Software development company in Turkey: how to evaluate one from abroad
How to evaluate a software development company in Turkey or Istanbul: portfolio, communication, time zone, contracts and invoicing, IP ownership, data protection and a trial project.
A software development company in Turkey is a firm, usually based in a hub such as Istanbul, that builds web, mobile, AI and business software for clients at home and abroad; the usual reasons to hire one are a time zone close to Europe and strong engineering skills. Choosing the right firm depends less on price than on communication, contract and data-protection discipline.
This guide gives a framework for foreign companies considering software services from Turkey. The choice of working model (project-based or dedicated team) is a separate question, which we cover in nearshore software development in Turkey.
Why do companies abroad build software in Turkey?
The reasons usually include:
- Time zone. Istanbul is on UTC+3. The gap to Europe is roughly 0-3 hours, so there is a wide overlap for daily calls and quick questions.
- Cost structure. The local cost structure differs from many Western European cities. We do not quote figures here; compare proposals against your own budget.
- Skills. Experienced teams are available in web, mobile, AI and business software.
- Geography. Proximity to Europe, the Middle East and Central Asia.
None of this replaces proper vetting. Use the criteria below.
How do you evaluate a Turkish software company?
| Criterion | What to ask | Good sign |
|---|---|---|
| Portfolio | Which similar projects were delivered? | Live examples, short case write-ups |
| Communication | In what language are technical talks and writing? | Fluent written English, clear delivery notes |
| Time zone | What are the shared working hours? | A meeting window agreed in writing up front |
| Process | How do they work, how often do you see working software? | Short cycles, regular demos |
| Contract and invoicing | Which law, which currency, how are invoices issued? | Clear scope, payment tied to milestones |
| Intellectual property | Who owns the code and design? | Written transfer of ownership on payment |
| Data protection | How is personal data handled? | Written data processing terms |
| Warranty and support | What happens after delivery? | A defined defect-fix period |
Portfolio and references
Look at delivered work in a similar domain before looking at technology. Not just screenshots: what problem the work solved and how it runs in production. Ask to speak with a reference if possible.
Communication language and time zone
Written communication matters more than spoken, because decisions stay in writing. The clarity of the first emails tells you a lot about day-to-day working. Put shared working hours and an urgent-issue channel into the contract or working plan.
Contract and invoicing
Governing law, dispute resolution, payment schedule and currency should be settled early. Take advice from your own accountant and legal counsel on tax and invoicing. For how to structure the contract itself, see software development contract.
Intellectual property
Ownership of the code, design and documentation must be written clearly. Third-party and open-source component licences should be listed. Having accounts (hosting, domain, repository) opened in your name from the start prevents most ownership disputes. We work on the basis that accounts are opened in the client’s name.
Data protection: KVKK and GDPR
If the system will handle personal data, decide in advance what access the developer has, how test data is used and where data is hosted. Turkey has KVKK and the EU has GDPR, and cross-border transfers have their own rules. This area is complex: confirm requirements with your own legal counsel and put a data processing agreement in writing.
A trial project
Before a large contract, a small, well-bounded job is the lowest-risk way to see communication and delivery quality under real conditions. A few weeks on a narrow scope is enough for both sides to get to know each other.
How does Boygantech work?
We are an Istanbul-based software and digital marketing agency. To date we have delivered 17 corporate websites, 4 e-commerce sites, 1 CRM and 1 ERP. Typical timelines: a corporate site takes 3-5 weeks, e-commerce 6-10 weeks and custom business software 8-16 weeks. We work in two-week development cycles and show a working version at the end of each. After delivery there is a 30-day defect warranty, and accounts are opened in the client’s name. Our scope covers web, mobile (iOS/Android), AI and custom business software, and our site is published in Turkish and English. See our software agency page for scope.
Related reading
For general vendor selection read choosing a software agency; for putting scope into writing, software requirements brief; for budget drift, software project budget.
Frequently asked questions
Can we work in English with a company in Turkey? Yes, though it varies by firm. Judge the level of English in first emails and technical notes, and ask to meet the people who would be assigned to your project.
Does the time difference make work harder? Istanbul is on UTC+3; the gap to Europe is usually 0-3 hours. Overlap is wide, and a daily call is easy to plan. If you work from further away, agree the shared window up front.
Who owns the code and design? Whatever the contract says. The common approach is that ownership passes to the client on payment, with accounts opened in the client’s name from the start. Settle the details with your legal counsel.
How do KVKK and GDPR fit together? Which one applies depends on whose data is collected and where it is processed. Rather than give a blanket answer, we suggest working out the compliance requirements with your legal counsel at the contract stage.
Can we start with a small job first? Yes, and it is what we recommend. A few weeks on a clearly bounded scope shows how the collaboration runs.
Tell us about your project and we will work out a suitable way of working together. Fill in the contact form or write to info@boygantech.com.
