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Near vs. Hire South: Which Nearshore Hiring Partner Fits Your Needs?

Trying to decide between Near and Hire South? Here’s a straightforward breakdown of what each offers so you can make the right call.

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You're here because you're weighing Near vs. Hire South for a Latin American hire.

That’s exactly what you should be doing: comparing providers, weighing the trade-offs, and figuring out who’s the right fit for your team. 

Both companies help US businesses hire skilled LatAm talent, but we take different approaches. 

Our goal here is to give you clear, straightforward information so you can make your decision with confidence. Your choice comes down to what you actually need and how you prefer to work.

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Near: The Full-Service Staffing & Recruiting Partner

Website section promoting building high-performing remote teams for 70% less with photos of diverse professionals and company logos endorsing the service, including a 4.9 out of 5 rating and a call-to-action button labeled Start Hiring.

Near (Hire With Near) is a full-service staffing and recruiting agency that helps US companies hire top-performing remote talent in Latin America across finance, accounting, sales, software engineering, AI, data, marketing, operations, and virtual assistance.

We’re not a platform. We don’t supply temps. We’re a white-glove recruiting partner for companies that want A-players who raise the bar for everyone around them. We handle everything—sourcing, vetting, candidate presentation, payroll, and compliance—so hiring feels simple on your side. Our process is built to surface the people who don’t just fit the role, but make your whole team better.

We take the time to understand your culture, goals, and how your team works together, so every shortlist is tailored to what success looks like in your business.

[fs-toc-omit]Key strengths:

  1. Quality-first approach: Our 97% placement rate and 9.1+ client satisfaction come from obsessing over fit—not just skills, but the drive, readiness, and cultural match to contribute from day one and help your company grow over the long term.
  2. One partner, one process: Scale across functions with one dedicated team and a repeatable hiring cadence. First candidates in 3–5 days with video introductions, most hires in under 3 weeks. We remember what worked last time, and we adapt based on your feedback so hiring gets easier and more effective over time.
  3. 180-day replacement guarantee: Double the industry standard. If a placement doesn't work out, we find a replacement at no additional cost to you.
  4. Two engagement models: Direct hire (one-time recruiting fee) or staffing model (monthly fee with payroll/compliance included).
  5. Proven retention: 80% of hires stay 2+ years, so knowledge compounds and teams get stronger over time.
  6. Talent pool depth + reach: We maintain a pre-vetted network of 45,000+ candidates, but we don't stop there. Every search includes fresh sourcing until we find the right match.
  7. Transparent pricing: We show you benchmarks and fees up front. You set salaries for your hires. No hidden markups. No fee until you hire.
  8. Equipment & workspace support: Part of our white-glove approach is helping with the extras that matter. From laptops to office space, if your team needs it, we’ll make it happen.

Hire South

Hire South's page.

G2 Rating: not available

Hire South is a nearshore staffing agency that connects US businesses with Latin American professionals across multiple functions. Their model focuses exclusively on LatAm talent, spanning roles from software development to sales, marketing, customer service, finance, and administrative positions.

They offer three engagement approaches: single team member placements for specific operational needs, full team hires for comprehensive coverage, and a Build-Operate-Transfer model where they build and manage a team before transferring it to you.

[fs-toc-omit]Key features:

  1. Cross-functional coverage: Hire across sales, marketing, customer service, finance, admin, and creative specialists.
  2. Multi-stage vetting: English assessments, internet speed tests, behavioral evaluations, and reference checks before presenting candidates.
  3. Two-week candidate delivery: Presents 2–3 pre-vetted candidates "typically within the first two weeks" after consultation.
  4. Payroll and compliance support: Handles payroll, benefits, and legal compliance through EOR partners (for contractors).
  5. 90-day replacement guarantee: Free replacement search if a hire doesn't work out within 90 days.
  6. No upfront costs: “No need to pay anything until you make a hire”.
  7. Cost savings: 30–50% savings compared to US hiring

What's less clear: Hire South has no presence on G2 or Clutch, making it difficult to verify client satisfaction independently. Their website doesn't detail specific processes, account management structure, or provide case studies with measurable outcomes.

Where Near and Hire South Align

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Where Near Stands Out

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What Clients Say About Near

G2 and client feedback consistently highlight what sets Near apart across these key areas:

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Example Salary Ranges When You Hire Through Near

With Near, you stay in control of compensation.

