Software Development

How to Choose a Software Development Company in the UK?

Alex Ovdienko
Author Alex Ovdienko

Cooperating with a software development company enables businesses to access tech talent in the United Kingdom and build a solution cost-effectively. The agencies offering such services take on creating, designing, and maintaining software that fulfils clients’ objectives, and that’s why they have been in demand for the past two decades.

Software development companies dedicate 100% of their attention and resources to deliver desirable objectives: operations automation, sales increase, new user attraction, etc. To achieve it, business representatives have to select a trustworthy provider, and our list of vendors in the UK is filled with pre-vetted tech partners who have proven track records.

Going through our catalogue of firms that offer software development services, you will learn about their cost, industries they serve, portfolios, years of experience, and more. Let us commence with a detailed review of every agency.

List of software development companies in the UK

limeup

Founded: 2017

Headquarters: London, United Kingdom

Limeup is a custom software development firm that helps businesses which are struggling with time-consuming manual processes, gaining new customers, unlocking new revenue opportunities, and boosting efficiency. For the past 10+ years, its team has been providing existing solutions enhancement and new products built from scratch.

Being a representative of one of the world’s largest tech hubs, it delivers tailored software creation for SMEs, leveraging experience through 200+ projects for new businesses and global leaders.

Key services:

Industries:

Why choose them:

Limeup has a team of 75+ middle and senior-level individuals who are proficient in advanced technologies and have a robust toolset. They build scalable, result-driven software solutions implementing data encryption methods and the latest security practices.

You give them a concept, and they deliver the market-ready product. You will become their partner who sets the objectives you want us to reach for your company, and receive iterative results to ensure the project is well-handled.

Select case studies:

  • VoloBank is a Netherlands-based fintech company that tasked Limeup with the development of a web application with accessibility for all age groups. They received a solution with core features for account and payment management, easy funds sending, and more.
  • One of healthcare clients, Raccoon.Recovery ©, needed a custom platform that allows patients to receive reliable recovery plans from any location. After the launch, the firm received a €700k growth grant for more innovations.
  • Discover more success stories.

Pixelfield

Pixelfield

Founded: 2013

Headquarters: London, England

As the best software development company located in the centre of the UK and led by Filip Hasa and Michal Vavra, Pixelfield has come a long way from being a newcomer. Over the years, it gained more technology expertise: website development, PPC, VR/AR.

The provider is focused on delivering house-like cooperation with customers: full control, quick response to adjustments and changes, transparent and effective communication. Pixelfield posted a checklist, “Let’s work together if…” where you can match your values.

Key services: Custom software, mobile apps, game development, web apps, etc.

Industries: Games, entertainment, wellness and fitness, etc.

Why choose them:

It is an agile-based firm with infinite curiosity about technologies and design, focusing on tech excellence and regulating design elements to human reactions and expectations. Customers can access new product creation, optimising an existing one, or validating a concept.

Select case studies:

The success stories showcase stylish and rich-in-feature solutions for SpaceCatch, Fellas Loaded, and others.

One Beyond

One Beyond

Founded: 1994

Headquarters: Farnborough, England

One Beyond is a software development services company with a core motto, “software made to measure.” It keeps all the cooperations free from complicated concepts to make its delivery process transparent and clear for non-tech customers.

Across the offers of tailored solutions, it delivers web and mobile app creation, custom portals and ERP/CRM systems. With personalisation, it focuses on concrete requirements from a client and their end-users, avoiding features “just in case” and saving project budget.

Key services: Expertise, software development, programme delivery, etc.

Industries: Construction, education and training, financial services, government and public sector, etc.

Why choose them:

One Beyond has already created over 1,000 projects, powering them with technologies and a personal approach: being determined, building with empathy, learning endlessly, remaining connected.

Select case studies:

Examining project highlights, users can review information about clients, the challenge, solution, features and benefits.

Emvigo

Emvigo

Founded: 2008

Headquarters: London, UK

A provider of software development services in the UK with real results is Emvigo, with delivery of products for enterprises, startups, cloud-native creation, and more. It delivers what it promised, that’s why clients have trusted Emvigo for years.

Below, there are key offers listed, and amidst them, the company also has a service for MVP delivery in 4 weeks, which is a bet for concept testing. Setting innovations and growth as core points in daily work, it delivers projects that are efficient and future-proof.

