When it comes to building an iOS app, hiring Objective-C developers with the right expertise can mean the difference between success and failure for your project. As an essential programming language for maintaining and improving legacy iOS apps, Objective-C remains crucial for companies with existing code bases that need to be upgraded. But where should you look to find top Objective-C talent?
If you are considering hiring Objective-C developers, two of the best options in Latin America are São Paulo and Bogota. Both cities have competitive rates and time zones that are convenient for North American companies. However, key differences in cost, language skills, and business environment could influence your decision. Let's break it down so you can choose the best option for your team.
Find out more about the top 10 cities to outsource to Latin America.
Benefits of hiring Objective C developers
Objective-C is an object-oriented programming language based on C that was widely used to develop applications in the Apple ecosystem (iOS and macOS) before the arrival of Swift. Its syntax adds the object-oriented features of Smalltalk to C, allowing the creation of robust, modular software with high efficiency.
Objective C is essential for enterprises and startups if they have legacy applications they want to maintain or evolve without having to rewrite all the code. Its developers benefit from the ability to work with legacy libraries and SDKs and ensure continuity for projects with millions of lines of code. In addition, tight integration with Apple frameworks and high performance make Objective-C a stable and reliable choice.
Companies that need to hire Objective-C developers often do so to maintain existing applications, integrate new features, or transition gradually to Swift without disrupting operations. While many startups prefer modern languages such as Swift for new projects, Objective-C has a mature community and proven resources, is still in demand in the job market, and offers the flexibility to be combined with Swift in the same project.
Hire Objective C Developers in São Paulo vs Bogota
When considering hiring Objective C developers in Latin America, São Paulo and Bogotá stand out as two of the top choices. However, each city offers unique advantages and challenges that may influence the final decision. The following chart compares key factors to provide a clear view of the differences and help you determine which city best suits your needs.
The following are the key issues you should consider when comparing São Paulo and Bogota for hiring Objective-C developers. These issues include cost of hiring, time compatibility, language skills, and others, each of which significantly impacts your team’s performance and efficiency.
Cost of Hiring
Budget is often a key factor when you hire Objective C developers, especially for long-term projects that require ongoing memory management, debugging, and API integrations.
São Paulo: The average monthly cost for an Objective-C developer in São Paulo is around $6,250 USD, which can impact resource allocation for tasks such as Core Data optimization, UIKit enhancements, and Objective-C runtime performance tuning.
Bogota: In contrast, Bogota offers competitive rates, with costs at $7,500 USD per month, making it a cost-effective option for businesses looking to scale their iOS development teams while maintaining expertise in Xcode, multithreading, and Objective-C interoperability with Swift.
Find out more about the top 5 benefits of DevOps outsourcing in Latin America.
Time Zone Compatibility
Communication is essential in development projects, especially when working with Objective-C developers who need to collaborate on code reviews, debugging, and real-time API integrations.
São Paulo: Operates on Brasilia time, which is normally +2 hours ahead of Miami and +5 hours ahead of San Francisco. However, during DST, the difference is reduced to +1 hour with Miami and +4 hours with San Francisco. São Paulo developers can easily participate in real-time meetings with U.S. teams.
Bogota: Follows Colombian time, which is identical to Miami year-round and 3 hours ahead of San Francisco. Since Colombia does not observe Daylight Saving Time, companies working with Bogota enjoy a stable time difference, which is especially beneficial for asynchronous code reviews, bug tracking, and running CI/CD pipelines.
Learn more about why time zone overlap matters for LATAM outsourcing.
Talent Pool and Expertise
Access to highly skilled Objective-C developers is essential to ensure high quality code, and both São Paulo and Bogota have strong educational systems that contribute to their growing pools of tech talent.
São Paulo: As the most populous city in South America with more than 22 million people, São Paulo has a large talent pool. The city is home to 9 million students at institutions such as the University of São Paulo, ranked the second best university in Latin America. With a strong focus on computer science, software engineering and mobile application development, São Paulo consistently produces highly skilled developers who are proficient in Objective-C, UIKit and Core Data.
