Hire a Freelancer VS App Development Company

Hiring a freelancer versus an app development company is like hiring an individual handyman versus hiring a professional construction company to build or renovate a house. In this article, we will go through all the myths related to development companies and why people don't trust mobile app development agencies as much.

Who are freelance app developers?

Freelancers are independent professionals who offer their skills and services on a project-by-project basis rather than working for a single employer. They operate as self-employed individuals, often working remotely. Freelancers typically specialize in a particular area, such as graphic design, software development, or digital marketing, and they often manage their own schedules, pricing, and workload. This flexibility allows them to take on multiple clients simultaneously and choose projects that align with their skills and interests.

Talking about mobile app development, freelancers usually specialize in only one technology, either backend or frontend, or Android or iOS. That means if you want to build a mobile app for both Android and iOS, you can't hire only one freelance developer, and you need at least two depending on how fast you want to launch a mobile app.

Pros of hiring a freelancer

When looking for app developers to develop native apps or hybrid apps, you should be aware of several factors that can impact the success of your project. That includes developer's skill set, experience with similar projects, understanding of UI/UX design and more. Here are some factors that could empower you to hire a freelance app developers:

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Cost-Effectiveness

Freelancers often have lower hourly rates or project fees compared to development companies, as they don’t have the overhead costs associated with running a larger business. This makes them a cost-effective option for clients with limited budgets.

With freelancers, you only pay for the exact skills and time you need, allowing for more flexible budget management. This can be particularly advantageous for small projects or when you need a mobile app developer with an expertise in a specific area.

Speed and flexibility

Freelancers are ideal for urgent projects since they can often start working almost immediately after being hired, as they usually have fewer onboarding processes compared to a company.

They can easily adjust to changing project requirements or priorities. This flexibility allows for more agile project management and can be beneficial for projects that need frequent adjustments or are still in the early stages of planning.

Short-term commitment

Hiring freelancers is typically for only one project, which means there’s no long-term commitment required. This can be ideal for one-time projects or for businesses that do not want to commit to hiring a full-time employee or a long-term contract with a development company.

Freelancers can be hired as needed, allowing businesses to scale their workforce up or down depending on project demands.

Cons of hiring a freelancer

While freelancers can be good choice for certain mobile apps, there are potential risks for app development process and providing ongoing support.

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Lack of reliability

Freelancers often work on multiple projects simultaneously, which can lead to inconsistent availability. If a freelancer takes on too much work or has other commitments, they might delay your project or become unresponsive. You can never know if your mobile app will be his priority and they may not dedicate themselves to it as much as you might want.

Unlike app development agency, freelancers may not have the same level of accountability. If a project encounters issues, such as missed deadlines or not good quality, it can be challenging to resolve these problems, especially if the freelancer decides to stop working on the project.

Limited skill set

Freelancers typically specialize in one area, such as backend development, frontend development, or a specific platform (iOS, Android). While this can be advantageous for specific tasks, it may be limiting for complex projects that require a diverse set of skills. You might need to hire multiple freelancers to cover all aspects of your app, which can complicate coordination and increase costs.

Freelancers usually work alone, so they don’t have the same resources or support infrastructure as a development company. This can result in slower progress, especially if the freelancer encounters a technical challenge outside their expertise. The absence of a development team also means there’s no internal quality assurance process, which can lead to overlooked issues.

Not finishing a project

There is a risk that a freelancer might abandon a project midway due to personal reasons, higher-paying opportunities, or other unforeseen circumstances. This can leave you looking to find a replacement, often resulting in lost time and additional costs.

Freelancers may not be available for ongoing support, updates, or maintenance after the project is completed. If your app requires future enhancements or bug fixes, you might need to hire someone new, which can lead to inconsistencies in the codebase and increased costs.

How to hire app development agency?

An app development company specializes in creating, designing, and maintaining mobile applications for various platforms, such as iOS, Android, or cross-platform frameworks. They usually offer a wide range of services, from initial concept development and design to coding, testing, post-launch support and app store optimization. Companies hire app developers that are professionals and it includes project managers, UI/UX designers, front-end and back-end developers, quality assurance testers, and sometimes, marketing and support staff. At Aetherius Solutions you can find services for any app development phase, including maintenance and marketing services.

Once you start working on a project with software development companies, they assign a dedicated development team with technical skills, often led by a project manager who oversees the development process.

The development process is typically broken down into phases, including:

Discovery and Planning: Gathering requirements, market research, and defining the scope of the project.
Design: Creating wireframes, prototypes, and visual designs to establish the app's look and feel.
Development: Writing the code for the app, including both front-end (what users see) and back-end (the server-side) development.
Testing: Conducting various tests to ensure the app functions correctly, is secure, and provides a smooth user experience.
Deployment: Launching the app on app stores or within an enterprise environment.
Maintenance and Support: Providing support, bug fixes, updates, and enhancements after the app is launched.

Pros of hiring app development company

Hiring an app development company ensures a professional, reliable, and high-quality approach to building your app, which is especially important for complex or long-term projects.

