Etteplan vs Sigma Software: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
Etteplan (4.3/5) edges ahead of Sigma Software (4.0/5) overall. Etteplan is the better choice for industrial machinery makers, Nordic buyers. Sigma Software is the stronger option for embedded and cloud teams under Swedish ownership. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
Etteplan vs Sigma Software: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | Etteplan | Sigma Software |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1983 | 2002 |
| HQ | Espoo, Finland | Stockholm, Sweden and Kyiv, Ukraine |
| Team size | 3,500–4,000 | 2,000+ |
| Rating | 4.3 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | Mechanical, electrical and embedded engineering in one listed company | Scandinavian governance with Ukrainian and Polish embedded engineers |
| Pricing model | Time and materials, fixed price, managed service | Time and materials, dedicated team, fixed price |
| Min. engagement | Not published | Not published |
| Primary tech stack | Embedded C/C++, Embedded Linux, PCB design | Embedded C/C++, Embedded Linux, AWS IoT |
| Industries served | Industrial equipment, Energy, Healthcare, Automotive | Automotive, Telecoms, Healthcare, Energy |
Etteplan vs Sigma Software: overview
Etteplan
Etteplan is a Finnish engineering services company with around 3,800 to 4,000 staff in Finland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Germany, Poland, Denmark and China. Its Software and Embedded Solutions unit develops embedded software, electronics and IoT systems for industrial manufacturers. In March 2026 the company finished change negotiations in that unit covering 336 people in Finland and cut up to 28 jobs. It also does mechanical engineering and technical documentation, which is useful when a product needs more than electronics.
Sigma Software
Sigma Software was founded in 2002 and is part of the Swedish Sigma group. It describes a team of over 2,100 professionals in offices across 19 countries. Embedded and automotive software are among its practices, alongside a wide range of web, cloud and enterprise work. IoT buyers will find capable firmware and cloud engineers, but not a hardware design house.
Services and capabilities: Etteplan vs Sigma Software
| Capability | Etteplan | Sigma Software |
|---|---|---|
| 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: Etteplan vs Sigma Software
| Framework / platform | Etteplan | Sigma Software |
|---|---|---|
| Embedded C | ✓ | ✓ |
| Embedded Linux | ✓ | ✓ |
| RTOS | N/A | N/A |
| BLE | N/A | N/A |
| LoRaWAN | N/A | N/A |
| AWS IoT | N/A | ✓ |
| Azure IoT | ✓ | ✓ |
| FPGA | N/A | N/A |
Pricing comparison: Etteplan vs Sigma Software
| Criterion | Etteplan | Sigma Software |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | Not published | Not published |
| Engagement models | Fixed project, Managed service, Time and materials | Dedicated team, Fixed project, Time and materials |
| Rate transparency | Not public | Not public |
| Price tier | Mid-market | Mid-market |
Target audience comparison: Etteplan vs Sigma Software
| Dimension | Etteplan | Sigma Software |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Industrial equipment, Energy, Healthcare | Automotive, Telecoms, Healthcare |
| Best use cases | A machinery maker wants connectivity added to a product line., An energy company needs control electronics redesigned. | A telecoms company needs embedded network software., An automotive supplier wants firmware developers. |
| Typical project type | Fixed project | Dedicated team |
Etteplan vs Sigma Software: pros and cons
| Etteplan | |
|---|---|
| + | Can handle mechanical design and documentation as well as electronics |
| + | Public listing gives transparency on finances |
| + | Large Nordic industrial client base |
| - | Cut up to 28 jobs in its embedded unit in Finland in March 2026 |
| - | Heavier process and overhead than boutique IoT firms |
| Sigma Software | |
|---|---|
| + | Swedish parent adds governance |
| + | Broad coverage of firmware, cloud and apps |
| + | Competitive rates |
| - | IoT is not its main focus |
| - | No electronics design |
Who should choose Etteplan?
A typical fit: a machinery maker wants connectivity added to a product line.
Mechanical, electrical and embedded engineering in one listed company. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Industrial equipment, Energy, Healthcare, Automotive.
Who should choose Sigma Software?
A typical fit: a telecoms company needs embedded network software.
Scandinavian governance with Ukrainian and Polish embedded engineers. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Automotive, Telecoms, Healthcare, Energy.
Decision matrix: Etteplan vs Sigma Software
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | Etteplan |
| You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme | Sigma Software |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Compare: Etteplan (Not published) vs Sigma Software (Not published) |
| You need specialist depth in a specific vertical | Etteplan |
| 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 | Etteplan |
Use case fit: Etteplan vs Sigma Software
| Use case | Etteplan fit | Sigma Software fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| A machinery maker wants connectivity added to a product line. | Strong | Limited | Etteplan |
| An energy company needs control electronics redesigned. | Strong | Limited | Etteplan |
| A telecoms company needs embedded network software. | Limited | Strong | Sigma Software |
| An automotive supplier wants firmware developers. | Limited | Strong | Sigma Software |
| You need custom electronics designed, not only firmware | Strong | Limited | Etteplan |
| You want a fixed-price first phase before a longer engagement | Strong | Strong | Both equally |
Verdict: Etteplan vs Sigma Software
Etteplan (4.3/5) is the stronger overall choice for most IoT Development projects. Mechanical, electrical and embedded engineering in one listed company.
Sigma Software (4.0/5) is worth a look in a scenario like this: an automotive supplier wants firmware developers. If your situation matches that, Sigma Software is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
Etteplan vs Sigma Software FAQ
Is Etteplan better than Sigma Software?
Etteplan (4.3/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. Etteplan's strongest advantage: can handle mechanical design and documentation as well as electronics. Sigma Software's strongest advantage: swedish parent adds governance.
How do Etteplan and Sigma Software differ in pricing?
Etteplan uses time and materials, fixed price, managed service pricing. Sigma Software uses time and materials, dedicated team, fixed price pricing. Neither firm publishes a full rate card; a discovery call is required for project-specific quotes.
Which is better for enterprise: Etteplan or Sigma Software?
Etteplan 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 Etteplan and Sigma Software?
Etteplan's primary differentiator is: Mechanical, electrical and embedded engineering in one listed company. Sigma Software's primary differentiator is: scandinavian governance with Ukrainian and Polish embedded engineers. They also differ in team size (3,500–4,000 vs 2,000+), minimum engagement (Not published vs Not published), and primary industries served (Industrial equipment, Energy vs Automotive, Telecoms).
Verify all details directly with each company before making a decision.