Software Development Outsourcing Romania: How To Do It Right

Over the last years, development costs and project demands have been rising exponentially. No wonder more companies were turning to outsourcing as a practical way to optimize expenses without having to compromise on skilled talent or project quality. 

Recently, Eastern Europe took the leading position in all types of outsourcing jobs. In the light of it, Romania has been increasingly gaining a spotlight as a dynamically growing IT services provider. So if you are looking for outsourcing software development Romania, this article will most definitely help you decide the right option for you. 

Explore all the must-know essentials, from key areas of IT expertise among Romanian outsourcing companies to benefits, salaries, and considerations associated with Romanian-based providers.

Quick Overview of Software Development and IT Outsourcing Romania Sector 

Romania is one of the most attractive IT outsourcing destinations in Europe, with an impressive 9.72 billion USD in total export value. Moreover, it holds first №1 position in Europe in the number of certified IT specialists per 1,000 inhabitants and the sixth place on the global scale, which is greater than even the United States.

Particularly, the IT sector in Romania keeps gaining momentum in the tech field. In recent years, recent findings demonstrate dynamic (up to 15%) growth across all key market categories: revenue, employees, and total number of businesses.

Software Development in Romania: Market Size

Key Industries

As seen in the table below, the software development outsourcing Romania landscape is widely diverse. 

Zooming in, the dominance of outsourcing for the IT, finance, and medical domains reflects Romania’s technical depth and expertise in handling projects of various complexity. Meanwhile, the growing medical and eCommerce sectors highlight strong international demand for scalable digital platforms.

Key Outsourced IT Services

Romanian developers and tech teams offer a wide range of expertise and proven track record of delivering projects of various types and business needs. 

Delving into Romania’s key outsourced services, custom software development holds the leading position. IT managed services, web development, mobile app development, outsourcing web design Romania, and even more advanced areas like AI development and IoT also rank among the top offerings. See more details in the table below.

Why Choose Software Outsourcing Romania

In case you’re wondering whether partnering with a Romanian software development company is a good fit for you, let’s review some major benefits.

Benefit #1

✅ You’ll get cost efficiency without compromising quality

Hourly rates for Romanian developers are typically lower than those in Western Europe or the U.S. Therefore, you get a perfect mix of tech proficiency and competitive pricing. 

Benefit #2

✅ You’ll work with culturally aligned teams

Romanian IT professionals communicate fluently in English and share Western work ethics: agile approach, innovation-driven mindset, honesty and transparency in communication, you name it. Altogether, all these assets can immensely contribute to smooth project delivery and its eventual success.

Benefit #3

✅ You’ll ensure strong data protection and compliance

As an EU member state, Romania fully complies with GDPR (as well as other must-have European data protection laws), which is particularly critical for industries dealing with sensitive data.

Benefit #4

✅ You’ll access a mature IT ecosystem with global recognition

Romania hosts tech hubs recognized by businesses globally, including major players such as Oracle, IBM, HP, Endava, and UiPath operating there. This, in turn, guarantees proven delivery standards and high-quality expertise.

Benefit #5

✅ You’ll enjoy flexible engagement models

Romanian IT vendors offer adaptable cooperation options, so that businesses can easily scale resources based on your project’s needs and budget.

Benefit #7

✅ You’ll build long-term, trust-based partnerships

In most cases, the partnership with IT outsourcing companies Romania leads to multi-year relationships and strategic collaboration backed by proven business results.

Outsourcing Software Development to Romania: Must-Consider Factors

IT Outsourcing Company Size

As seen in the table below, the outsourcing services Romania market is dominated by small and mid-sized providers. Here’s how it can impact your project and business results:

• Large providers typically have widely diverse teams that run under well-established processes. On the bright side of it, they can quickly allocate multiple specialists and scale efficiently. However, due to structured frameworks and approaches, the level of flexibility might be more limited compared to smaller companies.
  
