If you're asked to create an application for mobile devices, one of the primary tasks you'll need to complete is answering the question: Who will build the app? There are many possibilities in the development of mobile apps. Most businesses are in a dilemma between Hire Dedicated Mobile App Developer team or using freelancers.
Freelancers are like solo artists. They are skilled at doing what they're good at, usually working on specific areas. This could be a good option when there is something you want completed. However, the agencies function more as large orchestras. Many diverse people excel at various tasks, ensuring the project you are working on has everything you need from start to end. Over time, an agency builds knowledge and develops quality standards through numerous projects.
This is an important option that should be taken with seriousness. The method you choose to develop your mobile app can significantly affect the timeline of your project, its budget, and the final quality of your project. There are pros and cons with any mobile app development route.
We've created this blog to help you determine if a custom app development firm or a freelance developer is the best choice for you. We'll dive right in!
Understanding Dedicated App Development Team
An app development team dedicated to your project is an expert group that specializes in designing, constructing, and maintaining software apps devoted to your application. Most businesses do not employ in-house developers; instead, they can hire the services of a company that develops software and utilizes their programmers. It allows many businesses to realize their software objectives without the costs of managing several permanent, salaried jobs.
Many contract app development firms work on projects as separate units; thus, the team working on yours might also have multiple other weekly assignments. The app is developed when blockers are encountered, and various work areas are formulated. The requirements for developing the project can change each week, and it is an excellent approach.
However, some businesses benefit more from having an entire team focused exclusively on their specific projects. Instead of dividing time, the dedicated team commits 100% of the attention of engineers on the backend, front end, and the design and code of the same project. Their constant dedication to one particular project or client sets the dedicated team of app developers apart.
Read More: Top Platforms To Hire Developers
Advantages Of Hiring a Dedicated App Development Team
They share their expertise and experience to meet clients' needs and achieve their business expectations. Dedicated developers generally have more excellent knowledge and a better understanding. They are the best for developing custom software solutions since they foster sameness, reliability, and a sense of belonging.
Experience With Various Technology
This can be the most suitable reason to choose committed developers since the business can hire the developers according to their preferences based on their needs in terms of technology. Companies can employ different technical skills for the front end and back end. This way, you can get the best stack of full-time software developers.
Increased Productivity Level
A dedicated team of engineers works daily. They ensure they follow the guidelines as soon as the functions and jobs are provided. So, any extra details are incorporated into their final products. When the first phase of their job is finished with the desired result, the only way to proceed is to continue with the subsequent project.
Fluent Cooperation
Full-time developers who work to support your industry and business. They have a better knowledge of the project, making it more straightforward for them to communicate together with you. Their expertise and proficiency enable them to communicate effectively with you, leading to better collaboration between developers and clients. This will result in a faster development of your application.
Better Competition
When you engage full-time developers, they are focused on your task. That means they can focus on one project at a time and ensure that other tasks do not interfere. Additionally, they can stay current on the latest trends in industry and technological advancements and help your company stay in front of your competitors.
Quality Over Quantity
The Hire App Developers are committed to delivering top-quality work, focusing only on one task. They dedicate time and resources to ensure their code is accurate, clean, and secure. In contrast, freelancers handling multiple projects may compromise quality.
Safety And Security
The most dedicated developers focus on the security and safety of your venture. Their sole focus is to reduce the possibility of data breaches and protect your confidential data, offering a secure shield against possible threats and weaknesses. High-quality security measures are essential to their determination to ensure the success of your project.
Cost-Effective
It may seem cost-effective at first, but eventually, it is. Independent freelancers aren't the best option, as you risk delay and poor work, which could result in additional costs. Professional developers, however, offer a more reliable solution that could save costs over the long term.
Endless And Quality Support
Professionally trained developers focused only on one business venture give their customers the most efficient support and solutions whenever needed. This means that clients and their developers become more reliable.
Understanding Freelance App Developer
An app developer freelance is self-employed. They can be found on job boards for freelancers. Many companies are attracted to freelance developers due to their lower costs. These low prices could cost your company time and cash in the end. It's wise to take your time thinking about this route towards application development.
Specific freelancers may charge a rate for their hourly work. However, they can take two to three times longer to develop an app than an application development firm. Also, it's not common for one freelancer to create the same Android or iOS application. Because Android and iOS platforms have distinct tools, abilities, and programming languages, you'll likely require a minimum of two freelancers to complete the work. However, they are a good option when it comes to smaller applications that aren't business-related. They're not an ideal choice for the development of enterprise-level apps.
