Eticas vs Slalom: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
Eticas (4.0/5) edges ahead of Slalom (3.8/5) overall. Eticas is the better choice for public bodies auditing deployed algorithms. Slalom is the stronger option for north American firms wanting local consultants. The right choice depends on how independent you need the advice to be, your regulatory exposure, and your budget.
Eticas vs Slalom: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | Eticas | Slalom |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2012 | 2001 |
| HQ | Barcelona, Spain | Seattle, USA |
| Team size | 11–50 | 10,000+ |
| Rating | 4.0 / 5 | 3.8 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | Independent algorithmic audits that measure bias and accuracy in real use | Local-office consultants for AI governance and operating models |
| Pricing model | Audit fees and platform subscriptions; rates on request | Consulting fees; rates not published |
| Min. engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Primary tech stack | EU AI Act, GDPR, ITACA | AWS, Azure, Google Cloud |
| Industries served | Public sector, Healthcare, Financial services, Social services | Financial services, Healthcare, Retail, Public sector |
Eticas vs Slalom: overview
Eticas
Eticas was founded by Gemma Galdon-Clavell, who led it from research on surveillance and urban policy into algorithmic auditing. A 2019 profile put the team at about 30 people, and current directory estimates range from 11 to 50. Its audits trace the rules behind a system, measure disparate impact on specific groups, and check accuracy in operation, while its ITACA platform adds ongoing monitoring. The firm checks AI that already exists rather than planning new programs.
Slalom
Slalom has more than 10,000 employees in over 50 offices and was founded in Seattle in 2001. Its AI and data strategists work on governance and operating models, and a new chief AI officer arrived in August 2026. Close ties with the major cloud and data vendors mean its advice usually points toward those platforms.
Services and capabilities: Eticas vs Slalom
| Capability | Eticas | Slalom |
|---|---|---|
| Readiness assessment | ✗ | ✗ |
| Use-case prioritization | ✗ | ✗ |
| TCO / ROI modeling | ✗ | ✗ |
| AI governance & EU AI Act | ✓ | ✓ |
| Build vs. buy advice | ✗ | ✗ |
| Independent audit or assurance | ✓ | ✗ |
| Roadmap any vendor can implement | ✗ | ✗ |
| Delivery capability after advice | ✗ | ✓ |
Frameworks and platforms: Eticas vs Slalom
| Framework / platform | Eticas | Slalom |
|---|---|---|
| EU AI Act | ✓ | N/A |
| GDPR | ✓ | N/A |
| DORA | N/A | N/A |
| NIST AI RMF | N/A | N/A |
| ISO/IEC 42001 | N/A | N/A |
| Azure | N/A | ✓ |
| AWS | N/A | ✓ |
| Google Cloud | N/A | ✓ |
Pricing comparison: Eticas vs Slalom
| Criterion | Eticas | Slalom |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | Not disclosed | Not disclosed |
| Engagement models | Audit or certification, Ongoing advisory | Multi-use-case advisory, Delivery team |
| Rate transparency | Not public | Not public |
| Price tier | Mid-market | Mid-market |
Target audience comparison: Eticas vs Slalom
| Dimension | Eticas | Slalom |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Enterprise |
| Best industries | Public sector, Healthcare, Financial services | Financial services, Healthcare, Retail |
| Best use cases | Bias audits of public-sector algorithms., Ongoing monitoring of a deployed AI system. | AI governance for a North American company., Operating-model changes for AI. |
| Typical project type | Audit or certification | Multi-use-case advisory |
Eticas vs Slalom: pros and cons
| Eticas | |
|---|---|
| + | Audits come from outside the team that built the system |
| + | Measures bias for specific groups, beyond overall averages |
| + | Ongoing monitoring through its ITACA platform |
| - | Founding date and headquarters vary across sources |
| - | Small team |
| - | Doesn't plan AI portfolios or business cases |
| Slalom | |
|---|---|
| + | Local teams for on-site work |
| + | Governance and operating-model experience |
| + | Can build afterward |
| - | Advice leans toward its partner platforms |
| - | Limited EU regulatory depth |
| - | New AI leadership still settling in |
Who should choose Eticas?
A typical fit: bias audits of public-sector algorithms.
Independent algorithmic audits that measure bias and accuracy in real use. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Public sector, Healthcare, Financial services, Social services.
Who should choose Slalom?
A typical fit: AI governance for a North American company.
Local-office consultants for AI governance and operating models. Minimum engagement is not publicly disclosed. Works best with clients in Financial services, Healthcare, Retail, Public sector.
Decision matrix: Eticas vs Slalom
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You want advice with no build contract attached | Eticas |
| Finance needs run costs before approving anything | Neither lists cost modeling; ask for a sample |
| Some of your use cases may be high-risk under the EU AI Act | Both cover AI Act classification |
| You need an outside check on a system already built | Eticas |
| You want the same firm to build what it recommends | Slalom |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Compare: Eticas (Not disclosed) vs Slalom (Not disclosed) |
| You need advisers in many countries at once | Slalom |
Use case fit: Eticas vs Slalom
| Use case | Eticas fit | Slalom fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bias audits of public-sector algorithms. | Strong | Limited | Eticas |
| Ongoing monitoring of a deployed AI system. | Strong | Limited | Eticas |
| AI governance for a North American company. | Limited | Strong | Slalom |
| Operating-model changes for AI. | Limited | Strong | Slalom |
Verdict: Eticas vs Slalom
Eticas (4.0/5) is the stronger overall choice for most AI Advisory projects. Independent algorithmic audits that measure bias and accuracy in real use.
Slalom (3.8/5) is worth a look if you need operating-model changes for AI. If your situation matches that, Slalom is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
Eticas vs Slalom FAQ
Is Eticas better than Slalom?
Eticas (4.0/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. Eticas's strongest advantage: audits come from outside the team that built the system. Slalom's strongest advantage: local teams for on-site work.
How do Eticas and Slalom differ in pricing?
Eticas's pricing: audit fees and platform subscriptions; rates on request. Slalom's pricing: consulting fees; rates not published. 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: Eticas or Slalom?
Slalom is the larger team and typically the better enterprise-scale choice. For very large programmes, verify team size and compliance coverage directly with each firm before shortlisting.
What are the main differences between Eticas and Slalom?
Eticas's primary differentiator is: independent algorithmic audits that measure bias and accuracy in real use. Slalom's primary differentiator is: local-office consultants for AI governance and operating models. They also differ in team size (11–50 vs 10,000+), minimum engagement (Not disclosed vs Not disclosed), and primary industries served (Public sector, Healthcare vs Financial services, Healthcare).
Verify all details directly with each firm before making a decision.