Gigster, established in 2014 in San Francisco, stands as a premier online platform for connecting businesses with a top-tier global network of developers, designers, and project managers. The company offers the flexibility of engaging with full time developers or on a part time basis, depending on the small development project or larger scope work. Gigster has carved a niche in the tech industry by providing access to a talent pool that represents the top talent, top 1% in their fields, sourced from major tech companies, prestigious academic institutions, and large enterprises.
The company distinguishes itself by offering rapid team assembly, typically within a few days, to efficiently address project requirements, from .NET development to blockchain and iOS. Additionally, Gigster employs AI powered software and collaborates with a third party design team when needed to ensure a polished UI, enhancing the overall product quality. The entire project lifecycle is managed by Gigster, under the strategic guidance of a dedicated product manager who maintains managerial control, ensuring that clients retain full ownership rights over the developed software. Projects are staffed on a per project basis, allowing for a dynamic and responsive approach to tech development. Notably, Flexiple is one of Gigster's main competitors in the realm of hiring web developers, underscoring the competitive landscape in tech talent acquisition, where Gigster’s strong suit is its swift and efficient team assembly process.
How Does Gigster Work?
Gigster.com works by connecting clients and freelancers in a streamlined and efficient manner, leveraging artificial intelligence and a comprehensive management system to ensure high-quality project outcomes. Here’s how the platform operates for both clients and freelancers:
For Clients
- Visit the Gigster Website: Begin by navigating to Gigster’s online platform where you can explore its services.
- Submit Project Details: Provide comprehensive details about your project, such as scope, timeline, and specific requirements to ensure an accurate match and quote.
- Receive a Project Quote Generated by AI: Utilize Gigster’s advanced AI technology to receive a tailored project quote that matches your needs with the right resources.
- Review and Accept the Quote: Take your time to review the proposed terms and pricing. Once satisfied, formally accept the quote to kickstart your project.
- Get Assigned a Tailored Team of Freelancers: Based on your project’s requirements, Gigster assigns a team of skilled freelancers best suited to handle the tasks at hand.
- Collaborate with the Team Throughout the Project: Engage directly with your team via Gigster’s platform, allowing for seamless communication and collaborative work.
- Access a Project Status Dashboard for Regular Updates: Use Gigster’s dashboard to keep track of progress and updates, ensuring transparency and control over the project timeline.
- Communicate with the Project Manager as Needed: For any queries or updates, you can easily reach out to your designated project manager who oversees the project logistics.
- Review and Approve Completed Work: Upon project completion, review the work to ensure it meets your standards before giving your final approval.
- Receive Full Ownership of the Completed Project: Once the project is finalized and approved, full ownership of all work done is transferred to you.
For Freelancers
- Apply to Join the Gigster Network: Start by applying on Gigster’s website, which serves as a gateway to joining a network of talented freelancers.
- Go Through a Multi-step Application Process: This process includes interviews and code reviews to evaluate your skills and suitability for projects.
- If Accepted, Receive a Karma Score: Based on your application and interviews, you’ll be assigned a karma score that influences your project matching.
- Create a Profile Showcasing Skills and Experience: Develop a detailed profile that highlights your expertise, past projects, and professional strengths.
- Get Matched with Projects Based on Skills and Karma Score: Gigster’s AI-driven system matches you with projects that align with your skills and karma score.
- Work on Assigned Projects: Once matched, start working on the projects, adhering to the requirements and deadlines provided.
- Collaborate with Clients and Team Members: Engage with your clients and other team members through the platform to ensure a cohesive work environment.
- Update Project Status Regularly: Keep the project status updated on the Gigster dashboard to inform all stakeholders of your progress.
- Complete Projects Within Deadlines: Ensure that all tasks are completed within the set deadlines to maintain a good reputation and possibly earn more karma points.
- Earn More Karma Points Upon Successful Project Completion: Successful completion of projects helps you earn additional karma points, enhancing your profile and opportunities on Gigster.
Business Model of Gigster
Gigster has redefined the landscape of software development by establishing itself as a premium agency that links clients with elite freelance talent, including top talent in product manager roles. By integrating sophisticated AI tools, Gigster efficiently matches projects with skilled developers, designers, and project managers on a part-time basis, ensuring a seamless fit for each client's unique requirements.
