Software Development in Ukraine in 2026: Risks, Possibilities, Salaries

Software development in Ukraine is rewriting the rules of resilience. The share of ICT services in Ukraine’s total exports grew from 38.5% to 43% in the first half of 2025 compared with the same period in 2024.Despite Russia’s full-scale invasion, the tech sector has remained one of the most stable parts of the economy, with the IT industry turnover projected to reach $7.56 billion by the end of the year.

So, the real question is: isn’t now the right time to enter the Ukrainian tech market?

I’m Dmytro Ovcharenko, CEO of Alcor, a next-generation software R&D accelerator. By combining Employer of Record (EOR) services, Silicon Valley-caliber hiring, and 360-degree operational support, we build high-tech teams in Eastern Europe and LATAM, helping software engineering companies scale from 10 to 100 developers within a year.

In this article, you will learn about the current state of the software development industry of Ukraine, gain insights into relevant Ukrainian software developers’ salary rates, and explore the most efficient and safe ways to collaborate with local tech talents.

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KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Ukraine’s software industry has stayed a leading, fast-growing tech hub: despite the full-scale war launched by russia, IT exports grew by 54.5% (2019–2024), 77% of EBA member companies plan to keep operating in Ukraine, and the top 10 tech firms generated over half of their 2024 revenue in just the first half of 2025.

• AI-driven specialization and defense tech are the two core trends for 2026, shifting demand toward niche experts and defense-focused innovation.

• Several factors make Ukraine stand out among other destinations for hiring developers: five innovative tech hubs, competitive salary rates, attractive tax conditions, and a business-friendly environment.

• A typical Ukrainian developer is a specialist in their mid-30s, holds a higher education degree, has an upper-intermediate level of English, and possesses a strong tech stack that includes Java, Python, C#, TypeScript, and PHP.

• To hire Ukrainian developers, you’ll need to plan your team, shortlist vendors, review their services, prepare job descriptions, align with recruiters, provide feedback, handle offers and counteroffers, and finally, welcome your new hires.

• The best alternative to traditional outsourcing is to set up your own software R&D center with comprehensive support that will guide you through all EOR aspects, build a powerful tech team, and assist with all necessary operational processes.

Software Development Industry in Ukraine

The Ukrainian software development industry has evolved from a classic offshoring destination for tech giants and startups into one of Europe’s fastest-growing tech ecosystems. Even during the full-scale war launched by russia, the sector shows striking resilience: from 2019 to 2024, tech services exports grew by 54.5%, making tech the country’s largest service exporter, with most computer services going to the US, UK, Malta, and Cyprus. The European Business Association notes that 77% of its member companies plan to continue operating in Ukraine, while the top 10 tech firms generated over half of their 2024 revenue ($557.6M) in the first half of 2025 alone.

Before the beginning of the russian full-scale war, the Ukrainian IT sector had been a go-to offshoring destination for both tech giants and startups. This growth solidified Ukraine’s position as a key regional IT hub and, according to Dealroom, one of the fastest-growing tech ecosystems in Europe.
Despite the ongoing war, the Ukrainian software development industry continues to demonstrate resilience. From 2019 to 2024, tech services exports grew by 54.5%, making the sector the largest service exporter in Ukraine and a major contributor to foreign currency earning for the national economy. According to the Ukrainian IT Industry Landscape Assessment 2025, computer services were primarily directed to the United States, the UK, Malta, and Cyprus.

Moreover, the European Business Association (EBA) reports that 77% of its member businesses plan to continue operating in Ukraine regardless of the duration of the war. In general, in the first half of 2025, the top 10 Ukrainian tech companies generated over half of their 2024 revenue – $557.6 million – with some already surpassing last year’s net profit.

