Kainos vs Apadmi: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
Kainos (4.2/5) edges ahead of Apadmi (3.9/5) overall. Kainos is the better choice for UK government digital services, Workday programmes. Apadmi is the stronger option for UK brands that need flagship mobile apps. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
Kainos vs Apadmi: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | Kainos | Apadmi |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1986 | 2009 |
| HQ | Belfast, United Kingdom | Manchester, United Kingdom |
| Team size | 3,000+ | 250–300 |
| Rating | 4.2 / 5 | 3.9 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | Combined government digital delivery and Workday partnership, listed on the LSE | Mobile-only specialism with a client list of household UK names |
| Pricing model | Time and materials, fixed price, framework call-offs | Time and materials, fixed price |
| Min. engagement | Not published | Not published |
| Primary tech stack | Java, .NET, AWS | Swift, Kotlin, Flutter |
| Industries served | Public sector, Healthcare, Financial services, Commercial enterprises | Retail, Media, Healthcare, Public sector |
Kainos vs Apadmi: overview
Kainos
Kainos was founded in Belfast in 1986 and is listed on the London Stock Exchange. In the year to March 2026 it reported revenue of £431.1m, up 17%, and a workforce of 3,216 after adding 420 people, a rebound from a 2024/25 restructuring that cut staff by 7%. It runs three divisions: Digital Services, Workday Services and Workday Products. Its government work spans departments such as the Home Office and NHS bodies, delivered from the UK and Ireland.
Apadmi
Apadmi was founded in 2009 in Manchester and has its headquarters at MediaCity. It reported more than 300 employees in 2024, with hubs in London, Edinburgh, Lisbon and Amsterdam. The company builds and maintains mobile apps for large UK brands, including Argos, the BBC, Co-op, Asda and the NHS. Its Lisbon hub adds a lower-cost option within Western Europe.
Services and capabilities: Kainos vs Apadmi
| Capability | Kainos | Apadmi |
|---|---|---|
| Custom software development | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mobile app development | ✗ | ✓ |
| Cloud & DevOps | ✓ | ✗ |
| Data & AI | ✓ | ✗ |
| Legacy modernisation | ✓ | ✗ |
| Embedded & IoT | ✗ | ✗ |
| Dedicated team model | ✗ | ✗ |
| Fixed-price projects | ✓ | ✓ |
Tech stack comparison: Kainos vs Apadmi
| Framework / platform | Kainos | Apadmi |
|---|---|---|
| .NET | ✓ | N/A |
| Java | ✓ | N/A |
| Python | ✓ | N/A |
| React | N/A | ✓ |
| AWS | ✓ | ✓ |
| Azure | ✓ | ✓ |
| Kubernetes | ✓ | N/A |
| Embedded | N/A | N/A |
Pricing comparison: Kainos vs Apadmi
| Criterion | Kainos | Apadmi |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | Not published | Not published |
| Engagement models | Fixed project, Time and materials | Fixed project, Time and materials |
| Rate transparency | Not public | Not public |
| Price tier | Mid-market | Mid-market |
Target audience comparison: Kainos vs Apadmi
| Dimension | Kainos | Apadmi |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Public sector, Healthcare, Financial services | Retail, Media, Healthcare |
| Best use cases | A government department needs a GOV.UK service built and run., An NHS body wants a digital patient service delivered onshore. | A retailer needs a high-traffic shopping app rebuilt., An NHS body wants a patient app. |
| Typical project type | Fixed project | Fixed project |
Kainos vs Apadmi: pros and cons
| Kainos | |
|---|---|
| + | Belfast-based delivery costs less than London while staying UK-based |
| + | Public reporting gives buyers verified financials and headcount |
| + | Very familiar with UK public-sector procurement frameworks |
| - | Little offshore capacity, so rates do not compete with nearshore vendors |
| - | Workday business takes a growing share of leadership focus |
| - | The 2024/25 restructuring shows exposure to swings in public-sector spending |
| Apadmi | |
|---|---|
| + | Mobile focus brings deep iOS and Android expertise |
| + | Recognisable UK client list gives reassurance on quality |
| + | Lisbon hub offers some rate flexibility |
| - | Narrow focus; back-office and enterprise systems are not its core |
| - | Mostly UK delivery, so pricing is close to onshore rates |
Who should choose Kainos?
A typical fit: a government department needs a GOV.UK service built and run.
Combined government digital delivery and Workday partnership, listed on the LSE. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Public sector, Healthcare, Financial services, Commercial enterprises.
Who should choose Apadmi?
A typical fit: a retailer needs a high-traffic shopping app rebuilt.
Mobile-only specialism with a client list of household UK names. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Retail, Media, Healthcare, Public sector.
Decision matrix: Kainos vs Apadmi
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | Kainos |
| You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme | Check each company's engagement model |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Compare: Kainos (Not published) vs Apadmi (Not published) |
| You need specialist depth in a specific vertical | Kainos |
| 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: Kainos vs Apadmi
| Use case | Kainos fit | Apadmi fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| A government department needs a GOV.UK service built and run. | Strong | Limited | Kainos |
| An NHS body wants a digital patient service delivered onshore. | Strong | Limited | Kainos |
| A retailer needs a high-traffic shopping app rebuilt. | Limited | Strong | Apadmi |
| An NHS body wants a patient app. | Limited | Strong | Apadmi |
| 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 | Strong | Strong | Both equally |
Verdict: Kainos vs Apadmi
Kainos (4.2/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Software Development Outsourcing projects. Combined government digital delivery and Workday partnership, listed on the LSE.
Apadmi (3.9/5) is worth a look in a scenario like this: an NHS body wants a patient app. If your situation matches that, Apadmi is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
Kainos vs Apadmi FAQ
Is Kainos better than Apadmi?
Kainos (4.2/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. Kainos's strongest advantage: belfast-based delivery costs less than London while staying UK-based. Apadmi's strongest advantage: mobile focus brings deep iOS and Android expertise.
How do Kainos and Apadmi differ in pricing?
Kainos uses time and materials, fixed price, framework call-offs pricing. Apadmi 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: Kainos or Apadmi?
Apadmi 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 Kainos and Apadmi?
Kainos's primary differentiator is: combined government digital delivery and Workday partnership, listed on the LSE. Apadmi's primary differentiator is: mobile-only specialism with a client list of household UK names. They also differ in team size (3,000+ vs 250–300), minimum engagement (Not published vs Not published), and primary industries served (Public sector, Healthcare vs Retail, Media).
Verify all details directly with each company before making a decision.