Pros and Cons of IT Outsourcing in UAE
As the central tech hub for the MENA region, what do IT outsourcing companies in UAE have to offer? What is it like working with them? Here’re a few things to keep in mind.
The pros
- Access to 250,000 of the highest-quality developers in MENA. Dubai attracts many global workers, including tech leads, project managers, and some of the top senior developers.
- Wide range of services, spanning from custom development to IT-related services.
- A reliable ICT infrastructure for your project as the government actively invests to improve and encourage tech adoption.
- A trusted quality as they scored 63.26/100 for software development skills in the Global Competitiveness Index.
- It’s cost-effective as outsourcing in Dubai is much more maintainable than having an in-house team. You can opt for a complete outsourcing service or co-outsourcing.
The cons
With a plentiful supply of developers and regulatory support in doing business, Dubai and UAE are promising for your project. Despite all that, they have some downsides, making other IT outsourcing countries, such as Vietnam, a better alternative.
- Most of their IT talent pool are foreigners. The region is dealing with a great lack of native workers. While 90% of Dubai IT outsourcing companies also outsource their team from 2 to 4 other countries, only 10% have a native team.
- Higher hourly rates compared to other outsourcing countries as Dubai is one of the most expensive cities in the world.
- They might not be the best choice for niche and complex frameworks and languages such as Scala, Angular, SQL, etc. The most used ones are JavaScript, PHP, .NET and Python.
Which projects are best for IT outsourcing in Dubai
Every outsourcing destination has its best and not-so-good; the key is to find what it excels in and how it can use that expertise for your projects.
Here’s when you should hire IT outsourcing companies in Dubai and UAE:
- Nearshore outsourcing partner: A similar culture, working style, and close time zone can help you quickly link up with their team.
- Managed and support services: They excel in computer networking, maintaining IT infrastructure, and cloud setup.
- AI, IoT, and cybersecurity projects: Their government highly supports these technologies, driving a large workforce to grow.
- Mobile, web and eCommerce development are the most common services.
- Industry-focused solution: the UAE is known for their work in digitally transforming government, public sector, transportation, aviation, healthcare, and education. They are actively pushing AI and IoT adoption in these industries, providing smart and quick experiences for their citizens, customers, and tourists.
The golden list of 10 best IT outsourcing companies in Dubai
Now that you’ve known which projects IT outsourcing companies in Dubai excel in, let’s find the top contenders of each aspect. And hopefully you can find one that is best for you!
*Click on the name of the company to learn more details about them!
| Company | Talent | Pricing | Best for | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eurisko | 150 | $50 – $99/hr | Mobile, Web, AI, AR/VR | 4.7 (Clutch) |
| Cubezix | 200 | N/A | IT & security support | 4.3 (Google) |
| Techgropse | 200 | Avg $50K per project | Mobile development | 4.8 (Clutch) |
| Ibtevolve | 600 | Avg $50K per project | BPO, IT support | 4.3 (Google) |
| ParamInfo | 200 | $50/hr | Enterprise-grade software | 5.0 (Google) |
| Shakuro | 100 | $50 – $99/hr | Mobile App & Web Development | 5.0 (Clutch) |
| Verbat | 80 | $50/hr | Custom & eCommerce | 4.0 (Clutch) |
| Diginix | 80 | Avg $50K per project | Industry-focus software | 5.0 (Clutch) |
| GSIT | 75 | N/A | IT operation | N/A |
| AUN Digital | 50 | $5/hr | Web design & development | 5.0 (Clutch) |
1. Eurisko
Founded in 2010, Eurisko has been developing international-level solutions through cutting edge technologies. The company is recognized by Clutch as a Top Artificial Intelligence Company and Top AR/VR Development Company in Gaming in Dubai.
Eurisko’s team includes 150 experts with 13 years of experience in different fields. You can tap into their expertise across diverse domains, including Mobile App Development, Enterprise Web Development, AI, Metaverse, AV/VR, and UX/UI.
The company mainly offers IT outsourcing services in MENA countries. Its team works collaboratively and delivers tailored solutions to enterprises in Fintech, Entertainment, Retail, Healthcare, eCommerce, eGovernment, Media, and communication.
Good & Bad: Despite getting praises for their deliveries and working style, many clients think this IT outsourcing company in UAE should improve their agile methodology and project management to response better to deadlines.
