Most blogs compare freelance platforms like spreadsheets with headings of pricing, features, and fees. But what those lists don’t say is how it actually feels for the developers working there.
As someone who’s used multiple platforms, I’ve seen where developers thrive and where they burn out. And that matters to you as a founder. Because when a platform wears developers down, you’ll feel it too, in missed deadlines, poor quality, or projects that never quite land.
Let me take you on a brief tour. Now, I want you to think of it as following a founder who has used these platforms, while I also tell you what it was like on the dev side.
Stop 1: Upwork – The Job Fair Maze
Imagine a founder, Rachael, logging into Upwork for the first time. Within minutes of posting her project, her inbox fills with 25 proposals. Some look polished, some are copy-paste spam, some are rock-bottom cheap.
On my end as a developer, I’ve been one of those 25 applicants, racing against the clock. It feels like applying for a job every single time, polishing a pitch, writing a custom message, and hoping my profile stands out.
- Why founders like it: Tons of choice, escrow protection, a global pool of skills.
- What devs feel: Competition fatigue, constant price-cutting, and the sinking sense that clients choose the lowest bid.
Rachael eventually hires someone good, but it takes her hours of sorting, and she worries whether she picked right.
Stop 2: Fiverr – The Service Shop
Next, Rachael tries Fiverr. It feels different, so instead of job posts and bids, it’s like browsing a store.
“Fix your WordPress site – $50.”
“React app setup – $200.” Easy.
From the developer side, Fiverr is a sprint. Here, there are fast jobs, clear prices, and little back-and-forth. It’s great if you want quick cash, but it rarely turns into a long-term partnership.
I once did a string of gigs here, bug fixes, small tweaks, and it was fun until I realized I wasn’t growing. It was all speed with no depth.
- Why founders like it: Instant results, no endless proposals.
- What devs feel: Assembly line work. Deliver, move on, repeat.
Rachael gets her landing page fixed in a day, which was perfect for what she needed at that time. But when she asks the same dev to stick around for a bigger build, he politely declines. That’s not what Fiverr is built for.
Stop 3: Toptal – The Gated Community
By now, Rachael wants someone serious, a developer who can stay with her project for months. She tries Toptal. Instead of wading through profiles, she’s matched with vetted developers who’ve passed coding tests, interviews, and even personality checks.
On my side, I still remember Toptal’s entry process. It's gruelling, it feels like applying to a fancy university. But once you’re in, it’s safe, no spammy bids, no $300 “build me a SaaS” offers. Clients respect your rate.
- Why founders like it: Vetted talent, serious projects, less guesswork.
- What devs feel: Stressful to get in, but rewarding once inside.
Rachael pays more, but the project runs smoothly. For the first time, she feels like she has a partner, not just a contractor.
Stop 4: Freelancer.com – The eBay of Code
Curious, Rachael dips into Freelancer.com. It appears promising at first, with a vast range of projects and considerable activity. But soon she notices the same issue as Upwork: endless bids, lowball offers, and a vibe that feels messy.
As a developer, I can concur. The bidding system sometimes feels like eBay for code. Someone always undercuts you, payment disputes happen, and the platform’s energy can be draining.
Rachael ends up leaving because there's too much noise and not enough trust.
Stop 5: Gigson – The Smaller but Smarter Option
Finally, Rachael stumbles on Gigson. It’s not as big as the others, but the twist is that, instead of bidding wars, it matches founders with developers based on stage and skills.
From my perspective, it feels less like a meat market and more like being placed where I actually fit. No spammy proposals, no constant undercutting. Just a project that makes sense.
- Why founders like it: Saves time, avoids endless filtering.
- What devs feel: Supported, not squeezed.
For Rachael, this feels different. She isn’t picking from 50 proposals. She’s just meeting two or three developers who actually make sense for her project.
Red Flags Every Founder Should Watch For
From all these journeys, here are the traps that frustrate developers and end up hurting you, too:
- Unrealistic budgets:
When you set a budget that’s way below market rates, you’re not just cutting costs – you’re cutting corners. Good developers walk away, leaving you with less experienced talent. That often means delays, rewrites, or even failed projects.
- Poor communication:
Developers don’t just write code; they solve problems. If your brief is vague or you ghost them for days, they’re forced to guess. Guesswork results in wasted hours, scope creep, and eventually burnout. Burnt-out devs quit mid-project, and you’re stuck starting over.
