How to Outsource on a Budget: India vs Ukraine

Oksana Zabolotna
HBD at Qubit Labs

Do India and Ukraine Offer Cheap Outsourcing? Which Country Is Better to Outsource on a Budget?

Nowadays, people can hardly be impressed by employees working remotely for companies located thousands of miles away. Outsourcing has significantly contributed to advancing the popularity of this type of employment. How? Looking for professionals who would work in your team, renting an office, paying a salary, and dealing with multiple organizational questions are money- and time-consuming processes. As it is known, time is a resource that can’t be restored, so all the CEOs put it as their top priority.

Although IT cost optimization is considered the main advantage of outsourcing, it is not the only one. Flexible schedules, mobility, the opportunity to refrain from a permanent number of employees, and the ability to control all the processes from another country are the “bonuses” of this type of business organization. Moreover, companies can attract skilled professionals who won’t require time to learn new technologies or frameworks; they are “ready to go” and can bring results when they start working. Outsourcing has a more extended nature of interaction than freelancers’ services, which are requested more situationally.

Thus, making a strategic decision on outsourcing, the companies get access to the existing business processes, individual systems, and developed infrastructures. They can concentrate on conducting core activities in their company, increasing capacity with expanded market presence. Not only can IT outsourcing companies like Qubit Labs become leaders in delivering such services, but countries as well.

Notably, India, Ukraine, Poland, Romania, Argentina, Vietnam, the Philippines, and Latin America hold leading positions in outsourcing. Nevertheless, India and Ukraine are two countries that are on top of the list, preferred by the largest number of foreign companies. So, how do you choose between them, and which one will comply with your expectations and introduce efficiently performing employees?

This is what we plan to answer in this article.

The Best Ways to Outsource on a Budget

Various outsourcing strategies exist, including onshore, nearshore, and offshore outsourcing. However, factors such as location, project complexity, expertise, technology infrastructure, and contract duration affect the choice of an outsourcing destination. Nonetheless, if your budget is limited but you need skilled developers, there are budget-savvy tips for you.

  • Outsource those functions that have a significant impact on your bottom line.
  • It is better to use the nearshore model when you have a minimal budget.
  • Don’t handle large projects simultaneously; outsource a few functions and scale the co-op over time.
  • Cooperate with other businesses to reduce costs.

Ukraine IT Outsourcing: Advantages, Perspectives, and Popularity

According to the Global Services Location Index, which evaluates countries based on their financial attractiveness, professionalism, and human resources availability, Ukraine is in fourth place. Various companies, including giants like Microsoft, Apple, and IBM, now use Ukraine developers’ services. Services of IT outsourcing companies in Ukraine are mainly exported. They are in demand in Europe and the USA; some organizations have Asian customers. This is due to the balance of quality and average rates that Ukraine outsourcing companies can offer.

Ukraine software outsourcing provides a relatively wide range of services. The most popular directions are the following:

  • development of web services – both simple and rather complex solutions for automation and digitalization of work processes, taking into account the specifics of the company’s activities, are in demand;
  • creating mobile applications is crucial for business representatives since finished products make it possible to increase sales and profits;
  • design – detailed drawing of all site or application pages, paying attention to the posted content, their focus, and customers’ wishes. This also includes the creation of a logo and other elements;
  • the layout is a process aimed at obtaining the HTML code structure. All page elements are placed following the approved layout and considering the display specifics in different browsers and various devices.

The preference for Ukraine IT outsourcing can be easily explained. Obtaining the same skills and knowledge as, say, American colleagues demands much lower salaries. However, this doesn’t mean you should question their professionalism; it is more about the country’s economic stability, which is lower than in other states. Another benefit is a high level of English and Russian, and sometimes, other languages, like French or German, among software development Ukraine professionals.

