Why LATAM Companies Outsource Kotlin Multiplatform to Europe?

However, what happens if they need to launch an app quickly but lack the expertise for the required technology? And what if a limited budget becomes one of the main challenges? These are just some of the reasons why cross-platform development has become so popular in the LATAM region, and particularly why there is high demand for Kotlin Multiplatform (KMP).

In this blog, we’ll clarify what exactly KMP is, why it is especially beneficial for LATAM companies to outsource KMP developers from Europe, and whether it’s the right technology for your app.

Why LATAM businesses choose Kotlin Multiplatform?

Although Kotlin Multiplatform (KMP) isn’t brand new, it gained significant popularity across Latin America in recent years. The reason for this is that KMP solves the most common mobile app development problems faced by startups and businesses.

Startups in Brazil, Mexico, and Colombia often want to launch an MVP or a full app as quickly as possible to start monetizing it, but at the same time, they don’t want to compromise on quality by focusing only on app development speed. They may also have a limited budget and cannot afford native code for both platforms, iOS and Android, so they initially choose to develop just one.

KMP is exactly the solution that addresses all these problems at once and accelerates business growth. Now, let's list the main Kotlin Multiplatform benefits:

Cost-effective development

By eliminating the need for separate teams, you need fewer developers and hours to build your cross-platform app. This leads to savings of approximately 30-50% in development costs compared to the native approach. It is an especially suitable option for startups with limited budgets.

Faster MVP launch

You can have your MVP in just one month and, therefore, start validating your idea much faster than if you were waiting for a separate MVP version for each platform. In case you want to visualize your app and gather user feedback even before investing in MVP development, try this AppBuilder online tool.

Native features and performance

People sometimes worry that Kotlin Multiplatform won’t provide a native experience as traditional native development. There is no need to worry because KMP allows direct access to each platform’s unique features and APIs, so your app’s functionality will be just as responsive as a fully native one.

This is the main difference when it comes to the dilemma "React Native vs. Kotlin Multiplatform" - KMP developers create native UIs for each platform (using Swift for iOS and Kotlin for Android), giving them complete flexibility and ensuring the app looks and feels exactly as it should on each platform. With React Native UI components, you can build faster, but this can sometimes lead to performance issues.

Shared code

There is no need to write separate native code for each platform; the same business logic is used to write a code once and run it both on iOS and Android. Kotlin language is used for the shared logic across platforms, but platform-specific code will still be written using native languages like Swift for iOS and Kotlin for Android.

Easy shift from native to KMP

If you want to migrate from native to cross-platform and cut development costs, Kotlin Multiplatform allows for gradual migration rather than requiring a complete rewrite of your app. This means you can move parts of your app's logic to KMP while maintaining the rest of the native codebase.

If you already have a Kotlin-based app, there is less work on Android code and the migration to Kotlin Multiplatform will be much easier and faster.

Kotlin Multiplatform offers LATAM startups a strategic advantage to stay competitive and innovate alongside more developed countries in the tech space.

Why outsource Kotlin Multiplatform development to Europe?

While LATAM has a growing tech ecosystem, KMP specialists are still relatively scarce, making European developers a more reliable option for complex cross-platform projects.

It doesn’t matter whether you already have an in-house team and want to extend it or you need a full development team to build a mobile app from scratch - KMP developers from Europe are usually the most cost-effective option. But why Europe and not hire developers from the USA?

Companies from Brazil, Mexico, Columbia, and other LATAM countries generally don’t outsource to the USA due to high development costs. Although you can hire high-quality developers from the USA, Europe also has strong technical expertise, and you can outsource KMP developers at a lower cost.

Here are some reasons why Latin American companies outsource Kotlin Multiplatform services to Europe:

Already a strong community of KMP developers

Cross-platform technologies have been widely used in Europe for a longer time compared to LATAM. European developers and companies have been early adopters of frameworks like Kotlin Multiplatform, Flutter, and React Native, which is why they develop apps that are both affordable and easy to scale.

Countries like Serbia, Poland, and Romania have universities and tech hubs that produce highly skilled app developers who are experienced in modern frameworks and best practices.

Time zone compatibility

Eastern Europe (Serbia, Poland, Romania, etc.) is typically 5–7 hours ahead of major LATAM countries like Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico. This means when a LATAM team starts their workday, their European developers have already begun working, allowing for daily sync-ups, faster issue resolution, and real-time collaboration.

Unlike hiring developers from India, where the time difference can be 10+ hours, Europe allows for communication at the same time, making it easier to work in agile development cycles.

Code of high quality

European developers are known for writing clean and efficient code that makes apps work without bugs. They have worked on complex cross-platform projects across various industries, from fintech and healthcare to e-commerce and SaaS.

It’s important to find developers you can trust to ensure the entire development process goes as agreed, and that can be challenging when you don’t have the same level of control as with an in-house team. Many European teams use modern work methods like agile development, which means they are working in small steps, constantly improving, and adjusting based on feedback.

Lower cost than hiring developers from the USA

One of the biggest reasons LATAM companies outsource to Europe instead of the USA is cost-effectiveness. Cheaper doesn’t mean lower quality. The market in the USA is simply more expensive. Developers in Europe have the same expertise and can even offer better quality, depending on how carefully you choose a mobile app development company.

You can get a high-quality iOS app and Android app development team without exceeding your budget.

