7 Differences Between UX Freelancers vs Full-Time Workers
Over the past year, I've watched several of my colleagues make the leap from full-time UX roles to freelancing. Listening to their stories over coffee breaks and “Pain and Gains” team meetings has given me a nice behind-the-scenes perspective on what both territories come with.
Interestingly, some of my UX pals found a ton of freedom and variety in their projects, while others faced unexpected challenges.
If you’re considering making the leap from a full-time UX role to freelancing, here are some key differences to keep in mind, with insights from my lovely colleagues who’ve walked this exact path.
1. Job security
Every other week I’ve been seeing a new LinkedIn post about another UX professional getting laid off or having trouble finding work. Not gonna lie, it’s a tough market these days.
When you’re considering the big move between freelancing and full-time work, job security is going to be a major factor in most of the decisions.
I’ll break down what job security looks like for both freelancers and full-time workers:
If you’re a UX freelancer
Freelancing offers freedom but comes with no guarantee of job security. There’s no promise of continuous work (unless you’re on a fixed contract, and even that ends at some point), so building a stable client base is an absolute necessity. To do so, networking, word-of-mouth referrals, and maintaining strong relationships with your stakeholders and clients are key to sustaining a successful freelance career.
One of my UX freelance researcher friends named B constantly networks, attends industry events, and maintains strong relationships with past clients to ensure a steady flow of work. By diversifying her client base and staying active in her professional community, she mitigates the risk of income gaps and ensures a more stable freelance career.
With the current climate of frequent layoffs, it makes sense why so many professionals are turning to freelancing as a safer alternative. There’s no risk of getting laid off when you’re your own boss!
If you’re a full-time worker
Full-time positions typically offer more job security and a clear career path. You benefit from the stability of an established company structure, which can provide peace of mind.
However, job security can still be influenced by the company’s performance and the market. Most of the UX professionals I know will say they enjoy the security of a full-time role as it comes with achievable paths for promotion and career advancement within the company.
But I’m sure the ongoing tech layoffs have made people rethink the stability of full-time employment. So despite the perceived security, companies can still face downturns that lead to those unfortunate job cuts. The fear of not knowing when you’ll be on the chopping block next might be why I’m reading about more professionals considering the relative stability of freelancing, where they have more control over their workload and client base.
2. Business operations
Running your own business can be great but potentially stressful. Here’s what I think:
If you’re a UX freelancer
Being your own boss sounds fantastic, and it is in many ways. You get to choose your projects, set your own hours, and work from anywhere. But this freedom comes with a catch: you also need to manage all aspects of your business.
First, you need to be a salesperson. Pitching what you offer and securing new clients requires networking, attending industry events, and sometimes even cold emailing potential clients.
Pricing your services is another critical skill. You need to understand the market rate, your skill level, and what clients are willing to pay. Gaining this knowledge often involves a bit of research and sometimes tough negotiations to ensure you’re getting paid what you’re worth.
Then, there's bookkeeping. Keeping track of your finances, invoicing clients, and managing expenses is all part of the job. While tools like QuickBooks can be a lifesaver, you still need to be on top of your money game to keep everything running smoothly.
Health insurance is another responsibility. As a freelancer, you’re on your own for this one. Shopping for health insurance can be daunting with all the options available, but it's essential to ensure you have some type of coverage, especially if you’re living in the good ol’ USA. 😰
You also need to be your own IT specialist. From managing your website to troubleshooting software issues, having at least a basic understanding of IT can help you keep your business operations running well.
Moreover, dealing with legal matters is a part of the job, especially if you decide to scale up your business and hire more people. My manager A often has to consult with lawyers to handle contracts and other legalities. He also jokes morbidly about the fact that if he's not around one day, what's going to happen to his business? Everything literally depends on him, which can make working for yourself feel a bit tricky — and sometimes overwhelming.
B not only designs amazing user experiences but also spends a fair amount of her week dealing with client contracts, pricing negotiations, and her monthly bookkeeping. It's a lot to juggle, but mastering these skills can make your freelance career both successful and sustainable.
If you’re a full-time worker
As a full-time worker, your employer will take care of you in exchange for your time and your smarts, which is nice! Being employed full-time allows you to focus more on your core job and less on administrative tasks. Okay, I guess you do have to do taxes on your own... but salaries, potential stock options, and other benefits are usually predefined at the start of your contract, so you’ll get financial stability without the need for frequent project rate negotiations.
Financial management, including payroll and taxes, is handled by your employer, freeing you from the hassle of bookkeeping. Plus, health insurance is often part of your benefits package, making healthcare one less thing to stress about.
Basically, this all means fewer worries and more peace of mind (well, except for occasional job security concerns or not making as much money as you’d like). Plus, you’ll get to put some money into your retirement fund.
Beyond your core responsibilities, you’re not required to handle other tasks. There are sales and marketing teams, an in-house IT team, and other support systems that let you focus on your projects. As long as you do your job right and they do theirs, it’s all good.
3. Work flexibility
Ah, work flexibility. Two words that are so opposite but somehow work in this context:
If you’re a UX freelancer
Imagine waking up and deciding your workday. That’s the life of a UX freelancer. You get to pick your projects and set your own hours. Feel like working from a cozy cafe while traveling the world? Want to make it to a 3-day music festival next month? Heck yes, go for it!
This flexibility can be a dream come true. My friend B, for instance, took a month-long trip to Japan while working on a contracted 2-month UX project for a tech startup. But with great freedom comes great responsibility. You’ll need to be a master of time management to meet deadlines without a boss hovering over your shoulder.
B told me she worked several early mornings, re-arranged her travel itinerary to squeeze in a few client calls, and got to know Tokyo’s coworking spaces really well — in exchange for the ability to jet off to wherever she wanted. In short, B made the schedule work well for her.
