![two guys, one who is an on-staff animator and the other is a freelance animator](https://businessofanimation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/1-1-2-1024x1024.png)
1) Schedule
On-Staff Animator
- Fixed working hours
- Expected come to work every morning
Freelance Animator
- Flexible schedule
- Easier to work remotely or work from anywhere
![the first difference of between an on-staff animator and freelance animator is their schedule](https://businessofanimation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/2-1-1024x1024.png)
2) Projects
On-Staff Animators
- Consistent streams of projects
- Can't choose projects you'd like to work on
- Don't have to worry about managing the business
- Do tasks assigned by the studio
![on-staff animators have different types of projects](https://businessofanimation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/3-1-1024x1024.png)
Freelance Animator
- May experience inconsistent streams of projects
- Can choose projects and receive full animation credit for your work
- Can add projects to your portfolio
- No micromanagement
- Learn and manage the whole production process from start to finish
![freelance animators have different type of projects](https://businessofanimation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/4-1-1024x1024.png)
3) Workplace
On-Staff Animator
- An animation studio with great work culture and environment might feel like a family that looks out for one another
Freelance Animator
- Usually works alone
![the workplace of a freelance animator and an on-staff animator are different](https://businessofanimation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/5-2-1024x1024.png)
4) Income and Benefits
On-Staff Animator
- Receive compaany benefits like health insurance and retirement plans
- Sense of security and regular monthly income
- With income ceiling or set salary
![the income and benefits of an on-staff animator are different](https://businessofanimation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/6-1-1024x1024.png)
Freelance Animator
- No benefits
- No income ceiling
- You can raise your rate and earn more as long as you work hard to find animation clients and promote yourself on social media
![the income and benefits of freelance animators are different](https://businessofanimation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/7-1024x1024.png)
5) Training
On-Staff Animator
- Studios offer internal training and art/animation workshops wher eyou can learn a lot
![the training for an on-staff and freelance animator are different](https://businessofanimation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/8-1024x1024.png)
6) Accessibility
On-Staff Animator
- More studio applicants than there are vacant positions
- Some require unpaid internships for 3-12 months
Freelance Animator
- Studios are now outsourcing work to freelance animators
- Freelancing may not be the best fit for everyone, but it's always an open option
![accessibility for a freelance and on-staff animator are different](https://businessofanimation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/9-1024x1024.png)
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![if you want to start your animation studio then you should sign up for our free masterclass](https://businessofanimation.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/10-1024x1024.png)