STX Next vs Kainos: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
STX Next (4.2/5) edges ahead of Kainos (4.2/5) overall. STX Next is the better choice for python back ends and data products, Polish rates. 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.
STX Next vs Kainos: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | STX Next | Kainos |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2005 | 1986 |
| HQ | Poznań, Poland | Belfast, United Kingdom |
| Team size | 500–600 | 3,000+ |
| Rating | 4.2 / 5 | 4.2 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | Deep Python specialism across web back ends, data engineering and machine learning | Combined government digital delivery and Workday partnership, listed on the LSE |
| Pricing model | Time and materials, dedicated team | Time and materials, fixed price, framework call-offs |
| Min. engagement | Not published | Not published |
| Primary tech stack | Python, Django, FastAPI | Java, .NET, AWS |
| Industries served | Fintech, Healthcare, Media, Retail | Public sector, Healthcare, Financial services, Commercial enterprises |
STX Next vs Kainos: 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.
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: STX Next vs Kainos
| Capability | STX Next | Kainos |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Kainos
| Framework / platform | STX Next | Kainos |
|---|---|---|
| .NET | N/A | ✓ |
| Java | N/A | ✓ |
| Python | ✓ | ✓ |
| React | ✓ | N/A |
| AWS | ✓ | ✓ |
| Azure | N/A | ✓ |
| Kubernetes | N/A | ✓ |
| Embedded | N/A | N/A |
Pricing comparison: STX Next vs Kainos
| Criterion | STX Next | Kainos |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Kainos
| Dimension | STX Next | Kainos |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Fintech, Healthcare, Media | Public sector, Healthcare, Financial services |
| 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 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 |
STX Next vs Kainos: 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 |
| 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 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 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: STX Next vs Kainos
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | Kainos |
| 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 Kainos (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 Kainos
| Use case | STX Next fit | Kainos 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 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 | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
| You want a fixed-price first phase before a longer engagement | Limited | Strong | Kainos |
Verdict: STX Next vs Kainos
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.
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
STX Next vs Kainos FAQ
Is STX Next better than Kainos?
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. Kainos's strongest advantage: belfast-based delivery costs less than London while staying UK-based.
How do STX Next and Kainos differ in pricing?
STX Next uses time and materials, dedicated team 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: STX Next or Kainos?
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 Kainos?
STX Next's primary differentiator is: deep Python specialism across web back ends, data engineering and machine learning. Kainos's primary differentiator is: combined government digital delivery and Workday partnership, listed on the LSE. They also differ in team size (500–600 vs 3,000+), minimum engagement (Not published vs Not published), and primary industries served (Fintech, Healthcare vs Public sector, Healthcare).
Verify all details directly with each company before making a decision.