Top PHP Developers
-
Featured
What are Featured Providers?
$5,000+$25 - $49 / hr50 - 249London, EnglandServices provided
Focus Areas
See all 88 projectsDigis, a Fiverr company (NYSE: FVRR), excels in providing comprehensive web development and staff augmentation services. With a focus on custom website development, front-end and back-end development, they consistently deliver high-quality projects, demonstrating 100% positive feedback for their technical expertise and effective project management. Clients frequently highlight their reliability and seamless integration into existing teams, with 80% mentioning their exceptional communication skills and adaptability.
-
$1,000+$50 - $99 / hr50 - 249Jaipur, India
Services provided
Focus Areas
Founded in 2010, Compusys e Solutions Pvt Ltd is a Blockchain company. The agency offers Blockchain and Custom Software Development, and is midsize.
Read more -
$50,000+$50 - $99 / hr50 - 249Bandung, Indonesia
Services provided
Focus Areas
BTS.id | PT INTERSOLUSI TEKNOLOGI ASIA, a software development firm, was established in 2017. The company specializes in Custom Software Development and IT managed services, and is midsize.
Read more -
$5,000+$25 - $49 / hr50 - 249Surat, India
Services provided
Focus Areas
See all 1 projectsInvints Infotech LLP specializes in Website Development, Web Design, and Mobile App Development. Reviews consistently highlight their excellent project management, timely delivery, and creative problem-solving abilities. Clients appreciate their responsiveness and the significant improvements in app engagement and website traffic following project completion.
-
$5,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Montréal, Canada
Services provided
Focus Areas
OneNine Innovations is a custom software development company. The Montréal, Canada-based company was launched in 2024. Their team focuses on Custom Software Development and Web Development.
Read more -
$5,000+Undisclosed10 - 49Minato City, Japan
Services provided
Focus Areas
Established in 2008, Custom Media KK is a graphic design agency. Their team offers Graphic Design and Web Development.
Read more -
$25,000+$50 - $99 / hr50 - 249Islamabad, Pakistan
Services provided
Focus Areas
See all 1 projectsSYSTAFF offers B2B solutions, focusing on measuring business health and well-being through various metrics. Their reviews highlight their punctuality, efficiency, and transparency, with clients noting impressive growth and effective project management. The open-mindedness of SYSTAFF's team contributes to smooth idea exchanges, making them a reliable partner for business projects.
-
$5,000+$25 - $49 / hr2 - 9Kyiv, Ukraine
Services provided
Focus Areas
Web development company Zerrno Digital Agency was founded in 2017. The agency focuses on Web Development and Mobile App Development, and is small.
Read more -
$5,000+$25 - $49 / hr10 - 49Kyiv, Ukraine
Services provided
Focus Areas
Valii is an user experience design company. They are based in Kyiv, Ukraine, and their services include UX/UI Design and Web Development.
Read more -
$5,000+$100 - $149 / hr50 - 249Calgary, Canada
Services provided
Focus Areas
Founded in 2005, Poeta Digital is a cloud consulting & SI company. The team specializes in cloud consulting & SI and Digital Strategy and is located in Calgary, Canada.
Read more -
$5,000+$25 - $49 / hr10 - 49Kyiv, Ukraine
Services provided
Focus Areas
Founded in 2004, D2 is a website development company. The team offers Web Development and Mobile App Development.
Read more -
$10,000+$25 - $49 / hr10 - 49Lahore, Pakistan
Services provided
Focus Areas
Based in Lahore, Pakistan, Techificent is an application development firm. They provide Mobile App Development and Custom Software Development.
Read more -
$1,000+< $25 / hr10 - 49Southbank, Australia
Services provided
Focus Areas
See all 1 projectsTraffic Radius Pty Ltd offers services such as SEO content updates and website traffic enhancement. The overall feedback from the reviews indicates significant dissatisfaction, citing failures to meet agreed-upon deliverables, deceptive sales practices, and prolonged delays in project completion. The reviews highlight concerns regarding integrity and transparency in their business dealings.
