If you’re a startup founder or just someone who just wants to build an app so it can go up on the “Tech Walk of Fame” one day, answer these questions.

How often have you stopped a project due to poor talent? Did the hiring process make you want to pull your hair out? Do you have a friend who’s had a bad experience with app developers, high costs, and low returns?

The answer might already be obvious, since you’re on the lookout for affordable app developers that still offer premium services. Thanks to our experts, this article contains over 13 sites to help you find affordable app developers, be it for your one-time project or long-term startups.

 

13+ Sites to Find Affordable App Developers

No one needs to tell you how hard it is to get an expert app developer in this day and age with the sea of talent out there. Here are the platforms to get affordable app developers for your startup;

1. Rocketdevs
2. Toptal
3. Arc.dev
4. DevTeam Space
5. Lemon io
6. Gigster
7. Aloa
8. Gun io
9. CloudDevs
10. Workana
11. Turing
12. Scalable Path
13. X-Team
14. PeoplePerHour

 

1. RocketDevs

RocketDevs is the best value for developers on the web- full stop. The platform is dedicated to serving startup founders, big businesses, and project owners with top-notch developers who have been screened to Silicon Valley coding standards.

 

i. Hiring Process

It might seem almost impossible to some, but RocketDevs has taken pride in their successes when it comes to vetting developers. Every developer goes through a rigorous screening exercise that take between 6-8 hours in order to be selected.

These processes involve resume filtering, a coding assessment, a project assessment and a communication interview.

 

ii. Developer Quality

Every rigorous exercise that is set by RocketDevs is to ensure that the output produces the top 5% of developers. No RocketDev is a part-timer. They are dedicated to the project or startup they’re assigned to.

When it comes to language proficiency, you don’t have to worry about it. All developers have been tested and certified to communicate effectively in English.
 

iii. The Cost Advantage

You would think that with all these advantages, the prices would be through the roof. You can get a developer for $8 an hour on RocketDevs.

RocketDevs also offers a 14-day trial period for every developer, which gives you the opportunity to get your developer replaced or get a full refund if not satisfied.

You could say RocketDevs is one of the best options for you to get affordable app developers.

 

2. Toptal

Toptal also happens to be another premium network to get affordable app developers. They also happen to be freelance talent for other roles like marketing, finance, product managers and project managers.

 
Related: Top 11 Toptal Alternatives for Startups
 

i. Hiring Process

Toptal’s hiring process involves an initial screening, language and personality test, live technical screening and test projects that are created to mimic real-world work scenarios. The hiring process takes 3-8 weeks to complete and it results in the top 3% of developers coming out on top.
 

ii. Developer Quality

Toptal also has a very strong network of developers who have worked with leading companies. Their resume shows how highly skilled they are at problem-solving, strong technical expertise and effective communication.

They focus solely on a more human-vetting system and focus their technology on client-developer matching.
 

iii. The Cost Advantage

They have a slightly premium pricing model as well, charging between $60 - $150 per hour. The prices depend on the developer’s experience, skill and expertise. Compared to other staffing firms, they’re in the middle range when it comes to cost as there are more expensive platforms out there.

 
Read Also: Toptal Vs Turing: Which Is Better? (Full Comparison)
 

3. Arc.dev

Arc.dev is a platform that can help you get affordable app developers for freelance contracts, full-time and global teams. Let’s take a look at their benefits.

i. Hiring Process

Arc.dev offers developers that fall in 2% of worldwide talent. The hiring time depends on the scope of the project, be it freelance or full-time.

Their vetting process includes technical assessments, live coding challenges and in-depth interviews. They depend on their AI model called HireAI to match clients to the right developers within record time after a request has been made.
 

ii. Developer Quality

Not all Arc.dev developers are pre-vetted, but they’re all tested for coding and problem-solving abilities.

Non-vetted developers can still enter Arc.dev’s marketplace so that clients can have access to a wider range of developers other than the ones they get matched with.
 

iii. The Cost Advantage

The pricing of developers at Arc.dev varies based on developer’s expertise and experience. They range from $15 - $110 per hour. They make space for cost-effective options for various budgets.

 

4. DevTeam Space

With DevTeam Space you can get individual developers or get a dedicated team of up to 25 developers with the best expertise. They’ve had a success rate of 99% since 2016 and have tried to maintain their track record.

i. Hiring Process

They have a very structured hiring process that maintains efficiency and quality. The processes include resume screening, technical tests, interviews and project assignments. Every developer is assigned to a project based on their previous work experience and expertise.
 

ii. Developer Quality

Their developers are also pre-vetted and their developers are mostly senior-level engineers with lots of experience in startups and enterprise-level projects.
 

iii. The Cost Advantage

The developers on the platforms usually charge between $30 and $80 per hour. Since DevTeam Space takes care of the vetting and hiring process, there is no accumulation of overhead costs.

