StarFish Medical vs Softeq: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
StarFish Medical (4.6/5) edges ahead of Softeq (3.9/5) overall. StarFish Medical is the better choice for startups needing design plus pilot manufacturing. Softeq is the stronger option for connected devices needing hardware plus apps. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
StarFish Medical vs Softeq: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | StarFish Medical | Softeq |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1999 | 1997 |
| HQ | Victoria, BC, Canada | Houston, TX, USA |
| Team size | 201–250 | 250–500 |
| Rating | 4.6 / 5 | 3.9 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | Medtech-only practice that can build clinical and early commercial units in its own certified clean room | Hardware, firmware, mobile and cloud teams in one company, with ISO 13485 in place |
| Pricing model | Phased fixed project, time and materials | Fixed project, time and materials, dedicated team |
| Min. engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Primary tech stack | ISO 13485 QMS, IEC 62304, ISO 14971 | PCB design, Embedded Linux, RTOS |
| Industries served | Diagnostics & lab devices, Surgical & therapeutic devices, Wearables & remote monitoring, Drug delivery | Wearables & remote monitoring, Digital health, Consumer electronics, Industrial |
StarFish Medical vs Softeq: 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.
Softeq
Houston-based Softeq Development Corporation dates to 1997 and builds hardware, embedded, mobile, web and cloud products. The company holds ISO 13485 certification, which it presents as evidence that it can build medical devices to industry rules. Medical devices are one of several markets it serves, along with consumer electronics and industrial IoT. Its team is in the 250 to 500 range.
Services and capabilities: StarFish Medical vs Softeq
| Capability | StarFish Medical | Softeq |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Softeq
| Framework / platform | StarFish Medical | Softeq |
|---|---|---|
| Embedded C/C++ | ✓ | N/A |
| Embedded Linux | N/A | ✓ |
| RTOS | N/A | ✓ |
| BLE | N/A | ✓ |
| Cloud (AWS/Azure) | N/A | ✓ |
| IEC 62304 | ✓ | N/A |
| ISO 14971 | ✓ | N/A |
| ISO 13485 QMS | ✓ | N/A |
| Qt | N/A | N/A |
Pricing comparison: StarFish Medical vs Softeq
| Criterion | StarFish Medical | Softeq |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Engagement models | Fixed project, Manufacturing contract, Time & materials | Dedicated team, Fixed project, Time & materials |
| Rate transparency | Not public | Not public |
| Price tier | Mid-market | Mid-market |
Target audience comparison: StarFish Medical vs Softeq
| Dimension | StarFish Medical | Softeq |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Diagnostics & lab devices, Surgical & therapeutic devices, Wearables & remote monitoring | Wearables & remote monitoring, Digital health, Consumer electronics |
| Best use cases | Taking a venture-backed device from proof of concept to clinical-trial units, Designing an optical diagnostic instrument with its consumable | Connected home-use device with a mobile app, Firmware and cloud for a remote monitoring wearable |
| Typical project type | Fixed project | Dedicated team |
StarFish Medical vs Softeq: 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 |
| Softeq | |
|---|---|
| + | Covers hardware, firmware, apps and cloud for connected devices |
| + | ISO 13485 certification |
| + | Long company history since 1997 |
| + | Flexible engagement models including dedicated teams |
| - | Generalist firm where medical is one market among many |
| - | Few public medical device case studies |
| - | No industrial design or manufacturing |
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 Softeq?
A typical fit: connected home-use device with a mobile app.
Hardware, firmware, mobile and cloud teams in one company, with ISO 13485 in place. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Wearables & remote monitoring, Digital health, Consumer electronics, Industrial.
Decision matrix: StarFish Medical vs Softeq
| 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 | Softeq |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Compare: StarFish Medical (Not disclosed) vs Softeq (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 Softeq
| Use case | StarFish Medical fit | Softeq 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 | Limited | StarFish Medical |
| Connected home-use device with a mobile app | Limited | Strong | Softeq |
| Firmware and cloud for a remote monitoring wearable | Limited | Strong | Softeq |
Verdict: StarFish Medical vs Softeq
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.
Softeq (3.9/5) is worth a look if you need firmware and cloud for a remote monitoring wearable. If your situation matches that, Softeq is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
StarFish Medical vs Softeq FAQ
Is StarFish Medical better than Softeq?
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. Softeq's strongest advantage: covers hardware, firmware, apps and cloud for connected devices.
How do StarFish Medical and Softeq differ in pricing?
StarFish Medical uses phased fixed project, time and materials pricing. Softeq 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: StarFish Medical or Softeq?
Softeq 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 Softeq?
StarFish Medical's primary differentiator is: medtech-only practice that can build clinical and early commercial units in its own certified clean room. Softeq's primary differentiator is: Hardware, firmware, mobile and cloud teams in one company, with ISO 13485 in place. They also differ in team size (201–250 vs 250–500), minimum engagement (Not disclosed vs Not disclosed), and primary industries served (Diagnostics & lab devices, Surgical & therapeutic devices vs Wearables & remote monitoring, Digital health).
Verify all details directly with each company before making a decision.