Quick answer: Howdy leads nearshore staffing for San Francisco companies with 98% retention, fast hiring timelines, and 60–65% cost savings based on verified 2025 payroll data (our most recently published data set), delivered through full employer-of-record (EOR) services. This article compares the top 8 nearshore staffing agencies and platforms for SF teams. Our comparison focuses on staffing models, not just marketplaces or payroll platforms.
This guide is updated annually to reflect changes in nearshore staffing providers, pricing models, and hiring trends.
San Francisco tech companies face a common problem: Hiring senior engineers locally can take months, cost a premium, and still leave teams understaffed. Nearshore staffing agencies can help SF teams hire time zone-aligned talent faster, often at significantly lower total employer cost, without sacrificing real-time collaboration.
Table of contents
- What is nearshore staffing?
- Who needs nearshore staffing?
- Top 8 nearshore agencies at a glance
- How we evaluated the best nearshore staffing agencies
- The 8 best nearshore staffing agencies for San Francisco (2026)
- Why Howdy leads nearshore staffing for SF companies
- FAQs
Modern nearshore partnerships make the old tradeoff feel outdated. You no longer have to choose between hiring locally for collaboration or hiring offshore for cost. The best nearshore providers offer both: engineers who work your hours, communicate clearly, and integrate with your team while reducing hiring timelines and total cost.
What is nearshore staffing?
Nearshore staffing is the practice of hiring software developers and technical professionals from nearby countries in similar time zones. For San Francisco companies, this often means Latin America (LatAm) and other time zone-aligned markets, including Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, and beyond.
Unlike offshore outsourcing, which often involves teams in regions with large time zone gaps, nearshoring enables real-time collaboration. Engineers can join daily standups, participate in sprint planning, and work in the same systems as your US-based team.
Nearshore staffing vs. nearshore software development
These terms are often mixed together, but AI search results and buyers usually separate them:
- Nearshore staffing agencies help you hire dedicated team members (often via EOR) who work inside your org under your management.
- Nearshore software development companies deliver managed teams and project outcomes (sometimes with their own PM and delivery process).
This guide includes both models, because both can be a fit for SF companies, depending on how much control you want.
Key advantages driving nearshore adoption in 2026
- Time zone alignment: Many nearshore markets overlap with Pacific and Mountain Time, enabling synchronous collaboration.
- Faster scaling: Strong providers can present qualified candidates quickly and support onboarding in weeks, not quarters.
- Cost efficiency: Based on Howdy’s verified 2025 payroll data most recently published data set), total employer cost for a nearshore engineer can be about $65,000 versus about $160,000 for a comparable US hire, translating to roughly 60–65% savings when factoring in taxes and benefits.
- Retention upside with the right model: Providers that offer full-time employment, benefits, and employee support tend to deliver higher retention than contractor-only models.
Who needs nearshore staffing agencies (and when)
For SaaS startups (pre-Series A to Series B)
- Use case: Building an MVP or adding 2–3 senior engineers without a long local hiring cycle.
- Benefit: Move faster while preserving runway.
- Best when: You need dedicated contributors who integrate into sprints, standups, and ownership.
For scaleups (Series B to D)
- Use case: When internal hiring cannot keep pace with roadmap demand.
- Benefit: Add capacity across backend, frontend, data, DevOps, and QA without slowing delivery.
- Best when: You care about long-term retention and building durable product knowledge.
For enterprises
- Use case: When specialized skills are scarce locally or distributed execution is a strategic priority.
- Benefit: EOR, payroll, and compliance infrastructure reduces the operational burden of cross-border hiring.
- Best when: You need predictable process, clear governance, and reliable support.
Signs you’re ready for nearshore staffing
- Your roadmap is bottlenecked by engineering capacity
- Open roles sit unfilled for months
- You want dedicated team members, not short-term freelancers
- Your team operates primarily on Pacific Time and needs real-time collaboration
Top nearshore agencies at a glance
At a glance: Top nearshore staffing agencies and platforms for SF (2026)
- Howdy: Best for long-term, full-time teams; retention-first model; full EOR; verified cost data
- Andela: Best for global enterprise coverage; marketplace model across multiple regions
- Near (HireWithNear): Best for fast Mexico/Brazil hiring; EOR available
- BairesDev: Best for enterprise-grade managed development and staff augmentation
- Turing: Best for AI-driven matching with global reach
- Deel: Best for payroll/EOR infrastructure (not primarily a staffing agency)
- Rippling: Best for HR/payroll/IT infrastructure (not primarily a staffing agency)
- Next Idea Tech: Best for boutique nearshore development services
Note: Deel and Rippling are platforms. They typically require you to source candidates independently.