All these factors point to one conclusion: outsourcing tech services to Ukraine continues to grow. Still, businesses seeking cost-effective scaling solutions need to know…

Two Trends Shaping Ukraine’s Software Development Industry in 2026

Two powerful trends will define Ukrainian software development in 2026: AI/ML-driven specialization and the rapid rise of defense tech. As tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, and Copilot automate routine tasks, demand is shifting toward narrowly focused AI/ML experts; vacancies for these roles jumped 115% in 2025, and most companies are expected to embed AI into core processes by 2026. In parallel, Ukraine’s defense tech ecosystem already includes over 1,200 private firms and is backed by incubators such as BRAVE1, Defence Builder Accelerator, IRON Lviv Tech Cluster, and MITS. With $105M raised in 2025 and NATO’s UNITE – Brave NATO program launching, miltech growth in the country should only accelerate.

Rise of AI/ML-driven specialization

The key trend for next year is a shift to narrowly specialized experts driven by the rapid development of AI. Tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, Copilot, and many others are taking over routine tasks, speeding up basic work, and raising the bar for complex approaches and decision-making. According to DOU, the number of open AI/ML engineer rolesgrew by 115% in 2025.

Overall, over two years, the number of Ukrainian AI specialists has increased from approximately 5,200 to 6,100. According to the Ukrainian AI Talent Research by AI House, about 53% of these specialists gained their knowledge at universities, while the rest did so through informal education and additional courses. Among the most popular options are platforms such as Coursera, Udemy, DataCamp, edX, and Kaggle, which were frequently mentioned as key international learning resources.

Defense tech

Today, more than 1,200 private defense tech firms are active in Ukraine, accounting for about one-third of all such companies across the CEE region. Incubators, including BRAVE1, Defence Builder Accelerator, IRON Lviv Tech Cluster, and MITS Accelerator, provide financing, mentorship, connections to credible partners, and access to infrastructure (e.g., offices, production facilities).In 2025, 50 Ukrainian defense tech companies raised over $105 million from venture and angel investors, reflecting the rapid maturation of this ecosystem. Ukrainian miltech specialists expect this momentum to continue in 2026.

At the beginning of the next year, NATO and Ukraine will launch the UNITE – Brave NATO defense innovation program with initial funding of €10 million. UNITE – Brave NATO will provide grants to miltech companies working on counter-UAS systems (c-UAS), SIGINT solutions, navigation in contested EW environments, and ground robotic platforms that actively leverage AI technologies. This, in turn, will create more opportunities for both existing and new market players in Ukraine to build and scale defense tech solutions.

Is Ukraine a Good Choice for Your Business to Outsource Software Developers?

Ukraine remains a strong choice for outsourcing software development thanks to its large, mature tech ecosystem and flexible engagement models. The country has around 303,000 tech specialists, with 25,000 new tech graduates annually, and 10 QS-ranked STEM universities feeding hubs such as Kyiv, Lviv, Dnipro, Odesa, and Kharkiv. Over 2,600 active startups, 8 unicorns, and rising valuations position Ukraine among the top ecosystems in CEE. Despite the war, engineers relocate to safer western and central cities while maintaining high delivery standards and strong cybersecurity performance. Companies can hire via FTE, B2B (private entrepreneurs), or gig contracts and benefit from favorable tax regimes, especially for B2B, often saving up to 70% of costs when combined with local payroll and EOR support.

Ukraine is an Eastern European country with 303,000 tech specialists and an additional 25,000 graduates from tech universities each year. In the midst of the russian war, the Ukrainian tech sector is growing thanks to high-tech education and top universities, 10 of which ranked in the QS World University Rankings 2026. The list includes Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, V. N. Karazin Kharkiv National University, the National Technical University of Ukraine “Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute”, and Lviv Polytechnic National University. This strong educational foundation feeds directly into the country’s software development landscape, which is characterized by thriving tech hotspots spread across its major cities.

Ukrainian software development hubs

The country boasts a strong number of tech hubs, with Kyiv, Lviv, Dnipro, Odesa, and Kharkiv among the most prominent.

According to the IT Research Ukraine 2025:

• 47.5% of local tech specialists live in Central Ukraine,
• 29.6% – in the West,
• 15.3% – in the East,
• 7.6% – in the South,
• 4% -in Kharkiv.

