If you’re considering Arc.dev to hire engineers, you’re probably weighing two questions: How quickly can we find the right person? And what will the final bill actually look like? Arc positions itself as a faster path to vetted developers, offering both freelancers and full-time candidates, along with AI-assisted matching to expedite shortlists.
The catch with any hiring platform, though, is that headline prices rarely tell the whole story. Hourly bands don’t show where senior talent typically lands, placement fees can vary by role, and some costs only surface once you’re in a sales conversation or after the first invoice.
This guide breaks down Arc.dev’s pricing structure in plain English; how freelance rates compare to full-time placement fees, where subscriptions (like AI-assisted sourcing) fit in, and which add-ons or policies can nudge your total higher.
We’ll also run a realistic cost example for a popular role, so you can see what you’d actually pay month-to-month, not just what’s on the marketing page.
By the end, you’ll have a reliable, line-item view of Arc.dev pricing, so you can forecast with confidence, compare alternatives apples-to-apples, and avoid surprises after you’ve already kicked off the search.
Arc.dev Pricing Overview
1. Freelance/Contract
- Hourly rates: $15–$110+ per hour listed on Arc’s pricing page. Typical real-world ranges often cluster ~$60–$100/hr depending on skill set, seniority, and location. Arc’s own content and recent roundups echo this band.
- Location examples: Arc’s role pages often indicate ~$75–$95/hr for experienced talent in LATAM/Eastern Europe (e.g., AI/Conversational AI roles).
2. Full-Time (Permanent)
One-time placement fee: ~20% of first-year salary (explicit in Arc’s Terms of Service and reiterated across Arc’s employer blog content).
3. Software/Subscription (HireAI)
Third-party summaries report a HireAI “Lite” plan around $399 per job/month for full-time pipelines; Arc’s own pricing page doesn’t currently publish those subscription figures, so treat this as indicative and confirm with sales.
4. Trials/Guarantees
Arc marketing references a risk-free guarantee and trial periods (commonly described as a two-week trial in Arc content for specific categories). Exact terms can vary by engagement (confirm before you start.)
Hidden Costs to Watch Out For
The upfront deposit (often cited as ~$300)
Several third-party reviews say Arc requires a refundable ~$300 deposit to kick off a freelance search. It’s typically applied to your first invoice, but you should confirm refundability, timing, and whether it’s per role or per account.
Platform/markup vs. “developer rate”
Arc’s public pages don’t spell out the exact platform fee, which can make budgeting fuzzy. Some summaries describe a 20% platform fee/markup (e.g., “80% to the developer, 20% to Arc”), while others simply show the $60–$100+/hour range without line-iteming Arc’s cut. Ask Arc to itemize the bill so you know what goes to talent vs. the platform.
Subscription costs for full-time sourcing (HireAI)
You’ll see references to HireAI plans in roundups and directories (e.g., ~$399/month for a Lite plan; some posts cite different tiers). Because Arc’s own pricing page isn’t always explicit, confirm plan price, inclusions, candidate throughput, and any pay-per-hire add-ons before you commit.
Trial/guarantee fine print
Comparisons often mention trial periods (e.g., two weeks for contractors; longer replacement windows for permanent). Trials feel risk-free, but clarify what’s truly covered (refund vs. replacement, pro-rated hours, and who pays during the trial).
Scope creep & rate drift
Because Arc highlights that developers set their own rates, your final cost depends on the individual you choose. Senior specialists (AI/ML, blockchain) can sit well above the headline band; confirm the upper end of your budget band before interviews to avoid late-stage sticker shock.
Payment mechanics you’ll want in writing
Even when blogs claim “no additional processing fees,” verify payment rails (FX, international transfer timing, late-payment penalties). If you’re outside the U.S., small FX spreads can add up on a 160-hour month. (Some sources say “no processing fees,” but always confirm in your MSA/SOW.)
Replacement or re-match contingencies
If a contractor rolls off early or a full-time hire doesn’t work out, what happens? Make sure your agreement spells out re-match timelines, replacement windows, and any fees tied to backfills, especially if you’re on a subscription plus a separate placement fee. (Details vary by source; get the policy in writing alongside your plan selection.)
What You’d Really Pay by Hiring on Arc.dev
Let’s price a popular role two ways: a Senior AI and a Full-Stack engineer, using the ranges Arc publishes or references.