-
UndisclosedUndisclosed2 - 9New Glasgow, Canada
Services provided
Focus Areas
Launched in 1994, Webbuilders Group is a small New Glasgow, Canada-based web design agency and website development firm. Their team offers Web Design and Web Development.
Read more -
$1,000+$25 - $49 / hr2 - 9Ampelokipi, Greece
Services provided
Focus Areas
Website development company PSDgator is in Ampelokipi, Greece. Established in 2005, the team provides Web Development.
Read more -
$1,000+$50 - $99 / hr2 - 9Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Services provided
Focus Areas
WACON Internet GmbH is a web development company. Established in 1999, the agency focuses on Web Development and Web Design.
Read more -
$5,000+$150 - $199 / hr10 - 49Melbourne, Australia
Services provided
Focus Areas
Now Digital is a web development firm. Located in Melbourne, Australia and Surry Hills, Australia, the firm was launched in 2007. Their team focuses on Web Development and UX/UI Design.
Read more -
$5,000+$50 - $99 / hr2 - 9București, Romania
Services provided
Focus Areas
Launched in 2014, WeCodePixels is a web development company. The small team provides Web Development and Custom Software Development.
Read more -
$5,000+$25 - $49 / hr2 - 9
Services provided
Focus Areas
Growth Of Influence is a small Content Marketing company based in Thessaloniki, Greece. Their services include Content Marketing and Search Engine Optimization.
Read more -
$1,000+< $25 / hr10 - 49Kyiv, Ukraine
Services provided
Focus Areas
Digiants is a small Kyiv, Ukraine-based website development firm. The team provides Web Development and Web Design.
Read more -
$1,000+$50 - $99 / hr10 - 49Tallinn, Estonia
Services provided
Focus Areas
Website development company vDesignly was established in 2017. The company focuses on Web Development and E-Commerce Development.
Read more -
$1,000+$25 - $49 / hr10 - 49Indore, India
Services provided
Focus Areas
See all 1 projectsAtwesh Solutions offers a range of IT services including education systems, vehicle tracking, hotel booking engines, personal portfolio websites, and matrimonial platforms. Overall, clients appreciate their reliable deliverability and effective project management. The firm is noted for timely responses and prioritizing client needs, despite occasional delivery challenges.
-
$1,000+$25 - $49 / hr10 - 49Jaipur, India
Services provided
Focus Areas
FINEOUTPUT TECHNOLOGIES PRIVATE LIMITED is a web development firm founded in 2015. Their services include Web Development and E-Commerce Development.
Read more -
$1,000+$25 - $49 / hr2 - 9
Services provided
Focus Areas
Web development firm RA TECHNOLOGIE is in lahore, Pakistan. Founded in 2022, the team specializes in Web Development and Mobile App Development.
Read more -
$1,000+$25 - $49 / hr50 - 249Lahore, Pakistan
Services provided
Focus Areas
Skylinx Technologies, a Market Research company, was launched in 2009. The agency focuses on Market Research and Web Development, and is midsize.
Read more -
$1,000+< $25 / hr10 - 49New Delhi, India
Services provided
Focus Areas
Carecone Technologies Pvt Ltd is a web design agency. The New Delhi, India-based firm was established in 2022. Their services include Web Design and Logo.
Read more -
$1,000+$100 - $149 / hr2 - 9Joliet, IL
Services provided
Focus Areas
ITDwebdesign.com is a Conversion Optimization company. Established in 2004, the agency is headquartered in Joliet, Illinois. Their team provides Conversion Optimization and Search Engine
Read more -
$1,000+$25 - $49 / hr2 - 9
Services provided
Focus Areas
Exante Digital is a small Content Marketing company established in 2014. Their services include Content Marketing and Marketing Strategy.
Read more -
$5,000+$50 - $99 / hr2 - 9Avon, OH
Services provided
Focus Areas
Gas Mark 8 is a small SEO services firm based in Avon, Ohio and Farnworth, England. Their services include Search Engine Optimization and Web Design.
Read more -
Undisclosed< $25 / hr10 - 49Pune, India
Services provided
Focus Areas
See all 1 projectsSmartScripts Private Limited specializes in Website Development, Web Design, and digital marketing, with a focus on tailored web solutions for franchise management. Reviews highlight their effective project management and alignment with business requirements, emphasizing their competitive pricing and personalized support. Clients note timely delivery and commend the company's ability to understand and fulfill client needs effectively.
