EPAM Systems vs Cleveroad: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
EPAM Systems (4.1/5) edges ahead of Cleveroad (4.0/5) overall. EPAM Systems is the better choice for global enterprises running AI programs at massive scale. Cleveroad is the stronger option for startups needing AI features inside a mobile or web product. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
EPAM Systems vs Cleveroad: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | EPAM Systems | Cleveroad |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1993 | 2011 |
| HQ | Newtown, United States | Krakow, Poland |
| Team size | 62,000+ | 113-200 |
| Rating | 4.1 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | Public-company scale (NYSE: EPAM) with financial transparency few competitors offer | Production-deployment discipline carried over from a decade of mobile and web delivery |
| Pricing model | Retainer or dedicated team, enterprise contracting | Fixed project or dedicated team |
| Min. engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Primary tech stack | Python, AWS, Azure | Python, React Native, AWS |
| Industries served | Financial services, Healthcare, Retail & e-commerce, Media & entertainment | Retail & e-commerce, Healthcare, Logistics |
EPAM Systems vs Cleveroad: overview
EPAM Systems
EPAM Systems traces back to 1993, founded jointly in New Jersey and Minsk by Arkadiy Dobkin and Leo Lozner, and has been an S&P 500 constituent trading on the NYSE since 2012. By the end of 2025 the company employed roughly 62,850 people across more than 55 countries, a scale that puts it in an entirely different category from any other firm on this list. AI transformation engineering is one of its marketed practice areas, but at this size it operates as part of a much larger digital engineering and cloud transformation business rather than a standalone specialty.
Cleveroad
Cleveroad has operated since 2011, though public sources disagree on where: LinkedIn lists Claymont, Delaware, while other trackers point to Krakow, Poland as the working base. Employee counts vary similarly, from roughly 113 up to a LinkedIn-reported 201-500. The firm's roots are in mobile and web development for startups and enterprise clients alike, with safe, production-grade AI deployment positioned as a newer strength built on that existing delivery discipline.
Services and capabilities: EPAM Systems vs Cleveroad
| Capability | EPAM Systems | Cleveroad |
|---|---|---|
| Generative AI | ✓ | ✓ |
| Machine learning | ✓ | ✓ |
| AI agents | ✗ | ✗ |
| MLOps | ✓ | ✗ |
| AI consulting | ✓ | ✗ |
| Fixed-price projects | ✗ | ✓ |
| Dedicated team model | ✓ | ✓ |
Tech stack comparison: EPAM Systems vs Cleveroad
| Framework / platform | EPAM Systems | Cleveroad |
|---|---|---|
| Python | ✓ | ✓ |
| PyTorch | N/A | N/A |
| TensorFlow | N/A | ✓ |
| LangChain | N/A | N/A |
| AWS | ✓ | ✓ |
| Azure | ✓ | N/A |
| Kubernetes | ✓ | N/A |
Pricing comparison: EPAM Systems vs Cleveroad
| Criterion | EPAM Systems | Cleveroad |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Engagement models | Dedicated team, Retainer | Fixed project, Dedicated team |
| Rate transparency | Not public | Not public |
| Price tier | Mid-market | Mid-market |
Target audience comparison: EPAM Systems vs Cleveroad
| Dimension | EPAM Systems | Cleveroad |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Financial services, Healthcare, Retail & e-commerce | Retail & e-commerce, Healthcare, Logistics |
| Best use cases | Running an AI transformation program spanning multiple business units and regions at once., Needing a publicly-traded vendor for audit or procurement compliance reasons. | Adding AI features to a mobile app already in production., Getting a startup MVP built with AI as one feature among several, not the entire product. |
| Typical project type | Dedicated team | Fixed project |
EPAM Systems vs Cleveroad: pros and cons
| EPAM Systems | |
|---|---|
| + | Public-company financial disclosure that no private firm on this list can match. |
| + | Enough scale to staff several large AI programs across regions simultaneously. |
| + | S&P 500 membership means enterprise procurement teams can vet it through standard due diligence. |
| + | Partnerships across all three major cloud hyperscalers. |
| - | AI sits inside an enormous engineering business rather than functioning as a dedicated specialty |
| - | Scale generally means slower onboarding and higher minimum engagement than boutique firms |
| Cleveroad | |
|---|---|
| + | Mobile and web development roots translate into disciplined production deployment practices. |
| + | Over a decade of delivery history across startup and enterprise clients. |
| + | Operates across four continents, giving flexible timezone coverage. |
| + | AI is positioned as an addition to, not a replacement for, established delivery skills. |
| - | Headquarters and employee count are reported inconsistently across public sources |
| - | AI-specific case studies are less prominent than the firm's mobile and web development portfolio |
Who should choose EPAM Systems?
