Apriorit vs Very: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
Apriorit (4.4/5) edges ahead of Very (4.2/5) overall. Apriorit is the better choice for security-sensitive firmware needing kernel and driver-level expertise. Very is the stronger option for distributed-delivery IoT programs needing firmware plus data and ML. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
Apriorit vs Very: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | Apriorit | Very |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2002 | 2011 |
| HQ | Needham Heights, Massachusetts, USA (delivery centers in Europe) | Bozeman, Montana, USA (fully distributed team) |
| Team size | 201–500 | 51–200 |
| Rating | 4.4 / 5 | 4.2 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | Security-first engineering culture applied down to kernel, driver, and bootloader-level firmware work | Fully distributed IoT team combining firmware delivery with machine-learning-driven data solutions |
| Pricing model | Custom engineering engagements, fixed project and dedicated team | IoT product development engagements from concept through deployment |
| Min. engagement | Not published | Not published |
| Primary tech stack | C, C++, Kernel drivers | Embedded C/C++, IoT connectivity stacks, Machine learning data pipelines |
| Industries served | Cybersecurity, Virtualization, Data protection, IoT | Industrial IoT, Consumer IoT, Smart infrastructure |
Apriorit vs Very: overview
Apriorit
Apriorit was founded in 2002 and is headquartered in Needham Heights, Massachusetts, with delivery teams across Europe; the company reports roughly 242 employees across three continents. Its core positioning is cybersecurity engineering from kernel to cloud, and that security-first culture extends down to driver development, bootloader-level firmware, and reverse engineering of existing binaries. That specialization means the firm is a stronger fit for security-hardened firmware review than for the RTOS and connectivity work that dominates typical consumer IoT projects.
Very
Very, formerly known by a different name, was founded in 2011 and is headquartered in Bozeman, Montana, operating as a fully distributed team of 51 to 200 people working from numerous countries rather than from central offices. The firm builds connected ecosystems spanning IoT hardware, firmware, and software infrastructure, plus interface design and machine-learning-driven data solutions built on top of device data. Very has appeared on the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private US companies multiple times, a verifiable third-party growth signal distinct from marketing claims.
Services and capabilities: Apriorit vs Very
| Capability | Apriorit | Very |
|---|---|---|
| RTOS firmware development | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bare-metal & driver development | ✓ | ✗ |
| Secure boot / OTA firmware updates | ✓ | ✗ |
| MCU & platform migration | ✗ | ✗ |
| Connectivity & IoT protocols | ✗ | ✓ |
| Functional safety / MISRA compliance | ✓ | ✗ |
| Embedded AI / on-device inference | ✗ | ✓ |
| Firmware GUI development | ✗ | ✗ |
| Staff augmentation | ✗ | ✗ |
Tech stack comparison: Apriorit vs Very
| Framework / platform | Apriorit | Very |
|---|---|---|
| FreeRTOS | N/A | N/A |
| Zephyr | N/A | N/A |
| STM32 | N/A | N/A |
| ARM Cortex-M | N/A | N/A |
| BLE | N/A | N/A |
| Embedded Linux | N/A | N/A |
| Secure OTA | N/A | N/A |
| PCB | N/A | N/A |
| AWS IoT | N/A | N/A |
| RISC-V | N/A | N/A |
Pricing comparison: Apriorit vs Very
| Criterion | Apriorit | Very |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | Not published | Not published |
| Engagement models | Fixed project, Dedicated team | Fixed project, Dedicated team |
| Rate transparency | Not public | Not public |
| Price tier | Mid-market | Mid-market |
Target audience comparison: Apriorit vs Very
| Dimension | Apriorit | Very |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Cybersecurity, Virtualization, Data protection | Industrial IoT, Consumer IoT, Smart infrastructure |
| Best use cases | Firmware security audit ahead of a hardened-device release, Custom bootloader or driver development for a security-critical embedded system | IoT program needing firmware paired with machine-learning-driven data analysis, Smart infrastructure product requiring both device firmware and interface design |
| Typical project type | Fixed project | Fixed project |
Apriorit vs Very: pros and cons
| Apriorit | |
|---|---|
| + | Security specialization runs down to kernel, driver, and bootloader work rather than sitting as an add-on service line |
| + | More than two decades of operating history since 2002 with a team spread across three continents |
| + | Deep reverse-engineering and low-level systems background suits firmware requiring hardened security review |
| - | Security-first positioning means less public emphasis on the RTOS and connectivity work that dominates consumer IoT firmware |
| - | Public firmware-specific case studies are less prominent than the company's broader cybersecurity portfolio |
| Very | |
|---|---|
| + | Repeat appearances on the Inc. 5000 list provide a verifiable third-party growth signal |
| + | Fully distributed team structure can draw specialist talent regardless of location |
| + | Combines firmware delivery with data solutions and machine learning on top of device telemetry |
| - | Fully distributed structure means no central office for in-person collaboration during an engagement |
| - | Montana headquarters is a smaller regional base than most firms' US locations on this list |
Who should choose Apriorit?
A typical fit: firmware security audit ahead of a hardened-device release.
Security-first engineering culture applied down to kernel, driver, and bootloader-level firmware work. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Cybersecurity, Virtualization, Data protection, IoT.
Who should choose Very?
A typical fit: IoT program needing firmware paired with machine-learning-driven data analysis.
Fully distributed IoT team combining firmware delivery with machine-learning-driven data solutions. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Industrial IoT, Consumer IoT, Smart infrastructure.
Decision matrix: Apriorit vs Very
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | Apriorit |
| You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme | Apriorit |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Compare: Apriorit (Not published) vs Very (Not published) |
| You need specialist depth in a specific vertical | Apriorit |
| 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: Apriorit vs Very
| Use case | Apriorit fit | Very fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Firmware security audit ahead of a hardened-device release | Strong | Strong | Both equally |
| Custom bootloader or driver development for a security-critical embedded system | Strong | Limited | Apriorit |
| IoT program needing firmware paired with machine-learning-driven data analysis | Limited | Strong | Very |
| Smart infrastructure product requiring both device firmware and interface design | Limited | Strong | Very |
| Fixed-price build | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
| Staff augmentation | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
Verdict: Apriorit vs Very
Apriorit (4.4/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Firmware Development projects. Security-first engineering culture applied down to kernel, driver, and bootloader-level firmware work.
Very (4.2/5) is worth a look if you need smart infrastructure product requiring both device firmware and interface design. If your situation matches that, Very is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
Apriorit vs Very FAQ
Is Apriorit better than Very?
Apriorit (4.4/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. Apriorit's strongest advantage: security specialization runs down to kernel, driver, and bootloader work rather than sitting as an add-on service line. Very's strongest advantage: repeat appearances on the Inc. 5000 list provide a verifiable third-party growth signal.
How do Apriorit and Very differ in pricing?
Apriorit uses custom engineering engagements, fixed project and dedicated team pricing. Very uses iot product development engagements from concept through deployment pricing. Neither firm publishes a full rate card; a discovery call is required for project-specific quotes.
Which is better for enterprise: Apriorit or Very?
Apriorit 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 Apriorit and Very?
Apriorit's primary differentiator is: security-first engineering culture applied down to kernel, driver, and bootloader-level firmware work. Very's primary differentiator is: fully distributed IoT team combining firmware delivery with machine-learning-driven data solutions. They also differ in team size (201–500 vs 51–200), minimum engagement (Not published vs Not published), and primary industries served (Cybersecurity, Virtualization vs Industrial IoT, Consumer IoT).
Verify all details directly with each company before making a decision.