Today, mobile app development has become a necessity for industries of all shapes and sizes. Many companies prefer to hire a contract mobile app developer to fulfill their development requirements, while others hire full-time developers. With a growing demand for mobile applications around the world, which one is better to choose? Should you become a contract developer or a full-time employee at a reputable app development company?
To help novice developers choose the right career option, we’ll be looking at the pros and cons of both options. Let us make a detailed comparison between the two.
• One of the most important reasons to hire a contract developer is the constant changes that occur in the corporate world. Most companies hire professional developers as their employees pay them fringe benefits and other benefits on top of their fixed salaries. However, we all know how volatile the IT industry is and therefore many times companies have to reduce their team of developers.
• On the other hand, contractors are not required to work for any particular company. They simply sign an agreement with the company for the development of a specific project, complete their task, collect payment and leave! This is also more beneficial for organizations as they don’t have to spend a lot on an extended setup for them.
• A big risk of being a contract developer is that sometimes developers don’t have any work to do and may have to sit idle for a few weeks or months. However, being a full-time developer is also not that secure, as companies may have to reduce the size of their developer team to cope with market changes.
Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of becoming a contract developer and a full-time employee.
1. Full-time mobile app developer
Advantage:-
• They are more secure compared to a contract developer.
• They do not face tax or related problems since everything is handled by the company.
• They are likely to earn fringe benefits, bonuses, paid vacations, insurance, medical benefits, and more.
• They have more room to build a solid career.
Cons:-
• Sometimes full-time developers earn much less compared to a contract developer.
• They are trapped in a monotonous lifestyle and routine work profile.
• They have fewer opportunities to become independent during their mandate.
2. Contract Developer
Advantage:-
• There is more money and more independence.
• Their working hours are flexible and appropriate both for them and for the company.
• Since the contractor is not part of any company, there is less chance of facing any bureaucracy.
Cons:-
• There is no room for more progress in the field.
• There is a high risk of unemployment.
• There are no additional benefits for them to obtain apart from the contractual amount.
• They have to deal with all tax-related matters on their own.
In the end, the contract developer vs. full-time developer debate is left to the developers themselves, as they are the ones who have to choose based on their priorities and needs.