Looking to tap into Southeast Asia’s booming tech talent pool? You’re not alone. With competitive rates, strong technical skills, and a growing startup ecosystem, the region has become a go-to destination for companies building global development teams.
But here’s the challenge: where exactly do you find these developers?
While global platforms like LinkedIn offer broad reach, they often miss the nuances of local markets. That’s where specialized platforms come in—websites built to understand Southeast Asia’s unique talent landscape and connect you with developers who are ready to contribute to international teams from day one.
We’ve checked out dozens of hiring companies and narrowed it down to seven websites that consistently deliver results. Whether you’re hiring your first developer in Southeast Asia or scaling an existing team, these platforms will help you find the right talent with less guesswork and more confidence.
1. Wild.Codes
Wild.Codes is a powerful platform designed to match companies with elite developers from across Southeast Asia using AI-driven precision. What makes it stand out is its focus on seamless team integration, matching candidates not just by skills but also by work style and communication preferences. The platform guarantees a match within 47 hours, significantly accelerating the hiring process.
One of Wild.Codes’ biggest advantages is its subscription-based model that includes full administrative support. That means everything from payroll to compliance is handled for you. It’s especially valuable for companies seeking both speed and peace of mind when hiring internationally.
What you get with Wild.Codes:
- AI-powered matching that considers both skills and work style
- Guaranteed candidate match within 47 hours
- Subscription model with end-to-end admin support
- Payroll, compliance, and onboarding handled for you
- Ideal for companies hiring internationally at scale
2. Second Talent
Second Talent offers a premium solution for hiring remote tech professionals from Southeast Asia. Known for connecting companies with the top 5% of vetted talent, Second Talent specializes in developers, designers, product managers, and project managers. Their team goes beyond simple job listings by sourcing, vetting, and matching candidates to ensure companies get high-quality professionals who can hit the ground running.
What sets Second Talent apart is its frictionless hiring process. They support both permanent and contract hires, offer unlimited replacements, and eliminate upfront fees. This makes the process not only efficient but also low-risk. Businesses can onboard remote professionals in as little as 24 hours.
In addition to talent matching, Second Talent simplifies global employment by managing payroll, contracts, and compliance through their Employer of Record (EOR) services. This allows clients to focus on growth while Second Talent handles the legal and financial complexities of international hiring.
Why companies love Second Talent:
- Access to Southeast Asia’s top 5% tech talent
- Fast onboarding (as little as 24 hours)
- Unlimited candidate replacements
- Contract and permanent roles supported
- Global payroll, legal, and compliance via EOR services
- Zero upfront hiring costs
3. Upwork
Upwork is one of the largest global freelancing platforms, offering access to thousands of Southeast Asian developers with expertise across a wide range of technologies. Whether you need help with web development, mobile apps, DevOps, or data engineering, Upwork’s broad talent pool makes it easy to find the right fit for any project size or timeline.
What sets Upwork apart is its flexibility. You can hire for one-off tasks, part-time roles, or long-term contracts, all within a system that supports transparent reviews, milestone payments, and built-in collaboration tools. For startups and enterprises alike, Upwork provides a reliable way to scale development efforts quickly without the overhead of traditional hiring.
Highlights of using Upwork:
- Huge pool of developers across Southeast Asia
- Hire for short-term, part-time, or long-term needs
- Transparent freelancer reviews and ratings
- Built-in time tracking, invoicing, and payments
- Great for scaling without traditional hiring overhead
4. HighFive
HighFive helps businesses connect with top-tier full-stack engineers across Southeast Asia. Their platform is geared toward companies with more complex development needs that require engineers capable of owning entire features or products from start to finish.
The standout feature of HighFive is its specialized focus. By concentrating on full-stack talent, they ensure a curated pool of developers with deep technical experience and problem-solving capabilities. Their hiring model is flexible, offering options for both short-term and long-term engagement depending on your project scope.
What makes HighFive a standout:
- Focused solely on top-tier full-stack engineers
- Developers who can lead and own full features
- Flexible hiring for short- or long-term engagements
- Rigorous screening ensures technical depth
- Ideal for complex products and high-growth teams
5. Wellfound (formerly AngelList Talent)
Wellfound is one of the most startup-friendly hiring platforms available, and it’s gaining popularity among Southeast Asian developers looking to work with fast-moving global teams. The platform allows employers to post jobs and directly message candidates, making it easy to engage with tech professionals who already understand the hustle of startup life.
With tools tailored for agile hiring and a talent base tuned in to startup culture, Wellfound is ideal for companies needing developers who can adapt quickly and work autonomously. Its affordability also makes it accessible to early-stage startups.
Why Wellfound works for startups:
- Direct access to tech talent comfortable with startup life
- Messaging tools for one-on-one outreach
- Growing presence of Southeast Asian developers
- Built for speed and flexibility
- Affordable for early-stage teams
6. Remotive
If you’re hiring for a remote-first team, Remotive should be on your radar. This remote job board features tech professionals from around the world, including a growing number from Southeast Asia. Developers on Remotive are often already familiar with asynchronous communication and distributed workflows, making onboarding smoother.
Remotive offers an affordable and effective way to post jobs and find talent that fits today’s remote work culture. It’s an especially good fit for companies prioritizing flexibility, autonomy, and a global workforce.
Remotive offers:
- Job board tailored for remote-first companies
- Candidates experienced with async and distributed work
- Affordable and global job posting options
- Southeast Asia is a fast-growing talent pool
- Best for companies embracing remote culture
7. JobStreet
As one of the largest job platforms in Southeast Asia, JobStreet gives employers access to a massive and diverse pool of tech candidates from countries like Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, and Indonesia. It’s widely trusted across the region and has a strong local market presence.
JobStreet’s platform includes powerful tools for job posting, applicant tracking, and filtering. This makes it easy to manage hiring at scale. For companies looking to hire in-region, especially those establishing local teams, JobStreet is a go-to solution.
Why JobStreet is a regional leader:
- Extensive candidate pool across key SEA countries
- Trusted by local employers and jobseekers alike
- Powerful tools for job posting and applicant tracking
- Ideal for managing multiple roles at scale
- Especially effective for local hiring and expansion
Setting Yourself Up for Success
Hiring developers from Southeast Asia is not just a smart way to reduce costs. It is a strategic move that gives your team access to top-tier talent, diverse perspectives, and continuous productivity across time zones. The platforms listed above make it easier than ever to connect with skilled professionals, but lasting success comes from building strong, long-term relationships.
As the region’s tech ecosystem continues to grow, the developers you hire today may become key contributors to your company’s future. Start small, learn what works, and scale with confidence.
Need help getting started? Second Talent can help you find the right remote professionals, fast.
