Top 10 app design agencies to keep an eye on in January 29, 2025

Designing and developing a product is a very intricate process—it demands a very skilled group of people with plenty of insight into its ins and outs.

This article will give you a quick guide to some notable product design agencies and studios with impressive portfolios and quite a few years of activity under their belts.

Let’s get into it, shall we?

Adam Fard Studio

Our product design agency's focus revolves around FinTech and SaaS. Over the years, we’ve focused on working with complex B2B products—this is where we feel at home.

Counter to what most modern studios offer—showy B2C websites with massive usability issues, we strive to craft intricate and complex products that are intuitive and accessible. To achieve this, we leverage our decades of collective experience in merging multiple systems, developing coherent and cohesive experiences, and boosting business metrics like Activation, Conversion, and Retention.

Plus, we choose to focus on complex projects because our team consists of Senior Researchers and Designers, all of which have over 8 years of experience and counting. Our team’s expertise allows us to dig deep into your users’ needs and uncover more actionable insights compared to the industry-standard one-man-designer-army.

As a result, this invariably leads to a more thoughtful and systematic elimination of uncertainty and minimization of product risks.

💰 Pricing range: $50-$99/hr;

🌏 Geography & timezone: Distributed team in EU & US timezone;

🦄 Niche expertise: B2B Fintech, complex SaaS & Enterprise products, K-12 Edtech.

Adam Fard Studio Website

Take a look at our UX case studies

WANDR

Wandr Studio originally started as a remote UI/UX agency aimed to serve startup projects wi tight deadlines and budgets. This positioning helped them build an admirable sense of adaptability and efficiency—allowing them to be preemptive in their thinking and deliver fast quality work.

Wandr is a tight-knit team of passionate experts committed to helping products grow and evolve.

They are based in Los Angeles, California, but their team is distributed all over the world.

💰 Pricing range: $150-$199/hr;

🌏 Geography & timezone: global coverage;

🦄 Niche expertise: healthcare compliance, no-code, cybersecurity;

Visit WANDR Studio's website here.

Brave UX

Brave UX focuses on building beautiful and functional products and services. Their mission revolves around creating designs that can have a positive impact on the world and the people.

They’re really invested in solving pressing problems via design, technology, and meticulous user research and testing.

💰 Pricing range: $200-$300/hr;

🌏 Geography & timezone: Washington, DC;

🦄 Niche expertise: Martech, wellness, IoT

Visit Brave UX's website here.

The Story

The Story is an award-winning UX design agency and web development company seamlessly combined in one team.

Their team expertise ranges from UX design and cloud development to mobile and web development.

The agency was founded back in 2009 and has a long list of reputable clients under its belt.

💰 Pricing range: $25-49/hr;

🌏 Geography & timezone: Warsaw, Munich, London & Boston, MA.

🦄 Niche expertise: healthcare, clinical trials, chatbots, Martech

Visit The Story's website here.

Capicua

Capicua is an agency based in Montevideo, Uruguay, founded back in 2010. Their focus revolves around combining cutting-edge creativity, impeccable user experience, and disruptive tech.

Their culture is rooted in communication, confidence, and the experience of their teammates. They strive to promote ownership across the board by encouraging the people in the agency to contribute to the design and development process.

💰 Pricing range: $25-49 / hr;

🌏 Geography & timezone: Montevideo (Uruguay), NY

🦄 Niche expertise: sports, Edtech, information security

Visit Capicua's website here.

Fuzzy Math

Fuzzy Math is a UX design, strategy, and innovation agency based in Chicago.

They’re adepts of a design process that doesn’t aim to just “look” good. Instead, their goal is to develop products that are enjoyable, meaningful, and fulfilling to their users.

They heavily rely on empathizing with end-users through meticulous research, which helps them identify and validate their expressed and hidden needs.

They keep their roster small and stable, allowing them to ensure that their clients receive an agile and all-hands approach during projects.

