LeewayHertz vs EPAM Systems: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
LeewayHertz (4.1/5) edges ahead of EPAM Systems (4.1/5) overall. LeewayHertz is the better choice for buyers wanting broad AI service coverage in one agency. EPAM Systems is the stronger option for global enterprises running AI programs at massive scale. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
LeewayHertz vs EPAM Systems: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | LeewayHertz | EPAM Systems |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2007 | 1993 |
| HQ | San Francisco, United States | Newtown, United States |
| Team size | 150-300 | 62,000+ |
| Rating | 4.1 / 5 | 4.1 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | Backed by The Hackett Group's consulting network following its 2024 acquisition | Public-company scale (NYSE: EPAM) with financial transparency few competitors offer |
| Pricing model | Fixed project or dedicated team | Retainer or dedicated team, enterprise contracting |
| Min. engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Primary tech stack | Python, PyTorch, OpenAI API | Python, AWS, Azure |
| Industries served | Financial services, Healthcare, Retail & e-commerce, Manufacturing | Financial services, Healthcare, Retail & e-commerce, Media & entertainment |
LeewayHertz vs EPAM Systems: overview
LeewayHertz
LeewayHertz has operated from San Francisco since 2007, though its ownership changed in September 2024 when The Hackett Group acquired the company. That's relevant to anyone evaluating long-term strategic direction, since the agency now answers to a larger consulting parent. Public employee counts have also shifted, from roughly 300 in earlier reporting to about 182 by mid-2026, worth confirming directly given the volume of content marketing the agency publishes relative to its actual team size.
EPAM Systems
EPAM Systems dates to 1993, co-founded in New Jersey and Minsk by Arkadiy Dobkin and Leo Lozner, and has traded on the NYSE as an S&P 500 constituent since 2012. It employed roughly 62,850 people across more than 55 countries at the end of 2025, a scale category no other agency on this list approaches. AI transformation engineering is a marketed practice area, but at this size it functions as part of a much larger digital engineering and cloud transformation business rather than a standalone specialty.
Services and capabilities: LeewayHertz vs EPAM Systems
| Capability | LeewayHertz | EPAM Systems |
|---|---|---|
| Generative AI | ✓ | ✓ |
| Machine learning | ✓ | ✓ |
| AI agents | ✓ | ✗ |
| MLOps | ✗ | ✓ |
| AI consulting | ✗ | ✓ |
| Fixed-price projects | ✓ | ✗ |
| Dedicated team model | ✓ | ✓ |
Tech stack comparison: LeewayHertz vs EPAM Systems
| Framework / platform | LeewayHertz | EPAM Systems |
|---|---|---|
| Python | ✓ | ✓ |
| PyTorch | ✓ | N/A |
| TensorFlow | N/A | N/A |
| LangChain | ✓ | N/A |
| AWS | ✓ | ✓ |
| Azure | ✓ | ✓ |
| Kubernetes | N/A | ✓ |
Pricing comparison: LeewayHertz vs EPAM Systems
| Criterion | LeewayHertz | EPAM Systems |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Engagement models | Fixed project, Dedicated team | Dedicated team, Retainer |
| Rate transparency | Not public | Not public |
| Price tier | Mid-market | Mid-market |
Target audience comparison: LeewayHertz vs EPAM Systems
| Dimension | LeewayHertz | EPAM Systems |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | Consolidating several AI workstreams under one vendor relationship., Working with an agency backed by a larger consulting parent for enterprise credibility. | Running an AI transformation program spanning multiple business units and regions at once., Needing a publicly-traded vendor for audit or procurement compliance reasons. |
| Typical project type | Fixed project | Dedicated team |
LeewayHertz vs EPAM Systems: pros and cons
| LeewayHertz | |
|---|---|
| + | Broad coverage across generative AI, machine learning, and AI agents under one agency. |
| + | The Hackett Group acquisition adds access to a larger consulting and benchmarking network. |
| + | Close to two decades of operating history predating the current AI boom. |
| + | High volume of published technical content makes its approach easy to evaluate before hiring. |
| - | Now owned by The Hackett Group as of 2024, which may shift long-term positioning |
| - | Reported headcount has roughly halved across recent public data, worth confirming directly |
| EPAM Systems | |
|---|---|
| + | Public-company financial disclosure that no private agency on this list can match. |
| + | Scale to staff several large AI programs across regions simultaneously. |
| + | S&P 500 membership lets enterprise procurement teams vet it through standard due diligence. |
| + | Partnerships span all three major cloud hyperscalers. |
| - | AI sits inside an enormous engineering business rather than functioning as a dedicated specialty |
| - | Scale generally means slower onboarding and higher minimum engagement than boutique firms |
Who should choose LeewayHertz?
A typical fit: consolidating several AI workstreams under one vendor relationship.
Backed by The Hackett Group's consulting network following its 2024 acquisition. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Financial services, Healthcare, Retail & e-commerce, Manufacturing.
Who should choose EPAM Systems?
A typical fit: running an AI transformation program spanning multiple business units and regions at once.
Public-company scale (NYSE: EPAM) with financial transparency few competitors offer. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Financial services, Healthcare, Retail & e-commerce, Media & entertainment.
Decision matrix: LeewayHertz vs EPAM Systems
| 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 | LeewayHertz |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Compare: LeewayHertz (Not disclosed) vs EPAM Systems (Not disclosed) |
| You need specialist depth in a specific vertical | LeewayHertz |
| 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: LeewayHertz vs EPAM Systems
| Use case | LeewayHertz fit | EPAM Systems fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consolidating several AI workstreams under one vendor relationship. | Strong | Limited | LeewayHertz |
| Working with an agency backed by a larger consulting parent for enterprise credibility. | Strong | Limited | LeewayHertz |
| Running an AI transformation program spanning multiple business units and regions at once. | Limited | Strong | EPAM Systems |
| Needing a publicly-traded vendor for audit or procurement compliance reasons. | Limited | Strong | EPAM Systems |
| Fixed-price build | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
| Staff augmentation | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
Verdict: LeewayHertz vs EPAM Systems
LeewayHertz (4.1/5) is the stronger overall choice for most AI Development projects. Backed by The Hackett Group's consulting network following its 2024 acquisition.
EPAM Systems (4.1/5) is worth a look if you need needing a publicly-traded vendor for audit or procurement compliance reasons. If your situation matches that, EPAM Systems is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
LeewayHertz vs EPAM Systems FAQ
Is LeewayHertz better than EPAM Systems?
LeewayHertz (4.1/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. LeewayHertz's strongest advantage: broad coverage across generative AI, machine learning, and AI agents under one agency. EPAM Systems's strongest advantage: public-company financial disclosure that no private agency on this list can match.
How do LeewayHertz and EPAM Systems differ in pricing?
LeewayHertz uses fixed project or dedicated team pricing. EPAM Systems uses retainer or dedicated team, enterprise contracting pricing. Neither firm publishes a full rate card; a discovery call is required for project-specific quotes.
Which is better for enterprise: LeewayHertz or EPAM Systems?
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 agency before shortlisting.
What are the main differences between LeewayHertz and EPAM Systems?
LeewayHertz's primary differentiator is: backed by The Hackett Group's consulting network following its 2024 acquisition. EPAM Systems's primary differentiator is: public-company scale (NYSE: EPAM) with financial transparency few competitors offer. They also differ in team size (150-300 vs 62,000+), minimum engagement (Not disclosed vs Not disclosed), and primary industries served (Financial services, Healthcare vs Financial services, Healthcare).
Verify all details directly with each agency before making a decision.