Endava vs Softwire: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
Endava (4.5/5) edges ahead of Softwire (4.3/5) overall. Endava is the better choice for large UK programmes, payments and banking, nearshore at volume. Softwire is the stronger option for UK media and charities, bespoke builds, onshore teams. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
Endava vs Softwire: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | Endava | Softwire |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2000 | 2000 |
| HQ | London, United Kingdom | London, United Kingdom |
| Team size | 10,000+ | 250–500 |
| Rating | 4.5 / 5 | 4.3 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | UK headquarters and governance with more than 10,000 engineers in lower-cost nearshore locations | Long-standing onshore bespoke development that trains its own graduate engineers |
| Pricing model | Time and materials, managed service, outcome-based contracts | Time and materials, fixed price |
| Min. engagement | Not published | Not published |
| Primary tech stack | Java, .NET, AWS | C#, .NET, Java |
| Industries served | Financial services, Payments, Retail, Media and telecoms, Healthcare | Media, Charities, Public sector, Education, Retail |
Endava vs Softwire: overview
Endava
Endava is the largest UK-headquartered company on this list built around nearshore delivery. It reported 11,479 staff at the end of June 2025, and the UK supplied 33% of revenue in the final quarter of that fiscal year. Delivery centres in Romania, Moldova, North Macedonia, Serbia, Bulgaria, Argentina and elsewhere let it staff large programmes at below-London cost. Headcount fell from 12,085 a year earlier, which reflects softer demand across the IT services market.
Softwire
Softwire has been writing bespoke software out of London since 2000; the legal entity was incorporated in 1999. Directory estimates put its headcount anywhere between 240 and 500, with offices in London, Manchester and Bristol. Clients have included the BBC and Channel 5, and the firm also runs a developer training programme. Nearly all of its delivery happens in the UK, so it competes on quality and communication rather than price.
Services and capabilities: Endava vs Softwire
| Capability | Endava | Softwire |
|---|---|---|
| Custom software development | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mobile app development | ✗ | ✗ |
| Cloud & DevOps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Data & AI | ✓ | ✗ |
| Legacy modernisation | ✓ | ✗ |
| Embedded & IoT | ✗ | ✗ |
| Dedicated team model | ✓ | ✗ |
| Fixed-price projects | ✗ | ✓ |
Tech stack comparison: Endava vs Softwire
| Framework / platform | Endava | Softwire |
|---|---|---|
| .NET | ✓ | ✓ |
| Java | ✓ | ✓ |
| Python | ✓ | N/A |
| React | N/A | ✓ |
| AWS | ✓ | ✓ |
| Azure | ✓ | ✓ |
| Kubernetes | ✓ | N/A |
| Embedded | N/A | N/A |
Pricing comparison: Endava vs Softwire
| Criterion | Endava | Softwire |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | Not published | Not published |
| Engagement models | Dedicated team, Managed service, Time and materials | Fixed project, Time and materials |
| Rate transparency | Not public | Not public |
| Price tier | Mid-market | Mid-market |
Target audience comparison: Endava vs Softwire
| Dimension | Endava | Softwire |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Enterprise | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Financial services, Payments, Retail | Media, Charities, Public sector |
| Best use cases | A UK bank needs 50+ engineers for a multi-year core platform programme., A payments company wants a managed service covering development, testing and support. | A broadcaster needs a new content management or scheduling tool., A charity wants a donor platform built by a UK team it can visit. |
| Typical project type | Dedicated team | Fixed project |
Endava vs Softwire: pros and cons
| Endava | |
|---|---|
| + | Public-company reporting gives buyers audited figures on headcount, revenue and client concentration |
| + | A UK board and London HQ simplify contracting and data-protection discussions for UK buyers |
| + | Delivery from several countries spreads risk if one location is disrupted |
| + | Long payments and banking track record with UK and European institutions |
| - | Headcount dropped about 5% in the year to June 2025 as demand softened |
| - | Smaller projects can get less senior attention than flagship accounts |
| - | Day rates are higher than those of smaller Central European vendors |
| Softwire | |
|---|---|
| + | Twenty-five years of bespoke UK delivery with recognisable media clients |
| + | Onshore teams make workshops and on-site sessions easy |
| + | Willing to take on fixed-price work for well-scoped projects |
| - | UK-based delivery means higher rates than nearshore vendors |
| - | Headcount and office figures vary widely between directories, so ask for current numbers |
Who should choose Endava?
A typical fit: a UK bank needs 50+ engineers for a multi-year core platform programme.
UK headquarters and governance with more than 10,000 engineers in lower-cost nearshore locations. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Financial services, Payments, Retail, Media and telecoms, Healthcare.
Who should choose Softwire?
A typical fit: a broadcaster needs a new content management or scheduling tool.
Long-standing onshore bespoke development that trains its own graduate engineers. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Media, Charities, Public sector, Education, Retail.
Decision matrix: Endava vs Softwire
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | Softwire |
| You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme | Endava |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Compare: Endava (Not published) vs Softwire (Not published) |
| You need specialist depth in a specific vertical | Endava |
| You want engineers added to your own in-house team | Neither lists team extension; ask about dedicated teams |
| Your product includes hardware, firmware or connected devices | Neither; consider an embedded specialist |
Use case fit: Endava vs Softwire
| Use case | Endava fit | Softwire fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| A UK bank needs 50+ engineers for a multi-year core platform programme. | Strong | Limited | Endava |
| A payments company wants a managed service covering development, testing and support. | Strong | Limited | Endava |
| A broadcaster needs a new content management or scheduling tool. | Limited | Strong | Softwire |
| A charity wants a donor platform built by a UK team it can visit. | Limited | Strong | Softwire |
| You need hardware, firmware or IoT work in the same contract | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
| You want a fixed-price first phase before a longer engagement | Limited | Strong | Softwire |
Verdict: Endava vs Softwire
Endava (4.5/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Software Development Outsourcing projects. UK headquarters and governance with more than 10,000 engineers in lower-cost nearshore locations.
Softwire (4.3/5) is worth a look in a scenario like this: a charity wants a donor platform built by a UK team it can visit. If your situation matches that, Softwire is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
Endava vs Softwire FAQ
Is Endava better than Softwire?
Endava (4.5/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. Endava's strongest advantage: public-company reporting gives buyers audited figures on headcount, revenue and client concentration. Softwire's strongest advantage: twenty-five years of bespoke UK delivery with recognisable media clients.
How do Endava and Softwire differ in pricing?
Endava uses time and materials, managed service, outcome-based contracts pricing. Softwire uses time and materials, fixed price pricing. Neither firm publishes a full rate card; a discovery call is required for project-specific quotes.
Which is better for enterprise: Endava or Softwire?
Softwire is the larger team and typically the better enterprise-scale choice. For very large programmes, verify team size and compliance coverage directly with each company before shortlisting.
What are the main differences between Endava and Softwire?
Endava's primary differentiator is: UK headquarters and governance with more than 10,000 engineers in lower-cost nearshore locations. Softwire's primary differentiator is: long-standing onshore bespoke development that trains its own graduate engineers. They also differ in team size (10,000+ vs 250–500), minimum engagement (Not published vs Not published), and primary industries served (Financial services, Payments vs Media, Charities).
Verify all details directly with each company before making a decision.