25 MIN READ

How to hire freelance Trading Software Developers in 2024

Updated on April 25, 2024
Platforms to find talented Trading Software Developers
Toptal

What we liked the most:

  • 98% Hiring Success
  • Fast Matching within 48 hours
  • Risk-Free Trial for up to 5 Days
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Upwork

What we liked the most:

  • Secure payments
  • Fixed-price protection
  • Expert-Vetted program
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Fiverr

What we liked the most:

  • Large freelance services marketplace
  • Fiverr pro for vetted talent
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Kelly Wilson
Written by Kelly Wilson

Strategist and entrepreneur, with experience in hiring developers across various industries. Kelly has established herself as a trusted expert in identifying and recruiting top tech talent. She shares advanced tips on how to identify the right talent, create hiring strategies, develop your tech teams and much more.

Expertise: IT Recruiting, Tech, Marketing

Build cutting-edge trading software with skilled developers. Our comprehensive hiring guide provides valuable insights, tips, and a step-by-step approach to find and evaluate experienced trading software developers. Explore top talent platforms, learn how to assess technical proficiency, and evaluate candidates' project experience in algorithmic trading, market analysis, and trade execution systems. With our guide, you'll simplify the hiring process and find the perfect talent to create powerful and innovative trading software solutions. 

Find the best site to hire the right Trading Software Developers in under 60 seconds.

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Here are the top 15 sites to hire freelance Trading Software Developers

Based on facts publicly available as of 01.01.2024

1. Toptal

Toptal is a marketplace for top freelance talent in a variety of fields, including trading software development. Toptal developers are hand-picked and vetted by the company, so you can be confident that you're hiring someone with the skills and experience you need.

Key points:

  • Enjoy a risk-free trial for up to 5 days.
  • Completed over 60,000 projects for 25K+ satisfied clients.
  • Trustpilot rating of 4.8 out of 5.

2. Upwork

Upwork is a popular marketplace for freelance talent. Upwork offers a wide range of services, including trading software development.

Key points:

  • Post jobs, search profiles, or use Talent Scouts to source developers.
  • Free tools and Talent Specialists can help narrow your candidate list.
  • You must vet most developers, but talent badges identify top performers.

3. Fiverr

Another marketplace option is Fiverr. You can hire trading software developers at prices that are often lower than some other platforms. You can review a candidate's profile and previous work before hiring.

Key points:

  • Fiverr offers several business solutions with various benefits.
  • You can compare ratings and reviews, but vetting developers is up to you.
  • Developers offer gigs listing packaged services, and you can negotiate alterations.

4. Guru

The marketplace Guru can help you find freelance trading software developers. You can post jobs and connect with talented freelancers who have the skills that you need.

Key points:

  • Paid job posts include enhanced benefits, but you can create free listings.
  • Guru has a 99% satisfaction rating, but you must vet developers.
  • Guru benefits include SafePay, flexible agreements, and multiple hiring options.

5. Freelancer

Freelancer connects workers and companies in a variety of fields, including trading software development. Freelancer is one of the largest freelance marketplaces, so you can hire trading software developers from a wide variety of backgrounds.

Key points:

  • Freelancer’s developer pool includes talent with varied experience levels.
  • Identify credible candidates through job posts, contests, or Freelancer’s talent-matching service.
  • Hire developers for simple or complex tasks of any duration.

6. PeoplePerHour

The freelancers on PeoplePerHour have reviews and ratings so you can assess their level of skill before you hire them, giving you more assurance that you are working with a qualified developer.

7. LinkedIn

Don't overlook LinkedIn when you are searching for freelance developers. The professional networking site allows you to find workers who may be searching for new opportunities. You can chat with them to make sure they are a good fit for your project and company.

8. Codementor

This site offers qualified freelance developers that can help you with your trading software needs. Codementor vets its trading software developers before they can take a job, so you can trust that they know what they're doing.

9. Gun.io

Gun.io has a long history of being a solid marketplace for finding software developers. It hosts freelancers at all different experience levels, so companies of different sizes and with different budgets can find what they need. 

10. Lemon.io

You can also hire trading software developers from Lemon.io. This company boasts an assisted matching system that can help you hire the right freelancer quickly without spending a ton of time reviewing profiles.