Key services: Software development, advanced AI and ML solutions, app development, modernisation & support, etc.

Industries: Healthcare, fintech, sustainability, energy, etc.

Why choose them:

On average, a vendor cooperates with a client for 42 months, powering lasting relationships with its values. As it is said on the website, “from the cradle to the grave.”

Select case studies:

All project spotlights are filled with robust collaborations for a wedding planning platform, a SaaS hotel system, and more.

Transparity

Transparity

Founded: 2015

Headquarters: Wokingham, England

As the best software development company in the UK with specialisation in Microsoft, a literal 100% commitment to it, and dedication to the latest Azure technologies in every project. The firm is not limited to software creation; it delivers testing, scoping, design, and ongoing support.

The number of ready cloud-native apps exceeds 50, and the agency powers solutions with AI technology: Azure OpenAI and Azure AI. We mentioned Microsoft, and this team is an official partner in the UK, with 6 Solution Partner designations.

Key services: Custom software development, application integration, power platform consultancy, etc.

Industries: Financial services, professional services, public sector, etc.

Why choose them:

Transparity puts its clients first in every project, listening to their needs and maintaining partnerships according to the top-tier way for businesses. The philosophy called “Winning from Anywhere” makes collaborations more meaningful and brings freedom for companies that need tech assistance worldwide.

Select case studies:

The case studies are divided into sectors and technologies used, so it is easy to check the featured ones, for example, BW: Workplace Experts.

Arch

Arch

Founded: 2005

Headquarters: Gateshead, England

A software development agency in the UK with over 20 years of experience on the market, called Arch, is one of the most well-known among providers. It makes software that matters for companies, and its team of experts is not afraid of challenges, as they have experience in handling them.

B2B and B2C is the core focus of Arch, and it knows how to return customers’ investments in strong solutions.

Key services: Discovery, mobile development, web development, AI, etc.

Industries: Environment, education, finance, fitness, food and drink, etc.

Why choose them:

The studio meets all the requirements and exceeds expectations in outcomes, whether it is about migrating systems or creating new ones with robust technologies.

Select case studies:

Featured cooperations like H2OiQ and Edinburgh Council in the project portfolio are described in detail, from problem identification to tech elements, features.

DreamzTech Solutions

DreamzTech Solutions

Founded: 2010

Headquarters: Watford, United Kingdom

As the best software development firm with worldwide presence in India, the UK, and other countries, DreamzTech Solutions is widely recognised in the IT market, with its dedication to constant growth and adopting AI, like other cutting-edge technologies.

It also has its own products: DreamzCMMS, DreamzFSM, RFIDTracks, which help businesses to monitor assets, improve management, streamline operations. With over 450 experienced coders, DreamzTech Solutions builds actionable products and delivers them on time and within the budget.

Key services: Custom software development, AI software development, BI software development, etc.

Industries: Retail, manufacturing, fintech, facility management, etc.

Why choose them:

It adapts AI to deliver solutions 2 times faster, applying it to coding, security, low-code and no-code creation, prompt usage. There are 750+ projects delivered for over 500 worldwide clients, and the number grows.

Select case studies:

A full-fledged catalogue of works explores the benefits of collaboration with every customer through challenges, implemented solutions, key tech stack, and more.

SENLA

SENLA

Founded: 2012

Headquarters: London, UK

SENLA stands out as a software programming company with a wide range of offers and strong online presence through various social media channels. According to the information on the website, the firm has over 800 specialists and 5 development locations worldwide.

The notable option is a calculator posted on its site, which is aimed at helping possible customers to optimise development cost by providing information about their needs: team size, services, location.

Key services: Custom software development, software product development, web development, blockchain, etc.

Industries: Banking & finance, healthcare & pharmaceutical, manufacturing, eCommerce, etc.

Why choose them:

The CEO says that behind innovations are human collaborations. This motto stands at the centre of every service SENLA provides, with on-time and on-budget delivery and desired result achievements.

Select case studies:

Considering success stories, the studio worked with AB Bank from Zambia, Malta-based eCabs, Sanofi, a healthcare brand, Marpai, and more.

SPD Technology

SPD Technology

Founded: 2006

Headquarters: London, England

650+ tech experts in a team of SPD Technology have delivered over 460 projects for new brands and Fortune 500 companies. This software developing company provides various offers: consulting, custom modernisation, actual coding that is based on flexibility and scalability.

