9 to 5 vs. Freelance: Which Is Better for You?

Maraki Tameru
3 min readJun 14, 2024

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Are you stuck between choosing a 9 to 5 job or a freelancing job as your career path? The decision to pursue either one is a difficult one that requires a precise analysis of the differences between them. A 9 to 5 job seems like a comfort zone and gives reliability, but freelancing can feel like a dangerous and liberating way of working for yourself, as some refer to it.

Freelancing also gives you the freedom to work at your preferred hours and it will also give you the freedom to be creative Meanwhile, a 9 to 5 job is filled with routine and expectations of other people, like your boss. These differences can go on and on until you are overwhelmed with which you will have to choose so to clearly decide which path you would like to join, we have prepared a set of pros and cons list which will make the process easier.

Advantages of 9-to-5 job

  • Stable salary and benefits
  • Easy networking with colleagues and stakeholders
  • Paid vacation and parental leave
  • Health care insurance
  • Promotion with better salary
  • Retirement pension plans
  • Having a boss—having someone to guide you and be your mentor
  • predictable and manageable environment

Disadvantages of 9-to-5 job

  • Lack of flexible working hours and places
  • Stifled creativity
  • Reduced productivity
  • There is no real opportunity for an early retirement
  • Having a boss—having to report to someone with very high chances of disagreement
  • Vulnerable to a replacement
  • Restricted mobility

Advantages of freelancing

  • Working from home
  • Unlimited working time and location
  • Boosted interpersonal skills
  • Increased creativity
  • Financial security
  • Variety in daily activities
  • self — management
  • Multiple sources of income

Disadvantages of freelancing

  • Inconsistent income
  • Losing the social aspect of work
  • Increased responsibility
  • No employer benefits
  • Less job security
  • No paid time off

The advantage of a 9-to-5 job can be the disadvantage of freelancing, as you can see above. But these differences can help you decide if you want to work under someone for the rest of your time until you join freelancing or if you want to work out of fear of not having a retirement plan until you join the 9-to-5 job path.

Success is not limited to each path. You can climb the corporate ladder and achieve the highest title in your office through the determination of hard work, or you can start your own business or run your own company through your freelancing skills. Success will be based on the meaning of success to you, and that will determine your path along with the advantages and disadvantages mentioned above.

In summary, the choice between a 9-to-5 job and freelancing comes down to what works best for you and your personal and professional goals. It’s important to carefully weigh the pros and cons and consider what will make you happiest and most successful in the long run. If you choose to work for yourself in your own time and place, then join our MT freelance family, and we will bring your skills to your target audience.

this blog is written for ‘Molto Terfo’ freelance website.

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Maraki Tameru

Maraki Tameru is a bright young woman who is interested in creating a different world in her words mirroring the existing one.