💰 Pricing range: $150-$199/hr;

🌏 Geography & timezone: Chicago, IL;

🦄 Niche expertise: non-profit, healthcare R&D, B2B hiring;

Visit Fuzzy Math's website here.

Goji Labs

Goji Labs is a US-based design agency. Their approach revolves around a near-total integration into their customers’ businesses, thus becoming an extension of their organizations.

They invest a lot of time and effort into studying their customers’ operations, which enables them to create products and services that actually drive market success.

Everyone on the team has a wide array of technical expertise, ensuring that their customers can confidently grow and scale their operations.

💰 Pricing range: $100-$149/hr;

🌏 Geography & timezone: Los Angeles, CA, New York, NY;

🦄 Niche expertise: FQHC, precious metal investing, recruiting;

Visit Goji Labs' website here.

Sharpen

Sharpen is an omnichannel experience-design agency. Their team features a wide array of veteran creative talent with a skill set primed to solve complex design problems for the real world.

An important part of Sharpen’s approach is leveraging empathy, both towards users and team members. Their approach to research and strategy is primed to deliver well-thought-out experiences in narrow timeframes and tight budgets.

💰 Pricing range: $300+/hr;

🌏 Geography & timezone: Roswell, GA

🦄 Niche expertise: data visualization, telecom, SAAS

Visit Sharpen's website here.

Digital Panda

Digital Panda is a Vancouver-based creative agency. They work as a distributed crew, and their diverse team helps them get a more objective and inclusive view of design and improve their decision-making.

They strongly believe in the idea of good design through a shared sense of creative freedom.

💰 Pricing range: $100-149/hr;

🌏 Geography & timezone: Vancouver, BC.

🦄 Niche expertise: insurance tech, pharmaceuticals, digital banking

Visit Digital Panda's website here.

Aubergine Solutions

This agency designs and develops web, mobile, and enterprise apps. They have recently received the Red Dot Award accreditation for impeccable design and stellar organizational culture.

Aubergine Solutions were founded in 2013, and since then, they’ve built over 150 products and services.

💰 Pricing range: $25-49/hr;

🌏 Geography & timezone: Pune, India

🦄 Niche expertise: CRM, fitness, land appraisal, HR

Visit Aubergine Solutions' website here.

How Do I Choose the Right App Design Agency for My Project?

Choosing the right app design agency can feel a bit daunting, especially with so many great options out there. But don’t worry—we’ve got you covered. Here’s a simple guide to help you navigate the decision-making process:

1. Define Your Budget

Let’s start with the obvious: how much are you willing to spend? App design agencies come in all shapes and sizes, with pricing that can range from $25/hour to $300+/hour. If you’re a startup, you might lean towards agencies like Adam Fard Studio, which offer budget-friendly rates. For larger, established businesses, considerable investment may be vital for specialized expertise.

2. Look at Niche Expertise

Different agencies specialize in different industries. If you’re in FinTech or SaaS, for example, Adam Fard Studio is a strong contender. Healthcare-focused? Fuzzy Math and The Story have a track record of delivering meaningful results in this space. Knowing an agency has experience in your field means they’ll understand your users’ unique needs and challenges from day one.

3. Consider Geography and Time Zones

While remote work has made global collaboration easier than ever, time zones still matter. If real-time communication is crucial to your project, consider agencies in your time zone. For instance, Digital Panda might be a good fit if you’re based in Canada, while Sharpen offers expertise closer to Eastern US time. On the other hand, agencies like WANDR and Adam Fard have global teams, making them flexible across multiple time zones.

4. Review Client Success Stories

Nothing speaks louder than results. Take a deep dive into UX case studies or testimonials on agency websites. Look for evidence of their ability to solve problems, deliver on time, and create designs that drive measurable impact. For instance, Adam Fard agency helped increase a client’s conversion rates by 78%—a strong indicator of our expertise.

