Help — Frequently asked questions
Questions, answered plainly.
Two sets of answers on one page: one for companies hiring through ProDevs, one for talent working through it. If yours is not here, book a call and ask us directly.
01 For companies
Hiring through ProDevs, from first brief to first invoice.
How hiring works, what it costs, how people are assessed and who holds the contract.
Hiring & process
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How is ProDevs different from other hiring platforms?
ProDevs runs the search, the assessment and the paperwork, so hiring takes less of your time. You can hire remote or in-person people and teams, for a permanent full-time role or on contract. Clients point to four things: speed (a first shortlist within 48 hours for most roles), a strict vetting process, a network of 20,000+ vetted talents, and tools such as video CVs and AI-powered sourcing.
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What is the process for hiring tech talent?
Fill in the request form and tell us the kind of person you are looking for, or book a call if you would like help with the brief. We shortlist vetted candidates against your requirements and send them to you. You interview the people you want to meet, to check the fit with your team and culture. Once you decide, you work with the person directly, and a success manager takes care of the paperwork and payment processing.
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How quickly will I see candidates?
For most roles you see a first shortlist within 48 hours of agreeing the brief. Most companies then find their hire within two to three weeks. The exact time depends on your interview process and the notice period of the person you choose.
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Do you only hire software engineers?
No. ProDevs started with engineering, product and design, and the same process now covers finance, sales, operations, people, marketing and leadership roles.
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Which countries can ProDevs hire in?
Our strongest networks are in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa, and we recruit in the United Kingdom. We also place remote professionals with companies in Europe and the United States. If your market is not listed, ask us: we will tell you honestly whether we can source there.
Pricing & payment
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Do I have to pay to make a talent request?
No. Making a talent request is free. You pay only once you have hired someone and confirmed that they are a fit for your team.
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What does hiring through ProDevs cost?
It depends on the hiring model. Direct hire is a one-time placement fee of 10–15% of the hire’s first-year salary. Outsourcing, where we find and employ the person for you, is 20% of salary. Payroll and compliance for someone you have already chosen is 5% of salary, capped at $500 a month. A monthly retainer is a flexible monthly rate based on role, seniority and hours. Contract-to-hire is paid hourly during the contract, with a one-time buyout fee if you convert the person to full-time. Our pricing page sets out each model, and we confirm the numbers for your roles once we understand the brief.
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Is there a subscription plan for companies that hire often?
Yes. We offer customised plans for companies that hire frequently. We speak to the person in charge of HR at your company and agree a plan that fits your needs. Freelance projects need no subscription.
Vetting & quality
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How does your screening process make sure candidates meet our requirements?
We screen for clear communication, a personality that fits your company’s culture, knowledge of the specific area and a high level of professionalism. The process includes referral assessments, portfolio reviews, technical coding challenges, user or market research, business cases, project management backlog grooming, formal assessments and live problem-solving sessions, tailored to your specifications.
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How are technical candidates assessed?
In four stages: a review of the CV, portfolio and past projects against our engineering framework; a timed technical test; a conversation with our engineering team; and a final review that assigns an engineering level. Assessments run on Evalia, the assessment platform we built ourselves.
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What if a hire does not work out?
Every hiring plan includes a two-week replacement guarantee. For a direct hire, that means we replace the person at no additional placement cost if the fit is not right.
Contracts & compliance
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What is the difference between outsourcing and direct hire?
With outsourcing, the person is employed by ProDevs and dedicated to your company. With direct hire, the person becomes a permanent employee of your business, on your own contract and payroll.
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Can ProDevs employ the people we hire?
Yes. If you do not have a legal entity in the country, we can hold the contract and run payroll for you through our outsourcing and payroll service, while the person works on your team day to day.
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Can ProDevs run payroll for people we already work with?
Yes. Companies that find it hard to pay their people in Africa, or that want one party to manage their talent and payments, use our payroll and compliance service on its own: 5% of salary, capped at $500 a month.
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Who owns the code and intellectual property on a dedicated team or managed build?
You do. The code, the IP and the product are yours, and we sign an NDA before every engagement.
Freelance projects
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How much does it cost to post a freelance project?
Nothing. Posting a project and receiving proposals is free. When you pay a milestone, a 5% client fee is added on top of the milestone amount. There is no subscription.
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When do I pay for a freelance project?
When you hire. At that point you fund the first milestone, and the money is held in escrow. It is released to the freelancer only when you approve that milestone’s work. Later milestones work the same way.
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How quickly will I get proposals?
Most projects receive proposals within 48 hours of being published. Very specialised skills or unclear briefs can take longer; a specific brief with a budget gets better proposals faster.
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What if the work isn’t what we agreed?
Don’t approve the milestone. Ask for changes through the platform; the payment stays in escrow while you do. If you still cannot agree, the ProDevs dispute and refund process applies.
02 For talent
Working through ProDevs, from sign-up to payout.
Joining, getting verified, finding work and how you are paid.
Joining & verification
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Do I pay to register as a talent?
No. Registering with ProDevs is free, and there is no subscription fee. After you register, our technical experts vet you. Once you are confirmed on the platform you can start accessing jobs and gigs.
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How long does it take to become a verified talent?
As long as you fill in the required information and pass the technical interviews that test your skills, you can become a verified talent within a week.
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Can I showcase my portfolio on ProDevs?
Yes. Your profile can include your portfolio and the projects you have worked on, so that potential clients can see your work.
Work & pay
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How often will I get gigs on the platform?
Once you have been vetted and verified you can access gigs. They are posted regularly as our network of clients grows; how often you see work that suits you depends on the demand for your skills.
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How do I increase my chances of getting hired?
Complete your profile, show your best work, and highlight the skills and experience that are relevant to the work you want. Taking an active part in the ProDevs community also makes your profile more visible to potential employers.
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Is there a limit to the number of jobs I can apply for?
There is no strict limit. We encourage you to focus on the jobs and gigs that match your skills and expertise, because that is where you are most likely to succeed.
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What does ProDevs take from what I earn on a gig?
A platform fee is deducted from your payout. On hourly work the fee is 15%. The fee that applies to a gig is shown on the platform before you accept the work.
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Can I receive payments directly from clients without going through ProDevs?
Payments are processed through the ProDevs platform, which provides a secure payment system for transparency and convenience.
Still have a question?
Ask us directly.
Book a call and put the question to the ProDevs team, or search the help centre for step-by-step articles.