Artem VasinPython has emerged as a critical choice for web development, AI development, machine learning, and data science—key technology trends that are vital for businesses globally to stay competitive. Hiring Python freelancers is an efficient practice, allowing companies to easily scale their development teams up or down and addressing the shortage of local tech talent.
From matching algorithms and “easy apply” procedures to AI hiring assistants, modern freelance hiring platforms and marketplaces have pursued goals to automate and speed up the contractor hiring process, while allowing for less risky hiring decisions.
Before delving into our top 9 freelance websites for hiring Python developers (presented in no particular order), let’s consider the criteria we used for selection:
- Declared talent pool size and a substantial presence of Python developers.
- Positive customer reviews on G2 or TrustRadius.
- Case studies or customer success stories on the platform’s website.
- Mentions in reputable media like TechCrunch or Forbes.
- A user-friendly, intuitive interface and a help center which describes in detail the vetting process and how the platform works.
- Customer service to handle administrative and legal issues and disputes.
- Security measures to protect customers’ data and intellectual property.
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YouTeam
YouTeam offers on-demand engineering contractors who are full-time employed by YouTeam’s partner agencies located in Latin America and Europe. With a pool of pre-vetted candidates, the marketplace can prepare a shortlist of Python developers that match the customer’s requirements in two business days. It also offers standardized, locally-compliant contracts and automatic payroll handling.
YouTeam’s Python developers have hands-on experience in many fields, including Fintech, Healthcare, Robotics, E-commerce, and HR tech. Their roles and responsibilities range from automating processes, database modeling, and modifying legacy systems to validating key business concepts, developing software products, and building machine learning models.
The platform offers a 2-week risk-free trial period for each contractor, while its ongoing customer success management takes care of developer onboarding, feedback sessions, and scaling the team up or down. It also oversees contractor professional development, benefits, and evaluates their performance.
Outstanding feature: YouTeam’s talent pool does not consist of solo freelancers. They are pre-vetted engineers working in outsourcing agencies integrated into the YouTeam partner network.
Toptal
Toptal is a freelance platform that offers software developers, designers, and product managers to both Fortune 500 companies and startups. The expertise of its software developers spans industries such as healthcare, consumer products, financial services, and technology. Most of their talent is located in the Americas and Europe.
Toptal’s Python experts are skilled in integrating new technologies into complex microservices infrastructure, building API services and web applications, and developing natural language processing algorithms.
The company’s screening process includes portfolio reviews, technical coding challenges, and live problem-solving sessions. Toptal claims that approximately 3% of applicants pass the screening process.
The platform requires a $500 deposit that will be applied as a credit to the first invoice. Clients can begin a two-week trial period with up to three Python experts per position before selecting a candidate they are comfortable with.
Outstanding feature: Toptal Academy, an exclusive learning program for selected members of the Toptal network, hosts regular sessions for the most in-demand skills, presenting their network with ongoing opportunities to elevate their portfolios.
Turing
Turing is a freelance platform focused on providing United States customers with developers for full-time, long-term jobs. They claim it takes around 4 days to fill most Python roles.
Their talent goes through 5 hours of tests and interviews focusing on data structures, algorithms, system design, software specializations, and frameworks. In addition, each of the Turing developers goes through an automated work experience survey comprising questions in areas like project impact, engineering excellence, and communication.
Turing’s Python experts are skilled in a wide range of applications, from developing software for visual effects (VFX) and animation to building machine learning models. The platform gives customers more visibility into remote Python developers’ work with automatic time tracking and virtual daily stand-ups. Their engineers are also required to match the client’s time zone with a minimum of 4 hours overlap with their workday.
Outstanding feature: Turing has in-house experts that provide custom software services such as AI development, cloud adoption, and legacy system upgrades.
Upwork
Upwork is a freelance website with global coverage, primarily used for hiring remote workers. It features a secure payment system and provides tools for project management and communication with contractors. The platform also offers dispute resolution policies to address any issues or conflicts that may arise during a project.
The robust rating and review system allows clients to evaluate Python engineers based on their previous job success. Upwork introduces a Rising Talent badge for aspiring freelancers with a strong profile and early success with Upwork clients. The Top Rated and Top Rated Plus badges are awarded based on client feedback and freelancer earnings, received for completing small tasks and long-term projects, respectively. Users can also earn an Expert-Vetted talent badge if they are handpicked by Upwork’s professional recruiters and thoroughly assessed for technical skills.
The platform’s Enterprise Suite serves large companies and fast-growing startups, enabling them to hire expert-vetted engineers. They can also benefit from using a custom portal to streamline user registration, manage access permissions, and build the onboarding workflow for long-term contract developers. Enterprise clients can further enhance their security by using encryption and anti-malware tools to protect their data.
Clients are charged a 5% marketplace fee for both fixed-price and hourly jobs.
Outstanding feature: Upwork is known for its multiple secure payment methods and automated invoice generation. In addition, a client can pay for contracts in their local currency.
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Guru
Guru is a marketplace that connects employers and freelancers through their online platform. Programming and development experts are the largest group of freelancers on the website.
The hiring process is similar to what Upwork offers and is best suited for small, occasional tasks or projects with a well-defined scope. Guru provides freelancers’ feedback scores and historical transaction data to help companies identify proven professionals.
The vetting process is largely the responsibility of the client. You post your job and start receiving bids, then evaluate freelancer profiles based on their portfolio, past performance on Guru, and earnings statistics. Next, you select the most suitable freelancer and join WorkRooms to manage your engineers and track their progress.
The platform allows for a variety of payment methods. Companies can create an invoice for each task as it is completed, set an hourly rate, or configure recurring payment rules when working with Python freelancers on an ongoing basis.
