StarFish Medical vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS): full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
StarFish Medical (4.6/5) edges ahead of Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) (4.0/5) overall. StarFish Medical is the better choice for startups needing design plus pilot manufacturing. Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) is the stronger option for touchscreen user interfaces on medical devices. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
StarFish Medical vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS): head-to-head summary
| Criterion | StarFish Medical | Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1999 | 1987 |
| HQ | Victoria, BC, Canada | Waltham, MA, USA |
| Team size | 201–250 | Not published |
| Rating | 4.6 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | Medtech-only practice that can build clinical and early commercial units in its own certified clean room | Qt and embedded UI depth applied to regulated device software, including on QNX |
| Pricing model | Phased fixed project, time and materials | Time and materials, fixed project |
| Min. engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Primary tech stack | ISO 13485 QMS, IEC 62304, ISO 14971 | Qt, QNX, Embedded Linux |
| Industries served | Diagnostics & lab devices, Surgical & therapeutic devices, Wearables & remote monitoring, Drug delivery | Surgical & robotics, Diagnostics & lab devices, Industrial, Automotive |
StarFish Medical vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS): overview
StarFish Medical
StarFish Medical was founded in Victoria, British Columbia, by Scott Phillips (the company gives 1999; some directories list 1998). It works only on medical devices, covering design, development and low-volume manufacturing in ISO 13485 certified facilities, and reports around 230 staff across Victoria, Toronto and Irvine (per company website; independently unverifiable). In November 2024 it acquired Omnica Corporation, a California medical device design firm, which added a larger US West Coast presence. Victoria remains the headquarters and its largest site.
Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)
Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) has worked in software since 1987 and is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, with offices in Sunnyvale and Ottawa. It describes itself as the largest independent source of Qt expertise in North America and runs a dedicated medtech practice for regulated device development (per company website; independently unverifiable). Since 2019 it has partnered with BlackBerry QNX for safety-critical medical work. ICS does not publish its headcount.
Services and capabilities: StarFish Medical vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)
| Capability | StarFish Medical | Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) |
|---|---|---|
| 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: StarFish Medical vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)
| Framework / platform | StarFish Medical | Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) |
|---|---|---|
| Embedded C/C++ | ✓ | N/A |
| Embedded Linux | N/A | ✓ |
| RTOS | N/A | N/A |
| BLE | N/A | N/A |
| Cloud (AWS/Azure) | N/A | ✓ |
| IEC 62304 | ✓ | ✓ |
| ISO 14971 | ✓ | N/A |
| ISO 13485 QMS | ✓ | N/A |
| Qt | N/A | ✓ |
Pricing comparison: StarFish Medical vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)
| Criterion | StarFish Medical | Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) |
|---|---|---|
| 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: StarFish Medical vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)
| Dimension | StarFish Medical | Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Diagnostics & lab devices, Surgical & therapeutic devices, Wearables & remote monitoring | Surgical & robotics, Diagnostics & lab devices, Industrial |
| Best use cases | Taking a venture-backed device from proof of concept to clinical-trial units, Designing an optical diagnostic instrument with its consumable | Designing and coding the touchscreen for a surgical console, Porting device software to Qt 6 on embedded Linux |
| Typical project type | Fixed project | Fixed project |
StarFish Medical vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS): pros and cons
| StarFish Medical | |
|---|---|
| + | Every project is a medical device, so design reviews, risk files and documentation follow medtech practice by default |
| + | Prototype and pilot production happen in its own ISO 13485 facility, avoiding an early transfer to a contract manufacturer |
| + | The Omnica acquisition adds Southern California capacity for US clients |
| + | Multidisciplinary teams cover industrial design, mechanics, electronics, software and human factors |
| - | Volume manufacturing beyond pilot quantities still needs a larger contract manufacturer |
| - | North American cost base makes it more expensive than Eastern European or Asian engineering teams |
| - | The Omnica integration is recent, so cross-site processes are still settling |
| Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) | |
|---|---|
| + | One of the deepest Qt benches in North America, useful for device GUIs |
| + | QNX partnership for safety-critical medical operating systems |
| + | Also offers device cybersecurity and regulatory support |
| + | Long history and US-based teams |
| - | Medtech is one practice among several industries |
| - | Not a hardware design firm |
| - | Headcount and certifications are not published |
Who should choose StarFish Medical?
A typical fit: taking a venture-backed device from proof of concept to clinical-trial units.
Medtech-only practice that can build clinical and early commercial units in its own certified clean room. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Diagnostics & lab devices, Surgical & therapeutic devices, Wearables & remote monitoring, Drug delivery.
Who should choose Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)?
A typical fit: designing and coding the touchscreen for a surgical console.
Qt and embedded UI depth applied to regulated device software, including on QNX. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Surgical & robotics, Diagnostics & lab devices, Industrial, Automotive.
Decision matrix: StarFish Medical vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | StarFish Medical |
| You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme | Check each company's engagement model |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Compare: StarFish Medical (Not disclosed) vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) (Not disclosed) |
| You need specialist depth in a specific vertical | StarFish Medical |
| 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: StarFish Medical vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)
| Use case | StarFish Medical fit | Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taking a venture-backed device from proof of concept to clinical-trial units | Strong | Limited | StarFish Medical |
| Designing an optical diagnostic instrument with its consumable | Strong | Strong | Both equally |
| Designing and coding the touchscreen for a surgical console | Strong | Strong | Both equally |
| Porting device software to Qt 6 on embedded Linux | Limited | Strong | Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) |
Verdict: StarFish Medical vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)
StarFish Medical (4.6/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Medical Device Development projects. Medtech-only practice that can build clinical and early commercial units in its own certified clean room.
Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) (4.0/5) is worth a look if you need porting device software to Qt 6 on embedded Linux. If your situation matches that, Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
StarFish Medical vs Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) FAQ
Is StarFish Medical better than Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)?
StarFish Medical (4.6/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. StarFish Medical's strongest advantage: every project is a medical device, so design reviews, risk files and documentation follow medtech practice by default. Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)'s strongest advantage: one of the deepest Qt benches in North America, useful for device GUIs.
How do StarFish Medical and Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) differ in pricing?
StarFish Medical uses phased fixed project, time and materials pricing. Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS) 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: StarFish Medical or Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)?
StarFish Medical 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 StarFish Medical and Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)?
StarFish Medical's primary differentiator is: medtech-only practice that can build clinical and early commercial units in its own certified clean room. Integrated Computer Solutions (ICS)'s primary differentiator is: qt and embedded UI depth applied to regulated device software, including on QNX. They also differ in team size (201–250 vs Not published), minimum engagement (Not disclosed vs Not disclosed), and primary industries served (Diagnostics & lab devices, Surgical & therapeutic devices vs Surgical & robotics, Diagnostics & lab devices).
Verify all details directly with each company before making a decision.