Best Software Development Outsourcing UK

STX Next vs BJSS (CGI): full comparison for 2026

Quick verdict

STX Next (4.2/5) edges ahead of BJSS (CGI) (4.0/5) overall. STX Next is the better choice for python back ends and data products, Polish rates. BJSS (CGI) is the stronger option for NHS and government programmes, large onshore delivery. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.

STX Next vs BJSS (CGI): head-to-head summary

Criterion STX Next BJSS (CGI)
Founded 2005 1993
HQ Poznań, Poland Leeds, United Kingdom (owned by CGI)
Team size 500–600 2,000–2,500
Rating 4.2 / 5 4.0 / 5
Primary differentiator Deep Python specialism across web back ends, data engineering and machine learning Large UK onshore delivery capacity, now backed by CGI's global network
Pricing model Time and materials, dedicated team Time and materials, fixed price, managed service
Min. engagement Not published Not published
Primary tech stack Python, Django, FastAPI Java, .NET, AWS
Industries served Fintech, Healthcare, Media, Retail Public sector, Healthcare, Financial services, Retail, Energy

STX Next vs BJSS (CGI): overview

STX Next

STX Next was founded in Poznań in 2005 and built its name as one of Europe's largest Python-focused development companies. Its March 2025 anniversary release cited about 500 people and more than 1,000 projects delivered. A later combination with Gliwice's Brainhub added roughly 100 more engineers. Innova Capital has been an investor since 2020.

BJSS (CGI)

BJSS was founded in Leeds in 1993 and grew into one of the UK's largest independent technology consultancies before CGI completed its acquisition in February 2025. The deal brought about 2,400 BJSS staff into CGI and took CGI's UK headcount past 8,500. BJSS teams are being merged into CGI's metro-based UK operating model. UK clients get the scale and governance of a global group, with nearshore capacity now available through CGI centres such as Portugal.

Services and capabilities: STX Next vs BJSS (CGI)

Capability STX Next BJSS (CGI)
Custom software development ✓ ✓
Mobile app development ✗ ✗
Cloud & DevOps ✓ ✓
Data & AI ✓ ✓
Legacy modernisation ✗ ✗
Embedded & IoT ✗ ✗
Dedicated team model ✓ ✗
Fixed-price projects ✗ ✓

Tech stack comparison: STX Next vs BJSS (CGI)

Framework / platform STX Next BJSS (CGI)
.NET N/A ✓
Java N/A ✓
Python ✓ ✓
React ✓ N/A
AWS ✓ ✓
Azure N/A ✓
Kubernetes N/A ✓
Embedded N/A N/A

Pricing comparison: STX Next vs BJSS (CGI)

Criterion STX Next BJSS (CGI)
Minimum engagement Not published Not published
Engagement models Dedicated team, Team extension, Time and materials Fixed project, Managed service, Time and materials
Rate transparency Not public Not public
Price tier Mid-market Mid-market

Target audience comparison: STX Next vs BJSS (CGI)

Dimension STX Next BJSS (CGI)
Best company size Startup to mid-market Startup to mid-market
Best industries Fintech, Healthcare, Media Public sector, Healthcare, Financial services
Best use cases A fintech needs a Django back end rebuilt and scaled., A media company wants data ingestion jobs and recommendation models written in Python. An NHS trust needs a national-scale digital service., A bank wants a large onshore team with independent testing.
Typical project type Dedicated team Fixed project

STX Next vs BJSS (CGI): pros and cons

STX Next
+ Python depth is hard to match among mid-sized European vendors
+ Combined STX Next and Brainhub team adds JavaScript and product capacity
+ Polish location gives near-total working-day overlap with the UK
- No staffed UK office was found, so account management is run from Poland
- The Brainhub merger is recent, and integration may take time
BJSS (CGI)
+ Long record on large NHS and government programmes
+ CGI ownership adds financial stability and access to nearshore centres
+ Strong testing and quality engineering practice
- Acquired by CGI in 2025, and integration into CGI's model may change account teams and processes
- Large-consultancy pricing and governance are heavy for small projects

Who should choose STX Next?

A typical fit: a fintech needs a Django back end rebuilt and scaled.

Deep Python specialism across web back ends, data engineering and machine learning. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Fintech, Healthcare, Media, Retail.

Who should choose BJSS (CGI)?

A typical fit: an NHS trust needs a national-scale digital service.

Large UK onshore delivery capacity, now backed by CGI's global network. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Public sector, Healthcare, Financial services, Retail, Energy.

Decision matrix: STX Next vs BJSS (CGI)

Your situation Recommended choice
You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope BJSS (CGI)
You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme STX Next
Your budget is at the lower end Compare: STX Next (Not published) vs BJSS (CGI) (Not published)
You need specialist depth in a specific vertical BJSS (CGI)
You want engineers added to your own in-house team STX Next
Your product includes hardware, firmware or connected devices Neither; consider an embedded specialist

Use case fit: STX Next vs BJSS (CGI)

Use case STX Next fit BJSS (CGI) fit Winner
A fintech needs a Django back end rebuilt and scaled. Strong Limited STX Next
A media company wants data ingestion jobs and recommendation models written in Python. Strong Limited STX Next
An NHS trust needs a national-scale digital service. Limited Strong BJSS (CGI)
A bank wants a large onshore team with independent testing. Limited Strong BJSS (CGI)
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 BJSS (CGI)

Verdict: STX Next vs BJSS (CGI)

STX Next (4.2/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Software Development Outsourcing projects. Deep Python specialism across web back ends, data engineering and machine learning.

BJSS (CGI) (4.0/5) is worth a look in a scenario like this: a bank wants a large onshore team with independent testing. If your situation matches that, BJSS (CGI) is a competitive option.

Related comparisons

STX Next vs BJSS (CGI) FAQ

Is STX Next better than BJSS (CGI)?

STX Next (4.2/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. STX Next's strongest advantage: python depth is hard to match among mid-sized European vendors. BJSS (CGI)'s strongest advantage: long record on large NHS and government programmes.

How do STX Next and BJSS (CGI) differ in pricing?

STX Next uses time and materials, dedicated team pricing. BJSS (CGI) uses time and materials, fixed price, managed service pricing. Neither firm publishes a full rate card; a discovery call is required for project-specific quotes.

Which is better for enterprise: STX Next or BJSS (CGI)?

BJSS (CGI) 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 STX Next and BJSS (CGI)?

STX Next's primary differentiator is: deep Python specialism across web back ends, data engineering and machine learning. BJSS (CGI)'s primary differentiator is: large UK onshore delivery capacity, now backed by CGI's global network. They also differ in team size (500–600 vs 2,000–2,500), minimum engagement (Not published vs Not published), and primary industries served (Fintech, Healthcare vs Public sector, Healthcare).

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