Gun.io Review: How It Works, Pricing & Top Competitors in 2026

TL;DR

• Gun.io is a talent-matching platform that connects companies with vetted software developers for remote freelance or full-time work.
• Gun.io doesn't disclose their pricing info, so you'll need to contact them for a quote. 
• Gun.io makes hiring reliable talent easy, but the process can take up to 13 days and there could be unexpected hiring costs.
• Top alternatives to Gun.io include ReactSquad, Arc.dev, and Lemon.io, which offer faster hiring, more transparent pricing, and specialized talent pools.
• ReactSquad is a staffing agency of vetted React developers for companies and engineering teams. They have a quick 48-hour matching process and 14-day no-risk free trial.

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What is Gun.io?

Gun.io is a global talent-matching platform founded by developers to simplify hiring, especially for startups looking for developers. Instead of wasting time going through tons of resumes, companies can connect with vetted developers through Gun.io. 

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How to hire software developers on Gun.io

Gun.io’s hiring process is straightforward and takes about 13 days on average to complete. 

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First, start a chat with Gun.io’s talent team to tell them what you need. The team will get back to you in 3-5 business days with a shortlist of top-matching developers who are ready to work. 

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After you’ve selected the candidates you’d like to interview from the list, Gun.io will set up the calls. One of their team members will also join to answer any questions. After you've made your choice and signed the contract, Gun.io will connect you with your preferred developer. 

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Gun.io’s vetting process 

Gun.io has a moderate vetting process to provide clients with tech talent. Developers who apply to work with Gun.io must pass 3 main stages:

• An algorithmic screening 
• A work history review and background check
• A live technical interview with a senior engineer

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Only about 10% of the monthly applicants are approved to work on Gun.io.

Gun.io’s pricing 

Gun.io isn’t transparent with pricing on their website. Instead, the cost depends on your specific hiring needs and the rates of the developers. To get a quote, you'll need to contact Gun.io's team. 

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If you're looking to hire a full-time developer through Gun.io, they charge you a fee equal to 20% of the developer's first-year salary at your company.

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Pros and cons of Gun.io

Pros:

• Gun.io connects you with a pool of experienced, vetted developers.
• Most Gun.io developers have 5+ years of experience.

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Cons:

• It can take nearly 2 weeks to be matched with a developer 
• Clients have reported unexpected increases in hiring costs 
• They don’t have a transparent pricing model 

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Gun.io’s reviews & ratings

Here are some positive things clients had to say about their experience with Gun.io.

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The reviews were generally good, but one client had a complaint that’s good to be aware of.

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Top Gun.io alternatives for hiring remote developers in 2024

ReactSquad

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ReactSquad is a marketplace of vetted React developers for SaaS startups. It’s a great option if you need developers who are specialists in React.js.

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Pros:

• Specialists: They’re 100% focused on the React ecosystem.
• Fast matching: Get a dev within 48 hours.
• Rigorously vetted devs: 4 interviews + 4 weeks of a paid test project. Handpicked by a Silicon Valley CTO.
• Transparent pricing of $85/hour.
• Developers have 5+ years of experience.
• 14-day no-risk free trial

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Cons:

• They’re React-focused, so it’s not ideal if your project needs a different technology.

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Lemon.io

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Lemon.io is a platform that helps businesses hire skilled freelance developers from Eastern Europe. They stand out with their speed of matching clients with quality talent. 

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Pros:

• They have a strict screening process for developers. The 1% of successful applicants must pass a CV review, English proficiency test, coding test and a live technical interview. 
• Matching usually happens within 48 hours

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Cons:

• The talent pool is smaller than other alternatives. 
• You must make an initial deposit before your project starts. The amount is equal 1 month or 1 week’s work, depending on your billing cycle. 
• Each project requires a minimum commitment of 160 hours.
• Developers are limited to Eastern Europe. 

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Arc.dev

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Arc.dev is a platform that connects companies with software developers for remote freelance or full-time work. Their developers are known for delivering high-quality work and consistently meeting clients’ needs.

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Pros:

• A strict vetting process to screen developers. They accept only the top 2% of applicants.
• Offers a risk-free trial period for freelance (2 weeks) and full-time hires (3 months).
• Pricing ranges between $60-$100 per hour. 

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Cons:

• Clients must pay a $300 initial deposit to start hiring freelance developers.
• Hiring can more than 2 weeks. 

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Here’s a summary of how Gun.io compares to ReactSquad and Lemon.io. 

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Criteria

Gun.io

ReactSquad

Lemon.io

Price

Not transparent. You need to get a quote

$75 per hour

Hourly rates between $55 – $95

Any upfront fees?

Unclear

No

A security deposit that’s equal to a week’s fee for the project

Time-to-hire

Up to 13 days

48 hours

48 hours

Free trial?

No

7 days

20 hours

Tech stack

Kubernetes, React, Node.js, Django, Next.js, AWS, Golang, Ruby on Rails, etc. 

React, Node.js, Next.js, Remix, TailwindCSS, Redux, JavaScript, TypeScript. 

Angular, JavaScript, AWS, Ruby, Flutter, MongoDB, React, Docker, etc. 

Star feature

Flexible hiring for startups

Focus on React developers and projects

Fast developer matching

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Gun.io review summary

Here’s a quick summary of the key points from this article:

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Criteria

Details

About Gun.io

Gun.io is a platform founded by developers to easily connect companies with vetted software engineers for remote freelance or full-time work.

Hiring Process

Hiring can take up to 13 days.

Developer Vetting

Developers must pass an algorithmic screening, a background check, and a technical interview.

Pricing

No transparent pricing info.

Pros

• Strict vetting process
• Great communication

Cons

• Slow developer matching
• There may be unexpected hiring costs
• Lack of transparent pricing

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If you have a decent budget, Gun.io is a good option for hiring additional developers for your team. But if you need highly skilled developers for React projects at startup-friendly rates, ReactSquad is your best bet.

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ReactSquad is a marketplace of vetted React developers for SaaS startups. 

‍Book a call and get matched with a dev in 48 hours.