Top 11 Software Companies in the UK
Searching for software companies in the UK means reviewing 26,400+ providers, which sounds exhausting and challenging. Our experts listed the top 11 firms located in the United Kingdom with the highest ratings to streamline your decision-making process.
Limeup experts have leveraged their experience developing competitive products to create a comprehensive guide about a software company in the UK. We will discuss these benchmarks in more detail and touch on other important factors that will play a role in filtering out product organizations.
Read our guide and learn how to choose a trustworthy partner among software companies and create a valuable solution. If you want to streamline your research, Limeup experts are ready to team up with you. Book a free call to discuss your software challenges.
List of the best software companies in the UK
Limeup
Limeup is an experienced software company in the UK with a 5-star rating on Clutch. We have been creating impactful software projects in fintech, education, healthcare, iGaming, real estate, Web3, and blockchain industries since 2015. As of now, we have become one of the recognized companies when it comes to leading software solutions in the UK.
We are a team of 65 highly experienced and inspired tech talents: UX researchers, designers, and other experts, with most of the staff being at mid- and senior levels.
Reach out to Limeup team and discuss any software development challenges you might face.
Limeup’s software development services cover the desired outcomes of our clients based on the scrupulous analysis of current trends to develop cutting-edge software that 100% meets end-users’ expectations and works towards business success. Our mission is to deliver solutions that set businesses apart from the competition in an ever-changing digital landscape.
Book a call if you have a project in mind and want to bring your ideas to life. We are ready to discuss your needs and define the next steps.
Instil Software
Instil Software represents software companies in the UK based in Belfast and has been operating since 2005, offering advanced technologies for projects of any complexity.
The company has a sizable team of developers, designers, and managers that provide various digital services, such as custom product development, cloud consulting, system integration, and IoT. Notably, it also offers developer training for engineering teams worldwide, a service a few brands can provide in the UK to rally the troops.
Instil Software takes on both challenging and low-risk projects, being able to solve the most demanding problems. Leveraging its expertise in industries like automotive, education, finance, manufacturing, retail, and telecommunications, Instil Software has delivered dozens of successful projects, since among the clients are Deloitte, Atlassian, BMW, and American Express.
Ballard Chalmers
Based in Wimborne, Ballard Chalmers is a trusted outsourcing UK software company that was founded in 2005, and cooperation with it is worth a fortune! The agency is part of the Transparity Group, and it’s one of the leading Microsoft consultancy practices specializing in software creation.
Ballard Chalmers focuses mainly on Microsoft Azure cloud-native development, Azure integration services, and modern data warehouse creation, along with web development services.
Like other top-tier companies, Ballard Chalmers also provides custom development, application modernization, software solutions, business intelligence, and digital data management services. When partnering with Ballard Chalmers, clients can expect to obtain services across various industries, including:
- Charitable and non-profit organizations,
- Education,
- Energy,
- Finance,
- Healthcare,
- Housing and manufacturing, engineering,
- Telecom,
- Logistics.
AppDrawn
AppDrawn is one of the applications creative agencies that was established in 1999 and has since been one of the leading software providers. Additionally, it offers managed services such as web apps and mobile development, consultancy and analysis, legacy software modernization, and business process automation.
AppDrawn collaborates with small and medium-sized businesses and prominent enterprises. Some notable clients are BBC, Imagine, RenTeQ, and Swerve Tracker. Their team consists of tech talents from the United Kingdom who carry multiple years of experience over to their work.
Being on the market for over 23 years, AppDrawn gained experience working on various projects for businesses in education, finance, government, healthcare, logistics, and manufacturing.
GoodCore Software
Entering the market in 2005, CEO Hassan Basharat founded UK software company GoodCore Software and since its establishment, they have provided many professional services, like SaaS development, custom solutions, etc.
The company’s employees take technical courses and receive certifications to improve their expertise in a multitude of industries — healthcare, sports, utilities, fintech, and education. The brand guarantees cost-effective solutions with strict deadlines for award-winning software that will help businesses to receive an ability to remain competitive.
Its team accepted Forbes Technology Council accreditation in 2022, among other noteworthy awards. Some of its software projects include iMatch, a web-based clinic management software, and PMLLHub, a licensing management system.
Browser London
Browser London is a trusted provider offering remote and on-site collaboration, with its main office headquartered in London. The company provides a wide range of managed services, such as:
- Research and analysis,
- UI/UX design,
- Product strategy,
- Technical support,
- Quality assurance, and maintenance.
Over the years, the company’s success is attributed to its possibility to create valuable and robust software products that allows clients to achieve noteworthy results within the most uphill battles when it comes to projects. Its developers work with business services, consumer products, and education clients, to name a few. The brand reveals collaboration s with well-known brands like NHS, British Airways, and Ford.
Dotsquares
Dotsquares is one of the enterprise UK software companies that started its existing journey in 2002. From the first days of its foundation, the brand has specialized in providing a full range of IT services, including developing high-end apps, CRM consulting, and so on.
