Should I Hire Software Developers in Ukraine or Latin America?

When you’re looking for software developers outside of the US, several regions stand out as sources of high-quality tech talent. Latin America and Ukraine are among them. Offering large talent pools, lower costs, and strong education and skills, both markets are top tech hubs.

But political and economic instability in Ukraine has led to a dramatic decline in skilled developers in the country, and the Ministry of Economy has been predicting a shortage of some 4.5 million working-age individuals from 2023 to 2033. Meanwhile, Latin America’s tech workforce is growing rapidly. Plus, though comparable, Ukraine developer salaries tend to be a bit higher.

That’s not to say LatAm is necessarily the right choice over Ukraine; both regions have their strengths and drawbacks. So, should you hire software developers in Ukraine or Latin America? Let’s break it down.

Nearshore Collaboration

Latin America has near-perfect time zone alignment with the US. That allows you to collaborate and communicate in real-time, leading to faster decision-making and immediate conflict resolution.

On the other hand, Ukraine is 7–10 hours ahead of the continental US. That makes it difficult for US businesses to collaborate with engineers in Ukraine synchronously. While it’s not impossible to communicate effectively asynchronously, many teams prefer to be able to touch base in real-time, rather than having to wait hours for responses. There are simply fewer roadblocks and delays and less friction.

Nearshore alignment also makes it possible to travel seamlessly and work together on-site if needed, thanks to shorter and less expensive flights between Latin America and the US. 

Regional Stability

Unfortunately, Ukraine’s ongoing war with Russia is causing regional instability that affects every field and sphere of life, including software development. The country is facing geopolitical instability that makes investment in the region risky. The infrastructure is shaky, with potential power and internet outages and disruptions.

In the past few years, many software engineers have emigrated from Ukraine to safer regions. With skilled professionals leaving, the economy is suffering and taking its toll on the overall environment in terms of productivity, innovation, and future growth. The Ukrainian tech sector is resilient, but these challenges make it risky for US businesses to work with developers in the country. 

LatAm, meanwhile, is showing greater stability. Working with developers in countries like Mexico, Colombia, Costa Rica, and others is less risky because the environment is currently more stable and shows stronger operational continuity. In fact, in contrast to Ukraine, the software engineer population in Latin American countries is growing rather than declining. The technology ecosystems are stronger as well, thanks to greater regional stability.

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity is a critical consideration when you’re working with engineers overseas. You need partners who have strong data protection strategies and risk mitigation plans in place. And along with regional instability come cybersecurity risks. In 2024, there was an almost 70% increase in cyberattacks on Ukraine from Russia. However, there was a substantial decrease in the number of “serious” attacks.

Still, this makes a partnership with developers in the region highly risky, particularly for organizations that deal with significant amounts of sensitive data, which, today, is the vast majority.

In contrast, Latin America is consistently strengthening its cybersecurity measures. The region benefits from US funding in part. 

For example, the US invested $25 million to fortify Costa Rica’s cybersecurity infrastructure, allowing the country to essentially rebuild it from the ground up. Meanwhile, more than 70 companies in Colombia developed Decálogo de la Ciberseguridad Gerencial, a guide to bolster digital resilience across the country. The goal of the initiative is to provide Colombia’s businesses with a blueprint to guard against cyber threats and enhance digital advancement and cybersecurity.

These are just a handful of examples of how LatAm is increasing its efforts to strengthen cybersecurity while continuously innovating. It’s a key consideration when weighing the benefits and drawbacks of whether to hire software developers in Ukraine or Latin America. 

Cultural Affinity

Latin America is also more culturally similar to the US than Ukraine is. While engineers in both regions typically have high English proficiency, LatAm has stronger ties to the US, both geographically and culturally. Many developers have extensive experience working closely with US businesses, thanks to these close ties. That results in easier team integration, improved communication, and better collaboration.

Ukraine is an offshore location for the US, and while there are some similarities in business style, there is less cultural compatibility. That doesn’t mean working with Ukrainian developers is impossible or necessarily difficult; however, it could lead to more hiccups and misunderstandings.

Conclusion: Should I Hire Software Developers in Ukraine or Latin America?

Latin America and Ukraine offer robust pools of skilled software developers. However, the nearshore location, regional stability, stronger cybersecurity, and closer cultural alignment make Latin America a more reliable and less risky source of tech talent for US businesses. Cost savings are comparable, but you are likely to see better ROI when you work with engineers in LatAm.

Ready to hire software developers in Latin America and beyond? Browse the top 7% of talent.

FAQ

Why should I hire software developers in Latin America?

Hiring software developers in LatAm is advantageous because the region is time zone and culturally aligned with the US. There is also considerable investment in tech talent in Latin America, and the region continuously produces skilled engineers. 

Is Ukraine still a good place to hire software developers?

While Ukraine has long held a reputation for skilled tech talent, the country’s geopolitical instability has made it riskier to work with software developers in the region. Increasingly, businesses are turning to other regions like Latin America, which is currently more stable.

Are there geopolitical risks when you hire software developers in Ukraine?

Yes, there are geopolitical risks associated with hiring software developers in Ukraine. The ongoing conflict in the country has led to uncertainty concerning workforce availability, infrastructure reliability, and long-term business continuity.

How important is time zone overlap when hiring developers?

It’s very important to consider time zone overlap when you’re hiring developers because it facilitates synchronous communication and collaboration. While it’s not impossible to work well with developers in vastly different time zones, partnering with professionals in Latin America offers a clear advantage since you can touch base, problem-solve, and have standups in real-time.