Home Blog

Featured Articles

Toptal vs. Upwork for Hiring Developers [2025]

For Employers Reviews
Are you navigating the complexities of hiring freelance developers? This detailed comparison uncovers the true costs associated with popular platforms like Toptal and Upwork, including hidden fees, service charges, and commission structures. Drawing from extensive firsthand experience and user insights, we clarify pricing structures to help you accurately budget and make informed hiring decisions. Discover where each platform shines, potential pitfalls, and why Lemon.io might offer a more transparent and cost-effective alternative tailored to your project's specific needs.
Aleksandr Volodarsky
Aleksandr Volodarsky
Apr 14
15 min read

For Employers

Toptal vs. Upwork for Hiring Developers [2025]

For Employers Reviews
Are you navigating the complexities of hiring freelance developers? This detailed comparison uncovers the true costs associated with popular platforms like Toptal and Upwork, including hidden fees, service charges, and commission structures. Drawing from extensive firsthand experience and user insights, we clarify pricing structures to help you accurately budget and make informed hiring decisions. Discover where each platform shines, potential pitfalls, and why Lemon.io might offer a more transparent and cost-effective alternative tailored to your project's specific needs.
Aleksandr Volodarsky
Aleksandr Volodarsky
Apr 14
15 min read
View all

For Engineering & Tech

View all

Industry Insights & Reports

View all

Industry News & Commentary

Top 67 CTO Influencers You Should Follow

Industry News & Commentary
If you’re interested in technology leadership or want to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and insights from industry experts, following top CTO influencers on social media can be incredible wow. In this article, we’ve compiled a list of CTOs who have made significant contributions to the tech industry and have a large following on […]
Anvar Azizov
Mar 22
6 min read
View all

Lemon.io Updates & Tips

lemon.io team

We do care

Lemon.io Updates & Tips
Many of you have been asking us about the current situation in Ukraine. And we understand your concerns: you have been working with us for quite some time now, and a significant part of our staff and developers are precisely from Ukraine. Who’s better to ask? We’ll answer your most common questions in this open letter — the questions we’re hearing during the calls and reading in your emails. We hope it helps.
Aleksandr Volodarsky
Aleksandr Volodarsky
Feb 16
2 min read
View all

All Posts

Toptal vs. Upwork for Hiring Developers [2025]

For Employers Reviews
Are you navigating the complexities of hiring freelance developers? This detailed comparison uncovers the true costs associated with popular platforms like Toptal and Upwork, including hidden fees, service charges, and commission structures. Drawing from extensive firsthand experience and user insights, we clarify pricing structures to help you accurately budget and make informed hiring decisions. Discover where each platform shines, potential pitfalls, and why Lemon.io might offer a more transparent and cost-effective alternative tailored to your project's specific needs.
Aleksandr Volodarsky
Aleksandr Volodarsky
Apr 14
15 min read

Arc.dev Review [2025]: The Good, Bad, and Better Alternatives

For Employers Reviews
Are you considering Arc.dev for hiring freelance developers? This detailed review uncovers the true costs associated with Arc.dev, including hidden fees, service charges, and commission structures. Drawing from extensive firsthand experience and candid user stories, we clarify the platform's pricing, vetting processes, and overall reliability to help you accurately budget and avoid common pitfalls. Discover where Arc.dev excels, where it falls short, and why alternatives like Lemon.io might offer a more transparent and effective solution tailored specifically to your project's needs.
Aleksandr Volodarsky
Aleksandr Volodarsky
Apr 14
8 min read
data scientist

From Good to Elite: What Makes a Top 1.2% Developer

For Employers The Hiring Process
Elite developers aren't defined by impressive resumes or years of experience—instead, they possess a rare blend of deep technical insight, forward-thinking problem-solving, and the ability to transform challenges into lasting improvements. This article reveals the key traits that set the top 1.2% apart, offering practical tips to identify developers who not only write code but also architect scalable, resilient systems for the future.
Zhenya Kruglova
Feb 6
5 min read

Beyond the Algorithm: Why Your Technical Interview Process Is Broken

For Employers The Hiring Process
Traditional technical interviews often overemphasize algorithm puzzles at the expense of real-world problem-solving and business context, filtering out truly exceptional engineering talent. This article exposes the flaws in today's interview processes and offers a fresh approach that evaluates practical skills, strategic thinking, and the ability to build real products.
Zhenya Kruglova
Feb 6
8 min read
How to hire for a startup in a world of BigTech companies

