Spyrosoft vs Kainos: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
Spyrosoft (4.2/5) edges ahead of Kainos (4.2/5) overall. Spyrosoft is the better choice for automotive and industrial software, UK-led Polish teams. Kainos is the stronger option for UK government digital services, Workday programmes. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
Spyrosoft vs Kainos: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | Spyrosoft | Kainos |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2016 | 1986 |
| HQ | Wrocław, Poland (UK office in Dorset) | Belfast, United Kingdom |
| Team size | 1,500+ | 3,000+ |
| Rating | 4.2 / 5 | 4.2 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | Polish engineering capacity with a UK co-founder running the UK business | Combined government digital delivery and Workday partnership, listed on the LSE |
| Pricing model | Time and materials, dedicated team, fixed price | Time and materials, fixed price, framework call-offs |
| Min. engagement | Not published | Not published |
| Primary tech stack | C++, Java, .NET | Java, .NET, AWS |
| Industries served | Automotive, Financial services, Manufacturing, Healthcare | Public sector, Healthcare, Financial services, Commercial enterprises |
Spyrosoft vs Kainos: overview
Spyrosoft
Spyrosoft was set up in 2016 by a group that included UK-based co-founder Andrew Radcliffe, and its UK entity actually came before its first Polish office. It is headquartered in Wrocław and has grown quickly, with figures ranging from around 800 to 1,900 staff depending on the source. Spyrosoft Ltd runs UK operations from Dorset, with delivery mostly in Poland. Automotive, embedded and industrial software are notable strengths next to standard web and cloud work.
Kainos
Kainos was founded in Belfast in 1986 and is listed on the London Stock Exchange. In the year to March 2026 it reported revenue of £431.1m, up 17%, and a workforce of 3,216 after adding 420 people, a rebound from a 2024/25 restructuring that cut staff by 7%. It runs three divisions: Digital Services, Workday Services and Workday Products. Its government work spans departments such as the Home Office and NHS bodies, delivered from the UK and Ireland.
Services and capabilities: Spyrosoft vs Kainos
| Capability | Spyrosoft | Kainos |
|---|---|---|
| Custom software development | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mobile app development | ✗ | ✗ |
| Cloud & DevOps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Data & AI | ✓ | ✓ |
| Legacy modernisation | ✗ | ✓ |
| Embedded & IoT | ✓ | ✗ |
| Dedicated team model | ✓ | ✗ |
| Fixed-price projects | ✓ | ✓ |
Tech stack comparison: Spyrosoft vs Kainos
| Framework / platform | Spyrosoft | Kainos |
|---|---|---|
| .NET | ✓ | ✓ |
| Java | ✓ | ✓ |
| Python | ✓ | ✓ |
| React | N/A | N/A |
| AWS | ✓ | ✓ |
| Azure | ✓ | ✓ |
| Kubernetes | N/A | ✓ |
| Embedded | ✓ | N/A |
Pricing comparison: Spyrosoft vs Kainos
| Criterion | Spyrosoft | Kainos |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | Not published | Not published |
| Engagement models | Dedicated team, Fixed project, Time and materials | Fixed project, Time and materials |
| Rate transparency | Not public | Not public |
| Price tier | Mid-market | Mid-market |
Target audience comparison: Spyrosoft vs Kainos
| Dimension | Spyrosoft | Kainos |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Automotive, Financial services, Manufacturing | Public sector, Healthcare, Financial services |
| Best use cases | An automotive supplier needs infotainment or vehicle software engineers., A UK industrial company needs embedded and cloud developers for a monitoring product. | A government department needs a GOV.UK service built and run., An NHS body wants a digital patient service delivered onshore. |
| Typical project type | Dedicated team | Fixed project |
Spyrosoft vs Kainos: pros and cons
| Spyrosoft | |
|---|---|
| + | UK leadership is part of the founding team rather than a later sales hire |
| + | Embedded and automotive work adds range for hardware-adjacent projects |
| + | Listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, so financial results are public |
| - | Rapid growth through hiring and acquisitions can mean uneven maturity between business units |
| - | The UK office is small; nearly all engineers are in Poland |
| Kainos | |
|---|---|
| + | Belfast-based delivery costs less than London while staying UK-based |
| + | Public reporting gives buyers verified financials and headcount |
| + | Very familiar with UK public-sector procurement frameworks |
| - | Little offshore capacity, so rates do not compete with nearshore vendors |
| - | Workday business takes a growing share of leadership focus |
| - | The 2024/25 restructuring shows exposure to swings in public-sector spending |
Who should choose Spyrosoft?
A typical fit: an automotive supplier needs infotainment or vehicle software engineers.
Polish engineering capacity with a UK co-founder running the UK business. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Automotive, Financial services, Manufacturing, Healthcare.
Who should choose Kainos?
A typical fit: a government department needs a GOV.UK service built and run.
Combined government digital delivery and Workday partnership, listed on the LSE. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Public sector, Healthcare, Financial services, Commercial enterprises.
Decision matrix: Spyrosoft vs Kainos
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | Spyrosoft |
| You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme | Spyrosoft |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Compare: Spyrosoft (Not published) vs Kainos (Not published) |
| You need specialist depth in a specific vertical | Spyrosoft |
| 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 | Spyrosoft |
Use case fit: Spyrosoft vs Kainos
| Use case | Spyrosoft fit | Kainos fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| An automotive supplier needs infotainment or vehicle software engineers. | Strong | Limited | Spyrosoft |
| A UK industrial company needs embedded and cloud developers for a monitoring product. | Strong | Limited | Spyrosoft |
| A government department needs a GOV.UK service built and run. | Limited | Strong | Kainos |
| An NHS body wants a digital patient service delivered onshore. | Limited | Strong | Kainos |
| You need hardware, firmware or IoT work in the same contract | Strong | Limited | Spyrosoft |
| You want a fixed-price first phase before a longer engagement | Strong | Strong | Both equally |
Verdict: Spyrosoft vs Kainos
Spyrosoft (4.2/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Software Development Outsourcing projects. Polish engineering capacity with a UK co-founder running the UK business.
Kainos (4.2/5) is worth a look in a scenario like this: an NHS body wants a digital patient service delivered onshore. If your situation matches that, Kainos is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
Spyrosoft vs Kainos FAQ
Is Spyrosoft better than Kainos?
Spyrosoft (4.2/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. Spyrosoft's strongest advantage: UK leadership is part of the founding team rather than a later sales hire. Kainos's strongest advantage: belfast-based delivery costs less than London while staying UK-based.
How do Spyrosoft and Kainos differ in pricing?
Spyrosoft uses time and materials, dedicated team, fixed price pricing. Kainos uses time and materials, fixed price, framework call-offs pricing. Neither firm publishes a full rate card; a discovery call is required for project-specific quotes.
Which is better for enterprise: Spyrosoft or Kainos?
Kainos 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 Spyrosoft and Kainos?
Spyrosoft's primary differentiator is: polish engineering capacity with a UK co-founder running the UK business. Kainos's primary differentiator is: combined government digital delivery and Workday partnership, listed on the LSE. They also differ in team size (1,500+ vs 3,000+), minimum engagement (Not published vs Not published), and primary industries served (Automotive, Financial services vs Public sector, Healthcare).
Verify all details directly with each company before making a decision.