Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) vs ScienceSoft: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) (4.0/5) edges ahead of ScienceSoft (3.9/5) overall. Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) is the better choice for touchscreen user interfaces on medical devices. ScienceSoft is the stronger option for SaMD and device software on a budget. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) vs ScienceSoft: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) | ScienceSoft |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1987 | 1989 |
| HQ | Waltham, MA, USA | McKinney, TX, USA |
| Team size | Not published | 700–800 |
| Rating | 4.0 / 5 | 3.9 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | Qt and embedded UI depth applied to regulated device software, including on QNX | Large, ISO 13485 certified software team with healthcare analytics and testing services |
| Pricing model | Time and materials, fixed project | Fixed project, time and materials, dedicated team |
| Min. engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Primary tech stack | Qt, QNX, Embedded Linux | .NET, Java, iOS |
| Industries served | Surgical & robotics, Diagnostics & lab devices, Industrial, Automotive | Digital health, Diagnostics & lab devices, Wearables & remote monitoring, Financial services |
Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) vs ScienceSoft: overview
Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)
Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) has worked in software since 1987 and is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, with offices in Sunnyvale and Ottawa. It describes itself as the largest independent source of Qt expertise in North America and runs a dedicated medtech practice for regulated device development (per company website; independently unverifiable). Since 2019 it has partnered with BlackBerry QNX for safety-critical medical work. ICS does not publish its headcount.
ScienceSoft
Healthcare IT has been a ScienceSoft practice since 2005, inside a McKinney, Texas, software company that dates to 1989. The company holds ISO 13485:2016 certification for medical device software and SaMD, and it states experience preparing software for FDA clearance and CE marking (per company website; independently unverifiable). Its team is about 750. Its medical work is mostly software: SaMD, device companion apps, data analytics and medical device software testing.
Services and capabilities: Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) vs ScienceSoft
| Capability | Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) | ScienceSoft |
|---|---|---|
| Electronics & PCB design | ✗ | ✗ |
| Firmware & embedded software | ✓ | ✗ |
| SaMD & companion apps | ✓ | ✓ |
| Connected devices & IoT | ✗ | ✓ |
| Industrial design & human factors | ✗ | ✗ |
| Mechanical engineering | ✗ | ✗ |
| Device cybersecurity | ✓ | ✓ |
| Regulatory & QMS support | ✓ | ✗ |
| Manufacturing & scale-up | ✗ | ✗ |
Tech stack comparison: Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) vs ScienceSoft
| Framework / platform | Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) | ScienceSoft |
|---|---|---|
| Embedded C/C++ | N/A | N/A |
| Embedded Linux | ✓ | N/A |
| RTOS | N/A | N/A |
| BLE | N/A | N/A |
| Cloud (AWS/Azure) | ✓ | ✓ |
| IEC 62304 | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISO 14971 | N/A | N/A |
| ISO 13485 QMS | N/A | N/A |
| Qt | ✓ | N/A |
Pricing comparison: Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) vs ScienceSoft
| Criterion | Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) | ScienceSoft |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Engagement models | Fixed project, Time & materials | Dedicated team, Fixed project, Time & materials |
| Rate transparency | Not public | Not public |
| Price tier | Mid-market | Mid-market |
Target audience comparison: Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) vs ScienceSoft
| Dimension | Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) | ScienceSoft |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Surgical & robotics, Diagnostics & lab devices, Industrial | Digital health, Diagnostics & lab devices, Wearables & remote monitoring |
| Best use cases | Designing and coding the touchscreen for a surgical console, Porting device software to Qt 6 on embedded Linux | SaMD for clinical decision support, Mobile companion app for an existing device |
| Typical project type | Fixed project | Dedicated team |
Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) vs ScienceSoft: pros and cons
| Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) | |
|---|---|
| + | One of the deepest Qt benches in North America, useful for device GUIs |
| + | QNX partnership for safety-critical medical operating systems |
| + | Also offers device cybersecurity and regulatory support |
| + | Long history and US-based teams |
| - | Medtech is one practice among several industries |
| - | Not a hardware design firm |
| - | Headcount and certifications are not published |
| ScienceSoft | |
|---|---|
| + | ISO 13485 certification covers medical device software and SaMD |
| + | Large team can staff software projects quickly |
| + | Offers medical device software testing as a separate service |
| + | Competitive rates compared with US onshore software firms |
| - | Generalist IT company where healthcare is one of many practices |
| - | No hardware, electronics or mechanical design |
| - | FDA and CE experience claims are self-reported |
Who should choose Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)?
A typical fit: designing and coding the touchscreen for a surgical console.
Qt and embedded UI depth applied to regulated device software, including on QNX. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Surgical & robotics, Diagnostics & lab devices, Industrial, Automotive.
Who should choose ScienceSoft?
A typical fit: SaMD for clinical decision support.
Large, ISO 13485 certified software team with healthcare analytics and testing services. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Digital health, Diagnostics & lab devices, Wearables & remote monitoring, Financial services.
Decision matrix: Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) vs ScienceSoft
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) |
| You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme | ScienceSoft |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Compare: Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) (Not disclosed) vs ScienceSoft (Not disclosed) |
| You need specialist depth in a specific vertical | Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) |
| You need staff augmentation or team extension | Neither; consider alternatives that offer staff aug |
| You need consulting before committing to a build | Both may offer discovery engagements |
Use case fit: Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) vs ScienceSoft
| Use case | Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) fit | ScienceSoft fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Designing and coding the touchscreen for a surgical console | Strong | Limited | Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) |
| Porting device software to Qt 6 on embedded Linux | Strong | Limited | Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) |
| SaMD for clinical decision support | Limited | Strong | ScienceSoft |
| Mobile companion app for an existing device | Limited | Strong | ScienceSoft |
Verdict: Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) vs ScienceSoft
Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) (4.0/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Medical Device Development projects. Qt and embedded UI depth applied to regulated device software, including on QNX.
ScienceSoft (3.9/5) is worth a look if you need mobile companion app for an existing device. If your situation matches that, ScienceSoft is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) vs ScienceSoft FAQ
Is Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) better than ScienceSoft?
Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) (4.0/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)'s strongest advantage: one of the deepest Qt benches in North America, useful for device GUIs. ScienceSoft's strongest advantage: ISO 13485 certification covers medical device software and SaMD.
How do Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) and ScienceSoft differ in pricing?
Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) uses time and materials, fixed project pricing. ScienceSoft uses fixed project, time and materials, dedicated team pricing. Neither firm publishes a full rate card; a discovery call is required for project-specific quotes.
Which is better for enterprise: Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) or ScienceSoft?
ScienceSoft 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 Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) and ScienceSoft?
Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)'s primary differentiator is: qt and embedded UI depth applied to regulated device software, including on QNX. ScienceSoft's primary differentiator is: Large, ISO 13485 certified software team with healthcare analytics and testing services. They also differ in team size (Not published vs 700–800), minimum engagement (Not disclosed vs Not disclosed), and primary industries served (Surgical & robotics, Diagnostics & lab devices vs Digital health, Diagnostics & lab devices).
Verify all details directly with each company before making a decision.