STX Next vs Apadmi: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
STX Next (4.2/5) edges ahead of Apadmi (3.9/5) overall. STX Next is the better choice for python back ends and data products, Polish rates. Apadmi is the stronger option for UK brands that need flagship mobile apps. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
STX Next vs Apadmi: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | STX Next | Apadmi |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2005 | 2009 |
| HQ | Poznań, Poland | Manchester, United Kingdom |
| Team size | 500–600 | 250–300 |
| Rating | 4.2 / 5 | 3.9 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | Deep Python specialism across web back ends, data engineering and machine learning | Mobile-only specialism with a client list of household UK names |
| Pricing model | Time and materials, dedicated team | Time and materials, fixed price |
| Min. engagement | Not published | Not published |
| Primary tech stack | Python, Django, FastAPI | Swift, Kotlin, Flutter |
| Industries served | Fintech, Healthcare, Media, Retail | Retail, Media, Healthcare, Public sector |
STX Next vs Apadmi: overview
STX Next
STX Next was founded in Poznań in 2005 and built its name as one of Europe's largest Python-focused development companies. Its March 2025 anniversary release cited about 500 people and more than 1,000 projects delivered. A later combination with Gliwice's Brainhub added roughly 100 more engineers. Innova Capital has been an investor since 2020.
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.
Services and capabilities: STX Next vs Apadmi
| Capability | STX Next | Apadmi |
|---|---|---|
| Custom software development | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mobile app development | ✗ | ✓ |
| Cloud & DevOps | ✓ | ✗ |
| Data & AI | ✓ | ✗ |
| Legacy modernisation | ✗ | ✗ |
| Embedded & IoT | ✗ | ✗ |
| Dedicated team model | ✓ | ✗ |
| Fixed-price projects | ✗ | ✓ |
Tech stack comparison: STX Next vs Apadmi
| Framework / platform | STX Next | Apadmi |
|---|---|---|
| .NET | N/A | N/A |
| Java | N/A | N/A |
| Python | ✓ | N/A |
| React | ✓ | ✓ |
| AWS | ✓ | ✓ |
| Azure | N/A | ✓ |
| Kubernetes | N/A | N/A |
| Embedded | N/A | N/A |
Pricing comparison: STX Next vs Apadmi
| Criterion | STX Next | Apadmi |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | Not published | Not published |
| Engagement models | Dedicated team, Team extension, Time and materials | Fixed project, Time and materials |
| Rate transparency | Not public | Not public |
| Price tier | Mid-market | Mid-market |
Target audience comparison: STX Next vs Apadmi
| Dimension | STX Next | Apadmi |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Fintech, Healthcare, Media | Retail, Media, Healthcare |
| Best use cases | A fintech needs a Django back end rebuilt and scaled., A media company wants data ingestion jobs and recommendation models written in Python. | A retailer needs a high-traffic shopping app rebuilt., An NHS body wants a patient app. |
| Typical project type | Dedicated team | Fixed project |
STX Next vs Apadmi: pros and cons
| STX Next | |
|---|---|
| + | Python depth is hard to match among mid-sized European vendors |
| + | Combined STX Next and Brainhub team adds JavaScript and product capacity |
| + | Polish location gives near-total working-day overlap with the UK |
| - | No staffed UK office was found, so account management is run from Poland |
| - | The Brainhub merger is recent, and integration may take time |
| 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 |
Who should choose STX Next?
A typical fit: a fintech needs a Django back end rebuilt and scaled.
Deep Python specialism across web back ends, data engineering and machine learning. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Fintech, Healthcare, Media, Retail.
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.
Decision matrix: STX Next vs Apadmi
| 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 | STX Next |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Compare: STX Next (Not published) vs Apadmi (Not published) |
| You need specialist depth in a specific vertical | STX Next |
| You want engineers added to your own in-house team | STX Next |
| Your product includes hardware, firmware or connected devices | Neither; consider an embedded specialist |
Use case fit: STX Next vs Apadmi
| Use case | STX Next fit | Apadmi fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| A fintech needs a Django back end rebuilt and scaled. | Strong | Limited | STX Next |
| A media company wants data ingestion jobs and recommendation models written in Python. | Strong | Limited | STX Next |
| A retailer needs a high-traffic shopping app rebuilt. | Limited | Strong | Apadmi |
| An NHS body wants a patient app. | Limited | Strong | Apadmi |
| 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 | Limited | Strong | Apadmi |
Verdict: STX Next vs Apadmi
STX Next (4.2/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Software Development Outsourcing projects. Deep Python specialism across web back ends, data engineering and machine learning.
Apadmi (3.9/5) is worth a look in a scenario like this: an NHS body wants a patient app. If your situation matches that, Apadmi is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
STX Next vs Apadmi FAQ
Is STX Next better than Apadmi?
STX Next (4.2/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. STX Next's strongest advantage: python depth is hard to match among mid-sized European vendors. Apadmi's strongest advantage: mobile focus brings deep iOS and Android expertise.
How do STX Next and Apadmi differ in pricing?
STX Next uses time and materials, dedicated team pricing. Apadmi uses 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: STX Next or Apadmi?
STX Next 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 STX Next and Apadmi?
STX Next's primary differentiator is: deep Python specialism across web back ends, data engineering and machine learning. Apadmi's primary differentiator is: mobile-only specialism with a client list of household UK names. They also differ in team size (500–600 vs 250–300), minimum engagement (Not published vs Not published), and primary industries served (Fintech, Healthcare vs Retail, Media).
Verify all details directly with each company before making a decision.