What are the best European countries for outsourcing KMP development?

No one can claim that the best developers come from a specific country, as it depends on how much someone invests in their education and how much experience they have. Great app developers can be found all over the world, and the price is not the deciding factor for their expertise.

However, if we take into account factors such as a strong tech ecosystem, cost per developer hour, and high-quality talent, the following countries in Europe stand out for outsourcing Kotlin Multiplatform development:

Poland

The country has a strong tech ecosystem where many tech companies and startups grow. Many Polish developers specialize in mobile development and cross-platform technologies like Kotlin Multiplatform. The country’s high-quality talent, together with reasonable development costs compared to Western Europe, makes Poland an excellent choice for outsourcing KMP development.

Serbia

Serbia has become an increasingly popular destination for IT outsourcing, especially for mobile app development. Developers in Serbia are known for their strong technical expertise and experience with modern technologies, including Kotlin Multiplatform. The country has a growing tech ecosystem, with universities producing highly skilled graduates in computer science and software engineering.

With competitive rates compared to Western Europe and the USA, it is an attractive option to hire developers from Serbia if you're seeking quality at a lower cost.

Romania

Romania has been a prominent outsourcing destination for many years. With a well-established IT industry, the country offers a highly educated workforce and competitive rates for development services. Romanian developers have a strong reputation for delivering high-quality software solutions, and the country is known for its deep expertise in areas such as mobile app development and cross-platform solutions.

Ukraine

The country has a large pool of developers skilled in a wide range of programming languages, including Kotlin development services and other cross-platform technologies. Ukrainian developers are known for their problem-solving abilities and technical depth, making them an excellent choice for complex mobile app development projects.

Tips for LATAM companies on how to best outsource app development

Whether you're a startup looking to launch an MVP quickly or an established company wanting to expand its development team, outsourcing allows you to access skilled developers without the costs of hiring an in-house team. However, outsourcing software developers comes with challenges like choosing the right development partner and maintaining code quality.

Here are some steps you must not forget when outsourcing app development:

Choose the right engagement model

Depending on your project needs, you can outsource a team to fully handle development, hire developers to extend an existing in-house team, or use a project-based model when you have clear requirements.

If you have a complex app and need a long-term partner, a dedicated development team is the right model for you. You get a whole team of developers, UI/UX designers, and a project manager to work on your app.

If you already have an in-house team but lack specific expertise or resources, team extension allows you to hire external developers to work alongside your team. This model is perfect if you're facing tight deadlines or need specific technical expertise like Kotlin Multiplatform.

If you have a well-defined app idea with clear requirements, you should look for a project-based model and arrange a fixed budget and development time. It is a good choice if you have only an idea but not technical expertise, and you need rapid development for MVP.

Double-check development partner

Before you look at company websites, keep in mind exactly what you're looking for: whether it is industry knowledge, the specific technologies and app development services they offer, case studies and experience with previous clients, the team you will be working with, or anything else that is the most important for your needs.

And don't forget to check the company's LinkedIn profile! You can often get a better sense of the entire team you'll be working with by looking at their social media profiles. Communication with team members is very important, and it is a good way to build trust with the developers you are working with.

Also, don’t hesitate to reach out to past clients they’ve worked with to get additional insights.

Here you can find more tips when finding the right development partner.

Ask for regular progress updates

You want to have full control over the process and avoid potential risks; that's why you should keep track of all mobile app projects.

Many development partners don’t provide progress updates, which doesn’t necessarily mean they’re off track, it could simply be due to a lack of a well-structured communication process. From the start, make sure to request regular check-ins and use tools like Slack for daily communication, Jira/Trello for task and progress tracking, and Google Docs/Figma for sharing designs and documentation. Also, ensure they use agile methodologies so changes can be easily made.

Check for experience with Kotlin Multiplatform

KMP is a powerful framework for sharing code across platforms (iOS and Android), but it also comes with its own set of challenges. Experienced KMP developers will more easily overcome these challenges and handle the difficulties of Kotlin development.

Look for developers from Europe who have significant experience in Kotlin Multiplatform development, and even better if they have experience in the industry your app belongs to. This way, the chances are higher they will complete the specific tasks your project requires, and you can be confident that your iOS and Android apps will meet user needs and stay ahead of the competition.

Conclusion

The LATAM region has seen a 50% increase in the number of tech startups over the past five years, creating a demand for skilled developers.

Outsourcing Kotlin Multiplatform development to Europe has many advantages for LATAM companies who want to deliver cross-platform apps on high performance. Although the use of cross-platform technologies is on the rise in Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, and other LATAM region countries, it’s not as developed as some European markets when it comes to specialized expertise like Kotlin Multiplatform development.

European countries like Serbia, Poland, Romania, and Ukraine stand out due to their strong technical ecosystems, highly skilled developers, and competitive pricing compared to other regions. Their experience with Kotlin development ensures reliability, meaning the app will function flawlessly and meet user needs, whether it's built with native Kotlin or using Kotlin Multiplatform.

One of the proofs of how important it is to choose the right partner for your app development is the app that the Aetherius team developed for a client, which received recognition on national television. With shared code between iOS and Android platforms, KMP enabled faster development, allowing a client to launch his app more quickly, stay competitive, and start the monetization process sooner.

Want your app to be the next one to gain users' attention? Our KMP experts are here to help you monetize faster! Contact us, and let's start building your app today!