Latin America is a major player in the global tech industry. Seventy-five percent of companies seeking to hire US engineers also look for tech specialists in Latin America. According to Business Insider, Brazilian software developers are the most frequently recruited. Brazil is an attractive destination for businesses to hire tech talent, thanks to its time zone alignment, developed IT infrastructure, and reasonable costs.
Now, let's explore the other factors contributing to Brazilian software developers' growing popularity in the global market. What specific skills and expertise do specialists from Brazil possess that make them sought after by companies looking for team extension in Latin America? How does the cost-effectiveness of hiring tech talent in Brazil compare to developers from other regions? What industries or sectors do they excel in, and why? Let's explore the reasons behind the growing popularity of IT outsourcing to Brazil and the best ways to find and hire software developers in Brazil.
Brazilian IT talent pool overview
Brazil has the largest tech pool in Latin America. As of September 2021, the Brazilian IT market consisted of approximately 1.2M experts. Roughly 630,000 tech specialists worked in the IT services sector, while 133,000 were employed in the product companies.
Moreover, Brazil stands out with its vast pool of 500K IT professionals engaged in offshore projects. According to the Kearney Global Services Location Index 2023, the country ranks as the fourth best location for IT outsourcing, based on financial attractiveness, investment climate favorability, and the skills of technical candidates.
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As of May 2025, Brazil is home to more than 330 custom software development companies. Most of them are small and midsize. The country also has 14 large companies, three of which employ over 10,000 workers.
Now, let's delve into the technical strengths that make Brazil's software developers stand out.
Read more: Hire software development team: Latin America edition
Expertise and key services provided by Brazilian software developers
Software developers in Brazil are well-recognized for their professional accomplishments, as evidenced by their rankings. They hold 14th place in the TopCoder Country Ranking, highlighting their expertise in various technology domains. Moreover, Brazilian developers rank 19th globally in technology and first in Data Science in the region, according to the Coursera Global Skills Report 2024. Additionally, Brazil stands out in terms of its active presence on GitHub, securing the fourth position globally in the number of GitHub accounts, following only the United States, India, and China.
Brazilians rank first among LATAM countries in the Coursera ranking, with the highest scores in Data Science (85%) and technology skills (85%) regionally. Brazilian learners secured the 17th position in both the business and Data Science domains. Course enrollment statistics reveal that Brazilian professionals are developing diverse skill sets across multiple disciplines. The top skills cultivated include graphic design, collaboration, calculus, and various programming languages. Brazilian developers also focus on organizational development, understanding culture, adaptability, and people analysis. This comprehensive approach to professional development indicates that Brazilian learners are strategically preparing for an evolving job market through balanced upskilling efforts.
According to Clutch, mobile application development, web development, and UI/UX design are among the services most commonly provided by Brazilian software developers. Companies also hire software developers in Brazil for specialized services, including AI development, web design, and ecommerce solution development.
As for programming languages, 24,000 Brazilian software developers are skilled in JavaScript, 13,000 in Python, and 15,000 in PHP. Additionally, there are 34,000 Java developers, 20,000 working with .NET, and 169,000 developers with expertise in C++. Moreover, the country has a large pool of 173,000 developers proficient in C#.
Fortunately, this impressive tech talent is available at rates much lower than in the US or other Latin American countries. Brazilian developers' salaries are 8.5% lower than in Colombia, 22.6% lower than in Mexico, and 375% lower than in Panama.
ICT education in Brazil
Brazil's tech talent pool is consistently expanding, with over 46K students graduating annually in ICT courses. The country boasts 2,457 higher education institutions that continually produce graduates with degrees in computer science, information systems, and software engineering. Notably, eleven Brazilian universities are featured in Latin America's top 30 rankings by QS for 2025, with the Universidade de São Paulo securing the first position.
Many software developers in Brazil have a good command of English, though Brazil does not score high overall in English skills. Researchers at EliteBrains, an assessment and hiring platform for developers, found that nearly half of Brazilian software engineers can speak English sufficiently to work for English-speaking companies. However, many are still at the introductory level or are only familiar with English reading and writing.
According to the EF English Proficiency Index, the country ranked 18th out of 21 Latin American countries. Tech hubs such as Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo reached moderate proficiency levels, while cities like Curitiba, Florianópolis, Porto Alegre, and Campinas achieved the highest levels.
Government incentives and digital strategies
Business climate and ICT market conditions are significant factors to consider when deciding to hire software developers in Brazil. Let's take a quick look at some of Brazil's initiatives to create an environment favorable to the development of the ICT sector.