-
$1,000+< $25 / hr10 - 49Jaipur, India
Services provided
Focus Areas
Prior Tech Solution is a web development firm. They specialize in Web Development and E-Commerce Development and were established in 2011. The company is based in Jaipur, India.
Read more -
$5,000+$100 - $149 / hr10 - 49Jackson, WY
Services provided
Focus Areas
Established in 2008, TMBR Digital Marketing Agency is a branding firm. The small team offers Branding and Graphic Design.
Read more -
$1,000+$25 - $49 / hr2 - 9Vejbystrand, Sweden
Services provided
Focus Areas
EDGEROW is a web development firm. The Vejbystrand, Sweden-based company was founded in 2001. Their team offers Web Development and IT managed services.
Read more -
$10,000+$50 - $99 / hr2 - 9Kraków, Poland
Services provided
Focus Areas
See all 1 projectsVIVA LA GRID - branding / web agency provides comprehensive services including graphic creation, online brand campaigns, logo design, and consulting. Reviews highlight their timely delivery, skilled team, and unconventional approach, resulting in improved company presentations. Clients consistently express satisfaction with their professional and effective project management.
-
$5,000+$300+ / hr2 - 9Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Services provided
Focus Areas
ELifeStyles, a web development company, was launched in 2019. The team provides Web Development and Web Design.
Read more -
$10,000+$25 - $49 / hr50 - 249Yerevan, Armenia
Services provided
Focus Areas
Launched in 2019, amBrain is a midsize software development firm. Their services include Custom Software Development and Web Development.
Read more -
$25,000+$150 - $199 / hr10 - 49Miami, FL
Services provided
Focus Areas
Wayfinder, an user experience design company, was founded in 2004. The firm specializes in UX/UI Design and Web Design, and is small.
Read more -
$10,000+$50 - $99 / hr10 - 49Langkawi, Malaysia
Services provided
Focus Areas
Established in 2006, Stampede is a small user experience design company headquartered in Langkawi, Malaysia. Their team provides UX/UI Design and Web Development.
Read more -
$5,000+< $25 / hr50 - 249Ahmedabad, India
Services provided
Focus Areas
Website development company Dvij Infotech LLP specializes in Web Development and Mobile App Development. They were founded in 2021.
Read more -
$1,000+< $25 / hr10 - 49
Services provided
Focus Areas
Launched in 2021, SEO Brand is a social media marketing company. The team focuses on Social Media Marketing and Search Engine Optimization.
Read more -
$1,000+$25 - $49 / hr10 - 49New Delhi, India
Services provided
Focus Areas
Vibhum Software Services Private Limited is a software development company. The firm is located in New Delhi, India. Their team offers Custom Software Development and Web Design.
Read more -
$1,000+$25 - $49 / hr2 - 9
Services provided
Focus Areas
See all 1 projectsStellar Agency specializes in Website Development and Web Design, focusing on creating effective multi-page sites for businesses, such as in the landscape design niche. Reviews highlight their excellent project management, ability to adjust to project requirements, and effective communication, leading to successful outcomes like increased client applications and functional sites. Their services are praised for offering great value and fitting within budget constraints.
-
$1,000+$25 - $49 / hr10 - 49Surat, India
Services provided
Focus Areas
SEO services firm Riofos Technologies Pvt. Ltd. Is headquartered in Surat, India. The team focuses on Search Engine Optimization and Web Development.
Read more -
$1,000+$25 - $49 / hr2 - 9Odesa, Ukraine
Services provided
Focus Areas
Diol-studio is a web development firm founded in 2017. The agency provides Web Development and UX/UI Design, and is small.
Read more -
$10,000+$50 - $99 / hr10 - 49
Services provided
Focus Areas
Nakitel is a web development company headquartered in Kiev, Ukraine. They offer Web Development and E-Commerce Development and were established in 2006.
