The freelance scene in Singapore has evolved considerably in recent years, especially when it comes to high-level professionals such as application developers. This may seem like a good sign, but it is rejected by the poor economic growth of the country. There was only 0.2% growth during the last quarter compared to the 6.2% improvement in the previous quarter as reported by Focus Economics. Earlier this year, the National Trade Union Congress (NTUC) raised concerns about unknown variables in the freelance industry and has since announced measures to help freelancers, including a job fair to connect them with new clients.

Let’s take a look at the realities on the ground and compare the pros and cons of choosing Android autonomous development as a way of life in Singapore.

The good news

Liberty

The biggest advantage of being an independent developer is the freedom. You have no one breathing down your neck and you can choose which job to accept. Having direct conversations with clients gives you a better idea of ​​what they want and no one can interfere with your creative process. This makes things more efficient and you only need to respond to the customer.

Easy to enter

The Android industry is progressing spectacularly in Singapore right now. The country was the first in Asia to introduce Android Pay, the new version of Google Wallet, in collaboration with MasterCard last month. There are plenty of resources to get started on your own and fewer restrictions from the Google Play Store during the app launch.

Effective cost

Apple and other major operating systems are expensive when it comes to development. Both hardware and software are expensive, making the task of a freelance application developer difficult. Android is the best option with a one-time registration fee of 25 USB compared to Apple’s $ 99 per year. The standard 30% commission applies to app sales on the Google Play Store.

Free SDK

An application developer cannot survive without tools, so they must also take a closer look at the costs involved. The cost of the Apple SDK is included in the annual fee for the iOS Developer Program, but the Android SDK is completely free and available for download on Windows, Linux, etc.

Time is right

As the Android industry is at its peak in Singapore right now, there couldn’t be a better time to look for an independent Android app developer. Growth is expected to increase in the near future as there is a huge market for Android applications in the country.

The bad news

Fragmentation

There are so many versions of Android still in use among the population that most companies prefer to launch their Android application in more than one. There is still more to come, making it more difficult to design applications for numerous versions according to the specifications of the device.

Less legal protection

Since there is no proper union for freelancers in Singapore, they are not eligible for benefits like medical, leave, legal rights like regular employees. However, positive steps are being taken in this regard. In March this year, the National Trade Union Congress (NTUC) highlighted that self-employed workers needed a reliable system to safeguard their rights.

Payment problems

The biggest problem in freelancing is money, although native Android app developers are highly paid and in high demand. Even when the task is complete, the customer can be lazy when it comes to transferring their payment. They are often under the impression that the rates are negotiable and that they can get the job done cheaper just because you are a freelancer. There is also no annual increase like that received by permanent employees.

No property

Being an independent developer sometimes means that you cannot claim confidential and intellectual property rights to your work. This can hamper your career growth, and of course you could turn down jobs like these, narrowing down your options.

No third party support

If your professional rights are violated in any way, you cannot seek the help of a union because such a thing does not exist in Singapore. You will have to give up or settle for something much less because there is no proper representation for you by law.