Lemberg Solutions vs Thoughtworks: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
Lemberg Solutions (4.7/5) edges ahead of Thoughtworks (3.9/5) overall. Lemberg Solutions is the better choice for UK product companies, software plus hardware, nearshore rates. Thoughtworks is the stronger option for complex modernisation, engineering culture change. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
Lemberg Solutions vs Thoughtworks: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | Lemberg Solutions | Thoughtworks |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2007 | 1993 |
| HQ | Lviv, Ukraine (offices in London, Hamburg, Kraków) | Chicago, United States (UK offices) |
| Team size | 200+ | 10,000+ |
| Rating | 4.7 / 5 | 3.9 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | One team can own firmware, electronics, cloud back end and the user-facing app, managed from a London office | Thought leadership in software practice, backed by a large global delivery network |
| Pricing model | Time and materials, fixed price, dedicated team | Time and materials |
| Min. engagement | Not published | Not published |
| Primary tech stack | Embedded C/C++, Embedded Linux, RTOS | Java, Kotlin, TypeScript |
| Industries served | Healthcare and medical devices, Automotive, Energy, Transportation and logistics, Manufacturing | Financial services, Retail, Public sector, Healthcare, Media |
Lemberg Solutions vs Thoughtworks: overview
Lemberg Solutions
Lemberg Solutions was founded in 2007 and has grown to 200+ engineers working across embedded, cloud, data and AI, and web or mobile product development. UK clients deal with a London office at 25 Adelaide Road in West Ealing, while most engineering happens in Lviv and Kraków, with a further office in Hamburg. Named clients include Astronics, Caltech, Bosch Rexroth, Cellink, Ferno and Speede. The company holds ISO 27001 and ISO 9001 certification and transfers all intellectual property to the client.
Thoughtworks
Thoughtworks was founded in Chicago in 1993 and has had a significant UK presence for decades. Apax Partners took it private in a deal valued at about $1.75bn that closed in late 2024, after a NASDAQ listing in 2021, and the transaction came with job cuts affecting about 6–7% of its 10,500 staff. It is known for its Technology Radar and for shaping agile and continuous-delivery practice. It has delivery centres in India, China, Brazil and elsewhere, but UK engagements usually lean on senior onshore consultants.
Services and capabilities: Lemberg Solutions vs Thoughtworks
| Capability | Lemberg Solutions | Thoughtworks |
|---|---|---|
| Custom software development | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mobile app development | ✓ | ✗ |
| Cloud & DevOps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Data & AI | ✓ | ✓ |
| Legacy modernisation | ✗ | ✓ |
| Embedded & IoT | ✓ | ✗ |
| Dedicated team model | ✓ | ✗ |
| Fixed-price projects | ✓ | ✗ |
Tech stack comparison: Lemberg Solutions vs Thoughtworks
| Framework / platform | Lemberg Solutions | Thoughtworks |
|---|---|---|
| .NET | N/A | N/A |
| Java | N/A | ✓ |
| Python | ✓ | N/A |
| React | ✓ | N/A |
| AWS | ✓ | ✓ |
| Azure | ✓ | ✓ |
| Kubernetes | N/A | ✓ |
| Embedded | ✓ | N/A |
Pricing comparison: Lemberg Solutions vs Thoughtworks
| Criterion | Lemberg Solutions | Thoughtworks |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | Not published | Not published |
| Engagement models | Fixed project, Dedicated team, Team extension, Time and materials | Time and materials, Team extension |
| Rate transparency | Not public | Not public |
| Price tier | Mid-market | Mid-market |
Target audience comparison: Lemberg Solutions vs Thoughtworks
| Dimension | Lemberg Solutions | Thoughtworks |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Enterprise |
| Best industries | Healthcare and medical devices, Automotive, Energy | Financial services, Retail, Public sector |
| Best use cases | A UK medtech start-up needs firmware, a companion app and a cloud dashboard from one supplier., An industrial equipment maker wants to add connectivity and remote monitoring to an existing product line. | A bank wants to break up a core monolith., A retailer needs to rebuild its platform and change how teams work. |
| Typical project type | Fixed project | Time and materials |
Lemberg Solutions vs Thoughtworks: pros and cons
| Lemberg Solutions | |
|---|---|
| + | Covers the whole product, from electrical engineering and firmware through cloud and app development, so a UK buyer manages one supplier instead of three |
| + | ISO 27001 and ISO 9001 certification gives procurement teams documented security and quality processes to review |
| + | Established partnerships with NXP, Microchip and STMicroelectronics help when a product depends on specific silicon |
| + | All intellectual property passes to the client, which removes a common sticking point in outsourcing contracts |
| + | An in-house hardware lab lets the team prototype and test devices without waiting on third-party facilities |
| + | Engineering rates in Ukraine and Poland sit well below London consultancy day rates, while the London office keeps account management local |
| - | Mass production is not handled in-house, so you will need a separate manufacturing partner for physical products |
| - | Lemberg does not obtain regulatory certification for clients; it supplies the documentation and engineering support for approvals |
| - | At 200+ people it cannot staff the very large programmes that Endava or EPAM can |
| - | Some reviewers mention early friction over working hours before schedules were aligned with the client's time zone |
| Thoughtworks | |
|---|---|
| + | Very strong senior consultants and engineering practices |
| + | Global delivery network for blended teams |
| + | Well suited to modernisation programmes that need cultural change |
| - | Taken private by Apax in 2024 alongside a restructuring that cut 6–7% of staff |
| - | Premium pricing, especially with senior UK consultants |
| - | Overkill for straightforward builds |
Who should choose Lemberg Solutions?
