How to hire a React developer: what to test before you sign

React is the most popular front-end library in the world, which means there is no shortage of developers who list it on their CV. The challenge is finding the ones who can build an interface that stays fast, accessible and maintainable as the product grows. Here is what we look for when we hire React developers, for our own team and for clients.

The skills that matter

• Modern React: function components, hooks, and a clear understanding of when components re-render.
• TypeScript: typed props, API responses and state, instead of loose types everywhere.
• State and data: when to use local state, context, or a library such as React Query or Redux Toolkit.
• Next.js: server and client components, routing, data fetching and caching, for products that need SEO or fast first loads.
• Accessibility: semantic HTML, keyboard navigation and labels, not only visual polish.
• Testing: component tests with React Testing Library and at least an opinion on end-to-end tests.

A practical test in one afternoon

Skip algorithm puzzles. Ask the candidate to build something close to your real work:

1. A list screen that loads data from an API, with loading, empty and error states.
2. A filter or search box that updates the list without unnecessary requests.
3. A small form with validation and accessible error messages.
4. Two or three tests for the parts they think matter most.

Then review it together. Ask why they structured the components the way they did, how they would handle ten times more data, and what they would improve with another day.

We use a version of this for every engineer before a client meets them. The details are on our hire React developers page.

Warning signs

• Every piece of state lives in one global store, or everything is passed down through many layers of props.
• useEffect used for things that should be derived values or event handlers.
• No loading or error states; only the happy path works.
• Divs with click handlers instead of buttons and links.
• Cannot explain the difference between server and client rendering in Next.js.

React or Angular?

Both are good choices. React gives you more flexibility and a larger ecosystem, which suits products and startups. Angular gives you more structure out of the box, which suits large enterprise teams. If you already have one, hire for that one. If you need help with the back end too, consider a full stack developer who can work across React and .NET or Node.js.

What it costs

A senior React developer from India costs far less than a comparable local hire, and an agency covers equipment, replacement and management. Our current rates are on the pricing page.