MedAcuity vs Promenade Software: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
MedAcuity (4.3/5) edges ahead of Promenade Software (4.1/5) overall. MedAcuity is the better choice for device makers with hardware but no software team. Promenade Software is the stronger option for small device makers needing software and security. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
MedAcuity vs Promenade Software: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | MedAcuity | Promenade Software |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2007 | 2013 |
| HQ | Westford, MA, USA | Irvine, CA, USA |
| Team size | 100–130 | 11–50 |
| Rating | 4.3 / 5 | 4.1 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | US-based, ISO 13485 certified team that does nothing but regulated device software | Pairs contract device software with its own medical cybersecurity tooling and information-sharing service |
| Pricing model | Time and materials, fixed project | Time and materials, fixed project |
| Min. engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Primary tech stack | Embedded C/C++, C#/.NET, Qt | Embedded C/C++, Cloud (AWS/Azure), IEC 62304 |
| Industries served | Surgical & robotics, Diagnostics & lab devices, Digital health, Implantables & neuromodulation | Surgical & therapeutic devices, Digital health, Diagnostics & lab devices |
MedAcuity vs Promenade Software: 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.
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.
Services and capabilities: MedAcuity vs Promenade Software
| Capability | MedAcuity | Promenade Software |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Promenade Software
| Framework / platform | MedAcuity | Promenade Software |
|---|---|---|
| Embedded C/C++ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Embedded Linux | N/A | N/A |
| RTOS | N/A | N/A |
| BLE | N/A | N/A |
| Cloud (AWS/Azure) | ✓ | ✓ |
| IEC 62304 | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISO 14971 | ✓ | N/A |
| ISO 13485 QMS | N/A | N/A |
| Qt | ✓ | N/A |
Pricing comparison: MedAcuity vs Promenade Software
| Criterion | MedAcuity | Promenade Software |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Engagement models | Fixed project, Time & materials | Fixed project, Time & materials |
| Rate transparency | Not public | Not public |
| Price tier | Mid-market | Mid-market |
Target audience comparison: MedAcuity vs Promenade Software
| Dimension | MedAcuity | Promenade Software |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Surgical & robotics, Diagnostics & lab devices, Digital health | Surgical & therapeutic devices, Digital health, Diagnostics & lab devices |
| Best use cases | Writing and documenting the control software for a surgical system, Remediating software documentation gaps before an FDA submission | Firmware and cloud software for an early-stage device, Building SBOM and vulnerability monitoring for a cleared device |
| Typical project type | Fixed project | Fixed project |
MedAcuity vs Promenade Software: 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 |
| 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 |
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 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.
Decision matrix: MedAcuity vs Promenade Software
| 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 Promenade Software (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 Promenade Software
| Use case | MedAcuity fit | Promenade Software 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 |
| Firmware and cloud software for an early-stage device | Limited | Strong | Promenade Software |
| Building SBOM and vulnerability monitoring for a cleared device | Strong | Strong | Both equally |
Verdict: MedAcuity vs Promenade Software
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.
Promenade Software (4.1/5) is worth a look if you need building SBOM and vulnerability monitoring for a cleared device. If your situation matches that, Promenade Software is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
MedAcuity vs Promenade Software FAQ
Is MedAcuity better than Promenade Software?
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. Promenade Software's strongest advantage: Software-only, ISO 13485 certified team that knows FDA expectations.
How do MedAcuity and Promenade Software differ in pricing?
MedAcuity uses time and materials, fixed project pricing. Promenade Software uses time and materials, fixed project pricing. Neither firm publishes a full rate card; a discovery call is required for project-specific quotes.
Which is better for enterprise: MedAcuity or Promenade Software?
MedAcuity 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 Promenade Software?
MedAcuity's primary differentiator is: US-based, ISO 13485 certified team that does nothing but regulated device software. Promenade Software's primary differentiator is: pairs contract device software with its own medical cybersecurity tooling and information-sharing service. They also differ in team size (100–130 vs 11–50), minimum engagement (Not disclosed vs Not disclosed), and primary industries served (Surgical & robotics, Diagnostics & lab devices vs Surgical & therapeutic devices, Digital health).
Verify all details directly with each company before making a decision.