Best Software Development Outsourcing UK

Sigma Software vs Version 1: full comparison for 2026

Quick verdict

Sigma Software (4.0/5) edges ahead of Version 1 (3.9/5) overall. Sigma Software is the better choice for broad-scope outsourcing, Scandinavian-owned vendor. 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.

Sigma Software vs Version 1: head-to-head summary

Criterion Sigma Software Version 1
Founded 2002 1996
HQ Stockholm, Sweden and Kyiv, Ukraine (UK presence) Dublin, Ireland (UK offices including Birmingham)
Team size 2,000+ 3,000+
Rating 4.0 / 5 3.9 / 5
Primary differentiator Swedish group ownership with Ukrainian and Polish engineering Managed services for Oracle, Microsoft and AWS estates with Indian and Spanish delivery
Pricing model Time and materials, dedicated team, fixed price Managed service, time and materials, fixed price
Min. engagement Not published Not published
Primary tech stack Java, .NET, C++ Oracle, Microsoft Azure, AWS
Industries served Automotive, Telecoms, Financial services, Media, Healthcare Public sector, Financial services, Healthcare, Utilities

Sigma Software vs Version 1: overview

Sigma Software

Sigma Software was founded in 2002 and belongs to the Swedish Sigma group. It describes a team of over 2,100 professionals in 40 offices across 19 countries, with most engineering in Ukraine and Poland. Directories list it inconsistently as UK-based or Stockholm-based, which reflects its mix of Swedish ownership and international offices. It covers a broad range of services and industries.

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: Sigma Software vs Version 1

Capability Sigma Software 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: Sigma Software vs Version 1

Framework / platform Sigma Software Version 1
.NET ✓ ✓
Java ✓ ✓
Python ✓ N/A
React ✓ N/A
AWS ✓ ✓
Azure ✓ ✓
Kubernetes N/A N/A
Embedded N/A N/A

Pricing comparison: Sigma Software vs Version 1

Criterion Sigma Software Version 1
Minimum engagement Not published Not published
Engagement models Dedicated team, Fixed project, Time and materials Managed service, Fixed project, Time and materials
Rate transparency Not public Not public
Price tier Mid-market Mid-market

Target audience comparison: Sigma Software vs Version 1

Dimension Sigma Software Version 1
Best company size Startup to mid-market Startup to mid-market
Best industries Automotive, Telecoms, Financial services Public sector, Financial services, Healthcare
Best use cases A telecoms firm needs network software engineers., An automotive supplier wants embedded developers. A public body needs Oracle E-Business Suite support and migration., A utility wants Azure managed services.
Typical project type Dedicated team Managed service

Sigma Software vs Version 1: pros and cons

Sigma Software
+ Swedish parent adds governance and financial backing
+ Broad technical range, including embedded and automotive
+ Ukrainian and Polish rates
- UK office details are hard to confirm from public sources
- Breadth means less obvious specialism in any one area
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 Sigma Software?

A typical fit: a telecoms firm needs network software engineers.

Swedish group ownership with Ukrainian and Polish engineering. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Automotive, Telecoms, Financial services, Media, Healthcare.

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: Sigma Software vs Version 1

Your situation Recommended choice
You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope Sigma Software
You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme Sigma Software
Your budget is at the lower end Compare: Sigma Software (Not published) vs Version 1 (Not published)
You need specialist depth in a specific vertical Sigma Software
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 Sigma Software

Use case fit: Sigma Software vs Version 1

Use case Sigma Software fit Version 1 fit Winner
A telecoms firm needs network software engineers. Strong Limited Sigma Software
An automotive supplier wants embedded developers. Strong Limited Sigma Software
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 Strong Limited Sigma Software
You want a fixed-price first phase before a longer engagement Strong Strong Both equally

Verdict: Sigma Software vs Version 1

Sigma Software (4.0/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Software Development Outsourcing projects. Swedish group ownership with Ukrainian and Polish engineering.

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

Sigma Software vs Version 1 FAQ

Is Sigma Software better than Version 1?

Sigma Software (4.0/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. Sigma Software's strongest advantage: swedish parent adds governance and financial backing. Version 1's strongest advantage: strong in Oracle and Microsoft environments common in UK public bodies.

How do Sigma Software and Version 1 differ in pricing?

Sigma Software uses time and materials, dedicated team, fixed price 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: Sigma Software or Version 1?

Version 1 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 Sigma Software and Version 1?

Sigma Software's primary differentiator is: swedish group ownership with Ukrainian and Polish engineering. 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 (2,000+ vs 3,000+), minimum engagement (Not published vs Not published), and primary industries served (Automotive, Telecoms vs Public sector, Financial services).

Verify all details directly with each company before making a decision.