Remote work is a global trend that enables tech companies to efficiently fill skill gaps, drive innovation with fresh perspectives, and scale without overhead. Between 2025 and 2034, the IT services outsourcing market is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 8.20%.
The popularity and benefits of this trend are clear, yet the question, “Where should companies hire developers?” remains relevant for many tech businesses. Qubit Labs’ experience shows that the choice of the best place to hire developers is easy if you’ve done comprehensive market research and know precisely what you are looking for.
We’ve compiled a list of the countries with the best developers, deep technical expertise, attractive rates, and a proven track record of delivering high-quality software solutions on time. Let’s dive in and see what works best for your business.
Why Businesses Hire Developers Abroad in 2026
The offshore software development market is expected to grow from its 2024 valuation of USD 122 billion to USD 283 billion by 2031. This indicates that the demand for the best countries to hire software developers will continue to increase. The primary reasons tech companies seek the best developers in the world from offshore locations are as follows.
Growing Demand for Niche Skills
The fastest-growing roles are software and application developers, fintech engineers, big data specialists, and experts in artificial intelligence and machine learning. Besides, the talent war for senior-level talent is ongoing. Therefore, companies may struggle to find specialists of this level for various projects. Consequently, they hire overseas software developers to fill skills gaps and maintain a competitive edge in innovation.
According to the Global Cybersecurity Outlook 2025, 72% of tech companies report an increase in cybercrime incidents. Therefore, the demand for cybersecurity specialists is growing.
Access to a Vast Talent Pool
Hiring domestically is challenging for many countries, especially the USA, which has the highest developer rates in the world. Qubit Labs’ survey shows that 74.3% of tech companies choose outsourcing to reach top talent without borders, and 77.4% of the respondents choose Eastern Europe. This region has over 1.2 million IT specialists, vast technical expertise, and a strong technical background of the local workforce, according to our latest research.
Cost-Savings
Hiring overseas developers is highly cost-efficient for Western companies, since the average software engineer salary in Europe is ~70% lower than the rates in the USA. Besides, businesses that choose outstaffing in Eastern Europe can significantly save on office space, equipment, and local benefits.
Hassle-Free Scaling
To stay competitive in a dynamic market, companies should adjust quickly to the trends and shifts. Offshore companies offer unique capabilities to quickly ramp up the firm’s capacity without hiring permanent staff or setting up the necessary infrastructure. It significantly enhances velocity and helps companies stay agile.
Qubit Labs has access to the best countries to outsource developers and ensures the highest level of security and compliance. For example, we’ve helped venture investment platforms and startups scale their teams 4x faster, bridge skill gaps, and sustain growth.
Top 11 Countries to Hire Software Developers in 2026
Are you rethinking your hiring strategy and looking for global hotspots? This is the list of the best countries to hire offshore developers, along with their core strengths, rates, challenges, and Qubit Labs’ exclusive hiring tips based on over nine years of experience.
1. Poland – The Regional Leader for Tech Talent
Poland boasts a vibrant startup ecosystem in AI, blockchain, and SaaS. Besides, Przemysław Dębiak, a Polish programmer, won the prestigious AtCoder World Tour Finals 2025. He defeated highly skilled global competitors and an OpenAI artificial intelligence model, proving that Poland is one of the international hubs for first-class education and innovation.
Key Stats
- 600,000 developers work in cybersecurity, e-commerce, and fintech sectors. Poland is always at the forefront of AI innovation; it is home to ~50,000 AI engineers.
- Various tech schools and universities offer a range of programs in STEM disciplines and provide 60,000 tech graduates annually.
- Offshore developers in Poland excel in Java, Python, JavaScript, PHP, C#, React, Angular, Spring, and Django.
Salary Insights
| Job Role | Salary |
|---|---|
| AI Developer | $4,600+ |
| Data Scientist | $5,000+ |
| Cybersecurity Specialist | $4,400 |
| Python Developer | $3,200 |
| DevOps | $3,700 |
| Java Developer | $4,000 |
| C++ Developer | $3,700 |
* Data is based on Qubit Labs’ research
Challenges
- Poland faces 20–50 cyberattacks daily, prompting it to boost its cybersecurity budget to €1 billion in 2025. It also faces a shortage of qualified programmers, with 56.4% of Polish companies reporting trouble finding or keeping qualified candidates for specific positions.
