Best Medical Device Development Companies

Simbex vs ScienceSoft: full comparison for 2026

Quick verdict

Simbex (3.9/5) edges ahead of ScienceSoft (3.9/5) overall. Simbex is the better choice for sensor wearables and biomechanics research. ScienceSoft is the stronger option for SaMD and device software on a budget. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.

Simbex vs ScienceSoft: head-to-head summary

Criterion Simbex ScienceSoft
Founded 2000 1989
HQ Lebanon, NH, USA McKinney, TX, USA
Team size 11–100 700–800
Rating 3.9 / 5 3.9 / 5
Primary differentiator Biomechanics and sensor research background applied to wearable health devices Large, ISO 13485 certified software team with healthcare analytics and testing services
Pricing model Time and materials, fixed project Fixed project, time and materials, dedicated team
Min. engagement Not disclosed Not disclosed
Primary tech stack BLE, Embedded C/C++, Sensor fusion .NET, Java, iOS
Industries served Wearables & remote monitoring, Sports technology, Digital health Digital health, Diagnostics & lab devices, Wearables & remote monitoring, Financial services

Simbex vs ScienceSoft: overview

Simbex

Simbex was founded in 2000 in Lebanon, New Hampshire, and works on product design, applied research and commercialization in medtech, health tech and sports technology. Riddell, the American football helmet maker and a long-time client, acquired it in April 2024. Its medical work includes RestEaze, a remote monitoring device for sleep disorder diagnosis built with Tanzen Medical, and fall-detection wearables. Team size estimates range from 11 to 100.

ScienceSoft

Healthcare IT has been a ScienceSoft practice since 2005, inside a McKinney, Texas, software company that dates to 1989. The company holds ISO 13485:2016 certification for medical device software and SaMD, and it states experience preparing software for FDA clearance and CE marking (per company website; independently unverifiable). Its team is about 750. Its medical work is mostly software: SaMD, device companion apps, data analytics and medical device software testing.

Services and capabilities: Simbex vs ScienceSoft

Capability Simbex ScienceSoft
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: Simbex vs ScienceSoft

Framework / platform Simbex ScienceSoft
Embedded C/C++ ✓ N/A
Embedded Linux N/A N/A
RTOS N/A N/A
BLE ✓ 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: Simbex vs ScienceSoft

Criterion Simbex ScienceSoft
Minimum engagement Not disclosed Not disclosed
Engagement models Fixed project, Time & materials Dedicated team, Fixed project, Time & materials
Rate transparency Not public Not public
Price tier Mid-market Mid-market

Target audience comparison: Simbex vs ScienceSoft

Dimension Simbex ScienceSoft
Best company size Startup to mid-market Startup to mid-market
Best industries Wearables & remote monitoring, Sports technology, Digital health Digital health, Diagnostics & lab devices, Wearables & remote monitoring
Best use cases Sensor-based wearable for remote monitoring, Biomechanics research study for a device concept SaMD for clinical decision support, Mobile companion app for an existing device
Typical project type Fixed project Dedicated team

Simbex vs ScienceSoft: pros and cons

Simbex
+ Strong sensor and biomechanics research skills
+ Experience with wearable monitoring devices
+ Covers design through commercialization planning
+ Small team with direct access to principals
- Owned by Riddell since April 2024, so sports technology may take priority over medical clients
- Small team
- Fewer regulated Class II and III device credits than medtech-only firms
ScienceSoft
+ ISO 13485 certification covers medical device software and SaMD
+ Large team can staff software projects quickly
+ Offers medical device software testing as a separate service
+ Competitive rates compared with US onshore software firms
- Generalist IT company where healthcare is one of many practices
- No hardware, electronics or mechanical design
- FDA and CE experience claims are self-reported

Who should choose Simbex?

A typical fit: sensor-based wearable for remote monitoring.

Biomechanics and sensor research background applied to wearable health devices. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Wearables & remote monitoring, Sports technology, Digital health.

Who should choose ScienceSoft?

A typical fit: SaMD for clinical decision support.

Large, ISO 13485 certified software team with healthcare analytics and testing services. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Digital health, Diagnostics & lab devices, Wearables & remote monitoring, Financial services.

Decision matrix: Simbex vs ScienceSoft

Your situation Recommended choice
You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope Simbex
You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme ScienceSoft
Your budget is at the lower end Compare: Simbex (Not disclosed) vs ScienceSoft (Not disclosed)
You need specialist depth in a specific vertical ScienceSoft
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: Simbex vs ScienceSoft

Use case Simbex fit ScienceSoft fit Winner
Sensor-based wearable for remote monitoring Strong Limited Simbex
Biomechanics research study for a device concept Strong Limited Simbex
SaMD for clinical decision support Limited Strong ScienceSoft
Mobile companion app for an existing device Limited Strong ScienceSoft

Verdict: Simbex vs ScienceSoft

Simbex (3.9/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Medical Device Development projects. Biomechanics and sensor research background applied to wearable health devices.

ScienceSoft (3.9/5) is worth a look if you need mobile companion app for an existing device. If your situation matches that, ScienceSoft is a competitive option.

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Simbex vs ScienceSoft FAQ

Is Simbex better than ScienceSoft?

Simbex (3.9/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. Simbex's strongest advantage: strong sensor and biomechanics research skills. ScienceSoft's strongest advantage: ISO 13485 certification covers medical device software and SaMD.

How do Simbex and ScienceSoft differ in pricing?

Simbex uses time and materials, fixed project pricing. ScienceSoft uses fixed project, time and materials, dedicated team pricing. Neither firm publishes a full rate card; a discovery call is required for project-specific quotes.

Which is better for enterprise: Simbex or ScienceSoft?

ScienceSoft 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 Simbex and ScienceSoft?

Simbex's primary differentiator is: biomechanics and sensor research background applied to wearable health devices. ScienceSoft's primary differentiator is: Large, ISO 13485 certified software team with healthcare analytics and testing services. They also differ in team size (11–100 vs 700–800), minimum engagement (Not disclosed vs Not disclosed), and primary industries served (Wearables & remote monitoring, Sports technology vs Digital health, Diagnostics & lab devices).

Verify all details directly with each company before making a decision.