eInfochips vs Timesys: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
Timesys (4.2/5) edges ahead of eInfochips (4.0/5) overall. Timesys is the better choice for teams needing embedded Linux security and long-term maintenance expertise. eInfochips is the stronger option for enterprise clients wanting embedded engineering backed by Arrow's supply chain. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
eInfochips vs Timesys: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | eInfochips | Timesys |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1994 | 1996 |
| HQ | San Jose, California, USA (engineering HQ: Ahmedabad, India) | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA |
| Team size | 1,000–5,000 | 51–200 |
| Rating | 4.0 / 5 | 4.2 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | Component sourcing and supply-chain access via parent company Arrow Electronics, paired with a 30-year product engineering track record | Nearly three-decade specialization in embedded Linux security and long-term-support tooling, now under Lynx Software Technologies |
| Pricing model | Fixed project, dedicated team, staff augmentation | Engineering services, tooling licenses |
| Min. engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Primary tech stack | Embedded Linux (Yocto), FreeRTOS, C/C++ | Embedded Linux (Yocto), C/C++, Linux kernel security patching |
| Industries served | Consumer Electronics, Industrial IoT, Healthcare, Automotive, Semiconductor | Industrial IoT, Medical devices, Networking, Consumer Electronics |
eInfochips vs Timesys: overview
eInfochips
eInfochips was founded in 1994 in Ahmedabad, India and has grown into a large product engineering and software R&D services company, now operating as an Arrow Electronics company following Arrow's acquisition. The firm reports 500+ product developments and tens of millions of deployments across embedded, semiconductor, cloud, and IoT engineering, with design centers across India, Japan, and the US (engineering HQ in San Jose, California). Being part of Arrow Electronics gives eInfochips direct access to component sourcing and supply-chain relationships that boutique embedded shops don't have, though it also means embedded engineering competes for attention against Arrow's broader distribution and services business.
Timesys
Timesys Corporation was founded in 1996 by principals associated with Carnegie Mellon University and built one of the first real-time-enhanced embedded Linux distributions. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with roughly 60 employees, Timesys built a long-running specialty in embedded Linux security, engineering services, and long-term maintenance tooling. In December 2023 the company was acquired by Lynx Software Technologies, and buyers evaluating Timesys today should confirm current organizational structure and service continuity directly, since acquisitions of this kind typically bring some integration transition period.
Services and capabilities: eInfochips vs Timesys
| Capability | eInfochips | Timesys |
|---|---|---|
| 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: eInfochips vs Timesys
| Framework / platform | eInfochips | Timesys |
|---|---|---|
| FreeRTOS | ✓ | N/A |
| Zephyr | N/A | N/A |
| Embedded Linux | ✓ | ✓ |
| AUTOSAR | N/A | N/A |
| AWS | ✓ | N/A |
| Bluetooth | ✓ | N/A |
| LoRaWAN | N/A | N/A |
| CAN bus | N/A | N/A |
| Qt | ✓ | N/A |
| Verilog | N/A | N/A |
Pricing comparison: eInfochips vs Timesys
| Criterion | eInfochips | Timesys |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Engagement models | Fixed project, Dedicated team, Staff augmentation | Engineering services, Tooling/licensing |
| Rate transparency | Not public | Not public |
| Price tier | Mid-market | Mid-market |
Target audience comparison: eInfochips vs Timesys
| Dimension | eInfochips | Timesys |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Mid-market to enterprise | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Consumer Electronics, Industrial IoT, Healthcare | Industrial IoT, Medical devices, Networking |
| Best use cases | Consumer electronics programs needing component sourcing alongside firmware, Enterprise IoT deployments requiring both hardware and cloud integration | Products requiring long-term embedded Linux security patching and CVE monitoring, Real-time Linux systems needing specialist kernel-level engineering |
| Typical project type | Fixed project | Engineering services |
eInfochips vs Timesys: pros and cons
| eInfochips | |
|---|---|
| + | Acquisition by Arrow Electronics gives direct access to component sourcing and semiconductor supply-chain relationships |
| + | 500+ documented product engineering deliveries over a 30-year history |
| + | Design centers across India, Japan, and the US support round-the-clock delivery coverage |
| + | Broad embedded-to-cloud stack rather than firmware alone |
| - | Acquired by Arrow Electronics — embedded engineering is now one line of business inside a much larger distribution company, which can dilute specialist focus (per company website; independently unverifiable exact reporting structure) |
| - | Public pricing and minimum engagement figures are not disclosed |
| - | Team size estimates vary significantly across sources (1,500 to nearly 4,000), making exact capacity hard to verify |
| Timesys | |
|---|---|
| + | Nearly 30 years of embedded Linux specialization, among the longest track records on this list |
| + | Named expertise in embedded Linux security patching and long-term maintenance, an underserved niche most generalists don't cover deeply |
| + | Founding team's Carnegie Mellon research background underpins its real-time Linux heritage |
| - | Acquired by Lynx Software Technologies in December 2023 — buyers should confirm current service continuity and organizational structure directly, since post-acquisition integration periods can affect delivery |
| - | Team size (~60) limits capacity for very large concurrent programs |
| - | Public pricing and minimum engagement are not disclosed |
Who should choose eInfochips?
