DEPT vs SDG Group: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
DEPT (4.0/5) edges ahead of SDG Group (3.7/5) overall. DEPT is the better choice for large brands, ML-driven marketing personalization at scale. SDG Group is the stronger option for large enterprises, ML analytics within BPM programmes. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
DEPT vs SDG Group: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | DEPT | SDG Group |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2015 | 1994 |
| HQ | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Milan, Italy |
| Team size | 1000+ | 1000+ |
| Rating | 4.0 / 5 | 3.7 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | Proprietary AI marketing platform, Ada, and global scale of over 4,000 specialists across 30-plus offices, unmatched by any other firm on this list | Three decades of management consulting heritage applied to enterprise-scale analytics and AI programmes |
| Pricing model | Retainer, dedicated team | Retainer, dedicated team, fixed project |
| Min. engagement | $75K | $50K |
| Primary tech stack | Python, GCP, AWS | Python, Power BI, Tableau |
| Industries served | Retail, Media, Enterprise, E-commerce | Enterprise, Financial Services, Retail, Telecommunications |
DEPT vs SDG Group: overview
DEPT
DEPT, founded in Amsterdam in 2015, has grown into a global digital agency with over 4,000 digital specialists across more than 30 offices on five continents, backed by the Carlyle Group. DEPT's AI-enabled marketing technology platform, Ada, and its Engineering practice deliver machine learning-driven personalization, growth, and data engineering work for major brands including Google, TikTok, and eBay. As a large, private-equity-backed marketing and engineering agency, ML and AI here sits within a much broader full-service offering rather than being the firm's sole focus.
SDG Group
SDG Group, founded in 1994 and headquartered in Milan, Italy, is a global management consulting firm with roughly 2,000 employees and offices spanning Milan, Barcelona, London, and beyond. SDG Group specializes in business performance management and analytical applications, with machine learning and AI delivered as part of its broader business intelligence and enterprise analytics consulting practice.
Services and capabilities: DEPT vs SDG Group
| Capability | DEPT | SDG Group |
|---|---|---|
| ML model development | ✓ | ✓ |
| Computer vision | ✗ | ✗ |
| NLP | ✗ | ✗ |
| Generative AI / LLM integration | ✓ | ✗ |
| MLOps | ✗ | ✗ |
| AI strategy consulting | ✓ | ✓ |
| Staff augmentation | ✗ | ✗ |
Tech stack comparison: DEPT vs SDG Group
| Framework / platform | DEPT | SDG Group |
|---|---|---|
| Python | ✓ | ✓ |
| TensorFlow | ✓ | N/A |
| PyTorch | N/A | N/A |
| AWS | ✓ | ✓ |
| Azure | N/A | ✓ |
| Kubernetes | N/A | N/A |
Pricing comparison: DEPT vs SDG Group
| Criterion | DEPT | SDG Group |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | $75K | $50K |
| Engagement models | Retainer, Dedicated team | Retainer, Dedicated team, Fixed project |
| Rate transparency | Minimum disclosed | Minimum disclosed |
| Price tier | Accessible | Accessible |
Target audience comparison: DEPT vs SDG Group
| Dimension | DEPT | SDG Group |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Retail, Media, Enterprise | Enterprise, Financial Services, Retail |
| Best use cases | ML-driven marketing personalization at global brand scale, Enterprise data engineering supporting a large media or retail platform | Enterprise business performance management with an ML component, Large-scale analytical applications for finance or retail clients |
| Typical project type | Retainer | Retainer |
DEPT vs SDG Group: pros and cons
| DEPT | |
|---|---|
| + | Global scale of over 4,000 specialists across 30-plus offices, unmatched by any other firm on this list |
| + | Proprietary AI-enabled marketing technology platform, Ada, with proven enterprise brand clients |
| + | Carlyle Group backing provides financial stability for very large, long-term programmes |
| + | Named clients include Google, TikTok, KFC, and eBay, indicating enterprise-grade delivery capacity |
| - | ML and AI sits within a much broader marketing and full-service digital agency offering, not a dedicated ML practice |
| - | High minimum engagement size, inaccessible for startups or small businesses |
| - | Enterprise agency structure means less specialized, boutique-style ML research depth |
| SDG Group | |
|---|---|
| + | Three decades of operating history since founding in 1994, as a global management consulting firm |
| + | Enterprise-scale delivery capacity of roughly 2,000 staff across multiple European and international offices |
| + | Deep business performance management heritage grounds AI work in measurable business outcomes |
| + | Established relationships with large enterprise clients across multiple industries |
| - | AI and ML is embedded within a much broader business intelligence and management consulting practice, not a dedicated specialization |
| - | High minimum engagement size, inaccessible for startups or small businesses |
| - | Management-consulting-led engagement model may add overhead versus lean engineering-only ML shops |
Who should choose DEPT?
A typical fit: ML-driven marketing personalization at global brand scale.
Proprietary AI marketing platform, Ada, and global scale of over 4,000 specialists across 30-plus offices, unmatched by any other firm on this list. Minimum engagement starts at $75K. Works best with clients in Retail, Media, Enterprise, E-commerce.
Who should choose SDG Group?
A typical fit: enterprise business performance management with an ML component.
Three decades of management consulting heritage applied to enterprise-scale analytics and AI programmes. Minimum engagement starts at $50K. Works best with clients in Enterprise, Financial Services, Retail, Telecommunications.
Decision matrix: DEPT vs SDG Group
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | SDG Group |
| You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme | DEPT |
| Your budget is at the lower end | SDG Group |
| You need specialist depth in a specific vertical | DEPT |
| You need staff augmentation or team extension | Neither; consider alternatives that offer staff aug |
| You need consulting before committing to a build | DEPT |
Use case fit: DEPT vs SDG Group
| Use case | DEPT fit | SDG Group fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| ML-driven marketing personalization at global brand scale | Strong | Limited | DEPT |
| Enterprise data engineering supporting a large media or retail platform | Strong | Strong | Both equally |
| Enterprise business performance management with an ML component | Strong | Strong | Both equally |
| Large-scale analytical applications for finance or retail clients | Limited | Strong | SDG Group |
| Fixed-price build | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
| Staff augmentation | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
Verdict: DEPT vs SDG Group
DEPT (4.0/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Machine Learning Development projects. Proprietary AI marketing platform, Ada, and global scale of over 4,000 specialists across 30-plus offices, unmatched by any other firm on this list.
SDG Group (3.7/5) is worth a look if you need large-scale analytical applications for finance or retail clients. If your situation matches that, SDG Group is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
DEPT vs SDG Group FAQ
Is DEPT better than SDG Group?
DEPT (4.0/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. DEPT's strongest advantage: global scale of over 4,000 specialists across 30-plus offices, unmatched by any other firm on this list. SDG Group's strongest advantage: three decades of operating history since founding in 1994, as a global management consulting firm.
How do DEPT and SDG Group differ in pricing?
DEPT uses retainer, dedicated team pricing with a minimum engagement of $75K. SDG Group uses retainer, dedicated team, fixed project 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: DEPT or SDG Group?
DEPT 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 DEPT and SDG Group?
DEPT's primary differentiator is: proprietary AI marketing platform, Ada, and global scale of over 4,000 specialists across 30-plus offices, unmatched by any other firm on this list. SDG Group's primary differentiator is: three decades of management consulting heritage applied to enterprise-scale analytics and AI programmes. They also differ in team size (1000+ vs 1000+), minimum engagement ($75K vs $50K), and primary industries served (Retail, Media vs Enterprise, Financial Services).