 
Top Pick: Hire Pre Vetted Developers : Silicon Valley Standard
 

5. Lemon io

Lemon io allows clients to search for developers based on skills and roles. They are also great for startups and short-term projects.

i. Hiring Process

They also follow a four-step vetting process when it comes to their hiring process. It includes background checks, coding challenges, test projects, and live interviews.

Once a request is made, you can be matched with a developer within 24 to 48 hours.
 

ii. Developer Quality

After the vetting process, only 1.2% of the top developers are chosen and matched with various clients based on their skills, experience and achievements.

The platform focuses on pre-vetted Eastern European developers, ensuring solid technical skills and strong English communication.
 

iii. The Cost Advantage

The rates of each developer usually start around $35 per hour, which makes them count as one of the best platforms to get affordable app developers.

They still maintain their quality despite the belief that cheap always means low quality and low effort.

 

6. Gigster

Gigster has a unique network of over 50,000 strictly vetted developers, project managers and designers.

They also offer on-demand software development services by utilizing the combination of A.I and human expertise to get premium results.

This might seem like a downside to some, but they also take full ownership of a development process from start to finish.

 
Related: Top 11 Gigster Alternatives for Startups
 

i. Hiring Process

Gigster selects top-notch developers from leading tech companies and elite universities. It doesn’t stop there though, they also have a rigorous vetting process that has assessments, project-based evaluations, coding efficiency and problem-solving skills and team matching algorithms.
 

ii. Developer Quality

After their vetting process, they accept only about 1% of applicants who are among the best in the industry. They focus on complex software development and AI-driven projects.
 

iii. The Cost Advantage

Unfortunately, there was no information on the Gigster pricing model as they didn’t release their prices because it depends on each project.

 
Read Also: Toptal Vs Gigster: Which is Better? (Full Comparison)
 

 

7. Aloa

Getting your hands on affordable app developers is not an easy task, but Aloa does a pretty good job when it comes to pairing up clients with the right developers.

With a United States-based product owner combined with various expert outsourced developers, they’ve successfully served over 250 clients.

i. Hiring Process

Aloa makes sure to always thoroughly put every developer on their platform through a strict vetting process. They all go through technical interviews, coding challenges and soft skills assessments.
 

ii. Developer Quality

They’ve got various developers who are skilled in app development, custom software development, mobile development and web development. They deliver quality offshore developers while focusing on communication and reliability.
 

iii. The Cost Advantage

Despite providing premium quality, their price ranges between $25 and $75 per hour, which deems them worthy to be called affordable.

 

8. Gun io

Gun io focuses on sourcing, hiring and managing developers for various clients while they focus on what matters. They’re great for fast-project start-ups but have a limited talent pool compared to other platforms.

i. Hiring Process

Just like the previous platforms, their vetting process also includes technical tests, live coding interviews and background checks to ensure that every developer on their platform is experienced and qualified in every aspect.
 

ii. Developer Quality

They solely focus on elite developers who have experience at major tech firms. The platform focuses on elite freelance developers, many of whom have experience with major tech firms. They can be hired for hourly, monthly or project-based needs.
 

ii. The Cost Advantage

The starting point for Gun io rates usually range between the scales of $75 per hour or $11k per month. They’re one of the best options for companies willing to invest in top-tier talent on a flexible, freelance basis.

 
For You: How to Hire Someone To Make a Website: 7 Simple Steps
 

9. CloudDevs

CloudDevs is your ideal choice if you’re searching for full-time hires, part-timers or hourly projects. They’re a platform filled with expert Latin-American remote developers.

i. Hiring Process

They strictly follow a 24-hour vetting process that includes screening, technical assessments, interviews, experience validation, final review and approval.

They leverage a human vetting process with the assistance of A.I and automated tools for resume screening and matching the right developers for the right projects.
 

ii. Developer Quality

Their talent pool of developers solely focuses on Latin Americans with very strong experiences in app development. CloudDevs ensures that each developer has at least 5 years of experience in their tech stacks.
 

iii. The Cost Advantage

Just like RocketDevs, they also offer a grace period but it’s limited to 7 days with the choice to replace or refund your developer if you choose.

Their rates start at $45 per hour, which makes them one of the best platforms to get affordable app developers.