A typical fit: consumer electronics programs needing component sourcing alongside firmware.
Component sourcing and supply-chain access via parent company Arrow Electronics, paired with a 30-year product engineering track record. Minimum engagement starts at Not disclosed. Works best with clients in Consumer Electronics, Industrial IoT, Healthcare, Automotive, Semiconductor.
Who should choose Timesys?
A typical fit: products requiring long-term embedded Linux security patching and CVE monitoring.
Nearly three-decade specialization in embedded Linux security and long-term-support tooling, now under Lynx Software Technologies. Minimum engagement starts at Not disclosed. Works best with clients in Industrial IoT, Medical devices, Networking, Consumer Electronics.
Decision matrix: eInfochips vs Timesys
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | eInfochips |
| You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme | eInfochips |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Compare: eInfochips (Not disclosed) vs Timesys (Not disclosed) |
| You need specialist depth in a specific vertical | eInfochips |
| You need staff augmentation or team extension | eInfochips |
| You need consulting before committing to a build | eInfochips |
Use case fit: eInfochips vs Timesys
| Use case | eInfochips fit | Timesys fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer electronics programs needing component sourcing alongside firmware | Strong | Limited | eInfochips |
| Enterprise IoT deployments requiring both hardware and cloud integration | Strong | Limited | eInfochips |
| Products requiring long-term embedded Linux security patching and CVE monitoring | Limited | Strong | Timesys |
| Real-time Linux systems needing specialist kernel-level engineering | Limited | Strong | Timesys |
| Fixed-price build | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
| Staff augmentation | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
Verdict: eInfochips vs Timesys
Timesys (4.2/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Embedded Software projects. Nearly three-decade specialization in embedded Linux security and long-term-support tooling, now under Lynx Software Technologies.
eInfochips (4.0/5) is worth a look if you need enterprise IoT deployments requiring both hardware and cloud integration. If your situation matches that, eInfochips is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
eInfochips vs Timesys FAQ
Is eInfochips better than Timesys?
Timesys (4.2/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. eInfochips's strongest advantage: acquisition by Arrow Electronics gives direct access to component sourcing and semiconductor supply-chain relationships. Timesys's strongest advantage: nearly 30 years of embedded Linux specialization, among the longest track records on this list.
How do eInfochips and Timesys differ in pricing?
eInfochips uses fixed project, dedicated team, staff augmentation pricing with a minimum engagement of Not disclosed. Timesys uses engineering services, tooling licenses 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: eInfochips or Timesys?
eInfochips 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 eInfochips and Timesys?
eInfochips's primary differentiator is: component sourcing and supply-chain access via parent company Arrow Electronics, paired with a 30-year product engineering track record. Timesys's primary differentiator is: nearly three-decade specialization in embedded Linux security and long-term-support tooling, now under Lynx Software Technologies. They also differ in team size (1,000–5,000 vs 51–200), minimum engagement (Not disclosed vs Not disclosed), and primary industries served (Consumer Electronics, Industrial IoT vs Industrial IoT, Medical devices).
Verify all details directly with each company before making a decision.