Integra Sources vs Promwad: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
Promwad (4.3/5) edges ahead of Integra Sources (4.1/5) overall. Promwad is the better choice for european clients wanting hardware, firmware, and FPGA from one design house. Integra Sources is the stronger option for startups wanting one team for both hardware and firmware on a small budget. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
Integra Sources vs Promwad: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | Integra Sources | Promwad |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2014 | 2004 |
| HQ | Astana, Kazakhstan | Essen, Germany (engineering centers in Latvia and Serbia) |
| Team size | 11–50 | 101–250 |
| Rating | 4.1 / 5 | 4.3 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | Turnkey hardware-plus-firmware delivery from a single small team, avoiding the coordination overhead of separate vendors | End-to-end European design house covering PCB, FPGA, embedded Linux, and manufacturing coordination in one contracted partner |
| Pricing model | Fixed project | Fixed project, dedicated team |
| Min. engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Primary tech stack | C/C++, FreeRTOS, Embedded Linux | C/C++, Embedded Linux (Yocto), Android embedded |
| Industries served | Consumer Electronics, Robotics, Industrial IoT, Medical devices | Consumer Electronics, Industrial IoT, Telecom, Automotive |
Integra Sources vs Promwad: 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.
Promwad
Promwad is an electronics design house founded in 2004 by Roman Pakholkov, headquartered in Essen, Germany, with additional engineering centers in Latvia and Serbia and a team of 100+ engineers and managers built over more than two decades. The company positions itself as an end-to-end engineering partner covering hardware design (PCB layout, FPGA), embedded software (Linux and Android embedded systems), and contract manufacturing coordination for customers across Europe and North America, making it a fit for clients wanting hardware and firmware handled by one contracted partner rather than separate vendors.
Services and capabilities: Integra Sources vs Promwad
| Capability | Integra Sources | Promwad |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Promwad
| Framework / platform | Integra Sources | Promwad |
|---|---|---|
| FreeRTOS | ✓ | N/A |
| Zephyr | N/A | N/A |
| Embedded Linux | ✓ | ✓ |
| 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 | ✓ |
Pricing comparison: Integra Sources vs Promwad
| Criterion | Integra Sources | Promwad |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Promwad
| Dimension | Integra Sources | Promwad |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Consumer Electronics, Robotics, Industrial IoT | Consumer Electronics, Industrial IoT, Telecom |
| Best use cases | Hardware startups needing PCB design and firmware from one small vendor, MVP and prototype development for connected consumer devices | Connected consumer hardware needing PCB design, FPGA, and embedded Linux in one engagement, Programs requiring contract manufacturing coordination alongside development |
| Typical project type | Fixed project | Fixed project |
Integra Sources vs Promwad: 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 |
| Promwad | |
|---|---|
| + | Over 20 years of hardware and firmware delivery with 100+ engineers across German, Latvian, and Serbian engineering centers |
| + | Covers PCB layout, FPGA design, and embedded software under a single contracted engagement rather than coordinating separate vendors |
| + | Contract manufacturing coordination support extends past pure development into production handoff |
| - | Mid-size team (100+) sits between boutique specialists and large enterprise engineering firms, which may mean less bandwidth than the largest players for concurrent enterprise-scale programs |
| - | Public pricing and minimum engagement figures are not disclosed |
| - | No large named enterprise case studies published publicly |
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 Promwad?
A typical fit: connected consumer hardware needing PCB design, FPGA, and embedded Linux in one engagement.
End-to-end European design house covering PCB, FPGA, embedded Linux, and manufacturing coordination in one contracted partner. Minimum engagement starts at Not disclosed. Works best with clients in Consumer Electronics, Industrial IoT, Telecom, Automotive.
Decision matrix: Integra Sources vs Promwad
| 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 | Promwad |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Compare: Integra Sources (Not disclosed) vs Promwad (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 Promwad
| Use case | Integra Sources fit | Promwad fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardware startups needing PCB design and firmware from one small vendor | Strong | Strong | Both equally |
| MVP and prototype development for connected consumer devices | Strong | Limited | Integra Sources |
| Connected consumer hardware needing PCB design, FPGA, and embedded Linux in one engagement | Strong | Strong | Both equally |
| Programs requiring contract manufacturing coordination alongside development | Limited | Strong | Promwad |
| Fixed-price build | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
| Staff augmentation | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
Verdict: Integra Sources vs Promwad
Promwad (4.3/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Embedded Software projects. End-to-end European design house covering PCB, FPGA, embedded Linux, and manufacturing coordination in one contracted partner.
Integra Sources (4.1/5) is worth a look if you need MVP and prototype development for connected consumer devices. If your situation matches that, Integra Sources is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
Integra Sources vs Promwad FAQ
Is Integra Sources better than Promwad?
Promwad (4.3/5) 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. Promwad's strongest advantage: over 20 years of hardware and firmware delivery with 100+ engineers across German, Latvian, and Serbian engineering centers.
How do Integra Sources and Promwad differ in pricing?
Integra Sources uses fixed project pricing with a minimum engagement of Not disclosed. Promwad 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 Promwad?
Promwad 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 Promwad?
Integra Sources's primary differentiator is: turnkey hardware-plus-firmware delivery from a single small team, avoiding the coordination overhead of separate vendors. Promwad's primary differentiator is: end-to-end European design house covering PCB, FPGA, embedded Linux, and manufacturing coordination in one contracted partner. They also differ in team size (11–50 vs 101–250), minimum engagement (Not disclosed vs Not disclosed), and primary industries served (Consumer Electronics, Robotics vs Consumer Electronics, Industrial IoT).
Verify all details directly with each company before making a decision.