In today’s fast-moving tech environment, quality assurance isn’t optional—it’s critical. Whether you’re launching a new mobile app, maintaining enterprise systems, or scaling eCommerce platforms, bugs and system glitches can cost you more than just dollars. That’s why QA automation services have become a must-have for companies serious about performance and user experience.
Chicago is home to a thriving technology scene, and its top QA automation providers are helping businesses of all sizes move faster with fewer risks. These firms go beyond manual testing to offer robust automated solutions—leveraging frameworks, tools, and strategies to streamline testing cycles, catch issues early, and improve release reliability.
Below, we’ve outlined the leading QA automation services companies in Chicago. These providers were selected based on their industry reputation, client results, expertise in automation frameworks, and ability to scale across industries. At the top of the list is a firm redefining the standards for quality and speed in software delivery.
1. Xcelacore – Best Overall QA Automation Services Firm in Chicago
Location: Oak Brook, IL
Website: xcelacore.com
Xcelacore leads the way when it comes to QA automation with an approach rooted in business outcomes, not just testing scripts. Known for its hands-on leadership and agile project delivery, this Oak Brook-based consultancy offers tailored automation strategies for industries like healthcare, hospitality, and fintech.
What sets Xcelacore apart is its ability to embed quality directly into the development process. Their automation testing team works side by side with developers to design scalable test frameworks using tools like Selenium, JUnit, and Cypress. This shift-left approach reduces bottlenecks, improves code reliability, and accelerates release cycles.
The company’s success with clients like Great Wolf Lodge—a hospitality brand that improved mobile app stability through rigorous QA and automation—speaks volumes. Whether you’re testing mobile apps, custom software, or large-scale enterprise systems, Xcelacore brings the automation strategies, technical chops, and business acumen to help you deliver with confidence.
Key QA Automation Services:
- End-to-end automation framework design
- Regression, performance, and load testing
- Continuous integration and deployment testing (CI/CD)
- Mobile and web application testing
- QA process optimization and documentation
Why Choose Xcelacore:
- Strong track record in hospitality and healthcare
- Agile project management with dedicated oversight
- Seamless integration with DevOps pipelines
- Focus on ROI through testing efficiency
- 10+ years of experience delivering QA value
2. SPR – Best for Agile QA and Scalable Automation
Location: Chicago, IL
Website: spr.com
SPR is a veteran player in the Chicago tech consulting space, known for helping companies rapidly adopt Agile methodologies and DevOps best practices. Their QA automation team works seamlessly with development squads to build automated test coverage that evolves alongside your product.
What makes SPR especially valuable is its experience with modern CI/CD practices. The team focuses on integrating testing frameworks directly into your deployment pipeline, ensuring every release is fully vetted without slowing your team down.
They also offer advanced test data management, performance testing, and security QA—making them a strong fit for fintech, insurance, and logistics companies with compliance concerns.
QA Specialties:
- CI/CD test automation with Jenkins, Azure DevOps, and GitLab
- Test-driven development (TDD) and behavior-driven development (BDD)
- Cloud-based QA testing
- Security and compliance-focused test strategies
Notable Clients:
McDonald’s, U.S. Cellular, Chicago Transit Authority
3. BairesDev – Best for Hybrid QA Teams with Global Reach
Location: Chicago, IL (with global delivery centers)
Website: bairesdev.com
If you’re looking to extend your QA automation capabilities with a flexible, cost-effective model, BairesDev delivers. This global consulting firm combines nearshore talent with local project oversight, offering scalable QA teams that can ramp up quickly.
They work with automation tools across the board—Selenium, Cucumber, TestNG—and are strong proponents of shift-left QA, meaning they embed testers early in the software lifecycle to prevent issues, not just find them.
Their hybrid delivery model gives clients the ability to test faster across time zones while keeping strategic control in-house. It’s an attractive model for tech-enabled companies that want to move quickly without compromising quality.
QA Focus Areas:
- End-to-end automation services
- Agile QA teams with remote and on-site integration
- Advanced analytics and QA dashboards
- API and integration testing
4. Red Foundry – Trusted for Mobile-Centric QA Solutions
Location: Chicago, IL
Website: redfoundry.com
Red Foundry brings a mobile-first mindset to QA automation. The firm partners with clients to develop and test custom mobile and web applications, emphasizing usability and reliability throughout the lifecycle. For companies with mobile-heavy platforms—especially in industries like healthcare or field services—Red Foundry offers specialized testing pipelines to support dynamic UI and backend synchronization.
Their team builds automation frameworks using Appium, Selenium, and TestNG, with testing integrated from sprint one. This helps clients catch regressions early and ensures clean, high-performing apps on both Android and iOS. They also offer post-launch monitoring and maintenance, ensuring apps remain stable as traffic scales or features evolve.