11. Pilot.co

Candidates on Pilot.co have gone through skills tests and assessments to make sure they are qualified for your project. Only 1% of applicants make it through the process.

12. MoonLightWork

MoonLightWork is a freelancer marketplace that offers extra protection for businesses. When you hire a freelancer, you will have a trial period during which you can decide to keep working with that freelancer or look for someone else who will be better for your requirements.

13. Scalable Path

At Scalable Path, the team takes the time to interview you about the needs of your business while also vetting candidates to make sure it has only the most qualified freelancers, ensuring a satisfying experience for everyone involved.

14. Hired

Hired is a marketplace for freelancers and businesses looking to hire trading software developers. You can look through a large pool of candidates that have been evaluated for their skills to make sure they can do the work you need.

15. Dice

Dice says it has more than half a million freelancing professionals on its site, giving your business many options for hiring the right person. Dice offers tools that allow you to input your needs and find the best developer for those needs.

Guide to hiring great freelance Trading Software Developers

Once you recognize your need to hire a trading software developer, the process can seem daunting. According to U.S. News & World Report, software developers of all kinds are in high demand, meaning candidates have options when it comes to employers. As a business, you can put yourself in a better position by making the most of Toptal and other top freelance marketplaces.

Before you begin your search for a trading software developer, you need to determine your specific needs. This includes defining the scope of your project, the required programming languages and any other technical requirements. It's important to have a clear understanding of what you need before starting the hiring process.

If you use a freelance marketplace that carefully vets all candidates, you can usually rely on that service to have taken care of the technical interviews to assess developers' skills and knowledge. It's important to have a clear understanding of candidates' experience with trading software development and their familiarity with relevant programming languages and tools.

Throughout the development process, you should maintain open communication with your developer to ensure that the project is on track and to address any issues promptly. Some freelance platforms have built-in communication tools that you can utilize. In other cases, you will need to set some standards for how you will handle communication.

Combining all of these elements will make it a bit easier to hire the trading software developers you need to take your business to the next level.

What Does a Trading Software Developer Do?

As more businesses see the benefit of having in-house help with trading software development, it's good to know what these developers will do for your company. A trading software developer is responsible for designing, developing and maintaining software systems for financial markets.

The primary goal of a trading software developer is to create high-quality software that is reliable, scalable and efficient. They develop custom software solutions tailored to the specific needs of the client, which can range from low-latency trading platforms to complex algorithmic trading systems
As Ryan Hansen at Mercury Digital Assets explains,

"Automating repeatable processes and workflows allows our clients to scale their businesses more efficiently while lowering the risk of errors and minimizing costs."

A trading software developer's job typically involves the following responsibilities.

Design and Develop Trading Systems

Trading software developers design and develop custom trading systems based on the requirements of the client. These systems can range from simple order entry platforms to complex algorithmic trading systems.

Collaborate With Traders and Analysts

When you hire trading software developers, they will work with traders and analysts to understand their needs and develop software solutions that meet those needs.

Optimize Trading Systems for Performance

Trading software developers optimize trading systems for performance by reducing latency, minimizing trade execution times, and improving system reliability. They must also ensure that the systems can handle large amounts of data and are scalable to meet changing business needs.

Test and Debug Software

A trading software developer will test and debug software to ensure that it is functioning correctly and to promptly identify and resolve any issues. Developers must also stay up to date with the latest industry trends and incorporate new technologies into their software systems.

Do I Need To Hire a Dedicated Trading Software Developer?

Often, businesses try to hire workers that can fill several roles to try to save money. While this may work in some cases, it's not your best bet when it comes time to hire trading software developers. If you are considering letting a non-specialized software developer handle the launch or upgrade of your trading software, you may want to reconsider.

Dedicated trading software developers have specialized expertise in trading and financial technology. They understand the nuances of trading systems, financial markets and investment strategies, which enables them to develop software solutions that meet the specific needs of the client.

With their experience in developing software solutions for financial markets, trading software developers can also help you achieve a faster time to market, which is critical in the highly competitive financial industry.

Hiring trading software developers can be cost-effective compared to hiring in-house developers or outsourcing the work to a general software development company, especially if you find the right freelancer. Trading software developers have specialized expertise and can work more efficiently, which can help to reduce costs and improve return on investment.

