I'm Zach, a Filipino developer with 15+ years of experience working with US, Canadian, and Australian companies. I've seen companies save millions by hiring Filipino developers. I've also seen companies waste money by doing it wrong.
Here's everything I wish clients knew before hiring us.
The Real Reason Filipino Developers Are Cheaper
It's not because we're less skilled. It's economics.
A senior developer in San Francisco needs $150K+ salary to afford rent, healthcare, and Bay Area life. I can live comfortably in Manila for $30K/year. Same skills, different cost of living.
Typical rates:
- Junior (1-3 yrs): $20-30/hr
- Mid-level (3-6 yrs): $35-50/hr
- Senior (7+ yrs): $50-75/hr
That's 60% less than US rates for equivalent experience.
What We're Actually Good At
Let me be honest about where Filipino developers excel:
Strong:
- English communication (we're the 3rd largest English-speaking country)
- Western business culture understanding
- Long-term loyalty (lower turnover than India)
- Flexible working hours
- Full-stack web development
- Mobile development (React Native, Flutter)
Average:
- Cutting-edge AI/ML (we're catching up)
- Highly specialized niches (blockchain, embedded systems)
The English thing is real. Most of us grew up watching American TV, learning English from grade school, and consuming American media. You won't spend hours clarifying what you meant.
The Mistakes I See Companies Make
Mistake #1: Hiring the Cheapest Option
If someone offers you a "senior React developer" for $10/hr, run.
Either they're lying about their experience, or they're so desperate they'll say yes to any rate. Both scenarios end badly.
Reality check: A genuinely skilled senior developer in the Philippines knows their worth. They're charging $50-75/hr because they can.
Mistake #2: No Video Interview
I've seen companies hire developers based on:
- A resume (could be fake)
- A text chat (could be someone else)
- A coding test (could be outsourced)
Always do video calls. Check:
- Can they explain their past work clearly?
- Do they ask good questions about YOUR project?
- Is their English actually conversational?
Mistake #3: Micromanaging
The fastest way to make a good Filipino developer quit: install surveillance software and demand hourly screenshots.
We're professionals. Treat us like it. Judge output, not hours logged.
Mistake #4: Ignoring Timezone Realities
Manila is 12-15 hours ahead of US timezones. This can work great or terribly:
Works great:
- Async work with clear documentation
- 4-6 hour overlap for calls (we'll adjust our schedule)
- "Follow the sun" development
Works terribly:
- Expecting 9-5 PST availability (that's 1 AM - 9 AM for us)
- Last-minute urgent calls at random hours
- No written specs, everything verbal
How to Actually Hire Filipino Developers
Option 1: Direct Hire
Platforms:
- OnlineJobs.ph (biggest Filipino job board)
- Upwork (but higher fees)
Pros: Cheapest long-term, direct relationship
Cons: You handle everything (contracts, payments, HR)
Option 2: Agency
Work with an agency that handles vetting, contracts, and payments.
Pros: Pre-vetted developers, faster hiring, replacement guarantees
Cons: Slightly higher rates (agency markup)
My Vetting Process
When I hire developers for client projects, here's my checklist:
- Resume screen - Look for international client experience
- Technical test - Real-world problem, not leetcode
- Video interview - 30 mins, discuss a past project in depth
- Reference check - Actually call their previous employers
- Paid trial - 1-2 week trial on a non-critical task
Skip any of these and you're gambling.
The Questions You Should Ask
In the video interview, ask:
Technical:
- "Walk me through a bug you recently fixed. How did you debug it?"
- "If you had to rebuild your last project, what would you do differently?"
Communication:
- "Tell me about a time you disagreed with a client's technical decision."
- "How do you handle being stuck on a problem?"
Remote work:
- "What's your home office setup?"
- "Do you have backup internet?" (this matters in the Philippines)
- "What hours can you overlap with [your timezone]?"
Red Flags to Watch For
- Rates too low for claimed experience
- Won't do video calls
- No GitHub/portfolio
- Generic responses (might be using ChatGPT)
- Previous clients are all short-term gigs
- "Yes" to everything without asking clarifying questions
That last one is cultural. Some Filipinos are non-confrontational to a fault. You want someone who'll push back when your idea is bad.
The Legal Stuff
For IP protection:
- NDA - Standard non-disclosure
- IP Assignment - All code belongs to your company
- Service Agreement - Scope, payment terms, termination
The Philippines is a WTO member with solid IP laws. Proper contracts are enforceable.
TL;DR
- Filipino developers are cheaper due to cost of living, not skill difference
- English communication is genuinely excellent
- Don't hire the cheapest option - you'll regret it
- Always video interview
- Treat us like professionals, not resources
- Use proper contracts
I'm happy to answer questions in the comments. I've been doing this for 15 years - I've seen most of the mistakes and most of the wins.
If you're looking to hire Filipino developers and want help with vetting, DevWithZach is my consultancy. But honestly, this post gives you everything you need to do it yourself.
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