Upwork alternatives for building a SaaS MVP.
The main Upwork alternatives for an MVP are a screened network such as Toptal, a developer you hire directly, or a fixed-scope agency like us. Upwork is still the better choice when you can judge developers yourself and want the widest range of prices. The others cost more but take some of the vetting or management off you. We’re an agency, so weigh our view accordingly.
Reviewed by Anubhav Gupta, Bespoke Devs · Updated
Upwork and its alternatives
| Compare | Upwork | Toptal | Direct hire | Bespoke Devs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Open marketplace | Screened network | A developer you find yourself | Fixed-scope agency |
| Who vets | You | Toptal | You | Our own team does the work |
| Who manages the build | You | You, unless you buy managed services | You | Us |
| Price | Set by each freelancer, plus Upwork’s client fees. Check current fees | $79 monthly subscription if you proceed with matching, plus talent rates that aren’t published | Whatever you agree | $4,997 fixed for a full-scale MVP |
| Good for | Small tasks, wide choice, low entry cost | Finding experienced people quickly | A long working relationship | A whole first version by a set date |
Fees and terms change, so confirm them on each company’s own site.
What Upwork does better
For plenty of jobs, Upwork is the right tool and we’d tell you so.
- ChoiceYou see many people at many prices, in many countries and specialities. No agency can match that range.
- Small jobsFixing a bug or building one integration doesn’t need a full project. We wouldn’t be a sensible hire for a two-hour task.
- Budget controlYou can start with a small paid test and grow from there, with whoever does well.
- A record to readPublic job history and reviews give you something to judge, though you still have to judge it.
Where the real cost sits
When you compare Upwork alternatives, the platform fee is rarely the deciding number. As an example, a 5% fee on an $8,000 project is $400. Those are illustrative numbers, so check Upwork’s current fees. What costs more is your time: writing the job, sorting replies, interviewing, reviewing code you may not be able to read, and starting again if the hire doesn’t work out.
If you’re a developer or have one to help you, that time is small and Upwork can be great value. If you’re a non-technical founder, it’s the largest risk in the project. Our rough estimate for a typical MVP with a freelancer is $5,000 to $11,500, before counting your time. See freelancer vs agency for that comparison.
What to check if you hire on Upwork
A few habits avoid the most common problems.
- Start with a small paid testOne real task, paid, before you commit to the whole product.
- Keep accounts in your nameThe code repository, hosting, domain and Stripe account should belong to you from day one.
- Get ownership in writingRead Upwork’s current contract terms, and get a clear assignment of the code. See who owns the source code.
- Ask someone to review the codeIf you can’t read it, pay a second developer for a few hours to look at it early.
- Read how payment protection worksProtection rules differ between hourly and fixed-price contracts. Check Upwork’s help pages before you pick one.
Which one fits you
Stay on Upwork if
- You can judge a developer’s work
- The job is small or clearly defined
- Your budget is tight
- You have time to interview and manage
Look at Upwork alternatives if
- You can’t assess code yourself
- You need a whole product, including design and QA
- You’ve got a date you must hit
- You don’t want to manage the build
When not to choose us
- You need one small task or a part-time developer. Upwork or a direct hire fits better.
- You want to pick the individual person who writes your code. Marketplaces let you do that.
- Your scope is still moving. Hourly work on a marketplace gives you room to change.
Common questions
For developers, people often compare Upwork with Toptal, Fiverr, Freelancer and Contra. For a whole product, the real alternative is usually an agency or hiring someone directly. Which fits depends on how much you want to manage.
Upwork gives more choice and leaves vetting to you. Toptal screens its talent and usually costs more. See our [Upwork vs Toptal guide](/saas-mvp-development/upwork-vs-toptal).
Both connect you with independent people, and they work differently. Read each one’s current fees and terms on its own site before you decide. We haven’t compared them in depth here.
No. A bad agency can cost you more than a bad freelancer. Ask to see products they’ve shipped, and ask who’ll do the work.
Keep reading
- SaaS MVP developmentWhat’s included, what it costs and how a 15-day build works.→
- Upwork vs ToptalOpen marketplace or screened network: fees, vetting and who each suits.→
- Toptal alternativesVetted individuals or a team that delivers the whole product.→
- Freelancer vs agencyCost, timeline and risk compared, including when the freelancer wins.→
Tell us what you’re building.
Takes under a minute. We come back with a scope and a fixed price.
- Reply within 24 hoursA real person reads every brief.
- Fixed scope, fixed priceYou get a written proposal, no hourly billing.
- You own the codeFull ownership of code and assets at launch.