Comparison Guide
Two ways to add talent without a full-time hire: one is a global freelance network you hire from and manage yourself, the other is a US-based managed team we run for you. Here's an honest look at how they compare so you can pick the right fit.
A quick overview
Toptal and Nacho both help you add experienced talent without committing to a full-time salary, but they work very differently. Toptal is a global, fully remote network of freelancers it describes as the 'top 3%' in business, design, and technology, including developers, designers, finance experts, fractional CFOs, and product and project managers. A client advisor matches you (Toptal cites average matches in under 24 hours) and you hand-pick a freelancer through a no-risk trial, then direct that person yourself. Nacho gives you a managed relationship that flexes from a single executive to a full team of US-based EAs, Specialists, and Executives under one monthly budget, with a dedicated account manager and weekly reporting built in. Below is a side-by-side comparison to help you decide which model fits your needs.
Global freelancers · Self-managed · Rates set per freelancer 
Flexible team · US-based · Scalable monthly budget Some of our US-based talent
Run the numbers
| Criteria | | |
|---|---|---|
| What you get | One person or a full team, your choice | Individual freelancers you select per role |
| Who manages the work | We do, account management & oversight included | You do, you direct the freelancer yourself |
| Talent location | US-based, in your time zone | Global, fully remote network |
| Talent scope | Admin to strategic (EAs, Specialists, Executives) | Specialized freelancers: dev, design, finance, PM |
| Pricing model | $1,000/mo minimum budget, scale as needed | Freelancers set their own rates per engagement |
| Pricing transparency | Minimums published on website | Quote-based, no flat rates published |
| Scaling | Flex one budget across multiple talent | Source and contract each freelancer separately |
| Commitment | 3 months, then month-to-month | Per-engagement; hourly, part-time, or full-time |
| Getting started | Discovery call + custom Delegation Strategy Plan | Client advisor match + no-risk trial |
| Ongoing oversight | Weekly reporting + dedicated account manager | None, you manage the freelancer directly |
Nacho leads in 5 of 10 categories. Want to see how it works for your business?
Book a discovery callThe honest take
Both are legitimate options. The right choice depends on what your business needs.
may be better if… is the better fit if… The difference
Need just one strategic operator? Start there. Need admin and specialist support around them? Add it from the same budget. With Toptal you contract each freelancer separately; with Nacho you flex one relationship across as much or as little talent as you need.
Toptal matches you with a freelancer you then direct yourself. With Nacho, a dedicated account manager and weekly reporting keep the work on track, so you get outcomes without the management overhead.
Access EAs, Specialists, and Executives from a single monthly budget. No need to source, vet, and contract separately for admin, creative, or strategic work.
Start at $1,000/mo and scale up or down as your needs change. Our minimums are published on our site: no quote-by-quote rate negotiation for each engagement.
Every team member is a vetted, US-based professional working in your time zone. Toptal's network is global and fully remote, which can mean coordinating across time zones. With Nacho there are no timezone gaps or language barriers.
You work with the same people who learn your business over time, not a freelancer you onboard and offboard per project. When you need something, you talk to someone who already has context.
Helping owners & execs
Keep comparing
See how Nacho stacks up against other virtual assistant options.
Ready when you are
Book a free discovery call to learn how Nacho's flexible model can give you a single executive or a full team, without the long-term commitment.
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