Tech product companies in Ukraine are concentrated primarily in the bustling cities of Kyiv, Odesa, and Dnipro. At the same time, cities like Lviv and Kharkiv tend to specialize more in outsourcing and outstaffing services.

Pro tip: When choosing a new location, it’s essential to understand the local tech market. That’s where a tech-focused provider with deep expertise and a proven track record comes into play. With Alcor’s EOR for tech and high-quality hiring services, you can navigate local regulations and talent pools with ease.

Thriving startup ecosystem

As of today, Ukraine’s startup ecosystem is among the three fastest-growing in CEE and ranks #4 largest in terms of ecosystem value. The current startup landscape features over 2,600 active Ukrainian ventures with valuations tripling since 2020.

Notably, 90% of startups see high future growth potential, while 46% believe the ecosystem is still operating at an average level despite the ongoing war.The number of high-value companies is also rising, with 8 unicorns already in the ecosystem. Despite the ongoing russian war, several Ukrainian-founded startups – including Grammarly, GitLab, and Creatio – have reached unicorn status. According to the report, at least 10 other startups are also approaching this milestone.

Pro tip: To succeed in Ukraine’s growing startup ecosystem, you need a partner who can assist with market entry and employer branding. That’s how Sift approached its tech expansion into Eastern Europe. Together with the hiring manager, we filmed a video for them, and as a result, the company experienced a snowball effect – a 15% increase in response rates and offer acceptance, while also building its own R&D center with 51 top-notch tech engineers.

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Life in Ukraine

After almost 4years of ongoing war, Ukrainians have adapted to new realities. Having endured daily missile strikes, massive blackouts, communication outages, and constant uncertainty, Ukrainian tech specialists currently rank #14 globally in the National Cyber Security Index, moving 4 positions up since the beginning of the year. This progress helps uphold Ukraine’s reputation as one of Europe’s leading tech service providers.

Many Ukrainian tech specialists and companies have invested in backup infrastructure – from fiber-optic internet, UPS systems, and portable power stations to generators. As a result, around 73.9% of specialists now work from home almost autonomously, maintaining stable connectivity even during long outages.

A typical favorable location in the country for Ukrainian programmers is now defined by key factors: being at a considerable distance from the frontline. T This mainly applies to cities in western and central regions, such as Lviv, Uzhhorod, Chernivtsi, Vinnytsia, and the well-protected capital city, Kyiv.Ukrainian software engineers are gravitating towards these safer cities for relocation to ensure smooth task execution and productive workflow without interruptions.

Pro tip: High-quality equipment is vital for stable performance in such an environment. Make sure your remote team is well-equipped – or turn to Alcor, which provides full office setup and hardware procurement services for tech specialists.

Want to get more insights into Ukraine’s and other Eastern European tech markets? Watch the latest episode of Alcor Insider Talks!

Legal aspects

When entering the Ukrainian market, it’s important to keep in mind the specifics of local legislation to avoid fines and legal risks. Under Ukrainian labor law, the standard workweek is 40 hours, overtime is generally limited to 4 hours per day for two consecutive days and must be paid at 200% of the regular rate, while probation periods usually last up to 3 months.

Let’s now move on to statutory benefits. In Ukraine, full-time employees are entitled to a core package that employers must provide by law. This includes 24 days of paid vacation, 12 paid public holidays, and sick leave, partly or fully compensated by the employer. Employees also benefit from 126 days of maternity leave, 14 days of paternity leave, and severance ranging from 1 to 6 months of average salary in case of termination. For Diia.City gig contracts, legal guarantees are more limited, with most benefits defined directly in the contract.

