As an engineering manager with a development team who needs an extra pair of hands, a lead developer hoping to add a member to your established team, or a founder with an MVP to build, you may be in the market for a freelance developer.
One of the most time-effective ways to find a good freelance developer is to use the right freelance platform. But every platform has its strengths and weaknesses.
In this article, we’ll give you an overview of the best niche developer platforms — Arc vs Gigster vs Toptal vs Turing vs Andela. To help you decide which platform best suits you, we’ll also dig deep into each platform’s pricing, features, developer locations, as well as pros and cons. We’ll conduct Arc reviews, Gigster reviews, Toptal reviews, Turing reviews, and Andela reviews.
- Overview: Arc vs Toptal vs Turing vs Gigster vs Andela
- Arc: Cost, Features, Drawbacks, and More
- Toptal: Cost, Features, Drawbacks, and More
- Turing: Cost, Features, Drawbacks, and More
- Gigster: Cost, Features, Drawbacks, and More
- Andela: Cost, Features, Drawbacks, and More
Note: Andela is not a freelancer marketplace. It focuses on helping companies hire remote developers. We’ve included it here because its platforms also feature talented developers, which may be of help to you.
Looking for top talent fast? See how Arc can help you:
⚡️ Find developers, designers, marketers, and more
⚡️ Freelance or full-time remote + fully vetted
⚡️ Save up to 58% with global hires
Hire top talent with Arc risk-free →
Overview: Arc vs Toptal vs Turing vs Gigster vs Andela
Arc
Arc, launched in 2019, is a company related to Codementor, founded in 2013 and funded through the Techstars accelerator program. Before its rebrand, Arc was known as CodementorX, an exclusive freelance platform for hiring top developers. In 2019, the team behind Codementor and CodementorX launched Arc, expanding its core business from matching companies with freelance developers to also matching companies with full-time remote developers.
Arc’s extensive developer network helps companies find developers suitable for their teams. With Arc, it takes companies less than 14 days on average to find the right full-time remote developers. For contractor positions, this period is often less than 72 hours.
Only 2.3% of the applicants can complete Arc’s rigorous, Silicon Valley-caliber vetting process to become Verified Developers on the platform.
You can also try Arc, your shortcut to the world’s best remote talent:
⚡️ Access 350,000 top developers, designers, and marketers
⚡️ Vetted and ready to interview
⚡️ Freelance or full-time
Try Arc and hire top talent now →
Toptal
Toptal was founded in 2010 as a platform to help corporate clients find freelance software engineers. Toptal launched Toptal Designers in 2015, acquired Skillbridge in 2016, and launched Toptal Finance in 2017.
Toptal advertises itself as an exclusive network, only accepting the top 3% of the thousands of applications each month. Everyone at Toptal has elite industry experience.
Turing
Founded in 2018, Turing is a data-science-driven platform connecting companies with remote software engineers. Turing’s vetting process, designed by engineers from Google, Facebook, and Microsoft, claims to identify the top 1% of global developers.
While Turing does feature freelance developers, the platform has made it clear that it is “committed to sourcing and vetting only the best remote developers for full-time roles.” It’s somewhere in between a freelance platform and a remote developers platform, but with a focus on long-term contractors who work 40 hours per week.
Gigster
Gigster was founded as Liquid Labs Inc. in 2013, accepted as part of Y-Combinator’s Summer 2015 class, and launched to the public in 2016.
Gigster’s take on matching clients with developers is a bit different. Rather than matching the client with an individual developer, Gigster uses AI to assemble a whole team led by a project manager, who the client communicates exclusively with.
Andela
Founded in 2014, Andela initially focused on training developers in African countries. After the pandemic, it became a remote human resource organization, connecting developers globally. With a vetting process that includes English proficiency, coding challenges, and technical interviews, Andela emphasizes finding cultural and technical fits for both companies and developers.
While Andela is on this list, note that Andela doesn’t offer hiring services for freelance talent. It focuses on helping developers find remote work with companies from all over the world, making it a Turing alternative and a Turing competitor. With this in mind, we’ll talk about Andela last.
Read More: Remote Developer Salary Calculator compares salaries in different regions
Arc: Cost, Features, Drawbacks, and More
Main Features
Arc caters to both employers and developers, focusing on hiring permanent team members and freelance contractors. Arc promises a four times faster hiring process for permanent hires, typically taking less than 14 days. For freelance hires, you can expect to make a hire within 72 hours.
Hiring a Freelancer Through Arc
It takes Arc roughly 72 hours to match you with the right senior freelance developer in its global talent pool. The Arc freelance developer hiring process is transparent and straightforward.
Here are the four steps companies go through to hire a freelance developer through Arc:
- Sign up and post a request about the role and details about your ideal developer(s).
- Jump on a quick call with one of Arc’s hiring consultants to discuss your developer needs in detail.
- Review the provided developer list and send interview invitations to developers you’d like to speak to.
- Hire!
