Finding skilled developers quickly can feel like searching for unicorns. Gigster and Arc.dev both promise to solve this problem for SaaS founders and CTOs, but they operate on fundamentally different models. One builds managed development teams while the other connects you directly with pre-vetted talent.
This comparison cuts through the noise to reveal which platform better suits your specific needs based on project scope, budget constraints, and management preferences. You'll learn what to expect from each platform’s vetting process, pricing structure, and time-to-hire so you can make a decision that won't lead to costly mistakes or missed deadlines.
Gigster is a software development agency that matches businesses with teams of freelance developers and web designers. It uses AI to put together these teams to deliver software products for clients. But there’s a catch: you cannot directly manage this development team. Gigster rather assigns a dedicated project manager to manage your project and the team, then you communicate with the project manager.
Arc.dev is a talent marketplace that connects US companies with vetted remote software developers. The company is a subsidiary of Codementor, an online community of developers that focuses on mentoring and hiring remote developers. Arc.dev uses its AI matching engine called HireAI to match qualified devs to companies.
Here’s Arc.dev’s hiring process according to the FAQs page:
Arc follows a four-stage vetting process to filter technical talent: Here’s the breakdown:
1. Arc recruiters review each applicant's resume, skills, training, and professional background.
2. Candidates are assessed for English proficiency and communication skills. This step may involve a live interview or a self-recorded video intro.
3. Those who advance take part in a one-hour technical interview or a pair programming session. This stage tests for domain expertise and practical problem-solving ability.
4. Engineers undergo a final review to make sure they meet Arc’s quality standards before being included in their talent pool.
Gigster operates an invite-only network, which allows it to regulate the quality of talent that comes through. Each developer is vetted before being included in the talent pool. Here’s Gigster's step-by-step vetting process:
While Arc states $15 to $110 pricing on their website, most developers actually charge between $60-$100. This figure varies depending on the role, experience, and dev location. Arc charges additional fees for hiring their developers. For full-time hires, it is 20% of the engineer’s negotiated annual salary. For freelance hires, it is a weekly "retainer" based on the developer’s expected hourly earnings.
Gigster doesn’t display prices on its website as it offers custom quotes per project. The quote depends on the project's complexity, tech stack, and deadline, and covers Gigster’s transaction fees. According to Clutch, however, Gigster’s minimum project quote is $52,000. This price can increase with extra customizations.
Here’s a head-to-head matchup between Arc.dev and Gigster.
For founders that want hands-on management, Gigster may not be the right choice since you don’t get to directly manage your team. And while Arc has a strong vetting process, it comes with developers charging premium rates. You’ll also pay a huge fee for hiring a developer permanently.
But if you want a platform that gives you direct control over your hires at affordable rates, then ReactSquad is the platform. As a marketplace of vetted React.js developers for SaaS startups, we’re 100% focused on the React.js tech stack. Our engineers are highly experienced specialists handpicked by our CTO after passing 3 vigorous interview rounds and a paid test project. We offer simple pricing of $75 per hour and we throw in a 7-day no-risk free trial as well.
Ready to hire your next React developer? Schedule a call today.
