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Staffing Agency vs. Software Studio: Why the Difference Matters
"Nearshore" gets used for two very different business models. Knowing which one you're evaluating changes what you should ask before signing anything.
Staffing agency
You're renting headcount. The agency finds and places a developer on your team; you manage them directly, and quality depends on whoever happens to be on the bench when you call.
Software studio
You're buying an outcome. A studio like Alta Marea owns delivery: senior engineers embedded in your product, working as a pod, accountable for shipping, not just for showing up.
Why it matters
A staffing model optimizes for placement speed. A studio model optimizes for what actually ships. If your evaluation criteria are all about rate cards and bench availability, you're evaluating a staffing agency, even if the sales page says "studio."