To name a few of the related supports: payment processing & facilitation, payroll, billing, & invoicing software, document management systems. SPD Technology has been adopting cutting-edge technologies for the past 19 years, leveraging experience gained in the IT market.

Key services: Software product development, application modernisation, custom software development, etc.

Industries: Fintech, insurance, investment banking, legal, eCommerce.

Why choose them:

SPD Technology is a certified provider, confirmed by Scrum.org, Oracle, IIBA, ScrumAlliance. It takes ambitious goals from clients and delivers solutions that fulfil them.

Select case studies:

Talking about the case studies which are represented online, the agency helped startups to gain users and well-established firms to open new revenue streams.

Altar.io

Altar io

Founded: 2015

Headquarters: London, UK

The top software development company with over 80 projects delivered and high scores on independent platforms was founded by Daniel de Castro Ruivo, André Lopes, Paolo Dotta, and João Ribeiro.

Altar.io has a few teams that work on every product creation: operations and management, product, project, development, content and marketing, people. Through the core service — tailored systems creation — is characterised by full ownership for clients, scalability, personalisation in UX and UI.

Key services: Custom software development, product scope, AI development & enablement, MVP builder, etc.

Industries: Finance, knowledge sharing, healthcare, etc.

Why choose them:

Altar.io has a well-established product creation process, which includes a scope of requirements for 15 days, key screens and all screens design, coding, testing, launching, and further improvements.

Select case studies:

Embracing project spotlights, there are collaborations related to platforms for eCommerce management, real-time knowledge sharing solutions, and more.

Digica

Digica

Founded: 2009

Headquarters: Manchester, UK

Ambitious businesses looking for a software developer firm can turn to Digica, which is proficient in cutting-edge technologies, cloud, IoT, AI and ML. For the last, it has trained 3,600+ Machine Learning models.

The group of Nick Stammers, the co-founder, Rafal Janczyk, the founder, and other employees are aimed at making customers happy, growing as a team, remaining flexible in technology adoption.

Key services: Software development, Artificial Intelligence.

Industries: Defence, medical, semiconductor.

Why choose them:

Digica has a strong presence in the UK, Poland, and the US, Digica. As for their coders, they are located globally, which allows wide access to talents. Therefore, they are visible and credible in the tech world.

Select case studies:

Checking its case studies and testimonials, website visitors can check the quote from a client, project and feedback summary.

GoodCore

GoodCore

Founded: 2005

Headquarters: Croydon, England

As the best software development agency delivering end-to-end system creation, GoodCore has been a trusted provider for over 20 years. It has four engagement models: a hybrid, fully committed teammates, scale on demand, and bespoke.

GoodCore is presented worldwide, across Malaysia and Pakistan, in addition to the UK. It makes them a global tech partner for small, medium businesses, enterprises, and startups, even those which have one person in their team.

Key services: Bespoke software development, SaaS development, team augmentation, digital transformation, etc.

Industries: Education, finance, healthcare, manufacturing, sports, etc.

Why choose them:

GoodCore includes an NDA in every project, with strict rules for privacy and not sharing essential details. Following these requirements, it also ensures that the software created is aligned with industry standards.

Select case studies:

Reviewing project portfolio, it has cooperations with companies like G&P, CardiaTec, GC Business Finance, etc.

What is a software development company?

A provider of software development services seems to deliver obvious benefits: it writes code and designs a solution. With up-to-date technologies implemented, these vendors take unique business objectives/needs and develop products that fulfil these requirements.

The top-tier explanation of what such a firm does is the word “custom.” Ambitious businesses will not settle for off-the-shelf products as they don’t suit their unique requirements. Tailored systems from a software development company in the UK provide flexible and adaptable software and do not fall short.