Guru charges a 2.9% processing fee on the invoice value. However, if a customer chooses to pay by eCheck, physical check, or wire transfer, the platform offers an instant 3% cashback, reducing the processing fee to zero.
Outstanding feature: Guru Enterprise is a paid plan that provides companies with guidance on optimizing job postings and selecting the right candidates. It includes a dedicated account manager, customized agreement contracts, and compliance services.
PeoplePerHour
PeoplePerHour is a UK-based online platform for hiring freelance workers. Clients provide a detailed project description, and the platform’s algorithms match and contact the best freelancers for the job. Customers then review proposals, select the most qualified individual, and pay a deposit specified by the freelancer to start the project.
Alternatively, hiring companies can search through profiles and message candidates directly. PeoplePerHour’s catalog allows technical managers to filter Python engineers by ranking, number of completed projects, hourly rates, industry expertise, spoken languages, and country of residence. Companies should also check feedback reviews from previous clients and endorsements from other freelancers.
The customer and the freelancer create a direct service contract between themselves, in which PeoplePerHour is not involved. If they wish to include any special terms in the contract (for instance, related to the ownership of the work produced, intellectual property rights, or special rights of termination), they can negotiate and document these terms in the project workspace.
Clients have the option to purchase an NDA for the project, requiring freelancers to accept the terms before submitting a proposal. However, the marketplace is not directly responsible for any violation of the NDA by freelancers.
One of the most common disadvantages of using PeoplePerHour is similar to what hiring companies mention about Upwork – some freelancers submit template-based bids and do not bother to read the project requirements or answer specific questions in the description. Therefore, the vetting process, mostly the responsibility of the hiring company, becomes more time-consuming.
PeoplePerHour’s commission is 10% of the invoice amount.
Outstanding feature: While the platform doesn’t offer anything more than Upwork does today, it’s worth noting that it was founded in 2007, six years before Upwork. As one of the first freelance marketplaces, PeoplePerHour was a pioneer in the freelance and remote work revolution.
What makes the Python language so popular?
Widely admired for its vast ecosystem of libraries and frameworks, vibrant and supportive community, and English-like code syntax, Python is used in a range of applications across industries, from finance and healthcare to cybersecurity and AI development.
Python is the second most popular programming language in the world according to the RedMonk Language Rankings, a study that reflects language usage and popularity among programmers. It is also the second most wanted language according to Stack Overflow’s Developer Survey.
Arc
Arc.dev is an AI-powered community-driven marketplace that connects companies with tech talent. Arc grew out of Codementor, an online education platform for software development mentorship. It continues to leverage the vibrant Codementor community and attract new professionals.
The platform offers freelance, full-time, part-time, and contract-to-hire options. Typically, the first batch of matching freelance Python programmers is presented within 72 hours, while successful hires for full-time remote Python developers can be made within 14 days. Arc’s engineers are based in locations such as Latin America and Eastern Europe.
During the vetting process, software engineers record and upload a self-introduction video, which Arc reviews for remote work compatibility, English proficiency, and communication skills. Candidates also undergo tech interviews and pair programming sessions. Throughout the collaboration, the Arc team assists with onboarding and regularly reviews developer projects to ensure performance meets their clients’ quality standards.
Arc’s freelance Python developers’ hourly rates start from US$60 per hour. For full-time hires, you pay a fee based on the candidate’s annual salary. The platform also offers a two-week risk-free trial period to address any issues related to incompatible working styles.
Outstanding feature: Arc provides a 3-month guarantee on permanent roles, allowing companies to replace a developer at no cost.
Indeed
While not exactly a freelance marketplace, Indeed allows companies to attract Python developers by posting not only full-time, but also temporary, part-time, and contract positions.
You can either post contract job openings for Python developers for free to appear in general search results or promote them as Sponsored listings to reach more talent. You only pay when someone clicks on their Sponsored jobs, up to a set daily budget.
The platform’s algorithm groups candidates who meet the job requirements for easy viewing on the client’s dashboard. You can then message, invite, and interview candidates using the platform’s built-in features. Vetting, interviewing, and onboarding are the responsibilities of the client, while Indeed simply provides helpful resources for each step of the hiring process. You can also select pre-designed questions for Python developer candidates and make answering these questions a mandatory part of the application process.
Outstanding feature: 57 million monthly users, according to Comscore, a global media measurement and analytics company.
Fiverr
Intended for short tasks only, Fiverr allows businesses to hire Python programmers using the project-based pricing model instead of hourly rates.
You can search for a development service that meets your needs by adjusting filters like expertise, programming languages, frameworks, budget, and the freelancer’s country of residence. After finding suitable candidates, you can request a quote from them, clearly describing project details, delivery time, and budget. The freelancer will then send a custom offer directly to your inbox.
If you can’t find the desired development service, you can contact Fiverr’s customer success team and describe your request.
The platform charges a service fee of 5.5% of the order amount. You can pay for your orders using Apple Pay, a credit card, or PayPal.
Outstanding feature: Fiverr’s transactional nature of purchasing services can be advantageous when project requirements are clearly defined and the freelancer is highly experienced in such tasks.
Final thoughts
In an era where technology and automation are at the forefront of business growth, companies aiming to stay ahead in their respective industries are embracing the power of Python through skilled freelancers. This guide has explored a variety of platforms for hiring Python developers, each with its unique features and strengths. From Upwork’s vast global talent pool to YouTeam’s pre-vetted agency professionals, to Fiverr’s project-based approach, these platforms offer varied options for companies to scale their Python development teams efficiently.