Due to the government's efforts to promote the tech sector and invest in research and development, Brazil ranked first in Latin America and the Caribbean on the 2024 Global Innovation Index. These efforts include startup support, cybersecurity initiatives, and an AI bill aimed at regulating the ethical and responsible use of AI. The country rose from 71st to 18th among 194 countries analyzed in the ICT Development Index by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). In terms of the Americas alone, Brazil ranked third.
To support local startups, the government has provided them with funding, mentorship, and government contracts. Consequently, Brazil has established itself as the capital of tech startups, which account for over 5.6% of its GDP. Here, São Paulo, in particular, stands out. Home to 1,477 tech startups and the most significant tech hub in the region, the city's GDP alone is larger than the combined economies of Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Bolivia. This concentration of successful tech ventures showcases Brazilian developers' strong technical skills and creative mindsets, which have been essential in building such a thriving ecosystem.
Brazil has shown notable improvement in its Global AI Index ranking, advancing from 35th place overall in 2023 to 30th place in 2024, a five-position climb. This progress reflects strengthening across several key metrics. In particular, Brazil made significant gains in infrastructure (improving from 42 to 36) and operating environment (advancing from 44 to 28), showcasing substantial development in its AI technical foundation and business conditions. Research metrics improved modestly from 36 to 44, while development capabilities remained relatively stable (36 to 29). The government strategy score improved slightly from 30 to 27, and commercial activity increased from 39 to 33, indicating growing private sector adoption of AI. These improvements demonstrate Brazil's growing commitment to developing its AI ecosystem, with the most significant progress in creating a more favorable environment for AI innovation and implementation.
Brazil's AI strategy includes courses on AI and programming in the country's national teaching curriculum. As a result, future generations of students will be equipped with essential skills in AI and programming from an early age, fostering a tech-savvy and innovative workforce.
In addition to adopting digital transformation strategies, Brazil has implemented various reforms to simplify regulations and reduce bureaucratic barriers for enterprises. These efforts have resulted in smoother business registration processes, lower costs for digital certificates, and streamlined property registration, benefiting companies in key cities like São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.
Brazil has secured 44th place among 131 economies in the Network Readiness Index, a comprehensive global benchmark measuring information and communication technology application and utilization. The country demonstrates particular strengths in its people pillar (49th), with notable digital adoption across government (47th) and business sectors (37th). Brazil shows impressive performance in e-participation (11th) and government online service delivery (14th), highlighting its commitment to digital governance. Additionally, the country has made significant strides in digital inclusion initiatives (21st), working to bridge various digital divides. Brazil's substantial market size presents advantageous conditions for continued digital transformation, laying the groundwork for further advancements in technology adoption and implementation across various sectors.
Time zone and cost of living
When choosing a location for software development outsourcing, factors such as the time zone and the cost of living should also be considered. Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo are conveniently located just one hour ahead of New York. Whenever offline communication is required, Brazil has 18 international airports with flights to the US, Canada, and Europe, providing enough routes for convenient business travel.
For companies seeking cost-effective ways to hire software developers in Brazil, the country offers living costs 133.2% lower than those in the United States (excluding rent). Therefore, Brazil's labor costs, office space, transportation, and utilities are also lower. For example, Brazilian rent is 421.7% lower than US rent. These significant cost differentials translate directly to more competitive rates for development services, allowing you to maximize your project budget while maintaining high-quality outcomes.
Where to hire software engineers in Brazil: Key tech hubs
Lastly, we will examine the Brazilian tech hubs, where you can find and hire a wealth of tech talent.
- São Paulo, Brazil's largest city and economic hub, boasts a diverse and thriving tech scene with 112 software development firms and representation from various tech sectors. Notable areas in São Paulo's tech landscape include ecommerce, fintech, software development, and Artificial Intelligence. The city is home to renowned tech companies like Nubank, iFood, and Gympass, and in 2024, it secured the top spot for startups in Latin America and the Caribbean.
- Rio de Janeiro houses several fintech startups and 30 software development companies. Other sectors prominent in the city's tech scene encompass health tech, education tech, and software development. Many reputable tech companies such as Stone and VTEX have offices in Rio de Janeiro.
- Belo Horizonte nurtures a vibrant startup community, emphasizing innovation and technology. Within its tech landscape, Belo Horizonte's 17 top software development companies, listed on Clutch, serve clients from various sectors, including energy, healthtech, and edtech. Renowned companies like Rock Content, Meliuz, Sympla, and Hotmart are headquartered in Belo Horizonte.