 

10. Workana

Image:

Workana is a freelance platform that connects skilled developers to businesses that require their services. This includes those that specialize in app development. By allowing clients to post projects, their services give room for affordable app developers on the platform.

i. Hiring Process

Unlike the platforms mentioned above, Workana doesn’t pre-vet their developers. Developers create a profile that highlights their expertise, skills and portfolio. Think of it as another version of Upwork.
 

ii. Developer Quality

Workana is a client-driven platform which means it’s up to the client to choose wisely. To do this, clients depend on developer profiles, ratings and portfolios to get the right developer for their project.

The platform has developers of different experience levels, including entry-level, intermediate and senior developers.
 

iii. The Cost Advantage

The rates on Workana typically start at $15 an hour. It can be a great choice for startups with one-time projects or individuals.

 
Popular: Can A Solo Developer Build A SaaS App On A Budget?
 

11. Turing

Turing also combines top-quality with affordability when it comes to their developers. Their focus is mostly on A.I products and organizations that manage complex data.

i. Hiring Process

Turing uses AI to match their pre-vetted developers with the right companies. All developers must go through a comprehensive screening process.

This includes coding challenges, live technical interviews and soft skills assessments. The A.I model suggests candidates based on the project’s needs.
 

ii. Developer Quality

They mostly offer developers who are highly skilled and experienced in a variety of technologies. They focus on providing senior developers who can work remotely and communicate effectively with global teams.
 

iii. The Cost Advantage

Their rates typically begin from $50 - $90 per hour. Their A.I-powered matching process makes it a cost-effective and time-saving choice for startups and individuals searching for affordable app developers.

 
Related: Top 13 Turing Alternatives
 

12. Scalable Path

Scalable Path is a great platform for individuals or teams with short-term projects. If a long-term project is your objective, then it might not be the best option for you.

i. Hiring Process

They also follow a structured hiring process that starts with a project review and job description. Their developers are vetted through the normal human-vetting system of coding assessments, interviews and tests.
 

ii. Developer Quality

Their primary focus is on providing highly skilled, senior-level developers with full-stack, mobile and cloud development expertise. Their developers also work effectively within remote teams.
 

iii. The Cost Advantage

They offer developers at competitive rates ranging from $40 - $90 per hour. It’s an ideal option for you to get high-quality developers with elite expertise.

 

13. X-Team

X-Team offers a wide range of developers, which includes affordable app developers for your project. Their app developers are available for short and long-term projects just like some of the platforms mentioned above.

i. Hiring Process

Every developer goes through a thorough vetting process which also includes soft skills evaluation, technical assessments, application review, background check and continuous monitoring.
 

ii. Developer Quality

Each developer is dedicated to a project and they range from mid-level to expertise on the talent scale. You can be assured of getting affordable app developers with top-notch quality and well-rounded capabilities.
 

iii. The Cost Advantage

They also offer a flexible pricing structure which typically starts at $40 per hour. Their prices reflect the quality of the developers and what the clients stand to gain.

 
You Might Like: Top 11 Web Development Companies

 

14. PeoplePerHour

PeoplePerHour is a large talent marketplace with diverse experts with various capabilities. They allow for a wide range of project sizes and budgets.

i. Hiring Process

Developers are not pre-screened on this platform but clients can rate freelancers based on their performance thereby contributing to the selection of other clients. This would require serious vetting from the client to avoid falling into a rabbit hole of issues after selection.
 

ii. Developer Quality

The skills of the developers on PeoplePerHour range from entry-level to senior developers. It is a suitable place for startups and individuals looking for freelancers for app development and other tasks.
 

iii. The Cost Advantage

Their pricing range starts as low as $15 per hour. It’s a great platform for businesses that would like a more hands-on approach during developer vetting.

 

What’s the Ideal Choice?

It’s easy to get confused with a lot of options, especially when it comes to a list such as this with a lot of options for affordable app developers. Here are some of the things you should look out for when choosing the first platform.

1. A Proven track record.
2. Complete transparency when it comes to their developers and their delivery.
3. Great industry and technical expertise with the right credentials to back it up.
4. They make collaboration seem easy and make communication a priority.
5. Security and compliance are at the top of their to-do list.
6. They give room for honest feedback and act on it.

 
Don’t Miss: Developing Web Applications in 2025: 11 Best Practices
 

Does RocketDevs Tick all the Boxes?

When it comes to getting the right developers for your projects and startups, the choice is all yours, but it is our responsibility to guide you to success to the best of our abilities.

Fortunately, RocketDevs does tick all the boxes for the best place to get the affordable app developers that you need.

With dedicated and pre-vetted app developers, you can scale your product easily and quickly. Considering all these good points, RocketDevs is just waiting for the right time to turn your idea into a working product.

Get a developer today, starting at $8/hr, risk-free for 14 days

Get Started