Core services offered

Let’s identify what you can actually receive from such a cooperation, as we noted that a provider can handle your needs with software:

Core services offered
  • Custom (tailored) software development. Built from the ground up, such solutions are based on your demands, and every feature plus design elements will be adjusted to address issues with no limitations.
  • Web app development. Web-based applications open the capabilities for businesses that want their end-users to access their solution anytime using their phone, tablet, or other device. They are also compatible with all existing operational systems.
  • Mobile app development. Made for iPhones, Androids, Microsoft-based phones and tablets, they are available through App Store and Google Play, allowing users to reach out for services and goods from preferred companies.
  • MVP development. A product in the early stages of its creation is the flawless option for customers who would like to test their idea before making a big jump into an industry. With real users’ feedback, you are able to refine every aspect and decide where to move on with this solution.
  • QA and testing. Launching with pre-made automated and manual tests is the core characteristic of the best software development companies in the UK, as they ensure the final product is well-optimised and have a 99.9% SLA level.

As you gain knowledge about core offerings, let’s check out what advantages they can bring for your project.

Benefits of working with a UK-based team

For firms that will collaborate with a software provider for the first time, it may seem like unravelling a well-worn tapestry because they may not have a clear vision of the beneficial moments such work brings. Here are some of them:

Benefits of working with UK based team
  • Reduced cost. A software development agency will charge you only for the work done, materials spent, or else, depending on the cooperation model you agree on. Hardware, devices, licenses, even space — you will not pay for any of these extra nuances.
  • Faster time-to-market. If your project requires more tech experts, the firm will add them to the team. If you need rapid and urgent development, they can scale up and work around the clock with remote workers globally.
  • Industry expertise. In the reviews above, you can check the list of niches software developer companies are working with, and choose the one that has a proven track record in yours: fintech, education, etc.

With these benefits in mind, let’s move to another essential section, which will allow you to select the vendor that suits your needs.

Compare software development firms from the UK

A comparison chart helps you to opt for the top-tier company based on its capabilities and strengths. We will consider the number of employees, common pricing, plus rates which our experts have found on independent sources.

Team size

As there is no one-size-fits-all answer to “What number of coders do you need?”, you need to define it based on the project demands. Here is how it works:

  • small teams represented on the left side of the chart are suitable for those who would like to receive more flexibility for their small (even startup) projects.
  • moderate groups are balanced to cover SMEs solutions as they are able to scale up and down for complex or easier tasks.
  • large programming entities will bring more opportunities for enterprise-grade firms and software solutions companies with over 250 people on board, typically can provide specific roles from DevOps to UX experts.
Team size

Pricing

Your budget is one of the crucial aspects of cooperation, so you need to calculate it well to decide which tech partner is suitable for your business. Below, you can find the average hourly rates our professionals found on Clutch:

Pricing

Rates

This information can be checked easily by using sources like Clutch, and they are made according to the testimonials left by previous software developing companies’ clients. You are capable of checking them online, focusing on the ones that fit your idea.

Rates

These demonstrations of the top software development companies will help you with your decision, as you are aware of three essential factors that impact future cooperation. A deeper analysis reveals the benefits for each of the candidates. Further, we will unpack the core phases of the actual selection process.

How to select a software development agency?

Exploring factors that impact your choice of a tech partner can feel like navigating through a labyrinth. There are hundreds of vendors available in the engine search you need to examine, and each of them swears to bring your idea into reality with less money.

When you landed on this list, you already found pre-selected providers who are leaders in this niche. You need to cooperate with the one who matches your tech and market needs. Here are the 4 simple steps that will help you to do it.

Step 1. Define your needs

Mark out the answer to your “Why?” When considering the reason for such cooperation, and starting there, you will be able to determine the scope of work and bring your vision to a provider. How does it work in reality?

Let’s say there is a healthcare and wellness organisation which manages all the documents in paper and uses online sheets. They have thousands of records, which are stored in the cellar and massive Google Sheets or Excel spreadsheets, taking forever to download.

They turn to one of the top software development companies in the UK and say, “We need a management platform that will facilitate our data storage and operations with records.” Having such a clear view, a vendor will deliver a required system that works toward business objectives.

Step 2. Shortlist tech firms

Using lists like ours, you are able to quickly select the tech partner, considering which of them are suitable for your demands. Our experts investigated portfolios, services, cooperation approaches, and other points.

Here, you checked the prices, team sizes, rates, which are the most significant nuances in the selection process. With a shortlist of 12 vendors, it is easier to contact the right contractor as you have all the information about their offers.

Step 3. Evaluate their hard and soft skills

You definitely can check case studies of providers to see their technologies used for each project and key results, and further, conduct a short tech interview. You need 20-30 minutes to understand if you have a match in vibe and share values with experts in the UK software development companies.

