Freelance Software Developers in LATAM Choose
Software Companies Over Independent Work

Are you a freelance software developer in Latin America? You probably think you’ve achieved god-like status. Getting paid in US dollars. Being your own boss. Traveling wherever you want, whenever you want. People will promise that freelancing is always better than a 9-5 job. But that’s not necessarily true!

Our team has experienced both, and there are clear advantages to working for a software company. Let’s take a moment to break it down because freelancing, especially in tech, might not be as shiny as it seems.

Freelance Software Developers in LATAM

Let’s Start With The Truth About Software Freelancers

First truth: The picture above was created using AI because our CTO didn’t want to take a real picture. He actually looks somewhat similar to the dude from above 😂

Jokes aside — being a freelance dev means doing everything on your own: you’ve got to find your own clients, negotiate contracts, chase down payments, and absorb the risk of gaps in your employment. It’s not always easy. One month you’re drowning in projects, and the next? Crickets. And an empty bank account! 🤬

That uncertainty can be pretty stressful, especially when bills start stacking up. The client-side is another headache. Not every client is as financially sound as they claim to be. You could deliver a flawless project, but if they’re tight on funds or just plain unreliable, good luck getting paid (a.k.a startups with tight funding). And when you’re freelancing, late payments or no payments hit a lot harder because it’s all on you.

 

Software Dev Agencies Are Not So Evil After All

Let’s flip the script and talk about why working for a company – especially a nearshore software development agency like Ewents – could be a better fit for some developers.

First off, one huge advantage is financial stability. When you’re part of a company, you’re not the one absorbing the risks of project cancellations or clients going silent. If a project goes to hell, guess what? The company usually absorbs that cost, not you. You may get benched temporarily, or they’ll just move you to another project. In the worst-case scenario, yes, you will get fired. But at least the company will tell you up-front and do everything possible to reassign you. 

Another major perk is career growth. As a freelancer, you’re responsible for your own professional development, which can be pretty isolating. Sure, you can take online courses, but there’s no clear path to follow. In a company, there’s typically a structured career path, and you don’t have to stress out about constantly competing with the competition on Upwork. You can start as a junior dev and work your way up to senior roles, maybe even transition into project management or a tech lead position if that’s where your interests take you. Plus, some companies even offer mentoring programs to help guide your growth. That’s something freelancing can’t easily replicate.

 

The Opportunity Costs of Being a Freelance IT Engineer

Let’s not forget the hidden costs of freelancing. You’re not just coding – you’re also selling yourself. Freelancers have to spend hours, sometimes days, prospecting for projects, negotiating contracts, and managing client relationships. That’s all valuable time that could be spent coding or, you know, enjoying life. Plus, there’s always the risk that you might not land a project for weeks or even months. 

With a company, though, your job is to do what you do best: code. You don’t have to worry about pitching or chasing clients, which means more time for actual development and career growth. And the security of knowing you’ll have work tomorrow is priceless.

 

Easier Transitions and Opportunities With Zero Experience

If you’ve ever thought about moving from freelance work to a full-time job, it’s way easier if you’ve already worked for an established company. Having a reputable organization on your résumé makes you more attractive to future employers than a patchwork of short-term freelance gigs. Plus, companies often provide more structured, professional references that can make a world of difference when you’re trying to land that dream job.

For junior devs, the advantages are even more pronounced. Breaking into freelancing with little to no experience is tough. Clients want to see a proven track record, which can be hard to establish when you’re just starting out. But companies like Ewents love to hire trainees and junior developers. If we have the right project, we’ll train you, give you the experience you need, and place you in projects that allow you to grow. 

 

Moving to Other Countries — Alone or With Family

Another cool perk of working for a company is the potential for relocation. Many companies, especially those with international clients, offer relocation opportunities that include handling legal paperwork, sponsoring visas, and even helping you (and your family) settle into a new city. Freelancers, on the other hand, are left to navigate these challenges on their own, which can be a logistical nightmare.

If you’re in LATAM and weighing your options, it might just be time to consider making the switch from freelancing to full-time with a software company.

Founded in 2019, Ewents is a boutique nearshore software development firm from Latin America. We provide tailor-made software development services in your same timezone and for a fraction of the cost. Stemming from a University software project, our team has constantly evolved until finally forming an international company in 2024. Ewents doesn’t really care about being the largest company in the IT industry — but we care about being the best.

We hire talented people to work in staff augmentation and turnkey projects such as building MVPs and mobile apps. Our roles typically include:

  • Full Stack Development
  • IT Project Management
  • UX/UI Design
  • Quality Assurance (Manual & Automation)
  • DevOps
  • Cloud Engineering
  • AI/ML and Data Engineering

Reach out to our team @ Ewents to learn more about our open roles. 

We’re currently hiring full-stack, backend, and front-end devs 🙂