Key Strategic Advantages Identified by Qubit Labs
- As an EU member, Poland ensures strong IP protection, regulatory compliance, and alignment with Western business practices.
- With a 6–9 hour lead over the U.S. and just one hour ahead of Western Europe, Poland offers convenient working hours overlap for seamless collaboration.
2. Ukraine – Europe’s Resilient IT Powerhouse
Ukraine is transforming the defense sector and global cybersecurity landscape with innovative cyber resilience solutions. It is ranked 68th among other nations in the Global Startup Ecosystem Index 2025, showcasing its vibrant startup ecosystem.
Key Stats
- The country has 340,000 IT specialists and ~5,200 AI professionals who are actively working in e-commerce, fintech, education, and healthcare.
- In Ukraine, there are over 50 tech universities that provide up to 20,000 specialists annually.
- Local developers are proficient in Java, JavaScript, PHP, Python, TensorFlow, PyTorch, React, Node.js, Spring, and Django.
Salary Insights
| Job Role | Salary |
|---|---|
| AI Developer | $4,600+ |
| Data Scientist | $5,000+ |
| Cybersecurity Specialist | $4,400 |
| Python Developer | $3,200 |
| DevOps | $3,700 |
| Java Developer | $2,000 |
| C++ Developer | $3,700 |
* Data is based on Qubit Labs’ research
Challenges
- Ukraine remains susceptible to major cybersecurity attacks; power outages can disrupt the operation of data centers.
Key Strategic Advantages Identified by Qubit Labs
- Many Fortune 100 companies collaborate with Ukrainian vendors, proving the nation’s resilience and reputation for delivering high-quality solutions.
- Ukraine is one of the cheapest countries to hire developers in Eastern Europe. However, the quality of work is high. Our clients choose Ukraine not only for its cost-efficiency but also for its depth of technical expertise.
- Ukrainian developers are effective collaborators since they are adaptable, proficient in English, and integrate seamlessly into various projects.
3. Romania – Tech Growth Hub
Tech specialists in Romania are comfortable working in remote settings and cross-functional teams, delivering innovative solutions at competitive rates. Romanian developers combine strong technical skills with high English proficiency (ranked 12th globally), enabling clear communication and effective collaboration.
Key Stats
- The Romanian talent pool encompasses 250,000 IT specialists who focus on developing solutions in the fintech, cybersecurity, and healthtech sectors. Additionally, there are ~16,000-49,100 AI engineers.
- This Southeastern European country has over 20 tech universities that provide a constant supply of 10,000 graduates ready to work on ambitious projects.
- The most popular technologies are JavaScript, Python, Java, C#, React, Angular, Node.js, Spring, Django, and Flask.
Salary Insights
| Job Role | Salary |
|---|---|
| AI Developer | $4,200+ |
| Data Scientist | $4,700+ |
| Cybersecurity Specialist | $3,400 |
| Python Developer | $3,500 |
| DevOps | $3,500 |
| Java Developer | $3,800 |
| C++ Developer | $3,500 |
* Data is based on Qubit Labs’ research
Challenges
- The talent shortage across various sectors and brain drain are common issues in Romania. It is estimated that the country needs 300,000 foreign workers to meet current skill goals.
Key Strategic Advantages Identified by Qubit Labs
- Romania’s strong STEM education ensures a steady flow of skilled engineers experienced in emerging technologies. Its multilingual talent-fluent in English, Italian, German, Spanish, and French-facilitates smooth collaboration.
- The local government supports the country’s digital transformation. In 2024, it has started 72 public procurements and 36 investments, which is a 450% increase from July 2023. Besides, various tax incentives make hiring Romanian developers not only cost-effective but strategically beneficial for long-term growth.
4. Bulgaria – Top Rising IT Hub
The country offers a unique blend of professional developers skilled in AI/ML, cloud, and cybersecurity, along with attractive tax rates and solid IT infrastructure. For instance, the Sofia Tech Park is among Europe’s most important contemporary scientific and technology parks.
Key Stats
- There are 90,000 specialists in the Bulgarian IT landscape, focusing on the fintech and gaming sectors.
- About 5,000 tech graduates are produced each year by more than 20 tech universities.
