The Best Mobile App Developers in Chicago

1. Red Foundry

Red Foundry is Chicago's most recognized mobile-first development shop. The employee-owned agency (ESOP) has been building iOS and Android apps since 2009 and counts Penguin Random House, JetBlue, and Feeding America among its clients.

With a team of 21-50, hourly rates of $150-$199, and project minimums starting at $50K, they're positioned as a premium option. Employee ownership aligns incentives in a way that traditional agency structures don't.

• Website: redfoundry.com
• Founded: 2009
• Team size: 21-50
• Hourly rate: $150-$199/hr
• Project minimums: $50K+
• Location: Chicago, IL
• Best for: Premium mobile-first development from an employee-owned studio

2. Eight Bit Studios

Eight Bit Studios is a boutique mobile development shop with ~10 employees and an Inc. 5000 listing. Founded in 2009, they specialize in MVPs and mobile apps for startups and mid-market companies.

Their small size means you're working with senior developers, not junior engineers learning on your project. At $150-$199/hr with $50K+ minimums, they're premium-priced but deliver the hands-on attention that a 10-person team can provide.

• Website: eightbitstudios.com
• Founded: 2009
• Team size: ~10
• Hourly rate: $150-$199/hr
• Project minimums: $50K+
• Location: Chicago, IL
• Best for: Startup MVPs and mobile apps from a senior-level boutique team

3. TXI (formerly Table XI)

TXI is one of Chicago's longest-running digital product firms, operating since 2002 with 60-75 employees and 51 Clutch reviews. Rebranded from Table XI, they build mobile and web products across healthcare, education, and consumer industries.

Twenty-plus years in business and the highest Clutch review count on this list signal consistent delivery and client satisfaction. Their institutional knowledge of Chicago's tech ecosystem is hard to match.

• Website: txi.com
• Clutch: 51 reviews
• Founded: 2002
• Team size: 60-75
• Hourly rate: $150-$199/hr
• Location: Chicago, IL
• Best for: Digital product development from Chicago's most established firm

4. Codal

Codal stands out for its ecommerce expertise, with Shopify and BigCommerce certifications and clients like Thermos and Charles Schwab. The team of ~300 (global) has been operating since 2009, with project minimums starting at $75K.

For DTC and retail brands, Codal's ecommerce platform knowledge makes them one of the most relevant picks on this list. They understand how checkout, product catalogs, and mobile commerce need to work together.

• Website: codal.com
• Founded: 2009
• Team size: ~300 (global)
• Hourly rate: $150-$199/hr
• Project minimums: $75K+
• Location: Chicago, IL
• Best for: Ecommerce mobile development (Shopify, BigCommerce specialists)

5. Foxbox Digital

Foxbox Digital is an engineering-first agency headquartered on Chicago's Division Street. Founded in 2018, the team of 50-75 has grown quickly by focusing on clean engineering and product-focused development.

At $100-$149/hr with $25K+ minimums, they're slightly more accessible than the premium-tier agencies on this list. A good option for companies that want strong engineering without the overhead of a larger agency.

• Website: foxbox.com
• Founded: 2018
• Team size: 50-75
• Hourly rate: $100-$149/hr
• Project minimums: $25K+
• Location: 1720 W Division St, Chicago, IL
• Best for: Engineering-first mobile development at mid-premium pricing

6. Atomic Object

Atomic Object is an employee-owned software consultancy with 125+ employees across multiple offices, including their Chicago location at 609 W Randolph Street. Founded in 2001, they carry a 4.9/5 Clutch rating.

Employee ownership and a 4.9 Clutch score are both signals of a well-run operation. Their $25K+ minimums and $150-$199/hr rates position them as premium but accessible.

• Website: atomicobject.com
• Clutch: 4.9/5 rating
• Founded: 2001
• Team size: 125+ (multi-office)
• Hourly rate: $150-$199/hr
• Project minimums: $25K+
• Location: 609 W Randolph St, Chicago, IL
• Best for: Employee-owned premium development with a near-perfect Clutch score

7. LaunchPad Lab

LaunchPad Lab was founded in Chicago in 2012 and has completed 730+ projects with a team of 50-65. Their project minimums start at just $10K, the lowest on this list, making them accessible for earlier-stage projects.

