Promwad vs MobiDev: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
Promwad (4.5/5) edges ahead of MobiDev (3.9/5) overall. Promwad is the better choice for mass-produced electronics, Linux and FPGA designs. MobiDev is the stronger option for IoT apps with AI or AR features. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
Promwad vs MobiDev: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | Promwad | MobiDev |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2004 | 2009 |
| HQ | Vilnius, Lithuania and Essen, Germany | Norcross, Georgia, United States |
| Team size | 100–150 | 250–450 |
| Rating | 4.5 / 5 | 3.9 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | Two decades designing devices for volume production, with offices across five EU countries | Combines IoT software with computer vision and AR skills |
| Pricing model | Fixed price, time and materials | Time and materials, dedicated team |
| Min. engagement | Not published | Not published |
| Primary tech stack | Embedded Linux, Yocto, FPGA | Python, Computer vision, AWS IoT |
| Industries served | Telecoms, Automotive, Industrial equipment, Consumer electronics, Energy | Retail, Healthcare, Industrial equipment, Logistics |
Promwad vs MobiDev: overview
Promwad
Roman Pakholkov started Promwad in Minsk in 2004 to design mass-produced electronics on systems-on-chip and Linux, and the company later moved its business into the EU. Its Vilnius office, opened in 2016, became a headquarters, and a German entity in Essen now serves the DACH region. Promwad reports 100+ engineers, 500+ projects, and more than 3 million devices produced by its clients. Telecoms, automotive and FPGA work are its strongest areas.
MobiDev
MobiDev was founded in 2009, opened a US office in Atlanta in 2011, and now lists its headquarters in the Atlanta area. Its engineering centres are in Chernivtsi, Ukraine, and Łódź, Poland. The team was 436 people in late 2022, and recent estimates are closer to 290. IoT is one of several practices next to web, mobile, AI and augmented reality.
Services and capabilities: Promwad vs MobiDev
| Capability | Promwad | MobiDev |
|---|---|---|
| Electronics & PCB design | ✓ | ✗ |
| Firmware & embedded software | ✓ | ✓ |
| Wireless connectivity | ✓ | ✗ |
| IoT cloud platforms | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mobile & web apps | ✗ | ✓ |
| Edge AI & data | ✗ | ✓ |
| Prototyping & manufacturing support | ✓ | ✗ |
| Dedicated team model | ✗ | ✓ |
Tech stack comparison: Promwad vs MobiDev
| Framework / platform | Promwad | MobiDev |
|---|---|---|
| Embedded C | ✓ | N/A |
| Embedded Linux | ✓ | N/A |
| RTOS | N/A | N/A |
| BLE | N/A | N/A |
| LoRaWAN | N/A | N/A |
| AWS IoT | N/A | ✓ |
| Azure IoT | N/A | N/A |
| FPGA | ✓ | N/A |
Pricing comparison: Promwad vs MobiDev
| Criterion | Promwad | MobiDev |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | Not published | Not published |
| Engagement models | Fixed project, Time and materials | Dedicated team, Time and materials |
| Rate transparency | Not public | Not public |
| Price tier | Mid-market | Mid-market |
Target audience comparison: Promwad vs MobiDev
| Dimension | Promwad | MobiDev |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Telecoms, Automotive, Industrial equipment | Retail, Healthcare, Industrial equipment |
| Best use cases | A telecoms equipment maker needs a Linux-based gateway designed for volume production., An automotive supplier needs FPGA and camera-processing work. | A retailer wants camera-based shelf monitoring., A factory needs computer vision quality checks. |
| Typical project type | Fixed project | Dedicated team |
Promwad vs MobiDev: pros and cons
| Promwad | |
|---|---|
| + | Designs with mass production in mind, including manufacturing support |
| + | Strong embedded Linux and FPGA skills for complex devices |
| + | EU entities in Lithuania and Germany simplify contracting for European buyers |
| - | Belarusian origins may need explaining to some procurement teams, though operations have moved to the EU |
| - | Cloud and app development are thinner than its hardware and firmware work |
| - | Small team limits parallel projects |
| MobiDev | |
|---|---|
| + | AI and computer vision experience for camera-based IoT |
| + | US contracting entity |
| + | Cost-effective Ukrainian and Polish teams |
| - | Headcount appears to have fallen since 2022 |
| - | Little firmware or hardware depth |
Who should choose Promwad?
A typical fit: a telecoms equipment maker needs a Linux-based gateway designed for volume production.
Two decades designing devices for volume production, with offices across five EU countries. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Telecoms, Automotive, Industrial equipment, Consumer electronics, Energy.
Who should choose MobiDev?
A typical fit: a retailer wants camera-based shelf monitoring.
Combines IoT software with computer vision and AR skills. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Retail, Healthcare, Industrial equipment, Logistics.
Decision matrix: Promwad vs MobiDev
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | Promwad |
| You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme | MobiDev |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Compare: Promwad (Not published) vs MobiDev (Not published) |
| You need specialist depth in a specific vertical | Promwad |
| You want engineers added to your own in-house team | Neither lists team extension; ask about dedicated teams |
| You need the circuit board designed as well as the firmware | Promwad |
Use case fit: Promwad vs MobiDev
| Use case | Promwad fit | MobiDev fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| A telecoms equipment maker needs a Linux-based gateway designed for volume production. | Strong | Limited | Promwad |
| An automotive supplier needs FPGA and camera-processing work. | Strong | Limited | Promwad |
| A retailer wants camera-based shelf monitoring. | Limited | Strong | MobiDev |
| A factory needs computer vision quality checks. | Limited | Strong | MobiDev |
| You need custom electronics designed, not only firmware | Strong | Limited | Promwad |
| You want a fixed-price first phase before a longer engagement | Strong | Limited | Promwad |
Verdict: Promwad vs MobiDev
Promwad (4.5/5) is the stronger overall choice for most IoT Development projects. Two decades designing devices for volume production, with offices across five EU countries.
MobiDev (3.9/5) is worth a look in a scenario like this: a factory needs computer vision quality checks. If your situation matches that, MobiDev is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
Promwad vs MobiDev FAQ
Is Promwad better than MobiDev?
Promwad (4.5/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. Promwad's strongest advantage: designs with mass production in mind, including manufacturing support. MobiDev's strongest advantage: AI and computer vision experience for camera-based IoT.
How do Promwad and MobiDev differ in pricing?
Promwad uses fixed price, time and materials pricing. MobiDev uses time and materials, dedicated team pricing. Neither firm publishes a full rate card; a discovery call is required for project-specific quotes.
Which is better for enterprise: Promwad or MobiDev?
MobiDev 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 Promwad and MobiDev?
Promwad's primary differentiator is: two decades designing devices for volume production, with offices across five EU countries. MobiDev's primary differentiator is: combines IoT software with computer vision and AR skills. They also differ in team size (100–150 vs 250–450), minimum engagement (Not published vs Not published), and primary industries served (Telecoms, Automotive vs Retail, Healthcare).
Verify all details directly with each company before making a decision.