Oxalis Design vs Sigma Software Group: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
Oxalis Design (4.1/5) edges ahead of Sigma Software Group (4.0/5) overall. Oxalis Design is the better choice for small connected-device programs needing direct access to senior engineers. Sigma Software Group is the stronger option for mid-to-large programs needing firmware alongside a broader multi-industry engineering group. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
Oxalis Design vs Sigma Software Group: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | Oxalis Design | Sigma Software Group |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2019 | 2002 |
| HQ | Bristol, UK | Kharkiv, Ukraine |
| Team size | 2–10 | 1,100+ |
| Rating | 4.1 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | Founder-led two-person leadership team focused solely on electronics and embedded firmware, no broader IT practice attached | Majority Swedish ownership since 2006 combined with a 1,100-plus person multi-country delivery footprint |
| Pricing model | Project-based electronics and embedded engagements | Project-based and staff augmentation engagements |
| Min. engagement | Not published | Not published |
| Primary tech stack | C, C++, RF Design | C, C++, Embedded Middleware |
| Industries served | Medical devices, Consumer electronics, Industrial | Aviation, Gaming, Telecom, Industrial IoT |
Oxalis Design vs Sigma Software Group: overview
Oxalis Design
Oxalis Design is a Bristol, UK electronics and embedded systems consultancy founded by Alex Turner and Alex Thornicroft, both experienced electronics and software engineers. The firm's stated scope covers electronics hardware and RF design, embedded software development, and connected-device development for medical, consumer, and industrial clients, from early concept through pilot builds and the transfer to production. As a small, cohesive team focused solely on electronics and embedded firmware rather than a broader product-design or general IT practice, it suits clients who want senior engineers directly on their project rather than layers of account management.
Sigma Software Group
Sigma Software Group was founded in Kharkiv, Ukraine in 2002 by five friends and now employs more than 1,100 people across Ukraine, Sweden, Poland, and the United States. In 2006 the Swedish IT conglomerate Sigma Group acquired a 60% stake in the company, an ownership structure that has held since; the remaining 40% stays with the original Ukrainian founders. Its embedded and IoT services cover application development, firmware, middleware, device drivers, and human-machine interfaces, delivered as one practice within a much larger portfolio spanning gaming, aviation, and telecom software.
Services and capabilities: Oxalis Design vs Sigma Software Group
| Capability | Oxalis Design | Sigma Software Group |
|---|---|---|
| RTOS firmware development | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bare-metal & driver development | ✓ | ✗ |
| Secure boot / OTA firmware updates | ✗ | ✗ |
| MCU & platform migration | ✗ | ✗ |
| Connectivity & IoT protocols | ✓ | ✓ |
| Functional safety / compliance | ✗ | ✗ |
| Embedded AI / on-device inference | ✗ | ✗ |
| Firmware GUI development | ✗ | ✓ |
| Hardware co-design / board bring-up | ✓ | ✗ |
| Staff augmentation | ✗ | ✓ |
Tech stack comparison: Oxalis Design vs Sigma Software Group
| Framework / platform | Oxalis Design | Sigma Software Group |
|---|---|---|
| FreeRTOS | N/A | N/A |
| Zephyr | N/A | N/A |
| STM32 | N/A | N/A |
| ARM Cortex-M | N/A | N/A |
| Embedded Linux | N/A | N/A |
| BLE | N/A | N/A |
| MISRA | N/A | N/A |
| Secure Boot | N/A | N/A |
| AWS IoT | N/A | N/A |
| RISC-V | N/A | N/A |
Pricing comparison: Oxalis Design vs Sigma Software Group
| Criterion | Oxalis Design | Sigma Software Group |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | Not published | Not published |
| Engagement models | Project-based engineering, concept through pilot build | Project-based engineering, Staff augmentation |
| Rate transparency | Not public | Not public |
| Price tier | Mid-market | Mid-market |
Target audience comparison: Oxalis Design vs Sigma Software Group
| Dimension | Oxalis Design | Sigma Software Group |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Medical devices, Consumer electronics, Industrial | Aviation, Gaming, Telecom |
| Best use cases | RF and firmware co-design for a new connected consumer device, Medical device electronics and embedded firmware from concept through pilot build | Device driver or middleware development as part of a broader embedded program, HMI development for an industrial or aviation-adjacent embedded product |
| Typical project type | Project-based engineering, concept through pilot build | Project-based engineering |
Oxalis Design vs Sigma Software Group: pros and cons
| Oxalis Design | |
|---|---|
| + | Founded and led directly by two working electronics and software engineers, giving clients direct senior-level involvement |
| + | Focus on electronics and embedded firmware exclusively, without a broader IT or general software practice diluting attention |
| + | RF design capability in-house means wireless connectivity work doesn't require a separate specialist vendor |
| + | Serves medical, consumer, and industrial clients from concept through pilot build and transfer to production |
| - | A team of 2 to 10 people limits capacity to a small number of concurrent client programs at any time |
| - | Publicly verifiable founding date and detailed case study history are limited |
| - | No published pricing or minimum engagement figure |
| Sigma Software Group | |
|---|---|
| + | 1,100-plus employees across Ukraine, Sweden, Poland, and the US give substantial delivery capacity and timezone coverage |
| + | 60% Swedish ownership since 2006 brings the governance and stability of an established Scandinavian IT conglomerate |
| + | 23 years of operating history under continuous leadership from its original founding team |
| + | Multi-industry portfolio spanning aviation, gaming, and telecom means firmware engineers work alongside teams solving comparable real-time and reliability problems in other domains |
| - | Firmware and embedded work is one practice within a much broader multi-industry engineering group, not the company's sole focus |
| - | 60% ownership by Sweden's Sigma Group means the company is not independently controlled by its original Ukrainian founders |
| - | No published pricing or minimum engagement figure |
Who should choose Oxalis Design?
