Should I Hire Developers in Colombia or India?

The news of the $100,000 fine for H-1B visa applications, announced in 2025, has sent shockwaves across the tech industry. Now, rather than bringing foreign nationals into the US, businesses are looking for other solutions for working with talented software engineers in other countries.

India is a frequent destination for finding developers, given its enormous population of tech professionals. However, there are some drawbacks to hiring developers in India. 

Colombia has a smaller pool of software developers, but it’s steadily growing. Moreover, it is a nearshore destination, with time zone overlap and cultural alignment with the US. There are several government and educational initiatives in place, helping boost the level of skills in the country and causing Colombia to become a top source of tech talent. Costs are relatively comparable, and while they tend to be a bit lower in India, Colombia offers better long-term value.

Should you hire developers in Colombia or India? Let’s break it down.

Time Zone and Cultural Alignment

One of the main reasons to hire software developers in Colombia over an offshore destination like India is its nearshore location. Colombia operates in EST for most of the year, meaning it’s in the same time zone as most of the US’s East Coast and just three hours ahead of San Francisco. That makes it considerably easier to deliver real-time feedback, hold daily standups, and resolve issues. You’ll stay in perfect sync with your team and be able to leverage agile approaches.

India, in contrast, has no overlapping business hours with the US. For example, it is 10.5 hours ahead of EST and 13.5 hours ahead of PST (India does not observe daylight savings time). That makes it nearly impossible to sync in real-time, which can cause communication and collaboration to suffer.

Colombia is also culturally similar to the US, sharing work and communication styles. India, on the other hand, is less culturally aligned with the US. Distance and language problems can make team cohesion difficult and cause project issues or even failures.

Education and Skills

Colombia is also currently ahead of India in terms of the education and skills that software developers need. 

India is known for its massive pool of developers, but those developers don’t necessarily have the critical skills for the demanding tech sphere. The country suffers from an enormous skills gap, with limited training opportunities. Despite having thousands of universities, India’s higher education quality is a concern. The country’s institutions suffer from a lack of resources and qualified educators. As a result, many students graduate without the skills and qualifications necessary to succeed in the tech world. 

India’s higher education system also faces substantial inequalities, with rural areas, in particular, suffering from a lack of resources, access, and even basic infrastructure. Research also points to a lack of innovation, leading to lower engagement and critical thinking skills. While India accounts for almost 16% of the global AI talent pool, according to some reports, less than a quarter of graduates have the skills necessary for advanced AI/digital jobs.

Meanwhile, Colombia is heavily focused on building a tech workforce with skilled and well-educated engineers. This is evidenced by initiatives like SENATIC, a project to enhance training in programming, data analytics, and cybersecurity, and increase employability in the digital sphere. Colombia’s strong education system also includes many institutions that offer robust programs in computer science and related fields.

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity remains a critical priority for all organizations operating in the digital space. In some regions and countries, cyber threats are more pronounced than others, making it risky to partner with developers in these markets.

India has lower cybersecurity preparedness than many other countries, with only 7% of organizations having “Mature” readiness, according to Cisco’s 2025 Cybersecurity Readiness Index. And, unfortunately, cybercrime seems to be trending upward: According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), 52,974 cases of cybercrime were reported in 2021, and 86,420 cases were reported in 2023.

Of course, Colombia’s cybersecurity infrastructure isn’t perfect. However, the country has taken enormous strides to prioritize cybersecurity. For example, Colombia’s National Cybersecurity Strategy and Fuerza Innovación focus on leveraging advanced technologies like AI to combat digital threats. The country also requires mandatory breach reporting and risk assessments for public organizations. Moreover, there is a focus on training tech professionals in cybersecurity practices to increase resilience.

The impact of cyber attacks can be devastating to businesses. It’s essential for organizations to work with developers who have the resources to protect their data.

Digital Infrastructure

Both Colombia and India have emerging digital infrastructures, which affect software developers’ ability to work efficiently and productively.

Colombia is actively expanding its digital economy through greater connectivity and the adoption of cutting-edge technologies like AI. In 2023, 63% of the population was using the internet, compared with just 38% in 2014. The country is also investing heavily in digital skills training and solidifying its data pipeline. 

Colombia’s commitment to digital transformation is further evidenced by the country’s investments in bringing internet access to remote areas to improve digital equity.  It has also launched a Digital ID for individuals within the country and rolled out 5G, additional testaments to its commitment to innovation.

India, meanwhile, is also taking strides to boost its digital infrastructure, but still suffers from issues like unstable internet connections, power disruptions, and unreliable access to digital tools. The country faces a profound digital divide, with rural areas experiencing the most challenges. Only roughly 35% of rural households in India (such as those in Bihar, Odisha, and Uttar Pradesh) have any internet access. 

Businesses depend on digital communication and need developers who have constant internet access, so these challenges can interfere with productivity considerably and make it difficult to stay synchronized.

Conclusion: Should I Hire Software Developers in Colombia or India?

India may offer a slightly lower price tag for tech talent, but if you want better value, hire software developers in Colombia. 

Colombia offers real-time collaboration and communication, technical expertise, seamless team integration, and cultural affinity. India is still a powerhouse for sheer volume, of course. But for nearshore collaboration and team cohesion, Colombia is the clear answer. 

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FAQ

Is it more cost-effective to hire developers in Colombia or India?

While developers in India often come at a lower cost than those in Colombia, when you evaluate true cost, Colombian developers are usually more efficient. There is minimal time zone overlap, reduced rework due to cultural alignment, and better collaboration, leading to stronger ROI.

How do time zones compare between Colombia and India?

Colombia is time zone-aligned with the US, enabling real-time collaboration and communication. India, an offshore destination, has no overlapping business hours with the US, meaning you will experience delays in feedback cycles and difficulties collaborating synchronously.

Does India or Colombia offer stronger cultural alignment with US businesses?

Colombia has strong business alignment and cultural familiarity with the US. There is a long history of collaboration between the two countries. Meanwhile, India is half a world away, and there is less cultural alignment with the US.