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It’s been more than two decades since the advent of smartphones. Today, there’s not anyone who doesn’t know the power of smartphones and mobile apps, and it is especially true for businesses. While being customer-centric, mobile apps are equally essential for businesses to thrive and flourish in this competitive world.
However, modern mobile app development necessitates professionals and unique technical skills. To bring both these approaches into your development process, particularly at short notice, will require you to choose between two options – either hire a dedicated mobile app development company or go for freelancers.
Often this decision becomes the most significant dilemma for businesses. And the inability to choose between them is greatly influenced by budget constraints and not having enough knowledge of the development process. To help you out, we came across a number of businesses to know their experience of working with a mobile app development company and a freelancer for their project.
If you’re currently confused about your hiring decision, this blog is for you! We will compare mobile app development companies with freelance developers to get a clear picture. Although both have pros and cons, we will mention a few compelling reasons why preferring a mobile app development company over freelancers can be a decision you’ll never regret.
Reasons to Choose Mobile App Development Company over Freelancers
While the decision to choose between hiring a mobile app development company or freelance developers is challenging, we recommend you go for a well-established app development agency. However, you must understand the benefits, unique characteristics, and potential drawbacks to make sound decisions.
#1 Suitable for Complex App Development and MVP
Many startups and SMEs often face a common challenge,i.e., budget constraints. Due to a limited budget, they usually prefer hiring Freelance developers instead of a dedicated app development company, thinking it is a cost-effective option.
But, let us clear the doubt; it’s not the case every time, as there are many budget-friendly mobile app development companies out there. They often have budgeted plans and customized pricing structures that let you expect high-quality and feature-rich apps under your budget.
Additionally, these companies provide Minimum Viable Products (MVP Development) for budget-restricted businesses. A professional company will always prioritize research & development and educate clients about the findings before working on a project.
However, Freelancers may offer a lower level of support. They work according to your budget, and you can’t expect extra effort from them. On the other hand, your decision to choose between these two options is greatly based on two of the most crucial questions –
- Whether you need a native app or a cross-platform app development?
- Whether you need a feature-rich app or a basic app with standard features?
With your decision to hire a mobile app development company, you will get the flexibility to choose between the type of app, platform, and even developers to work on your project. Yes, you can have a dedicated developers team working exclusively on your project, which includes project managers, developers, designers, business analysts, and QA engineers.
In a nutshell, it is easier for a dedicated development company to handle your project, irrespective of your industry and business model.
#2 Domain Expertise and High Scalability
When you choose to hire a dedicated mobile app development company, you can leverage their extensive domain expertise and years of experience. They have in-house teams of developers, designers, and QA professionals having hands-on experience working on projects for different businesses across various domains and industries.
On the contrary, when you go for a Freelancer developer, it becomes even more challenging to validate their experience. Additionally, you’ll need to hire an additional team for designing, developing, and testing.
On the other hand, mobile app development companies bring a high scalability level, making it possible for businesses to upgrade or degrade their development team based on the project. Also, the adept team of a dedicated mobile app development company is well adapted to emerging technologies like Blockchain and AI to build high-end app solutions. You can always have expert guidance during and after your app development phase.
#3 Better Project Management
Compared to freelance developers, a dedicated mobile app development company has the expertise and experience to handle the project efficiently and effectively. They employ advanced tools and technologies to ensure the quality and functionality of your app.
The biggest strength of an app development company is its dedicated team of developers who work together to deliver your app on time and within budget. A project manager oversees the entire development process and communicates with you regularly to keep you updated.
Another advantage of collaborating with a mobile app development company is that you get timely and transparent reports on the progress of your app. You can easily track the milestones and deliverables of your project and provide feedback or suggestions along the way.
You may not get this level of transparency and accountability from freelancers who work independently and may not follow a structured development methodology. Therefore, hiring a mobile app development company can give you more confidence and satisfaction in your project.
#4 Dedication and Focus
When you outsource your app development project to a dedicated development company, you are getting not only a product but also a partner. A development agency will work with you closely to understand your vision, goals, and needs. They will use their expertise and experience to create an app that meets your expectations and standards. Unlike Freelance developers, that may have other priorities and distractions, a development agency will focus solely on your app project.
They will deliver it on time and budget without compromising on quality. A development agency will also provide ongoing support and maintenance, ensuring your app stays up-to-date and functional. Hiring a development agency is the best way to ensure your app is built by professionals who care about your success.
