Best Embedded Firmware Service Providers

NOVO Engineering vs WebbyLab: full comparison for 2026

Quick verdict

NOVO Engineering (4.3/5) edges ahead of WebbyLab (4.2/5) overall. NOVO Engineering is the better choice for multi-discipline RFPs spanning mechanical, electrical, and firmware. WebbyLab is the stronger option for RFPs bundling hardware selection, firmware, and the connected application layer. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.

NOVO Engineering vs WebbyLab: head-to-head summary

Criterion NOVO Engineering WebbyLab
Founded 2004 2011
HQ Vista, CA, USA Kyiv, Ukraine (also London, UK)
Team size 48–60 120+
Rating 4.3 / 5 4.2 / 5
Primary differentiator Systems-engineering scope built for programs that bundle mechanical, electrical, and firmware requirements into one vendor relationship Full-cycle delivery from hardware selection through firmware and the connected application layer under one team
Pricing model Fixed-scope product engineering engagements Project-based full-cycle IoT engagements
Min. engagement Not published Not published
Primary tech stack C, C++, Embedded Systems Programming C, C++, IoT Connectivity Protocols
Industries served Medical devices, Biotech, Printing technology, Commercial products IoT hardware products, Fintech, E-commerce

NOVO Engineering vs WebbyLab: overview

NOVO Engineering

NOVO Engineering was founded in 2004 and is headquartered in Vista, California near San Diego, with a second location near Minneapolis and a team reported between 48 and 60 engineers averaging 16 years of experience each. The firm's engagement scope covers hardware and software development, systems engineering, custom automation, and pre-production manufacturing support across medical devices, biotech instrumentation, and commercial products. For an RFP that bundles mechanical, electrical, and firmware requirements into one program, NOVO's systems-engineering framing is built specifically for that kind of multi-discipline scope.

WebbyLab

WebbyLab was founded in 2011 by Anton Morozov and Viktor Turskyi and operates from Kyiv and London with more than 120 engineers across hardware, firmware, and software disciplines. The firm's stated full-cycle scope runs from hardware selection through firmware development and the cloud or mobile application layer, with IoT and embedded systems named as a core specialty and Fortune 500 clients cited among its customer base. That full-cycle framing fits an RFP that bundles the connected-device backend into the same scope as the firmware itself.

Services and capabilities: NOVO Engineering vs WebbyLab

Capability NOVO Engineering WebbyLab
Firmware development
Hardware / PCB co-design
Functional safety / certification
Defense / aerospace credentials
Medical device firmware
Secure firmware updates
IoT connectivity
Embedded Linux
Staff augmentation

Tech stack comparison: NOVO Engineering vs WebbyLab

Framework / platform NOVO Engineering WebbyLab
C
C++
Embedded Linux N/A N/A
PCB Design N/A N/A
FPGA N/A N/A
MISRA C N/A N/A
ITAR N/A N/A
AWS IoT N/A N/A
ASIL N/A N/A

Pricing comparison: NOVO Engineering vs WebbyLab

Criterion NOVO Engineering WebbyLab
Minimum engagement Not published Not published
Engagement models Fixed-scope product engineering, Pre-production manufacturing support Project-based full-cycle development
Rate transparency Not public Not public
Price tier Mid-market Mid-market

Target audience comparison: NOVO Engineering vs WebbyLab

Dimension NOVO Engineering WebbyLab
Best company size Startup to mid-market Startup to mid-market
Best industries Medical devices, Biotech, Printing technology IoT hardware products, Fintech, E-commerce
Best use cases Multi-discipline RFP bundling mechanical, electrical, and firmware requirements, Biotech instrumentation program requiring custom automation alongside firmware Full-cycle IoT RFP from hardware selection through firmware and its companion mobile app, Embedded firmware program requiring cloud integration under one vendor
Typical project type Fixed-scope product engineering Project-based full-cycle development