- Java, Python, JavaScript/TypeScript, C#, React, Angular, .NET, Node.js, and Flutter are the developers’ specializations.
Salary Insights
| Job Role | Salary |
|---|---|
| AI Developer | $4,200+ |
| Data Scientist | $4,200+ |
| Cybersecurity Specialist | $3,300 |
| Python Developer | $3,000 |
| DevOps | $3,200 |
| Java Developer | $3,000 |
| C++ Developer | $2,700 |
* Data is based on Qubit Labs’ research
Challenges
- The talent war for senior professionals is intense. Therefore, they can command high offshore software development rates and require lucrative benefits packages.
Key Strategic Advantages Identified by Qubit Labs
- Bulgaria is highly cost-efficient, with a competitive software engineer salary and lower corporate tax rates, making it an attractive location for outsourcing.
- The business environment is stable and favorable, and EU frameworks support regulatory stability.
5. Moldova – Emerging IT Talent Frontier
The country is committed to building a safe, transparent, and inclusive digital society and launches various initiatives. The Innovation Technology Park hosts more than 2,370 resident enterprises, and different educational reforms are underway. According to Galina Rusu, Secretary of State at the Ministry of Education and Research, technical and vocational training institutions are being modernized, and new qualification criteria are being established.
Key Stats
- The country has 16,500 professionals who provide advanced solutions in fintech, cybersecurity, and e-commerce.
- The education system is strong, with over ten educational institutions providing 2,000 graduates annually.
- Local developers are proficient in JavaScript, Python, Java, C#, PHP, React, Node.js, Angular, Spring, and Django.
Salary Insights
| Job Role | Salary |
|---|---|
| AI Developer | $3,100+ |
| Data Scientist | $3,300+ |
| Cybersecurity Specialist | $2,100 |
| Python Developer | $2,200 |
| DevOps | $2,800 |
| Java Developer | $2,300 |
| C++ Developer | $2,400 |
* Data is based on Qubit Labs’ research
Challenges
- Political and economic instability can pose certain risks for businesses that hire remote programmers in Moldova.
Key Strategic Advantages Identified by Qubit Labs
- Moldova has a strong startup ecosystem, firmly supported by international investors and the EU. Therefore, local developers can work effectively in dynamic settings and are highly adaptable.
- The country provides the simplest tax structure for new businesses. Tech companies that are registered under the Moldova IT Park initiative pay a single 7% tax. Social Security contributions, personal income tax, corporate tax, and other taxes are all replaced by this fee.
6. Portugal – Europe’s Innovation Center
Portugal has a strategic location, being just one hour behind Central European Time (CET) and sharing the same time zone as the UK. The country also offers robust digital infrastructure and a skilled, multilingual workforce. Combined with a transparent cost structure, these factors make Portugal one of the best countries to hire remote developers.
Key Stats
- Portugal is a global powerhouse with 120,000 IT specialists who specialize in gaming, fintech, and healthtech.
- The country ranks third in the EU for the number of tech graduates, with around 90,000 students graduating each year.
- The tech stack is versatile and comprises JavaScript, Java, Python, SQL, C#, React.js, Node.js, Angular, Vue.js, and Django.
Salary Insights
| Job Role | Salary |
|---|---|
| AI Developer | $4,500+ |
| Data Scientist | $3,200+ |
| Cybersecurity Specialist | $4,140 |
| Python Developer | $4,000 |
| DevOps | $5,000 |
| Java Developer | $3,900 |
| C++ Developer | $4,000 |
* Data is based on Qubit Labs’ research
Challenges
- The pace of AI adoption across the country is slow.
Key Strategic Advantages Identified by Qubit Labs
- Portugal is home to approximately 606,181 expats from 15 large communities, making the tech scene rich and diverse. Therefore, Portuguese developers are highly creative and innovative.
- Portugal is known for its solid data security and cybersecurity measures. These factors, along with economic and political stability, make it the best place to find developers.
7. Georgia – IT Hub with a Pro Business Advantage
The digital transformation in Georgia is gaining traction through diverse initiatives like Startup Georgia, contributing to the growth of the IT sector. Globally remote work allows tech companies to invest in Georgia and work with a young and ambitious local workforce, which is 44 years old or younger. For instance, Tether, the Global Blockchain Company, invested $25 million in the Georgian ecosystem.
