TL;DR

• Staff augmentation lets you beef up your team with external talent without the overhead costs of bringing them on as full-time staff.
• It’s a more affordable and quicker option compared to traditional hiring.
• You need staff augmentation if: you’re working with a limited recruitment budget, want full control over your project while managing external staff, or need the flexibility to adjust your team size as needed. 
• ReactSquad and BairesDev are two top choices for US startups seeking staff augmentation services.
• ReactSquad provides a 7-day free trial, quick matching with skilled devs, and a team of experienced professionals.
• BairesDev also offers access to seasoned developers across various tech stacks. 

BairesDev also offers access to seasoned developers across various tech stacks.

If you’ve secured funding for your startup, and your business plan is rock-solid, the next thing you need to put in place is a full development team. To start generating revenue quickly, you need to get your product up and running as soon as possible. This is where staff augmentation becomes invaluable.

In this article, we’ll explore two of the best staff augmentation services for US startups: BairesDev and ReactSquad. We’ll break down both platforms to help you choose the service that offers the best value for your money.

What is Staff Augmentation?

Staff augmentation is a hiring model where you expand your team with temporary staff provided by a third party. Startups often favor this model because it’s more cost-effective and quicker than traditional hiring methods.

For a deeper understanding of staff augmentation and how it works, check out this article.

Is Staff Augmentation Better Than Hiring Freelance Developers?

Staff augmentation allows you to build the ideal team for your project by adding only the specific skills you need. This model is flexible, enabling you to scale your team up or down as your project demands.

Unlike freelancers, who may need onboarding and could leave before a project is completed, augmented staff integrate fully into your team. They become familiar with your company culture and workflow to maintain consistency. Plus, with freelancers, you often spend valuable time sifting through unsuitable candidates before finding the right fit.

So, if we consider the cost and time savings, we can say staff augmentation is better than hiring freelancers. 

How Do You Know If You Need A Staff Augmentation Service?

Consider staff augmentation for your startup if:

• You need specific skills: When you require a particular skill set to complete a project but it doesn’t justify hiring a full-time employee, staff augmentation is the ideal solution.
• Knowledge sharing & collaboration: Working with other skilled professionals in your team fosters knowledge sharing and a unified approach. This leads to smoother collaboration and project execution.
• Maintain project control: Augmented staff act as an extension of your team, taking direction from you, not their agency. This ensures you maintain full control over every aspect of the project.
• Flexible team size: If your project is unpredictable and may require quick adjustments in team size, staff augmentation offers the flexibility to scale your team up or down quickly.
• Temporary workload spike: If your team is facing a temporary surge in workload that they can’t manage alone, staff augmentation provides the people you need to meet deadlines without overwhelming your current team.

How To Choose The Right Staff Augmentation Service

Selecting the right staff augmentation service isn’t as simple as picking a cereal brand off the shelf. It requires careful consideration and strategy. Here are some key factors to keep in mind:

1. Expertise: Look into the company’s experience in your industry and their talent pool. Do they have a strong track record of providing professionals with the specific skills you need? 
2. Communication & support: How well does the company communicate, and do they have available support? These two factors are needed for smooth collaboration and to build trust. 
3. Vetting process: Research their vetting process for their talent pool. A company with a rigorous selection process means they have quality talent.
4. Pricing: Understand their pricing structures and other fees. Carefully review contracts, paying attention to terms like engagement length, termination clauses, and guarantees.
5. Client testimonials & references: If you can, seek out reviews and case studies from former clients. Look for references to gain firsthand insights into the agency’s service and the quality of staff they provide.

Best Staff Augmentation Services for US Startups

#1 ReactSquad

ReactSquad is a leading developer agency that provides React engineers to fast-growing startups. We recruit expert, vetted developers skilled in technologies like React.js, Node.js, JavaScript, and TypeScript. We also match you with engineers who align with your team’s culture, enabling you to start within 48 hours. 

What you get with Reactsquad:

• Seamless overlap with US and EU time zones
• Rates start at $75/hour, with no hidden fees.
• Flexible payment structure; choose between upfront or monthly payments.
• Enjoy a 7-day free trial with a no-risk replacement guarantee
• Access highly qualified and trained engineers at half the cost of US-based developers.
• Get matched with a developer and start shipping code in under a week.

#2 BairesDev

BairesDev is an outstaffing agency that connects startups with tech talent from South America and the Caribbean. They offer the "top 1% of South American talent."

Here’s what BairesDev brings to the table:

• Overlap with US and EU time zones.
• Expertise across various industries.
• Access to experienced and thoroughly vetted professionals.

BairesDev vs ReactSquad: Which is Better?

Price

• ReactSquad: Our pricing is clear and straightforward, starting at $75 per hour. No hidden fees. No initial deposit.
• BairesDev: Their pricing is less transparent; you’ll need to contact them for a custom quote.

Free trial

• ReactSquad: We offer a 7-day no-risk free trial. If you’re not satisfied, we’ll replace the developer or refund your payment.
• BairesDev: They do not offer a free trial.

Time to fully integrate into the team

• ReactSquad: We can match you with a developer who will be coding within 24 hours.
• BairesDev: The onboarding process can take up to two weeks from initial contact.

Tech stack

ReactSquad: We specialize in React, Node.js, Next.js, Remix, TailwindCSS, Redux, JavaScript, and TypeScript.

BairesDev: They cover a broader range of technologies, including Python, .NET, Java, Ruby, PHP, Golang, Angular, and more.

Talent vetting process

ReactSquad:

1. We review resumes, focusing on experience and technical skills.
2. Developers are assessed for proactive communication and English proficiency.
3. Candidates take a 90-minute live coding challenge conducted by a lead developer.
4. The CEO conducts a culture fit interview.
5. The CTO performs a final in-depth technical interview.
6. Successful candidates are fully employed by ReactSquad.

BairesDev:

1. Applicants start with an online assessment.
2. Interviews evaluate professionalism, adaptability, and communication skills.
3. A written test examines creativity and problem-solving abilities.
4. Promising candidates undergo a technical interview with in-house experts.
5. Successful candidates are employed by BairesDev.

Skill/Experience level of developers

ReactSquad: Our developers come with a minimum of 5 years of experience.

BairesDev: BairesDev’s talent pool averages around 9 years of experience.

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BairesDev developers have more experience on average and a broader tech stack. We offer a specialized team with guaranteed React expertise and fast deployment thanks to our streamlined matching process. Plus, you’ll benefit from a risk-free trial and transparent pricing.

If you’re working on a React project, we’re confident we can deliver. Schedule a call today to get started.