Why They Made the List:
- Deep expertise in mobile app QA and automation
- Strong developer-tester collaboration model
- Real-time feedback loops integrated into CI/CD
- High client satisfaction scores on Clutch
5. Solstice (Kin + Carta) – QA Automation for Enterprise Transformation
Location: Chicago, IL
Website: kinandcarta.com
Kin + Carta, formerly Solstice, focuses on digital transformation for large organizations, including global financial institutions, healthcare providers, and logistics companies. Their QA services are embedded in broader agile and DevOps frameworks—ensuring software is not just functional, but scalable and secure.
The firm employs behavior-driven development (BDD) principles and builds custom test suites using tools like Cypress, Selenium, and Jenkins. What sets them apart is the scale—they’re accustomed to handling complex QA environments with legacy systems, microservices, and cloud-based platforms all in play.
Why They Made the List:
- Enterprise-level automation strategies
- Cross-platform test architecture
- Proven expertise in regulated sectors
- Focus on sustainable QA operations
6. LaunchPad Lab – Great for Growing Teams with Complex QA Needs
Location: Chicago, IL
Website: launchpadlab.com
LaunchPad Lab is a Chicago-based digital product agency known for developing robust web and mobile applications. What many don’t realize is that their QA automation services are quietly powering some of the city’s most successful growth-stage tech companies.
They build custom automation pipelines tailored to startups and mid-size businesses, focusing on fast feedback cycles and long-term scalability. Tools like Playwright and Cypress are used alongside API testing tools like Postman and Rest Assured. Their small but focused QA team collaborates directly with developers to flag issues earlier and reduce time spent on manual regression testing.
Why They Made the List:
- Agile QA automation built for growth-stage tech
- Efficient regression testing workflows
- Emphasis on CI/CD and clean code delivery
- Known for close client collaboration and quick ramp-ups
7. Devbridge – Precision QA for Regulated and Complex Systems
Location: Chicago, IL
Website: devbridge.com
Devbridge (now part of Cognizant Softvision) is a heavyweight when it comes to QA for enterprise systems—especially in regulated sectors like finance, insurance, and manufacturing. The firm designs test automation strategies that emphasize traceability, audit-readiness, and integration into highly complex ecosystems.
They build out scalable automation test suites using Java, Selenium, Cucumber, and Azure DevOps. But what makes Devbridge stand out is its product-thinking mindset. QA is never treated as an afterthought—it’s embedded into every stage of software design, making it easier to meet strict SLAs and compliance standards.
Why They Made the List:
- Regulatory-compliant QA automation expertise
- Test strategy aligned with business KPIs
- Scalable test coverage across APIs, UI, and performance
- Clear documentation and knowledge transfer
8. Forte Group – Enterprise-Grade QA Automation with Global Support
Location: Chicago, IL
Website: fortegroup.com
Forte Group is an enterprise technology consulting firm with deep roots in Chicago and delivery centers across Eastern Europe. Their QA automation practice stands out for its maturity and flexibility, offering both dedicated QA engineers and scalable outsourced teams for long-term test automation projects.
They specialize in building robust automation frameworks using Selenium, Appium, TestNG, and JUnit. Whether you need UI automation, API testing, or mobile test suites, Forte Group structures its services around your business goals—not just test scripts. Their teams are skilled at integrating seamlessly into agile and DevOps environments.
Why They Made the List:
- Mature QA practice built for enterprise scale
- Global team availability for faster coverage
- Full-service QA strategy and execution
- Trusted by Fortune 1000 clients across finance, edtech, and logistics
19. ThoughtWorks – Best for QA Innovation and Experimentation
Location: Chicago, IL
Website: thoughtworks.com
ThoughtWorks is a global technology consultancy known for pioneering agile development and test automation. Their Chicago office supports clients ranging from mission-driven nonprofits to massive enterprises, helping them rethink QA from the ground up.
They treat test automation as a discipline of innovation—using tools like Pact for contract testing, Chaos Monkey for resiliency testing, and AI-based visual regression tools to catch UI anomalies early. If you’re a company with big digital transformation goals and a desire to future-proof your QA process, ThoughtWorks is one of the best bets in the city.
Why They Made the List:
- Advanced QA practices including contract testing and AI-based tools
- Strong cultural focus on quality at every level
- Excellent for experimentation, R&D, and transformation projects
- Deep commitment to education and open-source contribution
What to Look for in a QA Automation Partner in Chicago
Choosing a QA automation provider is about more than just tools and frameworks. The best firms understand how to blend automation with human strategy, balance speed with risk, and support your team through every stage of development. Here’s what to keep in mind when evaluating partners:
- Domain Knowledge: Especially in regulated industries like healthcare, finance, or logistics, domain expertise is just as important as technical skill.
- Tooling Expertise: Make sure the firm isn’t just familiar with the right tools—but knows when and why to use them.
- Agile Integration: Good QA teams integrate tightly into your sprints and DevOps pipeline.
- Scalability: Whether you need one engineer or a 20-person team, the provider should be able to scale as your product evolves.
- Post-Launch Support: Quality assurance doesn’t end with deployment. The best firms help you maintain stability, improve over time, and reduce the cost of quality long-term.