• Mid-sized companies or SMBs typically offer a more personalized approach and greater flexibility. However, many might face limited tech capacity during the scaling stage.

Minimum Project Size

Just like anywhere in Europe or the US, many Romanian outsourcing firms set a minimum engagement value that reflects their operational model and preferred client type. This threshold helps determine whether a company is best suited for small MVPs, mid-size products, or long-term enterprise partnerships. 

As demonstrated below, the outsourcing software Romania market offers strong flexibility in project size and budget. The companies are commonly favorable to budgets of any size. Meantime, most handle projects anywhere from $250,000 to under $25,000 – meaning, covering the needs of startups and SMBs.

Average Hourly Rate

The majority of Romanian outsourcing companies operate under hourly rates between $25 to $99. As you can see, the rates vary, offering a range of options to fit any project budget.

Such differences can be associated with several factors: the company’s size, years of operation,expertise level, technology stack, project complexity, service type, you name it. Additionally, rates also differ between major tech hubs (f.e., Bucharest or Cluj-Napoca) and smaller cities, which commonly offer slightly lower costs.

Key Tech Hubs for IT Outsourcing in Romania 

When looking for a software outsourcing partner in Romania, a common misconception is that the country’s IT industry is limited to Bucharest. In reality, Romania’s tech talent and outsourcing providers are spread across multiple cities.

According to the International Trade Administration, Bucharest accounts for 63% of the country’s national IT industry revenue. Meanwhile, other regions also play their part:

• North-West (including cities like Cluj-Napoca, Oradea) – 18%;
• Central (Brașov, Sibiu, Târgu Mureș) – 6%;
• West (Timișoara, Arad) – 5%;
• North-East (Iași, Suceava, Bacău) – 5%.

While the capital remains a major innovation hub, other Romanian cities are emerging as strong players, too. Take a closer look at them.

Bucharest

The capital of Romania stands as a prominent tech hub for software development outsourcing in Romania. This city attracts both local and international talent and hosts many of the country’s leading IT companies, R&D centers, and startups. 

The IT outsourcing field in Bucharest looks as following:

• Bucharest features 178 IT outsourcing companies;
• Nearly 70% of companies have less than 50 employees;
• Software developer salaries widely vary (ranging from $520 to $6,200, depending on seniority and other factors).

Cluj-Napoca

Cluj-Napoca, often referred to as the Silicon Valley of Romania, is renowned for its innovation and flourishing IT sector. In doing so, it boasts the following numbers:

• 144 IT outsourcing providers;
• Out of them, 42% of companies have between 10-50 employees; 
• 27% of companies in Cluj-Napoka have fewer than 10 employees;
• Software developer salaries are similar to those in Bucharest.

Timișoara

Timișoara is another vital tech hub in Romania that stands equal to Bucharest when it comes to the innovation environment. Notably, only these two Romania cities were listed by the World Economic Forum. 

Even though Timișoara’s IT landscape is currently significantly smaller, this recognition  demonstrates promising growth indicators and highlights the cities’ direction towards tech innovation. Besides, local universities offer specialized programs to attract prospective talent and nurture new ideas.

Timișoara features:

• 20 IT outsourcing companies;
• 85% of them have have under 50 employees;
• Based on the average salary data, senior developers have slightly lower rates compared to Bucharest.

Iași

Iași is considered the cultural capital of Romania and a major center for education. In recent years, it has also earned a new reputation as an emerging IT and outsourcing hub. In doing so, the city features:

• 24 IT outsourcing companies;
• More than a half of them are of size of 50-1,000+ employees;
• The rates of Iași-based software specialists for IT outsourcing are, on average, 10–35% lower across most experience levels.

Brașov

Brașov is another rapidly expanding tech. Thanks to its strategic proximity to Bucharest, it has convenient access to the capital’s business ecosystem while being able to keep operational costs significantly lower.