A typical fit: a UK medtech start-up needs firmware, a companion app and a cloud dashboard from one supplier.
One team can own firmware, electronics, cloud back end and the user-facing app, managed from a London office. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Healthcare and medical devices, Automotive, Energy, Transportation and logistics, Manufacturing.
Who should choose Thoughtworks?
A typical fit: a bank wants to break up a core monolith.
Thought leadership in software practice, backed by a large global delivery network. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Financial services, Retail, Public sector, Healthcare, Media.
Decision matrix: Lemberg Solutions vs Thoughtworks
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | Lemberg Solutions |
| You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme | Lemberg Solutions |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Compare: Lemberg Solutions (Not published) vs Thoughtworks (Not published) |
| You need specialist depth in a specific vertical | Lemberg Solutions |
| You want engineers added to your own in-house team | Lemberg Solutions |
| Your product includes hardware, firmware or connected devices | Lemberg Solutions |
Use case fit: Lemberg Solutions vs Thoughtworks
| Use case | Lemberg Solutions fit | Thoughtworks fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| A UK medtech start-up needs firmware, a companion app and a cloud dashboard from one supplier. | Strong | Limited | Lemberg Solutions |
| An industrial equipment maker wants to add connectivity and remote monitoring to an existing product line. | Strong | Limited | Lemberg Solutions |
| A bank wants to break up a core monolith. | Limited | Strong | Thoughtworks |
| A retailer needs to rebuild its platform and change how teams work. | Limited | Strong | Thoughtworks |
| You need hardware, firmware or IoT work in the same contract | Strong | Limited | Lemberg Solutions |
| You want a fixed-price first phase before a longer engagement | Strong | Limited | Lemberg Solutions |
Verdict: Lemberg Solutions vs Thoughtworks
Lemberg Solutions (4.7/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Software Development Outsourcing projects. One team can own firmware, electronics, cloud back end and the user-facing app, managed from a London office.
Thoughtworks (3.9/5) is worth a look in a scenario like this: a retailer needs to rebuild its platform and change how teams work. If your situation matches that, Thoughtworks is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
Lemberg Solutions vs Thoughtworks FAQ
Is Lemberg Solutions better than Thoughtworks?
Lemberg Solutions (4.7/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. Lemberg Solutions's strongest advantage: covers the whole product, from electrical engineering and firmware through cloud and app development, so a UK buyer manages one supplier instead of three. Thoughtworks's strongest advantage: very strong senior consultants and engineering practices.
How do Lemberg Solutions and Thoughtworks differ in pricing?
Lemberg Solutions uses time and materials, fixed price, dedicated team pricing. Thoughtworks uses time and materials pricing. Neither firm publishes a full rate card; a discovery call is required for project-specific quotes.
Which is better for enterprise: Lemberg Solutions or Thoughtworks?
Thoughtworks 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 Lemberg Solutions and Thoughtworks?
Lemberg Solutions's primary differentiator is: one team can own firmware, electronics, cloud back end and the user-facing app, managed from a London office. Thoughtworks's primary differentiator is: thought leadership in software practice, backed by a large global delivery network. They also differ in team size (200+ vs 10,000+), minimum engagement (Not published vs Not published), and primary industries served (Healthcare and medical devices, Automotive vs Financial services, Retail).
Verify all details directly with each company before making a decision.