Ewan Byte Team
Software Development Experts
Similar rates, different strengths
India is the default choice for outsourcing software development to South Asia. Nepal is smaller and less known, with rates in a similar band and a different set of strengths. This comparison uses publicly listed rates rather than guesses, and is honest about where each country fits.
Hourly rates: what is publicly listed
Rates vary far more between companies than between the two countries, so treat every figure as a range.
- Nepal: the directory GoodFirms shows a median of around $37 per hour for listed Nepali firms, while Clutch lists Nepali companies from under $25 to over $100 per hour.
- India: outsourcing guides commonly quote $20 to $45 per hour, with well-known firms in the major tech cities charging more.
- US and Western Europe: typically several times these rates.
The honest summary: Nepal and India overlap. Nepal is not dramatically cheaper than India; both are far cheaper than hiring in the US, UK or Australia.
Why the hourly rate misleads
A lower rate does not mean a lower bill. Total cost depends on how many hours the work takes, how much rework is needed, and how much of your own time goes into managing the team. Ask for a fixed price on a defined scope whenever you can, and compare that. See fixed price vs dedicated team vs staff augmentation.
Where India is stronger
- Scale: teams of hundreds can be assembled quickly.
- Deep specialisation in almost every technology and industry.
- Vendors with the certifications large enterprises require.
Where Nepal is stronger
- Small and mid-sized projects get senior attention instead of being a minor account at a large vendor.
- Direct contact with the people writing the code.
- Less competition for developers than in the big Indian tech cities, which can mean a more stable team.
Time zone and communication
Nepal is at UTC+5:45 and India at UTC+5:30, so overlap with Europe, the Gulf, Australia and the US is effectively the same. English is the working language of software teams in both countries.
Costs people forget
- Your own time for specifications, reviews and testing.
- Changes in scope after the work starts.
- Hosting, third-party services and app store fees.
- Maintenance after launch.
Which should you choose?
Choose a large Indian vendor when you need scale, rare skills or enterprise certifications. Consider Nepal when the project is small to mid-sized, you want a close working relationship, and you would rather be an important client than a small one.
How Ewan Byte prices work
For businesses in Nepal we publish starting prices in rupees: see our website price guide. International projects are quoted in USD as a fixed price per project or a monthly rate for a dedicated team, after a call to understand the scope. Ask us for a quote.
