STX Next vs DataArt: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
STX Next (4.2/5) edges ahead of DataArt (4.0/5) overall. STX Next is the better choice for python back ends and data products, Polish rates. DataArt is the stronger option for travel and finance firms, long-term nearshore teams. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
STX Next vs DataArt: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | STX Next | DataArt |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2005 | 1997 |
| HQ | Poznań, Poland | New York, United States (London office) |
| Team size | 500–600 | 5,000–6,000 |
| Rating | 4.2 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | Deep Python specialism across web back ends, data engineering and machine learning | Two decades of London presence and specialist travel-industry engineering |
| Pricing model | Time and materials, dedicated team | Time and materials, dedicated team |
| Min. engagement | Not published | Not published |
| Primary tech stack | Python, Django, FastAPI | Java, .NET, Python |
| Industries served | Fintech, Healthcare, Media, Retail | Travel and hospitality, Financial services, Healthcare, Media, Retail |
STX Next vs DataArt: 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.
DataArt
Eugene Goland founded DataArt in New York in 1997, and the company opened in London in 2001. It reports more than 6,000 people as of September 2025, spread across Central and Eastern Europe, Latin America and elsewhere. Travel and hospitality, finance and healthcare are its strongest industries. UK clients get a long-standing London presence with delivery from lower-cost locations.
Services and capabilities: STX Next vs DataArt
| Capability | STX Next | DataArt |
|---|---|---|
| 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 DataArt
| Framework / platform | STX Next | DataArt |
|---|---|---|
| .NET | N/A | ✓ |
| Java | N/A | ✓ |
| Python | ✓ | ✓ |
| React | ✓ | ✓ |
| AWS | ✓ | ✓ |
| Azure | N/A | ✓ |
| Kubernetes | N/A | N/A |
| Embedded | N/A | N/A |
Pricing comparison: STX Next vs DataArt
| Criterion | STX Next | DataArt |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | Not published | Not published |
| Engagement models | Dedicated team, Team extension, Time and materials | Dedicated team, Time and materials |
| Rate transparency | Not public | Not public |
| Price tier | Mid-market | Mid-market |
Target audience comparison: STX Next vs DataArt
| Dimension | STX Next | DataArt |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Fintech, Healthcare, Media | Travel and hospitality, Financial services, 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 travel company needs booking-engine and distribution work., A financial firm wants legacy trading software modernised. |
| Typical project type | Dedicated team | Dedicated team |
STX Next vs DataArt: 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 |
| DataArt | |
|---|---|
| + | London office has been open since 2001 |
| + | Specialist knowledge of travel booking and distribution systems |
| + | Delivery spread across several regions |
| - | US headquarters means UK contracts may sit with a non-UK parent |
| - | Headcount estimates vary widely between sources |
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 DataArt?
A typical fit: a travel company needs booking-engine and distribution work.
Two decades of London presence and specialist travel-industry engineering. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Travel and hospitality, Financial services, Healthcare, Media, Retail.
Decision matrix: STX Next vs DataArt
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | Both offer fixed-price models |
| 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 DataArt (Not published) |
| You need specialist depth in a specific vertical | DataArt |
| 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 DataArt
| Use case | STX Next fit | DataArt 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 travel company needs booking-engine and distribution work. | Limited | Strong | DataArt |
| A financial firm wants legacy trading software modernised. | Limited | Strong | DataArt |
| 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 | Limited | Both equally |
Verdict: STX Next vs DataArt
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.
DataArt (4.0/5) is worth a look in a scenario like this: a financial firm wants legacy trading software modernised. If your situation matches that, DataArt is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
STX Next vs DataArt FAQ
Is STX Next better than DataArt?
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. DataArt's strongest advantage: london office has been open since 2001.
How do STX Next and DataArt differ in pricing?
STX Next uses time and materials, dedicated team pricing. DataArt uses time and materials, dedicated team 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 DataArt?
DataArt 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 DataArt?
STX Next's primary differentiator is: deep Python specialism across web back ends, data engineering and machine learning. DataArt's primary differentiator is: two decades of London presence and specialist travel-industry engineering. They also differ in team size (500–600 vs 5,000–6,000), minimum engagement (Not published vs Not published), and primary industries served (Fintech, Healthcare vs Travel and hospitality, Financial services).
Verify all details directly with each company before making a decision.