WeAreBrain vs DEPT: full comparison for 2026
Last updated: July 2026
Quick verdict
WeAreBrain (4.2/5) edges ahead of DEPT (4.0/5) overall. WeAreBrain is the better choice for companies wanting AI and machine learning delivered as part of a broader digital product build. DEPT is the stronger option for large enterprise brands needing ML-driven marketing personalization at global scale. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
WeAreBrain vs DEPT: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | WeAreBrain | DEPT |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2015 | 2015 |
| HQ | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Team size | 51–200 | 1000+ |
| Rating | 4.2 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
| Best for | Companies wanting AI and machine learning delivered as part of a broader digital product build | Large enterprise brands needing ML-driven marketing personalization at global scale |
| Pricing model | Fixed project, dedicated team | Retainer, dedicated team |
| Min. engagement | $25K | $75K |
| Primary tech stack | Python, AWS, Azure | Python, GCP, AWS |
| Industries served | SaaS, Fintech, Enterprise, Retail | Retail, Media, Enterprise, E-commerce |
WeAreBrain vs DEPT: overview
WeAreBrain
WeAreBrain is an Amsterdam, Netherlands-headquartered digital product and AI agency founded in 2015 by Mario Grunitz, Elvire Jaspers, and Ievgen Miasushkin. The roughly 60 to 70 person team specializes in digital transformation, AI and machine learning applications, and intelligent process automation. In 2017, WeAreBrain co-founded Tur.ai, an AI and hyperautomation platform with joint Amsterdam and Kyiv operations, reflecting the founders' Ukrainian engineering ties.
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.
Services and capabilities: WeAreBrain vs DEPT
| Capability | WeAreBrain | DEPT |
|---|---|---|
| ML model development | ✓ | ✓ |
| Computer vision | ✗ | ✗ |
| NLP | ✗ | ✗ |
| Generative AI / LLM integration | ✗ | ✓ |
| MLOps | ✓ | ✗ |
| AI strategy consulting | ✓ | ✓ |
| Staff augmentation | ✗ | ✗ |
Tech stack comparison: WeAreBrain vs DEPT
| Framework / platform | WeAreBrain | DEPT |
|---|---|---|
| Python | ✓ | ✓ |
| TensorFlow | ✓ | ✓ |
| PyTorch | N/A | N/A |
| AWS | ✓ | ✓ |
| Azure | ✓ | N/A |
| Kubernetes | N/A | N/A |
Pricing comparison: WeAreBrain vs DEPT
| Criterion | WeAreBrain | DEPT |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | $25K | $75K |
| Engagement models | Fixed project, Dedicated team | Retainer, Dedicated team |
| Rate transparency | Minimum disclosed | Minimum disclosed |
| Price tier | Accessible | Accessible |
Target audience comparison: WeAreBrain vs DEPT
| Dimension | WeAreBrain | DEPT |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | SaaS, Fintech, Enterprise | Retail, Media, Enterprise |
| Best use cases | Building an AI-powered consumer-facing digital product, Intelligent process automation for back-office workflows | ML-driven marketing personalization at global brand scale, Enterprise data engineering supporting a large media or retail platform |
| Typical project type | Fixed project | Retainer |
WeAreBrain vs DEPT: pros and cons
| WeAreBrain | |
|---|---|
| + | A decade of operating history since founding in 2015 as an Amsterdam-based digital product agency |
| + | Co-founded a dedicated AI and hyperautomation platform, Tur.ai, showing deeper AI investment beyond client services |
| + | Combines product design with ML and AI engineering, useful for consumer-facing AI products |
| + | EU-headquartered in the Netherlands, simplifying GDPR compliance for European clients |
| - | AI and ML is one of several practice areas alongside broader digital product work |
| - | Some delivery ties to Kyiv, Ukraine via the Tur.ai venture carry the same continuity considerations as other Ukraine-linked firms |
| 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 |
Who should choose WeAreBrain?
WeAreBrain is the right choice for companies wanting AI and machine learning delivered as part of a broader digital product build.
Digital product agency DNA combined with a dedicated AI, ML, and intelligent automation practice. Minimum engagement starts at $25K. Works best with clients in SaaS, Fintech, Enterprise, Retail.
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.
Decision matrix: WeAreBrain vs DEPT
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | WeAreBrain |
| You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme | WeAreBrain |
| Your budget is at the lower end | WeAreBrain |
| You need specialist depth in a specific vertical | WeAreBrain |
| You need staff augmentation or team extension | Neither; consider alternatives that offer staff aug |
| You need consulting before committing to a build | WeAreBrain |
Use case fit: WeAreBrain vs DEPT
| Use case | WeAreBrain fit | DEPT fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building an AI-powered consumer-facing digital product | Strong | Limited | WeAreBrain |
| Intelligent process automation for back-office workflows | Strong | Limited | WeAreBrain |
| ML-driven marketing personalization at global brand scale | Limited | Strong | DEPT |
| Enterprise data engineering supporting a large media or retail platform | Limited | Strong | DEPT |
| Fixed-price build | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
| Staff augmentation | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
Verdict: WeAreBrain vs DEPT
WeAreBrain (4.2/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Machine Learning Development projects. Digital product agency DNA combined with a dedicated AI, ML, and intelligent automation practice. It is best for companies wanting AI and machine learning delivered as part of a broader digital product build.
DEPT (4.0/5) is the better choice when large enterprise brands needing ML-driven marketing personalization at global scale. If your situation matches those criteria, DEPT is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
WeAreBrain vs DEPT FAQ
Is WeAreBrain better than DEPT?
WeAreBrain (4.2/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. WeAreBrain is better for companies wanting AI and machine learning delivered as part of a broader digital product build. DEPT is better for large enterprise brands needing ML-driven marketing personalization at global scale.
How do WeAreBrain and DEPT differ in pricing?
WeAreBrain uses fixed project, dedicated team pricing with a minimum engagement of $25K. DEPT uses retainer, dedicated team pricing with a minimum engagement of $75K. Neither firm publishes a full rate card; a discovery call is required for project-specific quotes.
Which is better for enterprise: WeAreBrain or DEPT?
WeAreBrain 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 WeAreBrain and DEPT?
WeAreBrain's primary differentiator is: digital product agency dna combined with a dedicated ai, ml, and intelligent automation practice. 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. They also differ in team size (51–200 vs 1000+), minimum engagement ($25K vs $75K), and primary industries served (SaaS, Fintech vs Retail, Media).
Last reviewed: July 2026. Verify all details directly with each company before making a decision.