DevSquad Review: Is it legit? + Pricing, Alternatives, and more
What is DevSquad?
DevSquad is an agency with in-house software developers that builds and launches products for companies on demand. Businesses hire DevSquad on a monthly subscription model and only pay for the work they need with no upfront fees.
How DevSquad works
Their process goes like this:
- Fill out a request form outlining what you want DevSquad to do.
- They’ll reach out to discuss further details of your idea.
- The team builds a prototype that you can launch into the market to get feedback.
- Review the prototype and make changes before they build.
- DevSquad ships the final product and code to you in 3 to 6 months’ time.
DevSquad Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Team provides both developers and product managers to work on your project | Price is between $100 – $150 per hour. |
| No upfront fees | No clear-cut vetting process. |
| A full development team works on your product | Developers are based in Latin America only |
Payment Model
DevSquad uses a ‘software development as a service’ model. This means you pay a monthly development subscription rate based on how many developers you need and can cancel at any time.
They’re not totally transparent with their pricing model on their website. In fact, we had to find their hourly rates on other websites:
Who Founded DevSquad?
Phil Alves founded DevSquad in 2014 to help US entrepreneurs create software products using Latin American developers.
Where is DevSquad located?
It’s based in Utah in the United States.
Good alternatives to DevSquad
ReactSquad.io
ReactSquad.io ‘lends’ their in-house React engineers to fast-paced startups so that their clients get a developer embedded in their team, shipping code within a week.
Pros:
- Quick team expansion: When your dev team needs to grow fast, ReactSquad matches you with qualified developers in just 24 hours.
- Cost-effective expertise: Reactsquad has pros in React, Next.js, Redux, Tailwind CSS, and more at less than half the normal rate you’d pay.
- Risk-free trial: You get to try out a developer for 7 days, absolutely free. It’s like a test drive for top-notch talent.
How it works:
- Tell them your needs: Whether you need one developer or a whole team, ReactSquad listens and understands.
- Speedy matching: Their matching process is lightning-fast – way quicker than traditional recruiting methods.
- Meet your developer: A quick call to ensure the developer fits your team’s skill and culture.
- 7-day free trial: Test their skills in real-time, with zero risks involved.
Cons
Not ideal if your project does not require React.JS.
Revelo
Revelo is a freelance developer platform connecting companies with developers based in Latin America.
Pros
- Affordable hourly rates ($50-70 per hour)
Cons
- Not ideal if you want to hire globally
- You need to make a non-refundable upfront deposit before any work begins.
Arc
Arc is a remote job search platform connecting software developers around the world with startups and tech companies hiring remotely.
Pros
- Good choice for long-term contracts.
- Wide range of tech stacks available.
Cons
- Slow hiring process
How do the alternatives compare?
| ReactSquad.io | DevSquad | Revelo | Arc | |
| Hourly Rate | $75 | $100 – $150 | $50 – $70 | $60 – $120 |
| Upfront costs? | No. | No | Yes. $500 deposit. Not refundable | No |
| How fast can you hire? | Up to 24 hours | Up to 7 days | Up to 14 days | Up to 14 days |
| Geographical Developer Pool | Worldwide | Latin America | Latin America | US, Europe, Latin America |
| Specialised Frameworks? | React NextJS | LaravelVue.jsNode.jsReactAngularElectron | Any | Any |
| Can you request a tech interview, live coding, or test task? | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Can you hire multiple developers? | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
Which is the best alternative to DevSquad?
| Use Case | Option 1 | Option 2 |
| Fast hiring | ReactSquad | Arc |
| You need to launch quickly | Revelo | ReactSquad |
| You want mid and senior developers with 5+ years of experience | ReactSquad | Arc |
| You need great quality at a fair price | ReactSquad | Revelo |
| You want a long-term contract with developers | ReactSquad | Revelo |
| You want to hire from anywhere | Arc | ReactSquad |
Our Recommendation
We recommend Reactsquad as the best alternative to Devsquad for hiring freelance developers, especially if you run a SaaS startup.
Why We Recommend
- Unlike other alternatives, Reactsquad is fully focused on one specific tech stack (React & Node.js). Their developers have high expertise and a niche focus on SaaS products
- Reactsquad has a rigorous vetting process for their developers; with 4 interview rounds and 4 weeks working on a paid test project
- Senior developers with 5+ years experience
- Startup-friendly rates (starting from $75/hr)
- 7-day free trial with your matched developer and a replacement guarantee at any point during your project
Visit Reactsquad’s website to get matched with the best React developers for your SaaS startup
Conclusion
If you want affordable Latin American talent to work with, DevSquad is a good option. But there are cons. Their relaxed vetting process means the developer you get might not deliver the best product. If you want a replacement, might have to lower your expectations; that could take days.
ReactSquad.io is a great alternative that ‘lends’ in-house React engineers to fast-paced startups so that they get a developer embedded in their team, shipping code in less than 7 days.
