FAQs About Hiring Through Upwork vs a Software Agency

 

Choosing between freelancers on Upwork and a software agency like Emvigo? This guide answers the most common questions businesses ask when choosing between the two options — helping you decide which one is better for your needs in terms of reliability, cost, scalability, and support.

1. What’s the difference between Upwork freelancers and software agencies?

Think of it like this:

Hiring an Upwork freelancer is like working with a solo specialist, while partnering with a software agency gives you access to a full, coordinated team.

 Upwork Freelancers

• • Usually work solo as specialists (e.g., frontend developers, UI designers)
  • Focus on one specific skill
  • You handle communication, deadlines, and quality control
  • Ideal for small or specific tasks
  • More flexibility, but requires hands-on management

Software Agencies

• • Provide complete, end-to-end teams
  • Include project managers, developers, QA testers, UI/UX designers, and more
  • Offer structured workflows and clear responsibilities
  • Ensure consistent quality and faster delivery
  • Reduce your management workload and risks

2. Which is more reliable for complex software projects?

Agencies are more reliable for complex or long-term projects.

Agencies follow standardised processes, offer project documentation, have dedicated quality control, and ensure continuity even if a team member changes. Freelancers may not scale well or deliver consistently over longer projects.

Takeaway: If your project involves multiple integrations, AI tools, or enterprise scalability, a software agency provides more control and risk management.

3. How does pricing compare between freelancers and agencies?

Freelancers may cost less hourly, but agencies offer long-term value.

• • Freelancers: Lower upfront cost, but higher risks due to delays or errors
  • Agencies: Higher initial quote, but fewer surprises and faster completion

According to Forbes, hidden costs in freelance projects can increase the budget by up to 30%. That’s why predictable agency pricing may end up more economical overall.

4. Can I get post-launch support with freelancers?

It’s possible, but not always dependable.

Freelancers often move on to their next project. But software agencies provides ongoing support, like fixing bugs, making updates, and improving versions. This is important if your app needs to grow or follow rules.

5. Who handles communication and project tracking?

With freelancers, it’s usually your job. Agencies assign a manager.

Freelancers rely on you for progress tracking, while agencies assign dedicated project managers. This ensures:

• • Scheduled updates
  • Progress dashboards
  • Risk mitigation
  • Centralised communication

Quote: “Hiring a freelancer means you’re also the project manager. Agencies let you focus on outcomes, not tasks.”

6. How do I ensure high quality on Upwork?

Vetting matters — but there are still gaps.

If you go the freelancer route:

• • Review portfolios
  • Conduct technical interviews
  • Start with a paid pilot task

However, without a QA team or code reviews, quality risks persist. Agencies typically implement continuous testing, CI/CD pipelines, and peer code reviews as standard.

7. Are there hidden risks or costs with freelancers?

Yes — delays, scope creep, and disputes are common risks and mistakes .

You’ll manage:

• • Contracts and revisions
  • Payments and milestones
  • Possible rework due to missed expectations

Agencies formalise this process with clear deliverables, service agreements, and escalation procedures — giving you peace of mind.

8. How fast can I start development?

Freelancers may start within days. Agencies plan for the long haul.

If you need something done quickly, freelancers can work well. But for full projects, agencies usually begin with a planning phase, which helps them deliver faster and scale better once the work starts.

9. Can both models scale easily?

Agencies scale better without the chaos.

Freelancer Scaling:

• • Hiring multiple people individually
  • Managing different timelines
  • Hoping they collaborate smoothly
  • Handling contracts and payments separately
  • No shared accountability if something goes wrong

Agency Scaling:

• • One point of contact for all communication
  • Developers are onboarded internally by the agency
  • Centralized progress tracking and reporting
  • Consistent quality standards across the team
  • Built-in project management and technical oversight

10. Why choose Emvigo as your software development partner?

Emvigo merges flexibility with structured delivery.

As a leading software development company in the UK, Emvigo has delivered over 200 successful projects globally. The team leverages AI-driven delivery, DevOps automation, and an agile structure to help startups and enterprises build, launch, and scale software reliably.

We support:

• • Staff augmentation
  • Full-cycle development
  • Maintenance and performance monitoring
  • Compliance-ready development (GDPR, HIPAA, etc.).

Why Companies Choose Emvigo for Outsourced Projects

Emvigo offers full-cycle outsourcing support — from MVPs to enterprise-scale systems. Our approach combines agile delivery, post-launch support, and AI-ready architecture. Whether you need staff augmentation or a full dedicated team, we tailor our model to your business needs and project goals.

Final Takeaways

• • Use freelancers for quick, well-defined tasks
  • Use agencies for end-to-end, scalable, high-stakes projects
  • Emvigo offers the best of both worlds — agility + structured execution

Still unsure which route is best? Schedule a free consultation with Emvigo’s experts

FAQs

What is the biggest risk when hiring freelancers on Upwork?

The main risk is lack of accountability. Freelancers may miss deadlines or drop off mid-project, which can derail timelines and budget.

Can I hire both freelancers and agencies for different parts of a project?

Yes, but coordination can get tricky. If you do, use the agency for core system architecture and freelancers for minor enhancements or UI changes.

How can I compare bids from freelancers and agencies effectively?

Compare total cost-to-deliver, not just hourly rates. Consider speed, quality, maintenance, and project management overhead.