This approach, coupled with a commitment to managing the full lifecycle of software development projects through managerial control, enables Gigster to deliver exceptional results tailored to clients with complex needs and substantial budgets. Their strong suit is maintaining a polished UI across all projects, enhancing user experience and client satisfaction. Here’s how their business model functions:
Gigster's Business Operations
Gigster operates as a premium software development agency that specializes in connecting clients with top-tier freelance talent, including developers, designers, and project managers. The company leverages advanced AI technology to efficiently match clients with the most suitable freelance professionals based on the specific needs and demands of their projects. This innovative approach not only streamlines the matching process but also aids in generating accurate project quotes.
Project Management and Execution
Once a project is initiated, Gigster takes on the role of managing the entire development process from start to finish. This includes the initial ideation phase, through to development, and up to the final delivery. Their business model emphasizes complete management of projects, ensuring that each phase meets their high standards for quality. This comprehensive oversight allows clients to focus on their core business while Gigster handles the complexities of software development.
Revenue Generation
Gigster generates its revenue from the fees charged for these large-scale projects. The agency sets a minimum project charge of $52,000, positioning itself in the market to attract clients that have substantial budgets and are looking to invest in complex, high-quality development projects. This pricing strategy aligns with Gigster's value proposition of offering access to elite talent and meticulous project management.
Target Market and Value Proposition
The core value proposition of Gigster lies in providing clients—typically those with significant budgets and sophisticated development needs—access to a pool of elite freelancers who are managed by Gigster’s experienced project managers. This model appeals particularly to clients who require comprehensive, hassle-free development services for their complex projects, ensuring that all aspects of the project are handled professionally and to a high standard.
Review of Gigster Key Features
Gigster’s platform is designed to create value for both clients and freelancers by connecting top-tier professionals with businesses that require high-quality software development and project management services. The following five key features highlight how Gigster’s approach benefits all parties involved—from ensuring quality and speed in project staffing to offering flexible engagement opportunities.
Global Talent Network
Gigster curates a network of elite professionals from around the globe, including developers, designers, and project managers. For clients, this means access to a premium talent pool capable of tackling complex projects, while freelancers gain the credibility and opportunity to work alongside the industry’s best, enhancing their professional profile and exposure to diverse projects.
Rigorous Pre-Screening
Every candidate in Gigster’s network goes through a stringent pre-screening process, ensuring that only the top 1% of talent is selected. This benefits clients by providing assurance of high-quality and reliable project delivery. For freelancers, being part of such a rigorously vetted group can boost their professional reputation and signal their capability to potential clients.
Rapid Team Assembly
Gigster excels at quickly assembling dedicated teams, often mobilizing the right talent in just a few days. Clients experience the advantage of accelerated project kickoff and reduced downtime, while freelancers enjoy the benefit of consistent and timely project assignments that allow for efficient use of their skills and time.
End-to-End Project Management
By managing projects from conception through to deployment, Gigster alleviates the need for clients to oversee the minutiae of each phase, ensuring a smoother and more efficient process. Freelancers also benefit from a structured framework with clear deliverables and milestones, which minimizes administrative burdens and allows them to focus on what they do best—delivering high-quality work.
Flexible Hiring Options
Offering both part-time and full-time engagement possibilities, Gigster provides the flexibility needed to accommodate varying project scopes and timelines. This versatility benefits clients by allowing them to tailor their team composition to specific needs, while freelancers can choose work arrangements that fit their schedules and career goals, leading to more balanced and productive collaborations.
Gigster Pricing Review
Gigster offers a dynamic pricing model that adjusts based on the size and complexity of each project, ensuring tailored solutions for every client need. This project-based approach means that costs can range widely, from more modest projects to large-scale enterprise endeavors. The platform emphasizes flexibility not only in pricing but also in contract durations, providing options that suit varying timelines and scopes. Meanwhile, freelancers benefit from a streamlined process, as Gigster directly employs developers without imposing additional fees.
Costs for Clients
- Small Projects: Typically start at around $52,000.
- Average Hourly Rates: Range from $100 to $149 per hour.
- Medium-Sized Projects: Cost between $100,000 and $200,000.
- Large Enterprise-Level Projects: Can exceed $500,000.
Additionally, Gigster offers contract durations of three or six months, with the option to extend as needed.
Costs for Freelancers
For freelancers interested in working with Gigster, there are no specific costs mentioned. Gigster directly hires developers and assigns them to projects, allowing freelancers to focus solely on their craft without handling additional overhead expenses.
Gigster User Experience Review
Gigster offers a well-organized and intuitive dashboard, making navigation effortless for both freelancers and clients. The platform’s modern design enhances project management efficiency and ensures clear communication.
Seamless collaboration is a key strength, supported by robust communication tools and effective tracking systems. Users appreciate the streamlined workflow, which simplifies project monitoring and improves overall productivity. Reliability and innovation remain central to Gigster’s appeal, delivering a largely positive experience.
