Best Software Development Outsourcing UK

ELEKS vs BJSS (CGI): full comparison for 2026

Quick verdict

ELEKS (4.4/5) edges ahead of BJSS (CGI) (4.0/5) overall. ELEKS is the better choice for data-heavy custom software, Ukrainian rates, mature processes. 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.

ELEKS vs BJSS (CGI): head-to-head summary

Criterion ELEKS BJSS (CGI)
Founded 1991 1993
HQ Tallinn, Estonia (engineering in Lviv; London office) Leeds, United Kingdom (owned by CGI)
Team size 2,000+ 2,000–2,500
Rating 4.4 / 5 4.0 / 5
Primary differentiator Three decades of outsourced delivery with an in-house research and development unit Large UK onshore delivery capacity, now backed by CGI's global network
Pricing model Time and materials, dedicated team, fixed price Time and materials, fixed price, managed service
Min. engagement Not published Not published
Primary tech stack .NET, Java, Python Java, .NET, AWS
Industries served Financial services, Logistics, Healthcare, Media, Retail Public sector, Healthcare, Financial services, Retail, Energy

ELEKS vs BJSS (CGI): overview

ELEKS

ELEKS began in Lviv in 1991, which makes it one of the oldest software companies in Ukraine. It now lists Tallinn, Estonia as its corporate headquarters and keeps a London office on Beech Street. Around 2,000 specialists work on custom software, data science, and research and development projects, mostly from Ukraine and Poland. Its long history with Western European clients shows in fairly mature delivery processes.

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: ELEKS vs BJSS (CGI)

Capability ELEKS 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: ELEKS vs BJSS (CGI)

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

Pricing comparison: ELEKS vs BJSS (CGI)

Criterion ELEKS BJSS (CGI)
Minimum engagement Not published Not published
Engagement models Dedicated team, Fixed project, 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: ELEKS vs BJSS (CGI)

Dimension ELEKS BJSS (CGI)
Best company size Startup to mid-market Startup to mid-market
Best industries Financial services, Logistics, Healthcare Public sector, Healthcare, Financial services
Best use cases A logistics firm wants route and demand forecasting built into its operations software., A UK company needs a dedicated team for a multi-year product build at nearshore rates. 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

ELEKS vs BJSS (CGI): pros and cons

ELEKS
+ Thirty-plus years in business is a strong signal of stability for a long contract
+ A London office gives UK buyers a local contracting and meeting point
+ Data science and analytics work is a genuine strength alongside general development
+ Rates are in the Ukrainian band, well under UK onshore pricing
- Most engineering is in Ukraine, so buyers should review continuity plans given the war
- The London office is mainly a sales and account presence, not a delivery centre
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 ELEKS?

A typical fit: a logistics firm wants route and demand forecasting built into its operations software.

Three decades of outsourced delivery with an in-house research and development unit. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Financial services, Logistics, 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: ELEKS vs BJSS (CGI)

Your situation Recommended choice
You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope ELEKS
You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme ELEKS
Your budget is at the lower end Compare: ELEKS (Not published) vs BJSS (CGI) (Not published)
You need specialist depth in a specific vertical ELEKS
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: ELEKS vs BJSS (CGI)

Use case ELEKS fit BJSS (CGI) fit Winner
A logistics firm wants route and demand forecasting built into its operations software. Strong Limited ELEKS
A UK company needs a dedicated team for a multi-year product build at nearshore rates. Strong Limited ELEKS
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 Strong Strong Both equally

Verdict: ELEKS vs BJSS (CGI)

ELEKS (4.4/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Software Development Outsourcing projects. Three decades of outsourced delivery with an in-house research and development unit.

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

ELEKS vs BJSS (CGI) FAQ

Is ELEKS better than BJSS (CGI)?

ELEKS (4.4/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. ELEKS's strongest advantage: thirty-plus years in business is a strong signal of stability for a long contract. BJSS (CGI)'s strongest advantage: long record on large NHS and government programmes.

How do ELEKS and BJSS (CGI) differ in pricing?

ELEKS uses time and materials, dedicated team, fixed price 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: ELEKS 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 ELEKS and BJSS (CGI)?

ELEKS's primary differentiator is: three decades of outsourced delivery with an in-house research and development unit. BJSS (CGI)'s primary differentiator is: large UK onshore delivery capacity, now backed by CGI's global network. They also differ in team size (2,000+ vs 2,000–2,500), minimum engagement (Not published vs Not published), and primary industries served (Financial services, Logistics vs Public sector, Healthcare).

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