Planet Innovation vs Promenade Software: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
Planet Innovation (4.2/5) edges ahead of Promenade Software (4.1/5) overall. Planet Innovation is the better choice for diagnostics companies in Asia-Pacific and the US. 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.
Planet Innovation vs Promenade Software: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | Planet Innovation | Promenade Software |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2009 | 2013 |
| HQ | Box Hill, Victoria, Australia | Irvine, CA, USA |
| Team size | 300–400 | 11–50 |
| Rating | 4.2 / 5 | 4.1 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | Diagnostics roots plus product and commercialization experience in Australia and the US | Pairs contract device software with its own medical cybersecurity tooling and information-sharing service |
| Pricing model | Fixed project, time and materials | Time and materials, fixed project |
| Min. engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Primary tech stack | Embedded C/C++, Cloud (AWS/Azure), Microfluidics | Embedded C/C++, Cloud (AWS/Azure), IEC 62304 |
| Industries served | Diagnostics & lab devices, Digital health, Wearables & remote monitoring | Surgical & therapeutic devices, Digital health, Diagnostics & lab devices |
Planet Innovation vs Promenade Software: overview
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.
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: Planet Innovation vs Promenade Software
| Capability | Planet Innovation | 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: Planet Innovation vs Promenade Software
| Framework / platform | Planet Innovation | 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 | N/A | ✓ |
| ISO 14971 | N/A | N/A |
| ISO 13485 QMS | ✓ | N/A |
| Qt | N/A | N/A |
Pricing comparison: Planet Innovation vs Promenade Software
| Criterion | Planet Innovation | Promenade Software |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Engagement models | Fixed project, Manufacturing contract, Time & materials | Fixed project, Time & materials |
| Rate transparency | Not public | Not public |
| Price tier | Mid-market | Mid-market |
Target audience comparison: Planet Innovation vs Promenade Software
| Dimension | Planet Innovation | Promenade Software |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Diagnostics & lab devices, Digital health, Wearables & remote monitoring | Surgical & therapeutic devices, Digital health, Diagnostics & lab devices |
| Best use cases | Developing a connected point-of-care diagnostic, Commercialization planning for an Australian medtech startup | 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 |
Planet Innovation vs Promenade Software: pros and cons
| 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 |
| 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 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.
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: Planet Innovation vs Promenade Software
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | Planet Innovation |
| You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme | Check each company's engagement model |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Compare: Planet Innovation (Not disclosed) vs Promenade Software (Not disclosed) |
| You need specialist depth in a specific vertical | Planet Innovation |
| 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: Planet Innovation vs Promenade Software
| Use case | Planet Innovation fit | Promenade Software fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Developing a connected point-of-care diagnostic | Strong | Limited | Planet Innovation |
| Commercialization planning for an Australian medtech startup | Strong | Limited | Planet Innovation |
| Firmware and cloud software for an early-stage device | Limited | Strong | Promenade Software |
| Building SBOM and vulnerability monitoring for a cleared device | Limited | Strong | Promenade Software |
Verdict: Planet Innovation vs Promenade Software
Planet Innovation (4.2/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Medical Device Development projects. Diagnostics roots plus product and commercialization experience in Australia and the US.
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
Planet Innovation vs Promenade Software FAQ
Is Planet Innovation better than Promenade Software?
Planet Innovation (4.2/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. Planet Innovation's strongest advantage: founders came from the diagnostics industry, and diagnostics is still its strongest area. Promenade Software's strongest advantage: Software-only, ISO 13485 certified team that knows FDA expectations.
How do Planet Innovation and Promenade Software differ in pricing?
Planet Innovation uses fixed project, time and materials 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: Planet Innovation or Promenade Software?
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 Planet Innovation and Promenade Software?
Planet Innovation's primary differentiator is: diagnostics roots plus product and commercialization experience in Australia and the US. 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 (300–400 vs 11–50), minimum engagement (Not disclosed vs Not disclosed), and primary industries served (Diagnostics & lab devices, Digital health vs Surgical & therapeutic devices, Digital health).
Verify all details directly with each company before making a decision.