Development partner or freelancer: Choose the best strategy for software development

To remain competitive now and in the future, organizations are increasingly required to focus on software development. The demand to accomplish this using external resources continues to rise. However, there are different ways to approach this: do you choose a development partner or a freelancer? Both options have their own pros and cons, and the best choice depends on specific knowledge requirements, budget possibilities, available time, and ensuring continuity. In this article, you will learn how to make an informed decision for your organization regarding this choice.

The global IT outsourcing market has grown explosively in recent years and has reached a value of tens of billions of euros. This growth is driven by factors such as labor shortages, short product life cycles, increased digital transformation, faster software upgrades, and the constant pressure to accelerate time-to-market. A significant portion of software development is now dependent on outsourcing through freelancers and development partners. Nearshore solutions are gaining popularity due to the benefits in communication, cultural understanding, and minimal time zone differences.

Advantages and disadvantages of a development partner

A development partner is an IT service provider that develops software for a client in exchange for payment. These tasks are always carried out in collaboration with the client.

Advantages of a development partner

Choosing a development partner comes with several advantages. A good development partner possesses extensive knowledge of both the technology to be applied and the industry in which the client operates, has a dedicated and skilled team, ensures personnel continuity, and also has matters related to security, compliance, and insurance well organized.

Challenges development partner

Although the use of development partners offers many benefits, there are also challenges. Face-to-face communication occurs less frequently due to the physical distance, the working language is often English (which not everyone finds comfortable), and there may be cultural differences in the way of working.

Advantages and disadvantages of a freelancer

For support in the IT sector, the freelancer model is also a popular choice within the IT sector.

Advantages of freelancers

Hiring freelancers brings several advantages. They offer flexibility and scalability and are easy to hire through online platforms. Due to the varied and wide range of options, it is possible to find an individual freelancer who fits the company culture.

Disadvantages of freelancers

Additionally, there are several disadvantages associated with hiring freelancers. Due to their individual way of working, they have less of a team spirit, and the continuity of a project can be at risk due to illness or departure. Legal aspects, such as insurance and protection of intellectual property, require careful attention when hiring freelancers.

Collaborating with a development partner or hiring a freelancer?

Now that the advantages and disadvantages of both a development partner and a freelancer are clear, the question is: will you collaborate with a development partner or hire one or more freelancers? The answer to this question depends on several factors.

• For complex projects, a development partner is often the best option, as they have more expertise and resources.

• If there is a limited budget, hiring freelancers is more attractive because they are cheaper than a development partner.

• In the case of a tight schedule with approaching deadlines, hiring freelancers can guarantee a faster process.

• However, if the goal is to ensure the continuity of a project, a development partner is often the better choice due to the availability of more experts.

In certain cases, it is wise to choose a hybrid model that combines the benefits of both development models. This approach with a development partner combines the long-term stability of a development partner with the flexibility of freelancers who have specific expertise in IT (but with less risk). NetRom Software refers to this approach as Teams-as-a-Service, which leads to exceptional results when it comes to software development.

The best choice depends on the specific needs and circumstances within your organization. By carefully considering all factors, you can make smart decisions that align with your software development objectives.

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Are you choosing a development partner or a freelancer? Discover the advantages and disadvantages in our whitepaper, compare both models, and determine which approach best fits your needs.

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