Equal Experts vs Version 1: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
Equal Experts (4.2/5) edges ahead of Version 1 (3.9/5) overall. Equal Experts is the better choice for senior engineers for complex delivery, government and retail. Version 1 is the stronger option for oracle and Microsoft estates, public-sector managed services. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
Equal Experts vs Version 1: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | Equal Experts | Version 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2007 | 1996 |
| HQ | London, United Kingdom | Dublin, Ireland (UK offices including Birmingham) |
| Team size | 1,000–4,000 (staff and associates) | 3,000+ |
| Rating | 4.2 / 5 | 3.9 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | Senior-only teams drawn from a large associate network | Managed services for Oracle, Microsoft and AWS estates with Indian and Spanish delivery |
| Pricing model | Time and materials, capability-based | Managed service, time and materials, fixed price |
| Min. engagement | Not published | Not published |
| Primary tech stack | Java, Kotlin, TypeScript | Oracle, Microsoft Azure, AWS |
| Industries served | Public sector, Retail, Financial services, Telecoms | Public sector, Financial services, Healthcare, Utilities |
Equal Experts vs Version 1: overview
Equal Experts
Equal Experts launched in London in 2007 with a flat structure built around experienced engineers. The company lists a network of around 4,000 people, a mix of permanent staff and independent associates, and a consultancy directory reports that it is owned by its consultant and customer network through the Equal Experts Trust. UK clients have included HMRC, Defra and John Lewis. Teams are mostly senior and onshore, and its pricing reflects that.
Version 1
Version 1 was founded in Dublin in 1996 and has been majority-owned by Swiss investor Partners Group since July 2022, in a deal reported at around €800m. It had more than 3,200 staff by 2023 and opened a Birmingham hub with 500 planned jobs, plus UK acquisitions such as Automation Logic. Much of its UK work is Oracle, Microsoft and AWS managed services for public-sector bodies. Delivery comes from Ireland, the UK, Spain and India.
Services and capabilities: Equal Experts vs Version 1
| Capability | Equal Experts | Version 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Custom software development | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mobile app development | ✗ | ✗ |
| Cloud & DevOps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Data & AI | ✓ | ✓ |
| Legacy modernisation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Embedded & IoT | ✗ | ✗ |
| Dedicated team model | ✗ | ✗ |
| Fixed-price projects | ✗ | ✓ |
Tech stack comparison: Equal Experts vs Version 1
| Framework / platform | Equal Experts | Version 1 |
|---|---|---|
| .NET | N/A | ✓ |
| Java | ✓ | ✓ |
| Python | N/A | N/A |
| React | N/A | N/A |
| AWS | ✓ | ✓ |
| Azure | N/A | ✓ |
| Kubernetes | ✓ | N/A |
| Embedded | N/A | N/A |
Pricing comparison: Equal Experts vs Version 1
| Criterion | Equal Experts | Version 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | Not published | Not published |
| Engagement models | Time and materials, Team extension | Managed service, Fixed project, Time and materials |
| Rate transparency | Not public | Not public |
| Price tier | Mid-market | Mid-market |
Target audience comparison: Equal Experts vs Version 1
| Dimension | Equal Experts | Version 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Mid-market to enterprise | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Public sector, Retail, Financial services | Public sector, Financial services, Healthcare |
| Best use cases | A government department needs senior engineers to rescue a struggling platform., A retailer wants a cloud platform team to build internal developer tooling. | A public body needs Oracle E-Business Suite support and migration., A utility wants Azure managed services. |
| Typical project type | Time and materials | Managed service |
Equal Experts vs Version 1: pros and cons
| Equal Experts | |
|---|---|
| + | Consultants are typically very experienced, which reduces the need for close supervision |
| + | Proven track record on large UK government platforms such as HMRC's |
| + | Ownership structure aligns consultants with long-term client outcomes |
| - | Associate-heavy model means team members may change between engagements |
| - | Mostly onshore and senior, so day rates are among the higher ones on this list |
| Version 1 | |
|---|---|
| + | Strong in Oracle and Microsoft environments common in UK public bodies |
| + | Indian and Spanish delivery lower costs on managed services |
| + | Private-equity backing has funded UK expansion |
| - | Majority-owned by Partners Group since 2022, so an eventual sale or exit is likely |
| - | Product-style bespoke development is less central than managed services |
Who should choose Equal Experts?
A typical fit: a government department needs senior engineers to rescue a struggling platform.
Senior-only teams drawn from a large associate network. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Public sector, Retail, Financial services, Telecoms.
Who should choose Version 1?
A typical fit: a public body needs Oracle E-Business Suite support and migration.
Managed services for Oracle, Microsoft and AWS estates with Indian and Spanish delivery. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Public sector, Financial services, Healthcare, Utilities.
Decision matrix: Equal Experts vs Version 1
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | Version 1 |
| You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme | Check each company's engagement model |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Compare: Equal Experts (Not published) vs Version 1 (Not published) |
| You need specialist depth in a specific vertical | Equal Experts |
| You want engineers added to your own in-house team | Equal Experts |
| Your product includes hardware, firmware or connected devices | Neither; consider an embedded specialist |
Use case fit: Equal Experts vs Version 1
| Use case | Equal Experts fit | Version 1 fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| A government department needs senior engineers to rescue a struggling platform. | Strong | Limited | Equal Experts |
| A retailer wants a cloud platform team to build internal developer tooling. | Strong | Limited | Equal Experts |
| A public body needs Oracle E-Business Suite support and migration. | Limited | Strong | Version 1 |
| A utility wants Azure managed services. | Limited | Strong | Version 1 |
| 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 | Version 1 |
Verdict: Equal Experts vs Version 1
Equal Experts (4.2/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Software Development Outsourcing projects. Senior-only teams drawn from a large associate network.
Version 1 (3.9/5) is worth a look in a scenario like this: a utility wants Azure managed services. If your situation matches that, Version 1 is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
Equal Experts vs Version 1 FAQ
Is Equal Experts better than Version 1?
Equal Experts (4.2/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. Equal Experts's strongest advantage: consultants are typically very experienced, which reduces the need for close supervision. Version 1's strongest advantage: strong in Oracle and Microsoft environments common in UK public bodies.
How do Equal Experts and Version 1 differ in pricing?
Equal Experts uses time and materials, capability-based pricing. Version 1 uses managed service, 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: Equal Experts or Version 1?
Equal Experts 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 Equal Experts and Version 1?
Equal Experts's primary differentiator is: senior-only teams drawn from a large associate network. Version 1's primary differentiator is: managed services for Oracle, Microsoft and AWS estates with Indian and Spanish delivery. They also differ in team size (1,000–4,000 (staff and associates) vs 3,000+), minimum engagement (Not published vs Not published), and primary industries served (Public sector, Retail vs Public sector, Financial services).
Verify all details directly with each company before making a decision.