#5 Budget-friendly Solutions
While it is a common misconception that hiring freelancers is more cost-effective than a dedicated mobile app development company. In reality, app development companies are more budget-friendly compared to the services offered, level of satisfaction, and professionalism.
These companies have flexible payment plans, giving businesses time to raise funds. However, freelance developers have fixed payment plans and may require you to pay upfront before starting the project.
Additionally, the level of satisfaction and confidence you get by working with a development company is more than what Freelance developers can offer. Not only the higher cost, the lack of professionalism among Freelancers may give you unnecessary stress.
One of the best parts about hiring a mobile app development company is that they offer expert consultation on project and budget management. By analyzing your requirements and app needs, they can help you with the cost estimates for future reference.
#6 Adaptive to Cutting-edge Technologies
A development company is always on the lookout for new and improved ways to create digital products. They invest in the latest tools, frameworks, and platforms that can enhance the quality and performance of your app. They also have the expertise and experience to use these technologies effectively and efficiently.
On the other hand, a freelance developer may not have the same level of exposure and access to cutting-edge technologies. They may be limited by their budget, resources, or knowledge. They may be unable to keep up with the fast-changing trends and innovations in the app development industry. This could result in your app being outdated, incompatible, or inferior.
Moreover, a development company can easily hire new talents to meet your specific needs. If your app requires a specialized skill set or technology, they can find and recruit the best developers for the job. They can also scale up or down their team size according to your project’s demands. This is not something that a freelance developer or an in-house team can do easily.
Therefore, hiring an app development company gives you the advantage of accessing their cutting-edge technologies. You can benefit from their extensive knowledge, skills, and resources to create a future-proof and high-quality app.
#7 24/7 Support
Hiring a dedicated mobile app development company comes with its dedication and willingness to offer round-the-clock support services to its clients. This is even true when you outsource your project to a company based in a different time zone. You can contact them for any concerns, functionality improvements, updates, or more out of their service hours.
On the other hand, Freelance developers work according to their fixed schedule, as they may have other projects to work on. Additionally, they may restrict themselves to work outside their working hours or timezone. There is no guarantee that they will be available for any emergency.
All in all, freelancers are limited with their support services during and after the launch of your app. It may narrow down the chances for scalability and new updates as your business grow. On the contrary, a development company may be available 24/7 to provide solutions to all your queries and concerns.
#8 Adherence to Robust Security Practices
You can trust a reliable mobile app development company for your app’s security as it adheres to robust security practices. They tend to implement more secure solutions and functionalities in comparison to freelancers. Today, the growth of cyberattacks has alarmed the entire app development industry. Therefore, having a safe app for your business has become more than a necessity.
There has been a significant increase in phishing schemes and cyberattacks since the pandemic. Unsurprisingly, it has been growing at a rate of 15% and is expected to reach $10.5 trillion by 2025. So, now you understand how effective it is to rely on freelancers and their standard solutions for your app security.
Therefore, you need to work with developers who have the best security practices in mind. And hiring a freelancer may not be the best option for this. Freelancers may not have the necessary security knowledge, skills, or resources to safeguard your app. They may also not be able to provide you with ongoing support and updates to keep your app secure.
That’s why it’s better to choose a reputable agency with a good track record of developing secure apps. An agency will have a team of dedicated cybersecurity experts who can implement the best security measures for your app. They will also have the experience and tools to test your app for vulnerabilities and fix them promptly. An agency will also provide you with long-term support and maintenance services to make sure your app stays secure and compliant.
By hiring an app development agency, you can be confident that your app is being handled with care and expertise. You can avoid the risks and costs of dealing with security issues that could damage your reputation and business. You can also enjoy the peace of mind that your app is safe and secure for your users.
#9 Maintenance & Customization
What makes your app remain optimal all time? Definitely, regular maintenance is essential to keep your app performing well and meeting the needs and expectations of your users. A dedicated mobile app development agency can provide you with ongoing maintenance and customization services.
The company can help you update your app with new features and functionalities that reflect the changing trends and demands of the market. They can also help you fix bugs or errors affecting your app’s functionality or user experience.
The mobile app development company has the skills and resources to handle complex and challenging tasks that may require modifying or enhancing your app. The company can also ensure your app is compatible with different devices and platforms. They can communicate with you regularly and provide you with reports on the status and performance of your app.
