Softwire vs DataArt: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
Softwire (4.3/5) edges ahead of DataArt (4.0/5) overall. Softwire is the better choice for UK media and charities, bespoke builds, onshore teams. DataArt is the stronger option for travel and finance firms, long-term nearshore teams. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
Softwire vs DataArt: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | Softwire | DataArt |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2000 | 1997 |
| HQ | London, United Kingdom | New York, United States (London office) |
| Team size | 250–500 | 5,000–6,000 |
| Rating | 4.3 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | Long-standing onshore bespoke development that trains its own graduate engineers | Two decades of London presence and specialist travel-industry engineering |
| Pricing model | Time and materials, fixed price | Time and materials, dedicated team |
| Min. engagement | Not published | Not published |
| Primary tech stack | C#, .NET, Java | Java, .NET, Python |
| Industries served | Media, Charities, Public sector, Education, Retail | Travel and hospitality, Financial services, Healthcare, Media, Retail |
Softwire vs DataArt: overview
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.
DataArt
Eugene Goland founded DataArt in New York in 1997, and the company opened in London in 2001. It reports more than 6,000 people as of September 2025, spread across Central and Eastern Europe, Latin America and elsewhere. Travel and hospitality, finance and healthcare are its strongest industries. UK clients get a long-standing London presence with delivery from lower-cost locations.
Services and capabilities: Softwire vs DataArt
| Capability | Softwire | DataArt |
|---|---|---|
| Custom software development | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mobile app development | ✗ | ✗ |
| Cloud & DevOps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Data & AI | ✗ | ✓ |
| Legacy modernisation | ✗ | ✓ |
| Embedded & IoT | ✗ | ✗ |
| Dedicated team model | ✗ | ✓ |
| Fixed-price projects | ✓ | ✗ |
Tech stack comparison: Softwire vs DataArt
| Framework / platform | Softwire | DataArt |
|---|---|---|
| .NET | ✓ | ✓ |
| Java | ✓ | ✓ |
| Python | N/A | ✓ |
| React | ✓ | ✓ |
| AWS | ✓ | ✓ |
| Azure | ✓ | ✓ |
| Kubernetes | N/A | N/A |
| Embedded | N/A | N/A |
Pricing comparison: Softwire vs DataArt
| Criterion | Softwire | DataArt |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | Not published | Not published |
| Engagement models | Fixed project, Time and materials | Dedicated team, Time and materials |
| Rate transparency | Not public | Not public |
| Price tier | Mid-market | Mid-market |
Target audience comparison: Softwire vs DataArt
| Dimension | Softwire | DataArt |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Media, Charities, Public sector | Travel and hospitality, Financial services, Healthcare |
| Best use cases | A broadcaster needs a new content management or scheduling tool., A charity wants a donor platform built by a UK team it can visit. | A travel company needs booking-engine and distribution work., A financial firm wants legacy trading software modernised. |
| Typical project type | Fixed project | Dedicated team |
Softwire vs DataArt: pros and cons
| 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 |
| DataArt | |
|---|---|
| + | London office has been open since 2001 |
| + | Specialist knowledge of travel booking and distribution systems |
| + | Delivery spread across several regions |
| - | US headquarters means UK contracts may sit with a non-UK parent |
| - | Headcount estimates vary widely between sources |
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.
Who should choose DataArt?
A typical fit: a travel company needs booking-engine and distribution work.
Two decades of London presence and specialist travel-industry engineering. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Travel and hospitality, Financial services, Healthcare, Media, Retail.
Decision matrix: Softwire vs DataArt
| 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 | DataArt |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Compare: Softwire (Not published) vs DataArt (Not published) |
| You need specialist depth in a specific vertical | Softwire |
| 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: Softwire vs DataArt
| Use case | Softwire fit | DataArt fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| A broadcaster needs a new content management or scheduling tool. | Strong | Limited | Softwire |
| A charity wants a donor platform built by a UK team it can visit. | Strong | Limited | Softwire |
| A travel company needs booking-engine and distribution work. | Limited | Strong | DataArt |
| A financial firm wants legacy trading software modernised. | Limited | Strong | DataArt |
| 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 | Limited | Softwire |
Verdict: Softwire vs DataArt
Softwire (4.3/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Software Development Outsourcing projects. Long-standing onshore bespoke development that trains its own graduate engineers.
DataArt (4.0/5) is worth a look in a scenario like this: a financial firm wants legacy trading software modernised. If your situation matches that, DataArt is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
Softwire vs DataArt FAQ
Is Softwire better than DataArt?
Softwire (4.3/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. Softwire's strongest advantage: twenty-five years of bespoke UK delivery with recognisable media clients. DataArt's strongest advantage: london office has been open since 2001.
How do Softwire and DataArt differ in pricing?
Softwire uses time and materials, fixed price pricing. DataArt uses time and materials, dedicated team pricing. Neither firm publishes a full rate card; a discovery call is required for project-specific quotes.
Which is better for enterprise: Softwire or DataArt?
DataArt 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 Softwire and DataArt?
Softwire's primary differentiator is: long-standing onshore bespoke development that trains its own graduate engineers. DataArt's primary differentiator is: two decades of London presence and specialist travel-industry engineering. They also differ in team size (250–500 vs 5,000–6,000), minimum engagement (Not published vs Not published), and primary industries served (Media, Charities vs Travel and hospitality, Financial services).
Verify all details directly with each company before making a decision.