Why Big Tech Names (and Certificates) Don’t Guarantee Technical Excellence

For Employers The Hiring Process
Big tech names and shiny certificates might catch your eye, but they often mask a troubling gap between theoretical knowledge and practical, hands-on problem-solving. This article cuts through the credential hype to show why true technical excellence is defined by deep understanding, adaptability, and effective communication—qualities that can't be captured on a piece of paper.
Zhenya Kruglova
Feb 5
9 min read

The Senior Developer Myth: Why Years of Experience Don’t Equal Expertise

For Employers The Hiring Process
Think twice before equating years of experience with true expertise—our deep dive reveals that many so-called "senior" developers are merely repeating the same patterns without the real problem-solving chops needed for today's challenges. Discover why relying on tenure alone can cost your team dearly, and learn how to spot genuine technical leadership beyond the resume buzzwords.
Zhenya Kruglova
Feb 4
7 min read

Rand Fishkin’s secrets to succeeding in a unicorn-obsessed VC world

For Employers
Are you considering raising venture capital for your startup? This insightful review dives into the realities of VC funding through the experiences of Rand Fishkin, founder of Moz and SparkToro. Learn about the hidden pressures, potential pitfalls, and the true costs of chasing unicorn valuations. Discover why focusing on sustainable profit, long-term stability, and customer satisfaction can lead to greater fulfillment and success.
Aleksandr Volodarsky
Aleksandr Volodarsky
May 24
8 min read

M&A Expert Alejandro Cremades’ 5 red flags to watch for during M&A negotiations

For Employers
Every startup acquisition has a story—yet it's usually only the successes we hear about. But what happens when M&A deals don't go as planned? In our candid conversation with M&A Advisor Alejandro Cremades, we uncover the often-overlooked challenges and red flags founders need to recognize to protect themselves from tire kickers and bad-faith buyers. Learn what to watch for and how to ensure your exit is a story worth sharing.
Aleksandr Volodarsky
Aleksandr Volodarsky
May 19
7 min read

Edtech Developer Recruitment: Unveiling Strategies for Success

For Employers The Hiring Process
In today’s digital age, technology is revolutionizing the way we approach education. Edtech companies are at the forefront of this transformation, working tirelessly to make online learning experiences more engaging and accessible for everyone. This piece from Mathema, a leading educational platform, delves into the world of Edtech developers — their key roles, the impact […]
Zhenya Kruglova
Jan 31
4 min read

Top 67 CTO Influencers You Should Follow

Industry News & Commentary
If you’re interested in technology leadership or want to stay up-to-date on the latest trends and insights from industry experts, following top CTO influencers on social media can be incredible wow. In this article, we’ve compiled a list of CTOs who have made significant contributions to the tech industry and have a large following on […]
Anvar Azizov
Mar 22
6 min read
lemon.io team

We do care

Lemon.io Updates & Tips
Many of you have been asking us about the current situation in Ukraine. And we understand your concerns: you have been working with us for quite some time now, and a significant part of our staff and developers are precisely from Ukraine. Who’s better to ask? We’ll answer your most common questions in this open letter — the questions we’re hearing during the calls and reading in your emails. We hope it helps.
Aleksandr Volodarsky
Aleksandr Volodarsky
Feb 16
2 min read
java vs. python

Java vs. Python for App Development: The War of Fierce Backend Rivals

For Engineering & Tech Technical Knowledge
The year 2023 continued the booming application development trend, concisely expressed in the line “Everything you need needs an app.” Boosted by the (post-)pandemic demand of the people secluded in their homes and unable to communicate live, application development continues to skyrocket. So, it’s the most logical and wise step for junior and senior front-end […]
Ksenia Larina
Dec 22
8 min read
7 apps designed by part-time developers

126 websites to show off your design

For Employers
Discover 126 websites perfect for showcasing your design work and boosting your startup’s visibility. Curated by the Lemon.io content team, this list includes platforms we’ve used ourselves to attract attention, gain referrals, and grow our business.
Ksenia Larina
Jul 10
14 min read