Read More: iOS Mobile App Development Process: The Step-By-Step Guide
Advantages Of Hiring Freelance Developers
A developer who works as a freelancer develops apps independently instead of as an employee of a more giant corporation. They are also known as freelancers.
Less Responsibilities And Supervision
Employing freelancers doesn't mean you need to consider providing any benefits or additional advantages, and you don't have to make a permanent commitment. There is no obligation to keep track of their growth or follow up on their progress. The only thing you need to do is compensate them when the project is completed. It could be an enormous gain if you're looking to complete your job quickly and not have to consider arranging for vacation or sick time. It could be beneficial if your company has a tight budget and you have no other options to recruit permanent employees.
Globally Accessible
One benefit of using freelancers is that they have access to the world. Employing freelancers from the local or national market is not a problem. Depending on their experience, you can use them wherever you are. All you need to do is do exhaustive research to understand the anticipated outcomes and costs that will be incurred.
Access To Own Tools And Resources
Freelancers are equipped with their own set of licenses, tools, and software, which removes the need to make expenses on your end. They do not require office space or any other expensive resources. This allows the company to dedicate these valuable assets to other crucial aspects of your business. This method for finding specialized employees can yield significant savings for your business.
Less Administrative Work
Employing freelancers is a simple duty compared to full-time developers. Taking care of different administrative duties like managing pay, benefits, and taxes is unnecessary. These tasks are eventually removed in this case.
Accountability For Projects
Because their credibility and the future of their business are based on their capacity to meet their customers' needs, freelancers are often highly motivated to do high-quality work.
Comparison Of Dedicated App Development Team Vs. Freelance Developers
Now let’s have a look at the key differences between dedicated app development team and freelance app developers.
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Availability And Dedication
Dedicated Development Team
Devoted developers are full-time team members who are devoted to working a regular schedule for your project. They're available for communications and collaboration during those time frames. Their commitment could be comparable with the dedication of staff members in-house.
Freelance Developers
Developers who freelance work on schedules that do not match ours, which can cause issues with communicating and working together. There are many projects, and their schedules may vary, which could lead to delays in responding and updating.
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Long-Term Partnership
Dedicated Development Team
The selection of dedicated developers is usually made to establish the foundation for a lasting relationship. Thus, they become integral to your company's objectives, process, and culture. A long-term partnership can lead to a better understanding of the strategy of your venture.
Freelance Developers
Unlike dedicated developers, independent contractors are hired to work for a short period or on specific assignments. They don't possess the same dedication, understanding, and emotional connection to the projects we can experience as passionate developers.
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Cost Framework
Dedicated Development Team
As with full-time workers, Hire Cross-Platform Mobile App Development Team are paid a monthly base salary or a retainer. These predictable costs help with budgeting and financial planning.
Freelance Developers
Freelancers typically charge based on their hourly rate or project cost. This may appear economical in certain situations but could result in unexpected expenses.
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Specialization Of Skills
Dedicated Development Team
Dedicated Developers are more knowledgeable and know how to use the particular technology they are working on to complete their projects. This allows them to become proficient in applying the techniques and technologies to their project or company.
Freelance Developers
Freelancers can offer specific skills; however, their degree of experience can differ. You must evaluate their resume and work experience to confirm that they can provide the needed abilities for the project you are working on.
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Ownership And Accountability For The Project
Dedicated Development Team
The most dedicated developers usually have an innate sense of control. They're accountable for the successful completion of your project and ensure that their objectives align with the company's goals.
Freelance Developers
Freelancers are employed on a contract basis. Therefore, they might not feel emotionally involved in the undertaking's overall success. They may focus on finishing the project rather than achieving its longer-term goals.
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Collaboration And Communication
Dedicated Development Team
Your team consists of dedicated developers, which allows ongoing and constant communication. They can seamlessly integrate with existing communication channels and collaboration tools.
Freelance Developers
Communication with freelancers may differ and require more effort to create an effective collaboration and communication channel. Differences in time zones can influence real-time communication.
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Management Responsibility
Dedicated Development Team
Your company generally manages dedicated developers. You are responsible for directing their tasks, priorities, and workflow.
Freelance Developers
Freelancers typically require greater autonomy and control from your staff. Specific instructions for projects and oversight to ensure that your project is aligned with your objectives may be needed.