It has managed to implement many projects of various sizes, delivering its services to businesses from entirely different industries. Numerous companies have cooperated with Dotsquares and have seen them at work firsthand with affordable prices, which start at less than $25.
With an extensive global footprint, Dotsquares has an impressive customer base, bringing together clients from SMEs worldwide. Besides, the offering of high-quality services has successful cases of cooperation with transnational corporations.
Incepteo
Incepteo is an enterprise software firm with a client-oriented approach and robust team that develops top-quality products. The vast spectrum of services ranges from the creation of custom design to the launch of full-fledged applications capable of achieving the commented goals and results.
This is one of the UK software companies that have been operating for more than 10 years, and its portfolio boasts real achievements in delivering top-level solutions, including SaaS solutions and hybrid apps for Android and iOS. Talking about the proven track record, the company cooperated with Geodis, Betterlogic, and others.
Apadmi
Apadmi is one of the leading engineering agencies in London, with 150+ tech specialists on the board which represents their vast expertise, with the main office being located in Salford. The company became a Gold Partner of Microsoft in 2021 and won Digital Agency of the Year by MPA Awards in the same year.
Apadmi specializes in IoT, big data, BI, and SI consulting, and its tech specialists provide software development. As you may know, some people try to reach the pinnacles with their projects, and the company easily takes on the most challenging ones. In addition, it offers engineering services for transformational products, support, optimization, and deep analytics.
The enterprise software company in the UK has experience developing software for the finance, sport, and healthcare industries. Apadmi has worked with established companies, such as BBC, Argos, Lexus, and Dominos. To get the ball rolling, just contact the company within a website and team up for your next project.
Magora Systems
Established in 2010, Magora is a recognized software creation label that thinks outside the box, winning the Clutch Leader Award in 2019. It works with both B2B and B2C businesses, taking on projects from the ground up, as well as working with existing solutions.
Magora Systems is a Tier-1 agency that raises the bar and offers full-cycle services, particularly solutions, user experience and user interface design, native and cross-platform development, MVP development, and team augmentation.
Working with brands of all sizes, its software developers have experience in logistics, healthcare, real estate, catering, tourism, e-commerce, and entertainment. Its portfolio includes Danone, Unilever, Toyota, and Royal College of Art clients.
Covering every request and going the extra mile for each project the company does, Magora Systems charges businesses $25 – $49 hourly, with a minimum project price of $25,000+.
Imaginary Cloud
Imaginary Cloud has ambitions to work with the most well-known brands. Consequently, they take on the most unexpected demands within projects. The company has provided seamless technology and painless upscaling since 2010. Imaginary Cloud’s primary focus is to deliver cost-effective and competitive software for clients of all sizes, from startups to enterprises.
Its tech specialists offer bespoke software development, product ideation, UX/UI design, and code audit. With over 300 projects delivered, the company onboards experienced software engineers, designers, and data scientists to every project.
Clients rely on them to develop software for agriculture, education, finance, government, and logistics industries. You may recognize its former clients – Nokia, Thermo-Fisher, and BNP Paribas.
What makes the best software company in the UK?
Examining the list of companies, you may see the differences and similarities between the companies from the United Kingdom; indeed, it’s challenging to compare even two companies without knowing which criteria define top software companies in the UK.
First, let’s refer to essential things to ponder before hiring a company, including:
- Service list. Each enterprise has a list of services tailored for implementing a specific range of projects. Ensure your partner has sufficient experience delivering products that match your business goals.
- Positive feedback from customers. It is much more challenging to find reviews of software agencies in the UK. As a rule, clients who have already collaborated with the brand and such cooperation turned out to be successful are willing to share their experiences.
- Promises backed by results. Check the company’s portfolio and do your due diligence. There is no point in trusting promising results if an agency hasn’t shown real achievements with previous projects. Request a complete list of customers with products similar to yours and evaluate their actual results. It would be reasonable to ask what tools and approaches the team used at all stages of software development.
- Effective and timely reporting. Software business creation always involves close collaboration between companies and the team. A company should provide you with data on progress and results. It will be better if communication is delegated to a specific PM who can provide quick and timely feedback.
We named the basic things a successful organization could only exist with. It’s time to move from words to deeds and review the leading UK companies in 2023.
How to choose software companies based in the United Kingdom?
Cooperation with top companies is a responsible task that will ultimately affect the final outcome of your project. Choosing the right partner requires preparation and understanding of what crucial criteria to look at.
Factors you need to consider when choosing software company.
Many tiny details and red flags may affect the partnership process. Therefore, we developed a step-by-step review strategy and analyzed the questions you must ask a company during the first meeting. So, let’s walk through all the steps together:
- Define the goals. Before the first meeting with a potential candidate, you should define the project goals and requirements. Further, it will be much easier for them to bear fruitful results.
- Create a list of potential partners. Creating a list of top UK software companies to review will be relatively simple. We selected potential partners with real client testimonials, including ratings, and identified their expertise so you can better understand the details of the collaboration process.