Brașov IT ecosystem consists of:

• 19 IT outsourcing companies;
• Half of them are of size under 10 employees;
• The average rate of developers is $1,750, which is over 35% cheaper than in Bucharest.

Sibiu

Sibiu, similarly to Brașov, is an emerging tech outsourcing destination. Located in central Romania, it has a steadily expanding IT talent pool and strong connections to local universities and young, innovative tech workforce.

Sibiu’s IT outsourcing landscape consists of:

• 18 IT outsourcing companies;
• 39% of these companies have between 10 and 50 employees;
• 33% of outsourcing providers are small teams with fewer than 10 employees.

Oradea

Oradea, located in the northwestern region of Romania near the Hungarian border, has a steadily expanding IT ecosystem. Tthe city benefits from cross-border business ties with Hungary and Central Europe, thus being an appealing location for both local and international investors.

Oradea features:

• 15 IT outsourcing companies;
• Out of them, 85% have less than 50 employees;
• Including 46% of outsourcing providers with less than 10 employees.

Why Outsource Software Development to Romania: Cost Comparison with Western Markets

The combination of location, skill set, and experience makes Romania a highly flexible outsourcing destination. For example, if you want to hire Java Developers in Romania, the average IT outsourcing costs for it will be up to 20–50% lower than in Germany and up to 3.5 times lower than in the USA.

Beyond the city of developers (as seen above), the cost of outsourcing IT in Romania depends on the programming language and level of expertise. Commonly, developers skilled in the most popular programming languages have slightly higher rates. 

To get a clearer picture on salary insights, explore some regional comparisons in the table below.

Ultimately, among the many factors that influence these rates, an important one is the actual IT outsourcing vendor you choose. Consider the levels of expertise, quality of their project management quality, and flexibility level, to name a few. All of these aspects have their reflection in pricing. 

Obviously, pricing is only one criteria for vendor evaluation. Let’s delve into some more core strategies to help you secure the right fit.

Finding a Software Outsourcing Provider in Romania: Key Considerations and Tips

Before you start working with a Romanian software development company, consider these essential points. Altogether, they will either make or break your project.

• Technical Expertise

Check their core technologies and whether they specialize in your required stack. The best firms often provide technical assessments or pilot projects to demonstrate capability.

• Proven Track Record and Portfolio

Review case studies and client testimonials. A reputable company should clearly present past projects, especially in industries similar to yours.

• Transparency in Pricing and Contracts

Avoid vague hourly rates or so-called flexible pricing without clear deliverables. Insist on detailed proposals that outline scope, milestones, and payment structure to prevent scope creep or hidden costs.

• Scalability and Long-Term Collaboration

Consider whether the company can scale with you. Commonly, reliable partners offer flexible engagement models and continuous post-launch support.

• Communication and Time Zone Alignment

If you hire Romanian developers, they typically align well with European and North American working hours. Still, clarify meeting schedules, project management tools, and update frequency before starting.

Where to Find Trusted Romania Software Outsourcing Developers 

To find a trusted, industry-recognized IT outsourcing partner in Romania, consider both international and local platforms and channels, such as:

• Hire through nearshoring companies

Partnering with nearshoring providers like Mobilunity streamlines hiring by giving you access to vetted, skilled talent. Such partners also handle local compliance, employee onboarding, retention, and admin tasks to guarantee smooth processes and proven results. 

• Browse global tech review platforms 

Use trusted directories like Clutch, GoodFirms, and The Manifest to review company ranking, customer testimonials, and hourly rates.

• Look for freelancers on global platforms

Explore freelance marketplaces such as Upwork, Fiverr, and Toptal to find individual developers or small teams for short-term or specialized projects.

• Check out local tech ecosystems

Romania’s major IT cities like Bucharest, Cluj-Napoca, Iași, Timișoara, Brașov, and others host many vibrant tech ecosystems and associations. 

