Why is it Better to Hire Remote Developers Instead of Freelancers?

You may have a great idea for a groundbreaking new app or website, and are all set to start the creation process. However, when you realize how much development work is needed to make your dream come true, the thrill may fade a little.

No matter how brilliant the app concept is, putting it into action takes a lot of time and money; depending on the intricacy, technology, and platforms used, the execution by highly skilled developers will take anywhere from 600 to over 800 hours. Furthermore, since the internet and other digital systems have advanced significantly, your new software product would need to check all the boxes in order to give you a competitive advantage.

You should be able to save on costs by using offsite developers. Remote work is now very common, and due to the accompanying benefits, a slew of businesses is using this model. In 2019, the global IT outsourcing market was estimated at USD 333.7 billion, with a projected rise to USD 397.6 billion by 2025.

The big question now is whether you should hire remote developers or use freelancers. To make an appropriate decision, you will need to review some relevant details, which we have attempted to put together in this article.

Let us begin with some basic definitions and then do a quick comparison.

What is a Remote Developer?

A remote developer is employed by a remote hiring agency, with duties the same as those of a typical in-office developer. The only significant difference is that remote developers are physically situated somewhere else. That means they could be based in a co-working space run by the remote hiring agency or may sometimes work from home.

Remote work is almost exclusively virtual in nature, with no emphasis on actual, face-to-face contact. A developer who works remotely follows the same procedures as a developer who works in an office. They have a workstation, a fixed number of hours to complete their assignments, and people to report to within a proper organization. To receive guidance and connect, these developers use virtual means of communication such as email, phone, and video conference.

What is a freelancer?

A freelancer is an independently employed individual who provides various services, often working on several projects for multiple clients at the same time. Freelancers typically charge hourly or daily rates for their jobs and make money on a per-job basis. This type of job is typically only temporary. Although a freelancer is not an employee of another organization, they may be hired as a subcontractor.

Why do people hire freelancers?

Certain advantageous aspects are hyped up by enthusiasts of freelance hiring. These usually revolve around lower costs, focused expertise, and flexibility. The cost factor is the area most hiring managers fall for, as there seems to be, on the face of it, a huge difference in what freelancers may ask for versus what a remote hiring company generally charges. However, all these aspects need to be considered carefully, as it is your software project that is at stake here.

Freelancer vs. Remote Developer: characteristics to consider

Cost Factors

Let us start with the area most people are interested in: cost. At first glance, freelancers may seem to be quite inexpensive in salary terms. The potential risks involved, as described below, may, however, prove costly in the long run. Your project may also need more expertise down the road, resulting in the need to hire more than one freelancer, automatically pushing up the cost. Sometimes a freelancer may demand to work on a prepaid basis and then run away with your money.

On the other hand, you need to keep in mind that variance in a remote developer’s salary can be significant, depending on where the person is located. If you look at a company like Aspired, a remote developer’s hiring cost can be as low as $3,000 per month.

The Selection Process

If you have visited freelance sites like Upwork or Freelancer, you would be aware of how difficult it is to find an appropriate freelancer. You must first determine where to search for top-tier talent and then confirm that an applicant is a good match for your business and capable of performing all project-related tasks. Picking the right one from probably hundreds of available profiles can be a real pain.

Companies that employ developers remotely, on the other hand, are normally very stringent about the hard skills needed for the job and whether a developer can effectively interact and collaborate within a remote team. As a result, the selection procedure is normally much more stringent. The remote recruiting company manages all human resource operations while you retain full control of who you employ. You will have the opportunity to connect with candidates who are diverse and multi-talented.

Safekeeping of Information

A freelancer is an independent contractor, so you cannot rely on them to keep your information private. Even if you and the freelancer have signed an NDA, there is a chance that this individual will use your intellectual property for other ventures. You can lose valuable information and unwittingly share it with your rivals because it is nearly impossible to monitor such activity.

On the contrary, a remote recruiting firm will sign a proper contract promising to keep the project confidential and provide support. Such businesses are legally registered organizations, and they will gladly provide you with a list of documentation to ensure that you are aware of their trustworthiness.

Reliable Long-term Cooperation

When the project ends, the freelancer’s responsibilities cease to exist. Expecting any more from them would be unrealistic.

Companies, on the other hand, are involved in delivering a complete suite of services over an extended time period. You can depend on your development partner for virtually anything from project consulting to technical support.

Time Management

You will not be able to completely monitor a freelancer to ensure that they complete assignments on time. Such developers can struggle with organization and time management. Freelancers deal with a range of companies and do not necessarily adhere to the organizational rules.

To track and gauge day-to-day progress, remote recruiting companies use a specialized online system. When you work with a company like this, you will be able to interact with seasoned project managers and receive regular progress updates.

Commitment Level

You cannot expect every freelancer to put forward a fair level of effort. Also, a freelancer’s decision to say “Goodbye” can come at any time. They may even simply quit without saying anything.

On the other hand, a remote developer can be expected to put in a fair amount of effort as the remote recruiting company will ensure that your project expectations are met. This will help them to maintain their own reputation and business status in the market.

Multiple Skill Necessity

To meet the development needs of your app or website, you may need to recruit several freelancers. It is difficult to predict how well these multiple experts, operating in different locations, can collaborate.

In contrast, a remote recruiting firm will have a team of highly qualified experts in various fields, such as software developers and quality assurance engineers. The required professional can be quickly deployed to meet your project’s needs.

Way Forward

Website or app development is a complicated process, hence hiring proper specialists for the job would make sense. A remote hiring company can offer a streamlined and customized hiring process for ensuring your success with remote developers. They can provide a wide range of technicians with the required skills and experience, as well as auxiliary services like data backup and security, fast turnaround, and quality control. Since maintenance and new features are usually needed over time, such a company would be able to help facilitate your development project in the long run.