IT Staff Augmentation Vs Freelancers: Which Should You Go for in Your Next Tech Project?

IT Staff augmentation or freelancers? This question racks in the brains of many business leaders. Which way should you go for your next tech project? 

Now before we begin it’s important to understand that freelancing and IT Staff Augmentation both fall under the vast umbrella of offshore software development. They are not separate sectors on their own and can be used simultaneously by companies. 

IT Staff Augmentation 

IT staff augmentation in the software industry is when an offshore IT team oversees all your custom software development requirements remotely from anywhere in the world. They function as an extended version of your company and are flexible according to your project needs. There are many IT Staff Augmentation companies around the world and this industry has gained a lot of momentum during and after the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Pros and Cons of IT Staff Augmentation 

Now let’s have a look at the pros and the cons of using IT Staff Augmentation for your next project. 

Pros

• Shared expertise: You get a full team of experts who have a diverse range of specializations and skill sets.  
• Option for Scalability: There is always the option to finetune or scale a project further and you also get after-sales maintenance services. 
• Efficient Development: There is a higher chance of the efficient development of your software as a team of experienced professionals are working behind it. 
• Reliable and Accountable: IT Staff Augmentation companies will have their policies and work orders which make them accountable for projects. 
• Legal Binding: Projects are sealed with legal documents which further ensures they remain accountable for the deliverables. 
• IP Protection and Data Security: Data security is always maintained as these companies have measures and policies to protect your data. 

Cons

• Language & Communication problems: Some offshore IT teams could have problems with English proficiency. Another problem that many have faced in the past concerns communication methods.
• Higher cost compared to freelancers: Hiring a dedicated full team of experts is bound to be a little bit costly. 

Freelancing

Freelancing is when an individual independently handles and manages your software development project. They are not part of a company but rather just work with your company for a set period. Freelancing is very popular nowadays, especially because of platforms like Upwork and Fiverr as well as the general rise of remote work. Some countries have a higher density of freelancers in the software development sector. 

Pros and Cons of Freelancing

Let’s look at the pros and cons of working with freelancers compared to IT Staff Augmentation. 

Pros 

• Lower cost compared to offshore companies: Freelancing is usually more affordable as you are hiring an individual and not a full team of experts. 
• Flexibility: As a freelancer is not working for a company, they will have flexible working hours. 
• Better for short-term projects: Freelancers are a better option for short-term projects that do not need after-sales maintenance. 
• Numerous options to choose from: There are hundreds and hundreds of freelancers in the world, so you’ll never be short of options.

Cons 

• Low reliability: Freelancers oftentimes can be unreliable since they work independently and not under a company. 
• No maintenance and support service: Most times freelancers will work with you only for the duration of the project and not provide any after-sales services. 
• Confidentiality concerns: Since they are not under any governing body, there are concerns with confidentiality and legality. 
• Difficult to manage: Freelancers tend to be difficult to manage as they work independently and without any supervision. 
• Low accountability and quality: Accountability and quality problems are common issues with some freelancers as they work independently without anyone overseeing them.

Summing Things Up 

The ultimate decision for you to go for IT Staff Augmentation or a freelancer will depend on the project type, budget, time duration, nature of deliverables, skill requirements, and much more. IT Staff Augmentation has proven to be a plausible choice across various industry verticals in the past few years. The flexibility options paired with affordable costs and skilled resources make it a good choice for small to large-scale companies alike.