Pertama Partners
Alternatives Guide

Big 4 AI Consulting Alternatives for SMB

EY, Deloitte, Accenture, and PwC offer world-class AI consulting — at world-class prices. If your AI budget doesn't start at $200K, here are practical alternatives.

Why Look for Big 4 Alternatives?

Your AI budget is under $200K (Big 4 minimum engagement)
You need hands-on implementation, not 200-page strategy decks
You want transparent pricing, not custom enterprise quotes
You don't need global program management across 50 countries
You prefer a partner who speaks SMB, not enterprise jargon
You want to leverage government subsidies Big 4 firms don't specialize in

What to Consider When Switching from Big 4

When evaluating alternatives to Big 4, it's important to look beyond surface-level comparisons. The right AI consulting partner should align with your organisation's size, budget, timeline, and strategic objectives. Many companies initially gravitate toward large-name consultancies for their brand recognition and global reach. However, this often means higher costs, slower engagement timelines, and frameworks designed for Fortune 500 enterprises — not the agile, results-oriented approach that mid-market companies need. Key pain points that drive companies to seek alternatives include opaque pricing structures, lack of hands-on implementation support, generic recommendations that don't account for Asia-Pacific regulatory environments, and consultant dependency that never leads to internal capability building. The ideal partner combines strategic advisory with practical implementation, offers transparent pricing, provides genuine knowledge transfer to your team, and has deep expertise in your specific industry and geographic context.
Pricing Transparency

How clearly the firm communicates costs upfront. Look for fixed-fee engagements vs open-ended time-and-materials billing.

SMB Focus

Whether the firm genuinely serves small-to-mid-size companies or treats them as secondary to enterprise accounts.

Local Presence in Asia-Pacific

On-the-ground teams who understand regional regulations, languages, and business culture — not just a regional office.

Implementation vs Strategy Only

Does the firm help you build and deploy AI, or just hand over a slide deck? Execution capability separates advisors from consultants.

Team Training & Enablement

Post-engagement knowledge transfer ensures your team can maintain and extend AI initiatives without ongoing consultant dependency.

Industry-Specific AI Expertise

Generic AI knowledge is insufficient. Look for firms with deep domain expertise in your specific industry vertical.

Best Big 4 Alternatives

Pertama Partners
Top Pick
AI Training & Advisory for SMB in Southeast Asia

Purpose-built for SMB in Southeast Asia. Transparent pricing, government funding expertise, and hands-on implementation.

Key Strengths:

  • Start for under $20K (vs Big 4 $200K+ minimum)
  • Government funding expertise (up to 90% subsidies for training)
  • Hands-on implementation, not just strategy
  • 3-tier model: Training, Implementation, Engineering
  • SMB-specific approach and pricing

Best for: SMB in SEA wanting practical AI at accessible prices

YCP Group
Premier AI consultant in Singapore

Regional alternative with enterprise-grade capabilities. 21 offices across APAC with proven track record.

Key Strengths:

  • 21 offices across Asia-Pacific
  • 2000+ enterprise clients
  • 10+ year track record

Best for: Mid-market to enterprise companies wanting APAC regional coverage

Protiviti Hong Kong
Responsible AI with 5-phase model

Focused on responsible AI and governance. Best for regulated industries needing compliance-first AI.

Key Strengths:

  • 5-phase responsible AI model
  • Deep regulatory compliance expertise
  • Governance framework specialization

Best for: Regulated industries (banking, healthcare) needing AI governance

Side-by-Side Comparison

FirmTarget MarketPrice PointGeographyBest For
Big 4 (EY, Deloitte, Accenture, PwC)EnterprisePremiumGlobalGlobal professional services with AI practices
Pertama PartnersTop PickSMBMid-MarketSingapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Hong Kong, VietnamSMB in SEA wanting practical AI at accessible prices
YCP GroupEnterprisePremiumSingapore, Asia-PacificMid-market to enterprise companies wanting APAC regional coverage
Protiviti Hong KongEnterprisePremiumHong Kong, GlobalRegulated industries (banking, healthcare) needing AI governance

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Big 4 alternatives lower quality?

Not necessarily. Big 4 firms charge premium prices partly for their global brand and scale. Boutique and regional firms often deliver deeper expertise in their focus areas. Pertama, for example, has deeper SMB and government funding expertise than any Big 4 firm.

What's the typical cost difference?

Big 4 minimum engagements typically start at $200K+. Pertama's training programs start under $20K (with government subsidies covering up to 90%), and full implementation projects range from $50K-$200K. That's often 3-10x more affordable.

What if my company grows and needs Big 4 later?

Start with an SMB-focused firm like Pertama to validate AI value and build foundational capabilities. If your company grows to the point where Big 4 makes sense (typically 1000+ employees, $200K+ budgets), you can layer them in for specific enterprise needs.

Related Comparisons

Pertama vs Big 4: AI Consulting for SMB
View Comparison

Get Big 4 Quality at SMB Prices

You don't need a $200K minimum engagement to start with AI. Book a free consultation to explore practical options for your budget.

View All ComparisonsOur SolutionsGovernment Funding