Projects are piling up, you are growing as a business, but your IT team is not growing with you. Your deadlines are closing in, and you can’t find the right software developers, cloud specialists, or any sort of technical people that can help you grow your team and build new functions. Traditional tech hiring takes too long, often 90 days, and doesn’t guarantee quality or cultural fit, and the process doesn’t guarantee the talent and culture fit you are seeking.
IT staff augmentation companies can be a good solution: they give you instant access to vetted IT talent and don’t require the hefty costs, obligations, and overhead of hiring full-time employees on your own.
Choosing a staff augmentation partner shouldn’t rely on luck. In this article, we’ll walk you through the IT staff augmentation model and explain why it has become the preferred solution for accessing technical talent quickly. You’ll learn the core benefits that make staff augmentation more flexible and cost-effective than traditional hiring, discover the essential qualities to look for in an augmentation partner, and get detailed insights into 15 leading IT staff augmentation companies that can help you scale your technology team efficiently.
What is IT Staff Augmentation?
IT staff augmentation is a flexible hiring model where you quickly add external top talent to your in-house team to fill specific skill gaps, increase delivery capacity, or hit deadlines. It’s not outsourcing, although it might look like it.
Unlike regular outsourcing services, where a company takes over a full project, you maintain full control with this process. You are simply enhancing your internal team with additional, skilled tech professionals by partnering with a staff augmentation company.
This is the ideal solution if your company needs:
- Specific types of talent for short periods of time
- More people for short periods of time
- Talent that is cheaper than local US employees
- A high-tier specialization that is hard to find
For example, an e-commerce team strong in Shopify might temporarily need React Native developers to launch a mobile app.
Rather than hiring full-time, you could partner with a staff augmentation company to onboard the mobile talent just for the build, then scale back after release.
Top 10 IT Staff Augmentation Companies
There are hundreds of IT staff augmentation companies, many of them claiming to be the best. With that in mind, our list of the best 15 companies delivers a substantial advantage by distinguishing each company based on factors such as talent quality, type of technology, region, pricing and more.
Each company profile includes their core strengths and ideal use cases, making it easier to identify which partners align with your specific needs, whether that’s nearshore developers, niche AI expertise, or enterprise-scale teams.
1. Toptal – Best for elite freelancers/short-term seniors
Under the mantra hire the top 3% of freelance talent, Toptal excels at connecting companies with freelancers and remote staff for various jobs. They tend to favor fully remote roles for developers, designers, and project managers. The company also handles candidate screening through interviews, live coding challenges, and technical assessments.
Features and Key Services:
- Freelance and remote staffing augmentation
- Interviews and Candidate Assessments
- Quick matching (often within 24-48 hours)
- Strong focus on senior-level talent. No-risk trial period
- Specialized services in AI Development, API Development Services, AWS Consulting and more
Best For: Companies seeking top-tier developers for critical projects with flexible budgets.
Why: On-demand niche skills; not ideal for embedded FTE-like roles.
Best For: Companies seeking top-tier developers for critical projects with flexible budgets.
2. BairesDev- Best large nearshore bench (LATAM)
BairesDev is a global technology consulting and outsourcing company that specializes in providing end-to-end delivery for companies of all sizes. They offer different hiring models, including staff augmentation, software outsourcing and dedicated teams.
Hiring process: The process will depend on the solution you’re after. But in general lines, their hiring structure focuses on 3 steps. You’ll first have an exploration call where you’ll discuss more in-depth your team structure, approach, budget and skill sets. Next, they’ll work on your project specification, offering you a solution, and selecting and onboarding your team. Finally, they’ll track performance, making sure you meet your desired milestones.
Key features:
- Companies can choose the model that suits their needs best, whether it’s staff augmentation, dedicated teams or outsourcing.
- Baires dev creates custom solutions for businesses across different sectors, including cloud computing and machine learning.
- Hire bilingual remote developers from Latin America.
Pricing: There’s no available information about BairesDev pricing. For further information, contact them through their website.
Why: Speed and scale for multi-hire ramps.
