EPAM Systems vs Version 1: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
EPAM Systems (3.3/5) edges ahead of Version 1 (3.2/5) overall. EPAM Systems is the better choice for global enterprises wanting the largest publicly traded engineering-consultancy bench in this roster. Version 1 is the stronger option for enterprises wanting an Ireland/UK-anchored management consultancy for AI digital transformation. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
EPAM Systems vs Version 1: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | EPAM Systems | Version 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1993 | 1996 |
| HQ | Newtown, PA, USA | Dublin, Ireland |
| Team size | 60000+ | 3000+ |
| Rating | 3.3 / 5 | 3.2 / 5 |
| Best for | Global enterprises wanting the largest publicly traded engineering-consultancy bench in this roster | Enterprises wanting an Ireland/UK-anchored management consultancy for AI digital transformation |
| Pricing model | Retainer, dedicated team, T&M | Retainer, dedicated team |
| Min. engagement | $150K | $60K |
| Primary tech stack | AWS, Azure, GCP | AWS, Azure |
| Industries served | Fintech, Retail, Healthcare, Telecom | Fintech, Retail, Healthcare |
EPAM Systems vs Version 1: overview
EPAM Systems
EPAM Systems was founded in 1993 and is headquartered in Newtown, Pennsylvania, with 64,018 employees worldwide as of March 2026, trading publicly on the NYSE. The firm integrates advanced AI technologies through platforms like EPAM AI/RUN and initiatives like Agentic QA, and has been named a GenAI Consulting & Implementation Services leader by Gartner.
Version 1
Version 1 was founded in 1996 and is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, with additional offices in London, New York, and Chicago, and 3,000+ employees. The firm provides management consulting, managed services, and software development, and positions itself as a leader in AI and digital transformation, partnering with global organizations to adopt AI technology.
Services and capabilities: EPAM Systems vs Version 1
| Capability | EPAM Systems | Version 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Enterprise automation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Agent orchestration | ✓ | ✗ |
| RAG & knowledge agents | ✗ | ✗ |
| Data & analytics agents | ✗ | ✗ |
| LLM integration | ✗ | ✗ |
| Workflow integration | ✗ | ✓ |
Tech stack comparison: EPAM Systems vs Version 1
| Framework / platform | EPAM Systems | Version 1 |
|---|---|---|
| LangChain | N/A | N/A |
| LangGraph | N/A | N/A |
| AutoGen | N/A | N/A |
| LlamaIndex | N/A | N/A |
| OpenAI | N/A | N/A |
| Anthropic Claude | N/A | N/A |
| Pinecone | N/A | N/A |
| AWS | ✓ | ✓ |
| Azure | ✓ | ✓ |
| Kubernetes | ✓ | N/A |
Pricing comparison: EPAM Systems vs Version 1
| Criterion | EPAM Systems | Version 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | $150K | $60K |
| Engagement models | Retainer, Dedicated team, T&M | Retainer, Dedicated team, T&M |
| Rate transparency | Minimum disclosed | Minimum disclosed |
| Price tier | Accessible | Accessible |
Target audience comparison: EPAM Systems vs Version 1
| Dimension | EPAM Systems | Version 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Fintech, Retail, Healthcare | Fintech, Retail, Healthcare |
| Best use cases | Global GenAI consulting programs, Enterprise agent QA and monitoring | Management consulting for AI adoption, Multi-national digital transformation advisory |
| Typical project type | Retainer | Retainer |
EPAM Systems vs Version 1: pros and cons
| EPAM Systems | |
|---|---|
| + | Publicly traded (NYSE) with the largest workforce (64,000+) of any firm in this roster |
| + | Gartner-recognized as a GenAI Consulting & Implementation Services leader |
| + | Distributed delivery model across 50+ countries supports global follow-the-sun programs |
| - | Very high minimum engagement puts it out of reach for all but the largest enterprise buyers |
| - | Massive scale means essentially no boutique-style senior-partner attention |
| Version 1 | |
|---|---|
| + | 28+ years of management consulting and digital transformation history |
| + | 3,000+ employees support sizeable multi-national enterprise programs |
| + | Dublin HQ with London/New York/Chicago offices suits transatlantic enterprise buyers |
| - | Large-firm structure means less boutique-style senior-partner attention on smaller engagements |
| - | AI agent-specific case studies are less prominent than its broader management-consulting portfolio |
Who should choose EPAM Systems?
EPAM Systems is the right choice for global enterprises wanting the largest publicly traded engineering-consultancy bench in this roster.
Gartner-recognized GenAI consulting leader with 64,000+ employees, the largest single firm in this roster. Minimum engagement starts at $150K. Works best with clients in Fintech, Retail, Healthcare, Telecom.
Who should choose Version 1?
Version 1 is the right choice for enterprises wanting an Ireland/UK-anchored management consultancy for AI digital transformation.
Dublin headquarters gives it a distinct Irish/UK/US multinational footprint among this roster's large consultancies. Minimum engagement starts at $60K. Works best with clients in Fintech, Retail, Healthcare.
Decision matrix: EPAM Systems vs Version 1
| 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 | EPAM Systems |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Version 1 |
| You need specialist depth in a specific vertical | EPAM Systems |
| 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: EPAM Systems vs Version 1
| Use case | EPAM Systems fit | Version 1 fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global GenAI consulting programs | Strong | Limited | EPAM Systems |
| Enterprise agent QA and monitoring | Strong | Strong | Both equally |
| Management consulting for AI adoption | Limited | Strong | Version 1 |
| Multi-national digital transformation advisory | Limited | Strong | Version 1 |
| Fixed-price build | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
| Staff augmentation | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
Verdict: EPAM Systems vs Version 1
EPAM Systems (3.3/5) is the stronger overall choice for most AI Agent projects. Gartner-recognized GenAI consulting leader with 64,000+ employees, the largest single firm in this roster. It is best for global enterprises wanting the largest publicly traded engineering-consultancy bench in this roster.
Version 1 (3.2/5) is the better choice when enterprises wanting an Ireland/UK-anchored management consultancy for AI digital transformation. If your situation matches those criteria, Version 1 is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
EPAM Systems vs Version 1 FAQ
Is EPAM Systems better than Version 1?
EPAM Systems (3.3/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. EPAM Systems is better for global enterprises wanting the largest publicly traded engineering-consultancy bench in this roster. Version 1 is better for enterprises wanting an Ireland/UK-anchored management consultancy for AI digital transformation.
How do EPAM Systems and Version 1 differ in pricing?
EPAM Systems uses retainer, dedicated team, t&m pricing with a minimum engagement of $150K. Version 1 uses retainer, dedicated team pricing with a minimum engagement of $60K. Neither firm publishes a full rate card; a discovery call is required for project-specific quotes.
Which is better for enterprise: EPAM Systems or Version 1?
EPAM Systems is the larger team and typically the better enterprise-scale choice. For very large programmes, verify team size and compliance coverage directly with each consultancy before shortlisting.
What are the main differences between EPAM Systems and Version 1?
EPAM Systems's primary differentiator is: gartner-recognized genai consulting leader with 64,000+ employees, the largest single firm in this roster. Version 1's primary differentiator is: dublin headquarters gives it a distinct irish/uk/us multinational footprint among this roster's large consultancies. They also differ in team size (60000+ vs 3000+), minimum engagement ($150K vs $60K), and primary industries served (Fintech, Retail vs Fintech, Retail).