Toptal Consulting vs DesignCrowd Design Contests – Which is Better?

If you’re trying to choose between Toptal Consulting and DesignCrowd Design Contests, you’re not the only one exploring your options. Zeyvior AI helps simplify the process by examining extensive data and current trends. It presents clear, easy-to-understand insights with visual and numerical comparisons, making it easier to decide which option fits your goals best.

Ease of Starting & Doing

Minimal or Zero Investment

Scalability

Passive Income Potential

Market Demand

Competition Level

Immediate Earnings

Long-Term Stability

Risk of Failure

Opportunity for Newcomers

Adaptability to Changes

Global Reach & Accessibility

Skills & Experience Needed

Payment & Withdrawal Process

Ease of Making Money

Overall Score

Toptal consulting
Requires an extensive application process, skill tests, and portfolio validation. Not an instant way to start earning.

35/100

No upfront monetary investment is required, but time must be spent on applications, tests, and portfolio building.

50/100

Earnings can grow with higher rates, but they are limited by available projects and personal workload capacity.

60/100

Freelancing requires continuous work. No passive income opportunities unless transitioning into an agency model.

10/100

Strong demand for high-skilled professionals, but varies based on industry and economic trends.

80/100

Extremely competitive, with strict entry requirements. Only top freelancers are accepted.

30/100

It takes time to pass the screening process and secure projects. Earnings are not instant.

40/100

Freelancing provides stable income with recurring clients, but work is not always guaranteed.

70/100

Not everyone gets accepted. Those who do may struggle to get consistent projects initially.

40/100

Difficult for beginners to enter due to high skill requirements and strict vetting.

20/100

Stable for professionals, but platform policies, economic downturns, and AI advancements could impact demand.

60/100

Accessible worldwide, but some countries face restrictions in joining or receiving payments.

75/100

Requires specialized expertise in tech, finance, or design. Beginners cannot succeed without prior skills.

20/100

Reliable payments through standard methods, but payment cycles depend on clients.

85/100

High earning potential but not easy—requires skill, marketing, and constant effort.

30/100

47.9/100

DesignCrowd-design-contests
Signing up is easy, but earning requires strong design skills, experience, and the ability to create high-quality work that stands out in contests.

50/100

There is no monetary investment required to join, but designers must invest significant time in creating submissions, many of which won’t be paid for.

60/100

Earnings depend on winning contests, which is not guaranteed. Scaling up requires constant participation and winning multiple contests, making growth limited.

40/100

No passive income opportunities exist. Designers must keep entering new contests to earn money, making it a fully active income model.

10/100

The demand for design services is strong, but DesignCrowd has many competing platforms, and clients often have high expectations for low payouts.

75/100

The platform is highly competitive, with many skilled designers submitting entries. This makes it difficult for new or average designers to win contests.

30/100

Even if a designer wins, payments are not immediate. It takes time to submit work, wait for client selection, and receive payouts.

40/100

While graphic design remains in demand, the contest-based model is unstable. Designers who don’t win frequently may struggle to earn consistently.

50/100

The risk is high because designers can invest hours in a project without earning anything. There is no guarantee of success.

30/100

Anyone can join, but competing against experienced designers is tough. Success requires skill, persistence, and understanding client preferences.

50/100

DesignCrowd’s model is subject to industry trends and platform changes. Increased AI tools and template-based design services may reduce opportunities for designers.

50/100

The platform is available worldwide, but payment methods and local regulations may affect access in some regions.

70/100

Strong design skills and creativity are essential. Beginners may struggle to compete, and learning advanced tools is necessary for success.

30/100

Payments are reliable but can take time to process, especially for first-time winners. Some withdrawal fees apply.

70/100

Winning contests is difficult due to high competition. Earnings are inconsistent, and designers must repeatedly submit work to stay profitable.

35/100

47.3/100

Zeyvior AI shows that Toptal Consulting has a score of 20%, while DesignCrowd Design Contests scores 50%—suggesting both may have limitations at the moment. If you’re just starting out and looking for a more beginner-friendly option, Fiverr selling could be a better fit. Interested in exploring other opportunities? Choose from the options below to find what suits you best.

With Toptal at 20% and DesignCrowd at 30%, neither is fully beginner-proof, but DesignCrowd may be slightly more accessible if you’re just getting started. Curious about low-skill methods? Browse more beginner options using the buttons above.

Toptal Consulting scores 35%, while DesignCrowd Design Contests leads with 50%. This suggests DesignCrowd might be easier to get started with, especially for newcomers. Want to explore beginner-friendly methods? Choose from the options above.

Toptal Consulting has a lower risk score of 40%, compared to DesignCrowd’s 30%—meaning Toptal may offer more stable outcomes. Looking for safer options with less chance of failure? Click one of the buttons below to see what’s out there.

Both Toptal Consulting and DesignCrowd Design Contests score just 10%, so they’re not ideal for passive income. Interested in methods that work while you sleep? Tap the buttons below to discover better passive income strategies.

Toptal Consulting vs. DesignCrowd Design Contests: A Quick Comparison

Toptal Consulting and DesignCrowd Design Contests are two distinct approaches to earning through online freelance work. While both focus on professional skills and project-based tasks, the paths they offer differ in structure, expectations, and ease of entry.

Key Differences

Work Style
Toptal Consulting: Matches top-tier freelancers with high-end clients for long-term or complex projects.
DesignCrowd Design Contests: Offers open design challenges where freelancers compete to have their work selected.

Entry Requirements
Toptal Consulting: Requires a strict vetting process and proven expertise.
DesignCrowd Design Contests: Open to a wider range of creatives, including beginners.

Earning Model
Toptal Consulting: Typically offers stable pay rates and client relationships.
DesignCrowd Design Contests: Income depends on winning contests, making it less predictable.

Flexibility & Freedom
Toptal Consulting: Projects are structured and may require ongoing commitments.
DesignCrowd Design Contests: Allows more creative freedom, but with more competition.

Overall Scores
Toptal Consulting: 47.9%
DesignCrowd Design Contests: 47.3%

Both methods score similarly overall, reflecting that they come with unique advantages and limitations. Whether you’re aiming for premium consulting gigs or want to showcase your design skills through contests, the best choice depends on your goals and experience level.

Looking to compare Toptal Consulting and DesignCrowd Design Contests using up-to-date information? Zeyvior AI analyzes current data and trends to help you understand which option fits your goals best. Whether you’re exploring freelance platforms or other online opportunities, Zeyvior AI offers clear, data-driven insights. Discover the smarter way to compare and decide—start now.