Best Machine Learning Development Agencies

EPAM Systems vs Softweb Solutions: full comparison for 2026

Last updated: July 2026

Quick verdict

Softweb Solutions (3.9/5) edges ahead of EPAM Systems (3.8/5) overall. Softweb Solutions is the better choice for companies needing AI/ML specifically paired with IoT sensor data and device deployment, backed by Avnet's hardware supply chain.. 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 Softweb Solutions: head-to-head summary

Criterion EPAM Systems Softweb Solutions
Founded 1993 2006
HQ Newtown, Pennsylvania, USA Plano, Texas, USA
Team size 10,000+ 201–500
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 needing AI/ML specifically paired with IoT sensor data and device deployment, backed by Avnet's hardware supply chain.
Pricing model Managed services and fixed project Fixed project and managed services
Min. engagement Not published Not published
Primary tech stack Python, EPAM DIAL, Azure OpenAI Python, TensorFlow, Azure IoT
Industries served Financial Services, Healthcare, Retail, Technology/SaaS, Government Manufacturing, Retail, Logistics

EPAM Systems vs Softweb Solutions: 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.

Softweb Solutions

Softweb Solutions is an AI and IoT-focused digital transformation company founded in 2006 (some sources cite 2004), headquartered in Plano, Texas, with additional offices in Chicago, Dallas, and Ahmedabad, India. The company was acquired by global electronics distributor Avnet in December 2018 and now operates as 'Softweb Solutions — An Avnet Company,' building AI models for image classification, intelligent forecasting, and IoT scenario detection alongside broader data and digital transformation services.

Services and capabilities: EPAM Systems vs Softweb Solutions

Capability EPAM Systems Softweb Solutions
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 Softweb Solutions

Framework / platform EPAM Systems Softweb Solutions
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 Softweb Solutions

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

Target audience comparison: EPAM Systems vs Softweb Solutions

Dimension EPAM Systems Softweb Solutions
Best company size Enterprise Startup to mid-market
Best industries Financial Services, Healthcare, Retail Manufacturing, Retail, Logistics
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 Manufacturing or logistics clients needing AI models tied to IoT sensor data, Retail computer-vision projects such as image classification or shelf monitoring
Typical project type Managed services Fixed project

EPAM Systems vs Softweb Solutions: 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
Softweb Solutions
+ Ownership by Avnet (since December 2018) gives direct proximity to hardware and electronics supply chains for IoT-linked AI projects
+ Nearly two decades of operating history combining AI and IoT delivery
+ Named use cases in image classification and intelligent forecasting show concrete applied AI/ML work
+ Multi-country office presence (US, India) supports cost-flexible delivery
- Acquired by Avnet in 2018 — the company now operates as a subsidiary rather than an independent AI consultancy, which can affect contracting flexibility
- Public sources disagree on both founding year (2004 vs. 2006) and employee count (201–500 vs. 501–1,000)
- IoT-centric positioning may be less suited to buyers wanting purely software-based ML with no hardware/device component

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 Softweb Solutions?

Softweb Solutions is the right choice for companies needing AI/ML specifically paired with IoT sensor data and device deployment, backed by Avnet's hardware supply chain..

Backed by Avnet, a global electronics distributor, giving unusual hardware/IoT supply-chain proximity for AI-on-device projects.. Minimum engagement starts at Not published. Works best with clients in Manufacturing, Retail, Logistics.

Decision matrix: EPAM Systems vs Softweb Solutions

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 Softweb Solutions (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 Softweb Solutions

Use case EPAM Systems fit Softweb Solutions 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
Manufacturing or logistics clients needing AI models tied to IoT sensor data Limited Strong Softweb Solutions
Retail computer-vision projects such as image classification or shelf monitoring Limited Strong Softweb Solutions
Fixed-price build Limited Limited Both equally
Staff augmentation Limited Limited Both equally

Verdict: EPAM Systems vs Softweb Solutions

Softweb Solutions (3.9/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Machine Learning Development projects. Backed by Avnet, a global electronics distributor, giving unusual hardware/IoT supply-chain proximity for AI-on-device projects.. It is best for companies needing AI/ML specifically paired with IoT sensor data and device deployment, backed by Avnet's hardware supply chain..

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 Softweb Solutions FAQ

Is EPAM Systems better than Softweb Solutions?

Softweb Solutions (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.. Softweb Solutions is better for companies needing AI/ML specifically paired with IoT sensor data and device deployment, backed by Avnet's hardware supply chain..

How do EPAM Systems and Softweb Solutions differ in pricing?

EPAM Systems uses managed services and fixed project pricing with a minimum engagement of Not published. Softweb Solutions uses fixed project and managed services 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 Softweb Solutions?

Softweb Solutions 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 Softweb Solutions?

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).. Softweb Solutions's primary differentiator is: backed by avnet, a global electronics distributor, giving unusual hardware/iot supply-chain proximity for ai-on-device projects.. They also differ in team size (10,000+ vs 201–500), minimum engagement (Not published vs Not published), and primary industries served (Financial Services, Healthcare vs Manufacturing, Retail).

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