Read more -
$1,000+$25 - $49 / hr50 - 249
Services provided
Focus Areas
Based in Los Angeles, California, Design Premiers is a midsize Digital Strategy company. Their services include Digital Strategy and Social Media Marketing.
Read more -
$1,000+< $25 / hr50 - 249Hồ Chí Minh, Vietnam
Services provided
Focus Areas
Mobile app development firm Sunshine Software focuses on Mobile App Development and Web Development. They were founded in 2020.
Read more -
$1,000+$25 - $49 / hr2 - 9Olsztyn, Poland
Services provided
Focus Areas
Lemoon Web is a website development company. They are based in Olsztyn, Poland and have small team. They offer Web Development and E-Commerce Development.
Read more -
$1,000+< $25 / hr10 - 49Lalitpur, Nepal
Services provided
Focus Areas
Kodiary Technologies Pvt. Ltd. Is a website development firm established in 2018. Based in Lalitpur, Nepal, the team specializes in Web Development and Mobile App Development.
Read more -
$1,000+< $25 / hr10 - 49
Services provided
Focus Areas
Founded in 2020, Sky Knight Solution is a web design agency. The team provides Web Design and Web Development.
Read more -
Undisclosed$25 - $49 / hr50 - 249Częstochowa, Poland
Services provided
Focus Areas
SofrwareHouse ABS is a web development company founded in 2007. The company focuses on Web Development and Mobile App Development.
Read more
Share your project goals, and we’ll connect you with verified partners who fit your budget and timeline.
Get My Matches
Tell us what you need — we’ll match you with top agencies in minutes.
Get My MatchesWhy Trust Clutch
At Clutch, we believe trust is the foundation of every business relationship. Our mission is to help buyers make confident, data-backed decisions informed by real client experiences.
Every review on Clutch undergoes a rigorous, human-led verification process to make sure it’s valid. Our team of specialists confirms the identity of each reviewer, ensures the project is legitimate, and only publishes reviews that meet our strict criteria.
Verification doesn’t stop at the point of publication. Our Trust & Safety team routinely audits older reviews against our guidelines. When reviews fall short of our standards, we remove them.
We evaluate service providers using a structured methodology that combines:
- In-depth client interviews and ratings
- Comprehensive project details
- Market presence
- Portfolio examples and industry recognition
This data powers tools like the Leaders Matrix, which helps you compare agencies directly. Our research team curates rankings by weighing verified reviews most heavily, so the most trusted and experienced providers rise to the top.
Using this unique combination of verified client feedback and provider-supplied insights, Clutch distills the most important details into clear, digestible summaries so you have everything you need to make confident, informed decisions quickly.
We take fraud seriously. Providers who violate our guidelines may face lower rankings, restricted visibility, or removal from the platform altogether.
Clutch’s commitment to transparency is ongoing. We’re constantly refining our systems to protect the integrity of reviews and support you in finding the right agency.
List of the Top 15 PHP Development Companies
-
$5,000+< $25 / hr50 - 249Ahmedabad, India
Ability to deliver
39.7/40.020/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.7/10 Market PresenceService focus
65% Web Development80% PHP35% Other -
$1,000+< $25 / hr50 - 249Bengaluru, India
Ability to deliver
39.8/40.020/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.8/10 Market PresenceService focus
45% Web Development100% PHP55% Other -
$50,000+$50 - $99 / hr1,000 - 9,999San Francisco, CA
Ability to deliver
40/40.020/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience10/10 Market PresenceService focus
20% Web Development40% PHP80% Other -
$50,000+$150 - $199 / hr50 - 249New York, NY
Ability to deliver
38.2/40.018.4/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.8/10 Market PresenceService focus
100% Web Development70% PHP -
$25,000+$100 - $149 / hr50 - 249Santa Clara, CA
Ability to deliver
37.3/40.017.6/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.7/10 Market PresenceService focus
60% Web Development70% PHP40% Other -
$50,000+$150 - $199 / hr50 - 249San Francisco, CA
Ability to deliver
38/40.019/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9/10 Market PresenceService focus
45% Web Development70% PHP55% Other -
$5,000+$50 - $99 / hr10 - 49Miami, FL
Ability to deliver
37.3/40.017.8/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.5/10 Market PresenceService focus
60% Web Development90% PHP40% Other -
$75,000+$100 - $149 / hr50 - 249Vancouver, Canada
Ability to deliver
39.7/40.020/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.7/10 Market PresenceService focus
90% Web Development50% PHP10% Other -