5. Test Compatibility

Every agency has its own style and approach to design. Schedule a consultation or discovery call to see if their process aligns with your vision. Some agencies lean heavily on research and strategy, while others focus on speed and execution. The best fit will be one that resonates with your goals and values.

It's important to narrow down your options and find an agency that feels like an extension of your team. After all, the right partnership can make all the difference between a good app and a truly game-changing one.

What Is the Typical App Design Process Followed by These Agencies?

Designing an app is more than just creating something visually appealing—it’s about solving problems, delivering seamless user experiences, and achieving your business goals. Most top app design agencies follow a structured process, but they often tweak it to fit their unique style or industry focus. Here’s a general roadmap, along with some insights into how specific agencies approach it:

1. Research and Discovery

Every successful project begins with understanding the problem. Agencies dive deep into:

User Research: What do your users need, expect, and struggle with? Some agencies excel in empathizing with end-users to uncover both expressed and hidden needs.
Competitor Analysis: Good agencies take time to study the competitive landscape to ensure your app stands out.
Business Goals: It’s not just about what users want but how the app aligns with your long-term objectives.

2. Strategy and Ideation

This is where agencies map out the path forward:

User Personas and Journey Mapping: Understanding how users interact with your app is key to ensuring a smooth experience.
Feature Prioritization: Agencies like Adam Fard Studio, with their B2B focus, often emphasize aligning features with business metrics like Activation, Conversion, and Retention.

3. Wireframing and Prototyping

This phase brings ideas to life in a low-fidelity format:

Wireframes: Think of these as the app’s blueprint, laying out content and functionality without distractions like colors or fonts.
Prototypes: Agencies like WANDR specialize in quick prototyping, which helps test the flow and functionality early on, saving time and cost down the line.

4. Visual Design

Here’s where the app starts to look polished:

Agencies work on crafting visually appealing interfaces that align with your brand identity.
Good agencies focus on designs that are not only beautiful but also meaningful, with an emphasis on positive impact.

5. Usability Testing

Before your app goes live, it’s put through rigorous testing to iron out any kinks:

A/B Testing: Agencies like Sharpen use data visualization techniques to optimize design decisions.
User Feedback: Testing with real users ensures that the app is intuitive and meets their needs.

6. Development Handoff

For UX agencies that don’t handle development in-house, they prepare detailed documentation and assets for seamless collaboration with your development team. Agencies like Capicua often offer integrated design and development, ensuring a smoother transition.

7. Iteration and Launch Support

Design doesn’t stop at launch. Adam Fard, for instance, remains involved, offering post-launch support to refine and enhance the app based on real-world feedback.

While the core process is similar across agencies, what sets each apart is their attention to detail, industry expertise, and ability to tailor their approach to your unique needs. If you’re unsure about an agency’s process, don’t hesitate to ask during your initial consultation—they’ll be happy to share!

To discover more about how we do things at Adam Fard, dive into our UX process.

What Budget Should I Allocate for Hiring a Top App Design Agency?

When planning to hire a top app design agency, one of the first questions to answer is, “How much will this cost me?” The answer depends on several factors, including the complexity of your project, the agency’s expertise, and even their geographic location. Let’s break it down:

Typical Pricing Ranges

Here’s a general idea of what you might expect to pay per hour for app design services:

Budget-Friendly Agencies: $25–$50/hour (The Story, Adam Fard, Capicua, Aubergine Solutions)

Ideal for startups or small businesses with limited budgets but in need of quality solutions.

Premium Agencies: $200–$300+/hour (Sharpen, Brave UX)

Best for large businesses looking for highly specialized expertise and bespoke solutions.

Factors Influencing Costs

1. Project Complexity

A simple app with basic functionality will cost less than a multi-featured app with integrations, animations, or advanced tech (e.g., AI). For example, agencies like Adam Fard Studio specialize in complex B2B SaaS products, which naturally come with higher costs due to the level of detail and research required.

