Software Engineer applicants have rated the interview process at Toptal with 3.5 out of 5 (where 5 is the highest level of difficulty) and assessed their interview experience as 41% positive. To compare, the company-average is 38.3% positive. This is according to Glassdoor user ratings.
Candidates applying for Software Engineer roles take an average of 22 days to get hired, when considering 82 user submitted interviews for this role. To compare, the hiring process at Toptal overall takes an average of 23 days.
Common stages of the interview process at Toptal as a Software Engineer according to 82 Glassdoor interviews include:
Phone interview: 31%
Presentation: 20%
One on one interview: 15%
Skills test: 13%
Other: 6%
Background check: 5%
IQ intelligence test: 4%
Personality test: 4%
Drug test: 2%
Group panel interview: 1%
Here are the most commonly searched roles for interview reports -
I applied online. The process took 1 week. I interviewed at Toptal in Sep 2021
Interview
the interviewer was pretty strict. he told me we'll have 2 tasks each task should take 15 minutes then he asked me share my whole screen, and asked me to close all apps in the top bar. after doing so he presented me with the task description which was about amicable numbers. i couldn't fully understand the task description and he didn't try to give me any hints or even explain the task then he proceeded with starting the time for the task i tried to implement it but i didn't really understand what i should do tried to ask him again if he can explain it and he didn't help. once the time was over he told me we're not going to continue the process because i started implementing without understanding the task. then he explained the task to me which i gave him the right answer but it was too late.
I applied online. The process took 2 weeks. I interviewed at Toptal (Cape Town) in Jun 2026
Interview
The interview process has been structured and professional so far. It started with the initial application and screening, followed by an online coding assessment with algorithm-style questions focused on correctness, edge cases, and problem solving under time pressure. After completing that stage, I was invited to schedule a live technical interview. Communication has been clear, with detailed instructions about the interview format, environment requirements, screen sharing, and expectations around working without external assistance. The process feels rigorous and time-sensitive,.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Write a function to return the maximum number of words in a sentence from a given string containing letters, spaces, and sentence-ending punctuation.
Tech screening and then tech interview, leetcode style questions. Then there was a take home project.. not in-person. all done remotely and online. Good interviewers, helpful, easy process and good communication
I applied to Toptal and I'm having an interview days later. What can I prepare for now? I wanna get some details or tips from you. Please help me with your toptal screening interview experience.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
What was the last project you have worked on and what did you do in that project?