Integra Sources vs Very: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
Integra Sources (4.2/5) edges ahead of Very (3.8/5) overall. Integra Sources is the better choice for budget-conscious startups needing low-level drivers. 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.
Integra Sources vs Very: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | Integra Sources | Very |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2014 | 2011 |
| HQ | Astana, Kazakhstan | USA (fully distributed) |
| Team size | 11–50 | 51–200 |
| Rating | 4.2 / 5 | 3.8 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | Kernel, driver and MCU firmware work from a small team with low hourly rates | Product-strategy-led IoT development with Nerves and Elixir experience |
| Pricing model | Time & materials, fixed project | Time & materials, fixed project |
| Min. engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Primary tech stack | C, C++, Embedded Linux | C, Elixir, Nerves |
| Industries served | Industrial IoT, Consumer electronics, Robotics | Industrial IoT, Consumer electronics, Energy & EV charging |
Integra Sources vs Very: overview
Integra Sources
Two hardware and software engineers set up Integra Sources in 2014, and it now operates from Astana, Kazakhstan with a team in the low dozens. Its service list covers electronics design, embedded firmware, Linux kernel and driver development, computer vision and robotics, and it has collected a long run of Clutch reviews for IoT and device projects. Rates are below those of the European and US firms on this list. Buyers get engineers comfortable at the register level, though with less of the process documentation that regulated industries expect.
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: Integra Sources vs Very
| Capability | Integra Sources | 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: Integra Sources vs Very
| Framework / platform | Integra Sources | Very |
|---|---|---|
| FreeRTOS | ✓ | N/A |
| Zephyr | N/A | N/A |
| Embedded Linux | ✓ | ✓ |
| Yocto | N/A | N/A |
| AUTOSAR | N/A | N/A |
| STM32 | ✓ | N/A |
| Nordic | N/A | ✓ |
| NXP | N/A | N/A |
| FPGA | N/A | N/A |
Pricing comparison: Integra Sources vs Very
| Criterion | Integra Sources | Very |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Engagement models | Fixed project, Time & materials | Fixed project, Time & materials |
| Rate transparency | Not public | Not public |
| Price tier | Mid-market | Mid-market |
Target audience comparison: Integra Sources vs Very
| Dimension | Integra Sources | Very |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Industrial IoT, Consumer electronics, Robotics | Industrial IoT, Consumer electronics, Energy & EV charging |
| Best use cases | Writing a Linux driver for a custom sensor on an embedded board, Developing ESP32 firmware for a low-cost consumer IoT product | Taking a first IoT product from concept to pilot, Building Nerves-based device software on embedded Linux |
| Typical project type | Fixed project | Fixed project |
Integra Sources vs Very: pros and cons
| Integra Sources | |
|---|---|
| + | Kernel module and device driver work is a stated speciality |
| + | Rates make it one of the more affordable options for low-level engineering |
| + | Can take a product from schematic through firmware for small hardware startups |
| - | Small team with limited capacity for parallel projects |
| - | Little public evidence of IEC 62304, ISO 26262 or similar regulated development |
| - | Time-zone gap with North American clients |
| 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 Integra Sources?
A typical fit: writing a Linux driver for a custom sensor on an embedded board.
Kernel, driver and MCU firmware work from a small team with low hourly rates. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Industrial IoT, Consumer electronics, Robotics.
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: Integra Sources vs Very
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | Integra Sources |
| You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme | Check each company's engagement model |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Compare: Integra Sources (Not disclosed) vs Very (Not disclosed) |
| You need specialist depth in a specific vertical | Integra Sources |
| You need engineers to extend your own firmware team | Neither lists a dedicated-team model |
| You need consulting before committing to a build | Both may offer discovery engagements |
Use case fit: Integra Sources vs Very
| Use case | Integra Sources fit | Very fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Writing a Linux driver for a custom sensor on an embedded board | Strong | Limited | Integra Sources |
| Developing ESP32 firmware for a low-cost consumer IoT product | Strong | Limited | Integra Sources |
| 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 | Strong | Strong | Both |
| Extending an in-house firmware team | Strong | Strong | Both |
Verdict: Integra Sources vs Very
Integra Sources (4.2/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Firmware Development projects. Kernel, driver and MCU firmware work from a small team with low hourly rates.
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
Integra Sources vs Very FAQ
Is Integra Sources better than Very?
Integra Sources (4.2/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. Integra Sources's strongest advantage: kernel module and device driver work is a stated speciality. Very's strongest advantage: combines product strategy, design and engineering for teams new to hardware.
How do Integra Sources and Very differ in pricing?
Integra Sources uses time & materials, fixed project 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: Integra Sources or Very?
Very 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 Integra Sources and Very?
Integra Sources's primary differentiator is: Kernel, driver and MCU firmware work from a small team with low hourly rates. Very's primary differentiator is: product-strategy-led IoT development with Nerves and Elixir experience. They also differ in team size (11–50 vs 51–200), minimum engagement (Not disclosed vs Not disclosed), and primary industries served (Industrial IoT, Consumer electronics vs Industrial IoT, Consumer electronics).
Verify all details directly with each service provider before making a decision.