During an initial call, which is typically free of charge, you will communicate your expectations, ask for solution references according to your industry, and check communication style.

Step 4. Ask about an NDA

Your idea and resolutions for business problems/challenges will be unique, so you may want to make them yours and prevent a contractor from spreading confidential information. This legal framework will become your shield: third-party workers will not tell details about this collaboration due to the threat.

All top-notch software development agencies will offer you this contract in the first place, so you can also use it as a little mark of credit for an agency of your choice.

This selection process may seem like crossing a turbulent sea but you need to reveal what a vendor can bring to the table, as custom software is not the cheapest project, and you would like your investment to have solid ROI.

Follow the stages our specialists outlined, and you will find out that the top-tier software development company is there. Further, let’s discuss the pricing question.

How much do software development services cost?

Your strategic planning requires a strict budget, and the crucial point here is that the estimation can be calculated after you define all requirements for a project. With no clear answer, it is challenging to plan, so let’s consider the average prices for developers in the UK for more convenience:

Level of expertise Hourly £
Junior (0–2) £20–£40
Middle (2–5) £50–£75
Senior (5+) £75–£100

Talking about the common prices for different project sizes, you can expect to spend the following amount of money:

  • MVPs: around £20,000
  • small products: £20,000–£40,000
  • large projects: £40,000+

Our advice is to contact software developers companies and ask them for a project estimation based on what type of software you need, the number of features, and other moments we will reveal in the section below.

Factors that influence pricing

Here are the points you need to pay attention to if you would like to rate your project precisely.

  1. Features complexity. AI-powered functions require more resources and specific knowledge from software solution companies.
  2. Level of design customisation. It includes more than just the elements your end-users interact with but also the overall speed of download for pages, CTAs, and more.
  3. Legal requirements. Industries like fintech and healthcare have specific regulations that you need to follow in order to avoid penalties.

You also need to account tech stack, deadlines (in case of any urgency, the price will be higher), ongoing support, and more.

Looking for a UK software development company?

Cooperation with software programming companies will help you to stand out in the most competitive markets with a custom solution that solves unique end-users’ problems and scales as the niche and businesses grow.

After reading this material, you are armed with the required information about cost, services, case studies, and other elements. If you would like to contact a reliable firm and start a project immediately, consider reaching out to Luminary Brands. Leverage our 10+ years of tech experience and receive a top-tier, tailored product that works toward your requirements.

FAQ about a software development firm

What does a software development vendor do?

Everything, from development to design, ongoing maintenance, alignment with legal and industry standards, project management and testing. Such a firm will take care of:

  1. requirements gathering,
  2. tech stack selection,
  3. design and creation,
  4. QA and testing,
  5. launch,
  6. ongoing support.

As for the services, you can find custom product creation, web and mobile development, enterprise-grade solutions creation, AI-based systems, and more.

Which industries do UK companies serve?

Primarily, such providers work with businesses in areas like:

  • healthcare,
  • fintech,
  • eCommerce/retail,
  • entertainment,
  • public,
  • social media, etc.

How does it benefit these niches? It is all about automation for manual processes that hinder growth, reducing human errors in hospitality or financial organisations, delivering personalisation for end-users, adjusting to trends, and more.

As an example, let’s take the example of a healthcare company that needs a management system for their patients’ data, which means the software requires compliance with HIPAA and GDPR to protect sensitive information and become legal on the market.

How long does it take to build custom software?

On average, you need to schedule from 2 to 12+ months. It depends on the type of solution that you need. A simple MVP with basic functions takes around 3 months, with the design and development phases. Moderate-level software expands this term to 9 months and goes beyond simple features but custom design, integrations, etc.

Enterprise-level is the most time-consuming project that can take more than a year, as products for management (ERP, for example), involve alignment with various legal regulations for fintech and healthcare niches.

Across other nuances that you need to calculate are the following:

  • project complexity
  • required tech stack
  • developers number

What technologies do top UK software firms use?

Tech leaders implement various technologies they choose for a particular project and its requirements. Let’s talk in concrete examples, like streaming services Netflix and the YouTube platform:

  • Python for AI, sites, web and mobile apps
  • Node.js for web servers
  • React for native user interfaces and web
  • MySQL, an open source database, etc.

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