However, some users find the advanced features come with a learning curve, and concerns about service fees persist. Additionally, occasional inconsistencies in project outcomes have been reported.
Overall, Gigster provides a strong and dependable user experience, making it an attractive choice for professionals seeking an efficient, collaborative, and dynamic project management platform.
Pros and Cons of Gigster: Positive & Negatives
Gigster reviews from freelancers and clients clearly showcase both the strengths and the challenges of the platform. Many users appreciate Gigster's well-established project management, while some express concerns about pricing and communication. Detailed feedback from various professionals highlights robust vetting processes alongside occasional workflow hiccups. The insights below offer a deeper understanding of Gigster's performance, helping potential users weigh the platform's merits and drawbacks before engaging with its services.
Pros
- Efficient Project Management: Streamlined processes ensure projects are well organized.
- Skilled Talent Pool: Freelancers and teams are carefully vetted, which boosts project quality.
- Robust Client Support: Dedicated customer service supports both freelancers and clients effectively.
- Clear Milestone Structure: Transparent project phases provide consistent performance tracking.
- Strong Collaboration Tools: Advanced communication systems facilitate efficient teamwork.
- Timely Deliverables: Many reviews mention prompt project completion.
- Comprehensive Onboarding: Detailed guidance helps new users integrate into the platform.
- Innovative Platform Features: Tools and integrations assist in managing diverse projects.
Cons
- Premium Pricing: High fees may not be affordable for every freelancer or client.
- Occasional Communication Delays: Some users report gaps in timely updates.
- Complex Onboarding Process: The setup can be overwhelming for new users.
- Rigid Project Structures: Limited flexibility may restrict custom project modifications.
- Billing Complications: Inconsistent invoicing practices can lead to payment confusion.
- Platform Navigation Issues: Some freelancers find the user interface less intuitive.
- Variable Service Quality: Feedback on support responsiveness may vary among users.
- Limited Customization: Standardized processes may not suit unique project requirements.
Gigster Reviews from Clients and Candidates
Gigster has established itself as a notable platform connecting top-tier freelance talent with innovative companies across various industries. Client and candidate reviews often highlight Gigster’s ability to streamline project management and match the right skills with the right opportunities, enhancing productivity and satisfaction. These testimonials offer insights into the effectiveness of Gigster's network, its commitment to quality, and the overall user experience provided to both freelancers and businesses.
Gigster Review 1 from Candidate
This is a 1-star review for Gigster, provided by George Papadopoulos, a reviewer from Greece. Here are the key takeaways:
Negative Aspects
- Irrelevant Assessments: George criticizes the company for sending irrelevant assessment tests to web developers, indicating a lack of alignment with the actual skills and roles being evaluated.
- Lack of Personalization: He expresses dissatisfaction with the impersonal nature of the recruitment process, suggesting that it lacks customization and adequate consideration of candidate profiles.
- Trust Issues: George suspects that the company's intentions might not be genuine, going as far as to suggest that they might be scamming both engineers and clients.
Overall Feedback George advises potential candidates and clients to stay away from Gigster, highlighting a very negative experience with their assessment process and questioning the company's legitimacy and operational methods. This review paints a picture of deep dissatisfaction and mistrust towards the company.
Gigster Review 2 from Freelancer
This is a 1-star review for Gigster, provided by Ida Sagne. Here are the key takeaways:
Negative Aspects
- Scam Accusations: Ida warns potential clients and workers to avoid Gigster, labeling it as a scam based on her experience.
- Payment Issues: She recounts that after completing a typing job, the payment process was complicated and suspicious, with unexpected demands such as a $50 "linking fee" for releasing the payment through Western Union, which was not disclosed initially.
- Poor Communication: The project manager and payment manager were slow to respond, adding to her frustrations and suspicions about the company's legitimacy.
- Manipulative Practices: Ida describes the company as dishonest and manipulative, citing an email claiming her payment was pending until she paid the additional fee.
Overall Feedback Ida's experience with Gigster was highly negative, leading her to strongly advise others against working with or for the company. She highlights issues of dishonesty, poor treatment of workers, and deceptive practices that she believes indicate Gigster is not a trustworthy entity. This review serves as a caution to others about potential scams and unethical business practices.