That low entry point combined with $150-$199/hr rates and 730+ completed projects makes them a flexible option. They can handle small prototypes as well as full-scale product builds.

• Website: launchpadlab.com
• Founded: 2012
• Team size: 50-65
• Hourly rate: $150-$199/hr
• Project minimums: $10K+
• Location: Chicago, IL
• Best for: Flexible engagement sizes from $10K prototypes to full product builds

8. Vokal

Vokal focuses on the private equity and mid-market space, building mobile and digital products for companies backed by PE firms. Clients include Weber, Groupon, Whole Foods, and Walgreens.

With ~60 employees, $150-$199/hr rates, and $100K+ project minimums, they're firmly in the enterprise tier. Their PE focus makes them a natural partner for portfolio companies going through digital transformation.

• Website: vokal.io
• Founded: 2009
• Team size: ~60
• Hourly rate: $150-$199/hr
• Project minimums: $100K+
• Location: Chicago, IL
• Best for: PE-backed companies and mid-market digital transformation

9. Digital Authority Partners

Digital Authority Partners is a full-service digital agency that combines development with marketing, a pairing that most pure-play development shops don't offer. The team of 50+ has built 350+ digital products since 2016.

At $100-$149/hr, they're more accessible than Chicago's premium studios. Their combined dev-and-marketing capability is useful for companies that need both a product and a growth strategy.

• Website: digitalauthority.me
• Founded: 2016
• Team size: 50+
• Hourly rate: $100-$149/hr
• Location: Chicago, IL
• Best for: Mobile development paired with digital marketing strategy

10. Plego Technologies

Plego Technologies has been operating from the Chicago Loop since 2002, giving them 24+ years of software development experience. Their office at 8 W Monroe St puts them in the heart of the financial district.

Two-plus decades of longevity and a downtown Loop presence signal stability. At $100-$149/hr, they offer experienced development at a slightly lower price point than Chicago's premium boutiques.

• Website: plego.com
• Founded: 2002
• Team size: Mid-size
• Hourly rate: $100-$149/hr
• Location: 8 W Monroe St, Chicago, IL
• Best for: Experienced development from a 24-year Chicago Loop firm

11. Made in Tandem (DevMynd)

Made in Tandem (formerly DevMynd) was named the #1 software firm in Chicago by Clutch. The team of 11-50 focuses on custom software development and data consulting, with mobile app development as part of their offering.

Their Clutch ranking and rebrand reflect an evolution from pure development into strategic consulting. Best suited for companies where the mobile app is one piece of a larger software and data strategy.

• Website: madeintandem.com
• Founded: 2011
• Team size: 11-50
• Hourly rate: $150-$199/hr
• Location: Chicago, IL
• Best for: Custom software and data consulting with mobile capability

12. Intersog

Intersog is the most budget-friendly option on this list, with hourly rates of $50-$99 and project minimums starting at $25K. The team of 150-250+ operates from a Chicago headquarters with global delivery capacity.

For companies that need capable mobile development at a lower price point, their hybrid model provides Chicago-based project management with cost-effective engineering. They've been at it since 2005.

• Website: intersog.com
• Founded: 2005
• Team size: 150-250+
• Hourly rate: $50-$99/hr
• Project minimums: $25K+
• Location: Chicago, IL
• Best for: Budget-friendly mobile development with a hybrid delivery model

Do You Actually Need a Dev Agency?

Chicago agencies build strong products, and for custom apps with unique requirements, they're worth the investment. 

But if you're an ecommerce brand that already has a great website, building a separate native app from scratch is often more work and cost than necessary.

MobiLoud extends your existing website into native iOS and Android apps. Your checkout, product pages, and integrations all carry over. You get push notifications, a home screen icon, and App Store presence without maintaining a separate codebase.

It's faster and far more affordable than custom development. And it’s more sustainable - because you’re not juggling two separate storefronts. 

Book a free demo to see if it makes sense for your brand.