N-iX vs DEPT: full comparison for 2026
Last updated: July 2026
Quick verdict
N-iX (4.0/5) edges ahead of DEPT (4.0/5) overall. N-iX is the better choice for enterprises needing ML development bundled with large-scale custom software engineering capacity. DEPT is the stronger option for large enterprise brands needing ML-driven marketing personalization at global scale. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
N-iX vs DEPT: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | N-iX | DEPT |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2002 | 2015 |
| HQ | Valletta, Malta (engineering hub in Lviv, Ukraine) | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Team size | 1000+ | 1000+ |
| Rating | 4.0 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
| Best for | Enterprises needing ML development bundled with large-scale custom software engineering capacity | Large enterprise brands needing ML-driven marketing personalization at global scale |
| Pricing model | Dedicated team, staff augmentation, fixed project | Retainer, dedicated team |
| Min. engagement | $40K | $75K |
| Primary tech stack | Python, .NET, Java | Python, GCP, AWS |
| Industries served | Fintech, Enterprise, Healthcare, Telecommunications | Retail, Media, Enterprise, E-commerce |
N-iX vs DEPT: overview
N-iX
N-iX was founded in 2002 in Lviv, Ukraine and is legally headquartered in Valletta, Malta, with major engineering hubs still in Lviv and additional offices across Poland and other European countries. The large-scale firm offers AI and machine learning development as part of a broader custom software engineering practice, drawing on over two decades of delivery history.
DEPT
DEPT, founded in Amsterdam in 2015, has grown into a global digital agency with over 4,000 digital specialists across more than 30 offices on five continents, backed by the Carlyle Group. DEPT's AI-enabled marketing technology platform, Ada, and its Engineering practice deliver machine learning-driven personalization, growth, and data engineering work for major brands including Google, TikTok, and eBay. As a large, private-equity-backed marketing and engineering agency, ML and AI here sits within a much broader full-service offering rather than being the firm's sole focus.
Services and capabilities: N-iX vs DEPT
| Capability | N-iX | DEPT |
|---|---|---|
| ML model development | ✓ | ✓ |
| Computer vision | ✗ | ✗ |
| NLP | ✗ | ✗ |
| Generative AI / LLM integration | ✗ | ✓ |
| MLOps | ✗ | ✗ |
| AI strategy consulting | ✓ | ✓ |
| Staff augmentation | ✓ | ✗ |
Tech stack comparison: N-iX vs DEPT
| Framework / platform | N-iX | DEPT |
|---|---|---|
| Python | ✓ | ✓ |
| TensorFlow | ✓ | ✓ |
| PyTorch | N/A | N/A |
| AWS | ✓ | ✓ |
| Azure | ✓ | N/A |
| Kubernetes | ✓ | N/A |
Pricing comparison: N-iX vs DEPT
| Criterion | N-iX | DEPT |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | $40K | $75K |
| Engagement models | Dedicated team, Staff augmentation, Fixed project | Retainer, Dedicated team |
| Rate transparency | Minimum disclosed | Minimum disclosed |
| Price tier | Accessible | Accessible |
Target audience comparison: N-iX vs DEPT
| Dimension | N-iX | DEPT |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Fintech, Enterprise, Healthcare | Retail, Media, Enterprise |
| Best use cases | Enterprise-scale software programmes with an embedded ML component, Staff augmentation for large in-house ML engineering teams | ML-driven marketing personalization at global brand scale, Enterprise data engineering supporting a large media or retail platform |
| Typical project type | Dedicated team | Retainer |
N-iX vs DEPT: pros and cons
| N-iX | |
|---|---|
| + | Over two decades of operating history since founding in 2002, with enterprise-scale delivery capacity |
| + | EU-registered legal entity in Malta with continued major engineering presence in Lviv, Ukraine |
| + | Broad technology coverage beyond ML, useful for large integrated software programmes |
| + | Established staff augmentation model for enterprises scaling engineering teams quickly |
| - | ML and AI is one practice area within a much larger generalist software engineering business |
| - | Primary engineering hub remains in Ukraine, carrying the same operational-continuity considerations as other Ukraine-linked firms |
| - | Very large organization size means less boutique-style founder attention on individual ML projects |
| DEPT | |
|---|---|
| + | Global scale of over 4,000 specialists across 30-plus offices, unmatched by any other firm on this list |
| + | Proprietary AI-enabled marketing technology platform, Ada, with proven enterprise brand clients |
| + | Carlyle Group backing provides financial stability for very large, long-term programmes |
| + | Named clients include Google, TikTok, KFC, and eBay, indicating enterprise-grade delivery capacity |
| - | ML and AI sits within a much broader marketing and full-service digital agency offering, not a dedicated ML practice |
| - | High minimum engagement size, inaccessible for startups or small businesses |
| - | Enterprise agency structure means less specialized, boutique-style ML research depth |
Who should choose N-iX?