- Check the portfolio. An essential part of choosing the most reliable provider for your project is to check if it has relevant experience in your industry or has worked on similar projects. You can do so by checking a portfolio of works on their website. They are usually called “Our projects,” “Our works,” or “Case studies.”
- Pay attention to the location. Some clients look to collaborate on-site with a technology firm based in the UK. This means traveling to the main office and communicating face-to-face with the team.
- Choose the right tech stack. If you clearly understand what kind of technology your project needs, you can focus on companies specializing in them. Some agencies assign full-stack software developers according to the project’s requirements.
- Go for security. Security is a vital part of any product and must be appropriately handled by the agency of your choice. The vendor should clarify what documents and measures it implements for security cooperation.
- Agree on workflows and communication. The workflow and nuances of the SDLC will determine how frequent and transparent the communication between you and the team will be. You, the services provider, and its PM must agree on how regularly you will set up calls to provide updates on the project.
- Get recommendations. Lastly, you can ask your colleagues whether they’ve worked with companies and if they can recommend any. Based on their experience, you can evaluate if the firm can be helpful for your project. Sometimes, feedback from a colleague collaborating with a particular company can be more comprehensible than the most detailed review on Clutch.
Remember that when choosing a software partner, always come through a so-called introductory call. Such calls are crucial to understanding whether a particular provider will make a good partner for your project.
During the first call, you can share your plans and ideas for the project and get to know the company’s capabilities and work practices better.
To simplify this process, we compiled a list of questions you can ask UK software companies on the introductory call. Additionally, we outlined a few red flags to keep in mind to filter out unsuitable candidates. Let’s walk through the questions together.
Business questions
- What does your collaboration process look like?
- How will we communicate during the project?
- How will you keep me updated on the progress?
- What do you do when the project does not go according to plan?
- What is our scope of responsibilities and involvement in the process?
- What is unique about your firm?
- How easy is it to upscale the team?
- How long does it take to form a team with a software partner?
- Do we select developers?
- Have you worked on a similar project and had a measurable success?
- Do you have experience in my industry?
Technical questions
- What software development methodologies do you use?
- What services do you provide for projects like mine?
- How is software testing done? Is there peer code review or automated tests?
- Who owns the source code?
Red flags to keep in mind
While reviewing companies, there are several vital points to consider that may be suspicious or hint that the company is unreliable. It’s best to look out for red flags, such as:
- The cheapest options are rarely good. As the saying goes: buy cheap, buy twice. You can lose more money if you hire another organization to fix the mistakes of the previous one.
- Companies without websites, technologies, industries, and portfolios may be frauds.
- Poor or absent customer reviews are signs that the team needs to be more trustworthy.
How much does the company charge for software solutions in the UK?
Factors that influence software company charges.
Many clients have an essential question: how much does it cost to work with a software firm? In reality, the cost of services varies greatly, and many factors affect the price of developing bespoke software in the UK. Some of them are:
- The scope of the project. The requirements and business goals you want to achieve will determine how your project is planned, managed, and delivered.
- The complexity of the software. More complex software with custom features and components or requests like technology consultancy will require more time and resources.
- The technology stack. Some technologies may be more expensive or require more expertise than others.
- The project timeline. The time needed to deliver software will also affect the price, as projects with shorter deadlines may require more resources to complete in a shorter period and can cost more.
- The team’s size and experience. A larger group with more experienced and skilled software developers and project managers will likely cost more. Still, it will result in a better quality of work.
- The agency’s location. Companies from larger cities tend to charge more than vendors from smaller towns. Collaborating with a remote vs. on-site team can also influence the cost.
The pricing models of a particular company can also play a role. Most companies charge hourly, while others offer fixed-price contracts for specific services like crafting mobile platforms. In the latter format, the organization and the client agree on the price upfront, which remains unchanged.
Most organizations offer collaboration starting with a minimum project size. Based on reviewing over 50 of the largest software companies in the United Kingdom and their profiles on Clutch, the price for a minimum project size starts at £4,000.
Generally, you should carefully analyze the cost and value ratio of firms for their services. It’s most reasonable to discuss the contract terms before making any commitments.
If you want to get a project quote, get in touch with us. We are ready to analyze requirements and provide a suitable step-by-step plan for your project.
Looking for a UK software company?
Choosing the most suitable partner for your project is a significant task. It’s essential to consider various factors when evaluating potential candidates. Remember to emphasize the company’s experience and expertise in your industry and analyze its track record of delivering high-quality software.
Since you will work closely with the team, you should cooperate with the right company to build a trusting and long-term relationship. So, choose the top software company in the United Kingdom whose ethics align with your values and priorities.
If you are looking for a reliable partner with a senior team to work on your project, consider contacting us. At Limeup, we help enterprises and startups worldwide bring their ideas to reality. We are a dedicated team of skilled specialists with significant experience creating impactful software solutions.
Get in touch with us, and let’s discuss how we can collaborate on developing competitive software for your business needs.