STX Next vs Version 1: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
STX Next (4.2/5) edges ahead of Version 1 (3.9/5) overall. STX Next is the better choice for python back ends and data products, Polish rates. Version 1 is the stronger option for oracle and Microsoft estates, public-sector managed services. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
STX Next vs Version 1: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | STX Next | Version 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2005 | 1996 |
| HQ | Poznań, Poland | Dublin, Ireland (UK offices including Birmingham) |
| Team size | 500–600 | 3,000+ |
| Rating | 4.2 / 5 | 3.9 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | Deep Python specialism across web back ends, data engineering and machine learning | Managed services for Oracle, Microsoft and AWS estates with Indian and Spanish delivery |
| Pricing model | Time and materials, dedicated team | Managed service, time and materials, fixed price |
| Min. engagement | Not published | Not published |
| Primary tech stack | Python, Django, FastAPI | Oracle, Microsoft Azure, AWS |
| Industries served | Fintech, Healthcare, Media, Retail | Public sector, Financial services, Healthcare, Utilities |
STX Next vs Version 1: 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.
Version 1
Version 1 was founded in Dublin in 1996 and has been majority-owned by Swiss investor Partners Group since July 2022, in a deal reported at around €800m. It had more than 3,200 staff by 2023 and opened a Birmingham hub with 500 planned jobs, plus UK acquisitions such as Automation Logic. Much of its UK work is Oracle, Microsoft and AWS managed services for public-sector bodies. Delivery comes from Ireland, the UK, Spain and India.
Services and capabilities: STX Next vs Version 1
| Capability | STX Next | Version 1 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Version 1
| Framework / platform | STX Next | Version 1 |
|---|---|---|
| .NET | N/A | ✓ |
| Java | N/A | ✓ |
| Python | ✓ | N/A |
| React | ✓ | N/A |
| AWS | ✓ | ✓ |
| Azure | N/A | ✓ |
| Kubernetes | N/A | N/A |
| Embedded | N/A | N/A |
Pricing comparison: STX Next vs Version 1
| Criterion | STX Next | Version 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | Not published | Not published |
| Engagement models | Dedicated team, Team extension, Time and materials | Managed service, Fixed project, Time and materials |
| Rate transparency | Not public | Not public |
| Price tier | Mid-market | Mid-market |
Target audience comparison: STX Next vs Version 1
| Dimension | STX Next | Version 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Fintech, Healthcare, Media | Public sector, 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 public body needs Oracle E-Business Suite support and migration., A utility wants Azure managed services. |
| Typical project type | Dedicated team | Managed service |
STX Next vs Version 1: 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 |
| Version 1 | |
|---|---|
| + | Strong in Oracle and Microsoft environments common in UK public bodies |
| + | Indian and Spanish delivery lower costs on managed services |
| + | Private-equity backing has funded UK expansion |
| - | Majority-owned by Partners Group since 2022, so an eventual sale or exit is likely |
| - | Product-style bespoke development is less central than managed services |
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 Version 1?
A typical fit: a public body needs Oracle E-Business Suite support and migration.
Managed services for Oracle, Microsoft and AWS estates with Indian and Spanish delivery. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Public sector, Financial services, Healthcare, Utilities.
Decision matrix: STX Next vs Version 1
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | Version 1 |
| 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 Version 1 (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 Version 1
| Use case | STX Next fit | Version 1 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 public body needs Oracle E-Business Suite support and migration. | Limited | Strong | Version 1 |
| A utility wants Azure managed services. | Limited | Strong | Version 1 |
| 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 | Version 1 |
Verdict: STX Next vs Version 1
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.
Version 1 (3.9/5) is worth a look in a scenario like this: a utility wants Azure managed services. If your situation matches that, Version 1 is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
STX Next vs Version 1 FAQ
Is STX Next better than Version 1?
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. Version 1's strongest advantage: strong in Oracle and Microsoft environments common in UK public bodies.
How do STX Next and Version 1 differ in pricing?
STX Next uses time and materials, dedicated team pricing. Version 1 uses managed service, 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 Version 1?
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 Version 1?
STX Next's primary differentiator is: deep Python specialism across web back ends, data engineering and machine learning. Version 1's primary differentiator is: managed services for Oracle, Microsoft and AWS estates with Indian and Spanish delivery. 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, Financial services).
Verify all details directly with each company before making a decision.