2. Agency Expertise

Agencies with a proven track record, industry awards, or niche specializations often charge a premium. You’re paying for their expertise and ability to deliver high-quality work efficiently.

3. Geographic Location

Agencies in North America and Western Europe tend to charge higher rates than those in Asia, Eastern Europe, or South America. For instance, Aubergine Solutions in India offers competitive rates compared to agencies like Sharpen in the U.S.

4. Scope of Work

Are you looking for just app design, or do you need research, prototyping, usability testing, and post-launch support? A full-service package will naturally cost more.

5. Timeline

Tight deadlines can increase costs, as agencies may need to allocate extra resources or work overtime to meet your schedule.

Estimating Your Total Budget

To estimate the overall cost, multiply the agency’s hourly rate by the expected number of hours required for your project. For example:

A basic app may take 200–300 hours, costing $5,000–$15,000 at a budget-friendly agency.

A mid-level app with moderate complexity might range from $30,000–$60,000.

High-end apps with advanced features could exceed $100,000 with premium agencies.

How to Maximize Your Budget

Prioritize Features: Focus on must-haves for your MVP (Minimum Viable Product) to keep costs manageable.
Choose a Niche Specialist: Agencies with expertise in your industry, like Adam Fard for SaaS and B2B or The Story for healthcare, can save time and cost by understanding your market faster.
Request Detailed Proposals: Get itemized quotes from multiple agencies to compare offerings.

Investing in a top app design agency can feel like a big commitment, but remember: great design is a long-term asset. A well-designed app not only delights users but also drives engagement and business growth, making it well worth the investment.

Case study: Keyveve app

Creating a mobile app for debt management is no small task, but that’s where our expertise shines. When KeyVeve approached us, they had a bold vision: a seamless solution for individuals to manage and pay off their debts efficiently. Starting from scratch, we collaborated closely to transform their idea into a fully functional mobile app that’s intuitive, visually appealing, and, most importantly, impactful.

Our design process—from initial wireframes to high-fidelity prototypes—resulted in a user-friendly app that integrates credit card and bank accounts to automatically track debt progress, offering users clarity and control over their financial health. It’s a testament to what partnering with the right product design team can achieve.

Key Features We Delivered:

Debt Dashboard: Centralized all debt information in one place for easy tracking.
Bank and Credit Card Integrations: Automated tracking of debt progress with real-time updates.
Goal-Oriented Rewards: Incentivized financial progress with habit-forming rewards.
Budget Insights: Helped users align debt payments with income and expenses.
Investor-Ready Prototype: Delivered a high-fidelity, clickable prototype to showcase the product vision.

What Are the Benefits of Working with a Specialized App Design Agency?

Collaborating with a specialized app design agency offers several key advantages. As long as you are able to spot the red flags in a UX agency, it's easy to spot good choices. Here's what the best agencies bring to the table:

1. Industry Expertise

Specialized agencies, like Adam Fard Studio for SaaS or Fuzzy Math for healthcare, understand your industry’s nuances. They know what works and can anticipate challenges, saving you time and money.

2. Senior Teams

Many specialized agencies boast experienced teams with significant years of expertise. This ensures your project benefits from tried-and-tested strategies and minimal trial-and-error.

3. Targeted Research Capabilities

Agencies with a niche focus excel in conducting in-depth research. For example, Adam Fard is known for meticulous user research and testing, providing insights that lead to better design decisions and reduced risk.

4. Tailored Solutions

Specialized teams craft solutions that align with your users' needs and business goals, offering designs that are both functional and impactful.

5. Faster Results

Thanks to their deep knowledge, these agencies can streamline processes, delivering high-quality work more efficiently than generalist teams.

To learn more about how to evaluate these results, you can go through our detailed article on how to evaluate the success of a UX agency.

The bottom line

We made sure to include every agency’s niche expertise. We believe that it’s absolutely imperative to find a team that understands your industry and users to develop a product that’s truly useful and valuable to them. We hope you found this breakdown useful.