Also, a large number of Ukrainian developers have higher education degrees. The number of IT specialists in the country grows yearly because this area is among the most rapidly developing, promising, and income-generating. Ukraine is located in a convenient time zone for Europeans, with a one-hour difference and approximately seven hours from the USA. Ukrainian top outsourcing companies can easily compete with international ones because they are capable of providing major breakthroughs in their projects and meeting customers’ requirements.

Ukraine’s technology development can be considered top-notch, as most employees understand the level of competitiveness in the market and aim to hold their high positions. The country is in 45th place among the Most Innovative Countries. Indeed, an IT outsourcing company needs to prove its reliability and trustworthiness by presenting several success cases in its activity scope, and Ukraine has an impressive “portfolio.”

It is noteworthy that the number of IT companies in Ukraine is rapidly evolving, as is the number of specialists. During the last ten years, the number of technical experts has increased threefold. The average salary of a specialist in software development in Ukraine is $26,700-$36,000 annually, but it certainly depends on numerous factors, like qualification, industry, and employee skills. Any local IT outsourcing company highly values its reputation, so clients can be confident their data and intellectual property are protected.

Now, let’s explore outsourcing to India and its pros and cons.

Outsourcing to India: Major Advantages, Salary Rates, and Showcases

The changes that took place in India in the 2000s are known as the “Indian IT Revolution.” The “revolution” was accompanied by rapid growth in the number of specialists employed in IT outsourcing in India and an increase in the sector’s total contribution to the national GDP. As a result, by the end of the 2000s, a situation arose in which a considerable part of the Indian population, having got a job in an office in Chennai or working in the local “Silicon Valley,” Bangalore, actually created projects for clients from San Francisco or, for example, London.

The Indian IT market is characterized by a significant pool of skilled workers and a cheaper local labor force than in other countries. Indian outsourcing is sought-after because of the transparency of industry management, characterized by the participation of large players united under the Nasscom association. Such a system is called a single address and is very convenient for foreign partners. If it is necessary to establish a connection with the Indian IT industry representatives, it is enough to contact the Nasscom association.

India is considered the most prominent outsourcing market worldwide, being selected by major companies that outsource, including IBM Global Services, HP, and Siemens. As a result of globalization and the development of the international labor market, India has received tangible benefits from the development of IT outsourcing. The country was located in a time zone convenient for global outsourcing and had the necessary number of qualified programmers with knowledge of several frameworks.

Unlike other countries rapidly developing in this area, outsourcing in India allows working with professionals whose second native language is English. Besides, the activities of the large Indian diaspora abroad, primarily in the United States, are of great importance, helping compatriots obtain programming orders and technical support for business from large American companies.

Another cornerstone in the success of outsourcing companies in India is the attitude to education. Many colleges have established connections with popular IT companies that employ alumni, teaching them necessary skills and making them correspond to the market’s demands. Since many students work in outsourced India, it’s profitable for employers because junior specialists demand lower salaries, allowing companies to remain competitive.

Speaking of finances, the average salary in outsourcing India is $10,776 per annum. Although this number is much lower than the average in the USA, local professionals still consider it “good money” because working in IT is the country’s most prestigious occupation. Actually, according to the Global Services Location Index, India is in first place, offering excellent services by experienced professionals for low cost.

To Wrap Up 

In the long run, both Ukraine and India are in demand among foreign companies, being top IT vendors. However, the choice is primarily contingent on your needs. For example, choose Ukraine if you have a higher budget, demand better programming quality, and do not have time to meet people and pick the most suitable among them. If the time zone is irrelevant, and you need large teams – opt for India. Moreover, the time difference between India and Ukraine and local mentalities play significant roles in companies’ performance. How people understand the tasks and start their workdays significantly influences the final result.

Related Articles:

What Is Outsourcing? How Does IT Outsourcing Work?

Software Development Outsourcing Cost

How Much Does It Cost to Hire Developers in Ukraine?

Webinar: Things You Should Know Before Hiring Developers In Ukraine

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