Should I Hire a Freelance Trading Software Developer?

Dedicated trading software developers can develop scalable software solutions that can grow and adapt to changing business needs. This can help your business stay ahead of the competition with custom solutions and achieve long-term success, making it smart to hire a freelancer that will add a lot of value to your company.

What Skills Should I Look For When I Hire Trading Software Developers?

When hiring a trading software developer, there are several factors that you and your team should consider to ensure you find the right candidate for your project.

Skills To Look For in Trading Software Developers

When reviewing resumes and applications, you should look for candidates who have relevant experience with the following:

  • Trading software development

  • Financial technology

  • Algorithmic trading

  • Programming languages such as Python, C++ and Java

You can use coding tests and technical interviews to see if someone can do the work. The candidate should have a strong understanding of data structures, algorithms and software architecture. They should also be familiar with database technologies, APIs and software testing methodologies.

Strong communication skills are essential for trading software developers as they need to collaborate with traders, analysts and other stakeholders. Businesses should look for candidates who can communicate complex technical concepts in a clear and concise manner.

Expertise Level

You also want to look at skill level. You might find a trader who can do the technical work but is not as much of an expert as you want. Junior developers may have a few years of experience but are still learning and developing their skills. Mid-level developers have more experience and can handle more complex projects. Highly skilled developers have many years of experience and a deep understanding of financial markets and trading strategies.

Ultimately, you want to make sure a candidate's abilities and talents align with your goals and needs. When you find a match, you improve your chances of success.

How Much Does It Cost To Hire Trading Software Developers?

The cost of hiring trading software developers varies depending on a number of factors. According to Glassdoor, a salaried developer makes an average of $167,000 per year. However, you can expect to pay between $50 and $200 per hour for a qualified freelance developer.

Here are some factors that can affect the cost of hiring a trading software developer:

  • Experience: Experienced developers will typically charge more than less experienced developers.

  • Skills: Developers with specialized skills, such as experience with a particular trading platform or programming language, will typically charge more than developers with only general skills.

  • Location: Developers in high-cost areas, such as Silicon Valley, will typically charge more than developers in lower-cost areas.

  • Complexity of the project: The greater the complexity of the project, the more it will cost to hire a developer.

If you're on a tight budget, you may be able to find a qualified developer who is willing to work for less than the average rate.

Tips for Writing a Trading Software Developer Job Description

When you are ready to post a job to hire trading software developers, you'll want to make sure your job listing attracts ideal candidates. The job title should accurately reflect the position and level of experience you require. Outline the primary responsibilities in order of importance, and list required skills, such as proficiency in programming languages, knowledge of financial markets and trading strategies, and strong communication skills. Provide information about the company culture and work environment, and keep the job description concise to attract the right candidates.

Where Can You Hire Trading Software Developers for Your Business?

Hiring trading software developers from freelance sites can be a convenient and cost-effective way to find skilled professionals who can deliver high-quality work, taking your company to the next level. Freelance sites offer a wide pool of talented professionals from around the world, making it easy to find the right candidate for the job.

Hiring Trading Software Developers - FAQs

Why should you hire a trading software developer?
A trading software developer can provide specialized expertise, faster time to market, cost-effectiveness, customized solutions, and scalability. This can help the client to achieve their business objectives and stay ahead of the competition in the highly competitive financial industry.
How much do freelance software developers charge per hour?
The hourly rate for freelance software developers can vary widely depending on factors such as experience, location, and the complexity of the project. On freelance platforms, rates typically range from $50 to $200 per hour.
What is a trading software developer?
A trading software developer is a software engineer who designs, develops, and maintains software systems used in financial markets.
Are trading software developers in high demand?
Trading software development is in high demand due to the increasing complexity of financial markets and the need for customized software solutions that meet the specific needs of traders and investors.
How do you hire a trading software developer?
Hiring a trading software developer requires determining your specific requirements, looking for experienced candidates, reviewing their portfolios and references, conducting technical interviews and checking for compatibility.
Where can I find freelance trading software developers?
There are several online platforms where clients can find trading software developers, including Toptal, Freelancer, and Fiverr. These platforms allow clients to browse profiles, view work samples and communicate directly with potential candidates.

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