Latin America has become a popular place for making software. Many smart and talented people work there, and their services cost less than in many other countries. Because of this, many companies choose Latin America to build their software.
Software jobs in Latin America are growing fast. They are growing more than twice as fast as the world average. This is because governments are spending more money on teaching technology, improving the internet, and encouraging people to learn computer skills.
By 2029, the technology business in Latin America is expected to earn a lot of money. This shows how quickly the region is growing. For companies that want good developers without dealing with faraway countries, South America is a great choice. It is close to North America and has many skilled engineers.
There are about 2.75 million people working in IT in Latin America. Countries like Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, and Chile have many talented developers. These countries also have famous universities that teach technology and science.
Big companies like Amazon, Intel, Microsoft, and Netflix already work in Latin America. This proves that the region has many skilled people ready to help businesses grow.
In this article, we will explain the main reasons why companies choose South American software developers and which countries are the best places to find them.
What Is Nearshore Outsourcing?
Nearshore outsourcing means a company asks another nearby country to help make software. These countries are close, so people can talk and work together easily.
When companies use nearshore software development, they save money and can work at the same time of day. This makes teamwork faster and simpler.
For companies in the United States, South America is a great choice. It is close, easy to travel to, and shares similar time zones. This helps teams communicate better.
Making software in South America also costs less than in many other places. That is why many companies choose Latin America for nearshore software development.
Nearshore Software Development in Latin America
Saving Money (Cost-Efficiency)
Making software in South America costs much less than in North America, but the quality is still very good. Companies can save about 40–60% of their money.
Developers in South America earn less than developers in the United States, even though they do the same kind of work. This helps companies spend less on salaries, offices, and managing projects.
Working at the Same Time (No Time Zone Problems)
One big advantage of working with Latin America is that it is close by. This means teams can work during the same business hours.
Because of this, teams can:
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Talk and meet at the same time
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Fix problems quickly
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Work together easily every day
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Finish projects faster without waiting
Skilled and Smart Developers (Special Expertise)
South America has many very skilled software developers who are good at modern technology, such as:
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AI and Machine Learning: Countries like Brazil and Mexico are very strong in smart computer technology
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Mobile Apps: Developers are great at making apps for phones and tablets
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Cloud and DevOps: They know how to use cloud systems like AWS and Azure
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Fintech: South America is a world leader in online payments and financial apps
How Nearshore Software Development Works
Nearshore software development means companies work with nearby countries. This helps them save money, communicate better, and work faster with talented developers.
How Nearshore Software Development Works
Nearshore software development follows clear steps to make sure the work is done well and on time.
1. Planning First
The process starts by talking about what the project needs. Teams decide what skills are required, how they will talk to each other, and what goals they want to reach.
2. Building the Right Team
Next, the company chooses developers who are best for the project. The team usually includes senior developers and experts. They learn about the company’s work style, rules, and goals so everyone works well together.
3. Making the Software Together
The team starts building the software step by step. They meet daily, plan weekly work, and talk about how to improve. They use modern tools to stay connected and track progress.
4. Testing and Delivering
Before the software is finished, it is carefully tested to make sure it works correctly and meets all requirements.
5. Ongoing Support
Even after delivery, the team continues to support and improve the software. They check performance, help developers grow their skills, and plan for future work.
Popular Places in Latin America for Software Development
Many cities in Latin America are well known for technology and software development.
Brazil
São Paulo is the biggest tech city in Latin America. Brazil has over 500,000 software developers and many startups. Cities like São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Curitiba, and Florianópolis attract skilled workers and investors.
Mexico
Mexico is a top choice for software outsourcing. Cities like Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey have over 225,000 developers. Many students study technology, and big companies like Google, IBM, HP, and Salesforce work there.
Argentina
Buenos Aires has a growing startup scene. Famous tech companies like MercadoLibre and Globant started there. Many Argentine developers work with U.S. companies, and most of their software is exported to the United States.
Latin America Outsourcing
Latin America is a popular place for software outsourcing because it has skilled people, good education, and is close to North America. This makes it easy for companies to work together and build great software.

10 Reasons Why Companies Choose Latin America for Software Work
1. Good Value for the Money
Hiring software developers in Latin America costs much less than in the United States. A senior developer in the U.S. can cost over $120,000 a year, while a similar developer in Latin America may cost around $60,000. Companies save a lot of money on salaries, benefits, and other work costs.
