Elektrobit vs Data Respons: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
Elektrobit (4.4/5) edges ahead of Data Respons (4.2/5) overall. Elektrobit is the better choice for automotive OEMs needing AUTOSAR and ECU software at scale. Data Respons is the stronger option for nordic and European clients needing embedded work across multiple regulated sectors. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
Elektrobit vs Data Respons: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | Elektrobit | Data Respons |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1988 | 1986 |
| HQ | Erlangen, Germany | Høvik, Norway |
| Team size | 1,000–5,000 | 1,400 |
| Rating | 4.4 / 5 | 4.2 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | Automotive-only embedded software specialist with software running in 600M+ vehicles, backed by Continental's manufacturing scale | Nordic embedded specialist with nearly 40 years of history across eight distinct industry sectors, now backed by Akkodis' scale |
| Pricing model | Fixed project, licensing, dedicated team | Fixed project, dedicated team |
| Min. engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Primary tech stack | AUTOSAR, C/C++, Embedded Linux | Embedded Linux, C/C++, RTOS |
| Industries served | Automotive | Transportation & Automotive, Telecom & Media, Energy & Maritime, Medtech, Defense & Security |
Elektrobit vs Data Respons: overview
Elektrobit
Elektrobit was established in 1988 and is headquartered in Erlangen, Germany, and has become a leading vendor of embedded and connected software products for the automotive industry, with its software running in more than 600 million vehicles across 14 global locations and 1,000-5,000 employees. Continental acquired Elektrobit as a wholly-owned, independently-operated subsidiary in 2015. Elektrobit's core focus is ECU software, AUTOSAR platforms, automated driving software, and connected-vehicle/UX software — a narrower automotive-only specialization than most firms on this list, but at a scale and standards-compliance depth (AUTOSAR, ISO 26262) few boutiques can match.
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: Elektrobit vs Data Respons
| Capability | Elektrobit | 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: Elektrobit vs Data Respons
| Framework / platform | Elektrobit | Data Respons |
|---|---|---|
| FreeRTOS | N/A | N/A |
| Zephyr | N/A | N/A |
| Embedded Linux | ✓ | ✓ |
| AUTOSAR | ✓ | 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: Elektrobit vs Data Respons
| Criterion | Elektrobit | Data Respons |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Engagement models | Fixed project, Licensing, Dedicated team | Fixed project, Dedicated team |
| Rate transparency | Not public | Not public |
| Price tier | Mid-market | Mid-market |
Target audience comparison: Elektrobit vs Data Respons
| Dimension | Elektrobit | Data Respons |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Mid-market to enterprise | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Automotive | Transportation & Automotive, Telecom & Media, Energy & Maritime |
| Best use cases | Tier 1 automotive OEM programs needing AUTOSAR-compliant ECU software, Automated driving and connected-vehicle software requiring ISO 26262 functional safety alignment | 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 |
Elektrobit vs Data Respons: pros and cons
| Elektrobit | |
|---|---|
| + | Software deployed in over 600 million vehicles gives Elektrobit a production track record few automotive embedded vendors can match |
| + | Continental's manufacturing and supply-chain scale backs Elektrobit's engineering, useful for Tier 1 OEM programs |
| + | Deep AUTOSAR and ISO 26262-aligned platform expertise built specifically for automotive functional safety requirements |
| - | Acquired by Continental in 2015 — operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary, which means engagement terms and priorities may be shaped by Continental's broader Tier 1 supplier relationships |
| - | Automotive-only focus means no relevant experience for non-automotive embedded programs (medical, industrial, consumer) |
| - | Public pricing and minimum engagement are not 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 Elektrobit?
A typical fit: tier 1 automotive OEM programs needing AUTOSAR-compliant ECU software.
Automotive-only embedded software specialist with software running in 600M+ vehicles, backed by Continental's manufacturing scale. Minimum engagement starts at Not disclosed. Works best with clients in Automotive.
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: Elektrobit vs Data Respons
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | Elektrobit |
| You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme | Elektrobit |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Compare: Elektrobit (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 | Elektrobit |
Use case fit: Elektrobit vs Data Respons
| Use case | Elektrobit fit | Data Respons fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 automotive OEM programs needing AUTOSAR-compliant ECU software | Strong | Limited | Elektrobit |
| Automated driving and connected-vehicle software requiring ISO 26262 functional safety alignment | Strong | Limited | Elektrobit |
| 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: Elektrobit vs Data Respons
Elektrobit (4.4/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Embedded Software projects. Automotive-only embedded software specialist with software running in 600M+ vehicles, backed by Continental's manufacturing scale.
Data Respons (4.2/5) is worth a look if you need medtech products requiring embedded engineering across a multi-sector specialist team. If your situation matches that, Data Respons is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
Elektrobit vs Data Respons FAQ
Is Elektrobit better than Data Respons?
Elektrobit (4.4/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. Elektrobit's strongest advantage: software deployed in over 600 million vehicles gives Elektrobit a production track record few automotive embedded vendors can match. Data Respons's strongest advantage: nearly 40 years of embedded systems specialization across eight distinct sectors, from maritime to medtech to defense.
How do Elektrobit and Data Respons differ in pricing?
Elektrobit uses fixed project, licensing, 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: Elektrobit or Data Respons?
Elektrobit 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 Elektrobit and Data Respons?
Elektrobit's primary differentiator is: automotive-only embedded software specialist with software running in 600M+ vehicles, backed by Continental's manufacturing scale. 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 (1,000–5,000 vs 1,400), minimum engagement (Not disclosed vs Not disclosed), and primary industries served (Automotive vs Transportation & Automotive, Telecom & Media).
Verify all details directly with each company before making a decision.