Integra Sources vs Data Respons: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
Integra Sources (4.0/5) edges ahead of Data Respons (3.9/5) overall. Integra Sources is the better choice for early-stage teams without in-house hardware engineering to manage vendor coordination. Data Respons is the stronger option for nordic and multi-sector programs needing embedded engineering across regulated verticals. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
Integra Sources vs Data Respons: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | Integra Sources | Data Respons |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2014 | 1986 |
| HQ | Astana, Kazakhstan | Høvik, Norway |
| Team size | 11–50 | 1,400 |
| Rating | 4.0 / 5 | 3.9 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | Turnkey hardware-plus-firmware delivery from a single small team, removing the need for an in-house hardware/firmware vendor coordinator | Nearly 40-year Nordic embedded specialist spanning eight distinct sectors, now backed by Akkodis scale after two ownership transitions |
| Pricing model | Fixed project | Fixed project, dedicated team |
| Min. engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Primary tech stack | C/C++, FreeRTOS, Embedded Linux | Embedded Linux, C/C++, RTOS |
| Industries served | Consumer Electronics, Robotics, Industrial IoT, Medical devices | Transportation & Automotive, Telecom & Media, Energy & Maritime, Medtech, Defense & Security |
Integra Sources vs Data Respons: overview
Integra Sources
Integra Sources, founded in 2014, is a compact custom hardware and firmware development shop reporting 250+ completed IoT and embedded projects despite public sources disagreeing on both its exact headquarters (most list Astana, Kazakhstan) and current headcount (estimates range from roughly 24 to 51 employees). For a technical buyer, the operative pitch is turnkey delivery: electronic design, PCB layout, FPGA, embedded firmware, and kernel/driver development for Windows, Linux, macOS, and Android all sit under one small team, avoiding the vendor-coordination overhead that comes with splitting hardware and firmware across separate suppliers — a meaningful consideration for an early-stage program without in-house hardware engineering to manage that coordination itself.
Data Respons
Data Respons, founded in 1986 and headquartered in Høvik, Norway, develops embedded systems across transport & automotive, telecom & media, industrial automation, energy & maritime, medtech, space, defense & security, and finance & public sectors, employing roughly 1,400 people across Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, and Taiwan. AKKA Technologies acquired Data Respons via a compulsory share acquisition completed in May 2020, delisting it from the Oslo Stock Exchange; AKKA itself later became part of Akkodis (Adecco Group). For a buyer specifically evaluating whether Data Respons retains an independent embedded delivery identity post-acquisition, the answer appears to be yes — the practice remains genuinely embedded-focused rather than folded into a generalist engineering pool, but confirming current team continuity directly is still worthwhile given two ownership transitions in five years.
Services and capabilities: Integra Sources vs Data Respons
| Capability | Integra Sources | Data Respons |
|---|---|---|
| RTOS firmware development | ✓ | ✓ |
| Embedded Linux (Yocto/BuildRoot) | ✗ | ✓ |
| FPGA programming (Verilog/VHDL) | ✗ | ✗ |
| Hardware & PCB / electrical engineering | ✓ | ✓ |
| IoT connectivity & protocols | ✓ | ✓ |
| Edge AI / on-device ML | ✗ | ✗ |
| Embedded GUI development | ✗ | ✗ |
| Cybersecurity & secure boot | ✗ | ✗ |
| Staff augmentation / team extension | ✗ | ✗ |
Tech stack comparison: Integra Sources vs Data Respons
| Framework / platform | Integra Sources | Data Respons |
|---|---|---|
| FreeRTOS | ✓ | N/A |
| Zephyr | N/A | N/A |
| Embedded Linux | ✓ | ✓ |
| AUTOSAR | N/A | N/A |
| AWS | N/A | N/A |
| Bluetooth | N/A | N/A |
| LoRaWAN | N/A | N/A |
| CAN bus | N/A | N/A |
| Qt | N/A | N/A |
| Verilog | N/A | N/A |
Pricing comparison: Integra Sources vs Data Respons
| Criterion | Integra Sources | Data Respons |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Engagement models | Fixed project | Fixed project, Dedicated team |
| Rate transparency | Not public | Not public |
| Price tier | Mid-market | Mid-market |
Target audience comparison: Integra Sources vs Data Respons
| Dimension | Integra Sources | Data Respons |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Consumer Electronics, Robotics, Industrial IoT | Transportation & Automotive, Telecom & Media, Energy & Maritime |
| Best use cases | Early-stage hardware programs without an in-house team to coordinate separate electrical and firmware vendors, Prototype and MVP development needing both hardware and firmware turned around by one accountable team | Maritime or defense programs needing embedded systems with Nordic regulatory familiarity, Medtech products requiring embedded engineering from a multi-sector specialist team with a long independent operating history |
| Typical project type | Fixed project | Fixed project |
Integra Sources vs Data Respons: pros and cons
| Integra Sources | |
|---|---|
| + | One team handles electronic design, PCB layout, FPGA, and firmware without the client having to coordinate separate hardware and software vendors |
| + | 250+ completed projects reported despite a small team size, suggesting efficient project turnover |
| + | Kernel/driver development spans four major operating systems (Windows, Linux, macOS, Android), broader OS coverage than most similarly sized boutiques |
| - | Public sources disagree on both headquarters location and headcount, making delivery capacity harder to verify precisely (per company website and third-party directories; independently unverifiable) |
| - | Small team size limits fit for programs needing multiple concurrent workstreams |
| - | No public case studies with named enterprise clients to independently verify scale claims |
| Data Respons | |
|---|---|
| + | Nearly 40 years of embedded systems specialization across eight distinct sectors, from maritime to medtech to defense |
| + | Nordic regional presence (Norway, Sweden, Denmark) plus Germany and Taiwan offices supports European and APAC delivery |
| + | Retains a genuinely embedded-focused delivery team despite two ownership transitions (AKKA in 2020, then Akkodis) |
| - | Two ownership transitions in five years (AKKA Technologies 2020, then folded into Akkodis) — confirm current team continuity directly before committing |
| - | 1,400-employee scale sits below the largest global engineering firms for very large concurrent programs |
| - | No public pricing or minimum engagement figures published |
Who should choose Integra Sources?
