If you’re building a mobile app, you know the stakes are high. You need a partner who can not only build something functional but also align with your business goals. Chicago is packed with talented teams, but not all firms are created equal. This list highlights the ones that deliver, starting with a firm that’s quietly made a name for itself by focusing on results instead of recognition.
1. Xcelacore
Location: Oak Brook, IL
Website: xcelacore.com
Xcelacore isn’t always the first name that pops up when people talk about mobile apps in Chicago—but maybe it should be. Founded in 2014, this Oak Brook-based firm has taken a different route. Instead of chasing headlines, they’ve focused on doing work that actually moves the needle for their clients.
Take hospitality, for example. When Great Wolf Lodge needed help improving its mobile experience, Xcelacore delivered. Their quality assurance and testing work helped smooth out bugs and performance issues that had been frustrating users for months. The result? A better experience for families using the app during their stay—and a quieter help desk for the company.
Their team is small, but that’s part of the appeal. You’re not passed off from salesperson to project manager to junior developer. Instead, you get a team that’s involved from day one and sticks with you through the finish line. The leadership is hands-on, especially co-founder Mansoor Anjarwala, who has a long background in ecommerce and software strategy.
If your project needs more than a flashy interface—if it needs to function, scale, and make sense in the bigger picture—Xcelacore is worth a serious look.
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2. Simpalm
Location: Chicago, IL
Website: simpalm.com
Simpalm has been part of Chicago’s tech scene for well over a decade. They’ve built mobile apps for healthcare providers, schools, startups—you name it. One thing they’ve become known for is how well they adapt to a client’s needs. Whether the goal is speed, scale, or simplicity, their team knows how to tailor the build.
Instead of pushing a one-size-fits-all solution, Simpalm helps clients pick the right tools from the start. Native apps? Cross-platform with Flutter or React Native? They’ve done it all. But beyond the tech, what makes them easy to work with is their focus on communication. Their clients consistently point out how easy it is to stay in the loop and how quickly issues get resolved.
If you’re looking for a dependable team with a wide range of technical skills and a history of delivering polished apps, Simpalm is one of the safer bets in the city.
3. Red Foundry
Location: 400 W. Huron, Unit 803, Chicago, IL
Website: redfoundry.com
Red Foundry isn’t a massive firm, but their work speaks for itself. Based in River North, they specialize in building native mobile apps with an emphasis on clean design and long-term usability. They tend to attract clients who need their apps to look great and work smoothly from day one.
Their process is refreshingly grounded. It starts with strategy—figuring out what the app is actually supposed to accomplish—before a single screen gets designed. That clarity carries through all stages of development. They also offer something rare: structured, ongoing maintenance through a program called AppCare, which keeps your app updated after launch.
Red Foundry also finds ways to give back. They’ve partnered with organizations like i.c.stars to support tech career development in underserved communities. It’s not just about building software—it’s about building well and giving back along the way.
4. Eight Bit Studios
Location: Schaumburg, IL
Website: eightbitstudios.com
Eight Bit Studios is one of those firms that understands how to make an app feel right. Their work doesn’t just function—it moves smoothly, looks sharp, and feels like it was designed with intention. Over the years, they’ve developed a reputation for building software that users actually enjoy interacting with.
Their team leans into collaboration. They don’t just take specs and vanish for three months. Instead, they work alongside clients, step-by-step, refining the user flow and adjusting features as the app evolves. That makes them a great choice for companies that want a seat at the table during development, not just a handoff at the end.
They’ve worked with clients in finance, logistics, sports, and more—always bringing the same mix of design clarity and engineering discipline. If you care about usability as much as features, Eight Bit is worth a look.
5. Cultivate Brands
Location: Chicago, IL
Website: cultivatebrands.com
Cultivate Brands offers a different flavor of app development—one that mixes branding, storytelling, and software under one roof. This is the kind of team you go to when your app isn’t just a tool, but part of your identity.
They’ve helped dozens of clients bring concepts to life, especially businesses that want more than code. Their designers and developers work together to shape everything from the first screen to the last line of content, always keeping the brand’s voice front and center.
What clients seem to appreciate most is the honesty. If something won’t work, they’ll say so. If there’s a better way, they’ll suggest it. That sort of collaboration has earned them a loyal following and a reputation for delivering thoughtful, well-rounded apps on time.
6. TXI (Table XI)
Location: Chicago, IL
Website: txidigital.com
TXI doesn’t rush into code. They start by trying to understand the people behind the idea—and the people the app is for. That approach has helped them work with clients in healthcare, education, and other spaces where user experience really matters.
What makes them different is how much they emphasize research and design. They’re big on asking questions, testing assumptions, and working closely with the client instead of running ahead. For teams that want to be part of the process—not just handed a finished product—TXI offers the kind of partnership that feels more like collaboration than outsourcing.
7. KitelyTech
Location: Chicago, IL
Website: kitelytech.com
KitelyTech is a full-service tech firm, and that includes building mobile apps. But they don’t just stop there. If your project also needs a website, backend integration, or marketing support, they’ve got teams for that too.
Clients say they’re easy to work with—quick to respond, open to feedback, and good at keeping things on track. That kind of flexibility makes them a good fit for businesses trying to manage several moving parts. If you want one team to handle the whole digital package, they’re worth considering.
8. Foxbox Digital
Location: Chicago, IL
Website: foxbox.com
Foxbox builds apps that do more than look good—they handle real complexity. They’ve worked on healthcare tools, food delivery platforms, and other systems that require both smart design and serious backend structure.
They tend to get brought in for projects that have a little more weight to them—apps that need to integrate with other platforms, protect user data, or support fast-growing audiences. If you need more than a basic build, Foxbox brings the technical muscle and strategic thinking to match.
9. Fusion Informatics
Location: Chicago, IL
Website: fusioninformatics.com
Fusion Informatics works with companies that want to explore what’s next. They handle mobile apps, sure—but they also work on projects with AI, connected devices, and other newer technologies. If your idea involves something a little outside the box, they can help shape it into something real.
They’ve got a more experimental edge than some firms on this list. That’s a good thing if your app needs a unique feature set or you’re still figuring out what it should be. Fusion’s team is used to solving problems that don’t have templates.
10. DxMinds Technologies
Location: Chicago, IL
Website: dxminds.com
DxMinds is global, but they’ve got roots in Chicago and understand how to work with local businesses. Their projects often involve scaling—building apps that can grow quickly and support large user bases.
They don’t just hand off a product and disappear. Their team stays involved, helping clients fine-tune, adjust, and expand as needs change. If you’re planning to launch and then grow in phases, DxMinds offers the kind of support structure that can keep up.
Final Thoughts
Finding the right mobile app development firm isn’t just about portfolios or code quality—it’s about working with a team that understands your goals. Chicago has no shortage of talented developers, but few combine business insight, design thinking, and technical depth like the companies on this list.
If you’re looking for a long-term partner who can help you build, test, launch, and grow a mobile app that actually delivers, this is where to start.
