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This article simply compiles experiences and reflections—both personal and from colleagues—related to these two work models, focusing specifically on the fields of design and programming, which are our areas of concern today.

ABoth modalities have their pros and cons, in my opinion, and ultimately, these are the factors we need to analyze. There are people who champion the freelance path, while others prefer working for a company. Personally, I have experienced both, and that is what I want to talk to you about today.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Freelancing:

Advantages:
Flexibility
Working for yourself
Setting your own rules
Disadvantages:
Your income is never guaranteed
No annual bonus (13th-month pay)
No health insurance coverage provided
No paid leave or vacation time
You have to act as both salesperson and debt collector
No one to cover for you

At first glance, the disadvantages seem to far outweigh the advantages, right? But let’s look deeper. A stone can turn into gold precisely out of necessity—necessity is the primary engine for self-improvement. In other words: I have to make ends meet, I need to think, I need to solve problems, I need to grow!

Undoubtedly, it is important to consider that not all freelance work is the same, nor are all companies created equal. For instance, working for Google might blow any freelance job out of the water; conversely, having Adobe as a freelance client might outperform any corporate job. But these are extreme cases; let’s focus on reality.

A wise interior design professor once told me: working on your own is extremely difficult and complex—not because of the tasks themselves, but because of the discipline required. You must have the ability to govern yourself. You need the discipline to wake up early, to step away from your desk for lunch, to make the right call on when to stop, and to be responsible, smart, and firm when setting boundaries with clients. These are by no means easy tasks. In a way, it means setting rules for ourselves and following them strictly, because if we don’t, everything will eventually fall apart.

¿What does a company offer us?… “SECURITY.” Exactly what we lack when working independently. Now, we have to ask ourselves: how important is security? Security is important when we lose it, but when we have it, we take it for granted.

I once heard a saying: “There was a person so cynical that when given the choice between happiness and security, they chose security.” Well, that is truly serious! Because no amount of security can buy happiness. It is also true that happiness requires taking risks, whereas living a life of constant security conditions us to take fewer and fewer risks.

There are companies that are wonderful to work for. I previously mentioned Google, famous for its flat organizational structure—so much so that its employees are shareholders! I am convinced that Google bases its success on its human resources philosophy.

However, Google is an oasis in the desert. There aren’t many examples of companies with these characteristics, and the reality is that most people are angry, sad, and dissatisfied in their workplaces. Very few privileged people get to work doing what they love, so imagine how few manage to achieve both: doing what they love in a pleasant environmente.

This leads me to believe that the main driver behind the desire for freelance independence stems from dissatisfaction and bad experiences in the workplace. Yet, it is also true that if no one took the initiative to seek independence and leadership, there would be no companies to employ people in the first place—it’s a classic chicken-and-egg situation.

Let’s analyze the advantages…

FFlexibility: This is undeniably an advantage. You decide when to go to lunch, when to step away from your desk, when to pause to pick up your kids from school, or when to stop to watch the Real Madrid vs. Barcelona derby—which, by the way, always airs in the early afternoon!

Working for Yourself: Your earnings are your earnings, your growth is your growth—no broken promises; your success is entirely yours. Plus, you decide where to invest or not invest as you see fit.

Setting Your Own Rules: You set your own schedule, define your working tools, answer to no supervisor, and dictate your own pace.

Now the Disadvantages…

Uncertain Income: What more is there to say? Your bills are fixed and must be paid, but no one can guarantee your income. It will fluctuate depending on your client base and workload. You need the capacity to save during good months, the discipline to remain austere during bad months, and the resilience not to give up or fall into despair!

No Annual Bonus: You can no longer count on a holiday bonus to buy that item you’ve been eyeing or take that dream trip. For a freelancer, the bonus comes from what you manage to save during high-earning months.

No Employer Health Insurance: This doesn’t mean you can’t have health coverage, but you will have to pay for it entirely out of pocket at individual rates. This is another fixed expense, and a vital one, especially if you need to provide coverage for your family.

No Paid Vacation: Just like the annual bonus, there is no paid leave. You must organize your schedule and notify your clients well in advance to carve out a period of time to step away and take a well-deserved vacation.

Acting as Salesperson and Collector: Two critical yet difficult roles. You have to sell your services to acquire clients, but above all, you have to collect payments—a far from simple task! Here, clear communication is key: send coherent, detailed quotes to avoid misunderstandings, and always request an upfront deposit to protect against clients who vanish into thin air (and trust me, there are plenty of them!).

No Backup Support: A major issue! If you fall ill or face an emergency, your business comes to a complete halt. You must plan carefully, keep your clients informed, and avoid working on razor-thin deadlines, or delay in deliveries will quickly snowball into an unmanageable crisis.

 

These are just a few reflections aimed at helping you gain a clearer picture when deciding how you want to work. Never let the negative aspects stop you from doing what you truly love or working the way you prefer, but remember: without discipline and hard work, you won’t see positive results under either model. These virtues become even more essential if you choose to work for yourself.

¿What about you? What has your experience been like, and what insights would you add?