Top Alternatives to Gigster for Clients
The best alternatives to Gigster for hiring top-tier freelance talent are Flexiple, Toptal, and Gun.io. These platforms provide pre-vetted professionals and innovative hiring models to help businesses scale efficiently. Flexiple focuses on connecting companies with high-quality developers. Toptal offers access to the top 3% of freelancers, ensuring elite talent for complex projects. Gun.io specializes in placing experienced engineers in flexible, long-term engagements. Each platform caters to different business needs, providing specialized skills and customizable engagement options to drive project success.
1. Flexiple
Flexiple is a premier freelance network that meticulously matches top freelance developers and designers with clients in as little as 48 hours. Leveraging an advanced vetting process—evaluating over 50 unique data points—Flexiple guarantees access to only the highest caliber talent, including alumni from renowned companies like Amazon, Adobe, and Microsoft.
The platform offers flexible hiring models (full-time or part-time), supports trial engagements to ensure a perfect fit, and covers a diverse range of expertise from junior developers to senior architects across technologies such as .NET, JavaScript, React, and Flutter. For those looking for a small development project or needing to collaborate with a third party design team, Flexiple provides tailored solutions, including the option to hire on a per project basis. With the integration of AI powered software in its processes, Flexiple enhances the efficiency and precision of matching full time developers with appropriate projects. Accompanied by a dedicated success manager and a track record of serving high-profile, venture-backed companies, Flexiple ensures that gigster.com’s clients receive consistently tailored, high-quality development resources for their project needs.
2. Toptal
Toptal connects businesses with an elite, globally vetted network of freelance talent spanning software engineering, design, finance, product, and project management. Known for its rigorous multi-stage screening process—accepting only the top 3% of applicants—Toptal ensures that only exceptional professionals join their ranks. This highly selective approach, combined with flexible engagement options ranging from hourly to full-time roles and trial hiring periods, offers gigster.com’s clients the confidence to scale their teams quickly with world-class talent.
With direct resume access, rapid onboarding (often within 24 hours), and trusted endorsements from companies like Bridgestone and Shopify, Toptal stands out as a comprehensive and reliable solution for addressing diverse, high-stakes project needs across global markets.
3. Gun.io
Founded by industry veterans in 2012, Gun.io offers a fast and streamlined hiring process that allows companies to directly connect with a curated pool of pre-vetted software engineers—ranging from front-end to full-stack specialists—in as little as two weeks. By bypassing traditional job postings, Gun.io ensures that gigster.com’s clients receive immediate access to top-tier talent through instant interview bookings and custom-matched candidate recommendations powered by AI.
With flexible hiring options that include both freelance and full-time engagements, transparent pricing, and continuous support from dedicated success managers, Gun.io excels in delivering specialized expertise—whether for contract roles or salaried positions—thereby meeting the dynamic needs of companies seeking rapid scaling and project success.
Alternatives to Gigster for Tech Talent
For those seeking a freelance platform like Gigster, which connects high-quality freelance developers with clients for large-scale projects, these alternatives provide similar services:
- Fiverr.com
- Freelancer.com
If you're an experienced tech professional seeking specialized opportunities, these vetted platforms are a better fit:
- Flexiple
- Hired.com
- Toptal
Is Gigster The Right Platform for You?
Yes, gigster.com is The Right Platform for You if you need rapid assembly of high-caliber teams to handle end-to-end bespoke software development. Gigster’s global network of pre-screened, top 1% talent—including developers, project managers, designers, and more—ensures you get access to expertise from industry leaders and premier institutions, making it ideal for startups and enterprises aiming for efficient project delivery and innovative solutions.
gigster.com is not The Right Platform for You if you are extremely budget-sensitive or prefer to maintain tight, hands-on control over every aspect of your project. Their pricing model can require a significant investment due to the fully managed nature of their teams and the premium talent they provide, which may not align well with projects that need minimal expenditure or direct managerial oversight.
FAQs On Gigster Review
1. What distinguishes Gigster’s talent pool from typical freelance marketplaces?
Their rigorous pre-screening ensures you access the top 1% of experts from elite tech companies and academic institutions.
2. How does Gigster maintain client control over project outcomes?
While they handle end-to-end project management, you retain 100% ownership and licensing rights to the final software.
3. Can Gigster adapt to projects requiring unconventional tech stacks?
Yes, their diverse expertise spans niche areas like blockchain alongside traditional languages, ensuring flexibility for unique requirements.
4. What’s the turnaround for assembling a specialized team on a tight timeline?
Gigster can mobilize a tailored team in as little as 3 days, making them ideal for urgent and dynamic projects.
5. How does Gigster balance fully managed teams with tailored client involvement?
Their model minimizes daily supervision by efficiently managing projects while still integrating client feedback at key milestones.