Best For: US companies seeking nearshore talent with minimal timezone friction
3. Turing – Best for AI-supported matching
Turing is a tech talent marketplace that connects companies with remote software developers. The platform uses artificial intelligence (AI) and algorithms to match companies with developers who have specific skills.
Hiring process: To hire developers with Turing, you’ll first need to schedule a call with them to discuss more in detail your needs and project specifications. Then, they’ll start their search and provide you with a list of pre-vetted candidates. After selecting the candidates you’re most interested in, you’ll schedule interviews with them. Finally, you hire the best candidate.
Key features:
- Turing offers a no-risk 2-week trial.
- The platform ensures that developers match your time zone and overlap a minimum of 4 hours with your workday.
- Turing’s workspace tracks your remote developer’s time and facilitates virtual daily stand-ups, providing increased visibility into their work.
Pricing: Turing does not charge upfront costs. However, when it comes to their pricing, they don’t specify on their website.
Why: Fast matching; verify overlap in contract.
Best For: Companies needing fast team scaling with automated recruitment
4. Kelly Services
Kelly Services is well-known worldwide, operates in more than 30 countries, and has been around the block since 1946. And here’s what sets them apart: not all staffing companies offer both temporary and permanent options, but Kelly Services does. What’s more, it focuses on IT staffing and talent management through RPO (Recruitment Process Outsourcing), which means that you’d be outsourcing your entire recruitment function—or a significant part of it, at least—to them as an external provider. In turn, they’d deal with everything from talent sourcing to onboarding, screening, interviewing, and the talent management portion of it as well.
Pricing Model
When it comes to pricing, one size does not fit all at Kelly Services. They adjust the costs based on factors such as contract length, the complexity of roles, and therefore the seniority expected of candidates.
Pros
- Proven Track Record: They have a solid reputation in the staffing field built over their many years of work.
- Comprehensive Solutions: They go beyond just filling positions, since they offer full talent management services.
- Multi-Industry Expertise: They also possess a multi-industry expertise, which means you get a wide range of hiring choices, a real asset when you work across different sectors and your projects require different skills.
Cons
- Generalist Focus: As a generalist provider, they might not focus that deeply on specific tech jobs, which could be a problem if you need to hire for highly specialized IT projects.
- Slower Onboarding: When it comes to more complex positions, onboarding can take a bit longer, which could slow down your projects started, meaning it’s not a great option if you need your new hire(s) to start right away.
Why Pick Kelly Services?
While it might not be the best pick if you’re deeply rooted in tech, it works really for companies that operate in different fields, since its reach is more wide-ranging.
5. TEKsystems – Best U.S. enterprise augmentation
TEKsystems is definitely one of the global leaders in IT staffing and workforce solutions. It’s trusted by over 6,000 clients, including many Fortune 500 companies. The reason? Their reputation for fast and dependable services, as it is known for providing scalable IT talent quickly and flexibly and for assembling technical teams on tight deadlines.
This IT recruitment firm focuses solely on IT staff augmentation, which means they specialize in finding skilled IT professionals to meet the most specific requirements your projects might have. Also, they provide digital transformation services, instructing organizations on the adopting new technologies and processes. And, to top it all, they also offer management solutions, so they can not only help you hire talent, they also help you manage it.
Pricing Model
In terms of pricing, this company makes sure the costs match your contract:
- Short-Term Contracts: If you’re looking to hire for a short-term, and especially if it’s an emergency, markups usually range from 50–200%.
- Long-Term Contracts: These contracts, when compared to short-term roles we just mentioned, typically have bigger profit margins.
- Direct Placement: Now, when going for permanent hires, profit margins are significantly lower, meeting long-term staffing needs.
Pros
- Global Reach: TEKsystems surely has a big talent network and some very strong ties in IT sectors around the world.
- Flexible Hiring Options: By partnering up with them, you have different options such as short-term, long-term, and direct hire.
- Fast Response: True to its reputation, this company is very quick when staff are needed right away.
Cons
- High Prices: Short-term and urgent contracts can definitely cost you more.
- Limited Scope: Since it solely focuses on IT, options are limited for other departments and non-technical roles.
Why Pick TEKsystems?
