Addepto vs RTS Labs: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
Addepto (3.8/5) edges ahead of RTS Labs (3.8/5) overall. Addepto is the better choice for manufacturers wanting a small first AI engagement. RTS Labs is the stronger option for US firms testing one AI idea on a small budget. The right choice depends on the size of your program, your budget, and whether you want the same firm to build what it recommends.
Addepto vs RTS Labs: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | Addepto | RTS Labs |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2017 | 2010 |
| HQ | Warsaw, Poland | Glen Allen, USA |
| Team size | 50–249 | 100+ |
| Rating | 3.8 / 5 | 3.8 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | Low Clutch entry point ($10,000+) for AI roadmap work in data-heavy industries | The lowest entry point reviewed here, with feasibility proofs in place of strategy decks |
| Pricing model | $50–$99/hr (Clutch band); project-based | $25–$49/hr (Clutch band); fixed-scope proofs of concept |
| Min. engagement | $10,000+ (Clutch) | $5,000+ (Clutch) |
| Primary tech stack | Databricks, Azure, AWS | AWS, Azure, Python |
| Industries served | Manufacturing, Aviation, Logistics, Retail, Financial services | Logistics, Financial services, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Retail |
Addepto vs RTS Labs: overview
Addepto
Addepto was founded in Warsaw in 2017 and was acquired in December 2025 by KMS Technology, an Atlanta digital engineering company backed by Sunstone Partners. Its chief executive says 97% of the team are AI engineers (per company website; independently unverifiable). It sells AI consulting and roadmaps for data-heavy industries such as manufacturing and aviation, followed by builds. Clutch lists $50–$99 an hour and a $10,000+ minimum project, so a small first engagement is possible.
RTS Labs
RTS Labs is based in the Richmond, Virginia area and says it has 100+ US-based employees (per company website; independently unverifiable). It gives its founding year as 2010, while Clutch lists 2012. The firm says outright that it doesn't deliver strategy decks. Its version of strategy is a feasibility study and proof of concept with a return-on-investment check. Clutch lists $25–$49 an hour and a $5,000+ minimum, the lowest entry point of any firm reviewed here.
Services and capabilities: Addepto vs RTS Labs
| Capability | Addepto | RTS Labs |
|---|---|---|
| Readiness assessment | ✓ | ✓ |
| Use-case prioritization | ✗ | ✗ |
| TCO / ROI modeling | ✗ | ✓ |
| AI governance & EU AI Act | ✗ | ✗ |
| Build vs. buy advice | ✗ | ✓ |
| Audit of live AI programs | ✗ | ✗ |
| Change management | ✗ | ✗ |
| Can build what it recommends | ✓ | ✓ |
Frameworks and platforms: Addepto vs RTS Labs
| Framework / platform | Addepto | RTS Labs |
|---|---|---|
| EU AI Act | N/A | N/A |
| GDPR | N/A | N/A |
| NIST AI RMF | N/A | N/A |
| AWS | ✓ | ✓ |
| Azure | ✓ | ✓ |
| Google Cloud | N/A | N/A |
| Databricks | ✓ | N/A |
| Snowflake | N/A | ✓ |
Pricing comparison: Addepto vs RTS Labs
| Criterion | Addepto | RTS Labs |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | $10,000+ (Clutch) | $5,000+ (Clutch) |
| Engagement models | Readiness assessment, Strategy & roadmap engagement, Delivery team | Readiness assessment, Delivery team |
| Rate transparency | Minimum disclosed | Minimum disclosed |
| Price tier | Accessible | Accessible |
Target audience comparison: Addepto vs RTS Labs
| Dimension | Addepto | RTS Labs |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Manufacturing, Aviation, Logistics | Logistics, Financial services, Healthcare |
| Best use cases | A small readiness check and roadmap for a manufacturer., Predictive maintenance and quality models in industrial settings. | Testing one AI idea with a proof of concept before funding it., Logistics and supply-chain models for mid-size US companies. |
| Typical project type | Readiness assessment | Readiness assessment |
Addepto vs RTS Labs: pros and cons
| Addepto | |
|---|---|
| + | A $10,000+ Clutch minimum allows a small first step |
| + | Team is almost entirely engineers, so roadmaps stay technically grounded |
| + | Experience with manufacturing and aviation data |
| + | Databricks experience for data platform work |
| - | Acquired by KMS Technology in December 2025, and integration may change teams and priorities |
| - | Strategy work is mostly a front end to engineering |
| - | Little governance or change-management work |
| RTS Labs | |
|---|---|
| + | A $5,000+ Clutch minimum is the lowest entry point reviewed here |
| + | Proofs of concept test an idea on real data before a big commitment |
| + | Return-on-investment checks are part of the feasibility work |
| + | All-US team for clients that need domestic staff |
| - | Deliberately light on strategy, so a company-wide roadmap is outside its scope |
| - | US-only team with no European regulatory work |
| - | Founding year and headcount differ between its own site and Clutch |
Who should choose Addepto?
