Best AI Development Firms

LeewayHertz vs DataArt: full comparison for 2026

Quick verdict

LeewayHertz (4.1/5) edges ahead of DataArt (3.9/5) overall. LeewayHertz is the better choice for buyers wanting broad AI service coverage in one vendor. DataArt is the stronger option for enterprises in finance or healthcare needing AI at global scale. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.

LeewayHertz vs DataArt: head-to-head summary

Criterion LeewayHertz DataArt
Founded 2007 1997
HQ San Francisco, United States New York, United States
Team size 150-300 5,700+
Rating 4.1 / 5 3.9 / 5
Primary differentiator Backed by The Hackett Group's consulting network following its 2024 acquisition Nearly 30 years of engineering history across 30-plus global delivery locations
Pricing model Fixed project or dedicated team Dedicated team or retainer
Min. engagement Not disclosed Not disclosed
Primary tech stack Python, PyTorch, OpenAI API Python, AWS, Azure
Industries served Financial services, Healthcare, Retail & e-commerce, Manufacturing Financial services, Healthcare, Media & entertainment, Travel & hospitality

LeewayHertz vs DataArt: overview

LeewayHertz

LeewayHertz has operated out of San Francisco since 2007, though its ownership structure changed in September 2024 when The Hackett Group acquired the company. That acquisition matters for anyone evaluating long-term strategic direction, since it now answers to a larger consulting parent rather than operating fully independently. Public employee figures have also moved in different directions across sources and time, from around 300 in earlier reporting down to roughly 182 by mid-2026, worth checking directly given how much content marketing the firm publishes relative to its actual team size.

DataArt

DataArt goes back to 1997, founded by Eugene Goland, and is headquartered in New York City with roughly 5,700 employees spread across more than 30 locations in the US, Europe, the UK, Latin America, and the UAE. The firm delivers data, analytics, and AI platforms for finance, media and entertainment, healthcare and life sciences, retail, and travel and hospitality clients. Nearly three decades of history gives it a longer track record than almost every other firm here, though AI is delivered as part of a broader software engineering practice rather than a standalone specialty.

Services and capabilities: LeewayHertz vs DataArt

Capability LeewayHertz DataArt
Generative AI
Machine learning
AI agents
MLOps
AI consulting
Fixed-price projects
Dedicated team model

Tech stack comparison: LeewayHertz vs DataArt

Framework / platform LeewayHertz DataArt
Python
PyTorch N/A
TensorFlow N/A N/A
LangChain N/A
AWS
Azure
Kubernetes N/A

Pricing comparison: LeewayHertz vs DataArt

Criterion LeewayHertz DataArt
Minimum engagement Not disclosed Not disclosed
Engagement models Fixed project, Dedicated team Dedicated team, Retainer
Rate transparency Not public Not public
Price tier Mid-market Mid-market

Target audience comparison: LeewayHertz vs DataArt

Dimension LeewayHertz DataArt
Best company size Startup to mid-market Startup to mid-market
Best industries Financial services, Healthcare, Retail & e-commerce Financial services, Healthcare, Media & entertainment
Best use cases Consolidating several AI workstreams under a single vendor relationship., Working with a firm now backed by a larger consulting parent for enterprise credibility. Building AI-driven analytics platforms for finance or healthcare clients with strict compliance needs., Running a long-term AI and data engineering program with a financially established vendor.
Typical project type Fixed project Dedicated team

LeewayHertz vs DataArt: pros and cons

LeewayHertz
+ Broad service coverage spanning generative AI, machine learning, and AI agents under one roof.
+ The Hackett Group acquisition adds access to a larger consulting and benchmarking network.
+ Close to two decades of operating history predating the current AI boom.
+ High volume of published technical writing makes its methodology easy to evaluate before hiring.
- Now owned by The Hackett Group as of 2024, which may shift its long-term positioning
- Reported headcount has fallen by roughly half across recent public data, worth confirming directly
DataArt
+ Nearly three decades of software engineering history, among the longest reviewed here.
+ 5,700-plus employees across 30-plus locations globally.
+ Named industry focus areas (finance, healthcare, travel) show real vertical depth.
+ Data and analytics platform experience supports AI work that needs solid data foundations.
- AI sits inside a much broader software engineering practice rather than being the firm's core identity
- Enterprise scale typically means slower onboarding than smaller, more agile AI boutiques

Who should choose LeewayHertz?

A typical fit: consolidating several AI workstreams under a single vendor relationship.

Backed by The Hackett Group's consulting network following its 2024 acquisition. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Financial services, Healthcare, Retail & e-commerce, Manufacturing.

Who should choose DataArt?

A typical fit: building AI-driven analytics platforms for finance or healthcare clients with strict compliance needs.

Nearly 30 years of engineering history across 30-plus global delivery locations. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Financial services, Healthcare, Media & entertainment, Travel & hospitality.

Decision matrix: LeewayHertz vs DataArt

Your situation Recommended choice
You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope LeewayHertz
You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme LeewayHertz
Your budget is at the lower end Compare: LeewayHertz (Not disclosed) vs DataArt (Not disclosed)
You need specialist depth in a specific vertical LeewayHertz
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: LeewayHertz vs DataArt

Use case LeewayHertz fit DataArt fit Winner
Consolidating several AI workstreams under a single vendor relationship. Strong Limited LeewayHertz
Working with a firm now backed by a larger consulting parent for enterprise credibility. Strong Limited LeewayHertz
Building AI-driven analytics platforms for finance or healthcare clients with strict compliance needs. Limited Strong DataArt
Running a long-term AI and data engineering program with a financially established vendor. Limited Strong DataArt
Fixed-price build Limited Limited Both equally
Staff augmentation Limited Limited Both equally

Verdict: LeewayHertz vs DataArt

LeewayHertz (4.1/5) is the stronger overall choice for most AI Development projects. Backed by The Hackett Group's consulting network following its 2024 acquisition.

DataArt (3.9/5) is worth a look if you need running a long-term AI and data engineering program with a financially established vendor. If your situation matches that, DataArt is a competitive option.

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LeewayHertz vs DataArt FAQ

Is LeewayHertz better than DataArt?

LeewayHertz (4.1/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. LeewayHertz's strongest advantage: broad service coverage spanning generative AI, machine learning, and AI agents under one roof. DataArt's strongest advantage: nearly three decades of software engineering history, among the longest reviewed here.

How do LeewayHertz and DataArt differ in pricing?

LeewayHertz uses fixed project or dedicated team pricing. DataArt uses dedicated team or retainer pricing. Neither firm publishes a full rate card; a discovery call is required for project-specific quotes.

Which is better for enterprise: LeewayHertz or DataArt?

LeewayHertz is the larger team and typically the better enterprise-scale choice. For very large programmes, verify team size and compliance coverage directly with each firm before shortlisting.

What are the main differences between LeewayHertz and DataArt?

LeewayHertz's primary differentiator is: backed by The Hackett Group's consulting network following its 2024 acquisition. DataArt's primary differentiator is: nearly 30 years of engineering history across 30-plus global delivery locations. They also differ in team size (150-300 vs 5,700+), minimum engagement (Not disclosed vs Not disclosed), and primary industries served (Financial services, Healthcare vs Financial services, Healthcare).

Verify all details directly with each firm before making a decision.