We provide the benchmarks and breakdown; you set the final compensation offer and timing for raises.

Below are a few examples of salary ranges by role. Our comprehensive LatAm vs. US Salary Guide has figures for many more.

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On average, our clients save $35,000 to $55,000 annually per role compared to hiring in the US.

During your no-commitment discovery call, we’ll share recommended ranges to attract the best talent and explain our fees clearly, which are separate and depend on the support you need (recruiting only or payroll and compliance too).

With Near, there are never upfront costs.

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What To Do Next

This isn't about which company is "better." Both Near and Hire South deliver results for our target clients. The decision comes down to matching our approaches with your needs.

Most teams speak with a few providers before they decide. We’d like to be one of the ones you speak with.

Comparisons help, but a call answers the real questions related to your role, timeline, and budget.

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We'll provide role-specific salary benchmarks and walk you through how we'd approach building your team. Interview candidates for free. No fees until you hire.

TL;DR: Near is fast, consistent, and trusted by 700+ companies

If you need A-player talent fast, that is what Near was built to deliver.

You’ll see curated shortlists in 3–5 business days, most hires close in under 3 weeks, and 97% of roles are successfully filled. Even better, 80% of our hires stay 2+ years, compounding value for your team. That’s why 700+ companies trust us—and why our 4.9 G2 rating with 85+ reviews is public proof of our track record.

Hire South can find talent, but it takes longer to see your first candidates, and they don’t have independent reviews or third-party validation. If you want a partner who gets it right the first time and keeps teams strong over the long haul, Near is the better choice.

We favor our own approach, of course, because we’ve seen where our strengths lie. But the truth is, no comparison article can tell you what’s right for your business. We believe the best outcomes come from a tailored process. And the only way to explore that is in a call.

Quick Comparison: Near vs. Hire South

What You Need

Hire South

Near

Handles payroll and local compliance

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Time to get a shortlist of candidates

2 weeks
3-5 days

Maximum replacement guarantee

90 days
180 days

No payment until you hire

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Covers roles beyond tech (finance, accounting, sales, marketing)

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Offers month-to-month flexibility

Not stated
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Option for recruitment-only model

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Equipment provision

Not stated
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Transparent pricing structure

Not stated
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You set the salary for hires

Not stated
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Placement success rate

Not stated
97%

G2 rating

No reviews
4.9

Client satisfaction score

Not Stated
9.1

Glassdoor: positive candidate experience

No listing
95%
  1. Proven speed-to-hire that consistently outperforms traditional US recruiting timelines, getting you quality candidates in weeks rather than months.
  2. Complete compliance and payroll solutions that handle all cross-border legal requirements, benefits administration, and local employment regulations.
  3. Substantial cost savings of 30–60% compared to equivalent US salaries.
  4. Access to Latin American talent with strong English proficiency and cultural alignment with US business practices.
  5. Real-time collaboration advantage with 1–3 hour time zone differences that enable full workday overlap with your hires, eliminating the challenges of offshore hiring.
  6. Established LatAm market expertise with strong understanding of local talent landscapes, salary benchmarks, and hiring best practices across multiple countries.
  1. White-glove service, not transactional placement: Your dedicated recruiter learns your company culture, tailors scorecards to your needs, and will advise against moving forward if red flags emerge. We're invested in placement quality, not placement volume. That's why 80% of our hires stay 2+ years, and clients return for multiple hires.
  2. Speed without shortcuts: What looks fast is really just efficient. We’ve nailed the workflow so you get shortlists in 3–5 days, not weeks, and you only spend time on the ones who fit. Our process is tight, our recruiters and hunters are top-notch, and every candidate is screened to the same standard we use for our own team.
  3. Video shortlists that save time: We send you curated shortlists with candidate videos so you can see and hear candidates before investing time in live interviews. You'll make faster yes/no decisions with stronger signal on communication style and cultural fit.
  4. Day-one-ready hires: We place professionals who are ready to deliver from day one: fluent in English, aligned on time zones, and experienced with US standards. Many have already worked for Big Four firms, scaled startups, or delivered millions in new business.
  5. Proven quality you can verify: Our 4.9/5 G2 rating with dozens of reviews isn't marketing fluff. We have third-party validation from clients who've hired through us and came back to share their experience publicly, plus detailed case studies showing the actual results and quality of talent we deliver.
Level
Mid-level
Senior
Mid-level
Senior
Typical LatAm Salary Monthly (USD)
$4k – $6.5k
$3.5k – $4.5k
$2k – $5k
$3.5k – $4k
Typical LatAm Salary Annual (USD)
$48k – $78k
$42k – $54k
$24k – $30k
$42k – $48k
Typical US Salary Annual (USD)
$118k – $131k
$106k – $127k
$66k – $76k
$104k – $147k

The Near Hiring Journey

Near's Proven Hiring Process

What you’ll notice:

Fewer interviews, faster yes/no decisions, stronger first-90-days outcomes. You’ll see and hear candidates before you invest time in live interviews.

