Best Machine Learning Agencies

DataArt vs Centric Consulting: full comparison for 2026

Last updated: July 2026

Quick verdict

DataArt (3.9/5) edges ahead of Centric Consulting (3.7/5) overall. DataArt is the better choice for enterprises wanting ML services from a large, established software engineering firm with fintech or travel domain depth. Centric Consulting is the stronger option for uS mid-to-large enterprises needing ML consulting integrated within business strategy and management transformation. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.

DataArt vs Centric Consulting: head-to-head summary

Criterion DataArt Centric Consulting
Founded 1997 1999
HQ New York, NY Columbus, OH
Team size 5,700+ 800+
Rating 3.9 / 5 3.7 / 5
Best for Enterprises wanting ML services from a large, established software engineering firm with fintech or travel domain depth US mid-to-large enterprises needing ML consulting integrated within business strategy and management transformation
Pricing model T&M, dedicated team T&M, retainer
Min. engagement $50K+ $50K+
Primary tech stack Python, TensorFlow, PyTorch Python, Azure, AWS
Industries served fintech, healthcare, travel, media, retail financial, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, logistics

DataArt vs Centric Consulting: overview

DataArt

DataArt was founded in 1997 by Eugene Goland and is headquartered in New York, with offices across 15 global locations and 5,700+ employees. The company delivers AI and ML services — predictive analytics, NLP, data mining, and computer vision — alongside broader software engineering for clients in fintech, healthcare, and travel. DataArt was named an Inc. 5000 honoree in 2024. ML is one service line among many in DataArt's broad software engineering portfolio. (Employee count and founding year per DataArt Wikipedia and official website.)

Centric Consulting

Centric Consulting is a US-based management consulting firm with 25 years of experience, headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, with 800+ professionals. The company provides AI strategy, ML consulting, cloud solutions, and cyber risk management, positioning ML as a tool for business forecasting, fraud detection, and process optimisation within broader transformation programmes. (Founding year and scale per Centric Consulting official website.)

Services and capabilities: DataArt vs Centric Consulting

Capability DataArt Centric Consulting
Custom ML build
ML consulting
Computer vision
NLP / LLM
Predictive analytics
MLOps
Data engineering
Generative AI
Staff augmentation
Fixed-price projects
Dedicated team model

Tech stack comparison: DataArt vs Centric Consulting

Framework / platform DataArt Centric Consulting
Python
TensorFlow N/A
PyTorch N/A
AWS SageMaker N/A N/A
Azure ML N/A N/A

Pricing comparison: DataArt vs Centric Consulting

Criterion DataArt Centric Consulting
Minimum engagement $50K+ $50K+
Engagement models T&M, Dedicated team, Retainer T&M, Retainer
Rate transparency Minimum disclosed Minimum disclosed
Price tier Accessible Accessible

Target audience comparison: DataArt vs Centric Consulting

Dimension DataArt Centric Consulting
Best company size Startup to mid-market Startup to mid-market
Best industries fintech, healthcare, travel financial, healthcare, manufacturing
Best use cases ML feature integration into existing fintech platform, Travel recommendation engine ML strategy within business transformation, Forecasting model for manufacturing operations
Typical project type T&M T&M

DataArt vs Centric Consulting: pros and cons

DataArt
+ 5,700+ engineers — sufficient capacity for large parallel programmes
+ 29 years of software delivery history — low company risk
+ Strong fintech and travel sector domain depth
+ Inc. 5000 2024 — verified revenue growth
+ 15 global offices for enterprise procurement alignment
- ML is one practice among many — not a pure ML specialist
- Minimum engagement and overhead suited to enterprise, not startups
- Large firm processes can reduce speed relative to boutique ML agencies
Centric Consulting
+ 25 years of US management consulting experience — strong business context
+ ML integrated within broader transformation programme delivery
+ Multiple US locations — accessible for on-site engagement
+ Azure and cloud expertise alongside ML consulting
- ML is an ancillary offering within management consulting — not ML-first
- Higher overhead than boutique ML agencies — pricing reflects consulting firm structure
- Less suited to pure technical ML builds or data engineering

Who should choose DataArt?

DataArt is the right choice for enterprises wanting ML services from a large, established software engineering firm with fintech or travel domain depth.

1997-founded, 5,700-engineer global firm — enterprise scale and continuity across ML and software in fintech and travel. Minimum engagement starts at $50K+. Works best with clients in fintech, healthcare, travel, media, retail.

Who should choose Centric Consulting?

Centric Consulting is the right choice for uS mid-to-large enterprises needing ML consulting integrated within business strategy and management transformation.

Business-outcome ML consulting — AI within management transformation, not pure technology delivery. Minimum engagement starts at $50K+. Works best with clients in financial, healthcare, manufacturing, retail, logistics.

Decision matrix: DataArt vs Centric Consulting

Your situation Recommended choice
You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope Both offer fixed-price models
You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme DataArt
Your budget is at the lower end DataArt
You need specialist depth in a specific vertical DataArt
You need staff augmentation or team extension Neither; consider alternatives that offer staff aug
You need consulting before committing to a build DataArt

Use case fit: DataArt vs Centric Consulting

Use case DataArt fit Centric Consulting fit Winner
ML feature integration into existing fintech platform Strong Strong Both equally
Travel recommendation engine Strong Limited DataArt
ML strategy within business transformation Strong Strong Both equally
Forecasting model for manufacturing operations Limited Strong Centric Consulting
Fixed-price build Limited Limited Both equally
Staff augmentation Limited Limited Both equally

Verdict: DataArt vs Centric Consulting

DataArt (3.9/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Machine Learning projects. 1997-founded, 5,700-engineer global firm — enterprise scale and continuity across ML and software in fintech and travel. It is best for enterprises wanting ML services from a large, established software engineering firm with fintech or travel domain depth.

Centric Consulting (3.7/5) is the better choice when uS mid-to-large enterprises needing ML consulting integrated within business strategy and management transformation. If your situation matches those criteria, Centric Consulting is a competitive option.

Related comparisons

DataArt vs Centric Consulting FAQ

Is DataArt better than Centric Consulting?

DataArt (3.9/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. DataArt is better for enterprises wanting ML services from a large, established software engineering firm with fintech or travel domain depth. Centric Consulting is better for uS mid-to-large enterprises needing ML consulting integrated within business strategy and management transformation.

How do DataArt and Centric Consulting differ in pricing?

DataArt uses t&m, dedicated team pricing with a minimum engagement of $50K+. Centric Consulting uses t&m, retainer pricing with a minimum engagement of $50K+. Neither firm publishes a full rate card; a discovery call is required for project-specific quotes.

Which is better for enterprise: DataArt or Centric Consulting?

DataArt is the larger team and typically the better enterprise-scale choice. For very large programmes, verify team size and compliance coverage directly with each agency before shortlisting.

What are the main differences between DataArt and Centric Consulting?

DataArt's primary differentiator is: 1997-founded, 5,700-engineer global firm — enterprise scale and continuity across ml and software in fintech and travel. Centric Consulting's primary differentiator is: business-outcome ml consulting — ai within management transformation, not pure technology delivery. They also differ in team size (5,700+ vs 800+), minimum engagement ($50K+ vs $50K+), and primary industries served (fintech, healthcare vs financial, healthcare).

Last reviewed: July 2026. Verify all details directly with each agency before making a decision.