What to look for when choosing a software developer?

Oscar Bout · 10 Sep 2026

When choosing a software developer, there are three things to look for: technical skills that align with your project, demonstrable reliability through references or previous projects, and a working style that fits your organization. Whether you’re looking for a freelancer, a development team, or an external partner, the choice has a direct impact on the quality and turnaround time of your software. In this article, we answer the most frequently asked questions so you can make an informed decision.

What technical skills should a software developer have?

A software developer must have solid knowledge of relevant programming languages, experience with modern frameworks, and a good understanding of software architecture. Which specific skills matter depends on your project: a mobile app requires different expertise than a web application or an enterprise system.

Yet there are skills that are valuable for virtually every software development project:

Programming languages: depending on the project, these include JavaScript, Python, Java, .NET, Swift, or Kotlin
Front-end and back-end knowledge: a full-stack developer can work on both sides of an application, which simplifies collaboration
Version control: experience with Git is a basic requirement for every professional developer
Cloud platforms: knowledge of AWS or Azure is relevant if your application needs to run scalably in the cloud
Agile methodology: developers who work with sprints and iterations deliver working software faster

Beyond technical knowledge, communication skills also matter. A developer who doesn’t understand what you as a client want will build something that is technically correct but doesn’t work commercially. Always ask about previous projects and how the collaboration with clients went.

What is the difference between hiring a freelancer and a development team?

The most important difference is capacity and continuity. A freelancer works independently and is suitable for smaller, well-defined assignments. A development team offers more bandwidth, specializations per discipline, and is more resilient to the absence or illness of one person.

Choose a freelancer if:

You have a clearly defined, short-term project
Your budget is limited and you need one specific skill
You already have an internal team that needs extra capacity

Choose a development team if:

Your project requires multiple disciplines, such as front-end, back-end, and UX
You are planning a long-term trajectory where continuity is important
You want to be able to scale up or down based on project phases

A team also offers built-in knowledge sharing: if one developer picks something up, the entire project benefits from it. That is not the case with a freelancer.

How do you know if a software developer is reliable?

You recognize a reliable software developer by transparency about their working method, demonstrable experience through references or portfolio work, and clear agreements about communication and delivery. Reliability is not something you assume — it is something you verify.

Concrete steps to assess reliability:

Ask for references from previous clients and actually follow up with them
Review previous work: live applications, GitHub repositories, or case descriptions
Propose a trial project: a small paid assignment shows how someone works before you entrust them with a large project
Pay attention to communication: does the developer respond quickly and clearly to questions? That is a good indicator of the collaboration later on
Check the contractual agreements: are deadlines, code ownership, and payment terms clearly documented?

A developer who struggles with transparency or is unclear about their working method gives you little to hold on to when the project becomes more complex.

What does it cost to hire a software developer?

The costs for a software developer vary greatly depending on experience level, location, and type of collaboration. In the Netherlands, hourly rates for freelance developers typically range between €70 and €150 per hour. Remote developers from countries with lower labor costs are often available for €25 to €50 per hour, with a comparable quality level if they are well managed.

Factors that determine the price:

Experience level: a junior developer costs less than a senior full-stack developer
Technology: scarce specializations such as blockchain or AI integrations are more expensive
Location: local Dutch developers are more expensive than remote teams in, for example, Nepal or Eastern Europe
Contract type: permanent employees bring additional costs beyond salary, such as social contributions and secondary employment benefits

In addition to the hourly rate, the total project cost also matters. A cheaper developer who takes three times as long is ultimately more expensive. So look at the combination of rate, speed, and quality.

When do you choose IT outsourcing instead of a permanent employee?

IT outsourcing is a good choice when you need flexibility, have no need for a permanent position, or when the required expertise is not available internally. A permanent employee is a better fit when software development is a structural, daily activity within your organization.

Choose IT outsourcing if:

You work project-based and the need for development fluctuates
You want to start quickly without a lengthy recruitment process
You want access to specific expertise that is not available internally
You want to control costs without compromising on quality

Choose a permanent employee if:

Software development is a core activity that requires daily attention
Knowledge retention within your organization carries significant weight
You want to build a close working relationship in the office

Many companies today opt for a hybrid approach: a small internal team supplemented by remote developers based on project needs. This gives you the benefits of both models without being fully dependent on one solution.

How we help you find the right software developer

At 3Bird, we combine more than 25 years of ICT experience with a team of proven remote developers in Nepal, guided by Dutch fractional CTOs. This means you get the benefits of IT outsourcing without the drawbacks of communication issues or loss of quality.

What we concretely offer:

Flexible deployment: developers available from €25 per hour, scalable to your needs
Broad technical coverage: from junior webshop developers to senior full-stack specialists in React, Angular, .NET, Java, Flutter, and more
Dutch guidance: your point of contact speaks your language and understands your business context
Custom software development: we build what your organization needs, not what happens to be available

Whether you want to have a first app built, expand an existing system, or are looking for a reliable software development partner for the long term, we are happy to think along with you. Get in touch via +(31)75-7993038 or send an email to contact@3bird.nl for a no-obligation conversation.