DEPT vs Transparity: full comparison for 2026
Last updated: July 2026
Quick verdict
DEPT (4.0/5) edges ahead of Transparity (3.7/5) overall. DEPT is the better choice for large enterprise brands needing ML-driven marketing personalization at global scale. Transparity is the stronger option for uK enterprises fully standardized on Microsoft Azure wanting AI transformation through a certified Microsoft partner. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
DEPT vs Transparity: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | DEPT | Transparity |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2015 | 2015 |
| HQ | Amsterdam, Netherlands | United Kingdom |
| Team size | 1000+ | 201–500 |
| Rating | 4.0 / 5 | 3.7 / 5 |
| Best for | Large enterprise brands needing ML-driven marketing personalization at global scale | UK enterprises fully standardized on Microsoft Azure wanting AI transformation through a certified Microsoft partner |
| Pricing model | Retainer, dedicated team | Retainer, fixed project, dedicated team |
| Min. engagement | $75K | $30K |
| Primary tech stack | Python, GCP, AWS | Azure ML, Azure OpenAI Service, Power BI |
| Industries served | Retail, Media, Enterprise, E-commerce | Insurance, Financial Services, Enterprise, Public Sector |
DEPT vs Transparity: 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.
Transparity
Transparity, founded in 2015 by David Jobbins and Colin Macandrew, is a UK-headquartered Microsoft pureplay technology partner with around 289 employees. The company delivers AI and machine learning transformation primarily through Microsoft Azure and Copilot technologies via its proprietary AI Factory framework, as demonstrated in its Bordereaux Sync project built with Charles Taylor InsureTech.
Services and capabilities: DEPT vs Transparity
| Capability | DEPT | Transparity |
|---|---|---|
| ML model development | ✓ | ✓ |
| Computer vision | ✗ | ✗ |
| NLP | ✗ | ✗ |
| Generative AI / LLM integration | ✓ | ✗ |
| MLOps | ✗ | ✓ |
| AI strategy consulting | ✓ | ✓ |
| Staff augmentation | ✗ | ✗ |
Tech stack comparison: DEPT vs Transparity
| Framework / platform | DEPT | Transparity |
|---|---|---|
| Python | ✓ | N/A |
| TensorFlow | ✓ | N/A |
| PyTorch | N/A | N/A |
| AWS | ✓ | N/A |
| Azure | N/A | ✓ |
| Kubernetes | N/A | N/A |
Pricing comparison: DEPT vs Transparity
| Criterion | DEPT | Transparity |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | $75K | $30K |
| Engagement models | Retainer, Dedicated team | Retainer, Fixed project, Dedicated team |
| Rate transparency | Minimum disclosed | Minimum disclosed |
| Price tier | Accessible | Accessible |
Target audience comparison: DEPT vs Transparity
| Dimension | DEPT | Transparity |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Retail, Media, Enterprise | Insurance, Financial Services, Enterprise |
| Best use cases | ML-driven marketing personalization at global brand scale, Enterprise data engineering supporting a large media or retail platform | Azure-native AI transformation for an insurance or financial services client, Microsoft Copilot deployment across enterprise workflows |
| Typical project type | Retainer | Retainer |
DEPT vs Transparity: 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 |
| Transparity | |
|---|---|
| + | Deep Microsoft pureplay partnership status with a proprietary AI Factory delivery framework |
| + | Demonstrated production case study, Bordereaux Sync, built with Charles Taylor InsureTech |
| + | A decade of operating history since founding in 2015, with a growing UK enterprise client base |
| + | Strong fit for insurance and financial services clients needing Azure-based compliance |
| - | Azure-exclusive positioning is a poor fit for clients on AWS, GCP, or open-source ML stacks |
| - | AI and ML transformation is delivered through a broader Microsoft cloud consulting practice rather than as a standalone ML specialization |
| - | Smaller named public case study base than larger, longer-established firms on this list |
Who should choose DEPT?
DEPT is the right choice for large enterprise brands needing ML-driven marketing personalization at global 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 Transparity?
Transparity is the right choice for uK enterprises fully standardized on Microsoft Azure wanting AI transformation through a certified Microsoft partner.
Proprietary AI Factory framework built specifically around Microsoft Azure and Copilot technologies. Minimum engagement starts at $30K. Works best with clients in Insurance, Financial Services, Enterprise, Public Sector.
Decision matrix: DEPT vs Transparity
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | Transparity |
| You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme | DEPT |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Transparity |
| 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 Transparity
| Use case | DEPT fit | Transparity 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 |
| Azure-native AI transformation for an insurance or financial services client | Limited | Strong | Transparity |
| Microsoft Copilot deployment across enterprise workflows | Limited | Strong | Transparity |
| Fixed-price build | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
| Staff augmentation | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
Verdict: DEPT vs Transparity
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. It is best for large enterprise brands needing ML-driven marketing personalization at global scale.
Transparity (3.7/5) is the better choice when uK enterprises fully standardized on Microsoft Azure wanting AI transformation through a certified Microsoft partner. If your situation matches those criteria, Transparity is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
DEPT vs Transparity FAQ
Is DEPT better than Transparity?
DEPT (4.0/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. DEPT is better for large enterprise brands needing ML-driven marketing personalization at global scale. Transparity is better for uK enterprises fully standardized on Microsoft Azure wanting AI transformation through a certified Microsoft partner.
How do DEPT and Transparity differ in pricing?
DEPT uses retainer, dedicated team pricing with a minimum engagement of $75K. Transparity uses retainer, fixed project, dedicated team pricing with a minimum engagement of $30K. Neither firm publishes a full rate card; a discovery call is required for project-specific quotes.
Which is better for enterprise: DEPT or Transparity?
Transparity 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 Transparity?
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. Transparity's primary differentiator is: proprietary ai factory framework built specifically around microsoft azure and copilot technologies. They also differ in team size (1000+ vs 201–500), minimum engagement ($75K vs $30K), and primary industries served (Retail, Media vs Insurance, Financial Services).
Last reviewed: July 2026. Verify all details directly with each company before making a decision.