EPAM Systems vs LeewayHertz: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
EPAM Systems (4.1/5) edges ahead of LeewayHertz (4.1/5) overall. EPAM Systems is the better choice for fortune 500 buyers needing AI at global engineering scale. LeewayHertz is the stronger option for buyers wanting broad AI service coverage under one roof. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
EPAM Systems vs LeewayHertz: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | EPAM Systems | LeewayHertz |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1993 | 2007 |
| HQ | Newtown, United States | San Francisco, United States |
| Team size | 62,000+ | 150-300 |
| Rating | 4.1 / 5 | 4.1 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | Public company scale (NYSE: EPAM) with AI folded into a much larger engineering practice | Backed by The Hackett Group's consulting and benchmarking network post-acquisition |
| Pricing model | Retainer or dedicated team, enterprise contracting | Fixed project or dedicated team |
| Min. engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Primary tech stack | Python, AWS, Azure | Python, PyTorch, OpenAI API |
| Industries served | Financial services, Healthcare, Retail & e-commerce, Media & entertainment | Financial services, Healthcare, Retail & e-commerce, Manufacturing |
EPAM Systems vs LeewayHertz: overview
EPAM Systems
EPAM Systems was founded in 1993 in New Jersey and Minsk by Arkadiy Dobkin and Leo Lozner, and has traded on the New York Stock Exchange since 2012 as a member of the S&P 500. The company employed roughly 62,850 people across more than 55 countries at the end of 2025, which puts it in a different capacity class from every other firm on this list. EPAM markets itself as a leader in AI transformation engineering, and its scale means AI work is one part of a much larger digital engineering and cloud transformation business rather than the whole of it.
LeewayHertz
LeewayHertz was founded in 2007 and is based in San Francisco. The Hackett Group acquired the company in September 2024, which changes its ownership structure and long-term strategic direction compared to the independently-run firms elsewhere on this list. Public employee counts have moved in different directions depending on the source and date, from roughly 300 in earlier reporting down to about 182 by mid-2026, which is worth factoring in given how much marketing content the company publishes relative to its verified team size.
Services and capabilities: EPAM Systems vs LeewayHertz
| Capability | EPAM Systems | LeewayHertz |
|---|---|---|
| Generative AI | ✓ | ✓ |
| Machine learning | ✓ | ✓ |
| AI agents | ✗ | ✓ |
| MLOps | ✓ | ✗ |
| AI consulting | ✓ | ✗ |
| Fixed-price projects | ✗ | ✓ |
| Dedicated team model | ✓ | ✓ |
Tech stack comparison: EPAM Systems vs LeewayHertz
| Framework / platform | EPAM Systems | LeewayHertz |
|---|---|---|
| Python | ✓ | ✓ |
| PyTorch | N/A | ✓ |
| TensorFlow | N/A | N/A |
| LangChain | N/A | ✓ |
| AWS | ✓ | ✓ |
| Azure | ✓ | ✓ |
| Kubernetes | ✓ | N/A |
Pricing comparison: EPAM Systems vs LeewayHertz
| Criterion | EPAM Systems | LeewayHertz |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Engagement models | Dedicated team, Retainer | Fixed project, Dedicated team |
| Rate transparency | Not public | Not public |
| Price tier | Mid-market | Mid-market |
Target audience comparison: EPAM Systems vs LeewayHertz
| Dimension | EPAM Systems | LeewayHertz |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Financial services, Healthcare, Retail & e-commerce | Financial services, Healthcare, Retail & e-commerce |
| Best use cases | Running an AI transformation program that spans multiple business units at once., Needing a publicly-traded vendor for procurement or audit reasons. | Consolidating multiple AI initiatives (agents, generative AI, ML) under one vendor relationship., Working with a firm now backed by a larger consulting parent for enterprise credibility. |
| Typical project type | Dedicated team | Fixed project |
EPAM Systems vs LeewayHertz: pros and cons
| EPAM Systems | |
|---|---|
| + | Public-company financial transparency and stability that private firms on this list can't match. |
| + | Scale to staff multiple large AI programs across regions simultaneously. |
| + | S&P 500 membership signals enterprise procurement teams can vet it through standard due diligence. |
| + | Cloud partnerships span all three major hyperscalers. |
| - | AI is one line of business inside a much larger engineering firm, not a dedicated specialty |
| - | Enterprise scale typically means longer sales cycles and higher minimum engagement sizes than boutiques |
| LeewayHertz | |
|---|---|
| + | Wide service coverage across generative AI, ML, and AI agents under a single vendor. |
| + | The Hackett Group acquisition adds access to a larger consulting and benchmarking network. |
| + | Nearly two decades of operating history predating the current AI cycle. |
| + | High volume of published technical content makes its approach easy to evaluate before signing. |
| - | Acquired by The Hackett Group in 2024, so long-term positioning may shift under new ownership |
| - | Reported headcount has dropped by roughly half across recent public data, worth confirming directly before assuming current team size |
Who should choose EPAM Systems?