Key Stats
- The talent pool features 35,000 specialists focusing on the blockchain, AI, fintech, and cybersecurity sectors.
- The STEM education is supported by over 15 universities, offering 4,000 tech graduates annually.
- The country’s technical specialization includes proficiency in JavaScript, Python, Java, C#, PHP, React, Angular, Django, Node.js, .NET, Flutter, and Unity.
Salary Insights
| Job Role | Salary |
|---|---|
| AI Developer | $3,200+ |
| Data Scientist | $3,500+ |
| Cybersecurity Specialist | $3,220 |
| Python Developer | $2,300 |
| DevOps | $3,000 |
| Java Developer | $2,300 |
| C++ Developer | $2,500 |
* Data is based on Qubit Labs’ research
Challenges
- Legal and regulatory frameworks need improvement.
Key Strategic Advantages Identified by Qubit Labs
- Georgian developers are well-versed in remote engagements, and they charge attractive rates, making the country one of the best locations to hire developers with the best price-to-quality ratio.
8. Brazil – Software Development Leader
Brazil is a leading IT player in Latin America, offering deep technical expertise and perfect cultural alignment. Brazil’s time zone offers great overlap for real-time cooperation because it closely matches that of North America and Europe. Besides, its world-class infrastructure, including tech parks, smart cities, and fast Internet, contributes to Brazil’s reputation as one of the best countries to hire developers.
Key Stats
- Brazil boasts 630,000+ IT specialists who work across various sectors, with a strong emphasis on fintech, e-commerce, healthtech, and agritech.
- Fifty universities produce 150,000 graduates in Brazil, ensuring there is a constant supply of high-quality candidates.
- Brazilian developers are proficient in Java, Python, SQL, JavaScript, HTML/CSS, React.js, Node.js, and Vue.js.
Salary Insights
| Job Role | Salary |
|---|---|
| AI Developer | $3,400 |
| Data Scientist | $2,180 |
| Cybersecurity Specialist | $3,000 |
| Python Developer | $2,600 |
| DevOps | $3,000 |
| Java Developer | $2,800 |
| C++ Developer | $2,500 |
* Data is based on Qubit Labs’ research
Challenges
- The tax system is complex, and certain peculiarities of business culture, such as a focus on personal relationships, can be challenging for companies that adhere to a straightforward business approach.
Key Strategic Advantages Identified by Qubit Labs
- A vast talent base in Brazil allows tech companies to hire the world’s best software engineers proficient in various tech stacks. Besides, this extensive talent availability ensures fast scalability, which is crucial for businesses focused on long-term growth.
9. Argentina – Tech Excellence Powered by Strong Education
Argentina provides an opportunity to create high-performing, scalable teams for business worldwide due to its competitive labor costs and a favorable time zone. Google, IBM, and Oracle chose the country as part of their outsourcing strategy. Oracle plans to invest US$100 million in data centers in Argentina.
Key Stats
- Argentina boasts 150,000 IT specialists with high English proficiency and deep technical expertise, which allows them to build advanced solutions in AI, e-commerce, and agritech industries.
- There are over 20 tech universities that offer high-quality education and provide over 27,000 tech graduates annually.
- The standard tech stack includes Python, Java, C++, JavaScript, C#, Node.js, React.js, Spring, and Django.
Salary Insights
| Job Role | Salary |
|---|---|
| AI Developer | $4,660 |
| Data Scientist | $4,125 |
| Cybersecurity Specialist | $1,900 |
| Python Developer | $3,500 |
| DevOps | $3,500 |
| Java Developer | $3,000 |
| C++ Developer | $2,700 |
* Data is based on Qubit Labs’ research
Challenges
- Regulatory complexity and political instability can be challenging for companies that plan to hire remote software developers quickly and scale hassle-free.
Key Strategic Advantages Identified by Qubit Labs
- Argentina has a strong educational base, and Argentinian developers are adept at working remotely. They perfectly handle asynchronous communication and work well in cross-functional teams.
10. Mexico – Strategic Choice for Nearshore Outsourcing
Google and Amazon chose Mexico for their R&D initiatives and significantly invested in IT operations. The country has a strong startup ecosystem, with approximately 1,000 startups appearing annually, and boasts a tech-savvy workforce.
