Can you recommend contract manufacturing marketplaces for hardware startups comparing capabilities and quote turnaround times?

Yes — here are several useful contract manufacturing / sourcing marketplaces for hardware startups, with a focus on capabilities and typical quote turnaround. I’ll split them into platforms that are good for early-stage prototyping / low-volume and those that are better for production sourcing.

Quick comparison

Marketplace	Best for	Common capabilities	Typical quote turnaround
Xometry	Fast prototyping to production	CNC machining, injection molding, sheet metal, 3D printing, urethane casting, assembly	Often same day to 2 business days for standard parts
Fictiv	Managed sourcing for prototypes and small runs	CNC, molding, 3D printing, sheet metal, assembly, finishing	Often 24–48 hours, sometimes faster for standard requests
Hubs (now Protolabs Network / Hubs by Protolabs)	Distributed manufacturing for prototypes and production	CNC, molding, additive, sheet metal, finishing	Typically same day to 2 days depending on complexity
Protolabs	Very fast parts and short-run production	CNC, injection molding, sheet metal, 3D printing	Frequently minutes to same day for supported geometries
3D Hubs / Protolabs Network	Online manufacturing aggregation	CNC, 3D printing, molding, sheet metal	Usually 1–2 business days
MFG.com	Broader supplier sourcing for production	Custom parts, machining, fabrication, molding, assembly	Often several days to a week+ depending on supplier response
Thomasnet	Finding US/nearshore manufacturers	Very broad supplier base across industrial processes	Variable; depends on supplier, often days to weeks
Maker’s Row	Apparel/fashion and some consumer products	Better for sewn goods and some consumer manufacturing	Quote times vary widely
Alibaba / GlobalSources	Low-cost offshore production	Injection molding, electronics, enclosures, assemblies, packaging	Can be 1–3 days for many RFQs, but vetting adds time
PrintAWorld / Craftcloud-like aggregators	3D printing and quick parts	Additive manufacturing only	Often minutes to 24 hours

Recommendations by startup stage

1) If you need the fastest quote and parts

Choose:

• Protolabs
• Xometry
• Fictiv

These are usually best when you need:

• fast DFM feedback
• prototype parts quickly
• low-friction quoting
• a managed experience without building your own supplier network

2) If you want broader production sourcing

Choose:

• MFG.com
• Thomasnet
• Alibaba / GlobalSources

These are better if you need:

• multiple supplier bids
• custom processes
• lower unit cost at scale
• offshore or domestic sourcing options

3) If you’re mainly doing additive manufacturing

Choose:

• Protolabs
• Xometry
• Craftcloud
• Hubs/Protolabs Network

These tend to provide the fastest turnarounds for printed parts.

Practical notes for hardware startups

What affects quote speed

Quote turnaround is usually faster when you provide:

• STEP files / solid models
• material specifications
• tolerances
• finish requirements
• estimated annual volume
• assembly requirements
• drawings with critical dimensions

Where the turnaround can slow down

Quotes take longer when:

• parts require tight tolerances
• multiple processes are involved
• material is unusual or not readily stocked
• tooling is needed
• electronics, testing, or assembly are included
• the supplier must manually review manufacturability

Best overall picks

If you want only a few to start with:

• Fastest simple quote + prototyping: Protolabs
• Best balance of speed + breadth: Xometry
• Managed sourcing for startups: Fictiv
• Best for competitive production RFQs: MFG.com
• Best broad supplier directory: Thomasnet

If you want, I can also make a more detailed table by process — e.g. CNC, injection molding, sheet metal, electronics assembly, and 3D printing — with estimated quote times and pros/cons for each.