N-iX is the right choice for enterprises needing ML development bundled with large-scale custom software engineering capacity.
Over two decades of engineering scale, over 1,000 staff, with an EU-registered legal entity in Malta. Minimum engagement starts at $40K. Works best with clients in Fintech, Enterprise, Healthcare, Telecommunications.
Who should choose DEPT?
DEPT is the right choice for large enterprise brands needing ML-driven marketing personalization at global scale.
Proprietary AI marketing platform, Ada, and global scale of over 4,000 specialists across 30-plus offices, unmatched by any other firm on this list. Minimum engagement starts at $75K. Works best with clients in Retail, Media, Enterprise, E-commerce.
Decision matrix: N-iX vs DEPT
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | N-iX |
| You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme | N-iX |
| Your budget is at the lower end | N-iX |
| You need specialist depth in a specific vertical | N-iX |
| You need staff augmentation or team extension | N-iX |
| You need consulting before committing to a build | N-iX |
Use case fit: N-iX vs DEPT
| Use case | N-iX fit | DEPT fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enterprise-scale software programmes with an embedded ML component | Strong | Limited | N-iX |
| Staff augmentation for large in-house ML engineering teams | Strong | Limited | N-iX |
| ML-driven marketing personalization at global brand scale | Strong | Strong | Both equally |
| Enterprise data engineering supporting a large media or retail platform | Strong | Strong | Both equally |
| Fixed-price build | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
| Staff augmentation | Strong | Limited | N-iX |
Verdict: N-iX vs DEPT
N-iX (4.0/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Machine Learning Development projects. Over two decades of engineering scale, over 1,000 staff, with an EU-registered legal entity in Malta. It is best for enterprises needing ML development bundled with large-scale custom software engineering capacity.
DEPT (4.0/5) is the better choice when large enterprise brands needing ML-driven marketing personalization at global scale. If your situation matches those criteria, DEPT is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
N-iX vs DEPT FAQ
Is N-iX better than DEPT?
N-iX (4.0/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. N-iX is better for enterprises needing ML development bundled with large-scale custom software engineering capacity. DEPT is better for large enterprise brands needing ML-driven marketing personalization at global scale.
How do N-iX and DEPT differ in pricing?
N-iX uses dedicated team, staff augmentation, fixed project pricing with a minimum engagement of $40K. DEPT uses retainer, dedicated team pricing with a minimum engagement of $75K. Neither firm publishes a full rate card; a discovery call is required for project-specific quotes.
Which is better for enterprise: N-iX or DEPT?
N-iX 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 N-iX and DEPT?
N-iX's primary differentiator is: over two decades of engineering scale, over 1,000 staff, with an eu-registered legal entity in malta. DEPT's primary differentiator is: proprietary ai marketing platform, ada, and global scale of over 4,000 specialists across 30-plus offices, unmatched by any other firm on this list. They also differ in team size (1000+ vs 1000+), minimum engagement ($40K vs $75K), and primary industries served (Fintech, Enterprise vs Retail, Media).
Last reviewed: July 2026. Verify all details directly with each company before making a decision.