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Zero-risk hiring.
If you don't make a hire, you don't pay anything.
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1. Discovery Call

We learn your business, the role, and your preferences.

2. Kickoff & Calibration

You meet your dedicated recruiter, align on the hiring process, and review sample profiles.

3. Vetted Shortlist

Receive your first candidates in < 5 days.

4. Interviews & Selection

We coordinate everything. You just choose.

5. Onboarding Support

We handle contracts, equipment, payroll, and compliance.

6. Ongoing Support

We want to ensure talent retention. Most clients come back for second, third, and twentieth hires.

Top 1% talent

“The talent Near provided is incredibly high quality. I worked at Google for 10 years, where the bar for talent is very high, and I would say the people I placed through Near are comparable to the people I worked with at Google.”

A young man with short dark hair and trimmed beard, wearing a white polo shirt, standing outdoors with blurred buildings in the background.
Ashley Black
Founder, Candid Consulting
Great culture fit

“It was shocking to see the difference between the talent Near brought versus other firms I worked with. Our hires are extraordinary and a great cultural fit.”

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Tom Elliott
Vice President of Product Management, Bonfire
Comprehensive support

“Near’s team gave us confidence that we’d hire great talent quickly. They did a deep dive into our requirements, asked the right questions, and communicated our needs and goals back to us. They advised us on compensation, different talent markets, and our hiring process.”

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Anton Lipkanou
President, Delve
Speed

“Near provides an easy hiring experience. They saved me a lot of time handling all the posting, sourcing, screening, and initial interviews. All I have to do is conduct final interviews to ensure cultural alignment. I made a hire in only 14 days.”

A man in a dark blazer and light shirt, short hair, standing in front of a gray background, looking at the camera.
Joshua Thompson
Partner and COO, Kordis
Partnership approach

“It really just felt like Near was embedded in our team. It felt like we’d hired an in-house recruiter. This made my job really easy."

A young man with wavy brown hair, wearing a black shirt, neutral facial expression, against a plain background.
Adrian Alfieri
Founder & CEO, Verbatim
Efficiency

“The experience was nothing short of exceptional. From start to finish, the entire process was remarkably smooth, and the team at Near played a pivotal role in making our hiring journey a success.”

A woman with curly dark hair, smiling, wearing a beige sleeveless top, photographed against a dark background.
Carmen Lopez
Recruiter, Tribu

Hire LatAm's Top 1% Talent in 21 Days

Join 700+ fast-growing US companies building high-performing teams with top LatAm talent.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Near provides full support for payroll, benefits administration, and contracts if you choose our staffing model. If you prefer to handle these on your own, we have an option for that too.

Expect your first curated shortlist (with candidate videos) in 3 to 5 business days after your kick-off call with your recruiter. Most roles close in 21 days or less. We handle scheduling, keep the process moving, and you can interview candidates for free.

We curate and narrow in screening interviews. You interview top fits. Our dedicated recruitment team conducts the initial screening interviews, evaluating candidates on key qualifications and cultural fit, and provides the recorded interviews for a shortlist of candidates for your review. Your internal team then leads subsequent interview stages, focusing on deeper assessments tailored to your specific needs and company structure.

Absolutely. Near offers a 180-day replacement guarantee. If the candidate doesn’t work out in that window, we’ll find you a new placement at no additional cost.

No. Never. With Near, you never pay unless you make a hire. Discovery calls, kick-off calls, shortlists, and interviews are free. There’s no commitment or cost to meet candidates and see the caliber of talent we can bring.

Yes. This is our default. Dedicated recruiters learn your preferences, customize our evaluation criteria to match what you value most in candidates, and adapt our process to match how you like to hire. We'll even help administer assessment tests if that's part of your process.

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