AsyncForge vs Arc — 2026 Comparison
Arc connects you with remote developers globally. AsyncForge ships features for a fixed monthly fee. Here is how to choose.
Arc (formerly Codementor for hiring) is a marketplace of pre-vetted remote developers, mostly full-time placements. It is targeted at companies hiring permanent engineering staff, not at startups looking to ship without managing anyone.
AsyncForge is the opposite of a hiring service. We are a productized dev team — you submit work, we deliver. No hiring decisions. No long-term commitments to individual people. No HR overhead.
The choice is really between two different problems: hiring engineers, and getting product built. Arc solves the first; AsyncForge solves the second.
Here is how the models compare for early-stage and growth-stage startups.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | AsyncForge | Arc |
|---|---|---|
| Model | Done-for-you delivery | Hiring marketplace |
| Commitment | Month-to-month | Permanent hire or 3-6mo contracts |
| Pricing | From €2,000/month flat | €70-120k/year per developer |
| You Manage Them? | No | Yes (employer or contractor) |
| Start Time | Same day | 2-6 weeks (matching + interviews) |
| Best For | Founders shipping product | Series A+ companies building a team |
Choose Arc if you...
- You are building a permanent engineering team
- You want full-time hires you onboard and own
- You have HR, legal, and management capacity
- You need specialised long-term engagement (e.g., 1 year+)
Choose AsyncForge if you...
- You want output without owning the hiring process
- You are pre-Series A and managing a team is overhead you cannot afford
- You prefer fixed cost over salary + benefits
- You want to pause or scale without HR consequences
Detailed Breakdown
Hiring vs Delivery
Arc finds you developers to hire. AsyncForge ships your features. These solve different problems — pick based on what you actually need.
Cost Model
A full-time developer through Arc typically costs €70-120k/year fully loaded. AsyncForge Light at €24k/year delivers ongoing development without salary, benefits, equipment, or management.
Speed
Arc matching takes 2-6 weeks. AsyncForge starts the same day you subscribe.
Risk
A bad hire costs months. A bad month on AsyncForge costs €2k, then you cancel.