LeewayHertz vs Cleveroad: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
LeewayHertz (4.1/5) edges ahead of Cleveroad (4.0/5) overall. LeewayHertz is the better choice for buyers wanting broad AI service coverage in one vendor. 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.
LeewayHertz vs Cleveroad: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | LeewayHertz | Cleveroad |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2007 | 2011 |
| HQ | San Francisco, United States | Krakow, Poland |
| Team size | 150-300 | 113-200 |
| Rating | 4.1 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | Backed by The Hackett Group's consulting network following its 2024 acquisition | Production-deployment discipline carried over from a decade of mobile and web delivery |
| Pricing model | Fixed project or dedicated team | Fixed project or dedicated team |
| Min. engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Primary tech stack | Python, PyTorch, OpenAI API | Python, React Native, AWS |
| Industries served | Financial services, Healthcare, Retail & e-commerce, Manufacturing | Retail & e-commerce, Healthcare, Logistics |
LeewayHertz vs Cleveroad: overview
LeewayHertz
LeewayHertz has operated out of San Francisco since 2007, though its ownership structure changed in September 2024 when The Hackett Group acquired the company. That acquisition matters for anyone evaluating long-term strategic direction, since it now answers to a larger consulting parent rather than operating fully independently. Public employee figures have also moved in different directions across sources and time, from around 300 in earlier reporting down to roughly 182 by mid-2026, worth checking directly given how much content marketing the firm publishes relative to its actual team size.
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: LeewayHertz vs Cleveroad
| Capability | LeewayHertz | Cleveroad |
|---|---|---|
| Generative AI | ✓ | ✓ |
| Machine learning | ✓ | ✓ |
| AI agents | ✓ | ✗ |
| MLOps | ✗ | ✗ |
| AI consulting | ✗ | ✗ |
| Fixed-price projects | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dedicated team model | ✓ | ✓ |
Tech stack comparison: LeewayHertz vs Cleveroad
| Framework / platform | LeewayHertz | Cleveroad |
|---|---|---|
| Python | ✓ | ✓ |
| PyTorch | ✓ | N/A |
| TensorFlow | N/A | ✓ |
| LangChain | ✓ | N/A |
| AWS | ✓ | ✓ |
| Azure | ✓ | N/A |
| Kubernetes | N/A | N/A |
Pricing comparison: LeewayHertz vs Cleveroad
| Criterion | LeewayHertz | Cleveroad |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Engagement models | Fixed project, Dedicated team | Fixed project, Dedicated team |
| Rate transparency | Not public | Not public |
| Price tier | Mid-market | Mid-market |
Target audience comparison: LeewayHertz vs Cleveroad
| Dimension | LeewayHertz | 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 | Consolidating several AI workstreams under a single vendor relationship., Working with a firm now backed by a larger consulting parent for enterprise credibility. | 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 | Fixed project | Fixed project |
LeewayHertz vs Cleveroad: pros and cons
| LeewayHertz | |
|---|---|
| + | Broad service coverage spanning generative AI, machine learning, and AI agents under one roof. |
| + | The Hackett Group acquisition adds access to a larger consulting and benchmarking network. |
| + | Close to two decades of operating history predating the current AI boom. |
| + | High volume of published technical writing makes its methodology easy to evaluate before hiring. |
| - | Now owned by The Hackett Group as of 2024, which may shift its long-term positioning |
| - | Reported headcount has fallen by roughly half across recent public data, worth confirming directly |
| 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 LeewayHertz?
A typical fit: consolidating several AI workstreams under a single vendor relationship.
Backed by The Hackett Group's consulting network following its 2024 acquisition. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Financial services, Healthcare, Retail & e-commerce, Manufacturing.
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: LeewayHertz vs Cleveroad
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | LeewayHertz |
| You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme | LeewayHertz |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Compare: LeewayHertz (Not disclosed) vs Cleveroad (Not disclosed) |
| You need specialist depth in a specific vertical | LeewayHertz |
| You need staff augmentation or team extension | Neither; consider alternatives that offer staff aug |
| You need consulting before committing to a build | Both may offer discovery engagements |
Use case fit: LeewayHertz vs Cleveroad
| Use case | LeewayHertz fit | Cleveroad fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consolidating several AI workstreams under a single vendor relationship. | Strong | Limited | LeewayHertz |
| Working with a firm now backed by a larger consulting parent for enterprise credibility. | Strong | Strong | Both equally |
| 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. | Strong | Strong | Both equally |
| Fixed-price build | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
| Staff augmentation | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
Verdict: LeewayHertz vs Cleveroad
LeewayHertz (4.1/5) is the stronger overall choice for most AI Development projects. Backed by The Hackett Group's consulting network following its 2024 acquisition.
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
LeewayHertz vs Cleveroad FAQ
Is LeewayHertz better than Cleveroad?
LeewayHertz (4.1/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. LeewayHertz's strongest advantage: broad service coverage spanning generative AI, machine learning, and AI agents under one roof. Cleveroad's strongest advantage: mobile and web development roots translate into disciplined production deployment practices.
How do LeewayHertz and Cleveroad differ in pricing?
LeewayHertz uses fixed project or dedicated team 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: LeewayHertz or Cleveroad?
LeewayHertz 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 LeewayHertz and Cleveroad?
LeewayHertz's primary differentiator is: backed by The Hackett Group's consulting network following its 2024 acquisition. Cleveroad's primary differentiator is: production-deployment discipline carried over from a decade of mobile and web delivery. They also differ in team size (150-300 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.