Agency vs. Freelancers | For Building a No-Code App

No-code development is considered cheaper and time-saving compared to traditional methods. No-code platforms claim to be easy to use by providing a drag-and-drop editor, even for non-technical people.

However, when it comes to building a serious business and scalable app for your idea, it requires expertise and time. You will need help from an external source, whether it's a freelancer or an agency.

One of the first big decisions you'll face is whether to work with a freelancer or an agency. Both options have their pros and cons, and choosing the right one depends on your budget, project complexity, and how involved you want to be in the process.

In this article, I'll break down the key differences between working with a freelancer and an agency when building no-code apps. By the end, you'll know which option is best for your project.

Here are the quick takeaways from this article:

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Choose a freelancer if:

You are a technical person with expertise in no-code platforms and need help with specific tasks.

You have a limited budget and need a cost-effective solution for a small to medium-sized no-code app.

You prefer direct communication and want to be closely involved in the development process.

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Choose an agency if:

You are non technical or are an entrepreneur without expertise in no-code platforms like Bubble.

Your project is complex and requires multiple skills, such as design, development, and integration, and you need a team of experts.

You want a structured process with project management support, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your business.

What to Expect from a Freelancer in No-Code Development

When you hire a freelancer for your no-code project, you're getting one person with expertise in platforms like Bubble, Webflow, Glide, or FlutterFlow. They will help you design and build your app, managing everything on their own. Freelancers can be a great choice if you're looking for a simple and cost-effective solution.

Pricing - Rates for expert freelancers range from $15 to $50 per hour, depending on their expertise and the apps they have built before.

Advantages of Freelancer

Here are some of the advantages of working with a no-code freelancer:

Lower Costs: Freelancers usually charge less than agencies because they don't have the expenses of a large team or office. If you're a solo entrepreneur or just starting out, this can be a big advantage.

Direct Communication: When you work with a freelancer, you communicate directly with the person building your app. There's no middleman, so you can quickly give feedback and get answers to your questions.

Flexibility: Freelancers often have more flexible working hours and schedules. If you need to make changes or have a tight deadline, a freelancer may be more adaptable to your needs.

Downsides of Freelancer

That said, working with a freelancer also has its downsides:

Limited Skill Set: A no-code freelancer might be an expert in one platform, but they may not be able to handle everything. For instance, if you need both an eye-catching design and a complex database integration, it can be difficult to find a freelancer with the skills to deliver both.

Lack of Backup: If your freelancer is unavailable or falls ill, there's no backup. Your project could be delayed because they are the only person working on it.

Longer Turnaround for Larger Projects: While freelancers can work quickly on small projects, larger apps that require multiple features or custom integrations can take longer since one person is doing everything.

What to Expect from an Agency in No-Code Development

On the other hand, working with a no-code development agency means hiring a team of experts. Agencies usually have developers, designers, and project managers who collaborate to build your app. They specialize in no-code tools like Bubble, Webflow, or FlutterFlow, and provide a complete range of services from design to development to post-launch support.

Pricing - Rates for no-code agencies range from $50 to $200 per hour, depending on their expertise and the portfolio of apps they have built before.

Advantages of No-code Agency

Here’s why working with a no-code agency could be the right choice for you:

Access to Multiple Experts: An agency has a team with various specialties. For instance, if you need a complex mobile app with both front-end design and back-end functionality, they have experts to handle every part.

Project Management: Agencies typically assign a project manager as your main contact. This person keeps the project on schedule, ensures deadlines are met, and keeps you updated. This relieves you from managing the project yourself.

Reliability and Continuity: Unlike freelancers, agencies have backup team members. If someone is unavailable or leaves, there is always someone else who can step in and keep the project moving forward.

Downsides No-code Agency

Of course, there are a few challenges that come with working with an agency:

Higher Costs: Agencies usually charge more than freelancers. You're not just paying for the work; you're also covering their overhead, like office space and salaries for the whole team. That said, if you choose no-code over traditional methods, you ultimately save a lot of money.