NOVO Engineering vs WebbyLab: pros and cons

NOVO Engineering
+ Engineering team averages 16 years of experience per engineer, a strong bench-depth signal for a technical evaluation
+ Systems engineering scope covers mechanical, electrical, and firmware together, matching how many hardware RFPs are actually structured
+ Two US locations near San Diego and Minneapolis give onsite coverage options for a geographically constrained RFP
+ Pre-production manufacturing support extends past firmware delivery into getting a product built
- 48 to 60 engineers caps how many large concurrent RFP-scale programs the firm can run simultaneously
- No published pricing or minimum engagement figure
- Firmware is one discipline inside a broader systems-engineering practice, not a standalone firmware specialist brand
WebbyLab
+ Full-cycle scope from hardware selection through the connected application layer reduces the vendor count an RFP needs to coordinate
+ 120-plus engineers gives more concurrent-program capacity than most boutique competing bidders
+ Fortune 500 client relationships indicate prior experience with large-organization procurement processes
+ 14 years of operating history under its original two founders
- IoT and embedded is one specialty alongside fintech and e-commerce work, not the firm's sole focus
- Specific named case studies with verifiable project details are limited in public materials
- No published pricing or minimum engagement threshold

Who should choose NOVO Engineering?

A typical fit: multi-discipline RFP bundling mechanical, electrical, and firmware requirements.

Systems-engineering scope built for programs that bundle mechanical, electrical, and firmware requirements into one vendor relationship. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Medical devices, Biotech, Printing technology, Commercial products.

Who should choose WebbyLab?

A typical fit: full-cycle IoT RFP from hardware selection through firmware and its companion mobile app.

Full-cycle delivery from hardware selection through firmware and the connected application layer under one team. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in IoT hardware products, Fintech, E-commerce.

Decision matrix: NOVO Engineering vs WebbyLab

Your situation Recommended choice
You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope NOVO Engineering
You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme Check each company's engagement model
Your budget is at the lower end Compare: NOVO Engineering (Not published) vs WebbyLab (Not published)
You need specialist depth in a specific vertical NOVO Engineering
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: NOVO Engineering vs WebbyLab

Use case NOVO Engineering fit WebbyLab fit Winner
Multi-discipline RFP bundling mechanical, electrical, and firmware requirements Strong Limited NOVO Engineering
Biotech instrumentation program requiring custom automation alongside firmware Strong Limited NOVO Engineering
Full-cycle IoT RFP from hardware selection through firmware and its companion mobile app Limited Strong WebbyLab
Embedded firmware program requiring cloud integration under one vendor Limited Strong WebbyLab
Fixed-price build Limited Limited Both equally
Staff augmentation Limited Limited Both equally

Verdict: NOVO Engineering vs WebbyLab

NOVO Engineering (4.3/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Embedded Firmware projects. Systems-engineering scope built for programs that bundle mechanical, electrical, and firmware requirements into one vendor relationship.

WebbyLab (4.2/5) is worth a look if you need embedded firmware program requiring cloud integration under one vendor. If your situation matches that, WebbyLab is a competitive option.

Related comparisons

NOVO Engineering vs WebbyLab FAQ

Is NOVO Engineering better than WebbyLab?

NOVO Engineering (4.3/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. NOVO Engineering's strongest advantage: engineering team averages 16 years of experience per engineer, a strong bench-depth signal for a technical evaluation. WebbyLab's strongest advantage: full-cycle scope from hardware selection through the connected application layer reduces the vendor count an RFP needs to coordinate.

How do NOVO Engineering and WebbyLab differ in pricing?

NOVO Engineering uses fixed-scope product engineering engagements pricing. WebbyLab uses project-based full-cycle iot engagements pricing. Neither firm publishes a full rate card; a discovery call is required for project-specific quotes.

Which is better for enterprise: NOVO Engineering or WebbyLab?

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

What are the main differences between NOVO Engineering and WebbyLab?

NOVO Engineering's primary differentiator is: systems-engineering scope built for programs that bundle mechanical, electrical, and firmware requirements into one vendor relationship. WebbyLab's primary differentiator is: full-cycle delivery from hardware selection through firmware and the connected application layer under one team. They also differ in team size (48–60 vs 120+), minimum engagement (Not published vs Not published), and primary industries served (Medical devices, Biotech vs IoT hardware products, Fintech).

Verify all details directly with each service provider before making a decision.