01GUIDE: NEARSHORE VS OFFSHORE
Nearshore vs Offshore: What Should You Compare?
Nearshore usually means working with a team in a nearby country; offshore usually means a more distant location. The right choice also depends on the people, working hours and way the project is managed.
02DETAIL
Location Is One Part of the Decision
Nearby countries can make it easier to share working hours. Still, ask each team about its actual availability, experience and communication. A location label does not establish those details.
- Onshore: a team in your country.
- Nearshore: a team in a nearby country.
- Offshore: a team in a more distant country.
03COMPARISON
Questions to Ask Either Team
Compare the proposal for your project instead of assuming that location guarantees a particular result.
| What to compare | Nearshore | Offshore |
|---|---|---|
| Working hours | Ask how many working hours overlap | Ask how meetings and urgent questions will be handled |
| Communication | Agree on people, language and review times | Agree on people, language and review times |
| Cost | Compare the full quote and work included | Compare the full quote and work included |
| Skills | Review the people proposed for the work | Review the people proposed for the work |
| Deliveries | Agree on how to review and test each delivery | Agree on how to review and test each delivery |
| Ownership | Check code, accounts and third-party licenses | Check code, accounts and third-party licenses |
04FOCUS
Choose the Way of Working Your Project Needs
Work that needs frequent discussion benefits from shared review time. More independent tasks still need clear written requirements and a way to check the work.
Related: add nearshore engineers to your team and hand a build to a nearshore team.
- Decide when the teams need to talk
- Ask who will make decisions and review deliveries
- Include onboarding and management in the cost comparison
05DETAIL
Review a First Project Together
Ask the team to walk you through the proposed work, communication and checks before committing to a larger engagement.
- 01
HOW OFTEN WILL THE WORK CHANGE?
Ask how the team handles new requirements and how those changes affect the price.
- 02
WHEN DO YOU NEED TO WORK TOGETHER?
List the meetings and decisions that need shared hours, then confirm the team’s availability.
- 03
WHO WILL DO THE WORK?
Discuss the people proposed for your project, their relevant work and who will review their deliveries.
- 04
WHAT WILL YOU OWN?
Ask which code, accounts and documents you receive, and which tools need separate licenses.
06QUESTIONS
Nearshore vs offshore, common questions
Does nearshore always mean the same working hours?
Ask about the actual hours the proposed team will work. Nearby locations can help with overlap, but the working arrangement still needs to be agreed.
Is offshore always cheaper?
Compare the quote, what it includes and the coordination the project needs. A location label is not a price.
How can I check the team’s experience?
Review relevant work, ask who contributed and discuss the people proposed for your project.
What should the proposal explain?
The work, responsibilities, communication, review process, price and ownership terms.
How do projects with Alliance ITS start?
We begin with a free review. Projects start at USD 4,000; the proposal explains the work and working arrangement.
07QUOTE
Tell Us What You Need
Tell us what you want to build or improve and which tools you use. We’ll review the project with you.
- Tell us what you need to improve
- We review the tools you use
- We explain the work we recommend and what it costs
08CONTACT
Let’s Review Your Project
Tell us what you want to improve. We’ll review it with you before preparing a proposal.