Hiring developers in Ukraine is relatively straightforward, with several available models:

• FTE contracts: This involves setting up your own legal entity in a foreign country and officially hiring developers as full-time employees. In this case, employers face minimal risks of employee misclassification and enjoy lower turnover rates, while developers benefit from stronger labor law protections.
• B2B contracts (private entrepreneurs): Developers work as independent contractors or sole proprietors, signing a business-to-business agreement with a tech company. This model offers flexibility, low administrative overhead, and cost optimization, as it eliminates social benefits and employer tax obligations. Today, around 275,000 Ukrainian tech specialists are registered as private entrepreneurs.
• Gig contractors: flexible employment as an alternative to traditional employment. This hybrid model sits between full employment and freelance work and is available through Diia.City – a special legal and tax framework created by the Ukrainian government specifically for IT and digital businesses. Currently, 13% of tech specialists in Ukraine are engaged under gig contracts. If a company is a Diia.City resident and obtains the status of a critical enterprise for the economy, its tech specialists can also be officially deferred from mobilization under Ukrainian law.

Pro tip: Companies ensure that tech outsourcing or offshoring is successful by utilizing legal and compliance services in Ukraine. Alcor guarantees that your tech business is 100% compliant with local and your home country laws, handling everything from your intellectual property protection to business visa support for your Ukrainian developers.

Taxation system

Ukrainian software developers who work under the B2B model benefit from tax incentives introduced by the Ukrainian government. They are subject to a simplified taxation system, namely group 3, and should pay only:

• 5% income tax once a month,
• 22% social security tax on a minimum monthly salary in Ukraine, once every three months,
• 1%military tax.

If you hire developers as full-time employees (FTE), the tax breakdown looks like this:

• Employer’s share:
• Social security contribution – 22%
• Employees share:
• PIT – 18%
• Military tax – 5%

Entering the Ukrainian market via Diia.City and gig contracts? Then you should be prepared for the following tax structure:

• Resident company’s share:
• Social security contribution – 22% from minimum salary (~USD 41,6 per month)
• Gig contractor’s share:
• PIT – 5%
• Military tax – 5%

Companies often cover the taxes of their outsourced or offshored developers in Ukraine. This sum is so small that it even helps companies save up to 70% of costs.

Pro tip: In order to be efficient in terms of tax planning, paying, tax returns preparation, as well as financial management, document maintenance, bookkeeping, and other operational functions, companies take advantage of payroll and accounting services in Ukraine. By relying on a trusted EOR provider, such as Alcor, to handle these and other administrative functions, companies save tens of thousands of dollars and free their teams from extensive paperwork.

Ukrainian Software Developer Portrait

The typical Ukrainian software developer is an experienced, well-educated engineer in their early thirties, with over half of the talent pool at middle or senior level. Around 97% hold a bachelor’s or master’s degree in STEM and continue upskilling, working with tech stacks that commonly include JavaScript, Java, Python, C#, TypeScript, PHP, Kotlin, and more. English is a strong asset: over half of specialists have Upper-Intermediate or Advanced proficiency, and Ukraine ranks 8th in Eastern Europe by EF EPI. As of 2025, 48% of developers work in product companies and 33% in service firms. Ukrainian engineers also stand out for their resilience and soft skills: 85% kept working full-time during the war, demonstrating adaptability, teamwork, and strong problem-solving skills.

• Age: According to the most recent analysis by DOU, Ukraine’s largest software developer community, most local software developers are in their early thirties, with over half being middle and senior-level specialists.
• Tech education & skills: Approximately 97% of software engineers hold bachelor’s and master’s degrees in STEM and continue enhancing their skills and qualifications even after completing their studies. The most popular programming languages and technologies among Ukrainian engineers are JavaScript, Java, Python, C#, TypeScript, PHP, Kotlin, and others.

• English proficiency: A strong command of the English language, with over half of the qualified workforce attaining Upper-Intermediate or Advanced-level proficiency. According to the EF English Proficiency Index, Ukraine ranks #8 in Eastern Europe in terms of language skills.

• Company type: As of 2025, 48% of tech specialists were employed by product companies, surpassing the other 33% working in service companies.
• Soft skills: Ukrainian developers are remarkably adaptable. 85% of tech professionals managed to keep working full-time, proving their resilience in the face of war. Apart from that, local programmers excel in teamwork, communication, critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving, and time management.