2. CubeZix
CubeZix is one of Dubai’s best IT outsourcing companies. Their skilled staff stands out not only because of high-quality support and optimal project management but also thanks to their care for time efficiency and data security.
With prompt support and cutting-edge approach, CubeZix helps businesses stay ahead, making the tech agency the reliable choice for IT outsourcing in Dubai.
Here’s what you can do with them:
- Full-service IT outsourcing.
- Co-sourcing with an in-house IT team or with other vendors.
- IT support services for network, server, hosting, and infrastructure support.
- Maintenance and security support.
- Custom Microsoft 365 software and web design
- Cloud solution
Good & Bad: Development-related tasks can be a weaker link for Cube team. However, if you are looking for a long-term IT partner to daily operate your tech infrastructure, they are decent.
3. Techgropse
With over 200 technicians on board, Techgropse have delivered over 1000+ nearshoring to offshoring outsourcing projects. Working with Techgropse, you can opt for a full-fledge team or hire specialized developers. They excel in Flutter, ReactJS, React Native, Laravel, PHP, Angular, Node, Python, Golang and Vue.
Best known for their mobile app work, Techgropse work with business of all sizes. This flexibility is what makes them stand out. They can work well with the dynamic and fast pace of startups environment, while adhering to the complex requirement of enterprises.
One of their notable works is Moonoa, a sleep tracking app that gets a total of 8 million downloads on every store.
Good & Bad: Despite good quality work, many clients think the high price is one of the biggest barriers working with the team, based on Clutch reviews.
4. Ibtevolve
Customers can sign an outsourcing contract with IBT‘s experts. Despite having a variety of outsourcing solutions, they mostly focus on IT managed and IT support niches. You can hire them for business process automation, IT equipment and network installation, network maintenance, and remote assistance.
Most of IBT IT’s clients are middle-sized and small businesses. These businesses and entrepreneurs come from industries such as Government, Banking, Retail, Healthcare, Education, Insurance, and many more.
Good & Bad: Of course, Ibtevolve is reliable in their domain, the BPO, other services might get mixed review.
5. Paraminfo
Paraminfo is one of the best IT outsourcing companies in Dubai, with offices expanding across the Middle East, India, and the USA. They provide consulting, IT services, and custom IT solutions with a team dedicated to delivering high-quality results, fostering successful projects, and cultivating long-term relationships.
Clients can experience outstanding Paraminfo’s IT outsource services, including Nearshore, Offshore, and Onshore Outsourcing solutions. Unlike other contenders on this list, Paraminfo focuses on serving enterprises and mid-size businesses.
Here’s what you can do with them:
- IT managed services
- Software, Mobile app & Web development
6. Shakuro
Outsourcing companies in Dubai always attempt to push the boundaries for unconventional solutions and Shakuro is no exception. With over 150 skilled team members, Shakuro has completed half a thousand projects in 17 business years.
Sharkuro blends imagination and technical expertise to transform brands commercially and culturally. The company values a client’s trust and considers clients’ success as the achievement and motivation to move forward.
Swyft, a partner of Shakuro, requested custom software development and UI/UX design. The team handled overflow and core development tasks, followed by executing UI development with ReactJS.
Good & Bad: Many clients reported struggling to figure out Shakuro’s pricing terms. Even though they communicate clearly and straightforwardly during work, they might be in a fog when discussing payments.
7. Verbat
Based in Dubai, Verbat specializes in innovative solutions that help streamline operations, boost productivity, and improve business. The outsourcing agency has worked restlessly for over 23 years. They completed 2,500 successful projects with clients from Finance, Manufacturing, NGOs, Retails, and many other emerging verticals.
Verbat’s core services include:
- Sofware and Mobile development.
- BI analytics & AI solutions.
- Web Hosting Solutions.
- AI and machine learning adoption.
- Microsoft support.
At the request of Execujet Aviation Group, Verbat developed a real-time global business call tracking system for employees. The system provided accurate trend analysis and cost accounting, optimizing usage for employees and managers alike.
8. Diginix – AI
Being the leading IT outsourcing company in Dubai for software development, Diginix-AI is surely a strong contender on this list. The company has successfully created highly customized solutions and received praise from its clientele, especially for their result-oriented mindset, responsibility and dedication.
Their team works with middle-sized and small business partners in eCommerce and, infrequently, Government. Some commonly requested services are:
- eCommerce solutions.
