Hakkoda vs EPAM Systems: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
Hakkoda (3.9/5) edges ahead of EPAM Systems (3.3/5) overall. Hakkoda is the better choice for buyers wanting IBM-backed stability for data-and-AI advisory work. EPAM Systems is the stronger option for global enterprises wanting the largest publicly traded engineering-consultancy bench in this roster. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
Hakkoda vs EPAM Systems: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | Hakkoda | EPAM Systems |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2021 | 1993 |
| HQ | New York, NY, USA | Newtown, PA, USA |
| Team size | 201-400 | 60000+ |
| Rating | 3.9 / 5 | 3.3 / 5 |
| Best for | Buyers wanting IBM-backed stability for data-and-AI advisory work | Global enterprises wanting the largest publicly traded engineering-consultancy bench in this roster |
| Pricing model | Retainer, fixed project | Retainer, dedicated team, T&M |
| Min. engagement | $35K | $150K |
| Primary tech stack | AWS, Azure, GCP | AWS, Azure, GCP |
| Industries served | Fintech, Healthcare, Retail | Fintech, Retail, Healthcare, Telecom |
Hakkoda vs EPAM Systems: overview
Hakkoda
Hakkoda was founded in 2021 and is headquartered in New York City, with 371 employees. The firm is a modern data consultancy helping companies harness cloud platforms and AI capabilities, and was acquired by IBM in April 2025 — now operating as Hakkōda, an IBM Company, which buyers should factor into long-term roadmap and pricing expectations.
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.
Services and capabilities: Hakkoda vs EPAM Systems
| Capability | Hakkoda | EPAM Systems |
|---|---|---|
| Enterprise automation | ✓ | ✓ |
| Agent orchestration | ✗ | ✓ |
| RAG & knowledge agents | ✓ | ✗ |
| Data & analytics agents | ✓ | ✗ |
| LLM integration | ✗ | ✗ |
| Workflow integration | ✗ | ✗ |
Tech stack comparison: Hakkoda vs EPAM Systems
| Framework / platform | Hakkoda | EPAM Systems |
|---|---|---|
| LangChain | N/A | N/A |
| LangGraph | N/A | N/A |
| AutoGen | N/A | N/A |
| LlamaIndex | N/A | N/A |
| OpenAI | ✓ | N/A |
| Anthropic Claude | N/A | N/A |
| Pinecone | N/A | N/A |
| AWS | ✓ | ✓ |
| Azure | ✓ | ✓ |
| Kubernetes | N/A | ✓ |
Pricing comparison: Hakkoda vs EPAM Systems
| Criterion | Hakkoda | EPAM Systems |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | $35K | $150K |
| Engagement models | Retainer, Fixed project, Staff augmentation | Retainer, Dedicated team, T&M |
| Rate transparency | Minimum disclosed | Minimum disclosed |
| Price tier | Accessible | Accessible |
Target audience comparison: Hakkoda vs EPAM Systems
| Dimension | Hakkoda | EPAM Systems |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Fintech, Healthcare, Retail | Fintech, Retail, Healthcare |
| Best use cases | Data-platform advisory for AI agents, Cloud-and-AI capability advisory | Global GenAI consulting programs, Enterprise agent QA and monitoring |
| Typical project type | Retainer | Retainer |
Hakkoda vs EPAM Systems: pros and cons
| Hakkoda | |
|---|---|
| + | IBM backing (since April 2025) adds financial stability and enterprise credibility |
| + | Data-platform-first advisory approach suits agents that need reliable data foundations |
| + | Internal AI agent (per Hakkoda Labs) demonstrates applied capability beyond advisory |
| - | 2025 acquisition by IBM changes ownership structure and may shift pricing/positioning over time |
| - | Post-acquisition integration into IBM's broader practice could affect team continuity |
| 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 |
Who should choose Hakkoda?
Hakkoda is the right choice for buyers wanting IBM-backed stability for data-and-AI advisory work.
IBM acquisition (April 2025) adds enterprise backing and cross-sell into IBM's broader AI portfolio. Minimum engagement starts at $35K. Works best with clients in Fintech, Healthcare, Retail.
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.
Decision matrix: Hakkoda vs EPAM Systems
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | Hakkoda |
| You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme | EPAM Systems |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Hakkoda |
| 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: Hakkoda vs EPAM Systems
| Use case | Hakkoda fit | EPAM Systems fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data-platform advisory for AI agents | Strong | Limited | Hakkoda |
| Cloud-and-AI capability advisory | Strong | Limited | Hakkoda |
| Global GenAI consulting programs | Limited | Strong | EPAM Systems |
| Enterprise agent QA and monitoring | Limited | Strong | EPAM Systems |
| Fixed-price build | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
| Staff augmentation | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
Verdict: Hakkoda vs EPAM Systems
Hakkoda (3.9/5) is the stronger overall choice for most AI Agent projects. IBM acquisition (April 2025) adds enterprise backing and cross-sell into IBM's broader AI portfolio. It is best for buyers wanting IBM-backed stability for data-and-AI advisory work.
EPAM Systems (3.3/5) is the better choice when global enterprises wanting the largest publicly traded engineering-consultancy bench in this roster. If your situation matches those criteria, EPAM Systems is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
Hakkoda vs EPAM Systems FAQ
Is Hakkoda better than EPAM Systems?
Hakkoda (3.9/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. Hakkoda is better for buyers wanting IBM-backed stability for data-and-AI advisory work. EPAM Systems is better for global enterprises wanting the largest publicly traded engineering-consultancy bench in this roster.
How do Hakkoda and EPAM Systems differ in pricing?
Hakkoda uses retainer, fixed project pricing with a minimum engagement of $35K. EPAM Systems uses retainer, dedicated team, t&m pricing with a minimum engagement of $150K. Neither firm publishes a full rate card; a discovery call is required for project-specific quotes.
Which is better for enterprise: Hakkoda or EPAM Systems?
Hakkoda 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 Hakkoda and EPAM Systems?
Hakkoda's primary differentiator is: ibm acquisition (april 2025) adds enterprise backing and cross-sell into ibm's broader ai portfolio. EPAM Systems's primary differentiator is: gartner-recognized genai consulting leader with 64,000+ employees, the largest single firm in this roster. They also differ in team size (201-400 vs 60000+), minimum engagement ($35K vs $150K), and primary industries served (Fintech, Healthcare vs Fintech, Retail).