Some of the most notable ones are:

• Romanian Tech Startups Association (ROTSA);
• Employers’ Association of the Software and Services Industry (ANIS);
• Cybersecurity Alliance for Romania (ACAR);
• Smart Alliance Innovation Technology Cluster;
• Bucharest AI tech hub;
• Transilvania IT Cluster; 
• Impact Hub Bucharest; 
• Cluj IT Cluster;
• InnovX-BCR Accelerator.

Top Romania IT Outsourcing Companies

The highest-rated IT outsourcing providers in Romania excel across multiple factors. When selecting the right outsourcing partner, it’s essential to evaluate more than just hourly rates. Key considerations include flexibility, scalability, cost efficiency, talent quality, and reliability, among others.

See the table below for an evaluation of some of Romania’s most reputable and well-established IT outsourcing companies.

While Mobilunity is not a traditional outsourcing vendor, we provide dedicated development teams and staff augmentation services that excel across all key factors of collaboration. By partnering with us, you get a seamless process, transparent management, reliable collaboration, and more.

The Benefits of Delegating IT Hiring Process to Professionals

When you outsource software development Romania, delegating the recruitment process to professionals is always a good idea. Here are just several reasons why:

• Wider talent pool. Outsourcing web development Romania with professional recruitment agencies’ help allows you to reach a broader talent pool, since HR usually have extensive networks of candidates.
• Legal compliance. Recruitment agencies are well-versed in employment laws and regulations, so you avoid legal risks during the hiring process of a software development company Bucharest or in any other Romanian city.
• Time and cost savings. Delegating the hiring process to professionals saves your company’s resources. HR agencies handle all the recruitment tasks themselves, like attracting the custom software development company Bucharest, while you only confirm their job.
• Top candidate quality. Professional recruiters typically have robust candidate screening and selection processes, so you can be sure to get the best Romanian company in your niche.

Outsourcing Software Development to Romania with Mobilunity

Mobilunity is a trusted partner that helps businesses hire top-notch developers in Romania. With over 12 years of experience in providing dedicated development teams and IT consulting worldwide, we’ve built a reputation for reliability and excellence. 

By partnering with us, you get the following:

• A wide range of candidates to choose from;
• Necessary certification for their candidates;
• Streamlined and effortless hiring process;
• Transparent prices;
• Flexible cooperation based on your preferences;
• Long-term partnership focused not only on hiring developers but also efficiently onboarding and retaining them.

Driven by these advantages and continuous improvement, we actively maintain 40+ active client partnerships across Europe, North America, Asia, and the Middle East. Moreover, our client projects are backed by an impressive 90% client retention rate and long-term, strategic partnerships last for years.

But don’t take our word for it. See what our clients have to say about working with us.

Mobilunity’s Main Service Models for Offshore Outsourcing Romania

At Mobilunity, we offer several service models designed to meet your specific needs, including the following:

✅ Dedicated development team

Under this model, you have direct control over a full-time resource while we handle all HR, accounting, and helpdesk matters. It’s the most popular form of cooperation among our clients.

✅ Part-time developers – Mobilunity FLEX

This engagement model implies managing part-time resources while we cover all HR, accounting, and helpdesk processes. It also allows our clients to tap into the best software development in Romania without full-time commitment.

✅ Recruiting service

Our recruiting-as-a-service model allows businesses to leverage our extensive network and expertise in hiring top-tier talent. We can hire the best candidates locally in Romania or across Eastern Europe.

Hire developers in other Countries

Discover a world of talent by recruiting expert developers from across the globe to bolster your team. Embrace a range of unique perspectives and skills to foster innovation and accelerate growth in your technology initiatives.

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Brazil

Argentina

Written by:

Anastasia Stefanuk

Market Researcher

Disclaimer: All salaries and prices mentioned within the article are approximate numbers based on the research done by our in-house Marketing Research Team. Please use these numbers as a reference for comparison only. Feel free to use the contact form to inquire on the specific cost of the talent according to your vacancy requirements and chosen model of engagement.