A typical fit: early-stage hardware programs without an in-house team to coordinate separate electrical and firmware vendors.
Turnkey hardware-plus-firmware delivery from a single small team, removing the need for an in-house hardware/firmware vendor coordinator. Minimum engagement starts at Not disclosed. Works best with clients in Consumer Electronics, Robotics, Industrial IoT, Medical devices.
Who should choose Data Respons?
A typical fit: maritime or defense programs needing embedded systems with Nordic regulatory familiarity.
Nearly 40-year Nordic embedded specialist spanning eight distinct sectors, now backed by Akkodis scale after two ownership transitions. Minimum engagement starts at Not disclosed. Works best with clients in Transportation & Automotive, Telecom & Media, Energy & Maritime, Medtech, Defense & Security.
Decision matrix: Integra Sources vs Data Respons
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | Integra Sources |
| You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme | Data Respons |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Compare: Integra Sources (Not disclosed) vs Data Respons (Not disclosed) |
| You need specialist depth in a specific vertical | Data Respons |
| You need staff augmentation or team extension | Neither; consider alternatives that offer staff aug |
| You need consulting before committing to a build | Integra Sources |
Use case fit: Integra Sources vs Data Respons
| Use case | Integra Sources fit | Data Respons fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early-stage hardware programs without an in-house team to coordinate separate electrical and firmware vendors | Strong | Limited | Integra Sources |
| Prototype and MVP development needing both hardware and firmware turned around by one accountable team | Strong | Limited | Integra Sources |
| Maritime or defense programs needing embedded systems with Nordic regulatory familiarity | Limited | Strong | Data Respons |
| Medtech products requiring embedded engineering from a multi-sector specialist team with a long independent operating history | Limited | Strong | Data Respons |
| Fixed-price build | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
| Staff augmentation | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
Verdict: Integra Sources vs Data Respons
Integra Sources (4.0/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Embedded Software Development projects. Turnkey hardware-plus-firmware delivery from a single small team, removing the need for an in-house hardware/firmware vendor coordinator.
Data Respons (3.9/5) is worth a look if you need medtech products requiring embedded engineering from a multi-sector specialist team with a long independent operating history. If your situation matches that, Data Respons is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
Integra Sources vs Data Respons FAQ
Is Integra Sources better than Data Respons?
Integra Sources (4.0/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. Integra Sources's strongest advantage: one team handles electronic design, PCB layout, FPGA, and firmware without the client having to coordinate separate hardware and software vendors. Data Respons's strongest advantage: nearly 40 years of embedded systems specialization across eight distinct sectors, from maritime to medtech to defense.
How do Integra Sources and Data Respons differ in pricing?
Integra Sources uses fixed project pricing with a minimum engagement of Not disclosed. Data Respons uses fixed project, dedicated team pricing with a minimum engagement of Not disclosed. Neither firm publishes a full rate card; a discovery call is required for project-specific quotes.
Which is better for enterprise: Integra Sources or Data Respons?
Data Respons 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 Integra Sources and Data Respons?
Integra Sources's primary differentiator is: turnkey hardware-plus-firmware delivery from a single small team, removing the need for an in-house hardware/firmware vendor coordinator. Data Respons's primary differentiator is: nearly 40-year Nordic embedded specialist spanning eight distinct sectors, now backed by Akkodis scale after two ownership transitions. They also differ in team size (11–50 vs 1,400), minimum engagement (Not disclosed vs Not disclosed), and primary industries served (Consumer Electronics, Robotics vs Transportation & Automotive, Telecom & Media).
Verify all details directly with each company before making a decision.