Oxalis Design vs Developex: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
Oxalis Design (4.1/5) edges ahead of Developex (3.9/5) overall. Oxalis Design is the better choice for small connected-device programs needing direct access to senior engineers. Developex is the stronger option for cross-platform software programs that also need device firmware and drivers. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
Oxalis Design vs Developex: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | Oxalis Design | Developex |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2019 | 2001 |
| HQ | Bristol, UK | Kyiv, Ukraine (representative office in Canada) |
| Team size | 2–10 | 255 |
| Rating | 4.1 / 5 | 3.9 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | Founder-led two-person leadership team focused solely on electronics and embedded firmware, no broader IT practice attached | Cross-platform team-formation model spanning mobile, cloud, web, and desktop, with firmware as a named secondary specialty |
| Pricing model | Project-based electronics and embedded engagements | Team-formation and project-based engagements |
| Min. engagement | Not published | Not published |
| Primary tech stack | C, C++, RF Design | C, C++, Device Drivers |
| Industries served | Medical devices, Consumer electronics, Industrial | Consumer electronics, Software-driven products |
Oxalis Design vs Developex: overview
Oxalis Design
Oxalis Design is a Bristol, UK electronics and embedded systems consultancy founded by Alex Turner and Alex Thornicroft, both experienced electronics and software engineers. The firm's stated scope covers electronics hardware and RF design, embedded software development, and connected-device development for medical, consumer, and industrial clients, from early concept through pilot builds and the transfer to production. As a small, cohesive team focused solely on electronics and embedded firmware rather than a broader product-design or general IT practice, it suits clients who want senior engineers directly on their project rather than layers of account management.
Developex
Developex was founded in Kyiv, Ukraine in August 2001 and has grown to approximately 255 employees, with a representative office in Canada supplementing its Eastern European delivery base. Its primary stated service is forming software development teams for mobile, cloud, web, and desktop projects, with a second specialization in software for electronic devices covering firmware, drivers, and companion apps. That ordering matters for buyers: firmware capability exists and is real, but it sits behind a larger cross-platform software practice rather than being the firm's lead identity.
Services and capabilities: Oxalis Design vs Developex
| Capability | Oxalis Design | Developex |
|---|---|---|
| RTOS firmware development | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bare-metal & driver development | ✓ | ✓ |
| Secure boot / OTA firmware updates | ✗ | ✗ |
| MCU & platform migration | ✗ | ✗ |
| Connectivity & IoT protocols | ✓ | ✗ |
| Functional safety / compliance | ✗ | ✗ |
| Embedded AI / on-device inference | ✗ | ✗ |
| Firmware GUI development | ✗ | ✗ |
| Hardware co-design / board bring-up | ✓ | ✗ |
| Staff augmentation | ✗ | ✓ |
Tech stack comparison: Oxalis Design vs Developex
| Framework / platform | Oxalis Design | Developex |
|---|---|---|
| FreeRTOS | N/A | N/A |
| Zephyr | N/A | N/A |
| STM32 | N/A | N/A |
| ARM Cortex-M | N/A | N/A |
| Embedded Linux | N/A | N/A |
| BLE | N/A | N/A |
| MISRA | N/A | N/A |
| Secure Boot | N/A | N/A |
| AWS IoT | N/A | N/A |
| RISC-V | N/A | N/A |
Pricing comparison: Oxalis Design vs Developex
| Criterion | Oxalis Design | Developex |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | Not published | Not published |
| Engagement models | Project-based engineering, concept through pilot build | Team formation, Project-based development |
| Rate transparency | Not public | Not public |
| Price tier | Mid-market | Mid-market |
Target audience comparison: Oxalis Design vs Developex
| Dimension | Oxalis Design | Developex |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Medical devices, Consumer electronics, Industrial | Consumer electronics, Software-driven products |
| Best use cases | RF and firmware co-design for a new connected consumer device, Medical device electronics and embedded firmware from concept through pilot build | Device driver and firmware development paired with a companion cross-platform application, Team formation for a project needing both firmware engineers and mobile or web developers |
| Typical project type | Project-based engineering, concept through pilot build | Team formation |
Oxalis Design vs Developex: pros and cons
| Oxalis Design | |
|---|---|
| + | Founded and led directly by two working electronics and software engineers, giving clients direct senior-level involvement |
| + | Focus on electronics and embedded firmware exclusively, without a broader IT or general software practice diluting attention |
| + | RF design capability in-house means wireless connectivity work doesn't require a separate specialist vendor |
| + | Serves medical, consumer, and industrial clients from concept through pilot build and transfer to production |
