I am inexperienced in finding reliable app developers who can maintain an open source app over time and add necessary updates. The app will be published on GitLab with code available to review. I need an app for our upcoming VPN service to allow users to switch between locations and select unique variables more easily. It is difficult to find trustworthy developers, and I would like to create a prototype for them to develop.

In my view, Upwork has the most reliable and professional developers, although you can also discover excellent developers on Fiverr who can assist you. Some of them charge only between $5 and $10 for their services. However, price is not always the deciding factor.

In my opinion, Upwork has excellent programmers available, provided you devote adequate time to searching for them.
Fiverr, on the other hand, is primarily feedback-driven, so if you prefer the "best" developers, look for those with outstanding reviews. Another option is to post a job on LinkedIn, although this may be a bit more challenging. However, it can result in finding excellent freelancers.

hello, my preference is on Upwork, as there are different development topics and there you can find a lot of good development specialists

Guru is a network of over 4 million freelancers, and almost half come from IT, web, and software development fields. The platform allows you to search for specific workers or display a list and ask for contacts. All communication, agreements, milestones, tasks, and document exchanges take place on the site so that payments remain in escrow.

Remote.co is a website focused on promoting the remote working lifestyle, and it is growing rapidly. It primarily provides job listings, and you can find freelancers by posting work on the platform.

PeoplePerHour lets you post projects for free, and its moderation team vets freelancers to ensure higher quality services. You can hire freelancers for various technical tasks, including programming, DB programming, data analysis, software testing, mobile application development, and web development.

To find reliable app developers, you can consider the following steps:

1. Research: Look for experienced developers with a strong portfolio and positive reviews. You can search on platforms like GitHub, LinkedIn, or professional networking websites.

2. Recommendations: Seek recommendations from colleagues, friends, or industry experts who have had experience working with app developers.

3. Interview: Conduct interviews to assess their technical skills, communication abilities, and work ethic. Ask for examples of their previous work and check references.

4. Collaboration: Consider working with developers who have experience with open source projects or have contributed to open source communities. This can indicate their commitment to transparency and collaboration.

Regarding creating a prototype, you can:

1. Define the app's key features: Clearly articulate the purpose, functionalities, and target audience for your app. This will help guide the development process.

2. Design wireframes or mockups: Use tools like Sketch, Figma, or Adobe XD to create visual representations of how you envision your app's interface and user experience.

3. Build a minimum viable product (MVP): Develop a version of your app with essential features to test its viability and gather user feedback.

4. Iterate and improve: Based on the user feedback, continuously refine and add new features to your app to enhance its functionality and user experience.