$1,000+< $25 / hr10 - 49Sahibzada Ajit Singh Nagar, India
Ability to deliver
36.6/40.018.8/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience7.8/10 Market PresenceService focus
80% Web Development100% PHP20% Other -
$10,000+$50 - $99 / hr50 - 249Austin, TX
Ability to deliver
36.5/40.017.4/20 Reviews9.3/10 Clients & Experience9.8/10 Market PresenceService focus
90% Web Development80% PHP10% Other -
$5,000+$50 - $99 / hr50 - 249New York, NY
Ability to deliver
36.5/40.018/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience8.5/10 Market PresenceService focus
70% Web Development70% PHP30% Other -
$10,000+$50 - $99 / hr50 - 249Warszawa, Poland
Ability to deliver
38/40.018.4/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.6/10 Market PresenceService focus
35% Web Development70% PHP65% Other -
$5,000+$25 - $49 / hr10 - 49Poltava, Ukraine
Ability to deliver
36.9/40.017.6/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.3/10 Market PresenceService focus
100% Web Development70% PHP -
$75,000+$150 - $199 / hr50 - 249Frederick, MD
Ability to deliver
39.3/40.019.6/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.7/10 Market PresenceService focus
20% Web Development90% PHP80% Other -
$50,000+$150 - $199 / hr10 - 49Los Angeles, CA
Ability to deliver
37.9/40.018.4/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.5/10 Market PresenceService focus
50% Web Development70% PHP50% Other -
$75,000+$150 - $199 / hr10 - 49San Jose, CA
Ability to deliver
39.6/40.020/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.6/10 Market PresenceService focus
20% Web Development100% PHP80% Other -
$10,000+< $25 / hr250 - 999Thiruvananthapuram, India
Ability to deliver
38.1/40.018.8/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.3/10 Market PresenceService focus
50% Web Development30% PHP50% Other -
$10,000+$50 - $99 / hr50 - 249Gliwice, Poland
Ability to deliver
39.4/40.019.6/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.8/10 Market PresenceService focus
45% Web Development40% PHP55% Other -
$1,000+< $25 / hr250 - 999Boston, MA
Ability to deliver
35.9/40.016.2/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.7/10 Market PresenceService focus
40% Web Development40% PHP60% Other -
$5,000+$50 - $99 / hr50 - 249Gliwice, Poland
Ability to deliver
34.6/40.016.2/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience8.4/10 Market PresenceService focus
75% Web Development80% PHP25% Other -
$10,000+$150 - $199 / hr50 - 249Carlsbad, CA
Ability to deliver
39.8/40.020/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.8/10 Market PresenceService focus
20% Web Development60% PHP80% Other -
$1,000+$25 - $49 / hr250 - 999Lagos, Nigeria
Ability to deliver
35.7/40.016.8/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience8.9/10 Market PresenceService focus
50% Web Development40% PHP50% Other -
$5,000+$50 - $99 / hr50 - 249Chicago, IL
Ability to deliver
39.7/40.020/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.7/10 Market PresenceService focus
35% Web Development45% PHP65% Other -
$50,000+$200 - $300 / hr50 - 249Minneapolis, MN
Ability to deliver
35.7/40.015.8/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.9/10 Market PresenceService focus
40% Web Development75% PHP60% Other -
$10,000+$100 - $149 / hr10 - 49Ultimo, Australia
Ability to deliver
37.6/40.018.6/20 Reviews9.4/10 Clients & Experience9.6/10 Market PresenceService focus
70% Web Development55% PHP30% Other -
$5,000+$25 - $49 / hr10 - 49Chicago, IL
Ability to deliver
39.3/40.020/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.3/10 Market PresenceService focus
15% Web Development100% PHP85% Other -
$25,000+$50 - $99 / hr50 - 249Gliwice, Poland
Ability to deliver
38.2/40.018.4/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.8/10 Market PresenceService focus
20% Web Development100% PHP80% Other -
$50,000+$100 - $149 / hr1,000 - 9,999San Francisco, CA
Ability to deliver
39.5/40.019.6/20 Reviews9.9/10 Clients & Experience10/10 Market PresenceService focus
15% Web Development25% PHP85% Other -
$5,000+$150 - $199 / hr50 - 249Binghamton, NY
Ability to deliver
36.2/40.017.4/20 Reviews9.5/10 Clients & Experience9.2/10 Market PresenceService focus
45% Web Development60% PHP55% Other -
$10,000+$100 - $149 / hr50 - 249Chicago, IL
Ability to deliver
35.5/40.016/20 Reviews10/10 Clients & Experience9.5/10 Market PresenceService focus
40% Web Development100% PHP60% Other
PHP Development Agencies FAQs
A PHP development company designs, builds, tests, and maintains software solutions that run on the PHP programming language. Their typical projects include custom websites, content management systems, SaaS platforms, APIs, and back-end integrations. Beyond coding, these experienced teams may also handle project discovery, architecture planning, UX design, QA, deployment, and post-launch support to deliver secure, high-performing products.