2. Same or Similar Time Zones
Even though many people work online, time zones still matter. Countries like India and China have very different time zones, which can slow work. Latin America shares almost the same time zones as North America, so teams can talk, meet, and work together easily during the same hours.
3. Good English Skills
Many developers in Latin America speak English very well. Argentina is especially known for strong English skills. Because Spanish and English are related languages, learning English is easier for many developers.
4. Strong Technology Education
Latin America invests a lot in teaching science and technology. Some very good universities are in Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina. Governments also run programs to train new programmers, which helps grow the number of skilled developers.
5. Many Skilled Developers
Latin America has more than 2.75 million IT professionals. These developers are good at programming languages, mobile apps, data analysis, and cloud technology. Countries like Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia have the most developers.
6. Fast-Growing Tech Industry
The software industry in South America is growing quickly and is expected to reach $75 billion by 2029. Many startups are becoming very successful, especially in online payments and shopping. This growth pushes developers to keep learning new skills.
7. Close Location
Latin America is close to the United States. This makes it easier and cheaper for companies to visit their teams for meetings, training, and important project work.
8. Similar Work Culture
People in Latin America work in a way that is similar to North America. They understand teamwork, company rules, and professional behavior. This helps teams work together smoothly without many misunderstandings.
9. Uses Agile Ways of Working
Most software teams in Latin America use Agile methods. This means they work in small steps, stay flexible, and improve often. This helps companies build better products faster and adjust quickly when plans change.
10. Trusted by Big Companies
Big companies like Amazon, IBM, Microsoft, and Netflix already work in Latin America. Their trust shows that the region is reliable and good for long-term partnerships.
Challenges of Software Development in South America
Even though Latin America is a great choice, there are some challenges companies should know about.
High Inflation
Some countries, like Argentina, have high inflation. This means money loses value quickly. Developers often ask to be paid in U.S. dollars to protect their income. Companies need to plan for salary changes and currency differences to keep their teams happy.
Strong Competition for Talent
Many U.S. and European companies want to hire developers from Latin America. This makes competition strong and salaries higher. While still cheaper than the U.S., developer pay is increasing, making it harder to keep top talent.
How to Make Nearshore Outsourcing Work Better
To succeed with nearshore outsourcing, companies should focus on people, communication, and teamwork.
Communicate Clearly
Good communication is very important. Teams should have regular meetings and clear goals so everyone understands what needs to be done.
Respect and Understand Culture
Latin American and North American cultures are similar but not the same. Learning about local culture and showing teamwork instead of “us vs. them” helps teams work better together.
Focus on Quality, Not Just Price
Saving money is important, but quality matters more. A strong team that builds great software will give better results in the long run.
Help the Team Grow
Treat nearshore developers like part of your company. Support training, learning, and career growth. A happy team stays longer and works better.
Use Agile Methods
Agile works very well for nearshore teams. Regular planning, reviews, and feedback help teams fix problems quickly and keep projects on track.
How to Choose the Right Nearshore Partner
Picking the right company to help you make software is very important. Here are simple steps to help you choose the best one.
1. Know What You Need
Before you start looking, be clear about your project.
Think about:
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What kind of software you want
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What skills the developers must have
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How much money you can spend
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How much time you have
Knowing this helps you find the right partner faster.
2. Check Their Skills
Choose a company that has done similar work before.
Look at:
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Their past projects
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Reviews from other customers
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Examples of their work
This shows if they are good at what you need.
3. See How Well You Communicate
A good vendor should feel like part of your team.
From the first talk, notice:
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Do they reply quickly?
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they listen and explain clearly?
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understand how your company works?
Good communication makes work easier.
4. Understand How They Work
Not all companies work the same way.
Some build full development teams, while others only provide developers.
Make sure their way of working matches what your business needs.
5. Check Legal and Safety Rules
Working with another country can include legal rules.
Make sure the company understands local laws and follows them properly.
This helps protect your business from problems later.
We Are Here to Help With Software Development
Building software in South America can help your business grow, but having the right partner matters.
We understand how the Latin American tech market works, including finding the best developers and handling legal rules. We work openly, share our knowledge, and fully support your business goals.
Our software developers work closely with your team and become part of your company, helping you build great software with confidence.
