Apadmi vs Version 1: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
Apadmi (3.9/5) edges ahead of Version 1 (3.9/5) overall. Apadmi is the better choice for UK brands that need flagship mobile apps. 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.
Apadmi vs Version 1: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | Apadmi | Version 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2009 | 1996 |
| HQ | Manchester, United Kingdom | Dublin, Ireland (UK offices including Birmingham) |
| Team size | 250–300 | 3,000+ |
| Rating | 3.9 / 5 | 3.9 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | Mobile-only specialism with a client list of household UK names | Managed services for Oracle, Microsoft and AWS estates with Indian and Spanish delivery |
| Pricing model | Time and materials, fixed price | Managed service, time and materials, fixed price |
| Min. engagement | Not published | Not published |
| Primary tech stack | Swift, Kotlin, Flutter | Oracle, Microsoft Azure, AWS |
| Industries served | Retail, Media, Healthcare, Public sector | Public sector, Financial services, Healthcare, Utilities |
Apadmi vs Version 1: overview
Apadmi
Apadmi was founded in 2009 in Manchester and has its headquarters at MediaCity. It reported more than 300 employees in 2024, with hubs in London, Edinburgh, Lisbon and Amsterdam. The company builds and maintains mobile apps for large UK brands, including Argos, the BBC, Co-op, Asda and the NHS. Its Lisbon hub adds a lower-cost option within Western Europe.
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: Apadmi vs Version 1
| Capability | Apadmi | 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: Apadmi vs Version 1
| Framework / platform | Apadmi | Version 1 |
|---|---|---|
| .NET | N/A | ✓ |
| Java | N/A | ✓ |
| Python | N/A | N/A |
| React | ✓ | N/A |
| AWS | ✓ | ✓ |
| Azure | ✓ | ✓ |
| Kubernetes | N/A | N/A |
| Embedded | N/A | N/A |
Pricing comparison: Apadmi vs Version 1
| Criterion | Apadmi | Version 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | Not published | Not published |
| Engagement models | 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: Apadmi vs Version 1
| Dimension | Apadmi | Version 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Retail, Media, Healthcare | Public sector, Financial services, Healthcare |
| Best use cases | A retailer needs a high-traffic shopping app rebuilt., An NHS body wants a patient app. | A public body needs Oracle E-Business Suite support and migration., A utility wants Azure managed services. |
| Typical project type | Fixed project | Managed service |
Apadmi vs Version 1: pros and cons
| Apadmi | |
|---|---|
| + | Mobile focus brings deep iOS and Android expertise |
| + | Recognisable UK client list gives reassurance on quality |
| + | Lisbon hub offers some rate flexibility |
| - | Narrow focus; back-office and enterprise systems are not its core |
| - | Mostly UK delivery, so pricing is close to onshore rates |
| 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 Apadmi?
A typical fit: a retailer needs a high-traffic shopping app rebuilt.
Mobile-only specialism with a client list of household UK names. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Retail, Media, Healthcare, Public sector.
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: Apadmi vs Version 1
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | Apadmi |
| You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme | Check each company's engagement model |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Compare: Apadmi (Not published) vs Version 1 (Not published) |
| You need specialist depth in a specific vertical | Apadmi |
| 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: Apadmi vs Version 1
| Use case | Apadmi fit | Version 1 fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| A retailer needs a high-traffic shopping app rebuilt. | Strong | Limited | Apadmi |
| An NHS body wants a patient app. | Strong | Limited | Apadmi |
| 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 | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
| You want a fixed-price first phase before a longer engagement | Strong | Strong | Both equally |
Verdict: Apadmi vs Version 1
Apadmi (3.9/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Software Development Outsourcing projects. Mobile-only specialism with a client list of household UK names.
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
Apadmi vs Version 1 FAQ
Is Apadmi better than Version 1?
Apadmi (3.9/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. Apadmi's strongest advantage: mobile focus brings deep iOS and Android expertise. Version 1's strongest advantage: strong in Oracle and Microsoft environments common in UK public bodies.
How do Apadmi and Version 1 differ in pricing?
Apadmi uses time and materials, 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: Apadmi or Version 1?
Apadmi 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 Apadmi and Version 1?
Apadmi's primary differentiator is: mobile-only specialism with a client list of household UK names. 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 (250–300 vs 3,000+), minimum engagement (Not published vs Not published), and primary industries served (Retail, Media vs Public sector, Financial services).
Verify all details directly with each company before making a decision.