Best Machine Learning Development Agencies

EPAM Systems vs ScienceSoft: full comparison for 2026

Last updated: July 2026

Quick verdict

ScienceSoft (3.9/5) edges ahead of EPAM Systems (3.8/5) overall. ScienceSoft is the better choice for companies wanting AI/ML delivered by a long-established generalist IT consultancy already handling other IT needs.. EPAM Systems is the stronger option for the largest global enterprises needing AI delivery embedded inside a massive, publicly traded, multi-service engineering partner.. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.

EPAM Systems vs ScienceSoft: head-to-head summary

Criterion EPAM Systems ScienceSoft
Founded 1993 1989
HQ Newtown, Pennsylvania, USA McKinney, Texas, USA
Team size 10,000+ 501–1,000
Rating 3.8 / 5 3.9 / 5
Best for The largest global enterprises needing AI delivery embedded inside a massive, publicly traded, multi-service engineering partner. Companies wanting AI/ML delivered by a long-established generalist IT consultancy already handling other IT needs.
Pricing model Managed services and fixed project Fixed project and Time & Material
Min. engagement Not published Not published
Primary tech stack Python, EPAM DIAL, Azure OpenAI Python, TensorFlow, AWS
Industries served Financial Services, Healthcare, Retail, Technology/SaaS, Government Healthcare, Retail, Financial Services, Manufacturing

EPAM Systems vs ScienceSoft: overview

EPAM Systems

EPAM Systems is a global digital engineering company founded in 1993 by Arkadiy Dobkin and Leo Lozner, listed on the NYSE since 2012, with approximately 62,850 employees as of end of 2025. The company has built a proprietary AI orchestration platform, EPAM DIAL, for managing large language models in production, but AI/ML delivery represents one part of an enormous, broadly diversified enterprise engineering portfolio.

ScienceSoft

ScienceSoft is an IT consulting and software development company founded in 1989, headquartered in McKinney, Texas, with additional offices in Europe, the UAE, and Vietnam. The firm reports more than 750 IT professionals and over 3,600 delivered projects across its 36-year history, with AI/ML positioned as one core service area among IT strategy consulting, cloud, cybersecurity, and quality assurance.

Services and capabilities: EPAM Systems vs ScienceSoft

Capability EPAM Systems ScienceSoft
Custom ML model development
Deep learning & computer vision
NLP & LLM / Generative AI
MLOps & production deployment
Data engineering
AI strategy consulting
Staff augmentation

Tech stack comparison: EPAM Systems vs ScienceSoft

Framework / platform EPAM Systems ScienceSoft
Python
TensorFlow N/A
PyTorch N/A N/A
AWS
Azure
Google Cloud N/A N/A
Kubernetes N/A
Databricks N/A N/A
LangChain N/A N/A

Pricing comparison: EPAM Systems vs ScienceSoft

Criterion EPAM Systems ScienceSoft
Minimum engagement Not published Not published
Engagement models Managed services, Fixed project, Staff augmentation Fixed project, Time & Material
Rate transparency Not public Not public
Price tier Enterprise / not published Enterprise / not published

Target audience comparison: EPAM Systems vs ScienceSoft

Dimension EPAM Systems ScienceSoft
Best company size Enterprise Mid-market to enterprise
Best industries Financial Services, Healthcare, Retail Healthcare, Retail, Financial Services
Best use cases Global enterprises needing AI delivered at a scale only a 60,000+ employee firm can support, Programs that specifically want to leverage the EPAM DIAL LLM orchestration platform Companies wanting AI/ML bundled with existing cloud, QA, or cybersecurity work from a single long-established vendor, Healthcare or manufacturing clients needing broad IT consulting plus a specific ML/AI component
Typical project type Managed services Fixed project

EPAM Systems vs ScienceSoft: pros and cons

EPAM Systems
+ Largest, most globally distributed team on this list, supporting essentially unlimited program scale
+ NYSE listing (since 2012) provides the highest level of public financial transparency among firms reviewed here
+ Proprietary EPAM DIAL platform for LLM orchestration shows real internal AI infrastructure investment
+ 32 years of continuous operation across more than 55 countries
- AI/ML is a specialization within an enormous generalist engineering portfolio, not the company's defining focus
- Scale of the organization can translate into higher account-management overhead for smaller engagements
- Buyers wanting a boutique, founder-accessible relationship will find that better served by smaller firms on this list
ScienceSoft
+ 36 years of continuous operation and 3,600+ delivered projects (per company website) among the longest track records reviewed here
+ Over half of staff cited as senior-level specialists (per company website)
+ Broad IT service catalog means AI/ML can be bundled with cloud, security, or QA from the same vendor
+ Multi-region office presence (Europe, UAE, Vietnam) beyond the US HQ
- AI/ML is one of several core services (alongside cloud, cybersecurity, QA) rather than the firm's defining specialty
- Less AI-first branding or ML-specific certification profile than boutique AI consultancies on this list
- Minimum engagement size not publicly disclosed

Who should choose EPAM Systems?