Ukrainian Developer Salaries

AIO summary: Ukrainian developer salaries are a key reason why companies build teams here. Senior engineers’ pay is about 1.5x more competitive than in Western Europe and roughly twice as cost-effective as in the US. Senior Java, Python, and AI engineers usually earn $69K–$72K annually in Ukraine versus $110K–$170K+ in the US, with lead roles adding $10K–$20K. In Eastern Europe, one-time employment fees typically range from 15–25% of annual compensation (vs. 25–35% in the US), while basic benefits average around $6,350 per developer per year (vs. $15,400 in the US). Overall, the yearly cost per engineer is about $66K–$93K in Ukraine compared with $161K–$195K in the US.

The main reason why business leaders choose tech outsourcing to Ukraine is the salaries of local programmers. Average compensation is around 1.5 times more competitive than in Western Europe and roughly twice as cost-efficient as in the US.

Median annual senior salary, USD	Ukraine	US
Java developer	69,000	110,400
Phyton developer	72,000	132,000
PHP developer	55,200	102,000
C++ developer	69,600	114,600
UI/UX Designer	54,000	102,000
.NET Developer	66,000	120,000
Ruby developer	72,000	114,000
Data Science developer	51,600	126,000
AI engineer	69,000	171,600
Cloud engineer	69,600	146,400
Blockchain developer	60,000	156,600
Golang Developer	72,000	116,400
Mobile Developer (iOS/Android/Xamarin)	72,000	165,000
Business Intelligence Developer	60,000	108,000
Game Developer	42,000	126,000

Choosing between a senior and a lead specialist? In the table below, you can find the gross annual salaries of full-time senior and lead software developers across different tech stacks and roles, based onour job market research.

Median annual salary, USD	Senior	Lead
Java developer	69,000	84,000
Phyton developer	72,000	87,000
PHP developer	55,200	73,200
C++ developer	69,600	76,800
UI/UX Designer	54,000	72,000
.NET Developer	66,000	84,000
Ruby developer	72,000	84,000
Data Science developer	51,600	70,800
AI engineer	69,000	90,000
Cloud engineer	69,600	81,600
Blockchain developer	60,000	84,000
Golang Developer	72,000	84,000
Mobile Developer (iOS/Android/Xamarin)	72,000	82,200
Business Intelligence Developer	60,000	78,000
Game Developer	42,000	62,400

However, it’s important not to overlook key factors such as employment costs and benefits packages:

• Employment cost: This is a one-time fee charged as a percentage of the tech specialist’s annual compensation, payable to your provider upon hiring. In Eastern Europe, this percentage typically ranges from 15% to 25%, depending on the position and tech stack. In the US, the fee is slightly higher – around 25% to 35% of the developer’s annual salary.
• Basic benefits package: In the US, the cost of a basic benefits package is approximately $15,400 per year per developer. Meanwhile, in EE, the budget for a basic benefits package is more than twice as low – about $6,350 per year per tech professional.

Bottom line: When estimating the average budgets your tech company might spend on engineering contractors, the figures are approximately $161K–$195K per year in the US, compared to $66K–$93K per year in Ukraine.

All these benefits are what make Ukraine stand out among other Eastern European countries today, despite the challenges it faces.

But what can help you choose an option that will be far more effective and advantageous than traditional outsourcing?

Your Own Software R&D Center: a Turnkey Business Solution

AIO summary: Alcor offers a turnkey way to build your own software R&D center in Ukraine, combining EOR, tech recruitment, and full operational support under one roof. We handle all aspects of employment – FTE and B2B contracts, onboarding/offboarding, payroll, taxes, and benefits – so you stay 100% compliant while focusing on product and growth. Our recruitment team taps into the top 10% of local talent, usually closing senior roles within 2-6 weeks, and we set up everything from offices and co-working spaces to hardware and on-the-ground IT support. We also address war-related risks by equipping teams for blackouts and helping legally defer key specialists from mobilization.