Another part of work flexibility means that every client is different, and client expectations can vary widely. Oftentimes you’ll have to be like a shape-shifter that adjusts to what the client wants. Even if your website doesn't list a particular service, if a client requests it, you might need to adapt and provide it if you want to keep them happy and coming back to you.
If you’re a full-time worker
On the flip side, full-time workers will likely have more than predictable schedules. Your projects and hours are set by your employer, providing a structured routine. Some companies might let you work a hybrid or fully remote schedule, but a 9 to 5 is the norm. This stability can be comforting, but it might limit your flexibility.
By contrast, having a clear schedule can help you maintain a work-life balance more easily.
For instance, my ex-colleague D enjoys knowing that his evenings and weekends are free to spend with family, without the constant pressure of finding the next gig.
4. Income stability
Money is a big part of why we work, right? Here’s what I think about the differences here:
If you’re a UX freelancer
Freelancing can feel like an ongoing financial rollercoaster. One month, you might land a big project that pays well, and the next, you could be scrambling for work. Building a diverse client base is key to smoothing out these ups and downs. The potential to earn more per project is there, but you’ll need to hustle to keep the income steady.
My manager A is his own boss at UserBit and has talked to me about the importance of having a solid “plan” before you decide to go freelance. The plan can be answering a series of questions like:
- Do you have savings that can hold you over while you transition?
- Do you have immediate family members or a significant other that is able to contribute financially while you start this work?
- Are you prepared to go back to full-time employment or have a backup plan in case things don’t work out after X amount of time?
If you’re a full-time worker
Meanwhile, as a full-time employee, you‘ll enjoy a steady paycheck and often get perks like health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time off. This financial stability can be a huge relief, especially when you have bills to pay and a family to support.
While you might not have the earning spikes that freelancers do, you’ll have consistent, reliable income.
For example, D takes comfort in the predictable paychecks, which allow for easier budgeting and financial planning.
5. Variety of projects
Variety truly can be the spice of life. Here are some of my thoughts on it when comparing between freelancers and full-timers:
If you’re a UX freelancer
One of the biggest draws of freelancing is the variety. This diversity keeps things exciting and helps you build a broad skill set.
For example, B recently worked on doing research recruitment for a career resources platform, followed by surveying participants for a healthcare app’s one-time project, and then moved onto developing a gaming website’s design brand guidelines. This range of experience has significantly broadened her expertise and kept her work fresh and engaging.
If you’re waking up one day and decide you want to explore a new industry, as a freelancer, you absolutely can! You’re not tied down to one type of project or client. The diversity allows you to constantly learn so you can become a more versatile and valuable UX professional.
If you’re a full-time worker
In a full-time role, you’re likely to work on longer-term projects within a single company or industry, and this can deepen your expertise in a specific area, which is fantastic if you’re passionate about it. However, it might not offer the same breadth of experience as freelancing.
Take D who’s been working full-time in fintech UX design for the past thirteen years. He’s become an absolute expert in this niche and knows all the ins and outs of fintech (his specialization). While he finds being the go-to person for his Senior role incredibly fulfilling, D’s told me that he sometimes misses the thrill of tackling entirely different types of projects.
I’d say that overall, full-time often means focusing deeply on one or two major projects at a time. Full-time work can lead to a higher level of specialization, which is great for career growth within that specific field but might feel limiting if you crave variety and new challenges regularly.
6. Professional development
Professional development can take many forms, and your approach will vary significantly depending on whether you're freelancing or working full-time. I’ll briefly mention what each path entails:
If you’re a UX freelancer
As a freelancer, you’re in charge of your own professional growth. You’ll need to seek out workshops, online courses, and networking events to keep your skills sharp. This proactive approach can be exciting but also a bit daunting without a structured support system.
So I mentioned earlier that B regularly attends UX conferences and workshops to stay updated. What I didn’t tell you though is that she gets burned out easily and sometimes dreads going to these as it does get time-consuming, and at times, purely exhausting. The downside of staying ahead or getting client leads is that you also have to be “on”at these events in order to provide value (if you’re pitching yourself) or be in learning mode during your days off.
If you’re a full-time worker
Full-time jobs often come with built-in professional development opportunities. Your employer might offer training programs, mentorship, and resources to help you grow. This support can be a big advantage, but it may also mean your learning is more focused on the company’s needs rather than your personal interests.
D is a big fan of his regular internal training sessions and access to an extensive library of resources, and says they’re a big part of his continuous growth. But he loves fintech, and not all of us do!
7. Client interaction
How you deal with clients can shape your work experience, whether you're freelancing or in a full-time role:
If you’re a UX freelancer
Freelancers get to work directly with clients, which can be both rewarding and challenging. You’ll build strong relationships, understand client needs firsthand, and tailor your approach accordingly. However, you’ll also need to handle contract negotiations and manage client expectations.
My manager A spends a lot of time communicating with clients. As a result, he said he’s met some pretty great people over the years (shoutout to our dear Userbitters!) and has learned a lot about adjusting and growing his business. Tip: Having a dedicated client portal through platforms like UserBit can streamline communication and project management and get you and your clients on the same page.
If you’re a full-time worker
In a full-time position, client interactions are usually managed by a team or a specific department. This reduces your administrative burden so you can typically focus more on your core tasks.
But it also means you might miss out on direct feedback, deal with delays, slow timelines, and the chance to build personal client relationships. For example, since D works in a large corporation, he rarely interacts with clients directly, as this is handled by a dedicated client management team.
Well, these are my two cents, and I hope reading this helps you if you're thinking of making the switch!
Overall, choosing between a freelance and a full-time career in UX design and research is all about what fits your lifestyle and career goals. Good luck and I hope you make choices that align well with your professional journey and preferences!