Skip the early stages of the hiring process by accessing Arc’s talent-verified, ready-to-start remote developers. Leave the fight for tech talent to other companies, and get access to the best developers today! Sign up to Arc and hire developers now →
Costs
Arc offers a range of developers with rates varying between $60 and $100 per hour. The cost is influenced by the complexity of the project, as well as the expertise of the hired developer.
Developer Locations
Developers from all over the world can choose to join Arc and gain access to personalized remote job recommendations. However, to become a Verified Developer, they must go through a rigorous vetting process. A large number of Arc’s developers are located in the US, Latin America, and Europe.
Verification Process
Arc’s vetting process involves four stages:
- Coding Challenge: Assessment of language-specific knowledge, general programming, and algorithmic skills.
- Behavioral Interview: Evaluation of technical background, freelance experience, project management, and communication skills.
- Small Project: Simulation of real-world development scenarios to demonstrate hands-on abilities with specific languages and frameworks.
- Technical Peer Interview: Conducted by domain experts, assessment of familiarity with key tech stacks, libraries/frameworks, and general technical knowledge.
Arc Pros
- An extremely rigorous, transparent vetting process
- Fast, publicized hiring speed
- Ability to choose desired salaries for Arc’s verified developers
- Ability to browse remote jobs for all developers, even those unverified
- Valuable resources to help developers find their dream remote jobs
Arc Cons
- Arc’s vetting process is of Silicon Valley-level caliber, so becoming a verified developer can be challenging
- Arc’s verified developers’ expected annual salary range may be higher than that on other platforms since they’re self-determined
Skip the early stages of the hiring process by accessing Arc’s talent-verified, ready-to-start remote developers. Leave the fight for tech talent to other companies, and get access to the best developers today! Sign up to Arc and hire developers now →
Read More: Remote Developer Salary Calculator compares salaries in different regions
Toptal: Cost, Features, Drawbacks, and More
Main Features
Toptal is short for “Top Talent.” Toptal’s claim to fame is that fewer than 3% of the applicants on its platform are accepted. Each potential candidate goes through a full screening process that’s 2-5 weeks long, involving skill reviews, live screening, test projects, and language and personality tests.
Toptal promises a 0-3 week hiring process, no recruiting fee, no termination cost, a very low failure rate, pre-screened candidates, and a quality guarantee.
Besides technical capabilities, Toptal screens candidates on soft skills like attitude, ethical values, energy, education, and proficiency in English.
Costs
Toptal requires an initial $500 deposit, refunded upon hiring. With Toptal, the price of building an app depends on the rate the freelance developer charges — varying from $60-$95+ per hour to $1,000-$1,600+ per week for part-time developers and $2,000-$3,200+ per week for full-time developers.
Developer Locations
Toptal boasts experts in over 100 countries, mainly in the Americas and Europe.
Verification Process
Toptal has a multipronged, five-step screening process for its talent pool that measures subject matter expertise, professionalism, and communication skills.
Toptal’s screening process includes an English language and communication interview evaluation. The interview process includes a personality, technical knowledge, problem-solving assessments, and live screening by domain experts. These experts assess the candidates’ problem-solving ability, depth of experience, communication ability, and creativity.
Toptal Pros
- Access to a wide range of developers
- Rigorous vetting process
- Various professionals beyond developers and designers
Toptal Cons
- May be expensive compared to other platforms
Read More: Remote Developer Salary Calculator compares salaries in different regions
Turing: Cost, Features, Drawbacks, and More
Main Features
One of Turing’s selling points is its worldwide reach. They have over 1 million developers from 140+ countries and 100+ technologies, as well as an AI-backed intelligent talent cloud that helps match companies with developers.
Turing claims that their advanced vetting engine, designed by Google, Facebook, and Microsoft engineers, finds only the top 1% of the world’s best developers. While it offers freelance developers, the platform focuses on long-term employment.
Costs
Turing’s website doesn’t provide pricing information in detail.
Developer Locations
Turing has developers in 140+ countries. Nonetheless, regardless of their current location, every Turing developer is required to have an overlap of 4-5 hours with the Pacific Time (PT) zone for client convenience.
Verification Process
Turing’s rigorous vetting process involves 5+ hours of technical and communication assessments, including a seniority assessment test.
Turing Pros
- Ideal for long-term employment
- Availability of developers in various time zones
- A large community of over 1 million developers
Turing Cons
- Not designed for flexible freelance or gig-worker hiring
- Limited pricing information
Read More: Remote Developer Salary Calculator compares salaries in different regions
Gigster: Cost, Features, Drawbacks, and More
Main Features
In the world of freelance developer platforms, Gigster stands out for its innovative approach for connecting clients with professionals. Unlike platforms that pair individual freelancers with clients, Gigster offers a team-based model. Clients are introduced to a project manager-led team, fostering seamless collaboration for project delivery. The platform leverages AI in its matchmaking process, assembling teams tailored to project specifics. This not only speeds up the matching process but also aims to enhance overall compatibility.