TEKsystems is a great partner when you need quick and dependable global IT answers with flexible choices. And the truth is: since it tends to be on the costly side, it might not be the best fit for you if you’re a new or small business, and maybe even a startup.
6. DistantJob – Best for vetted, full-time senior remote developers & EOR Services
DistantJob is an IT staffing agency that specializes in helping companies build remote development teams through a hybrid model that combines recruitment and staff augmentation. They focus heavily on cultural fit and long-term retention.
Key features:
- Emphasis on permanent remote hiring with augmentation options
- Handles payroll, benefits, and international compliance
- Strong focus on cultural fit assessment
- Dedicated recruitment partner approach
- Expertise in Latin American, Eastern Europe and global markets
Pricing: DistantJob employs a transparent pricing model centered on a recruitment fee, encompassing thorough headhunting and vetting processes. This approach also offers you the flexibility to engage in direct salary negotiations with the chosen developer.
Why: Full-time placement (not project outsourcing). Evidence-based vetting, IP assignment, repo-only access; strong for hard-to-find seniors.
Best For: Companies looking for long-term remote team building with recruitment support and EOR services.
7. Arc – Flexible hiring models
Arc.dev is an AI-powered remote jobs marketplace that connects companies with remote developers. Companies gain access to pre-vetted freelance or full-time developers from anywhere in the world, including the U.S.
Hiring process: The hiring process varies depending if you want to hire full-time or freelance developers. To find freelance developers, Arc will present you with a list of pre-vetted candidates to hire within 24 to 72 hours. For full-time developers, Arc will consult you to determine your needs. You’ll then interview matched candidates and select who to hire.
Key features:
- Arc is suitable for different hiring needs, offering both freelance developers and fully remote developers.
- The platform offers trial periods. For full-time developers, Arc offers a three-month trial period. For freelancers, a two-week trial period.
- Arc.dev employs a data-driven approach to match companies with suitable developers quickly and efficiently.
Pricing: You are required to make a $300 deposit to initiate the process. The platform allows developers to set their own rates.
Best For: Companies wanting flexibility in engagement types and talent discovery methods.
8. Lemon.io
Lemon.io is a freelance platform useful for startups looking to hire software developers on-demand. The platform looks to simplify the hiring process for short-term or project-based work with a wide database of developers ready to start working.
Hiring process: Lemon.io’s hiring process involves 3 steps. First, they’ll ask you project questions. Next, they’ll source potential candidates until they have a shortlist for you to choose from. The last step is to fund your account so the project can start after arrangements are finalized.
Key features:
- This Toptal alternative matches developers with your startup in 48 hours.
- Lemon.io offers weekly reports that include detailed project updates and time-tracking.
- The platform has a quality guarantee where if a developer doesn’t match your expectations they’ll match you with a new developer, without shifting your project schedule or costs.
Pricing: Lemon.io developers charge rates that range from $55 per hour to $95 per hour (depending on the skills and level of expertise).
Best For: Startups and growing companies needing agile development support.
9. X-Team – Best for long-running squads
X-Team is a platform that provides a community of on-demand remote software engineers for businesses and organizations. They focus on assembling teams of developers to work on different projects, providing a solution to companies that are in need of professionals for their software development needs.
Hiring process: X-Team does not provide details on their hiring process. They briefly highlight their holistic hiring approach that focuses on going beyond technical skills, to also evaluating cultural fit and other soft skills. To hire a team, you need to visit their website and fill out the form.
Key features:
- You can hire developers with X-Team for the amount of time you need. This means for short-term projects as well as for years.
- They source software engineers from all over the world, so you can get the talent you need that adapts to your time zone seamlessly.
- X-Team offers a guarantee that consists of replacing a developer if they are underperforming or not adapting to your needs without a cost.
Pricing: There are no details of X-Team’s pricing. For further information, you can contact them through their website.
10. Gigster
Gigster is a platform that connects businesses with freelance software developers, designers and project managers for technology-related projects. The platform provides a marketplace for on-demand talent that allows companies to quickly assemble teams without the need for traditional hiring processes..
Hiring process: You’ll first tell Gigster through their website more about your project (initiatives, goals, budget, how soon you need a team, etc). You’ll then create a more specific plan with a Gigster representative to meet your needs so they can assemble a team that matches your requirements.
