Laravel Developer vs. Full-Stack Developer: Who Should You Hire?

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In the current world business is growing and developing due to the advancement in technology especially the development of the internet. The fate of your project rests entirely on the developer you select for your startup, enterprise solution, or when renovating an existing website. This has left many entrepreneurs in a dilemma between hiring Laravel developers and full-stack developers as their development partners.

So, who should you hire? The debate between hiring a Laravel expert and a full-stack developer who can do both front-end and back-end development is ongoing. In this article, we will compare the two roles, their skills, advantages, and use cases to assist you in making the right decision when hiring.

Who is a Laravel Developer?

A Laravel developer is a professional who has the knowledge to work with the PHP programming language particularly with the help of the Laravel framework. Laravel is one of the most popular and widely used PHP frameworks that provides clean code, numerous features and robust security features. Rear-end development tasks of developing strong, readable, and efficient web applications are handled by Laravel developers.

Key Responsibilities of a Laravel Developer:

Developing applications with Laravel.
Writing efficient and scalable PHP code.
Using Eloquent ORM for the management of database operations.
Setting up authentication and putting in place various security measures.
Integration with third party services and APIs for the application. Integrate the application to run at high speed and optimal scalability.
Testing and troubleshooting for Laravel applications.

Skills of a Laravel Developer:

Thorough understanding of the PHP language and Laravel framework
Expert-level understanding of MySQL, PostgreSQL, and MongoDB
Working knowledge of the MVC (Model-View-Controller) pattern
Experience with RESTful APIs and integration capabilities
Proficiency with Git, Composer, and other command line tools
Knowledge of testing tools such as PHPUnit
Understanding of security guidelines for web development.

When Should You Hire a Laravel Developer?

You will need the service of a Laravel developer in the following situations:

When your project is mainly the back-end and you need a special knowledge of Laravel, it is better to hire a Laravel developer.

Some ideal scenarios include:

Developing custom web applications with complex back-end functions
Developing SaaS products that require secure authentication and API integration
PHP legacy application migration to Laravel
Enhance the performance and efficiency of Laravel applications.

And if you need someone who can work on the front-end and the back-end of the project, then it is better to hire a full-stack developer. Some ideal scenarios include:

Creating a new website from scratch without having to hire two developers
Developing of MVPs for startups
VNS to FSM in terms of project size for development
Developing prototypes and proof of concepts with a quick turnaround

Laravel Developer vs Full Stack Developer: A Detailed Comparison

Primary Focus

Laravel Developer: Back-end development using Laravel
Full-Stack Developer: Both front-end and back-end development

Skills Required

Laravel Developer: PHP, Laravel, MySQL, APIs, Security
Full-Stack Developer: JavaScript, React/Vue, Node.js, Laravel, Databases

Project Type

Laravel Developer: Large-scale applications with complex back-end
Full-Stack Developer: Small to medium-sized projects or MVPs

Cost

Laravel Developer: Usually higher for Laravel expertise
Full-Stack Developer: More cost-effective for complete development

Development Speed

Laravel Developer: Faster in Laravel projects
Full-Stack Developer: Slower for large-scale projects due to multitasking

Scalability

Laravel Developer: Highly scalable
Full-Stack Developer: Depends on expertise and project size

Advantages and Disadvantages of Recruiting a Laravel Developer

Pros:

Wide knowledge of the Laravel framework and PHP
Optimized and scalable back-end solutions
Applies best practices for application security
Ideal for corporate-level projects

Cons:

Not a good front-end developer
May need an extra front-end developer
The only down side is that it is more expensive because it is worth the money for such a skilled professional.

Advantages of Hiring a Full Stack Developer:

Pros:

Hiring a Full Stack Developer has the following advantages;

Cost of development: Low cost for small businesses and start ups
Turnaround time for projects: When it comes to MVPs, or other projects that require quick development, this is a big advantage.
Flexibility and ease of use: The ability to work with different technologies and approaches is always a plus

Cons:

May not have the best knowledge of Laravel: This is particularly so for the front end of the application especially in the use of technologies such as React or Angular.
Not suitable for complex applications with multiple levels of architecture: This is not the best situation to have when you are working with a full stack developer as they may not be able to provide you with the best solutions for complex applications.
This is a form of exploitation as the developer may be overworked to handle the whole project.
If you are launching a project that does not require a very high level of Laravel knowledge then

Last Sentence

Hiring a Laravel developer and a full stack developer depends on the complexity of the project, the budget, and the future plans of the project. If you are building an application that is based on Laravel and you need strong back end, security and scalability of the application then it is better to seek the services of a Laravel specialist. However, if you are in need of someone who can work on both the front-end and back-end of the development process effectively, then a full stack developer could be the perfect choice for the job. In any case, the ability to understand what your project needs and pick the right developer will help you create a great, effective web application. Need help finding the right developer? You can start your search now and develop your dream project with the best talent.