RiKuWe vs. Freelancer
A freelancer brings speed to a project – RiKuWe brings long-term responsibility.
When freelancers make sense
Freelancers are often the first choice when:
- expertise is needed quickly
- specific tasks (e.g., CI/CD or Kubernetes) need to be handled
- budget or setup doesn’t support a permanent team
That can be the right choice.
But it’s a different model than long-term operations.
Where the model reaches its limits
Freelancers deliver fast.
But when it comes to responsibility, operations, and recoverability, you need more than one person.
Typical challenges:
- No operational concept, just a one-time setup
- No documentation, just tacit knowledge
- No backup or availability
- Unclear accountability when something fails
- No SLA, no support beyond the scope of a task
Freelancers solve isolated problems.
RiKuWe takes structural responsibility.
Comparison: Freelancer vs. RiKuWe
| Area | DevOps Freelancer | RiKuWe (Managed Operations Partner) |
|---|---|---|
| Goal | Solve a technical issue | Sustainable operations |
| Availability | Project-based, capacity-limited | Predictable, with clear response times |
| Knowledge Retention | Often in someone’s head | Git, IaC, fully documented |
| Operations & Monitoring | Optional | Included, backed by SLAs |
| Communication | Direct, 1:1 | Team-based, with backup contact |
| Dependency | High (person-based) | Low (team & processes) |
| Budget model | Hourly or per project | Predictable operating costs |
Typical progression: From “Let’s get someone” to “We need structure”
Many companies start with:
- A setup by a freelancer
- A quick VPN
- A Kubernetes cluster configured by gut feeling
But once:
- the team grows
- someone is on leave
- requirements change
...what’s missing is a partner who not only understands operations – but carries them.
Conclusion
Freelancers are problem solvers – RiKuWe is an operations partner.
If you need more than a setup – if you need stability, security, and availability – “someone for DevOps” often isn’t enough.
RiKuWe: Managed Infrastructure. Understandable. Transferable. Trustworthy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can we still work with freelancers?
Absolutely – we regularly collaborate with in-house teams and external developers. RiKuWe takes care of operations, infrastructure, and security – no matter who builds the product.
What’s the difference in responsibility?
A freelancer is usually only responsible for the initial setup. RiKuWe stays responsible afterward – for uptime, monitoring, backups, and recovery.
What happens if someone at RiKuWe is unavailable?
Operations are backed by team structures, documentation, and standards. Your infrastructure doesn’t rely on a single person.
Is RiKuWe more expensive than a freelancer?
In the short term, a freelancer might appear cheaper. But over time, predictable operating costs, SLA-backed support, and reduced outage risk are often more cost-effective.