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Project Timeline
Dedicated Development Team
Dedicated developers can be used for regular support and longer-term projects where consistency and reliability are essential.
Freelance Developers
The freelance developer is perfect for small-scale projects or projects that don't require a long-term commitment.
Read More: BEST Mobile App Development Tools & Software (2024)
Top Reasons To Hire Dedicated App Development Team Instead Of Freelancers
While some companies prefer working with freelancers, mainly because they are less expensive, the future is in committed development teams. These are the main benefits of having a dedicated team's help when planning the following application development.
Comprehensive Expertise In One Place
Nowadays, the majority of jobs require expert expertise in a range of different technologies. For example, the backend (SQL, PHP, Java, C#, and others) and the front end (HTML, CSS, JavaScript, etc.) Developers work on the typical web-based application or site. They are primarily focused on niches. They can concentrate exclusively on a particular technology or only one aspect of the equation, such as web-based user interfaces. Selecting the appropriate web developer is a lengthy and complex task that can take several weeks or months.
An outsourcing business employs professionals with a solid understanding of various technologies who can tackle any programming challenge. The firm's HR department has rigorously tested the professional skills of developers and clearly understands their qualifications (junior or mid-level higher). Therefore, you don't have to spend your time going through a plethora of CVs.
The dedicated staff of an app development company may include specialists from other disciplines, such as marketing, SEO, designing, and user interface, all in one central place. This facilitates communication and increases the efficiency of working procedures. No freelancer can match the knowledge and organizational skills that a team of dedicated employees provides.
Liability
One weakness of working with freelancers is the absence of accountability for sensitive business data. Freelancers can disappear during a task, leaving you wondering what happens to your confidential data. Additionally, if you employ several freelancers working on the same task, there is a greater chance that the project details will fall to the wrong people. If your personal information is stolen, you might not even be aware or be able to pinpoint the perpetrator.
If you Hire Dedicated Mobile App Developers, however, you are working with one and only one organization. You sign a written contract that legally obliges the service provider to protect your personal information confidentially. An established, reputable business won't disappear in a flash. It has a valid company address and is found to be responsible.
Reputation
Freelancers are not concerned about the performance of the firm they're working for or the work they're involved in. When the contract period has ended, they're free to depart. Individual entrepreneurs or businesses must begin a lengthy and complex hiring process over again. A dedicated team manager will quickly identify a suitable replacement for a developer who could not work for a reason. It's because a significant business is concerned with its image and is, therefore, more interested in long-term collaboration and good evaluations.
Maximum Commitment
"Dedicated" means that the entire team will be 100% committed to your task and will be able to meet all your needs. They won't have any additional tasks that could distract them. This ensures stability and top-quality outcomes. Freelancers have the freedom to be involved in multiple projects simultaneously. The result is clear: more customers will mean more revenue. Your website or application will only be one among numerous. Your quality is bound to fall. According to the old saying, "Between two stools, one falls to the ground."
Transparent Communication Via Multiple Channels
Communication is among the most critical factors in the creation process. Client and vendor must get along strictly. If they don't, the customer could encounter unpleasant surprises after the work has been accomplished, though it's not the vendor's fault. We live in a time when individuals all over the globe can connect via many channels, including Skype, Slack, Telegram, and email.
There's no way to guarantee that a freelancer can always respond to your inquiries or update your work's status anytime. This is especially true if you're working alongside several freelancers in different time zones. The task of keeping them all on the same page could prove to be a challenge. The dedicated development team is led by an individual project manager who is responsible for all communication processes. The project manager can be contacted anytime to determine which team members are involved in a particular aspect or if a problem was corrected.
After-Release Support
Each product must be maintained and supported after it's made available (adding additional features, changing those already in place, and guaranteeing a smooth operation). To shield the company from problems afterward, a contract can be signed with an outsourcing company to offer these services when you collaborate.
They can also assist with the app they have released. The problem is that a freelancer could immediately end their contract and put your application in danger. Additionally, they might be able to cover just a tiny portion of the function due to the deficiency of funds. If you employ committed developers, however, you will receive all-encompassing coverage.
Authentic Software And Hardware In The Right Amount
For the production of enterprise-grade software, web designers need to be able to access the most recent versions of tools for development, like IDEs or graphic editors. They require significant investments, which only the most prominent companies can. If you employ a dedicated team of developers, you will receive the latest licensed equipment and software to implement your plan according to the industry's highest standards.