- The tech industry in Florianópolis focuses on IT services and software development. In Florianópolis, you can find the R&D centers of many well-known companies such as Softplan, Resultados Digitais, and Neoway. A total of 33 software development firms are located there, specializing in mobile app development, web development, and UI/UX design.
How to find and hire software developers in Brazil: Options and opportunities
So, you've recognized the advantages of hiring Brazilian developers and are now prepared to scale your team with local specialists. The initial step involves determining the most effective method of recruiting skilled Brazilian tech professionals to significantly contribute to your business growth while optimizing your time and resources. Let's explore the available options: utilizing freelance platforms, partnering with recruitment agencies, or collaborating with established outsourcing vendors. Here's a breakdown of each approach:
Engaging freelance experts
This route entails hiring software development professionals on a freelance basis and engaging them for specific projects or tasks. Many enterprises that hire software engineers in Brazil independently often turn to renowned platforms such as Upwork or Fiverr. While this choice promises high flexibility, reduced legal complexities, and access to a diverse talent pool, it comes with its share of challenges. Freelance developers may be juggling multiple projects simultaneously, which can potentially result in delays, compromised code quality, and difficulties managing project backlogs. Additionally, concerns related to recruitment hurdles and safeguarding data confidentiality may arise.
Leveraging recruitment agencies
Another way to hire software developers in Brazil is to enlist the services of local recruitment agencies. By entrusting the recruitment process to a staffing company, you eliminate the need to conduct technical interviews in-house. However, it's crucial to note that not all recruitment agencies possess extensive networks and access to the requisite expertise. To ensure a successful hire, these agencies must have proficient technical experts who can conduct thorough interviews with potential candidates.
Collaborating with a trusted outsourcing vendor
Forming a partnership with a respected outsourcing company is a proven and reliable approach to harnessing top-notch software development expertise when you hire software developers in Brazil. Established outsourcing firms like N-iX can connect you to the best-suited candidates with relevant experience and niche expertise. They conduct comprehensive interviews and assemble a dedicated team tailored to your project's specific demands.
In summary, when hiring IT professionals in Brazil, your options include engaging freelancers for flexibility, recruiting agencies to outsource the hiring process, and outsourcing vendors for a comprehensive and dedicated approach. Each approach presents its benefits and challenges, making it crucial to align your choice with your project's specific needs and long-term goals. By making an informed decision, you can ensure that you're tapping into Brazil's exceptional software development talent pool.
Partnering with the right outsourcing company to hire software developers in Brazil
For those contemplating the idea of outsourcing software development to Brazil, it's essential to take the following steps first:
- Define your project's goals and needs. Have a clear vision of your project and determine the specific tech talent required. Whether you need one person or a dedicated team, a customized solution can be provided to meet your unique requirements.
- Find the right partner for your LatAm presence. Look for reliable outsourcing companies with a proven track record of sourcing and managing tech talent. Investigate their background, clients, workforce satisfaction rates, and turnover to ensure credibility.
- Look beyond technical skills. Your partner should understand your company's needs and match them with suitable candidates from their talent pool. A comprehensive understanding of cultural and behavioral/communication capabilities is crucial for successful collaboration.
- Ensure you have the necessary infrastructure in place. Establish how the partnership will function in terms of structure, access, and daily exchanges between the partner and your team.
By carefully considering these points, you can ensure a successful experience when you hire software developers in Brazil, leveraging their benefits such as access to top tech talent, cultural proximity, and time-zone alignment to positively impact your business.
Keep reading: Nearshoring to Latin America: Quality without cutting corners
Why choose N-iX as your software development partner in Brazil?
- N-iX is a global software engineering company with offices in the USA, Sweden, and Malta and development centers in Poland, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Colombia and India. We have a presence in over 25 countries in the Americas and Europe;
- N-iX has partnered with dozens of global industry leaders and Fortune 500 companies, including Fluke Corporation and Currencycloud;
- We also partner with tech giants such as Microsoft, AWS, GCP, OpenText, SAP, and others in order to increase efficiency, speed, and scale at over 160 organizations across the globe;
- N-iX has a vast internal talent pool of 2,400 professionals who specialize in software engineering, cloud-native services, data analytics, embedded software, IoT, Machine Learning, and other cutting-edge technologies;
- With 70+ experienced recruiters overseeing our major locations, as well as 500,000+ candidates in our database, we are able to fill positions quickly;
- N-iX's established employer brand attracts the best talent, and our rigorous interview process helps us hire qualified engineers with strong technical skills who are culturally well-suited.
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