Back to Blog
Hiring Guide
January 7, 2025
8 min read
How to Find and Hire Developers for Your Startup MVP
You have a product idea. Now you need someone to build it. But should you hire freelancers? An agency? Build an in-house team? Here's how to decide.
Your Three Options
| Option | Best For | MVP Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Freelancers | Technical founders who can manage | $5,000 - $20,000 |
| Agency | Speed and predictability | $8,000 - $50,000 |
| In-house | Long-term product development | $50,000+ (salaries) |
Option 1: Freelancers
Where to find them:
- • Upwork — Largest marketplace, variable quality
- • Toptal — Pre-vetted, expensive ($60-150/hr)
- • Arc.dev — Remote developers, good vetting
- • Contra — Creative and technical freelancers
Pros:
- ✅ Lower hourly rates (especially offshore)
- ✅ Flexibility to scale up/down
- ✅ Direct communication with the builder
Cons:
- ❌ You manage the project
- ❌ Quality varies wildly
- ❌ No team backup if they disappear
- ❌ Often takes longer than estimated
Option 2: Development Agency
Pros:
- ✅ Predictable timelines and pricing
- ✅ Team includes design + dev + QA
- ✅ They manage the project
- ✅ Accountability and contracts
Cons:
- ❌ Higher total cost than freelancers
- ❌ Some agencies pad timelines
- ❌ Variable quality across agencies
Option 3: In-House Hire
Pros:
- ✅ Full-time focus on your product
- ✅ Build institutional knowledge
- ✅ Long-term team building
Cons:
- ❌ $120-200K+ annually per developer (US)
- ❌ 2-3 months to hire
- ❌ You manage HR, benefits, etc.
- ❌ Overkill for MVP stage
The Decision Framework
Choose freelancers if:
You're technical, can manage the project, and have time to vet candidates.
Choose an agency if:
You want predictable delivery, aren't technical, and value speed over cost savings.
Choose in-house if:
You've validated your MVP, have funding, and need ongoing development for 12+ months.
What to Look For (Any Option)
- 1. Portfolio of shipped products — Not just designs, real working apps
- 2. Clear communication — Fast responses, asks good questions
- 3. Modern tech stack — React/Next.js, not jQuery
- 4. References you can verify — Talk to past clients
- 5. Reasonable pricing — Not the cheapest, not the most expensive
Our Recommendation for MVP Stage
For most non-technical founders building their first MVP, a specialized agency is the safest bet. The premium over freelancers is worth it for:
- • Predictable delivery dates
- • Not having to manage developers
- • Complete team (design + dev + QA)
- • Accountability and contracts
Save the in-house hiring for when you've validated your product and need to scale.