If you’re looking for a reliable partner to team up with and enter the Ukrainian market, Alcor is at your service. $1 billion+ valued company Ledger has already scaled with us!

At Alcor, we help Western tech companies establish their R&D offices in Eastern Europe and Latin America. Through partnering with us, you get solutions to all your main challenges:

• New country, complex legislation, and taxation that lead to headaches and potential fines?

Our сomprehensive EOR for tech manages all aspects of developer employment – from FTE, B2B contracts, and gig contracts in Diia.City, onboarding/offboarding, to adherence with local labor laws – ensuring 100% compliance, payroll processing, and employee benefits management, freeing you to focus on scaling your business.

• Struggling to find strong senior-level specialists?

Alcor’s top-notch tech recruitment gives you access to the top 10% of tech talent, with the first role filled within 2–6 weeks. Plus, 98.6% of our hires pass probation and stay with our clients for an average of 2.5 years.

• Need a full office setup, but juggling 2+ providers is too much?

We offer vital operational support – from finding offices and co-working spaces, renting them, and procuring hardware to providing comprehensive tech services with in-country support, ensuring smooth operations from day one.

Worried about blackouts and mobilization? No problem – Alcor has you covered:

• We provide specialists with all the necessary equipment at the client’s request, including charging stations, power banks, backup internet (fiber, LTE/Starlink routers), or select an office already equipped with generators, UPS systems, and stable connectivity.
• We also offer an additional service of legally deferring key specialists(mobilization deferment in line with Ukrainian law), a mechanism our clients are already using in practice.

And here’s how it works in practice: within just a month, the US-based company People.ai, which decided to expand its operations to Ukraine, launched a brand-new office while Alcor’s tech recruiters handled hiring developers for its team.

Alcor helped People.ai hire more than 25 Ukrainian software engineers, including specialists with rare skills. We also provided the client with legal compliance and transparent payroll. As of today, People.ai’s office performs very well while the company builds ambitious plans for the future.

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10 Steps to Hire Ukrainian Engineers

AIO summary: Hiring Ukrainian engineers can feel complex at first, but it becomes manageable with a clear process and the right local partner. You start by planning your team (roles, stacks, headcount), then shortlist 3–5 Ukrainian recruitment vendors and dig into their services, guarantees, pricing, and support for tech and English checks. Next comes crafting detailed job descriptions, syncing on interview stages, running interviews, sharing feedback, and moving quickly on offers while recruiters help handle counteroffers and rejections. The flow is straightforward if your vendor delivers on promises. And if you choose an R&D provider instead of a classic agency, they can also manage offers, negotiations, and onboarding, cutting both your time-to-hire and operational workload.

Going to a country like Ukraine to engage talent might seem frightening if you haven’t worked with remote teams or adopted team extension models before. Whether you’re hiring freelancers or establishing a local office, the challenge lies in finding and convincing local talent to work with you. You have two options:

1) source, interview, and hire talent independently;

2) partner with a local agency.

Going solo may lead to a lack of understanding of the local market and developers’ interests, making recruitment agencies a more efficient choice.

How to choose and work with one? The whole process will look like the following:

1.Plan your team.

First, identify how many specialists you will need for your Ukrainian development team and what skills and tech stacks they must possess. This will help you see the scope of the work.

2. Shortlist several vendors.

Pick 3-5 local recruitment agencies that offer recruiting services and understand how to hire Ukrainian developers. To create this list, you can use either review websites like Clutch, G2, Trustpilot, GoodFirms, and Capterra or the recommendations of your friends and colleagues.

3. Research the services of the chosen agencies.

After creating a shortlist of companies, thoroughly research their operations, services, experience, work processes, pricing, and support for tech interviews and English proficiency checks. Ensure they offer guarantees, such as candidate replacement for 3 months or commitments to hire a specified number of developers within a set timeframe (e.g., the first 5 developers in 4 weeks, as we do at Alcor).