Furthermore, using genuine and certified tools to create commercial websites is essential to ensure security. The licensed tools typically have security updates and protections that non-licensed tools do not. The result is that your software or site is vulnerable to cyber-attacks. The freelancers they employ have essential equipment to tackle the most critical duties. But, it is impossible to tell whether these apps are legitimate or regularly upgraded. Additionally, freelancers might lack the power to conduct the testing enterprises require of your application.
Quickly Expand Or Scale Down The Team
The majority of projects are living and breathing "beasts." You may choose to put your project back because of a financial shortfall. You may also want to increase the size of your project to adapt to the growing number of customers. Scalability is among the many advantages of a dedicated development team model.
You must notify your PM that you want to reduce the number of developers you have or locate new specialists. Also, you can request to remove a designer if you're unhappy with their performance. You can be assured that the outsourcing web development firm will devise an alternative in minutes. The reputation and the long-term relationship are more important. The whole hiring process is the job of the employer. In contrast, when a freelancer quits, the client must find an alternative. When a new developer has been found, they'll need to understand the particulars of the work. It takes much time and can slow down the entire procedure.
Finding dedicated developers to work with when certain team members are gone is relatively easy. People who worked on the development project will be returned to their roles. They are familiar with the requirements of workflows and technologies, which means projects can be started without a hitch.
Read More: Real Estate Mobile App Development How to Make an App in 2024
Dedicated App Development Team Vs Freelancer: Which One To Hire 2024?
This section will discuss the most critical aspects of distinguishing freelance and dedicated developers regarding their relationships with businesses and customers. These factors can help when choosing a developer according to the requirements of your project or procedure.
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An app business is accountable to its clients regarding its resources and the performance of its employees. Every company wants to improve its reputation and achieve worldwide acceptance. When it comes to freelancers, there is a chance that they do not have the expertise or high-quality work required for a specific task. When this happens, the full-time developers will always be provided with the initial opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge and expertise.
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However, when you hire committed professionals from any well-known business to complete an ongoing project, they will likely concentrate on high-quality work and finish it in time. They are familiar with working this way, but freelancers don't have to follow specific rules or guidelines. They may not finish their work by the deadline or compromise the work quality to complete within the deadline.
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Many companies operate on various principles and methods to meet the needs of their customers. Because they work with different companies, freelancers do not adhere to the specific rules set by an organization and, consequently, do not satisfy their clients.
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Independent companies always use top-quality tools for managing projects and give full-time developers the chance to use them to enhance the quality of their products. When it comes to freelancers, things are entirely different. Because they lack tools, they cannot utilize all the standard software businesses use.
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One of the main advantages of freelance developers is their availability. However, the participation of freelancers in an ongoing project is still being determined.
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A business with committed full-time employees always has a better position than an organization that relies on freelancers. The work can run smoothly for any project with a committed developers team with the right skills and tools. In contrast, if you're dissatisfied with the work of a freelance developer at the end of your project, it could be a lengthy process for you to replace them and train the new freelancer in each aspect of the task.
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The freelancers can do the jobs anytime since they're not obligated to any agreement. These actions could lead to an enormous loss and could affect the viability of your company's brand. Project submission delays are common among freelancers. However, if you employ full-time developers, the chances for delays are considerably less.
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Every company strives to achieve success with its best performance. Utilizing the most recent technology contributes to any company's swift growth. Based on research, freelancers have not been proficient in their performance. Most of them do not know about modern technology. Check the skills of freelancers before assigning them any task.
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The team of dedicated developers can always offer you support and a maintenance process after your project is completed; however, freelancers are not responsible for providing this support. If you require additional support from them, you'll need to shell out extra money.
Final Thoughts
It takes much work to decide between freelancers and dedicated developers. Although freelancers are cheaper in terms of paper, you could be paying more due to the numerous disadvantages of this type of model. Such as unreliability, insecurity, poor development tools, lack of communication, and legally binding obligations. The model of a dedicated team includes everything that freelancers do not. It gives you total focus on your work, constant and open communication across a range of ways, the capability to monitor the progress of your project in real-time, total control of the hiring process and scalability that is easy, total knowledge gathered into one place for after-release maintenance and support along with other benefits if you employ skilled developers who work together in a group to enhance the brand's reputation.
However, full-time and dedicated developers can be more beneficial to your business than freelancers. They may be a bit more lucrative than freelancers. However, committed professionals from a top mobile app development firm can boost your business's standing and image.