Talent scarcity and rising costs are the main obstacles that derail the dreams of many startup founders. This is particularly true if you want to build an app and lack the know-how to do so. According to a Korn Ferry report, talent crunch is an $8.5 billion problem that could leave six million unfulfilled positions, including the IT industry.
Ukraine is now fighting for its freedom against russian aggression. During these times, the IT sector remains the main source of the Ukrainian state budget and the economy's driving force. By hiring software developers in Ukraine, you can substantially help Ukraine in its fight for a bright future.
But this is only one reason to hire Ukrainian developers. In this article, I will tell you many others and give you a guide on how to hire developers in Ukraine.
Let's start!
Why hire software developers in Ukraine?
In recent years, global tech companies have turned their eyes to Ukraine for its robust IT environment and skilled software experts. Tech giants like Samsung, Amazon, and Google have set up R&D bases in Ukraine. This signifies the recognition of Ukraine as a leading IT nation in Eastern Europe.
According to Ukrainian IT Association, the Ukrainian IT market is growing 22%-30% annually. Ukraine's rise as an IT powerhouse isn't only marked by renowned tech companies and startups seeking to fill IT expertise through outsourcing.
For example, we have helped US startups like Yaza, Aspiration, and Dollar Shave Club in their app development efforts.
Benefits of hiring software developers in Ukraine
If you're wondering why startups are flocking to Ukraine to get their apps built, here are some convincing reasons.
- Ukraine has more than 200,000 IT experts, and more than half are software developers. This makes Ukraine the second-largest IT outsourcing hub in Central Eastern Europe.
- Ukrainian developers are some of the brightest in the region. The talent market is supported by a structured learning ecosystem, with 619 higher institutions capable of strengthening the workforce with 36,000 graduates yearly.
- You'll pay a fraction of what it costs to hire a software developer in Western developed nations when you hire in Ukraine.
- Thanks to a growing IT industry powered by global companies, most Ukrainian developers are familiar with the Western working culture.
- The time difference between Ukraine and countries like the US, Canada, and the UK isn't too harsh. Ukraine is one hour ahead of European countries and 7 hours from the US.
- Ukraine's IT community is a synergistic combination of experience, creativity, and bright young talents.
- Global companies and startups alike made Ukraine their top destination as an outsourcing destination.
The risks of hiring software developers in Ukraine
While Ukrainian software developers are an attractive option, there are certain occasions when they might not be a perfect match.
- If you can't accommodate the time difference, collaborating with software development companies in Ukraine might be challenging. For example, you need a face-to-face meeting, but the developers are 7 hours away from your location.
- Most Ukrainian developers speak fluent English. However, some of them might struggle when communicating in the language.
- You need to comply with your home country and Ukrainian regulations when working with Ukrainian developers. This might be cumbersome for startups that lack legal support.
- Depending on where you're based, you may struggle with cultural differences when hiring software developers in Ukraine. For example, Asian startups might prefer collaborating with Chinese or Indian developers.
What are the top skill sets of Ukrainian software developers?
The next question that you need to ask is whether Ukrainian developers have what it takes to build a functional and engaging app. You'll have the answer by identifying the top skills commanded by most developers in the country.
According to the IT Ukraine Association, most developers are proficient in JavaScript, Java, and Python. These are programming languages in popular demand and commonly used for app development. You'll also have a bright chance of finding developers who write in Node.js, PHP, C#, C++, Ruby, and Go.
App development, however, goes beyond writing in a specific programming language. Certain apps require technical expertise or specialization in a particular field. Thankfully, Ukrainian developers are well known for pursuing professional growth, which led to a large talent pool of diverse specialists.
For example, you have access to at least 71 IT firms specializing in big data in Ukraine, according to Clutch. Big data is essential when you want to derive actionable insights from a large amount of unstructured data. Also, many Ukrainian developers are well-experienced in artificial and machine learning (AI/ML). AI/ML is a trending technology, particularly in cloud solutions.
Ukrainian IT experts are not only involved in software, web, or app development. Some of them are adept at writing firmware for embedded systems. Such expertise comes in handy when you're searching for a developer to work on IoT on Industrial 4.0 applications.
Top locations to hire software developers in Ukraine
More than half of Ukrainian developers are based in Kyiv, Lviv, and Kharkiv. If you want to hire software developers in Ukraine, these cities are the best place to start.
Kyiv
Kyiv spearheaded the IT outsourcing revolution in Ukraine. This modern city is not only rich in Eastern European culture but also home to more than 71,000 software experts. Global corporations, including the likes of Huawei, Samsung, and Ericsson, have set up R&D hubs in Kyiv.
With a robust IT ecosystem and a strong workforce, Kyiv has drawn the attention of many startups in search of IT partners. Uptech is one of the many app development companies in Kyiv that fulfill international IT outsourcing needs.
Lviv
As the largest Western Ukrainian city, Lviv is a residence for over 800,000 Ukrainians. It also boasts a strong 20,000+ workforce in the software development industry. Most of these IT professionals work for IT outsourcing companies, making Lviv an ideal city to establish a partnership with a software development firm.