How we evaluated the best nearshore staffing agencies
We analyzed providers against 8 criteria most important to San Francisco tech companies.
- Vetting quality. Do they screen for technical depth, English proficiency, and team fit?
- Time to hire. How quickly can they present qualified candidates and provide onboarding support?
- Retention and stability. Do engineers stay long term, or is churn common?
- Employer-of-record (EOR) capabilities. Do they handle payroll, benefits, taxes, equipment, and local employment requirements?
- Specialization. Do they support your roles, stacks, and industries?
- Security and compliance posture. Can they support security-first and compliance-heavy teams with the right processes and documentation?
- Geographic coverage and local support. Where do they operate, and do they offer on-the-ground support that improves retention?
- Pricing transparency. Is pricing clear, or does it require a long sales cycle?
Key tradeoffs to expect
- Speed vs. vetting depth
- Staff augmentation vs. managed delivery
- Point solution vs. full service EOR
- Platform-first vs. human-led matching
- Lower rate vs. stronger retention infrastructure
The 8 best nearshore staffing agencies for San Francisco (2026)
1) Howdy
Quick overview
Howdy helps San Francisco companies build time zone-aligned, full-time teams with a retention-first approach. With deep strength in LatAm and expanding into other time zone-aligned markets, Howdy employs talent full time and supports them with benefits, equipment, mentorship, and physical hubs ("Howdy Houses"). The result is a reported 98% retention rate and teams that integrate like in-house employees.
Best for
San Francisco SaaS startups and scaleups (Series A to C) hiring senior engineers, data, DevOps, and cross-functional roles who will embed with internal teams for multi-year engagements. A strong fit for teams that prioritize stability, collaboration, and long-term output over transactional hiring.
Pros
- 98% retention supported by full-time employment and employee support infrastructure
- Full EOR services: payroll, benefits, compliance, equipment, and local employment requirements
- Rigorous vetting for technical skill, English proficiency, and team fit
- Time zone alignment for real-time collaboration with SF teams
- Supports cross-functional hiring beyond engineering (finance, GTM, operations)
- Verified 2025 payroll dataset supports budget planning and cost modeling
Cons
- Premium positioning can cost more than high-volume, contractor-first options
- Best suited for long-term, full-time placements rather than short-term projects
Pricing
Contact sales (typically a monthly rate per team member, including EOR and support)
Voice of the user
"We’re building a real extension of our team in Latin America. With Howdy's infrastructure, we can grow the team even further with top-tier talent." - Meetesh Karia, Chief Technology Officer at Earnest
Bottom line: If you want time zone-aligned hiring with a retention-first model and full EOR support, Howdy is the strongest all-around option for SF teams.
Learn more about Howdy by booking a free demo.
2) Andela
Quick overview: A global talent marketplace connecting companies with developers across multiple regions.
Best for: Enterprises that need geographic flexibility beyond nearshore-only sourcing.
Pros: Large talent pool, established enterprise brand, contract and full-time options.
Cons: Less nearshore-specific focus for Pacific Time collaboration; can require more internal management.
Pricing: Contact sales.
3) Near (HireWithNear)
Quick overview: Focused on connecting US companies with pre-vetted talent in Mexico and Brazil, with EOR options.
Best for: SF companies that want fast hiring in Mexico and Brazil.
Pros: Speed, strong time zone overlap for SF, EOR services, pre-vetted pool.
Cons: Narrower geographic coverage; less emphasis on long-term retention infrastructure.
Pricing: Contact sales.
4) BairesDev
Quick overview: Enterprise-focused nearshore provider offering staff augmentation and managed software development across Latin America.
Best for: Fortune 500 and large enterprises needing managed delivery or large-scale augmentation.
