India vs. Poland: IT & Software Development Outsourcing Comparison

India and Poland are two of the most popular destinations for IT offshoring. They have earned a great reputation for their thriving IT sectors, skilled professionals and competitive pricing, positioning them as key players in the outsourcing industry.

If you’re exploring outsourcing opportunities for software development, your initial research likely involves a detailed analysis of countries and their unique characteristics. This scrutiny is essential, as the chosen location significantly impacts the outcome of your outsourcing endeavors.

To get a good overview of some possibilities and to narrow it down to your favorites, check out the Top 10 Countries for Software Development Outsourcing!

Should you find yourself weighing the pros and cons of India and Poland for your software development needs, you’re in the right place. This guide aims to provide a comprehensive overview of each country’s strengths, distinctions, and potential impacts on your business. By the end of this blog post, you’ll be equipped to make an informed decision on whether to entrust your software development to a team from India or Poland. Let’s dive right in!

India vs. Poland: Differences Uncovered

At Euvic, Inc., we not only provide software development services from Poland, but also from other popular outsourcing destinations. As a result, we’ve got a great understanding of the differences between both countries and can assist you with tips from our own experience.

We’ve divided the comparison in 6 different categories that we believe will have the greatest impact on your success:

• Global rankings and talent recognition,
• IT demographics,
• English proficiency and cultural values,
• Standard of security and data protection,
• Salaries and value for money,
• And lastly, the individual approach to software development.

1. Global Rankings and Talent Recognition

Let’s find out how each country ranks in an international comparison.

India has long been a major player in the global outsourcing industry, especially in IT. The country has a large pool of skilled professionals, a robust IT infrastructure, and competitive pricing, making it a top choice for many international companies.

Poland, in recent years, has also gained recognition as an outsourcing destination, especially in the IT sector. Poland offers a combination of skilled IT professionals, a favorable business environment, and cultural compatibility with Western European countries. It has been increasingly seen as a premier strategic outsourcing partner.

One frequently cited ranking comparing the overall quality of developer skills is HackerRank.

In a comparison of 50 different countries, this is how India and Poland ranked, compared to the US:

Poland – Ranked 3rd
United States – Ranked 28th
India – Ranked 31st

As you can see, both nations are a good choice for outsourcing your software development.
That being said, let’s dive into the differences…

2. IT Demographics in Poland vs. India

With a population of over 1.4 billion, India has a huge advantage over Poland, with only about 38 million.

India not only ranks second globally in terms of population, but also when it comes to the number of developers. With 5.8 million people, India has the largest pool of developers outside of China.

Poland, on the other hand, with around 300k developers, features the greatest number of IT professionals in Central and Eastern Europe.

It is important to put these numbers into perspective. If you are trying to outsource business processes or IT call centers, then volume matters. But if you are trying to design a technical solution for your banking platform, the volume of people is less important as compared to the quality of expertise.

In both countries, there is a big pool of experts to choose from. Focus on finding experts that align with your project’s needs and the skill sets required.

3. English Proficiency and Shared Cultural Values

This leads us to the next topic: English proficiency and shared cultural values. In order to get the most out of a collaboration, it is essential that there are no language barriers or cultural discrepancies that may lead to misunderstandings.

You need a reliable partner who shares the same work ethic and standards as you.

English is the sole official language of the Indian Judiciary, and it’s also an official language in seven states and seven union territories of India. However, the English language level varies extremely throughout the country. In the English Proficiency Index 2023 (EF EPI), the world’s largest ranking of countries and regions by English skills, India only ranks 60th within the field of “moderate proficiency”.

In terms of cultural values, in India there is often a greater emphasis on hierarchy and authority in the workplace than in the US.

Another crucial difference is communication style. In the US, communication tends to be more direct and to-the-point, while in India, there is typically a greater emphasis on politeness and indirect communication. This can lead to misunderstandings.

Just like that, you will notice some differences in work mentality and communication style between Polish and American workers as well. People from Eastern Europe, including Poland tend to be very honest and direct. They typically prioritize task execution over self-promotion, and small talk is not really a thing. This may be considered rude from a Westerner’s perspective, but isn’t something you can’t get used to. Despite these distinctions, the cultural traits align well with Western values.

Poland ranks 13th in the English Proficiency Index 2023 – “high proficiency”, so on average, Polish people speak English better than people from India. Overall, the English language level of people of both countries is sufficient to make a collaboration work, with some noticeable differences.

Ultimately, it’s all about learning the work culture, so you know what to expect, and the willingness to understand the differences and adapt.

4. Standard of Security and Data Protection

Let’s take a look at the standard of security and data protection. These topics are vital for companies due to legal obligations, safeguarding customer trust, and preserving their reputation.