A typical fit: running an AI transformation program spanning multiple business units and regions at once.
Public-company scale (NYSE: EPAM) with financial transparency few competitors offer. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Financial services, Healthcare, Retail & e-commerce, Media & entertainment.
Who should choose Cleveroad?
A typical fit: adding AI features to a mobile app already in production.
Production-deployment discipline carried over from a decade of mobile and web delivery. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Retail & e-commerce, Healthcare, Logistics.
Decision matrix: EPAM Systems vs Cleveroad
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | Cleveroad |
| You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme | EPAM Systems |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Compare: EPAM Systems (Not disclosed) vs Cleveroad (Not disclosed) |
| You need specialist depth in a specific vertical | EPAM Systems |
| You need staff augmentation or team extension | Neither; consider alternatives that offer staff aug |
| You need consulting before committing to a build | EPAM Systems |
Use case fit: EPAM Systems vs Cleveroad
| Use case | EPAM Systems fit | Cleveroad fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Running an AI transformation program spanning multiple business units and regions at once. | Strong | Limited | EPAM Systems |
| Needing a publicly-traded vendor for audit or procurement compliance reasons. | Strong | Limited | EPAM Systems |
| Adding AI features to a mobile app already in production. | Limited | Strong | Cleveroad |
| Getting a startup MVP built with AI as one feature among several, not the entire product. | Limited | Strong | Cleveroad |
| Fixed-price build | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
| Staff augmentation | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
Verdict: EPAM Systems vs Cleveroad
EPAM Systems (4.1/5) is the stronger overall choice for most AI Development projects. Public-company scale (NYSE: EPAM) with financial transparency few competitors offer.
Cleveroad (4.0/5) is worth a look if you need getting a startup MVP built with AI as one feature among several, not the entire product. If your situation matches that, Cleveroad is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
EPAM Systems vs Cleveroad FAQ
Is EPAM Systems better than Cleveroad?
EPAM Systems (4.1/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. EPAM Systems's strongest advantage: public-company financial disclosure that no private firm on this list can match. Cleveroad's strongest advantage: mobile and web development roots translate into disciplined production deployment practices.
How do EPAM Systems and Cleveroad differ in pricing?
EPAM Systems uses retainer or dedicated team, enterprise contracting pricing. Cleveroad uses fixed project or dedicated team pricing. Neither firm publishes a full rate card; a discovery call is required for project-specific quotes.
Which is better for enterprise: EPAM Systems or Cleveroad?
Cleveroad is the larger team and typically the better enterprise-scale choice. For very large programmes, verify team size and compliance coverage directly with each firm before shortlisting.
What are the main differences between EPAM Systems and Cleveroad?
EPAM Systems's primary differentiator is: public-company scale (NYSE: EPAM) with financial transparency few competitors offer. Cleveroad's primary differentiator is: production-deployment discipline carried over from a decade of mobile and web delivery. They also differ in team size (62,000+ vs 113-200), minimum engagement (Not disclosed vs Not disclosed), and primary industries served (Financial services, Healthcare vs Retail & e-commerce, Healthcare).
Verify all details directly with each firm before making a decision.