For many businesses, hiring in-house feels like the natural choice. A permanent employee offers stability, continuity, and the reassurance of having someone fully committed to your company. There’s no denying that in-house hires play an important role, especially for long-term strategy and culture.
But when it comes to cost, speed, flexibility, and risk, freelance IT professionals often provide a sharper edge. More companies are discovering that freelancers don’t just complement in-house teams—they outperform them in key areas that drive growth.
At GigsRemote, we’ve seen this first-hand. By connecting businesses with pre-vetted and remote senior IT professionals from Central and Eastern Europe in under three weeks, we help companies gain access to the talent they need—without the overheads and delays of traditional hiring.
The Real Cost of In-House vs Freelance
The cost structures of in-house and freelance professionals aren’t directly comparable, but the differences are significant.
- In-house professionals are hired on yearly salaries. For senior IT roles in Western Europe, this often ranges from £70,000–£100,000+ per year, before adding benefits, pensions, bonuses, and other overheads.
- Freelance professionals typically work on daily rates. While the structure is different, GigsRemote provides access to senior freelancers whose daily rates deliver a 24–50% cost saving compared to equivalent talent from other regions such as Western Europe or North America.
In practice, this means businesses gain access to the same senior-level expertise at a more competitive cost, with the flexibility to engage professionals part-time, full-time, or for the duration of a specific project—whatever the business requires.
Speed of Hiring Matters
When projects are time-sensitive, waiting months to fill an in-house role simply isn’t practical. Recruitment processes, notice periods, and onboarding often stretch timelines well beyond what businesses can afford.
GigsRemote reduces this time to under three weeks, helping companies get senior freelancers onboarded quickly so projects stay on track. That speed can be the difference between missing an opportunity and seizing it.
Flexibility vs Fixed Costs
In-house employees represent a fixed cost, regardless of whether your workload is growing or slowing down. For many companies, this leads to overcapacity during quieter periods and overstretch during busy ones.
Freelance professionals offer a different approach. Businesses can scale their teams up during peak demand and reduce them when things quieten down. You only pay for the expertise you need, when you need it.
Reducing Risk
Employee turnover is costly. When an in-house hire leaves, businesses face recruitment fees, downtime, and the effort of onboarding all over again.
Freelance arrangements reduce this risk. If someone isn’t the right fit, GigsRemote can quickly provide a replacement, keeping projects moving without disruption or additional costs.
Expanding the Talent Pool
Hiring locally has advantages, but it also limits your options to the immediate market—which can be costly and competitive. Freelance hiring opens the door to a broader network.
Through GigsRemote, companies gain access to senior IT talent across Central and Eastern Europe. These professionals bring not only technical excellence but also international experience and diverse perspectives.
The Takeaway
In-house hiring provides stability, but freelance IT professionals consistently outperform on cost, speed, flexibility, risk management, and talent reach. For many businesses, the smartest strategy isn’t choosing one over the other—it’s recognizing where freelance talent can give you the edge.
At GigsRemote, we make that edge accessible. By pre-vetting senior, remote freelancers and matching them with companies in under three weeks, we help businesses scale smarter, faster, and more cost-effectively.
If your IT projects demand speed, flexibility, and savings, freelance isn’t just an alternative—it’s your competitive advantage.