Less Direct Communication: While you’ll have a project manager to talk to, you may not communicate directly with the developers or designers working on your app. This can sometimes slow down feedback loops.

Longer Timelines: Agencies often have more structured processes, which can mean your project takes longer to complete, even though it typically takes about 3-5 weeks to build a fully functional app with no code. However, their ability to work on multiple parts of the project at the same time can sometimes offset this delay.

Freelancer or Agency for No-Code Apps: Which Should You Choose?

So, how do you choose between a freelancer and an agency for your no-code app development? It depends on your budget, the complexity of your app, and how involved you want to be in the process.

Budget Considerations

If you’re working with a limited budget, hiring a freelancer is probably the more affordable choice. Freelancers usually charge lower rates than agencies, especially if your app doesn’t need complex features. However, if your app requires multiple skills—such as design, development, and ongoing support—you might need to hire several freelancers, which could end up costing as much as an agency.

Agencies, on the other hand, might be more expensive initially, but they provide the advantage of managing everything in one place. Additionally, they often have more resources to make sure your app is polished and ready for launch.

Project Complexity

Freelancers are ideal for simple no-code apps, like a basic booking system or a straightforward landing page. If your app is relatively small in scope, a freelancer can manage the project with ease.

However, if you're developing a more complex app, such as a marketplace or one that needs multiple user roles, integrations with third-party services, or advanced automation, an agency might be a better choice. Agencies have teams with diverse skills, allowing them to handle complex requirements more effectively.

Timeline and Speed

Freelancers tend to be faster for smaller projects because they have fewer moving parts. They can often jump right in and start building your app. However, for larger, more complex projects, their solo work might mean slower overall progress.

Agencies may take longer due to their structured processes, but they also have the manpower to work on several elements of your app at once. If you have a strict deadline, an agency might be able to meet it by assigning multiple team members to your project.

How Much Involvement Do You Want?

If you prefer to be very involved in the process and want to give feedback directly to the person building your app, a freelancer might be the better choice. You'll have more direct communication, and they can make adjustments quickly based on your input.

On the other hand, if you want to delegate the project and focus on running your business while someone else manages the details, an agency can handle everything. The project manager will keep you updated, but you won't need to be involved in every small decision.

Comparison Table: No-Code Freelancer vs. Agency

Aspect	No-Code Freelancer	No-Code Agency
Cost	Generally cheaper	More expensive due to overhead, but delivers quality outputs
Expertise	Specialized in one platform	Team of experts across platforms
Communication	Direct with the individual	Through a project manager
Project Size	Small to medium apps	Medium to large, complex apps
Flexibility	More flexible, and faster for small apps	Structured process, usually takes 3-5 weeks
Reliability	Dependent on one person	Backup team available

Conclusion

Choosing between a freelancer or an agency for your app idea depends on various factors. If you're familiar with no-code platforms and can build apps but need help to speed up the process or solve a specific problem, then a freelancer is a great choice.

However, if you're an entrepreneur with multiple businesses or don't have expertise in no-code platforms, choosing a no-code agency is the best option. Their structured process, from onboarding to delivering the app, is more streamlined compared to freelancers.

In other words, if you're working on a small, simple app and have a limited budget, a freelancer might be the best choice. However, if your app is more complex or you want a team to handle everything from start to finish, an agency is likely worth the higher cost.

No offense intended, both freelancers and agencies can deliver excellent results. It's about finding the right partner who understands your vision and can bring it to life, whether it's one person or a team of experts.

Hire Zeroqode for Bubble app development

At Zeroqode, we specialize in building no-code apps or Business automation solutions on Bubble.io. We have a team of certified Bubble developers who build your app using best practices. To date, we have built over 500 apps. Additionally, we offer more than 700 plugins for Bubble to enhance your app's functionality.

If you have an idea for a marketplace, CRM, dashboard, SaaS, or eCommerce platform, we are here to help. Feel free to reach out.

See you soon in the next article. In the meantime, take a look at our case studies of successful apps we've built on Bubble.

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Konstantin Elovenko

Head of Marketing & Chief AI