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.
- Comprehensive Services: Companies offer full-service solutions, including design and post-launch support.
- Specialization: Boutique firms may specialize in niche app categories.
- Cost Considerations: Freelancers may be cheaper but can lead to higher long-term costs.
- Resource Availability: Companies have more resources and can handle multiple projects simultaneously.
- Experience Level: Companies generally have more collective experience than individual freelancers.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the advantages of hiring a mobile app development company over freelancers?
Hiring a mobile app development company offers comprehensive services, including design, development, and post-launch support. Companies like Buildfire provide a full-service solution, ensuring a high-quality product and efficient project management.
How do mobile app development companies ensure quality?
Mobile app development companies have teams of experienced developers who work collaboratively to ensure quality. Platforms like Buildfire streamline the process with robust testing and quality assurance protocols.
Can freelancers handle large-scale app development projects?
Freelancers typically struggle with large-scale projects due to limited resources and expertise. For enterprise-level apps, companies like Buildfire are better equipped to manage complex requirements.
What factors should I consider when choosing between a company and a freelancer?
Consider the project’s scope, budget, and timeline. Companies offer more resources and experience, while freelancers might be suitable for smaller, less complex projects.
Are there cost differences between hiring a company and a freelancer?
Yes, freelancers often have lower upfront costs, but companies provide more value with comprehensive services, potentially saving money long-term.
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 project.
But with a mobile app development company, the pricing is much more straightforward and transparent. Rather than paying an hourly rate, you’ll often pay a fixed monthly rate for app development services or be quoted on the entire project.
For example, here’s a look at some of the Buildfire Plus development services and pricing.
A top mobile app development company has significantly more resources than a freelancer.
| Aspect | Mobile App Development Company | Freelancer |
|---|---|---|
| Roles | Handles native app development and UI/UX design under one roof | Rarely handles both roles |
| Project Speed | Faster, as multiple people work simultaneously | Slower, as one person handles all tasks |
| Resources | Access to high-quality software and equipment | May use outdated software on a single laptop |
Agencies also have the funds to provide their team with the highest quality software and equipment, which ultimately translates to a better final product. Whereas a freelancer could just be working from a single laptop using outdated software.
Most freelance developers charge a fixed hourly rate for their time. If you compare this side-by-side with an app development company, the upfront costs will probably be cheaper.
But it’s also worth noting that the development process and timeline will vary based on your project. For example, it might take a freelancer longer to build Android apps than iOS apps. React native app development won’t have the same timeline as other frameworks.
| Aspect | Freelancer | App Development Company |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront Costs | Cheaper | More Expensive |
| Development Time | Longer for Android than iOS | Varies by framework |
If cash is scarce, a freelancer might be a better option for you. Just be aware that lower upfront costs don’t always translate to lower total project costs (which we’ll discuss in greater detail shortly).
When comparing a mobile development company side-by-side with a freelancer, there are pros and cons to consider for both paths. While there are definitely some situations when working with a freelancer makes sense, an app development company will usually be the best option for most midsize businesses and enterprises.
| Aspect | Freelancer | Mobile Development Company |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Generally lower | Higher, but includes more services |
| Resources | Limited to individual skills | Access to a team of experts |
| Scalability | May struggle with large projects | Better suited for large-scale projects |
| Support | Varies, often limited | Comprehensive post-launch support |
Book a free app strategy session with our team of experts to learn more about Buildfire Plus and our custom mobile app development services.
Buildfire has been trusted to create more than 10,000+ mobile apps across a wide range of industries and categories. We provide everything you need under one roof from app development to design, post-launch maintenance, and support.
Buildfire is more than just an app development company; we’re a partner in your success.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of hiring a mobile app development company?
Mobile app development companies offer comprehensive services, including design, development, and post-launch support, with access to a team of experts and high-quality resources.
How does the cost of a freelancer compare to a development company?
Freelancers generally have lower upfront costs, but development companies provide more services and resources, which can lead to better long-term value.
What factors affect the timeline of app development?
The timeline can vary based on the complexity of the project, the platform (iOS or Android), and the development framework used.
Can freelancers handle large-scale app projects?
Freelancers may struggle with large projects due to limited resources and scalability, whereas development companies are better suited for such tasks.
What kind of support can I expect post-launch?
Mobile app development companies typically offer comprehensive post-launch support, ensuring your app remains updated and functional.