Both selective. Very different focus.
Toptal markets itself as the top 3% of freelance talent globally. That's My Brief also works with the top 3% — but specifically within India's creative economy. That difference matters more than it might seem. Toptal's network is skewed toward software engineering and finance talent; its creative roster is comparatively thin and priced in USD for a global market. If you're a Indian D2C brand looking for a brand designer, creative director, or content strategist who deeply understands the Indian consumer, That's My Brief is the specialist platform.
Rate reality for Indian brands
Toptal's creative freelancers typically charge USD-equivalent rates — ₹8,000 to ₹20,000 per day for senior creative work. That's the global market rate, and it's appropriate for global clients. Indian brands, operating at Indian market economics, find this pricing misaligned. That's My Brief connects you with senior Indian creative professionals at INR-denominated rates that reflect the actual Indian freelance market — typically 40–60% more cost-effective than USD-priced global talent for equivalent quality work.
Vetting: global prestige vs local depth
Toptal's screening process is rigorous — and optimised for technical roles. For creatives, "top" is harder to define algorithmically. That's My Brief's curation is done by creative professionals who have worked inside Indian agencies and brand teams. They know what good looks like for a D2C packaging brief, a social-first video script, or a brand refresh for a regional food brand. The benchmark isn't global; it's what elite Indian brand teams would hire in-house.
Matching speed and process
Toptal offers a no-risk trial period after a matching process that can take 1–2 weeks for specialist roles. That's My Brief targets 24-hour matching — you have a curated shortlist within one business day of submitting your brief. For campaigns with hard launch dates, that speed differential changes what's possible.
The Indian brand context advantage
The best creative work for Indian consumers is made by people who are Indian consumers. Cultural fluency — understanding what Diwali means for a beauty brand's campaign, how Tier 2 aspirations differ from metro positioning, what font choices read as premium in Hindi and English — this is built from lived experience, not acquired through a global platform profile. That's My Brief's entire network is India-native.
When Toptal makes sense
Toptal is excellent if you need senior engineering or finance talent, or if you are a global company looking for globally-positioned creative work. For Indian brands hiring Indian creatives at India-appropriate rates, That's My Brief is purpose-built for exactly that use case.
Frequently asked questions
Does That's My Brief vet its freelancers as rigorously as Toptal?
Yes — every creative goes through portfolio review, skill assessment, and a communication evaluation. Only the top 3% of applicants are accepted.
What types of creative roles does That's My Brief cover?
Brand designers, UI/UX designers, copywriters, content writers, social media managers, video editors, motion graphics designers, photographers, illustrators, art directors, creative directors, brand strategists, performance marketers, SEO specialists, packaging designers, and email marketers.
Is That's My Brief only for large brands?
No. The platform is designed for any Indian brand — from bootstrapped D2C startups to established FMCG companies — that wants access to pre-vetted creative talent without the overhead of a full-service agency.