AsyncForge vs Toptal Direct — 2026 Comparison
Toptal Direct is Toptal's managed engagement model. AsyncForge is a productized subscription. Here is the side-by-side.
Toptal Direct (formerly Toptal Projects) is Toptal's answer to managed delivery. Instead of just matching you with a freelancer, Toptal Direct assigns a delivery team — typically a project manager plus contractors — and manages the engagement.
AsyncForge differs in two dimensions. We do not run discovery calls or scope documents — submit a task and we go. And our pricing is a flat subscription, not a project-based or staffed cost model that scales with team size.
Toptal Direct is the right answer for larger, well-scoped projects where having a Toptal-side PM is valuable. AsyncForge is the right answer for continuous delivery where the work shape is many small tasks rather than one large project.
Here is the comparison.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | AsyncForge | Toptal Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Model | Productized subscription | Managed project delivery |
| Pricing | Flat monthly (€2k-8k) | Project-based, typically $30k+ |
| Engagement Length | Month-to-month, ongoing | Project-bounded |
| Project Management | Lightweight Kanban | Dedicated Toptal PM |
| Best For | Continuous delivery | Defined large projects |
Choose Toptal Direct if you...
- Your work is a single defined project, not ongoing delivery
- You want a dedicated PM running your engagement
- Your budget is project-based and approved per project
Choose AsyncForge if you...
- Your work is continuous and varies in shape
- You want predictable monthly cost
- You prefer Kanban-driven async delivery over project-managed sprints
- You want to pause or cancel anytime
Detailed Breakdown
Project vs Continuous
Toptal Direct excels at defined projects. AsyncForge excels at ongoing delivery where the next task is not yet defined.
Cost Shape
Toptal Direct projects start at $30k+ for a small build. AsyncForge Light is €2k/month with no project commitment.
Project Manager
Toptal Direct includes a PM. AsyncForge does not — we ship directly via Kanban, you do not need a PM.
When Toptal Direct Wins
When the project has a clear scope, a fixed deadline, and a budget that justifies the PM overhead.