Find right mobile app developer — Pros of hiring app development company

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Team of proven experts

Software development companies provide access to a diverse team of professionals, including project managers, developers, UI/UX designers, and testers. This ensures that every aspect of your app, from design to functionality, is handled by specialists in their field, leading to higher-quality results.

This eliminates the need to hire multiple freelancers for different stages of the project. If a team encounters a bug that's difficult to resolve, it's more likely they will come to a solution faster based on previous experience and teamwork, compared to a freelancer who relies solely on himself.

You get a team of iOS developers, Android developers and cross platform developers who build hybrid apps, ensuring seamless integration of features across both iOS and Android, providing a consistent user experience regardless of the device.

A trusted partner

Companies follow established processes and methodologies to ensure projects are completed on time and within budget. Their organized approach reduces the risk of delays and you hire app developers whith proven expertise, what is especially important for startups that want to reduce changes and uncertainties.

A development company is contractually obligated to deliver on agreed-upon milestones. With a formal structure in place, companies are more likely to meet deadlines, provide regular updates, and ensure quality standards are met. Also, before hiring a company, you can see testimonials from other clients and inquire whether they were satisfied with the collaboration, which is not usually the case with freelancers.

Lower long-term costs

Although the initial costs are higher, the added value, such as access to a full app development team of experts, reliability, and higher-quality results, can justify the expense, especially for complex or long-term projects. You may save money in the long run by avoiding rework, delays, or post-launch issues.

Companies often provide fixed-price contracts, giving you a clear estimate of the total project cost upfront. This can be beneficial for planning your budget and avoiding unexpected expenses.

If you want to estimate the costs of your app idea and know in advance how much money you need to set aside for hiring app developers, you can do it here completely free!

Reduced risks

Unlike freelancers, companies are usually more financially stable and are bound by legal contracts. This reduces the risk of project abandonment or legal disputes, offering you more peace of mind throughout the development process.

Companies provide detailed contracts, timelines, and guarantees for their work, ensuring transparency in terms of pricing, deliverables, and deadlines. You are sure to get the best mobile app developers familiar with all necessary programming languages, giving you the possibility to develop apps in cross platform technologies as well.

Cons of hiring app development company

These potential downsides highlight that while app development companies provide more structure, proven mobile app developer experts, and reliability, they might not always be the best fit for smaller, simpler projects or clients who require high levels of flexibility and personal attention.

Cons when having app development team — Cons of hiring app development company

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Slower communication

Unlike freelance app developer, where you work directly with one person, companies often have various layers of communication (project managers, designers, developers). This can slow down decision-making and feedback loops, especially if there are delays in internal communication.

Depending on the company’s location, time zone differences or having a large team might complicate communication with app developer or cause delays in addressing urgent issues.

On the other hand, since communication with mobile app developers often goes through multiple layers, the responses you receive tend to be more thought-out and informed. This means that decisions are made after careful consideration by various experts, reducing the risk of impulsive or poorly choices.

Also, rather than rushing to resolve issues, slower communication can lead to more comprehensive solutions. A software development company is more likely to consider long-term impacts and work toward solutions that are sustainable, rather than quick fixes that may cause problems later.

Higher initial costs

Hiring mobile app developers from a company is usually more expensive than hiring freelancers due to their larger app development teams, overhead costs, and comprehensive services. For startups or businesses with tight budgets, this can be a bit challenging.

Companies often work on fixed contracts, retainers, or milestone-based payments, which may require larger financial commitments over time. This can make it harder to adapt your budget if project requirements change.

But, this higher initial costs can save up to 20-30% of overall long-term costs by avoiding rework, delays, or post-launch issues.

Standardized approach

Some companies may apply a more standardized or templated approach to development, particularly if they specialize in specific industries or app types. While this can lead to faster development, it might result in a less customized or unique product compared to what a freelance developers might deliver.

So, how to hire app developers without making a mistake?

Hire app development company, yes or no?

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To hire app developers without making a mistake, start by clearly defining your project requirements, including features, functionality, and design needs. Identify the technology stack and programming languages you want to use, such as iOS, Android, or cross-platform frameworks. Don't forget to review the portfolios of potential mobile app developers or app development companies to assess their experience with projects similar to yours.

Verify that they have the technical expertise required for your specific mobile apps needs. Also check references and read reviews from previous clients to prove their reliability and work quality. Ensure that app developers have good communication skills and can work well within your project timeline, since when working with remote mobile app developers is crucial to establish clear communication channels to have smooth project management and timely updates.

Discuss project management practices with app developers and confirm their approach aligns with your expectations. It is also important to negotiate clear terms regarding budget, milestones, and deliverables to avoid misunderstandings. Finally, make sure you have a solid contract in place to protect both parties and ensure a successful collaboration. In case freelance developers can't provide you with contract, maybe you should consider hiring mobile app developers from a trusted app development agency to avoid risks and higher costs of uncertainty.