MedAcuity vs Planet Innovation: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
MedAcuity (4.3/5) edges ahead of Planet Innovation (4.2/5) overall. MedAcuity is the better choice for device makers with hardware but no software team. Planet Innovation is the stronger option for diagnostics companies in Asia-Pacific and the US. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
MedAcuity vs Planet Innovation: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | MedAcuity | Planet Innovation |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2007 | 2009 |
| HQ | Westford, MA, USA | Box Hill, Victoria, Australia |
| Team size | 100–130 | 300–400 |
| Rating | 4.3 / 5 | 4.2 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | US-based, ISO 13485 certified team that does nothing but regulated device software | Diagnostics roots plus product and commercialization experience in Australia and the US |
| Pricing model | Time and materials, fixed project | Fixed project, time and materials |
| Min. engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Primary tech stack | Embedded C/C++, C#/.NET, Qt | Embedded C/C++, Cloud (AWS/Azure), Microfluidics |
| Industries served | Surgical & robotics, Diagnostics & lab devices, Digital health, Implantables & neuromodulation | Diagnostics & lab devices, Digital health, Wearables & remote monitoring |
MedAcuity vs Planet Innovation: overview
MedAcuity
MedAcuity was founded in 2007 by software engineers and is based in Westford, Massachusetts. It concentrates on medical technology software: architecture, embedded and application development, risk management and the technical documentation behind FDA submissions, with experience across Class I, II and III and PMA devices. It is ISO 13485:2016 certified, and listings put its team at about 119 people. In 2021 it partnered with Fathom Consulting to add human factors engineering.
Planet Innovation
Planet Innovation was founded in Melbourne in 2009 by four diagnostics industry specialists: Eduardo Vom, Sam Lanyon, Stuart Elliott and Troy O'Callaghan. It is headquartered in Box Hill, Victoria, with a facility in Irvine, California, and employs roughly 300 to 390 people depending on the source. The company has focused on regulated medical devices since 2016 and works across diagnostics, medical devices, biotechnology and connected health, including some product ventures of its own.
Services and capabilities: MedAcuity vs Planet Innovation
| Capability | MedAcuity | Planet Innovation |
|---|---|---|
| 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: MedAcuity vs Planet Innovation
| Framework / platform | MedAcuity | Planet Innovation |
|---|---|---|
| Embedded C/C++ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Embedded Linux | N/A | N/A |
| RTOS | N/A | N/A |
| BLE | N/A | N/A |
| Cloud (AWS/Azure) | ✓ | ✓ |
| IEC 62304 | ✓ | N/A |
| ISO 14971 | ✓ | N/A |
| ISO 13485 QMS | N/A | ✓ |
| Qt | ✓ | N/A |
Pricing comparison: MedAcuity vs Planet Innovation
| Criterion | MedAcuity | Planet Innovation |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Engagement models | Fixed project, Time & materials | Fixed project, Manufacturing contract, Time & materials |
| Rate transparency | Not public | Not public |
| Price tier | Mid-market | Mid-market |
Target audience comparison: MedAcuity vs Planet Innovation
| Dimension | MedAcuity | Planet Innovation |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Surgical & robotics, Diagnostics & lab devices, Digital health | Diagnostics & lab devices, Digital health, Wearables & remote monitoring |
| Best use cases | Writing and documenting the control software for a surgical system, Remediating software documentation gaps before an FDA submission | Developing a connected point-of-care diagnostic, Commercialization planning for an Australian medtech startup |
| Typical project type | Fixed project | Fixed project |
MedAcuity vs Planet Innovation: pros and cons
| MedAcuity | |
|---|---|
| + | Software-only focus means IEC 62304 documentation and traceability are part of every project |
| + | Experience with PMA-level Class III software |
| + | US onshore team helps with data access and IP-sensitive programs |
| + | Secure lab space for testing with client hardware |
| - | Does not design hardware, so you need another partner for electronics and mechanics |
| - | US onshore rates are higher than nearshore software teams |
| - | Human factors work is handled through the Fathom partnership instead of an in-house group |
| Planet Innovation | |
|---|---|
| + | Founders came from the diagnostics industry, and diagnostics is still its strongest area |
| + | Has launched products of its own, so it understands commercialization as well as engineering |
| + | Australian base offers time-zone coverage for Asia-Pacific clients |
| + | Irvine facility serves US clients locally |
| - | Runs its own product ventures, so ask how client work is prioritized |
| - | Less known in Europe |
| - | Headcount and certifications should be confirmed directly |
Who should choose MedAcuity?
A typical fit: writing and documenting the control software for a surgical system.
US-based, ISO 13485 certified team that does nothing but regulated device software. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Surgical & robotics, Diagnostics & lab devices, Digital health, Implantables & neuromodulation.
Who should choose Planet Innovation?
A typical fit: developing a connected point-of-care diagnostic.
Diagnostics roots plus product and commercialization experience in Australia and the US. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Diagnostics & lab devices, Digital health, Wearables & remote monitoring.
Decision matrix: MedAcuity vs Planet Innovation
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | MedAcuity |
| You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme | Check each company's engagement model |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Compare: MedAcuity (Not disclosed) vs Planet Innovation (Not disclosed) |
| You need specialist depth in a specific vertical | MedAcuity |
| 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: MedAcuity vs Planet Innovation
| Use case | MedAcuity fit | Planet Innovation fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Writing and documenting the control software for a surgical system | Strong | Limited | MedAcuity |
| Remediating software documentation gaps before an FDA submission | Strong | Limited | MedAcuity |
| Developing a connected point-of-care diagnostic | Limited | Strong | Planet Innovation |
| Commercialization planning for an Australian medtech startup | Limited | Strong | Planet Innovation |
Verdict: MedAcuity vs Planet Innovation
MedAcuity (4.3/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Medical Device Development projects. US-based, ISO 13485 certified team that does nothing but regulated device software.
Planet Innovation (4.2/5) is worth a look if you need commercialization planning for an Australian medtech startup. If your situation matches that, Planet Innovation is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
MedAcuity vs Planet Innovation FAQ
Is MedAcuity better than Planet Innovation?
MedAcuity (4.3/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. MedAcuity's strongest advantage: software-only focus means IEC 62304 documentation and traceability are part of every project. Planet Innovation's strongest advantage: founders came from the diagnostics industry, and diagnostics is still its strongest area.
How do MedAcuity and Planet Innovation differ in pricing?
MedAcuity uses time and materials, fixed project pricing. Planet Innovation uses fixed project, time and materials pricing. Neither firm publishes a full rate card; a discovery call is required for project-specific quotes.
Which is better for enterprise: MedAcuity or Planet Innovation?
Planet Innovation 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 MedAcuity and Planet Innovation?
MedAcuity's primary differentiator is: US-based, ISO 13485 certified team that does nothing but regulated device software. Planet Innovation's primary differentiator is: diagnostics roots plus product and commercialization experience in Australia and the US. They also differ in team size (100–130 vs 300–400), minimum engagement (Not disclosed vs Not disclosed), and primary industries served (Surgical & robotics, Diagnostics & lab devices vs Diagnostics & lab devices, Digital health).
Verify all details directly with each company before making a decision.