Top Machine Learning Development Services in Europe

Xomnia vs element61: full comparison for 2026

Last updated: July 2026

Quick verdict

Xomnia (4.3/5) edges ahead of element61 (4.1/5) overall. Xomnia is the better choice for dutch and Northwest European enterprises wanting a single consultancy for data strategy, cloud data platforms, and applied or agentic AI delivery.. element61 is the stronger option for belgian and Benelux enterprises wanting a long-established analytics and performance-management consultancy that has built out a dedicated data science and AI practice.. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.

Xomnia vs element61: head-to-head summary

Criterion Xomnia element61
Founded 2013 2007
HQ Amsterdam, Netherlands Brussels, Belgium
Team size 135+ (post-Aurai acquisition, 2025) ~145 consultants (98.7 FTE per latest filings)
Rating 4.3 / 5 4.1 / 5
Best for Dutch and Northwest European enterprises wanting a single consultancy for data strategy, cloud data platforms, and applied or agentic AI delivery. Belgian and Benelux enterprises wanting a long-established analytics and performance-management consultancy that has built out a dedicated data science and AI practice.
Pricing model Consulting retainer, dedicated team Consulting retainer, project-based
Min. engagement Not published Not published
Primary tech stack Python, Cloud data platforms, Agentic AI frameworks Python, BI/analytics platforms, Microsoft Azure
Industries served Retail/E-commerce, Energy & Utilities, Healthcare, Financial Services, Public Sector Cross-industry Benelux enterprise

Xomnia vs element61: overview

Xomnia

Xomnia is an Amsterdam, Netherlands data-and-AI consultancy founded in 2013, covering data strategy, cloud data platforms, agentic AI, and EU-hosted cloud solutions. In June 2025 it acquired Aurai specifically to scale toward becoming Northwest Europe's leading data and AI consultancy, growing its collective team past 135 specialists. Its client roster includes Rabobank, Vodafone Ziggo, ProRail, and NS (per company website), spanning retail, mobility, energy, healthcare, and public-sector work.

element61

element61 is a Brussels, Belgium analytics, performance management, and AI consultancy founded in 2007, with 145+ consultants averaging 9 years of experience each (98.7 FTE per latest financial filings). It layered data science and AI onto an already-mature BI and performance-management practice, and became the first Belgian partner for Microsoft's 'Analytics on Azure' Advanced Specialization. It primarily serves Belgian and Benelux enterprise clients.

Services and capabilities: Xomnia vs element61

Capability Xomnia element61
ML Development
AI Consulting
Computer Vision
NLP
Generative AI
MLOps
Data Engineering
Staff Augmentation

Tech stack comparison: Xomnia vs element61

Framework / platform Xomnia element61
Python
AWS N/A N/A
Microsoft Azure N/A
Google Cloud N/A N/A
Kubernetes N/A N/A
PyTorch N/A N/A
LangChain N/A N/A
Databricks N/A N/A

Pricing comparison: Xomnia vs element61

Criterion Xomnia element61
Minimum engagement Not published Not published
Engagement models Consulting retainer, Dedicated team, Fixed project Consulting retainer, Fixed project
Rate transparency Not public Not public
Price tier Enterprise / mid-market Enterprise / mid-market

Target audience comparison: Xomnia vs element61

Dimension Xomnia element61
Best company size Startup to mid-market Startup to mid-market
Best industries Retail/E-commerce, Energy & Utilities, Healthcare Cross-industry Benelux enterprise
Best use cases Enterprise data and AI strategy roadmaps, Cloud data platform builds Combined BI and AI enterprise programs, Azure-based analytics and ML platform builds
Typical project type Consulting retainer Consulting retainer