| - | A team of 2 to 10 people limits capacity to a small number of concurrent client programs at any time |
| - | Publicly verifiable founding date and detailed case study history are limited |
| - | No published pricing or minimum engagement figure |
| Developex | |
|---|---|
| + | 24 years of operating history with a team that has grown to roughly 255 people across three continents |
| + | Cross-platform mobile, cloud, web, and desktop capability suits firmware projects that also need a substantial companion application |
| + | Canadian representative office supplements its Eastern European delivery base for North American client coordination |
| + | Named second specialization in device firmware and drivers means the capability is deliberate, not accidental |
| - | Firmware and drivers are explicitly the company's second specialization behind its cross-platform software practice, not its lead identity |
| - | No published pricing or minimum engagement figure |
| - | Public case studies specific to firmware projects, versus its broader software portfolio, are limited |
Who should choose Oxalis Design?
A typical fit: RF and firmware co-design for a new connected consumer device.
Founder-led two-person leadership team focused solely on electronics and embedded firmware, no broader IT practice attached. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Medical devices, Consumer electronics, Industrial.
Who should choose Developex?
A typical fit: device driver and firmware development paired with a companion cross-platform application.
Cross-platform team-formation model spanning mobile, cloud, web, and desktop, with firmware as a named secondary specialty. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Consumer electronics, Software-driven products.
Decision matrix: Oxalis Design vs Developex
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | Both offer fixed-price models |
| You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme | Check each company's engagement model |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Compare: Oxalis Design (Not published) vs Developex (Not published) |
| You need specialist depth in a specific vertical | Oxalis Design |
| You need staff augmentation or team extension | Developex |
| You need consulting before committing to a build | Both may offer discovery engagements |
Use case fit: Oxalis Design vs Developex
| Use case | Oxalis Design fit | Developex fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| RF and firmware co-design for a new connected consumer device | Strong | Limited | Oxalis Design |
| Medical device electronics and embedded firmware from concept through pilot build | Strong | Limited | Oxalis Design |
| Device driver and firmware development paired with a companion cross-platform application | Strong | Strong | Both equally |
| Team formation for a project needing both firmware engineers and mobile or web developers | Limited | Strong | Developex |
| Fixed-price build | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
| Staff augmentation | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
Verdict: Oxalis Design vs Developex
Oxalis Design (4.1/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Firmware Development projects. Founder-led two-person leadership team focused solely on electronics and embedded firmware, no broader IT practice attached.
Developex (3.9/5) is worth a look if you need team formation for a project needing both firmware engineers and mobile or web developers. If your situation matches that, Developex is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
Oxalis Design vs Developex FAQ
Is Oxalis Design better than Developex?
Oxalis Design (4.1/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. Oxalis Design's strongest advantage: founded and led directly by two working electronics and software engineers, giving clients direct senior-level involvement. Developex's strongest advantage: 24 years of operating history with a team that has grown to roughly 255 people across three continents.
How do Oxalis Design and Developex differ in pricing?
Oxalis Design uses project-based electronics and embedded engagements pricing. Developex uses team-formation and project-based engagements pricing. Neither firm publishes a full rate card; a discovery call is required for project-specific quotes.
Which is better for enterprise: Oxalis Design or Developex?
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 company before shortlisting.
What are the main differences between Oxalis Design and Developex?
Oxalis Design's primary differentiator is: founder-led two-person leadership team focused solely on electronics and embedded firmware, no broader IT practice attached. Developex's primary differentiator is: cross-platform team-formation model spanning mobile, cloud, web, and desktop, with firmware as a named secondary specialty. They also differ in team size (2–10 vs 255), minimum engagement (Not published vs Not published), and primary industries served (Medical devices, Consumer electronics vs Consumer electronics, Software-driven products).
Verify all details directly with each company before making a decision.