Arc.dev vs Upwork vs Toptal: The Best Site for Hiring Developers in 2024

TL;DR

• Arc.dev gives companies access to highly skilled developers. It’s a good option if you’re particular about quality. 
• Upwork has a large pool of freelance developers and is a more affordable option, but the quality varies.
• Toptal is a premium freelance platform with a very thorough vetting process and higher rates.
• Arc.dev, Upwork, and Toptal all have a robust tech stack.
• If you’re building a solution with a React framework, ReactSquad is your best bet for hiring experienced React developers. 

In 2024, the demand for skilled developers is higher than ever, especially for early-stage startups building SaaS products. Rather than hiring in-house, startups are turning to affordable and experienced freelance developers to build and deliver features quickly. This helps them start generating revenue faster. 

As Jamie Shanks, CEO of Pipeline Signals, said, “If you want to be profitable from day one, hire offshore.” 

But with so many platforms where you can hire developers, choosing the right one can be challenging. This article looks at Arc.dev, Upwork, and Toptal, and compares each platform’s features to help you make a smart decision for your project’s needs.

Arc.dev

Arc.dev is a platform that helps companies hire skilled software developers for freelance or full-time remote work. They have a pool of pre-screened, top-quality developers that they match with businesses based on their specific needs. 

With Arc.dev, you can:

• Access fully vetted talent
• View talent matches in seconds
• Save money by hiring globally
• Build your team with the help of expert global recruiters

Upwork

Upwork is a leading freelance platform that connects companies with skilled professionals across numerous fields. Companies can find and hire the right talent from Upwork’s community of over 12 million registered freelancers, whether it’s for a short-term project or an ongoing role.

With Upwork, you can:

• Find talent from different skill categories
• Assess the work samples and reviews of professionals
• Interview potential candidates for your job

Toptal

If you’re looking for Arc.dev alternatives, Toptal is a great place to start. It’s a premier freelance marketplace that provides access to the world’s top 3% of highly skilled software developers, designers, marketing specialists, finance experts, and product managers. Through a rigorous vetting process, Toptal prioritizes quality over quantity and ensures clients only hire elite talent for their projects.

With Toptal, you can:

• Work with talents on a no-risk, free trial basis before hiring
• Hire talent in under 48 hours
• Build your teams with the help of recruitment experts

Is Toptal better than Turing?

Turing is one of the most popular Toptal alternatives. The platform is also highly regarded for its talent quality. Whether Toptal is better than Turing depends on your project scope and needs. One main difference is that Turing focuses more on providing long-term or full-time developers. 

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

Price 

Arc.dev

Clients pay a $300 deposit to start hiring freelance developers. The developers set their rates, typically $60-$100 per hour for freelancers. For full-time hires, salaries are discussed with a consultant based on the client’s budget. There are no additional processing fees. 

Upwork

Clients pay a 5% Marketplace Fee on all payments made to freelancers for fixed-price jobs, hourly work, project catalog, bonuses, and BYO (Bring Your Own) contracts. There is also a one-time contract initiation fee of up to $14.95 for each new marketplace and project catalog contract. For hourly rates, Upwork’s developer rates typically range from $15 to $90 per hour.

Toptal

A $500 refundable deposit is required to start the talent search. Toptal’s hourly rates for part-time developers typically range from $60 to $150 per hour or $1,000 to $2,400 per week. For full-time remote developers, the rates are higher, typically between $2,000 and $4,800 per week.

Hiring/Vetting process 

Arc.dev

• Manual profile screening to assess relevant training and experience
• Video self-introduction to evaluate remote work compatibility, English proficiency, and soft skills
• Technical interview and pair programming to extensively assess technical skills and logic
• Final candidate review by an independent team to ensure consistency
• Ongoing review of developer projects to maintain quality standards

Upwork

Upwork’s basic platform doesn’t have a formal vetting process. It relies on freelancer profiles, reviews, and skills tests. However, there’s a special, invite-only screening process that gives freelancers the chance to earn an “expert-vetted” badge. Only the top 1% of Upwork freelancers in certain categories qualify for this badge.

Toptal

• Language and personality assessment to evaluate communication skills and engagement
• In-depth skill review testing technical knowledge and problem-solving
• Live screening by domain experts evaluating problem-solving, experience, communication, and creativity
• Test projects to demonstrate real-world competence, thoroughness, professionalism, and integrity
• Continued excellence monitoring to maintain high-quality standards

Free trial 

Arc.dev 

Arc.dev offers a risk-free trial period of up to 2 weeks for freelance developers and a 3-month trial period for full-time developers.

Upwork 

Upwork doesn’t provide a free trial, but clients can start with smaller projects to assess a freelancer’s skills before sending them larger tasks.

Toptal

Toptal gives its clients a free 2-week trial period to properly assess how well the developers fit their expectations and project needs.

QA/Customer Support 

Arc.dev 

Arc’s support representatives have a strong background in software development, which allows them to effectively guide clients through hiring the right developers for their projects.

Upwork 

Upwork provides customer support through various channels like FAQs, guides, community forums, and direct support via email and live chat.

Toptal

Toptal’s customer support is highly personalized. The team ensures every client has a great experience when hiring and working with Toptal freelancers. Toptal also allows its clients to work with up to 3 developers on a trial basis before they decide on a candidate they’re most comfortable with. 

Tech Stack

Quality of developers

Arc.dev and Toptal developers undergo rigorous vetting processes and can boast of consistently delivering high-quality work. On the other hand, Upwork approves most developer profiles, so the quality of its talent pool varies.

What makes each platform stand out?

Arc.dev

Arc.dev’s strict hiring process ensures that clients only work with developers who meet their technical standards. 

Upwork

With millions of freelancers on the platform, Upwork offers a much larger pool of developers and more affordable pricing. 

Toptal

Toptal works with the top 3% of freelance talent globally. Companies can easily access a pool of 20K+ vetted talent who have worked with leading companies like Amazon, Microsoft, and Accenture.

Our verdict

The best platform for your needs will depend on your specific project requirements and budget. If you’re looking for the highest-quality talent and are willing to pay a premium for it, Toptal is likely the best choice. If you want a more cost-effective alternative to Toptal without sacrificing the level of expertise, you should consider Arc.dev.

On the other hand, Upwork (or Upwork alternatives) may be the best choice if you have a limited budget and are willing to invest time in the vetting and selection process.

Another viable option is ReactSquad, a platform that connects companies with skilled React developers. 

ReactSquad boasts a transparent vetting process, ensuring only the best developers with 5+ years of experience are hired. With a focus on React development and startup-friendly pricing of $75/hour, ReactSquad is an attractive choice for companies building solutions with the React framework.

Schedule a call today to book a consultation and get a free ReactSquad trial.