TL;DR

• Arc.dev gives companies access to developers in U.S., Europe, and Latin America.
• Upwork has a large freelancer pool and is more budget-friendly, but the quality of devs isn’t guaranteed.
• Toptal is a developer marketplace with a strict vetting process. However, it is very expensive.
• Arc.dev, Upwork, and Toptal have developers skilled in multiple tech stacks.
• If you want to hire React.js specialists at startup-friendly rates, ReactSquad is your best bet. 

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A good hiring platform is a valuable resource when looking for a freelance hire. Sites like Arc.dev, Upwork, and Toptal connect companies with skilled talent worldwide, offering access to devs without the cost of hiring full-time staff.

This article compares these three platforms to help you decide where to hire your next developer.

Arc

Arc is a subsidiary of Codementor, another website for hiring freelancers. It helps businesses hire freelance or full-time remote software developers and other tech talent. While developers are pre-screened to match companies based on specific needs, their level of expertise can vary. It’s a flexible option for finding remote talent. 

How to hire a dev from Arc

1. Create an account and share your project goals, budget, job role, and preferred tech stack.
2. Arc’s AI engine will send a list of devs from their talent pool that match your specs.
3. You can interview each candidate for both technical and cultural fit.
4. When you’re ready to hire the software engineer you prefer, sign the contract and an NDA, and Arc will handle all paperwork.

Arc’s vetting process 

A platform’s vetting process gives an idea of the quality of developers you’ll expect to hire. Let’s review how Arc screens its talent: 

1. Recruiters manually screen profiles for relevant training and experience.
2. They require a video self-introduction to assess candidates for remote work compatibility, English skills, and other soft skills.
3. Technical interview with a senior engineer to evaluate technical skills and logical thinking.
4. An independent team conducts a final review of each stage of the developer’s vetting process for consistency.

Successful devs are recommended to clients hiring for freelance or full-time jobs.

Arc’s pricing

Arc states that their developers typically charge between $60 and $110+, although experienced devs charge more. Arc also requires an initial deposit of $300. If you hire a developer, this amount is credited to your first invoice and refunded if you don’t proceed after the free trial. For full-time hires, you pay Arc a fee-per-hire equal to about 20% of the developer’s first-year salary.

Arc pros and cons

Pros

• Developers are based in the U.S., Europe, and Latin America, giving you options in several timezones.
• Free trial available 
• Multiple tech stacks available.

Cons

• The hiring process can take up to two weeks.
• Refundable security deposit of $300 required to start a project.

Upwork

With over 12 million freelancers, Upwork is one of the largest freelance platforms. Businesses use Upwork to hire professionals across various industries, including software engineering. Uprok is suitable for hiring talent for short-term projects. However, the quality and experience of freelancers can vary, so you need to search carefully to find the right fit for your needs.

How to hire a dev from Upwork

1. Sign up to create an account or log in if you have one.
2. Post your job, adding details like budget range, skills needed, and deliverables.
3. After your job post goes live, you’ll start getting proposals from interested freelancers. Upwork’s AI also suggests potential matches.
4. You can choose to interview the shortlisted devs. 
5. After deciding on your top pick, click “Hire,” and Upwork sends a contract to them. The project starts once the developer accepts your offer. 

Upwork’s vetting process 

Upwork's basic platform doesn’t have a laid-out vetting process. You have to rely on reviews to assess the quality of the developer. There’s also an invite-only screening process that gives freelancers the chance to earn an "expert-vetted" badge. However, there’s no documented proof of how to earn an invitation. Upwork only states that 1% of freelancers in certain categories qualify for this badge.

Upwork pricing

You can find freelance engineers on Upwork that charge as low as $10 and as high $100+ per hour. Upwork charges a $15 Contract Initiation Fee, an additional fee for each new contract you start with a freelancer on their platform. By the way, this is separate from the 8% Client fee charged on payments.

Upwork pros and cons

Pros

• Large talent pool
• You can assess the portfolio and reviews of developers

Cons

• No formal vetting process, so finding quality devs can be a challenge.
• Hiring speed is entirely up to you.
• Devs can work on multiple projects, affecting their commitment to your project. 

Toptal

Toptal is one of the more popular Arc.dev alternatives. Businesses use it to hire skilled software developers. While Toptal’s rigorous vetting ensures high quality, that exclusivity comes with a hefty price tag. That’s why Toptal is more suited for enterprise companies. 

How to hire a dev from Toptal

1. Contact a Toptal rep to discuss your project, including goals, skills needed, and project type. 
2. Toptal sends a list of best-matching devs within a few days.\You can choose to interview the matched candidates to see if they're the right fit for your team.
3. You can choose to interview the matched candidates to see if they're the right fit for your team.
4. After choosing your dev, you can start working with them in a 2-week risk-free trial. 

Toptal’s vetting process

1. Applicants are screened on English communication skills. 
2. Candidates answer coding challenges to test their technical knowledge. 
3. Live coding exercises and interviews with Toptal senior engineers to review creativity and problem-solving skills.
4. Candidates at this stage are given a real-world test project that lasts about 3 weeks.
5. Top 3% of successful candidates are added to Toptal’s talent pool. 

Toptal’s pricing

Toptal devs’ hourly rates range between $100 and $200+. You’ll also need to pay a $79 monthly subscription fee to use their talent search services. This fee is separate from the developer’s rates.

Toptal’s pros and cons 

Pros

• Strict screening process.
• 2 weeks no-risk free trial.
• Multiple tech stacks available.

Cons

• Expensive. 
• The hiring process can take up to 3 weeks.

Arc vs Upwork vs Toptal: Which is the best for hiring developers in 2024?

The table below compares the three platforms to help you decide which is better for you.

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The best platform for you will depend on your project needs and budget. If you're after top-tier talent and don't mind paying a premium, Toptal is a strong option. For a more affordable alternative with decent expertise, Arc.dev is worth considering. If you’re on a tighter budget and have the time to vet and select candidates yourself, Upwork might be the better choice.

Another strong option is ReactSquad. We’re a marketplace of vetted React developers for SaaS startups. 

Hire senior React developers at affordable rates

• Qualified, senior developers with 5+ years of experience
• Affordable and transparent pricing at $75/hour
• Get matched with a developer in 48 hours

Let’s talk about your project

Our 100% React.js focus makes us ideal for startups building solutions with React. We only recruit React specialists with 5+ years of experience. To ensure high standards, we rigorously vet them through 3 interviews + 4 weeks of a paid test project. Jan Hesters, our CTO, handpicks each developer. 

Here are some more benefits:

• Startup-friendly pricing of $75/hour.
• 48-hour matching with a dev. 
• 7-Day no-risk free trial.

Book a call today to get matched with a dev within 48 hours.

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