Communication on Gigster is simplified through a dedicated project manager acting as an intermediary between clients and the development team. This ensures a centralized point of contact, streamlining project coordination and communication. Gigster goes beyond talent matching, taking on the responsibility of overseeing the entire project lifecycle — from conception to delivery. This hands-on approach allows clients to delegate the responsibilities of project management — and sometimes, those of product management — to Gigster, providing a hassle-free experience.
Costs
Gigster’s pricing sets the baseline at a minimum of $52,000 per license, covering a cohesive team and project management services. Considering this starting cost, engaging with Gigster might mean a significant financial commitment for smaller enterprises or startups on tight budgets. That’s why, Gigster is a better fit for well-established enterprises handling high-value projects.
Developer Locations
Gigster operates globally, tapping into a diverse pool of talent. Developer locations aren’t confined to a specific region, offering clients access to a broad spectrum of skills and cultural perspectives. This global reach contributes to the platform’s ability to assemble teams with varied expertise, thus fostering innovation and adaptability.
Gigster Pros
- Access to vetted talent
- Dedicated project managers for streamlining projects
- Premium software development services with quality assurance
- High project success rate with managed service
GIgster Cons
- High costs for premium services
- Less flexibility for clients who prefer to manage freelancers directly
- Longer onboarding process
Read More: Remote Developer Salary Calculator compares salaries in different regions
Andela: Cost, Features, Drawbacks, and More
Main Features
Since Andela only recently changed its business model, its current services can be roughly divided into three parts — for companies, engineers, and enterprises.
For companies and enterprises, a member of Andela’s Matching team reaches out to the client soon after they sign up for a consultation. This team member then matches the client with an engineer within 3-4 business days.
Engineers interested in signing up on the platform must complete an English proficiency exam, solve a coding challenge created by a topic expert, and do a technical interview. During a pair programming exercise, Andela tests the candidates’ decision-making and problem-solving skills. The candidates are then matched with companies that are cultural and technical fits for them.
It’s unclear whether Andela allows developers and engineers to freely browse available jobs after they pass the application process. Developers may only be shown jobs that Andela finds fitting for them or be contacted once they’re matched with a company.
Want to find a developer job board that gives you more freedom to choose your clients? Check out companies like Andela and Andela competitors.
Costs
Andela hasn’t released much information on their hiring costs or hiring model. We are unsure if Andela charges based on hourly rates or annual salary. However, according to a Forbes article, hiring per developer costs companies anywhere between $50,000 and $120,000. It is unclear how much of that their developers receive.
Developer Locations
Andela is expanding its talent locations globally, but historically, it has concentrated in African countries, with a focus on junior developers.
Andela Pros
- Access to intensively trained earlier batches of developers
- Rigorous vetting process
- A large community of over 175,000 developers
Andela Cons
- Lack of information on hiring freelance developers
- Recent shift to focusing on senior developers
- Limited public information about the platform’s workings
Read More: Remote Developer Salary Calculator compares salaries in different regions
Conclusion: Arc vs Gigster vs Turing vs Toptal vs Andela
Among Arc, Gigster, Turing, Toptal, and Andela, each has its strengths and considerations in the freelance developer hiring landscape.
Andela and Turing primarily focus on providing full-time remote developers, limiting their suitability for those seeking freelance solutions. Arc, on the other hand, offers a versatile hiring approach, catering to both permanent and freelance needs. This flexibility makes Arc an attractive Andela alternative or Turing alternative, especially for projects that require short-term assistance.
Toptal stands out by offering access to freelance developers, but the lack of transparent pricing on its website leaves potential clients in the dark about how much its services costs. While Toptal’s fees remain unclear on its website, external sources suggest higher rates than competitors. In contrast, Arc provides clear and upfront pricing, ensuring transparency throughout the hiring process. Arc’s transparency extends to its pricing, making it easier for clients to navigate and budget effectively.
About the vetting processes, Arc provides a detailed overview, offering clients transparency into its developer screening processes. Turing leverages AI to find top engineers but lacks the detailed information necessary to substantiate this assertion.
In summary, Arc and Toptal emerge as strong contenders for people actively looking for freelance solutions, with Arc leading with its pricing transparency. Services and processes may evolve over time, so staying up-to-date with the most recent information directly from each platform’s website is crucial. We trust this condensed comparison has been insightful, helping you decide on the ideal platform for hiring developers.
You can also try Arc, your shortcut to the world’s best remote talent:
⚡️ Access 350,000 top developers, designers, and marketers
⚡️ Vetted and ready to interview
⚡️ Freelance or full-time
Try Arc and hire top talent now →
Disclaimer: Arc does not claim ownership of mentioned platforms’ logos, slogans, and trademarks, which were used for descriptive purposes only and belong to their respective owners. We are not affiliated with or sponsored by the platforms mentioned in this post. The information provided is based on our research, and we do not claim that any of the information was approved by third parties (e.g., the platforms mentioned in this post). Platform service offers also change over time. We encourage all readers to do their own research.
