Cleveroad vs LeewayHertz: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
Cleveroad (4.0/5) edges ahead of LeewayHertz (3.9/5) overall. Cleveroad is the better choice for EU startups needing AI inside a mobile or web product. LeewayHertz is the stronger option for US buyers wanting broad generative AI coverage in one agency. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
Cleveroad vs LeewayHertz: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | Cleveroad | LeewayHertz |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2011 | 2007 |
| HQ | Krakow, Poland | San Francisco, United States |
| Team size | 113-200 | 150-300 |
| Rating | 4.0 / 5 | 3.9 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | Krakow-based production-deployment discipline carried over from a decade of mobile and web delivery | Backed by The Hackett Group's consulting network following its 2024 acquisition |
| Pricing model | Fixed project or dedicated team | Fixed project or dedicated team |
| Min. engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Primary tech stack | Python, React Native, AWS | Python, PyTorch, OpenAI API |
| Industries served | Retail & e-commerce, Healthcare, Logistics | Financial services, Healthcare, Retail & e-commerce, Manufacturing |
Cleveroad vs LeewayHertz: overview
Cleveroad
Cleveroad has operated since 2011, with sources most consistently placing its working base in Krakow, Poland, an EU member state, though LinkedIn lists a Claymont, Delaware entity. Employee counts vary from roughly 113 up to a LinkedIn-reported 201-500. The firm's roots are in mobile and web development, with production-grade AI deployment positioned as a newer strength built on that existing EU-based delivery discipline.
LeewayHertz
LeewayHertz has operated from San Francisco since 2007, though ownership changed in September 2024 when The Hackett Group acquired the company. Employee counts have shifted from roughly 300 in earlier reporting to about 182 by mid-2026. No European office is publicly listed, so EU clients would contract with a purely US-based (now Hackett Group-owned) entity.
Services and capabilities: Cleveroad vs LeewayHertz
| Capability | Cleveroad | LeewayHertz |
|---|---|---|
| Generative AI | ✓ | ✓ |
| Machine learning | ✓ | ✓ |
| AI agents | ✗ | ✓ |
| MLOps | ✗ | ✗ |
| AI consulting | ✗ | ✗ |
| Fixed-price projects | ✓ | ✓ |
| Dedicated team model | ✓ | ✓ |
Tech stack comparison: Cleveroad vs LeewayHertz
| Framework / platform | Cleveroad | LeewayHertz |
|---|---|---|
| Python | ✓ | ✓ |
| AWS | ✓ | ✓ |
| Azure | N/A | ✓ |
| OpenAI API | ✓ | ✓ |
| TensorFlow | ✓ | N/A |
| PyTorch | N/A | ✓ |
| Kubernetes | N/A | N/A |
Pricing comparison: Cleveroad vs LeewayHertz
| Criterion | Cleveroad | LeewayHertz |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Engagement models | Fixed project, Dedicated team | Fixed project, Dedicated team |
| Rate transparency | Not public | Not public |
| Price tier | Mid-market | Mid-market |
Target audience comparison: Cleveroad vs LeewayHertz
| Dimension | Cleveroad | LeewayHertz |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Retail & e-commerce, Healthcare, Logistics | Financial services, Healthcare, Retail & e-commerce |
| Best use cases | Adding AI features to a mobile app already in production for a European market., Getting a startup MVP built with AI as one feature among several. | Consolidating several generative AI workstreams under one US-based vendor relationship., Working with an agency backed by a larger consulting parent for enterprise credibility. |
| Typical project type | Fixed project | Fixed project |
Cleveroad vs LeewayHertz: pros and cons
| Cleveroad | |
|---|---|
| + | Krakow, Poland base keeps primary delivery inside the EU. |
| + | Over a decade of delivery history across startup and enterprise clients. |
| + | Operates across four continents, giving flexible timezone coverage beyond just Europe. |
| + | AI positioned as an addition to, not a replacement for, established delivery skills. |
| - | Corporate entity structure (Delaware listing alongside Poland delivery) is reported inconsistently across sources |
| - | AI-specific case studies are less prominent than the firm's mobile and web development portfolio |
| LeewayHertz | |
|---|---|
| + | Broad coverage across generative AI, machine learning, and AI agents under one agency. |
| + | The Hackett Group acquisition adds access to a larger consulting and benchmarking network. |
| + | Close to two decades of operating history predating the current AI boom. |
| + | High volume of published technical content makes its approach easy to evaluate before hiring. |
| - | No publicly listed European office or legal entity |
| - | Now owned by The Hackett Group as of 2024, which may shift long-term positioning |
Who should choose Cleveroad?
A typical fit: adding AI features to a mobile app already in production for a European market.
Krakow-based production-deployment discipline carried over from a decade of mobile and web delivery. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Retail & e-commerce, Healthcare, Logistics.
Who should choose LeewayHertz?
A typical fit: consolidating several generative AI workstreams under one US-based vendor relationship.
Backed by The Hackett Group's consulting network following its 2024 acquisition. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Financial services, Healthcare, Retail & e-commerce, Manufacturing.
Decision matrix: Cleveroad vs LeewayHertz
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | Cleveroad |
| You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme | Cleveroad |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Compare: Cleveroad (Not disclosed) vs LeewayHertz (Not disclosed) |
| You need specialist depth in a specific vertical | LeewayHertz |
| 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: Cleveroad vs LeewayHertz
| Use case | Cleveroad fit | LeewayHertz fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adding AI features to a mobile app already in production for a European market. | Strong | Limited | Cleveroad |
| Getting a startup MVP built with AI as one feature among several. | Strong | Strong | Both equally |
| Consolidating several generative AI workstreams under one US-based vendor relationship. | Limited | Strong | LeewayHertz |
| Working with an agency backed by a larger consulting parent for enterprise credibility. | Strong | Strong | Both equally |
| Fixed-price build | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
| Staff augmentation | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
Verdict: Cleveroad vs LeewayHertz
Cleveroad (4.0/5) is the stronger overall choice for most AI Development projects. Krakow-based production-deployment discipline carried over from a decade of mobile and web delivery.
LeewayHertz (3.9/5) is worth a look if you need working with an agency backed by a larger consulting parent for enterprise credibility. If your situation matches that, LeewayHertz is a competitive option.
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Cleveroad vs LeewayHertz FAQ
Is Cleveroad better than LeewayHertz?
Cleveroad (4.0/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. Cleveroad's strongest advantage: Krakow, Poland base keeps primary delivery inside the EU. LeewayHertz's strongest advantage: broad coverage across generative AI, machine learning, and AI agents under one agency.
How do Cleveroad and LeewayHertz differ in pricing?
Cleveroad uses fixed project or dedicated team pricing. LeewayHertz uses fixed project or dedicated team pricing. Neither firm publishes a full rate card; a discovery call is required for project-specific quotes.
Which is better for enterprise: Cleveroad or LeewayHertz?
LeewayHertz 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 Cleveroad and LeewayHertz?
Cleveroad's primary differentiator is: krakow-based production-deployment discipline carried over from a decade of mobile and web delivery. LeewayHertz's primary differentiator is: backed by The Hackett Group's consulting network following its 2024 acquisition. They also differ in team size (113-200 vs 150-300), minimum engagement (Not disclosed vs Not disclosed), and primary industries served (Retail & e-commerce, Healthcare vs Financial services, Healthcare).
Verify all details directly with each company before making a decision.