Key Stats
- 800,000 IT specialists specialize in fintech, healthcare, e-commerce, and agritech.
- The STEM education is strong; over 50 educational institutions supply over 10,000 fresh graduates annually.
- The core specialization of Mexican developers is Python, Java, JavaScript, SQL, C++, React.js, and ASP.NET.
Salary Insights
| Job Role | Salary |
|---|---|
| AI Developer | $4,839 |
| Data Scientist | $2,692 |
| Cybersecurity Specialist | $2,000 |
| Python Developer | $2,400 |
| DevOps | $4,000 |
| Java Developer | $2,200 |
| C++ Developer | $2,400 |
* Data is based on Qubit Labs’ research
Challenges
- Mexico leads Latin America in the number of cyberattacks. Therefore, companies looking for the best country to outsource software development should implement robust cybersecurity measures.
Key Strategic Advantages Identified by Qubit Labs
- Government support for foreign investment, U.S. proximity, and proficiency in sought-after domains like cybersecurity make Mexico the best software developer country for businesses seeking strategic offshoring advantages.
11. Vietnam – Asia’s Startup Leader
Vietnam is known for its thriving startup scene, with Da Nang being in the top 1,000 cities with the highest startup ecosystem index in the world. The local developer community is young, so they rapidly adopt new technologies and constantly sharpen their skills. Also, government tech policies attract foreign investment and contribute to the digital transformation.
Key Stats
- 1,260,000 developers work on enhancing the e-government sector and building smart cities.
- The STEM education system is expanding; currently, there are over 50 tech universities.
- The most popular technologies in the country are Java, JavaScript, Python, C#, PHP, React, Node.js, and Laravel.
Salary Insights
| Job Role | Salary |
|---|---|
| AI Developer | $2,095 |
| Data Scientist | $2,213 |
| Cybersecurity Specialist | $1,800 |
| Python Developer | $2,800 |
| DevOps | $2,700 |
| Java Developer | $2,500 |
| C++ Developer | $3,200 |
* Data is based on Qubit Labs’ research
Challenges
- English proficiency is low, which may pose communication challenges.
Key Strategic Advantages Identified by Qubit Labs
- Many tech businesses consider Vietnam the best place to hire developers due to low labor costs, a vibrant startup ecosystem, and significant investment in AI and innovation.
Budget-Friendly Countries to Hire Developers Without Losing Quality
Our experience proves that Eastern Europe, Latin America, and Southeast Asia offer the best value for hiring offshore developers. To help you find the right fit for your budget requirements and scaling plans, check out this breakdown of the rates of the best software developers by country.
| Country | AI Specialist | Data Scientist | Cyber security Specialist | Python Developer | DevOps | Java Developer | C++ Developer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poland | $4,600+ | $5,000+ | $4,400 | $3,200 | $3,700 | $4,000 | $3,700 |
| Ukraine | $4,600+ | $5,000+ | $4,400 | $3,200 | $3,700 | $2,000 | $3,700 |
| Romania | $4,200+ | $4,700+ | $3,400 | $3,500 | $3,500 | $3,800 | $3,500 |
| Bulgaria | $4,200+ | $4,200+ | $3,300 | $3,000 | $3,200 | $3,000 | $2,700 |
| Moldova | $3,100+ | $3,300+ | $2,100 | $2,200 | $2,800 | $2,300 | $2,400 |
| Portugal | $4,500+ | $3,200+ | $4,140 | $4,000 | $5,000 | $3,900 | $4,000 |
| Georgia | $3,200+ | $3,500+ | $3,220 | $2,300 | $3,000 | $2,300 | $2,500 |
| Brazil | $3,400 | $2,180 | $3,000 | $2,600 | $3,000 | $2,800 | $2,500 |
| Argentina | $4,660 | $4,125 | $1,900 | $3,500 | $3,500 | $3,000 | $2,700 |
| Mexico | $4,839 | $2,692 | $2,000 | $2,400 | $4,000 | $2,200 | $2,400 |
| Vietnam | $2,095 | $2,213 | $1,800 | $2,800 | $2,700 | $2,500 | $3,200 |
* Data is based on Qubit Labs’ research
- AI specialists command the highest salaries. The lowest wage is in Vietnam and Moldova.
