You have an idea for a unique mobile app and want to utilize the capabilities of Flutter for its development. Now you need to decide whether to hire dedicated flutter developer or look for offshore flutter experts.

Offshore developers can save you money and time, but is it worth the risk? There are a few factors to weigh before making this crucial decision for your project. Here's what you need to know that will help you take the right decision.

Why You Should Hire Flutter Developer for Project

If you're building an app with Flutter, hiring an experienced Flutter developer will help your project attain success. Here are a few reasons why:

Flutter is Google's UI toolkit for building beautiful, natively compiled applications for mobile, web, and desktop from a single code base. Flutter developers have the skills to build high-performance apps with rich interfaces in record time.

• They can implement pixel-perfect designs with customization widgets and rich motion APIs.
• They are familiar with reactive programming concepts and state management solutions like Bloc.
• They keep up with the latest updates, so your on demand app will always use best practices and have the latest features.

Hire Dedicated Flutter Developer or Outsource to an Offshore Flutter Experts Team

When it comes to hiring Flutter developers, you have two options: hire  dedicated developer or outsource to an offshore expert team. Let's have a look at their advantages and disadvantages.

If you hire dedicated Flutter developer, it means you have someone focused solely on your project. They can become deeply familiar with your business and code base, allowing for greater efficiency and continuity. However, dedicated developers often command higher rates and it can be difficult to find experts with niche skills.

On the other hand, outsourcing to an offshore Flutter expert team provides access to a wider talent pool. Rates are usually lower since you're only paying for the hours used. Teams also offer built-in redundancy in case someone leaves. However, geographic distance and time zone differences can result in miscommunication. Project handoff between developers can also be problematic.

Overall, if budget is a concern or you need help quickly, an offshore expert team may suit you well. But for a long-term strategic partnership where domain knowledge is key, a dedicated developer is probably your best bet.

The choice comes down to your priorities, timeline, and budget. Need help navigating the options? Don't hesitate to reach out to companies like Shiv Technolabs that offer both dedicated and outsourced Flutter development services. With their expert assistance, you can find a solution tailored to your unique on-demand apps need.

Pros of Hiring Offshore Flutter Developers

Lower Cost

One of the biggest advantages of hiring offshore Flutter developers is the lower cost. You can find talented Flutter developers for $30-50/hour offshore compared to $100-150/hour for onshore developers. If you’re on a tight budget or need to scale your team quickly, offshoring is an affordable option.

Access to Skilled Talent

There is a shortage of Flutter developers in many countries. By looking offshore, you have access to a larger talent pool of Flutter experts. You can hire flutter developer with skills in Firebase, Google Maps, and other key Flutter plugins. Many offshore developers have experience building complex Flutter apps and can hit the ground running.

Time Zone Benefits

Working with an offshore team often means leveraging advantages in time zones. For example, you can have developers working while you’re sleeping to speed up project timelines. You can also schedule meetings when there is an overlap in working hours. Some companies like to have a mix of onshore and offshore developers for maximum productivity.

Of course, there are also potential downsides to consider with offshoring, like language barriers, cultural differences, and less control or visibility into the development process. However, many companies are overcoming these challenges and benefiting from access to affordable offshore talent.

Cons of Hiring Offshore Flutter Developers

Communication challenges

When hiring offshore developers, communication issues often arise due to differences in time zones, cultures, and native languages. This can lead to misunderstandings, inefficient collaboration, and delays. While many Flutter experts are fluent in English, it may not be their first language.

Hidden costs

At first glance, offshore rates seem appealingly low. However, additional fees for project management, QA testing, infrastructure, and travel can add up quickly. You’ll also need to factor in the cost of your own time spent on extra communication and oversight.

Absence of face-to-face interaction

Not being able to meet in person with your developers can be a downside. Face-to-face conversations and white boarding sessions are valuable for complex projects. While video calling helps, it’s not quite the same. This can negatively impact work dynamics, and the overall success of the project.

Time zone challenges

Working across different time zones can be difficult to navigate. There may only be a few hours of overlap each day for live communication and collaboration. This can significantly slow down development and problem-solving. Be very clear on working hours and response times.

Less control

Hiring offshore, especially in regions with fewer regulations, means giving up some control and oversight into how work is actually being done. While the end results may be acceptable, the process to get there could be questionable. If high-quality, standardized work is a top priority, an offshore team may not meet your needs.

How to Hire the Best Offshore Flutter Developers

Check Their Experience and Expertise

When hiring offshore Flutter developers, look for candidates with at least 2-3 years of experience building mobile apps with Flutter. See if they have live apps in the App Store or Google Play that they built. Review their portfolio and case studies to evaluate the complexity of the apps they have created.

Review Their Skill Set

The best Flutter developers have expertise in Dart, the programming language Flutter uses, as well as web technologies like HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. They should be highly proficient in Git for version control and collaboration. It’s also useful if they have experience with Restful APIs and integrating third-party services.

Assess Their Communication and Soft Skills

For offshore work, communication and the ability to understand requirements and designs remotely are key. During the interview, evaluate how well the candidate asks clarifying questions, explains their approach to problems, and communicates in a professional yet friendly manner. Look for developers who seem genuinely passionate about their work.

Consider Referrals and Reviews

If possible, get references from the candidate’s former clients. Look for developers with a solid track record of positive reviews that speak to their technical skills, work quality, responsiveness, and project management abilities. While price is a factor, don’t make it the only criteria.

Be Prepared to Pay Competitively

Offshore Flutter developers, especially highly skilled ones, are in high demand. While rates are often lower than local developers, the best talent commands good pay regardless of location. Make sure any candidates you’re seriously considering are willing to work within your budget.

Conclusion:

With some diligent searching, you can find amazing offshore dedicated Flutter developers. Take your time to find the right match, and you’ll end up with a valuable long-term partner who can build a world-class mobile experience for your users.