Integra Sources vs Cyient: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
Integra Sources (4.1/5) edges ahead of Cyient (4.0/5) overall. Integra Sources is the better choice for startups wanting one team for both hardware and firmware on a small budget. 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.
Integra Sources vs Cyient: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | Integra Sources | Cyient |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2014 | 1991 |
| HQ | Astana, Kazakhstan | Hyderabad, India |
| Team size | 11–50 | 15,000+ |
| Rating | 4.1 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | Turnkey hardware-plus-firmware delivery from a single small team, avoiding the coordination overhead of separate vendors | Aerospace-focused embedded avionics practice (fly-by-wire, autopilot, collision avoidance) backed by acquisitions like CERTON Software |
| Pricing model | Fixed project | Fixed project, dedicated team |
| Min. engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Primary tech stack | C/C++, FreeRTOS, Embedded Linux | Embedded C/C++, DO-178C-aware development, RTOS |
| Industries served | Consumer Electronics, Robotics, Industrial IoT, Medical devices | Aerospace, Defense, Manufacturing |
Integra Sources vs Cyient: overview
Integra Sources
Integra Sources is a custom hardware design and software development company founded in 2014, offering electronic design, embedded firmware, kernel/driver development, and full-stack product development from a single team. Public sources disagree on exact headquarters (Astana, Kazakhstan per most directories) and current headcount (estimates range from roughly 24 to 51 employees), which is typical for a boutique of this size. The company markets itself on "turnkey product development" — hardware and software delivered by one company rather than coordinating separate vendors — and reports 250+ completed IoT and embedded projects.
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.
Services and capabilities: Integra Sources vs Cyient
| Capability | Integra Sources | Cyient |
|---|---|---|
| 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: Integra Sources vs Cyient
| Framework / platform | Integra Sources | Cyient |
|---|---|---|
| FreeRTOS | ✓ | 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: Integra Sources vs Cyient
| Criterion | Integra Sources | Cyient |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Engagement models | Fixed project | Fixed project, Dedicated team |
| Rate transparency | Not public | Not public |
| Price tier | Mid-market | Mid-market |
Target audience comparison: Integra Sources vs Cyient
| Dimension | Integra Sources | Cyient |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Consumer Electronics, Robotics, Industrial IoT | Aerospace, Defense, Manufacturing |
| Best use cases | Hardware startups needing PCB design and firmware from one small vendor, MVP and prototype development for connected consumer devices | Avionics programs needing fly-by-wire or autopilot embedded software, Defense engineering programs requiring DO-178C-aware embedded development |
| Typical project type | Fixed project | Fixed project |
Integra Sources vs Cyient: pros and cons
| Integra Sources | |
|---|---|
| + | One team handles electronic design, PCB layout, FPGA, and embedded firmware without subcontracting hardware separately |
| + | 250+ completed projects reported despite a small team size |
| + | Low overhead structure suits early-stage hardware startups on tight budgets |
| - | Public sources disagree on both headquarters location and headcount, making capacity hard to verify precisely (per company website and third-party directories; independently unverifiable) |
| - | Small team size limits capacity for large, multi-workstream programs compared to mid-size or enterprise firms |
| - | No public case studies with named enterprise clients |
| 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 |
Who should choose Integra Sources?
A typical fit: hardware startups needing PCB design and firmware from one small vendor.
Turnkey hardware-plus-firmware delivery from a single small team, avoiding the coordination overhead of separate vendors. Minimum engagement starts at Not disclosed. Works best with clients in Consumer Electronics, Robotics, Industrial IoT, Medical devices.
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.
Decision matrix: Integra Sources vs Cyient
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | Integra Sources |
| You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme | Cyient |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Compare: Integra Sources (Not disclosed) vs Cyient (Not disclosed) |
| You need specialist depth in a specific vertical | Integra Sources |
| You need staff augmentation or team extension | Neither; consider alternatives that offer staff aug |
| You need consulting before committing to a build | Integra Sources |
Use case fit: Integra Sources vs Cyient
| Use case | Integra Sources fit | Cyient fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardware startups needing PCB design and firmware from one small vendor | Strong | Limited | Integra Sources |
| MVP and prototype development for connected consumer devices | Strong | Limited | Integra Sources |
| Avionics programs needing fly-by-wire or autopilot embedded software | Limited | Strong | Cyient |
| Defense engineering programs requiring DO-178C-aware embedded development | Limited | Strong | Cyient |
| Fixed-price build | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
| Staff augmentation | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
Verdict: Integra Sources vs Cyient
Integra Sources (4.1/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Embedded Software projects. Turnkey hardware-plus-firmware delivery from a single small team, avoiding the coordination overhead of separate vendors.
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
Integra Sources vs Cyient FAQ
Is Integra Sources better than Cyient?
Integra Sources (4.1/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. Integra Sources's strongest advantage: one team handles electronic design, PCB layout, FPGA, and embedded firmware without subcontracting hardware separately. Cyient's strongest advantage: named aerospace avionics specialization covering fly-by-wire, actuation, collision avoidance, and autopilot controls.
How do Integra Sources and Cyient differ in pricing?
Integra Sources uses fixed project pricing with a minimum engagement of Not disclosed. Cyient 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: Integra Sources or Cyient?
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 Integra Sources and Cyient?
Integra Sources's primary differentiator is: turnkey hardware-plus-firmware delivery from a single small team, avoiding the coordination overhead of separate vendors. Cyient's primary differentiator is: aerospace-focused embedded avionics practice (fly-by-wire, autopilot, collision avoidance) backed by acquisitions like CERTON Software. They also differ in team size (11–50 vs 15,000+), minimum engagement (Not disclosed vs Not disclosed), and primary industries served (Consumer Electronics, Robotics vs Aerospace, Defense).
Verify all details directly with each company before making a decision.