Developex vs Very: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
Developex (4.0/5) edges ahead of Very (3.8/5) overall. Developex is the better choice for peripheral makers needing firmware plus configuration apps. Very is the stronger option for US companies building a first connected product. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
Developex vs Very: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | Developex | Very |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2001 | 2011 |
| HQ | Kyiv, Ukraine | USA (fully distributed) |
| Team size | 201–500 | 51–200 |
| Rating | 4.0 / 5 | 3.8 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | Firmware combined with drivers and companion desktop or mobile apps for consumer hardware | Product-strategy-led IoT development with Nerves and Elixir experience |
| Pricing model | Time & materials, dedicated team | Time & materials, fixed project |
| Min. engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Primary tech stack | C, C++, Qt | C, Elixir, Nerves |
| Industries served | Consumer electronics, Telecom & broadcast | Industrial IoT, Consumer electronics, Energy & EV charging |
Developex vs Very: overview
Developex
Developex has written software for hardware companies since 2001, and its client list leans toward consumer electronics and peripheral makers who need firmware, drivers and the desktop or mobile utilities that configure their devices. The company is based in Kyiv with offices listed in Munich, Kraków and Zagreb, and directory estimates put the team at about 250 to 350 people. A company blog post put its embedded group at more than 30 developers (per company website; independently unverifiable). That makes firmware a real practice inside a larger custom-software business.
Very
Very is a US IoT engineering firm that grew out of a design and development agency founded in 2011 and now works as a distributed team, with its earlier base in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Directory listings put its size at 51 to 200 people. It builds IoT products across hardware engineering, firmware, mobile apps and data, and it hired a co-author of the Nerves project, which runs Elixir on embedded Linux. Reviews mention hardware, firmware, React Native and AI feature work, so firmware is one part of a broader product offer.
Services and capabilities: Developex vs Very
| Capability | Developex | Very |
|---|---|---|
| Bare-metal & RTOS firmware | ✓ | ✗ |
| Embedded Linux & BSP | ✓ | ✓ |
| Electronics & PCB design | ✗ | ✓ |
| Wireless & IoT connectivity | ✓ | ✓ |
| Secure boot & OTA | ✗ | ✗ |
| FPGA development | ✗ | ✗ |
| Firmware testing & HIL | ✗ | ✗ |
| Dedicated team model | ✓ | ✗ |
Tech stack comparison: Developex vs Very
| Framework / platform | Developex | Very |
|---|---|---|
| FreeRTOS | ✓ | N/A |
| Zephyr | N/A | N/A |
| Embedded Linux | ✓ | ✓ |
| Yocto | N/A | N/A |
| AUTOSAR | N/A | N/A |
| STM32 | N/A | N/A |
| Nordic | N/A | ✓ |
| NXP | N/A | N/A |
| FPGA | N/A | N/A |
Pricing comparison: Developex vs Very
| Criterion | Developex | Very |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Engagement models | Dedicated team, Time & materials | Fixed project, Time & materials |
| Rate transparency | Not public | Not public |
| Price tier | Mid-market | Mid-market |
Target audience comparison: Developex vs Very
| Dimension | Developex | Very |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Consumer electronics, Telecom & broadcast | Industrial IoT, Consumer electronics, Energy & EV charging |
| Best use cases | Writing firmware and a Windows configuration tool for a gaming peripheral, Maintaining firmware for an audio interface product line | Taking a first IoT product from concept to pilot, Building Nerves-based device software on embedded Linux |
| Typical project type | Dedicated team | Fixed project |
Developex vs Very: pros and cons
| Developex | |
|---|---|
| + | Long experience with USB peripherals, audio devices and their PC utilities |
| + | Can staff firmware, drivers and desktop apps from a single team |
| + | Eastern European rates |
| - | Embedded is a minority of the business, so check engineers' firmware track records |
| - | No hardware design |
| - | Ukrainian delivery base may require continuity planning for some buyers |
| Very | |
|---|---|
| + | Combines product strategy, design and engineering for teams new to hardware |
| + | Nerves experience is rare and useful for Elixir-based device software |
| + | Delivers the device, app and data platform together |
| - | Firmware is one part of a product agency offer |
| - | US rates without a lower-cost offshore option |
| - | Office location and headcount details vary between sources |
Who should choose Developex?
A typical fit: writing firmware and a Windows configuration tool for a gaming peripheral.
Firmware combined with drivers and companion desktop or mobile apps for consumer hardware. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Consumer electronics, Telecom & broadcast.
Who should choose Very?
A typical fit: taking a first IoT product from concept to pilot.
Product-strategy-led IoT development with Nerves and Elixir experience. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Industrial IoT, Consumer electronics, Energy & EV charging.
Decision matrix: Developex vs Very
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | Very |
| You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme | Developex |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Compare: Developex (Not disclosed) vs Very (Not disclosed) |
| You need specialist depth in a specific vertical | Very |
| You need engineers to extend your own firmware team | Developex |
| You need consulting before committing to a build | Both may offer discovery engagements |
Use case fit: Developex vs Very
| Use case | Developex fit | Very fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Writing firmware and a Windows configuration tool for a gaming peripheral | Strong | Limited | Developex |
| Maintaining firmware for an audio interface product line | Strong | Limited | Developex |
| Taking a first IoT product from concept to pilot | Limited | Strong | Very |
| Building Nerves-based device software on embedded Linux | Limited | Strong | Very |
| Fixed-price firmware build | Limited | Strong | Very |
| Extending an in-house firmware team | Strong | Strong | Both |
Verdict: Developex vs Very
Developex (4.0/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Firmware Development projects. Firmware combined with drivers and companion desktop or mobile apps for consumer hardware.
Very (3.8/5) is worth a look if you need building Nerves-based device software on embedded Linux. If your situation matches that, Very is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
Developex vs Very FAQ
Is Developex better than Very?
Developex (4.0/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. Developex's strongest advantage: long experience with USB peripherals, audio devices and their PC utilities. Very's strongest advantage: combines product strategy, design and engineering for teams new to hardware.
How do Developex and Very differ in pricing?
Developex uses time & materials, dedicated team pricing. Very uses time & materials, fixed project pricing. Neither firm publishes a full rate card; a discovery call is required for project-specific quotes.
Which is better for enterprise: Developex or Very?
Developex is the larger team and typically the better enterprise-scale choice. For very large programmes, verify team size and compliance coverage directly with each service provider before shortlisting.
What are the main differences between Developex and Very?
Developex's primary differentiator is: firmware combined with drivers and companion desktop or mobile apps for consumer hardware. Very's primary differentiator is: product-strategy-led IoT development with Nerves and Elixir experience. They also differ in team size (201–500 vs 51–200), minimum engagement (Not disclosed vs Not disclosed), and primary industries served (Consumer electronics, Telecom & broadcast vs Industrial IoT, Consumer electronics).
Verify all details directly with each service provider before making a decision.