Promenade Software vs Delve: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
Promenade Software (4.1/5) edges ahead of Delve (4.0/5) overall. Promenade Software is the better choice for small device makers needing software and security. Delve is the stronger option for user research and industrial design for medtech. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
Promenade Software vs Delve: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | Promenade Software | Delve |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2013 | 2021 |
| HQ | Irvine, CA, USA | Madison, WI, USA |
| Team size | 11–50 | 200–500 |
| Rating | 4.1 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | Pairs contract device software with its own medical cybersecurity tooling and information-sharing service | Design research and industrial design depth from two long-established US studios |
| Pricing model | Time and materials, fixed project | Time and materials, phased fixed project |
| Min. engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Primary tech stack | Embedded C/C++, Cloud (AWS/Azure), IEC 62304 | SolidWorks, Usability engineering, Rapid prototyping |
| Industries served | Surgical & therapeutic devices, Digital health, Diagnostics & lab devices | Wearables & remote monitoring, Surgical & therapeutic devices, Consumer products, Industrial |
Promenade Software vs Delve: overview
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.
Delve
Delve is a product design and innovation firm headquartered in Madison, Wisconsin, with studios in Boston, Philadelphia and San Francisco. Trinity Hunt Partners bought it in 2021 and merged it with Philadelphia's Bresslergroup (founded 1970), and the combined business now operates under the Delve name and later acquired digital design firm altr. Its team is estimated at 200 to 500 people. Delve says it designed and engineered the Dexcom G6 continuous glucose monitor (per company website; independently unverifiable), and medical devices are a large share of its work alongside consumer and industrial products.
Services and capabilities: Promenade Software vs Delve
| Capability | Promenade Software | Delve |
|---|---|---|
| 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: Promenade Software vs Delve
| Framework / platform | Promenade Software | Delve |
|---|---|---|
| Embedded C/C++ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Embedded Linux | N/A | N/A |
| RTOS | N/A | N/A |
| BLE | N/A | N/A |
| Cloud (AWS/Azure) | ✓ | N/A |
| IEC 62304 | ✓ | N/A |
| ISO 14971 | N/A | N/A |
| ISO 13485 QMS | N/A | N/A |
| Qt | N/A | N/A |
Pricing comparison: Promenade Software vs Delve
| Criterion | Promenade Software | Delve |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Engagement models | Fixed project, Time & materials | Consulting, Fixed project, Time & materials |
| Rate transparency | Not public | Not public |
| Price tier | Mid-market | Mid-market |
Target audience comparison: Promenade Software vs Delve
| Dimension | Promenade Software | Delve |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Surgical & therapeutic devices, Digital health, Diagnostics & lab devices | Wearables & remote monitoring, Surgical & therapeutic devices, Consumer products |
| Best use cases | Firmware and cloud software for an early-stage device, Building SBOM and vulnerability monitoring for a cleared device | Industrial design and user research for a wearable, Human factors work on a home-use device |
| Typical project type | Fixed project | Consulting |
Promenade Software vs Delve: pros and cons
| 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 |
| Delve | |
|---|---|
| + | Strong user research and industrial design, important for patient-worn devices |
| + | Multiple US studios |
| + | Public wearable CGM experience |
| + | Bresslergroup brings a long patent and design-award record |
| - | Private-equity owned since 2021 and built through mergers |
| - | Medical is a large share, but consumer and industrial work compete for attention |
| - | ISO 13485 certification was not confirmed in our research |
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.
Who should choose Delve?
A typical fit: industrial design and user research for a wearable.
Design research and industrial design depth from two long-established US studios. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Wearables & remote monitoring, Surgical & therapeutic devices, Consumer products, Industrial.
Decision matrix: Promenade Software vs Delve
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | Promenade Software |
| You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme | Check each company's engagement model |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Compare: Promenade Software (Not disclosed) vs Delve (Not disclosed) |
| You need specialist depth in a specific vertical | Delve |
| 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: Promenade Software vs Delve
| Use case | Promenade Software fit | Delve fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Firmware and cloud software for an early-stage device | Strong | Limited | Promenade Software |
| Building SBOM and vulnerability monitoring for a cleared device | Strong | Limited | Promenade Software |
| Industrial design and user research for a wearable | Limited | Strong | Delve |
| Human factors work on a home-use device | Limited | Strong | Delve |
Verdict: Promenade Software vs Delve
Promenade Software (4.1/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Medical Device Development projects. Pairs contract device software with its own medical cybersecurity tooling and information-sharing service.
Delve (4.0/5) is worth a look if you need human factors work on a home-use device. If your situation matches that, Delve is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
Promenade Software vs Delve FAQ
Is Promenade Software better than Delve?
Promenade Software (4.1/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. Promenade Software's strongest advantage: Software-only, ISO 13485 certified team that knows FDA expectations. Delve's strongest advantage: strong user research and industrial design, important for patient-worn devices.
How do Promenade Software and Delve differ in pricing?
Promenade Software uses time and materials, fixed project pricing. Delve uses time and materials, phased fixed project pricing. Neither firm publishes a full rate card; a discovery call is required for project-specific quotes.
Which is better for enterprise: Promenade Software or Delve?
Delve 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 Promenade Software and Delve?
Promenade Software's primary differentiator is: pairs contract device software with its own medical cybersecurity tooling and information-sharing service. Delve's primary differentiator is: design research and industrial design depth from two long-established US studios. They also differ in team size (11–50 vs 200–500), minimum engagement (Not disclosed vs Not disclosed), and primary industries served (Surgical & therapeutic devices, Digital health vs Wearables & remote monitoring, Surgical & therapeutic devices).
Verify all details directly with each company before making a decision.