EPAM Systems is the right choice for the largest global enterprises needing AI delivery embedded inside a massive, publicly traded, multi-service engineering partner..

Largest headcount on this list (62,000+) with NYSE-listed financial transparency and a proprietary LLM orchestration platform (EPAM DIAL).. Minimum engagement starts at Not published. Works best with clients in Financial Services, Healthcare, Retail, Technology/SaaS, Government.

Who should choose ScienceSoft?

ScienceSoft is the right choice for companies wanting AI/ML delivered by a long-established generalist IT consultancy already handling other IT needs..

36 years of continuous IT consulting history, one of the longest track records among firms on this list.. Minimum engagement starts at Not published. Works best with clients in Healthcare, Retail, Financial Services, Manufacturing.

Decision matrix: EPAM Systems vs ScienceSoft

Your situation Recommended choice
You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope EPAM Systems
You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme Check each company's engagement model
Your budget is at the lower end Compare: EPAM Systems (Not published) vs ScienceSoft (Not published)
You need specialist depth in a specific vertical EPAM Systems
You need staff augmentation or team extension EPAM Systems
You need consulting before committing to a build EPAM Systems

Use case fit: EPAM Systems vs ScienceSoft

Use case EPAM Systems fit ScienceSoft fit Winner
Global enterprises needing AI delivered at a scale only a 60,000+ employee firm can support Strong Limited EPAM Systems
Programs that specifically want to leverage the EPAM DIAL LLM orchestration platform Strong Limited EPAM Systems
Companies wanting AI/ML bundled with existing cloud, QA, or cybersecurity work from a single long-established vendor Limited Strong ScienceSoft
Healthcare or manufacturing clients needing broad IT consulting plus a specific ML/AI component Limited Strong ScienceSoft
Fixed-price build Limited Limited Both equally
Staff augmentation Limited Limited Both equally

Verdict: EPAM Systems vs ScienceSoft

ScienceSoft (3.9/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Machine Learning Development projects. 36 years of continuous IT consulting history, one of the longest track records among firms on this list.. It is best for companies wanting AI/ML delivered by a long-established generalist IT consultancy already handling other IT needs..

EPAM Systems (3.8/5) is the better choice when the largest global enterprises needing AI delivery embedded inside a massive, publicly traded, multi-service engineering partner.. If your situation matches those criteria, EPAM Systems is a competitive option.

Related comparisons

EPAM Systems vs ScienceSoft FAQ

Is EPAM Systems better than ScienceSoft?

ScienceSoft (3.9/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. EPAM Systems is better for the largest global enterprises needing AI delivery embedded inside a massive, publicly traded, multi-service engineering partner.. ScienceSoft is better for companies wanting AI/ML delivered by a long-established generalist IT consultancy already handling other IT needs..

How do EPAM Systems and ScienceSoft differ in pricing?

EPAM Systems uses managed services and fixed project pricing with a minimum engagement of Not published. ScienceSoft uses fixed project and time & material pricing with a minimum engagement of Not published. Neither firm publishes a full rate card; a discovery call is required for project-specific quotes.

Which is better for enterprise: EPAM Systems or ScienceSoft?

ScienceSoft is the larger team and typically the better enterprise-scale choice. For very large programmes, verify team size and compliance coverage directly with each agency before shortlisting.

What are the main differences between EPAM Systems and ScienceSoft?

EPAM Systems's primary differentiator is: largest headcount on this list (62,000+) with nyse-listed financial transparency and a proprietary llm orchestration platform (epam dial).. ScienceSoft's primary differentiator is: 36 years of continuous it consulting history, one of the longest track records among firms on this list.. They also differ in team size (10,000+ vs 501–1,000), minimum engagement (Not published vs Not published), and primary industries served (Financial Services, Healthcare vs Healthcare, Retail).

Last reviewed: July 2026. Verify all details directly with each agency before making a decision.