talent has made valuable contributions towards making the IT workspace more efficient and streamlined."

Teilur Talent featured in...

"Teilur Talent is the world’s first talent development network connecting U.S. tech startups and remote developers from Latin America!"

At Teilur, Inc, we are committed to accuracy and fairness in all our content. Our discussions and comparisons, particularly those concerning other businesses in the recruitment industry, are grounded in the best interpretations made by our dedicated staff, based on publicly available information. We hold a deep respect for the unique qualities of each organization within our field and strive to offer valuable insights rooted in our core beliefs about the recruitment industry's workings. If you encounter any factual inaccuracies in our content, we encourage you to reach out to us at content-research@teilurtalent.com with the specific URL in question. Your feedback is invaluable, and we are committed to reviewing and addressing your concerns.

Got questions? We've got answers.

1

How is Teilur Talent different from other tech recruiting companies in LATAM?

At Teilur Talent, we take a mission-focused approach to recruiting, ensuring that our candidates are aligned with your company's vision and goals. Unlike other tech recruiting companies in LATAM, who may focus solely on technical skills, we prioritize the cultural fit and dedication of our team members to your company. For this reason, we do not support project contractor or freelancer roles. Instead, we focus on fully devoted team members who will help you achieve long-term success.

2

How does Teilur Talent attract and retain the best talent compared to other companies?

At Teilur Talent, we offer our candidates competitive salaries that are 2x to 3x higher than what tech companies would pay locally. This allows us to attract top talent and retain highly motivated and loyal team members. Additionally, we focus on finding candidates whose values align with the purpose, vision, and mission of our clients. This approach ensures that our engineers and tech talent are not just coding and completing task rather, they become part of a greater purpose, which gives them meaning and helps us attract and retain the best talent.

3

What are the typical tech roles that Teilur Talent recruits for?

At Teilur Talent, we specialize in recruiting for a wide range of tech roles that are typically in high demand. These include positions such as DevOps engineers, AI Developers, QA analysts and engineers, back-end and front-end developers, data scientists, product managers, business developers, and technical sales positions. Essentially, we recruit for most roles that are needed in B2B and B2C tech-focused businesses.

4

What are Teilur Talent's fees and pricing structure?

At Teilur Talent, we believe in transparency. We charge a flat rate fee of 20% of what the client pays. This way, our clients know exactly what they are paying for and how much the candidate gets. As an example: If a client hires a software engineer for $60,000 per year ($5,000 per month), Teilur's monthly fee would be $1,000 (20% of $5,000). We don't believe in hidden fees or unwanted surprises, so we disclose all costs upfront to both candidates hired and companies. When exploring other alternatives, make sure they are transparent about their pricing. We believe this is paramount for the benefit of all parties involved in this new era of remote work.

5

What is the candidate screening process at Teilur Talent, and how do you ensure a good fit for my company?

At Teilur Talent, we take candidate screening very seriously. We use a multi-layered approach to find the best candidates for our clients, starting with screening thousands of candidates from our internal and proprietary networks. We leverage AI technology to assess whether a candidate matches the technical skills required for a given job opening. We also perform additional personal evaluations to ensure that the candidate has the soft skills, culture fit, and English language skills required to excel in their new role. Our rigorous screening process ensures that only the best candidates make it through to our clients, saving them time and helping them find the best talent for their teams.