Scenario A: Freelance (LATAM/Eastern Europe senior profile)
- Rate (illustrative): $90/hr (within Arc’s commonly cited $60–$100/hr; and within $75–$95/hr bands shown on role pages for these regions).
- Monthly (160 hrs): $90 × 160 = $14,400/month (before any deposit/retainer any third-party sources mention).
- If Arc confirms no extra fees beyond hourly for your freelance engagement, that $14,400 is your core monthly run-rate; if a deposit or retainer/platform fee applies, add it to month one.
Scenario B: Full-time placement
- Salary (illustrative): $120,000/year.
- Arc fee: 20% × $120,000 = $24,000 one-time (due on hire, subject to guarantee terms).
- Your ongoing cost after the fee is the salary & employment overheads you negotiate. Arc
Tip: Ask Arc for a written cost breakdown (salary/hourly to talent, any platform portion, refunds/guarantees, interview caps, and minimums) before you commit. Several reviews explicitly recommend getting this in writing.
Advantages of Hiring on Arc.dev
Pre-vetted talent + AI matching
Faster shortlists with HireAI; pitched as surfacing candidates “in seconds” and making hires in days.
Global reach & savings narrative
Access to 450k+ talent in 190+ countries and marketing claims of saving vs. traditional hiring. Useful if you’re intentionally hiring across time zones.
Simple headline pricing
Clear hourly band for contractors and a known percentage (20%) for full-time placement.
Disadvantages of Hiring on Arc.dev
Opaque extras (sometimes)
Official pages are concise; deposits, minimums, or retainers show up mainly in third-party reviews, creating uncertainty until sales clarifies.
Wide hourly spread
The $15–$110+ range is broad; for senior roles, you’ll likely sit in the $60–$100+ zone, limiting the usefulness of the headline minimums.
Subscription details not public
Reported $399/mo plan(s) aren’t consistently listed on Arc’s own pricing page; expect to talk to sales for exact inclusions and interview caps.
Transparent Pricing: South vs. Arc.dev
Growing your team shouldn’t mean decoding fine print. South uses a simple, transparent model that puts you in control; no guesswork, ever.
No deposits. No subscriptions. No fuzzy mark-ups. Just one flat monthly fee that covers everything needed to keep your remote hire productive and engaged.
This is how it works:
- You pay your professional through South via a single monthly invoice.
- Our service fee is already included; one payment, no hidden add-ons, no end-of-cycle shocks.
- Because the amount stays consistent, you can forecast spend, compare candidates, and scale with confidence.
From day one, you see the full breakdown: what goes to talent and what covers our support, nothing left to interpret.
We act as your hiring partner, not a vendor; we benchmark compensation, surface top candidates, and decode market expectations.
Explore our salary benchmarks for remote LATAM talent by role and industry, or book a complimentary call for a tailored quote. The call is free, and you only pay our fee if you hire.
The Takeaway
Arc.dev can be a solid channel when you need vetted engineers fast with simple headline pricing (hourly for contractors, ~20% for full-time). The real budget, though, depends on seniority ($60–$100+/hr typical for experienced devs) plus any deposits, plan limits, or guarantee terms.
If speed and global reach are your priorities, Arc can work well; if you want flat, fully transparent costs, compare it against alternatives before you commit.
Want a cleaner apples-to-apples benchmark? Talk to South for a flat monthly fee, transparent line-items, and pre-vetted LATAM talent aligned to U.S. time zones.
Schedule a call with us and get a tailored cost comparison for your role.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is there a free trial or guarantee?
Arc messaging highlights a risk-free guarantee and references trial periods (e.g., two-week wording in content). Always confirm term length and what “risk-free” covers (refunds vs. free replacement).
What’s the fee for a full-time hire?
Arc’s Terms specify 20% of the candidate’s first-year salary as a one-time placement fee.
What are typical hourly rates on Arc?
Arc lists $15–$110+ on its pricing page, but most experienced developers tend to fall ~$60–$100/hr range based on Arc’s own articles and multiple 2024–2025 summaries.
Are there deposits or minimum commitments?
Several third-party reviews mention ~$300 deposits and 160-hour (≈1 month) minimums in some cases. These aren’t consistently stated on Arc’s site, so verify for your engagement.
Does Arc have a subscription for sourcing (HireAI)?
Some sources list a HireAI Lite plan around $399 per job/month; Arc’s public pricing page doesn’t currently list these details. Confirm inclusions (interview caps, recruiter support).