Kharkiv
Kharkiv is a bustling industrialized city that supports electronics and machinery businesses of all sizes. Its population has grown to more than 1.5 million throughout the years, and more than 25,000 of them work in the IT industry. The city is no stranger to US clients, as more than 450 software companies serve American startups and enterprises.
How much does it cost to hire software developers in Ukraine?
By now, you ought to be wondering how much you'll save by outsourcing app development to Ukraine. Generally, Ukraine has a lower cost of living than developed Western countries. Furthermore, there is an abundance of IT talent for you to choose from.
Depending on experience and skills, Ukrainian developers charge between $35 to $55 per hour. As a comparison, it costs between $100 to $180 per hour to hire a software developer in the US. Developers in Western European countries charge up to $100 per hour for their service.
While it's more cost-effective to hire developers in Ukraine, you need to be aware that the total sum of the project depends on several factors. Obviously, the complexity of the app might affect the billing. If the project involves different versions of mobile apps, a fancy graphical interface, and a complex backend, it consumes more resources and incurs higher costs.
How to hire software developers in Ukraine
Follow these steps to hire the ideal Ukrainian developer.
Step 1 Conduct thorough research
Check out independent review platforms like Clutch for a list of software development companies in Ukraine. You can find out the company size, price range, and services rendered from the information.
Step 2 Check testimonials
Do your due diligence by reviewing the testimonials left by past clients. Doing so gives you a good idea of how reliable a particular software company is.
Here's the testimonial from our client, Emanuel Possnert, Сo-Founder of Eatable – foodtech company in Sweden. He shares his experience of working with us. Emanuel describes why he chose to work with Uptech, highlights the communication in the team, and why it is important to understand the business processes, and users need to build a successful app.
Step 3 Assess developer's expertise
Find out what the software developer is capable of regarding technical skills and business proficiency. A good development company not only has the necessary skillset and technologies but also can align them with your business goals.
Step 4 Explore case studies
Ideally, you'll want to work with a software development company with similar project experience. It helps them to avoid common pitfalls when working on your app. Read through the past projects that they have undertaken and look for commonality.
Check out our cases with startups and established companies!
Step 5 Look for shared values and cultures
You're about to enter a long-term collaboration with an external development company, and having shared values help. Find out what matters to the developers and whether they align with your culture and values.
Step 6 Prioritize communication and transparency
Communication is key to a striving collaboration, and sharing the same language is only part of the equation. The developers provide proper communication channels, have a routine of delivering progress reports, and are open to feedback.
Step 7 Interview the developers
Building a good rapport with the sales personnel is not enough. You need to know the people writing codes, testing, and breathing life into your idea. Take the opportunity to talk with the development team, particularly the project manager.
Step 8 Choose value over price
We understand that price is a powerful motivator to choose a software company over others. However, you'll need to consider the overall value a particular company brings to the table. For example, how responsive is the support team, and have they undertaken a similar project before?
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Hire software developers in Ukraine: How Uptech connects you to the right developers
Uptech has built a stellar reputation as a software development company in Ukraine. Our user-centric approach has helped various startups build apps that resonate with their users throughout the years. We take appropriate steps to understand our clients' requirements and rigorously test them with user feedback when building the apps.
For example, we helped Dollar Shave Club, a US-based company in the men grooming niche, introduce new features into its Android app. Our client is pleased with our effort, particularly finding solutions that meet their needs. The app bag the Best Shopping App by Webby Awards in 2017.
We also undertook a similar but more rigorous challenge from Aspiration, a US startup. Aspiration is a modern financial app that allows users to contribute to charitable causes when performing transactions. Our team stood up to the task by delivering functional iOS and Android apps to the client with our proven app development practices.
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Uptech’s Business Continuity
During the turbulent times in Ukraine, Uptech stays loyal to its clients and resilient to new circumstances. People's safety remains our main priority. We made sure Uptech members were in safe regions, and everyone continued working as usual. For now, we have our members operating from different corners of the world: Poland, Austria, Denmark, Asian countries. At the same time, Uptech does everything to remain resilient:
- We have equipped our office in Kyiv with Starlinks, generators, and all the necessary equipment to ensure members' safety and a productive environment.
- We help our members logistically, psychologically, and financially, paying salaries upfront;
- We also pay taxes upfront to help Ukraine and the Ukrainian Army;
From the first day of the Russian invasion, Uptech has decided to keep working, support our economy and save working places. We believe in the power of the Ukrainian National Army and the great spirit of the Ukrainian nation.
Summary
It's often a wise choice to hire software developers from Ukraine. You stand to gain from the cheaper rate, high quality, and vast talent pool of software professionals in the country. More importantly, a credible software development company will help you launch your app according to the timeline and make subsequent improvements.
Contact our team, and we'll gather the team of developers that will suit your project perfectly. With our 7 years of experience in product development, we focus on business value and user needs, not only on sophisticated code. We suggest improvements and alternatives. We mind collaboration between stakeholders, pm, and designers. Every member of Uptech team understands and contributes to the product. So you can be sure of our 100% dedication and expertise.