Choosing Between an App Development Company and Freelancers for Your Project
If you’re tasked with creating a mobile app, one of the first things you need to do is answer a simple question—who will build it?
There are lots of different options to consider for mobile app development. But most businesses find themselves between one of two options—hiring a mobile app development company or hiring a freelancer.
This is a crucial decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Your mobile app development method will have a significant impact on your project timeline, budget, and the quality of your final product.
There are pros and cons to each mobile app development path. We created this guide to help you decide whether a custom software development company or freelance developer is right for you. Let’s dive in!
Key Takeaways
- Decision Impact: Choosing between a company and a freelancer affects timeline, budget, and quality.
- Company Benefits: Offers full-service solutions and enterprise-grade services.
- Boutique Agencies: Ideal for niche projects with specialized needs.
- In-House Developers: Suitable for businesses with ongoing app development needs.
- Freelancer Considerations: Lower costs but potentially longer timelines and limited scope.
Types of Mobile App Developers
Before we compare mobile app development companies side-by-side with freelance app developers, it’s important that you understand the different categories for mobile app development.
This will make it easier for you to weigh your options, as each type of app developer and development company is better for different types of mobile apps.
Mobile App Development Company
The best app development companies offer full-service solutions for custom mobile apps. These are typically enterprise-grade services that include everything from mobile app design to project management, UX/UI design, and everything you need to build successful apps.
For enterprise clients, a mobile app development company provides all of your mobile development needs under one roof. You can outsource the entire project to a highly qualified team of developers and designers and feel confident in knowing you’re getting the highest quality product in return.
The top mobile app development companies provide cross platform mobile apps, meaning you’ll benefit from Android app development and iOS app development simultaneously.
Some mobile app development companies even offer services beyond basic app development. They provide your backend infrastructure, assist with app publishing, provide post-launch support, and even help with refining your mobile app idea to ensure there’s a viable market need.
Read More: Resources for Outsourcing App Development
Boutique Mobile App Development Companies
A boutique mobile app development agency is a bit smaller than a traditional app development company. They still provide many of the services of a full mobile app agency, but they do so on a smaller scale.
These solutions are typically better for smaller businesses in niche categories. For example, you might find a boutique app developer that specializes in building a certain type of app, such as a gaming app. But they don’t do anything outside of that highly specific category.
Boutique app developers have fewer resources than larger app agencies, meaning they may only be able to take on a handful of app development projects per year. They might be a bit more limited in what they provide with infrastructure, publishing, and post-launch support.
In-House Mobile App Developers
Some larger organizations employ a team of in-house app developers. But this is really only a viable option for businesses that continuously create, launch, and maintain mobile and web apps. Otherwise, hiring full-time employees specifically for app development isn’t really worth it.
For example, let’s say you want to create a dozen mobile and web apps over the next three years—strictly for internal use. Business productivity apps or extensions of web apps commonly fall into this category.
Then it might make sense to go with in-house developers over an app development company.
But even the top app developers may not have the same experience as an app development company. Plus, hiring full-time employees comes with extra costs and obligations. You’ll have to factor in added costs like health insurance, payroll taxes, PTO, and everything else associated with maintaining your staff. In most cases, outsourcing is a much easier path to app development.
Freelance App Developer
A freelance mobile app developer works for themself. You can find them on freelance job boards like Upwork, Fiverr, Flexjobs, and similar alternatives.
Companies are typically drawn to freelance developers for the lower cost. But these low price points can end up costing you more time and money in the long run—so it’s best to tread cautiously if you’re considering this path to app development.
Some freelancers might charge lower hourly rates, but they take two or three times longer to create an app compared to an app development company. It’s also rare for the same freelancer to build both an Android and iOS app. Since Android platforms and iOS platforms require different tools, skills, and development languages, you’ll likely need a minimum of two freelancers to get the job done.
With that said, freelancers do have some benefits for smaller projects and non-business apps. But they’re never a good idea for enterprise app development.
Benefits of Hiring App Development Company
Finding a top mobile app development company will make your life much easier compared to in-house app development or hiring a freelancer. Below we’ll take a closer look at some of the top advantages provided by software development companies.
More Experience
All of the top app development companies employ multiple developers. The best mobile app developers are versatile and have lots of experience working on a wide range of different mobile and web apps.
A mobile app development company will also produce significantly more apps in a given year compared to a solo freelancer.
Even the best mobile app developers probably can’t create more than four to six apps in a year. But an app development company can produce hundreds.
If anything comes up during the development process, there’s a good chance that someone in the app development company has seen it before. But if a freelancer runs into an issue or stumbling block during development, they don’t always have someone to lean on.
Multiple Mobile App Development Services and Pricing Options
Custom software application development is not a one-size-fits-all offering. You can expect an app agency to provide several different software solutions and development services to accommodate your needs.
A freelancer typically won’t be able to match these service offerings, and they’ll likely be priced at a fixed hourly rate for the duration of your proj
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the advantages of hiring an app development company over freelancers?
App development companies offer comprehensive services, including design, development, and post-launch support, which freelancers may not provide. Platforms like Buildfire make this straightforward by offering all services under one roof.
How do costs compare between app development companies and freelancers?
While freelancers may have lower hourly rates, the extended timelines and potential need for multiple freelancers can increase costs. Companies like Buildfire offer bundled services that can be more cost-effective in the long run.
Can a freelancer handle both Android and iOS app development?
It’s uncommon for a single freelancer to manage both due to differing tools and skills required. Buildfire, for instance, provides cross-platform solutions that cover both Android and iOS development.
What should I consider when choosing between a boutique agency and a larger app development company?
Boutique agencies are ideal for niche projects with specialized needs, while larger companies offer more resources and a broader range of services.
Is it better to have in-house developers for ongoing app development needs?
In-house developers are suitable for businesses with continuous app development needs. However, outsourcing to companies like Buildfire can provide flexibility and access to a wider range of expertise.
Buildfire is more than just an app development company; we’re a partner in your success.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the advantage of using a mobile app development company over a freelancer?
A mobile app development company offers a comprehensive range of services under one roof, including project management, UI/UX design, and quality assurance, which can lead to a faster and more efficient development process compared to hiring multiple freelancers.
How does pricing differ between freelancers and app development companies?
Freelancers typically charge a fixed hourly rate, which may seem cheaper upfront. However, app development companies often offer fixed monthly rates or project-based pricing, providing more transparency and predictability in costs.
Can a mobile app development company handle both iOS and Android platforms?
Yes, most mobile app development companies have the expertise to develop cross-platform apps for both iOS and Android, ensuring a wider reach for your application.
What should I consider when choosing a mobile app development company?
Consider the company’s portfolio and experience in developing apps similar to your project. It’s important to choose a company that has a proven track record in your specific industry or app type.
What services does Buildfire Plus offer?
Buildfire Plus offers a range of services including app strategy sessions, competitive analysis, UI/UX design, app development, and post-launch support, all tailored to ensure the success of your mobile app.