Agencies align project KPIs with business goals—conversion rate increases, load-time reductions, or subscription growth. Post-launch, they track metrics via analytics dashboards, A/B testing, and performance monitoring tools. By comparing pre- and post-implementation data, stakeholders can quantify gains in revenue, user engagement, and operational efficiency.
PHP development companies provide end-to-end services aimed at helping clients turn their website ideas to fully-functioning solutions. Most of these agencies bundle several complementary services, such as:
- Custom PHP web and mobile app development
- CMS implementation (e.g., WordPress, Drupal, and Magento)
- Migration from legacy tech stacks to modern PHP frameworks (e.g., Laravel, Symfony, and CodeIgniter)
- Third-party API integration and microservices architecture
- Performance optimization, scalability tuning, and security hardening
- Ongoing maintenance, monitoring, and DevOps support
Cost for PHP development firms vary based on several key factors such as complexity, timeline, and team seniority. On Clutch, hourly rates for PHP development services range from $25–$150. A simple marketing site might start around $5,000 – $10,000, while enterprise-grade web applications can exceed $100,000. These dedicated agencies often provide different pricing structures such as:
- Fixed-price quotes for clearly scoped features
- Time-and-materials models for agile or evolving projects
- Monthly retainers for team or staff-augmentation projects with long-term needs
The journey to finding the ideal PHP development company is tedious and can sometimes feel overwhelming because of the many options available. To start, it’s important to clarify your goals, tech requirements, and budget; after that, you can follow these step:
- Review each agency’s Clutch profile, portfolio, and verified client feedback.
- Compare expertise in relevant frameworks (e.g., Laravel vs. WordPress).
- Assess communication style, project management tools, and cultural fit during discovery calls.
- Request detailed proposals with timelines, milestones, and quality-assurance processes.
A vendor that demonstrates transparency, realistic estimates, and a strong track record is usually a safe bet. Find a provider that balances all your needs and delivers the best value for your investment.
- Guaranteed delivery dates without discovery or technical review
- Vague pricing structures or unwillingness to document scope
- Limited or no access to source code repositories
- Infrequent progress updates or unclear points of contact
- Overreliance on outdated PHP versions that lack security support
- Which PHP frameworks do you specialize in, and why?
- Can you share case studies with similar business goals or industries?
- How do you handle code reviews, testing, and security audits?
- What is your approach to scaling applications and managing peak traffic?
- Who owns the intellectual property and source code after project completion?
- How will communication be structured (tools, frequency, stakeholder access)?
Freelancers are cost-effective for small, well-defined tasks such as bug fixes or minor feature additions. Agencies, on the other hand, offer multidisciplinary teams—project managers, UX designers, QA engineers, and DevOps specialists—capable of delivering full-cycle solutions, complex integrations, and round-the-clock support. For mission-critical or large-scale builds, an agency’s breadth of talent and established processes typically outweighs the lower upfront cost of a single freelancer.