The Indian IT environment is known for data breach cases. On average, each organization in India was attacked 2,157 times per week in the last six months, compared to 1,139 attacks per organization globally, according to a recent report.

India’s International IP Index by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s is 38.64 out of 100, mostly because of an underresourced judiciary, that makes it difficult to enforce IP rights in India and to resolve IP-related disputes.

In the Cyber Defense Index 2022/23, a ranking of 20 of the world’s major economies according to their collective cybersecurity assets, organizational capabilities, and policy stances, India placed 17th – far behind Poland.

Poland ranked 6th, ahead of countries like the United Kingdom and Switzerland.
Poland is a member of the EU, and therefore has to follow strict legal frameworks like the GDPR, IP, and copyright laws that provide a safe foundation.

Furthermore, Poland’s International IP Index by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s is 70.74 out of 100, recognizing it as one of the safest among popular outsourcing destinations.

It is safe to say that the standard of security and data protection in Poland is far better than in India. It is comparable to the US, so outsourcing to Poland is definitely a safe choice.

5. Salaries and Value for Money

As the global demand for skilled professionals continues to grow, labor costs are also on the rise. IT outsourcing presents a valuable chance to break free from this escalating cost trend. So let’s take a look at the typical hourly rates for developers in India and Poland.

In India, the average yearly salary for software developers ranges from approx $7,725 per year. Just like the hourly rates, the spectrum of quality and expertise varies a lot across the country. You can find exceptional software developers in India, though most of them will charge rates that are about as high as they are in Western countries.

In Poland, the average salary is comparatively higher at $22,740 per year. You will get the perfect balance of high quality work and affordability, while benefiting from high expertise and specialization.

Poland is not the cheapest place to outsource work but one with the best value for money. Thanks to a big pool of highly skilled professionals, you can access a comprehensive range of services, covering everything from fundamental tasks to intricate, sophisticated assignments.

Relying solely on pricing is a major mistake we see companies make. Realizing the price-to-result is more important than low salaries is a game-changer for every serious business.

For reliable, secure and high quality results, you should consider more factors than just pricing.

Learn more about hourly rates in popular IT outsourcing countries and why we think it is not the most significant factor.

6. Individual Approach to Software Development

Last but not least, let’s compare each country’s individual approach to software development. As it’s often the case, there is no right or wrong. At the end of the day, what matters is that the approach of the destination you choose aligns with the results you are looking for.

Indian developers are usually very fast. They will do their best to deliver a solution as soon as possible, no questions asked.

In order to get the best results, you should hire a local software engineering manager who has strong communication skills. Make sure to communicate your tasks precisely, leaving little room for ambiguity.

In Poland, on the other hand, expect people to analyze your requirements thoroughly before starting on the job. The Polish business culture prioritizes achieving an optimal outcome. To ensure that, you will probably be asked a few questions about your business and what you’re looking for.

The approach to software development is very different in both countries.
Polish workers typically focus on the best outcome. Their solution will be well thought-through with little to no careless mistakes. You probably won’t find anybody quicker than Indian developers, but the outcome may not be satisfactory in all cases as speed in coding does not equal getting projects done faster. Without proper engineering, speed leads to impactful risks like careless mistakes that affect the user experience or bugs that need to be fixed which in the end may even extend release time.

Conclusion: Outsourcing India vs. Poland:

What’s the Better Choice for Your Business?
You’ve come here to figure out what the major differences between India and Poland are.

The choice between India and Poland for outsourcing development hinges on specific project requirements, budget considerations, cultural preferences, and the desired level of proximity.

A thorough evaluation of these factors, coupled with a clear understanding of the strengths each country brings to the table, is crucial in making an informed decision that aligns with the goals and needs of your development project.

You will find highly skilled developers in both countries who speak English well enough to provide a solid foundation for a fruitful collaboration.

Since Poland is part of the EU, people there are generally very conscious of the strict data protection regulations such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Intellectual Property laws they are obliged to follow. These rules provide a big advantage over India, a country which frequently suffers data breaches in the IT world.

Overall, outsourcing your IT and software development projects to either India or Poland is a great opportunity to bring your business to the next level.

An important factor in this context is to pick a great service provider.

Successful IT outsourcing relies on collaboration, communication, and careful planning. We are here to help you. It’s on you to pick the right partner and set yourself up for success.

At Euvic, Inc., we can take you by the hand and walk you through all steps necessary to be perfectly prepared for your one-off or ongoing software development projects and needs.

Check out our service portfolio, client work, and about page to learn more.

Give us a call or reach out using the contact form.