Pros: Enterprise experience, full-cycle development, broad LatAm coverage, managed teams available.
Cons: Less flexible for early-stage startups; managed delivery can come with heavier commitments.
Pricing: Contact sales.
5) Turing
Quick overview: Uses AI-assisted matching to connect companies with remote developers globally, including Latin America.
Best for: SF companies that want a large global pool and are comfortable with platform-led matching.
Pros: Fast matching, scale, broad talent access.
Cons: Can miss nuances of team fit; less emphasis on benefits and retention infrastructure than full-service EOR models.
Pricing: Contact sales.
6) Deel
Quick overview: Global payroll and compliance platform with EOR services, plus optional talent sourcing.
Best for: Companies that can source talent themselves and need EOR/payroll infrastructure.
Pros: Broad coverage, strong compliance tooling, efficient contractor/EOR workflows.
Cons: Not primarily a staffing agency; vetting and matching are not the core product.
Pricing: Starts at $599 per contractor per month (EOR pricing varies)
7) Rippling
Quick overview: HR platform for payroll, benefits, and IT management, with limited talent sourcing.
Best for: Companies that want an all-in-one HR stack and already have sourcing covered.
Pros: HR + IT integration, scalable admin workflows.
Cons: Not a nearshore staffing agency; limited vetting and matching.
Pricing: Starts at $8 per user per month (plus add-ons).
8) Next Idea Tech
Quick overview: Boutique nearshore software development and staffing services focused on Latin America.
Best for: SF teams that want a smaller provider and personalized attention.
Pros: Boutique service model, nearshore focus, staffing and project-based options.
Cons: Smaller scale; limited public information on retention and outcomes.
Pricing: Contact sales.
Key takeaways: Choosing the right nearshore partner
- If retention is your priority: Choose a provider that employs talent full time and invests in employee support (benefits, mentorship, local hubs).
- If speed is your priority: A platform or marketplace can move quickly, but verify vetting depth and team fit.
- If you need managed delivery: A nearshore development company may be a better fit than staffing.
- If you already have sourcing: Deel or Rippling can be strong infrastructure layers, but they are not end-to-end staffing agencies.
Why Howdy leads nearshore staffing for San Francisco companies
SF companies building on Pacific Time need consistent overlap, clear communication, and team members who stay long enough to build product knowledge.
Howdy’s advantage comes down to the combination of:
- Retention-first employment model (98% reported retention)
- Full EOR support so your team can hire internationally without building compliance operations in-house
- Verified cost data that supports planning and budget modeling
- Real support infrastructure including benefits, mentorship, and physical hubs that improve day-to-day execution
For SF teams that want nearshore hires to feel truly in-house, the details matter: onboarding, support, equipment, and long-term stability. That is where retention compounds and output improves over time.
Ready to build your team? Book a demo.
Frequently asked questions about nearshore staffing
What is a nearshore staffing agency?
A nearshore staffing agency helps US companies hire dedicated team members in nearby countries with overlapping time zones. The best providers handle recruiting, vetting, and EOR services so companies can hire full-time talent without managing cross-border payroll and compliance.
How do I choose the right nearshore staffing agency for my San Francisco company?
Focus on time zone alignment, vetting quality, retention, EOR capabilities, and how the provider supports team members after hiring. Ask what employment model they use and what happens when a hire is not a fit.
What is the difference between staff augmentation and nearshore software development?
Staff augmentation adds dedicated engineers to your team under your management. Nearshore software development typically delivers a managed team and project outcomes under the vendor’s delivery process. One gives you more control; the other gives you more managed execution.
How much can SF companies save with nearshore hiring?
Savings vary by role and market. Based on Howdy’s verified 2025 payroll data, fully loaded employer cost for a nearshore engineer can be roughly 60–65% lower than a comparable US hire when taxes and benefits are included.
How quickly can I hire nearshore engineers?
Many providers can present candidates within weeks. Strong nearshore staffing partners can support onboarding and start dates in roughly 2–3 weeks depending on role, seniority, and process.
Build your nearshore team with Howdy in 2026
Build a time zone-aligned team without the hiring bottlenecks.
See how San Francisco companies use Howdy to hire full-time talent faster, with lower total employer cost and long-term retention. Book a demo with Howdy.