Xomnia vs element61: pros and cons

Xomnia
+ Long, blue-chip client list including Rabobank, Vodafone Ziggo, ProRail, and NS (per company website)
+ 2025 Aurai acquisition materially increased delivery capacity and breadth
+ EU-hosted cloud solutions directly address data-residency concerns for Dutch and EU clients
+ Founded 2013 — over a decade of Netherlands market presence
- Recent acquisition (Aurai, 2025) means integrated team structure and delivery consistency are still settling
- Broad data-and-AI positioning is less narrowly specialized than pure-play ML boutiques on this list
- Pricing and minimum engagement are not published
element61
+ Founded 2007 — one of the longest-running firms on this list, with over 15 years of continuous operation
+ 145+ consultants averaging 9 years of analytics and AI experience each (per company website)
+ First Belgian partner for Microsoft's 'Analytics on Azure' Advanced Specialization
+ Combined BI, data science, and AI practice under one roof simplifies vendor management for Benelux buyers
- Originated as a BI and performance-management consultancy, so AI/ML is a newer practice layered onto an older core business rather than the founding focus
- Belgium-centric market presence may mean less experience outside Benelux client norms
- Pricing and minimum engagement are not published

Who should choose Xomnia?

Xomnia is the right choice for dutch and Northwest European enterprises wanting a single consultancy for data strategy, cloud data platforms, and applied or agentic AI delivery..

Acquired Aurai in 2025 specifically to consolidate strategy, platform, and applied-AI capability under one roof as it scales toward regional market leadership.. Minimum engagement starts at Not published. Works best with clients in Retail/E-commerce, Energy & Utilities, Healthcare, Financial Services, Public Sector.

Who should choose element61?

element61 is the right choice for belgian and Benelux enterprises wanting a long-established analytics and performance-management consultancy that has built out a dedicated data science and AI practice..

Started as an analytics and performance-management consultancy in 2007 and layered data science and AI on top of an already-mature BI practice, combining both under one roof.. Minimum engagement starts at Not published. Works best with clients in Cross-industry Benelux enterprise.

Decision matrix: Xomnia vs element61

Your situation Recommended choice
You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope Xomnia
You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme Xomnia
Your budget is at the lower end Compare: Xomnia (Not published) vs element61 (Not published)
You need specialist depth in a specific vertical Xomnia
You need staff augmentation or team extension Neither; consider alternatives that offer staff aug
You need consulting before committing to a build Xomnia

Use case fit: Xomnia vs element61

Use case Xomnia fit element61 fit Winner
Enterprise data and AI strategy roadmaps Strong Strong Both equally
Cloud data platform builds Strong Limited Xomnia
Combined BI and AI enterprise programs Limited Strong element61
Azure-based analytics and ML platform builds Limited Strong element61
Fixed-price build Limited Limited Both equally
Staff augmentation Limited Limited Both equally

Verdict: Xomnia vs element61

Xomnia (4.3/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Machine Learning Development projects. Acquired Aurai in 2025 specifically to consolidate strategy, platform, and applied-AI capability under one roof as it scales toward regional market leadership.. It is best for dutch and Northwest European enterprises wanting a single consultancy for data strategy, cloud data platforms, and applied or agentic AI delivery..

element61 (4.1/5) is the better choice when belgian and Benelux enterprises wanting a long-established analytics and performance-management consultancy that has built out a dedicated data science and AI practice.. If your situation matches those criteria, element61 is a competitive option.

Related comparisons

Xomnia vs element61 FAQ

Is Xomnia better than element61?

Xomnia (4.3/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. Xomnia is better for dutch and Northwest European enterprises wanting a single consultancy for data strategy, cloud data platforms, and applied or agentic AI delivery.. element61 is better for belgian and Benelux enterprises wanting a long-established analytics and performance-management consultancy that has built out a dedicated data science and AI practice..

How do Xomnia and element61 differ in pricing?

Xomnia uses consulting retainer, dedicated team pricing with a minimum engagement of Not published. element61 uses consulting retainer, project-based pricing with a minimum engagement of Not published. Neither firm publishes a full rate card; a discovery call is required for project-specific quotes.

Which is better for enterprise: Xomnia or element61?

Xomnia 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 Xomnia and element61?

Xomnia's primary differentiator is: acquired aurai in 2025 specifically to consolidate strategy, platform, and applied-ai capability under one roof as it scales toward regional market leadership.. element61's primary differentiator is: started as an analytics and performance-management consultancy in 2007 and layered data science and ai on top of an already-mature bi practice, combining both under one roof.. They also differ in team size (135+ (post-Aurai acquisition, 2025) vs ~145 consultants (98.7 FTE per latest filings)), minimum engagement (Not published vs Not published), and primary industries served (Retail/E-commerce, Energy & Utilities vs Cross-industry Benelux enterprise).

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