Google’s Android has revolutionized the mobile application market. For a while, it looked like the iPhone would completely dominate the smartphone market, but the growing popularity of the Android operating system has changed the game. Programmers and developers love Android because it makes it easy for them to develop dynamic and innovative applications. Professional Android app developers also love the fact that the Android operating system is free and open source software.

Android app development has quickly gained ground in the mobile app development market because it offers what mobile users want. This platform is perfect for developing feature-rich, fast, dynamic, attractive and efficient applications. Consequently, several people opt for Android app development.

Android development offshore: when and why?

If you decide to develop an Android app and you don’t have the skills and workforce required for Android development, you need someone else to do it. If the person you hire doesn’t do a good job, your app is doomed to obscurity.

Also, an experienced professional Android app developer might be too expensive. If you don’t have a deep pocket, you can’t ignore the cost advantage of outsourcing your project. When you outsource your project, you can either find a freelancer or hire a professional application developer from a software development company.

‘Freelance Worker’ and ‘Hired Developer’: What do these words really mean in terms of Android app development?

Various freelancers post their profiles on various sites that help freelancers connect with potential employers. Many of these freelancers are professional developers with full-time jobs, while some of the profiles are created by agents trying to land projects and then pass them on to developers for a commission.

A contract developer is a person who already works as a full-time developer at a software development company (usually a foreign location). You pay the company a certain amount and ‘contract’ the developer’s services for a specific duration or for a particular project. The company takes charge of the project and undertakes to provide infrastructure and technical assistance to the contracted developer.

Pros and Cons: Freelancers and Contract Developers for Android App Development

If you choose a freelancer for your Android app development project, you may end up waiting a lifetime for the project to finish. The problem is that you know nothing about the freelancer, and in the absence of a legal agreement, there is not much you can do if the freelancer delays your project indefinitely.

Also, it is not easy to find freelancers for Android development as this field of development is not yet as popular as iPhone developer in overseas locations. But you may get lucky and find a dedicated freelancer: in this case, you can do a good job for a very low price.

As long as you entrust your Android development work to a professional developer from a reputable company, you don’t have to worry about quality or timely delivery. While this approach ensures quality development, it costs a bit more than freelancing.

What should be done then?

Developing Android apps for freelancers is a pretty risky business, but if you know a reputable freelancer who has already worked for your friends or acquaintances, you’ve hit gold. However, if you want the assurance that your Android app development projects will be completed on time and within cost, it is better for you to hire an app developer from a reputable mobile development company.