4. Prepare a job description.

In your job description, offer detailed information to attract top talent who will help you bring your product to the next level. That’s also when you should come up with the benefits you’ll offer to your new hires. And if you need assistance with this, turn to local recruiters.

5. Sync up with tech recruiters.

Make sure that you’re in tune with recruiters and that they understand all your requirements. At this stage, discuss the number of interview stages, the interviewers, and the additional candidate information you require beyond their CV.

6. Conduct interviews.

Working with a recruitment agency gives you the chance to conduct interviews on your own. The recruiters may provide you with the best candidates, but you will assess their skills. Moreover, it is entirely up to you to determine the number and type of interview stages.

7. Share feedback.

After you’ve interviewed the candidate, share your opinion with the recruiters. They need your feedback to know what to say to the candidate and to determine whether they need to fine-tune anything.

8. Make an offer to appropriate candidates.

Once you’ve found a software developer for hire, think thoroughly before making a final decision. At the same time, avoid unjustified delays while you’re considering so that your candidate doesn’t accept another offer in the meantime.

9. Work with counteroffers & offer rejections, if any.

At this point, you may encounter counteroffers and rejections. It happens when the candidate’s current employer tries to retain them by offering better pay, a different position, or other benefits. Professional recruiters often address counteroffers by discussing the developer’s motivations and goals, emphasizing how your company aligns with them.

10. You’ve got a hire and can start working.

The process is quite straightforward and delivers outstanding results if you find a vendor who meets the promised standards.

As you can see, this process is quite lengthy if you work through a traditional recruiting agency. However, you can significantly shorten the timeline by working through the R&D model, where the provider handles interviews, makes offers, addresses counteroffers, and ensures a smooth, easy onboarding process.

So, work smarter, not harder.

Where to Look for Developers in Ukraine

Finding developers in Ukraine is easier when you know where to look. Tech communities and marketplaces like DOU, Djinni, and dev.ua give you direct access to engineers from 20+ local tech clusters, including Kyiv, Lviv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Odesa. For short-term or project-based work, Ukrainian and global freelance platforms such as Freelancehunt, Freelance.ua, Upwork, Freelancer, and Toptal work well. If you prefer inbound candidates, classic job boards (Work.ua, Robota.ua, Jobs.ua, Jooble) are a strong channel – provided your job ads, EVP, and employer brand are compelling. Finally, R&D providers like Alcor offer a more hands-off option, leveraging large internal databases (253,000+ pre-vetted candidates in our case) and full-cycle recruiting while leaving you to make the final hiring decision.

1. Tech communities & marketplaces

Nowadays, it’s easier than ever to hire developers in Ukraine, thanks to well-developed tech communities like DOU and tech marketplaces like Djinni and dev.ua. They give employers access to software developers from over 20 tech clusters in Ukraine, including those in Kyiv, Lviv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Odesa, Zaporizhzhia, Vinnytsia, and others.

2. Freelance platforms

You can also find local developers on Ukrainian and global freelance platforms like Freelancehunt, Freelance.ua, Upwork, Freelancer, and Toptal. Yet this method is best for finding short-term team members for specific tasks and projects.

3. Job boards

Job boards are a popular option for finding Ukrainian developers, with classic choices such as Work.ua, Robota.ua, Jobs.ua, and Jooble.To attract the right candidates, it’s essential to create a compelling job ad, have a strong EVP, and establish a distinctive employer brand in the Ukrainian market.

4. R&D providers

Another way to work with Ukrainian developers isto hire them throughR&D providers. Such companies have large tech recruitment departments and internal networks with hundreds of thousands of candidates. At Alcor, we have a database of 253,000+ highly skilled, pre-vetted candidates, from which we select those who will create the perfect match for your team. Moreover, an R&D vendor typically handles the entire hiring process, but the final decision is still up to you.

So, it’s time for the final question: Are you ready to hire Ukrainian A-players with Alcor?