When you take on a career in web development, you will be faced with an incredibly important decision that will inevitably influence and navigate your career path for the next few years: the security of a full-time web development position or the freedom of being a freelance developer. While there is no right or wrong answer to this dilemma, both choices come with their own sets of pros and cons. 

If you’ve ever wondered what the main differences between being a full time employee vs. a freelancer are, you’ve just happened to stumble on the perfect article. Today, we look at freelance vs. full-time web development in order to help you find the model that works best for you.

Ongoing Training & Development 

Full-Time Web Developer 

Do you enjoy upskilling on a regular basis? If so, a full-time web development position may offer you the ongoing training and development you seek, without burning a hole in your pocket. When it comes to highly technical industries, it is beneficial for companies to provide additional training, information or courses to upgrade employee skills, at no extra cost to staff. For example, if you are required to learn front end web development, you can rest easy knowing that your company will ensure that you receive all the training necessary to keep up with evolving trends. 

Freelance Web Developer

Unfortunately, freelance web developers don’t get this kind of structural support. In order to be a successful freelancer, it is paramount that you remain abreast with ever changing technologies independently. Unlike a full-time worker, you will be required to upskill and build knowledge in your own time and at your own costs. This can often be seen as a downside compared to a full-time job where you will receive training on company hours instead of having to take time out of your schedule for the purposes of professional skills-building. 

Job Security Vs. Freedom 

Full-Time Web Developer 

As a full-time web developer, chances are you will be employed for a standard 9-5 job that may not offer you the freedom and flexibility you may get when working as a freelancer. However, a full-time gig does offer job security which can be highly attractive in today’s economic climate, alongside the salary, benefits, and other perks that come with a job at an established company. You’ll never have to worry about your client list drying up, nor will you have to burden yourself with working on public holidays or the festive period to ensure that you aren’t missing out on a huge chunk of income during these critical periods of the year. 

The downside? You will need to be prepared to work 9-5, five days a week. 

Freelance Web Developer

Freelance web development is a job path that will offer you utmost flexibility and freedom. As a freelancer, you have the choice to accept (or reject) jobs based on your schedule, pay and future career goals. You may also find that you have a much wider variety of jobs to choose from compared to when you are working a full-time position. As such, you are essentially your own boss and in a better position to ensure a healthier work/life balance. 

Work/Life Balance 

Full-Time Web Developer

Full time web development can be a fairly stressful gig, to say the very least. With deadlines and multiple projects going on at the same time (not to mention a boss breathing down your neck), you may struggle to find time for personal activities, fun and relaxation. This can be especially challenging if you are a parent, pet owner or someone who enjoys social time with friends. This is not to say that freelancers have it easy – they do often struggle with meeting deadlines too – but ‘overtime’ at the office is unique to a full-time position.

Freelance Web Developer

Because you are able to pick and choose projects as a freelancer, in most cases, you will have more time to spend with friends, family and loved ones compared to someone employed on a full-time basis. You’ll also be working remotely, which can play a big role in improving your work/life balance. With that said, one of the challenges that many freelancers face is the ability to separate work and personal life due to the remote nature of their work. 

Workplace Culture 

Full-Time Web Developer

If you are someone who appreciates and benefits from a positive and collaborative work culture, chances are you’ll do much better in a full-time setting when compared to a freelance position. This is because you will be surrounded by like-minded colleagues who are striving towards a similar goal, thus boosting the collective motivation levels and creating a strong push towards getting the job done. 

The downside? If you prefer working on your own or would rather not have a boss who is always reminding you of your deadlines, a full-time gig may be a little too stressful and/or demotivating for you. 

Freelance Web Developer

As a freelancer, you will be working alone 99% of the time, aside from the times you will have to meet up with clients for discussions and briefings. As such, this is the perfect position for someone who prefers to work autonomously and without distractions. Do keep in mind, however, that a lack of workplace culture may lead to lowered motivation levels and complacency, which may affect your overall work quality. 

Income 

Freelance Web Developer

As a full-time web developer, you are guaranteed a monthly salary regardless of how many clients or projects you complete each month. You won’t have to spend hours of your own time promoting your services to potential clients and you’ll also benefit from having paid leave, sick leave and bonuses throughout the year. The downside, however, is that it can sometimes take years to be promoted to a higher position (and thus a higher salary), leaving you stuck with the same level of income for a prolonged period of time. 

Freelance Web Developer

As a freelancer, there are more opportunities for you to earn big bucks in the long term. Aside from naming your own prices, you also get to work from home which can save you a ton of money in the long run. The downside? Earning the big bucks may take years of experience and hundreds if not thousands of hours prospecting new clients for less than stellar pay. You may also have to deal with gaps in income when your client pool dries out, making your monthly income less than regular, let alone predictable at times. 

As you can see, there is no right or wrong answer when it comes to choosing between a full-time or freelance web development position. At the end of the day, it is important to weigh out the pros and cons of both choices in order to pick the best option that suits your needs, career goals and lifestyle. 

We hope that this article has made it a little easier for you to make the right decision for your web development career. Have a question? Simply leave a comment below and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can! 

Also Read: How And Why Should Freelancers Form An LLC?