- If you are looking for data scientists, the most attractive rates are in Brazil – $2,180 monthly.
- Cybersecurity specialists with the best price-to-quality ratio can be found in Vietnam, Argentina, and Mexico.
- Georgia and Moldova offer the most attractive rates to Python developers.
- In Vietnam and Moldova, DevOps specialists command the lowest salaries among the countries analyzed.
- Mexico, Moldova, and Georgia provide attractive wages for Java developers.
- Mexico, Georgia, Brazil, and Moldova are wise choices for hiring C++ developers. Besides, these countries are a go-to option if you plan to employ offshore Salesforce engineers.
If you are looking for comprehensive salary data across various regions and diverse levels, check out our guide on the IT salary and the frontend vs backend salary comparison.
How to Choose the Right Country for Your Business
Qubit Labs has over 300 clients from 25 countries, and we processed over 1,200 vacancies for them, helping secure top talent with niche skill sets and enabling efficient growth. We have expertise in 18 tech talent markets, and here are our actionable insights we can share with companies looking for the best place to hire developers.
- Match the country with your project type. For instance, small businesses or large enterprises building AI and cybersecurity solutions should choose Poland, as this country boasts vast niche expertise.
- Evaluate the market potential in terms of the size of a talent pool, technology demand, and the availability of the necessary skills. For instance, Poland has the largest talent availability in Eastern Europe, with 600,000 developers. Argentina is the most significant talent hub in Latin America, offering 800,000 IT specialists, and Vietnam boasts 1,260,000 developers. All experts are proficient in multiple technologies and have experience developing advanced solutions.
- Consider the compensation landscape to ensure a smooth start. If you are a lean startup, consider Vietnam or Moldova, as they have the lowest rates. If you are ready to invest but still build cost-effective solutions, Eastern European and Latin American countries are a secure option.
- Assess the ease of doing business by evaluating the taxation system and legal compliance rules. Many governments, like in Moldova, offer flat fees for tech businesses and eliminate bureaucracy to attract international companies.
- Examine English proficiency and cultural compatibility. For instance, most Eastern European countries have moderate to high English proficiency. In Latin America, Argentinian developers demonstrate high English knowledge, whereas the skills of professionals in other countries in the region need improvement.
- Consider political and economic stability, as nations with instability and unpredictable regulations can pose specific risks to doing business. However, Ukraine, despite the ongoing war with Russia, demonstrates remarkable resilience and innovation, remaining a popular location for hiring remote software engineers.
- Time zones are crucial when hiring abroad. Therefore, choose destinations that provide overlapping business hours for efficient decision-making. For instance, Poland overlaps well with Western Europe, Brazil partially overlaps with North America, and Vietnam is close to Asian markets.
Qubit Labs can help you choose the best location for your hiring needs by providing cost-free market and salary research. Our experienced recruiters will review your core requirements and provide a list of the best countries to align with your current and future needs fully.
Where Qubit Labs Sees Value
Qubit Labs has helped numerous tech companies grow and thrive. The majority of our clients hire tech talent in Eastern Europe. For instance, the Open University, an edtech company, has built a dedicated team in Eastern Europe, achieving 58% budget savings and building a 6-year engagement that delivers high-quality solutions.
Poland is currently the leader in Eastern Europe for talent availability and technical expertise. The country’s cybersecurity sector and startup ecosystem are developing rapidly, making it an attractive choice for many companies,
says Oksana Zabolotna, HBD at Qubit Labs.
Conclusion – Where to Hire Developers in 2026
Qubit Labs has over nine years of experience building offshore teams. Based on our industry knowledge, Eastern Europe offers the best price-to-quality ratio and perfect cultural compatibility. This region is best for Western companies with complex projects and focused on long-term partnerships.
Latin America suits North American companies that require real-time collaboration and extensive tech expertise. Southeast Asia is best for firms focused on scalability and 24/7 development cycles due to its vast talent pool and competitive labor costs.
Choosing the best place to hire developers is effortless with a reliable partner by your side. Qubit Labs can fill your current skill gaps, develop a long-term strategy with comprehensive talent mapping, and help scale your business with niche expertise at a competitive cost. Let’s discuss your project during a free consultation call and find the way to give your business the competitive edge it deserves.
