Promenade Software vs Jabil Healthcare: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
Promenade Software (4.1/5) edges ahead of Jabil Healthcare (3.8/5) overall. Promenade Software is the better choice for small device makers needing software and security. Jabil Healthcare is the stronger option for global production capacity for cleared devices. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
Promenade Software vs Jabil Healthcare: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | Promenade Software | Jabil Healthcare |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2013 | 1966 |
| HQ | Irvine, CA, USA | St. Petersburg, FL, USA |
| Team size | 11–50 | ~20,000 (healthcare) |
| Rating | 4.1 / 5 | 3.8 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | Pairs contract device software with its own medical cybersecurity tooling and information-sharing service | Global scale, supply chain and FDA-registered production for established medical device brands |
| Pricing model | Time and materials, fixed project | Manufacturing supply agreement, NPI contract |
| Min. engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Primary tech stack | Embedded C/C++, Cloud (AWS/Azure), IEC 62304 | Injection molding, Automated assembly, PCB assembly |
| Industries served | Surgical & therapeutic devices, Digital health, Diagnostics & lab devices | Surgical & robotics, Drug delivery, Wearables & remote monitoring, Consumer health |
Promenade Software vs Jabil Healthcare: overview
Promenade Software
Since 2013 this Irvine, California, company has developed software for medical devices, from low-level firmware to cloud services, along with postmarket support. Directory listings say it follows IEC 62304 and holds ISO 13485:2016 and ISO 9001:2015 certification. It has also built cybersecurity products for the industry, including CyberMed Cloud and the MedISAO information-sharing service. The team is small, with estimates of 11 to 50 people.
Jabil Healthcare
Jabil Healthcare was formed in 2020 when Jabil combined its Nypro business with its orthopedics, spine and trauma units. At launch it had nearly 20,000 employees and more than 35 sites, and its factories producing finished medical devices are FDA registered. It covers minimally invasive devices, surgical robotics, complex catheters, diabetes care and consumer health, and the acquisition of CDMO Pii extended it into drug development and aseptic fill-finish. Jabil reported $8.3 billion in company-wide revenue for its second fiscal quarter of 2026.
Services and capabilities: Promenade Software vs Jabil Healthcare
| Capability | Promenade Software | Jabil Healthcare |
|---|---|---|
| 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: Promenade Software vs Jabil Healthcare
| Framework / platform | Promenade Software | Jabil Healthcare |
|---|---|---|
| Embedded C/C++ | ✓ | N/A |
| Embedded Linux | N/A | N/A |
| RTOS | N/A | N/A |
| BLE | N/A | N/A |
| Cloud (AWS/Azure) | ✓ | N/A |
| IEC 62304 | ✓ | N/A |
| ISO 14971 | N/A | N/A |
| ISO 13485 QMS | N/A | ✓ |
| Qt | N/A | N/A |
Pricing comparison: Promenade Software vs Jabil Healthcare
| Criterion | Promenade Software | Jabil Healthcare |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Engagement models | Fixed project, Time & materials | Manufacturing contract |
| Rate transparency | Not public | Not public |
| Price tier | Mid-market | Mid-market |
Target audience comparison: Promenade Software vs Jabil Healthcare
| Dimension | Promenade Software | Jabil Healthcare |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Surgical & therapeutic devices, Digital health, Diagnostics & lab devices | Surgical & robotics, Drug delivery, Wearables & remote monitoring |
| Best use cases | Firmware and cloud software for an early-stage device, Building SBOM and vulnerability monitoring for a cleared device | Scaling production of a cleared diabetes device, Global manufacturing of a surgical robotics subsystem |
| Typical project type | Fixed project | Manufacturing contract |
Promenade Software vs Jabil Healthcare: pros and cons
| Promenade Software | |
|---|---|
| + | Software-only, ISO 13485 certified team that knows FDA expectations |
| + | Owns cybersecurity products, so security work comes with tooling |
| + | Small team keeps costs and overhead down for startups |
| + | Southern California location close to the Orange County medtech cluster |
| - | Very small, so capacity for large programs is limited |
| - | No hardware or mechanical design |
| - | Certifications come from directory listings and should be confirmed with the company |
| Jabil Healthcare | |
|---|---|
| + | One of the largest healthcare manufacturing networks in the world |
| + | FDA-registered sites for finished devices |
| + | Strong supply chain management during component shortages |
| + | Covers drug delivery through the Pii acquisition |
| - | Built for production volume; early design and invention are outside its main business |
| - | Small companies may struggle to get attention |
| - | Engineering support is tied to manufacturing programs |
Who should choose Promenade Software?
A typical fit: firmware and cloud software for an early-stage device.
Pairs contract device software with its own medical cybersecurity tooling and information-sharing service. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Surgical & therapeutic devices, Digital health, Diagnostics & lab devices.
Who should choose Jabil Healthcare?
A typical fit: scaling production of a cleared diabetes device.
Global scale, supply chain and FDA-registered production for established medical device brands. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Surgical & robotics, Drug delivery, Wearables & remote monitoring, Consumer health.
Decision matrix: Promenade Software vs Jabil Healthcare
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | Promenade Software |
| You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme | Check each company's engagement model |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Compare: Promenade Software (Not disclosed) vs Jabil Healthcare (Not disclosed) |
| You need specialist depth in a specific vertical | Jabil Healthcare |
| 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: Promenade Software vs Jabil Healthcare
| Use case | Promenade Software fit | Jabil Healthcare fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Firmware and cloud software for an early-stage device | Strong | Limited | Promenade Software |
| Building SBOM and vulnerability monitoring for a cleared device | Strong | Limited | Promenade Software |
| Scaling production of a cleared diabetes device | Limited | Strong | Jabil Healthcare |
| Global manufacturing of a surgical robotics subsystem | Limited | Strong | Jabil Healthcare |
Verdict: Promenade Software vs Jabil Healthcare
Promenade Software (4.1/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Medical Device Development projects. Pairs contract device software with its own medical cybersecurity tooling and information-sharing service.
Jabil Healthcare (3.8/5) is worth a look if you need global manufacturing of a surgical robotics subsystem. If your situation matches that, Jabil Healthcare is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
Promenade Software vs Jabil Healthcare FAQ
Is Promenade Software better than Jabil Healthcare?
Promenade Software (4.1/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. Promenade Software's strongest advantage: Software-only, ISO 13485 certified team that knows FDA expectations. Jabil Healthcare's strongest advantage: one of the largest healthcare manufacturing networks in the world.
How do Promenade Software and Jabil Healthcare differ in pricing?
Promenade Software uses time and materials, fixed project pricing. Jabil Healthcare uses manufacturing supply agreement, npi contract pricing. Neither firm publishes a full rate card; a discovery call is required for project-specific quotes.
Which is better for enterprise: Promenade Software or Jabil Healthcare?
Jabil Healthcare 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 Promenade Software and Jabil Healthcare?
Promenade Software's primary differentiator is: pairs contract device software with its own medical cybersecurity tooling and information-sharing service. Jabil Healthcare's primary differentiator is: global scale, supply chain and FDA-registered production for established medical device brands. They also differ in team size (11–50 vs ~20,000 (healthcare)), minimum engagement (Not disclosed vs Not disclosed), and primary industries served (Surgical & therapeutic devices, Digital health vs Surgical & robotics, Drug delivery).
Verify all details directly with each company before making a decision.