- Web development.
- Industry-focused software development for public sector, legal, education, real estate, healthcare.
- Consulting and IoT development.
Good & Bad: The majority of bad reviews surround their project management method, however there isn’t that many negative reports.
9. GSIT
As a prominent IT outsourcing company in Dubai, GS-IT specializes in managing and supporting business-level IT procedures. The tech agency has offered comprehensive services tailored to unique business needs for over a decade.
Most GS-IT’s solutions are cost-efficient and highly secure. They safeguard businesses through controlling and maintaining IT operations, while actively keeping clients abreast of the latest technologies. Their clients are from sectors like Government, Hospitality and Healthcare.
10. AUN Digital
One of the most prominent IT outsourcing companies in Dubai is AUN Digital for web design and development. With unmatched expertise, cost-efficiency, resilience in technology, and scalability, entrepreneurs can rely on AUN Digital to elevate their businesses.
Whether clients are enterprises, midmarkets, or small businesses, AUN Digital offers innovative IT outsourcing solutions crafted with dedication, expertise, and innovation. Thanks to this, they have been loved by renowned clients across industries for nearly two decades and have locked 450+ digital projects.
Common IT outsourcing models in Dubai and what’s best for you
One way to see how IT outsourcing works in Dubai is through their cooperation model. They are mostly focused on project-based types with:
- Fixed-price model for mid-size to large projects with a clear set of defined rules and minimal flexibility.
- Time & material pricing model for small, highly flexible and scalable projects.
In addition, most IT outsourcing companies in Dubai also offer one or two other options which (1) you can get a full developer team on deck (you’ve already had a manager in-house) or (2) hire only a small part that your in-house team lack of or to co-outsource with other vendors.
- Eurisko, Paraminfo: Staff augmentation, Dedicated team
- Cubezix: Dedicated team, Co-outsource with other vendors
- Techgropse, Shakuro, Verbat, GSIT, AUN digital: Dedicated team
- Ibtevolve, Diginix: Staff augmentation
To know which is best for your projects, keep in mind that:
- Control of your projects: Staffing > Dedicated team > Project-based
- Flexibility and freedom to scale your team: Staffing > Dedicated team > Project-based
- Vendor responsibility for the deadline and quality of the project outcome: Staffing < Dedicated team < Project-based
You should read our guidance on the differences between each type of IT outsourcing model.
How much does it cost to hire Dubai developers?
On average, the salary of Dubai developers can range from $50,000 to $140,000 per year, depending on roles and levels. See this picture to learn more details.
Of course, the price will be different when hiring an IT outsourcing company in Dubai. You should expect a Dubai junior developer to charge from $25 to $40 per hour, $35 to $60 per hour for a mid-level developer and $50 to $80 per hour for senior and leader roles.
This is the price for standard IT services and custom development. The price can be higher if you want something more advanced, such as AI development, enterprise-grade applications, or cybersecurity.
Among the many tips to reduce and optimize your development cost, the best one you can do is to consider outsourcing to a lower-cost region.
This doesn’t mean Dubai is not good, but IT outsourcing in Dubai might be a better option for someone with a solid financial background. You can still get a high-quality developer (or even better) with less budget in other regions.
Vietnam as an affordable and quality alternative
Not so far away from Dubai, Vietnam has recently become the favored destination for IT outsourcing, with over 500,000+ native developers and 60% of them are mid-level and senior developers, placing as them among the top developers worldwide.
They are exceptional in creating IoT, AI, Blockchain and Fintech products, along with custom software development. The best part? You can easily onboard Vietnamese developers from $20 to $50 per hour or at $10,000 per project.
Their diverse tech adoption surely outweighs Dubai. Vietnam can work it all. And Synodus is proud to be the leading outsourcing vendor in this region!
With 88% client satisfaction, our team of 250+ developers are ready for your critical projects. Leveraging blockchain, IoT, data, low-code, cloud and an extensive tech stack, we can work with anything from custom development, staffing to dedicated product development team.
Let us:
- Slashed your development budget by 30% while maintaining a high-quality product!
- Build faster and save your resources, like how we created a Workflow automation system in 10 weeks with 4 developers.
When choosing a partner, you must ensure your project has all qualified brains on deck. IT outsourcing companies in Dubai can be a decent choice for IT support, security, and simple development projects. However, you might want to consider other regions for something more advanced.
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