However, freelancers may not be able to offer you the same level of maintenance and customization services. They may not have the expertise or the tools to deal with complex or urgent issues that may arise in your app. They may also not be available or reliable to provide you with regular updates or feedback on your app. Therefore, hiring a mobile app development company can give you more peace of mind and assurance in your app project.
#10 App Marketing
Without proper marketing strategies, your app may not get the expected level of adoption. Therefore, it is the most crucial part of post-development that many app development companies include in their core offering. They can help you promote your app beforehand and ensure it gets a good response and valuable feedback. This is where Freelance developers fall short.
Most of the time, their services are limited to just app development, so you will need to hire a separate digital marketing team to market and promote your app. This will lead you to spend more out of your budget.
However, when you decide to hire a mobile app development company, you can get all services under one roof, from app ideation, consultation to app deployment and marketing. They have dedicated teams to handle various tasks at different stages of development.
#11 Better Time Management
Finding a freelancer can be a very exhausting process and comes with a lot of challenges and risks. When you post a job requirement, you should be ready to face a flood of automated resume submissions that follow. You might have to spend a lot of time and effort to narrow down your choices and decide between unique experience versus best ratings.
On the other hand, you can easily find the most trustworthy and reputable mobile app development companies for your project in a matter of hours.
#12 Less Legal Issues
Mobile app development is a complex and delicate task that involves many people working together. There are always risks of fraud and other legal issues that could ruin your app. That’s why hiring a reputable mobile app development company is a smart move.
They will handle all the legal aspects of your business and ensure the security and reliability of your app. They will also educate you on the market fundamentals and protect you from getting cheated during the development process.
The company will take care of all the agreements and documentation that are required to start your project. You can relax and focus on your vision while they take the burden off your shoulders.
On the contrary, Freelance developers may lack at offering this level of reliability and fewer legal issues. They limit themselves to signing a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) with clients; that’s it.
#13 Low-Risk Factor
A mobile app development company has a physical presence, a brand name, and a team size that make it accountable and trustworthy. A company will stay with you from the start to the end of the app development process and provide you with post-delivery service and support. They will also follow the contract terms and conditions and deliver the app on time and within budget.
On the other hand, freelancers are more challenging to track and verify. They may disappear or abandon the project without any notice or explanation. They may also fail to meet the deadlines or quality standards or breach the contract terms and conditions. Therefore, you face a higher risk of losing your money, time, and reputation when you work with freelancers.
Mobile App Development Company vs Freelancers: Which One To Choose?
The decision to choose between a freelance developer and a mobile app development company depends entirely on sole discretion. However, there are scenarios that better define the need for each option based on your project. Here’s how it goes:
- If your project is small, simple, and budget-friendly, consider hiring an individual/freelancer app developer. They can offer you more flexibility, lower rates, and faster turnaround times. However, you must find a reliable and skilled developer who can meet your specific requirements and deliver quality work.
- If your project is large, complex, and long-term, there is no better option than hiring a dedicated mobile app development company. They can provide you with a knowledgeable team of experts who can handle various aspects of your project, such as design, development, testing, and deployment. They can also offer you more stability, security, and scalability. However, you must pay more upfront costs, communicate with multiple stakeholders, and adhere to stricter deadlines.
Ultimately, the choice between a freelancer app developer and an app development company depends on your project’s unique needs and goals. You should weigh the pros and cons of each option carefully and select the one that suits you best.
Conclusion
If you want to create a successful app, you need more than just a good idea and some coding skills. You need a team of experts who can handle every aspect of app development, from design and development to testing and maintenance. That’s why hiring a mobile app development company is essential for the success of your app.
While hiring a freelance developer is another opinion to get started, it may not turn out to be as effective and reliable as hiring a dedicated mobile app development company. Both options have pros and cons; the best choice depends on your needs and preferences.
Hiring a mobile app development company means you get access to a pool of experts in different fields, such as design, development, testing, and marketing. A company can offer you a full range of services, from ideation to deployment and maintenance. They also have more experience and resources to handle complex and large-scale projects. Hiring a team gives you the assurance of quality work, timely delivery, and professional communication.
Meanwhile, hiring a freelancer means working with an individual who offers mobile app development services. A freelancer can be a good option for SMEs or startups with limited budgets and requirements. But they may lack providing the same level of work quality and confidence as reliable mobile app development companies.