Bogota: Bogota's education system prioritizes quality and accessibility, fostering a competitive technology ecosystem. Leading institutions such as the Universidad de Los Andes offer specialized programs in iOS development, object-oriented programming, and software architecture. A hub for technological innovation, Bogota is home to 62% of Colombia's technology companies and produces more than 15,000 IT graduates annually, many of whom are skilled in memory management, API integration and Objective-C application debugging.
Language Proficiency
Clear communication is essential when working with Objective-C developers, especially for tasks like code documentation, debugging, and API integration. A developer's ability to read and write technical English fluently can significantly impact efficiency in pull requests, version control (Git), and collaboration on platforms like Jira or Slack.
São Paulo: Portuguese is the primary language in São Paulo, and while many developers have some proficiency in English, the country ranks #81 globally in English proficiency, with São Paulo scoring 501.
Bogota: Bogota places a stronger emphasis on English in the tech industry, ranking #74 globally, with a score of 513. Many Objective-C developers in Bogotá are accustomed to working with Xcode documentation, Stack Overflow discussions, and open-source repositories in English.
Cultural Compatibility
Understanding the cultural dynamics of São Paulo and Bogota is critical to fostering effective collaboration with Objective-C developers.
São Paulo: The Brazilian work culture emphasizes flexibility and creativity, and tends to operate in a relaxed, informal environment that encourages open communication and personal relationships. Brazilian companies maintain hierarchical structures, with decision-making often centralized at the top.
Bogota: Colombian work culture is characterized by formality, respect for hierarchy, and structured work processes. Punctuality is highly valued and meetings usually start on time, reflecting a commitment to efficiency and professionalism. It conforms well to business practices, making Bogota an attractive option for companies seeking an orderly work environment.
Want to learn more about hiring strategies? Read about staff augmentation services.
Our thoughts on the pricing structure of Toptal
While it's not possible for us to find details about how much of what a client pays ultimately goes to a candidate, we believe clients looking for transparent and straightforward pricing may want to look at other alternatives.
Our opinion is that if they are charging a client more than $12,000 monthly for a developer, they should at the very least be giving $9,600 to the candidate, but it's likely that it's even less than that.
What Hiring Managers Should Ask Before Choosing a Talent Partner
Before partnering with any talent provider — whether Toptal, Teilur, or others — hiring managers should consider asking the following key questions:
- What percentage of the fee actually goes to the talent?
- Are replacement or satisfaction guarantees included in the contract?
- How are regional salary benchmarks determined?
- Is there full transparency in how rates are broken down?
- What is the long-term cost difference between hiring directly and through a platform?
These questions can help businesses make informed decisions and ensure that pricing aligns with both market realities and ethical compensation practices.
FAQ
How can I hire developers?
To hire Objective C developers, you can use specialized platforms that connect you with qualified professionals for your needs.
How much does it cost to hire Objective C developers?
The cost varies according to location and experience. In Bogota, it is around $7,500 USD, while in São Paulo, it is around $6,250 USD.
How do I find developers for my startup?
You can find developers through online platforms, networking events, and by partnering with talent agencies specializing in tech recruitment.
What skills should I look for in an Objective-C developer?
Look for proficiency in Objective-C syntax, experience with iOS frameworks, understanding of memory management, and familiarity with version control systems like Git.
Conclusion
When deciding where to hire Objective C developers, both São Paulo and Bogota offer great advantages, but key differences in cost, time compatibility, and English proficiency may influence your choice. If your priority is cost efficiency while maintaining high technical standards in UIKit, Core Data, and Objective-C runtime performance, Bogota is an option with lower salaries and strong English skills. On the other hand, São Paulo offers access to a broader talent market with top universities, but at a higher cost.
To help you make the best decision, use the calculator below to estimate your costs and potential savings. For more details and personalized advice, please contact us.