A typical fit: a small readiness check and roadmap for a manufacturer.
Low Clutch entry point ($10,000+) for AI roadmap work in data-heavy industries. Minimum engagement starts at $10,000+ (Clutch). Works best with clients in Manufacturing, Aviation, Logistics, Retail, Financial services.
Who should choose RTS Labs?
A typical fit: testing one AI idea with a proof of concept before funding it.
The lowest entry point reviewed here, with feasibility proofs in place of strategy decks. Minimum engagement starts at $5,000+ (Clutch). Works best with clients in Logistics, Financial services, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Retail.
Decision matrix: Addepto vs RTS Labs
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| Your board wants a costed, sequenced roadmap within a quarter | Neither lists cost modeling; ask for a sample roadmap |
| You already run AI that is missing its targets | Neither offers a separate audit; ask for a scoped review |
| Regulators will ask how each AI system is governed | Neither lists governance work; add a specialist |
| AI will change roles and processes for many staff | Neither; plan change management separately |
| You want the strategy firm to build the result too | Both can deliver after the strategy |
| Your budget is at the lower end | RTS Labs |
| You need a large team across many countries | RTS Labs |
Use case fit: Addepto vs RTS Labs
| Use case | Addepto fit | RTS Labs fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| A small readiness check and roadmap for a manufacturer. | Strong | Limited | Addepto |
| Predictive maintenance and quality models in industrial settings. | Strong | Limited | Addepto |
| Testing one AI idea with a proof of concept before funding it. | Limited | Strong | RTS Labs |
| Logistics and supply-chain models for mid-size US companies. | Limited | Strong | RTS Labs |
Verdict: Addepto vs RTS Labs
Addepto (3.8/5) is the stronger overall choice for most AI Strategy Consulting projects. Low Clutch entry point ($10,000+) for AI roadmap work in data-heavy industries.
RTS Labs (3.8/5) is worth a look if you need logistics and supply-chain models for mid-size US companies. If your situation matches that, RTS Labs is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
Addepto vs RTS Labs FAQ
Is Addepto better than RTS Labs?
Addepto (3.8/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. Addepto's strongest advantage: a $10,000+ Clutch minimum allows a small first step. RTS Labs's strongest advantage: a $5,000+ Clutch minimum is the lowest entry point reviewed here.
How do Addepto and RTS Labs differ in pricing?
Addepto's pricing: $50–$99/hr (Clutch band); project-based with a minimum engagement of $10,000+ (Clutch). RTS Labs's pricing: $25–$49/hr (Clutch band); fixed-scope proofs of concept with a minimum engagement of $5,000+ (Clutch). Any hourly bands shown come from Clutch, not a published rate card, so a scoping call is still needed for a project quote.
Which is better for enterprise: Addepto or RTS Labs?
RTS Labs is the larger team and typically the better enterprise-scale choice. For very large programmes, verify team size and compliance coverage directly with each consultant before shortlisting.
What are the main differences between Addepto and RTS Labs?
Addepto's primary differentiator is: low Clutch entry point ($10,000+) for AI roadmap work in data-heavy industries. RTS Labs's primary differentiator is: the lowest entry point reviewed here, with feasibility proofs in place of strategy decks. They also differ in team size (50–249 vs 100+), minimum engagement ($10,000+ (Clutch) vs $5,000+ (Clutch)), and primary industries served (Manufacturing, Aviation vs Logistics, Financial services).
Verify all details directly with each consultant before making a decision.