Key features:
- Suitable if you are looking for different types of experts like software engineers, project managers and designers.
- You can find talent for specific requirements with the flexibility to scale your team up or down as your project requirements evolve.
- Gigster offers supervisor-level reporting that monitors the progress and health of your project based on milestones achieved, bugs, blockers, and more.
Pricing: Gigster doesn’t charge a recruitment fee. In terms of the cost of their service, the website does not provide any information.
Best For: Companies needing comprehensive project teams beyond just developers.
How to Choose the Right IT Staff Augmentation Firm
In selecting the best staff augmentation company for you, consider the following:
The Budget You Have
Staff augmentation prices range greatly depending on region and skill level. An offshore IT staff augmentation company will be 40-60% cheaper than one onshore, and a nearshore company is usually in- between. The lowest priced staff augmentation company is not necessarily your goal.
Technical Needs
Some companies focus on a specific type of technology or industry, so if you are looking for a certain tech skill, you need to be more specific. Some companies charge a large premium to offer someone with 5-10 years of experience in a certain technology, but what good is that if building your type of projects requires a different programming stack? Here is where you need a staff augmentation company with vast experience in your type of technology.
Length of Engagement
Short-term projects may benefit from platforms with quick turnaround times, while long-term needs might require dedicated team providers. For example, our company DistantJob (surprise, spoiler alert!) hires more permanent resources, while Toptal hires more temporary people. If you only need someone temporarily, that might be better, but if you are looking for a permanent resource, you might want to accept the trade-off of a longer process for someone who has her own workstation and thinks more long term.
Timezone and communication needs
Consider how much crossover you will need to make meetings effective and handle emergencies. An offshore IT staff augmentation company with talented people available during your work hours can bebetter than onshore. If you select offshore, some companies have found great success with places like India and Ukraine.
However, the timezone differences are bigger and typically there is less overlapping availability for emergencies and rush projects (yes, yes, the industry still needs to improve with better worker life balance, but sometimes you still need to rush). With that in mind, focus on tapping talent from Latin American time zones, (compared with the US the time differences can range from -1 to +4 hours). Among them are BairesDev, and my company, DistantJob.
Vetting Process
The most rigorous staff augmentation companies will have a better understanding of what makes a tech person talented. These companies conduct deep technical interviews. Still, no matter how accurate a vetting process is, some within the list come with trial options, which help minimize the risk of ending up with someone that is not a proper fit. Some examples of companies that are known for rigorous vetting processes are Toptal, Turing, and DistantJob, because of our top IT recruiters.
Recruitment Service Model
Consider if you need pure staff augmentation, which offers more time-limited contractor staff, or if you are looking for remote full-time employees, which is considered a recruitment model. (Your other option is a hybrid model called try and hire that enables you to hire full-time if you like the worker.) Many companies in this list only do pure staff augmentation contracts. DistantJob and Kelly are more about hiring, while Lemon.io and Arc.dev offer more try-and-hire opportunities.
Conclusion
The best IT staff augmentation company can be an almost magical tool that speeds up development, fills any technology gap, and provides more flexibility than you can get from any other way of hiring tech people. Whether you need ultra-elite people (the specialty of a company like Toptal), much lower-cost talented resources, huge access to people power (like Turing, a company that uses AI), or people that work within your time zone (like DistantJob), there is a company out there for your needs. Not everyone is looking for the same provider. A big enterprise company that wants to build a long- term offshore development center is completely different from a small seed-funded startup that needs to build an MVP in three months.
The most successful augmentation relationships are partnerships built on clear communication, aligned expectations, and mutual success.
Now, if you’re ready to take the next step and either build your dream team or expand the one you already have with remote software developers, we’re here for you. With our unmatched ability to headhunt and deliver only high-quality remote talent and our full-service approach to global hiring (which also includes handling aspects such as payroll and compliance), we’ll make it feel like growing your team is simple and easy (because with us, it is). So don’t waste any more time and energy: Book a discovery call now and speak to our senior recruiters about your specific needs, so we can turn your dreams into reality.