A typical fit: RF and firmware co-design for a new connected consumer device.
Founder-led two-person leadership team focused solely on electronics and embedded firmware, no broader IT practice attached. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Medical devices, Consumer electronics, Industrial.
Who should choose Sigma Software Group?
A typical fit: device driver or middleware development as part of a broader embedded program.
Majority Swedish ownership since 2006 combined with a 1,100-plus person multi-country delivery footprint. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Aviation, Gaming, Telecom, Industrial IoT.
Decision matrix: Oxalis Design vs Sigma Software Group
| 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 | Check each company's engagement model |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Compare: Oxalis Design (Not published) vs Sigma Software Group (Not published) |
| You need specialist depth in a specific vertical | Sigma Software Group |
| You need staff augmentation or team extension | Sigma Software Group |
| You need consulting before committing to a build | Both may offer discovery engagements |
Use case fit: Oxalis Design vs Sigma Software Group
| Use case | Oxalis Design fit | Sigma Software Group fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| RF and firmware co-design for a new connected consumer device | Strong | Limited | Oxalis Design |
| Medical device electronics and embedded firmware from concept through pilot build | Strong | Limited | Oxalis Design |
| Device driver or middleware development as part of a broader embedded program | Strong | Strong | Both equally |
| HMI development for an industrial or aviation-adjacent embedded product | Limited | Strong | Sigma Software Group |
| Fixed-price build | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
| Staff augmentation | Limited | Strong | Sigma Software Group |
Verdict: Oxalis Design vs Sigma Software Group
Oxalis Design (4.1/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Firmware Development projects. Founder-led two-person leadership team focused solely on electronics and embedded firmware, no broader IT practice attached.
Sigma Software Group (4.0/5) is worth a look if you need HMI development for an industrial or aviation-adjacent embedded product. If your situation matches that, Sigma Software Group is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
Oxalis Design vs Sigma Software Group FAQ
Is Oxalis Design better than Sigma Software Group?
Oxalis Design (4.1/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. Oxalis Design's strongest advantage: founded and led directly by two working electronics and software engineers, giving clients direct senior-level involvement. Sigma Software Group's strongest advantage: 1,100-plus employees across Ukraine, Sweden, Poland, and the US give substantial delivery capacity and timezone coverage.
How do Oxalis Design and Sigma Software Group differ in pricing?
Oxalis Design uses project-based electronics and embedded engagements pricing. Sigma Software Group uses project-based and staff augmentation engagements pricing. Neither firm publishes a full rate card; a discovery call is required for project-specific quotes.
Which is better for enterprise: Oxalis Design or Sigma Software Group?
Sigma Software Group 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 Oxalis Design and Sigma Software Group?
Oxalis Design's primary differentiator is: founder-led two-person leadership team focused solely on electronics and embedded firmware, no broader IT practice attached. Sigma Software Group's primary differentiator is: majority Swedish ownership since 2006 combined with a 1,100-plus person multi-country delivery footprint. They also differ in team size (2–10 vs 1,100+), minimum engagement (Not published vs Not published), and primary industries served (Medical devices, Consumer electronics vs Aviation, Gaming).
Verify all details directly with each company before making a decision.