Trusty Oak vs. Toptal
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 Trusty Oak 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. Trusty Oak 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
Erika W. Texas 
Jenn M. Texas 
Hasanna G. Texas 
Barakallah O. Pennsylvania Head-to-head comparison
Trusty Oak vs. Toptal
Trusty Oak leads in 5 of 10 categories. Want to see how it works for your business?
Book a Free Discovery CallWhich service fits you better?
Both are legitimate options. The right choice depends on what your business needs.
may be better if… - You need an elite, deeply specialized freelancer — like a senior software engineer or a fractional CFO — and you're comfortable directing them yourself
- You want to hand-pick a specific individual from a large global network and start fast
- You value Toptal's rigorous screening and want top-tier technical or specialized talent for a defined project
- You like the no-risk trial model and want to evaluate a freelancer before committing
- You're fine setting engagements at freelancer-set rates and working across time zones
is the better fit if… - You want the option of a single executive AND the ability to scale into a full team, without sourcing each role separately
- You'd rather we manage the work — account management, oversight, weekly reporting — than direct a freelancer yourself
- You need a mix of administrative, specialist, and strategic support, not just one specialized freelancer
- You want US-based professionals in your time zone, with no timezone gaps or language barriers
- You prefer transparent pricing you can see before any sales call, starting at a smaller monthly budget you can scale
- You value an ongoing relationship with people who know your business, not a per-project placement
Why businesses choose Trusty Oak
A single exec or a whole team
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 Trusty Oak you flex one relationship across as much or as little talent as you need.
We manage it, not just match it
Toptal matches you with a freelancer you then direct yourself. With Trusty Oak, a dedicated account manager and weekly reporting keep the work on track, so you get outcomes without the management overhead.
Three levels of talent, one budget
Access EAs, Specialists, and Executives from a single monthly budget. No need to source, vet, and contract separately for admin, creative, or strategic work.
Transparent, flexible pricing
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.
US-based professionals in your time zone
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 Trusty Oak there are no timezone gaps or language barriers.
An ongoing relationship, not a placement
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.
"Trusty Oak has been a game-changer for our business. The flexibility to access different levels of talent through one budget has saved us time and money compared to hiring in-house."
Sam Baker CEO, Sam Baker Consulting Compare other services
See how Trusty Oak stacks up against other virtual assistant options.
Ready to see the difference?
Book a free discovery call to learn how Trusty Oak's flexible model can give you a single executive or a full team, without the long-term commitment.