- Platforms that push low pricing:
Platforms designed as bidding wars (lowest price wins) condition developers to do the bare minimum just to survive. You might get a “working” product, but it’ll be fragile, unmaintainable, and painful to scale. Long term, that’s way more expensive than paying fair rates upfront.
When a platform treats developers like disposable, you’ll get disposable results.
How Founders Can Pick the Right Platform
- Match the platform to your project type. (Quick fix = Fiverr. Long-term build = Toptal or Gigson.)
- Respect developers’ rates. Bargain hunting costs more in the end.
- Ask yourself: Does this platform support developers well? If yes, you’ll see better results.
Choosing the Right Platform
Match the platform to your needs. For a quick fix, Fiverr might work. For a long-term, complex build, platforms like Toptal or Gigson are better suited because they emphasize quality and fit.
Treat your developer like a partner. Respect their rates, pay them fairly, and involve them in your project's vision. This keeps good developers motivated and invested in your success.
Quick Facts
- The global freelance platform market is booming. It was estimated at USD 5.58 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 14.39 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 17.7% by Grand View Research.
- Upwork and Fiverr dominate the market, but with different models. Upwork holds a significant share of the freelance talent marketplace, while Fiverr is also a notable competitor.
- Toptal’s vetting process is extremely selective. The platform claims to accept only the “top 3%” of freelance talent, a claim supported by its rigorous multi-step screening process.
- Freelancers make up a large portion of the workforce. According to The World Bank Group, the global online freelance workforce is estimated to be between 154 million and 435 million, accounting for up to 12% of the global workforce.
In Conclusion
The ultimate lesson is this: Stop treating developer hiring like a commodity purchase on a job board. The biggest mistake founders make is wading through the spam of the Job Fair Maze or settling for assembly-line work.
The real solution isn't just hiring "talent"; it's finding a motivated partner who is supported by their platform. If you're tired of the guesswork, the bidding wars, and the constant threat of burnout, it's time to choose the smarter option.
Platforms like Gigson bridge the gap, helping both founders and devs get what they need so projects actually succeed.
Skip the noise and find your perfect fit. Start building with a true partner today.
Fellow developers: which platform treated you best (or worst)? Let’s swap stories in the comments.
FAQs
Q: What’s the cheapest platform to hire a developer?
- My take (dev POV): Fiverr and Upwork often show the lowest rates, but cheapest rarely means best. If you want reliability, focus on quality over price.
- Rachael’s reflection: “I thought saving money up front was smart. But the cheap hires ended up costing me more in fixes and delays.”
Q: Which platform is best for long-term partnerships?
- My take: Toptal and Gigson are stronger for long-term work because they emphasize fit and quality.
- Rachael’s reflection: “My most productive collaboration came from Gigson — the dev stuck with me for months and really owned the project.”
Q: Can I find a developer who works full-time through these platforms?
- My take: Yes. Toptal specializes in this. Upwork also allows long-term contracts. Fiverr, not so much.
- Rachael’s reflection: “I wanted consistency, and Fiverr couldn’t give me that. Toptal matched me with someone who treated my startup like a real job.”
Q: Should I rely only on a developer’s portfolio?
- My take: No. Portfolios show skills, but communication and problem-solving matter just as much.
- Rachael’s reflection: “The dev I hired on Gigson didn’t have the flashiest portfolio, but their communication was gold. That’s what made the project work.”
Q: What’s the biggest mistake founders make when hiring freelancers?
- My take: Underestimating cost and overloading scope. Unrealistic budgets drive good developers away and set projects up for failure.
- Rachael’s reflection: “I learned the hard way — when I lowballed my budget on Upwork, I either got ghosted or delivered half-baked results.”
Q: How do I keep good developers from leaving once I find them?
- My take: Treat them like partners, not gig workers. Respect their time, pay fairly, and involve them in the bigger vision. Motivation comes from feeling valued.
- Rachael’s reflection: “When I shifted from just ‘assigning tasks’ to sharing my goals with my dev, they leaned in harder. It wasn’t just code to them anymore; it was building something together.”
Ife Jeremiah
Ife Jeremiah is a software engineer focused on providing customer-centric solutions using software technology.
Article by Gigson Expert