A typical fit: running an AI transformation program that spans multiple business units at once.
Public company scale (NYSE: EPAM) with AI folded into a much larger engineering practice. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Financial services, Healthcare, Retail & e-commerce, Media & entertainment.
Who should choose LeewayHertz?
A typical fit: consolidating multiple AI initiatives (agents, generative AI, ML) under one vendor relationship.
Backed by The Hackett Group's consulting and benchmarking network post-acquisition. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Financial services, Healthcare, Retail & e-commerce, Manufacturing.
Decision matrix: EPAM Systems vs LeewayHertz
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | LeewayHertz |
| You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme | EPAM Systems |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Compare: EPAM Systems (Not disclosed) vs LeewayHertz (Not disclosed) |
| 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 | EPAM Systems |
Use case fit: EPAM Systems vs LeewayHertz
| Use case | EPAM Systems fit | LeewayHertz fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Running an AI transformation program that spans multiple business units at once. | Strong | Limited | EPAM Systems |
| Needing a publicly-traded vendor for procurement or audit reasons. | Strong | Limited | EPAM Systems |
| Consolidating multiple AI initiatives (agents, generative AI, ML) under one vendor relationship. | Limited | Strong | LeewayHertz |
| Working with a firm now backed by a larger consulting parent for enterprise credibility. | Limited | Strong | LeewayHertz |
| Fixed-price build | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
| Staff augmentation | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
Verdict: EPAM Systems vs LeewayHertz
EPAM Systems (4.1/5) is the stronger overall choice for most AI Development projects. Public company scale (NYSE: EPAM) with AI folded into a much larger engineering practice.
LeewayHertz (4.1/5) is worth a look if you need working with a firm now backed by a larger consulting parent for enterprise credibility. If your situation matches that, LeewayHertz is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
EPAM Systems vs LeewayHertz FAQ
Is EPAM Systems better than LeewayHertz?
EPAM Systems (4.1/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. EPAM Systems's strongest advantage: public-company financial transparency and stability that private firms on this list can't match. LeewayHertz's strongest advantage: wide service coverage across generative AI, ML, and AI agents under a single vendor.
How do EPAM Systems and LeewayHertz differ in pricing?
EPAM Systems uses retainer or dedicated team, enterprise contracting pricing. LeewayHertz uses fixed project or dedicated team pricing. Neither firm publishes a full rate card; a discovery call is required for project-specific quotes.
Which is better for enterprise: EPAM Systems or LeewayHertz?
LeewayHertz 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 EPAM Systems and LeewayHertz?
EPAM Systems's primary differentiator is: public company scale (NYSE: EPAM) with AI folded into a much larger engineering practice. LeewayHertz's primary differentiator is: backed by The Hackett Group's consulting and benchmarking network post-acquisition. They also differ in team size (62,000+ vs 150-300), minimum engagement (Not disclosed vs Not disclosed), and primary industries served (Financial services, Healthcare vs Financial services, Healthcare).
Verify all details directly with each company before making a decision.