Cyient vs Data Respons: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
Data Respons (4.2/5) edges ahead of Cyient (4.0/5) overall. Data Respons is the better choice for nordic and European clients needing embedded work across multiple regulated sectors. Cyient is the stronger option for aerospace and defense programs needing embedded avionics engineering at scale. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
Cyient vs Data Respons: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | Cyient | Data Respons |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1991 | 1986 |
| HQ | Hyderabad, India | Høvik, Norway |
| Team size | 15,000+ | 1,400 |
| Rating | 4.0 / 5 | 4.2 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | Aerospace-focused embedded avionics practice (fly-by-wire, autopilot, collision avoidance) backed by acquisitions like CERTON Software | Nordic embedded specialist with nearly 40 years of history across eight distinct industry sectors, now backed by Akkodis' scale |
| Pricing model | Fixed project, dedicated team | Fixed project, dedicated team |
| Min. engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Primary tech stack | Embedded C/C++, DO-178C-aware development, RTOS | Embedded Linux, C/C++, RTOS |
| Industries served | Aerospace, Defense, Manufacturing | Transportation & Automotive, Telecom & Media, Energy & Maritime, Medtech, Defense & Security |
Cyient vs Data Respons: overview
Cyient
Cyient was established in 1991 in Hyderabad, India as Infotech Enterprises Ltd and was rebranded to Cyient in 2014. The company delivers engineering services with particular strength in aerospace and defense, including embedded avionics systems such as fly-by-wire, actuation systems, collision avoidance, and autopilot controls, alongside a broader Design-Build-Maintain strategy that has included several acquisitions (including CERTON Software in the avionics software space) over the years. Cyient reports a workforce in the 12,000-15,000+ range across operations in India and the US, with embedded avionics as one specialization within a wider engineering services portfolio.
Data Respons
Data Respons was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in Høvik, Norway, developing embedded systems across transport & automotive, telecom & media, industrial automation, energy & maritime, medtech, space, defense & security, and finance & public sectors, with offices in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, and Taiwan and roughly 1,400 employees. AKKA Technologies acquired Data Respons through a compulsory share acquisition completed in May 2020, delisting it from the Oslo Stock Exchange; AKKA itself was subsequently folded into Akkodis (part of the Adecco Group). Data Respons retains a genuinely embedded-focused practice despite the ownership changes, distinguishing it from broader generalist consultancies that added embedded as a side practice.
Services and capabilities: Cyient vs Data Respons
| Capability | Cyient | 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: Cyient vs Data Respons
| Framework / platform | Cyient | Data Respons |
|---|---|---|
| FreeRTOS | N/A | N/A |
| Zephyr | N/A | N/A |
| Embedded Linux | N/A | ✓ |
| 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: Cyient vs Data Respons
| Criterion | Cyient | Data Respons |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Engagement models | Fixed project, Dedicated team | Fixed project, Dedicated team |
| Rate transparency | Not public | Not public |
| Price tier | Mid-market | Mid-market |
Target audience comparison: Cyient vs Data Respons
| Dimension | Cyient | Data Respons |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Aerospace, Defense, Manufacturing | Transportation & Automotive, Telecom & Media, Energy & Maritime |
| Best use cases | Avionics programs needing fly-by-wire or autopilot embedded software, Defense engineering programs requiring DO-178C-aware embedded development | Maritime or defense programs needing embedded systems with Nordic regulatory familiarity, Medtech products requiring embedded engineering across a multi-sector specialist team |
| Typical project type | Fixed project | Fixed project |
Cyient vs Data Respons: pros and cons
| Cyient | |
|---|---|
| + | Named aerospace avionics specialization covering fly-by-wire, actuation, collision avoidance, and autopilot controls |
| + | Acquisition of CERTON Software added dedicated avionics software engineering depth to the practice |
| + | Rebranded from Infotech Enterprises in 2014 with over 30 years of underlying engineering services history |
| - | Rebranded from Infotech Enterprises Ltd in 2014 — buyers researching the firm's older track record should search under both names |
| - | Aerospace/defense weighting means less relevant experience for consumer or industrial IoT embedded work |
| - | Public pricing, minimum engagement, and exact current headcount figures vary by source and are not officially disclosed |
| 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 |
| + | Now backed by Akkodis (Adecco Group) scale while retaining a genuinely embedded-focused delivery team |
| - | Acquired by AKKA Technologies in 2020 (delisted from Oslo Stock Exchange) and subsequently folded into Akkodis — buyers should confirm which legacy Data Respons teams and processes remain intact |
| - | 1,400-employee scale sits below the largest global engineering firms for very large concurrent programs |
| - | Public pricing and minimum engagement figures are not disclosed |
Who should choose Cyient?
A typical fit: avionics programs needing fly-by-wire or autopilot embedded software.
Aerospace-focused embedded avionics practice (fly-by-wire, autopilot, collision avoidance) backed by acquisitions like CERTON Software. Minimum engagement starts at Not disclosed. Works best with clients in Aerospace, Defense, Manufacturing.
Who should choose Data Respons?
A typical fit: maritime or defense programs needing embedded systems with Nordic regulatory familiarity.
Nordic embedded specialist with nearly 40 years of history across eight distinct industry sectors, now backed by Akkodis' scale. Minimum engagement starts at Not disclosed. Works best with clients in Transportation & Automotive, Telecom & Media, Energy & Maritime, Medtech, Defense & Security.
Decision matrix: Cyient vs Data Respons
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | Cyient |
| You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme | Cyient |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Compare: Cyient (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 | Cyient |
Use case fit: Cyient vs Data Respons
| Use case | Cyient fit | Data Respons fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avionics programs needing fly-by-wire or autopilot embedded software | Strong | Limited | Cyient |
| Defense engineering programs requiring DO-178C-aware embedded development | Strong | Strong | Both equally |
| Maritime or defense programs needing embedded systems with Nordic regulatory familiarity | Limited | Strong | Data Respons |
| Medtech products requiring embedded engineering across a multi-sector specialist team | Limited | Strong | Data Respons |
| Fixed-price build | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
| Staff augmentation | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
Verdict: Cyient vs Data Respons
Data Respons (4.2/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Embedded Software projects. Nordic embedded specialist with nearly 40 years of history across eight distinct industry sectors, now backed by Akkodis' scale.
Cyient (4.0/5) is worth a look if you need defense engineering programs requiring DO-178C-aware embedded development. If your situation matches that, Cyient is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
Cyient vs Data Respons FAQ
Is Cyient better than Data Respons?
Data Respons (4.2/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. Cyient's strongest advantage: named aerospace avionics specialization covering fly-by-wire, actuation, collision avoidance, and autopilot controls. Data Respons's strongest advantage: nearly 40 years of embedded systems specialization across eight distinct sectors, from maritime to medtech to defense.
How do Cyient and Data Respons differ in pricing?
Cyient uses fixed project, dedicated team 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: Cyient or Data Respons?
Cyient 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 Cyient and Data Respons?
Cyient's primary differentiator is: aerospace-focused embedded avionics practice (fly-by-wire, autopilot, collision avoidance) backed by acquisitions like CERTON Software. Data Respons's primary differentiator is: nordic embedded specialist with nearly 40 years of history across eight distinct industry sectors, now backed by Akkodis' scale. They also differ in team size (15,000+ vs 1,400), minimum engagement (Not disclosed vs Not disclosed), and primary industries served (Aerospace, Defense vs Transportation & Automotive, Telecom & Media).
Verify all details directly with each company before making a decision.