Promwad vs Very: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
Promwad (4.2/5) edges ahead of Very (4.2/5) overall. Promwad is the better choice for hardware programs needing firmware plus FPGA and manufacturing support. Very is the stronger option for distributed-delivery IoT programs needing firmware plus data and ML. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
Promwad vs Very: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | Promwad | Very |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2004 | 2011 |
| HQ | Essen, Germany (engineering centers in Latvia and Serbia) | Bozeman, Montana, USA (fully distributed team) |
| Team size | 101–250 | 51–200 |
| Rating | 4.2 / 5 | 4.2 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | Independent design house spanning firmware, FPGA programming, and hardware through manufacturing support | Fully distributed IoT team combining firmware delivery with machine-learning-driven data solutions |
| Pricing model | Contract embedded software, hardware, and FPGA engineering | IoT product development engagements from concept through deployment |
| Min. engagement | Not published | Not published |
| Primary tech stack | Embedded C/C++, FPGA (Verilog/VHDL), Embedded Linux | Embedded C/C++, IoT connectivity stacks, Machine learning data pipelines |
| Industries served | Industrial equipment, Telecommunications, Consumer electronics | Industrial IoT, Consumer IoT, Smart infrastructure |
Promwad vs Very: overview
Promwad
Promwad was founded in 2004 and moved its headquarters to Essen, Germany, with engineering centers in Latvia and Serbia and a team in the 101 to 250 employee range. The firm's core work covers embedded software, embedded Linux, hardware design, and FPGA programming, with device driver and board support package engineering delivered as a defined service line rather than an incidental capability. Promwad markets itself as an independent design house, meaning it takes on both firmware-only engagements and full electronics-through-manufacturing programs depending on client scope.
Very
Very, formerly known by a different name, was founded in 2011 and is headquartered in Bozeman, Montana, operating as a fully distributed team of 51 to 200 people working from numerous countries rather than from central offices. The firm builds connected ecosystems spanning IoT hardware, firmware, and software infrastructure, plus interface design and machine-learning-driven data solutions built on top of device data. Very has appeared on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private US companies multiple times, a verifiable third-party growth signal distinct from marketing claims.
Services and capabilities: Promwad vs Very
| Capability | Promwad | Very |
|---|---|---|
| RTOS firmware development | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bare-metal & driver development | ✓ | ✗ |
| Secure boot / OTA firmware updates | ✗ | ✗ |
| MCU & platform migration | ✓ | ✗ |
| Connectivity & IoT protocols | ✗ | ✓ |
| Functional safety / MISRA compliance | ✗ | ✗ |
| Embedded AI / on-device inference | ✗ | ✓ |
| Firmware GUI development | ✗ | ✗ |
| Staff augmentation | ✗ | ✗ |
Tech stack comparison: Promwad vs Very
| Framework / platform | Promwad | Very |
|---|---|---|
| FreeRTOS | N/A | N/A |
| Zephyr | N/A | N/A |
| STM32 | N/A | N/A |
| ARM Cortex-M | N/A | N/A |
| BLE | N/A | N/A |
| Embedded Linux | ✓ | N/A |
| Secure OTA | N/A | N/A |
| PCB | N/A | N/A |
| AWS IoT | N/A | N/A |
| RISC-V | N/A | N/A |
Pricing comparison: Promwad vs Very
| Criterion | Promwad | Very |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | Not published | Not published |
| Engagement models | Fixed project, Dedicated team | Fixed project, Dedicated team |
| Rate transparency | Not public | Not public |
| Price tier | Mid-market | Mid-market |
Target audience comparison: Promwad vs Very
| Dimension | Promwad | Very |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Industrial equipment, Telecommunications, Consumer electronics | Industrial IoT, Consumer IoT, Smart infrastructure |
| Best use cases | Device driver and board support package bring-up for a new hardware platform, FPGA-plus-firmware program requiring both disciplines from one vendor | IoT program needing firmware paired with machine-learning-driven data analysis, Smart infrastructure product requiring both device firmware and interface design |
| Typical project type | Fixed project | Fixed project |
Promwad vs Very: pros and cons
| Promwad | |
|---|---|
| + | FPGA programming alongside firmware covers a combination many pure software vendors don't offer |
| + | More than two decades of operating history with engineering centers spread across three countries |
| + | Can scope engagements from firmware-only through full manufacturing support |
| - | German headquarters sits in a higher-cost delivery market than several peers on this list |
| - | Broader hardware-through-manufacturing positioning means less exclusive focus on firmware alone |
| Very | |
|---|---|
| + | Repeat appearances on the Inc. 5000 list provide a verifiable third-party growth signal |
| + | Fully distributed team structure can draw specialist talent regardless of location |
| + | Combines firmware delivery with data solutions and machine learning on top of device telemetry |
| - | Fully distributed structure means no central office for in-person collaboration during an engagement |
| - | Montana headquarters is a smaller regional base than most firms' US locations on this list |
Who should choose Promwad?
A typical fit: device driver and board support package bring-up for a new hardware platform.
Independent design house spanning firmware, FPGA programming, and hardware through manufacturing support. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Industrial equipment, Telecommunications, Consumer electronics.
Who should choose Very?
A typical fit: IoT program needing firmware paired with machine-learning-driven data analysis.
Fully distributed IoT team combining firmware delivery with machine-learning-driven data solutions. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Industrial IoT, Consumer IoT, Smart infrastructure.
Decision matrix: Promwad vs Very
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | Promwad |
| You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme | Promwad |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Compare: Promwad (Not published) vs Very (Not published) |
| You need specialist depth in a specific vertical | Promwad |
| You need staff augmentation or team extension | Neither; consider alternatives that offer staff aug |
| You need consulting before committing to a build | Both may offer discovery engagements |
Use case fit: Promwad vs Very
| Use case | Promwad fit | Very fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Device driver and board support package bring-up for a new hardware platform | Strong | Strong | Both equally |
| FPGA-plus-firmware program requiring both disciplines from one vendor | Strong | Limited | Promwad |
| IoT program needing firmware paired with machine-learning-driven data analysis | Limited | Strong | Very |
| Smart infrastructure product requiring both device firmware and interface design | Limited | Strong | Very |
| Fixed-price build | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
| Staff augmentation | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
Verdict: Promwad vs Very
Promwad (4.2/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Firmware Development projects. Independent design house spanning firmware, FPGA programming, and hardware through manufacturing support.
Very (4.2/5) is worth a look if you need smart infrastructure product requiring both device firmware and interface design. If your situation matches that, Very is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
Promwad vs Very FAQ
Is Promwad better than Very?
Promwad (4.2/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. Promwad's strongest advantage: FPGA programming alongside firmware covers a combination many pure software vendors don't offer. Very's strongest advantage: repeat appearances on the Inc. 5000 list provide a verifiable third-party growth signal.
How do Promwad and Very differ in pricing?
Promwad uses contract embedded software, hardware, and fpga engineering pricing. Very uses iot product development engagements from concept through deployment pricing. Neither firm publishes a full rate card; a discovery call is required for project-specific quotes.
Which is better for enterprise: Promwad or Very?
Promwad 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 Promwad and Very?
Promwad's primary differentiator is: independent design house spanning firmware, FPGA programming, and hardware through manufacturing support. Very's primary differentiator is: fully distributed IoT team combining firmware delivery with machine-learning-driven data solutions. They also differ in team size (101–250 vs 51–200), minimum engagement (Not published vs Not published), and primary industries served (Industrial equipment, Telecommunications vs Industrial IoT, Consumer IoT).
Verify all details directly with each company before making a decision.