How long does it take to build a mobile app?

There is no single timeline that fits every app. We work in 1 to 2 week sprints with a working build to review every cycle, so you always know exactly where the project stands.

Who owns the code once the project is complete?

You do, 100%. Once the project is complete and final payment is received, full ownership of the source code, designs and any custom-built assets transfers to you. There is no licensing fee and no vendor lock-in.

Will you submit my app to the App Store and Google Play?

Yes. Store submission, screenshots, descriptions, metadata, ASO keywords, compliance checks and any review rejections or resubmissions are a standard part of every project-based build.

What happens if something breaks after launch?

Any bug we introduced, we fix free within 30 days of launch. Past that, we stay on for maintenance and feature growth through an ongoing retainer.

Do you sign an NDA before discussing my project?

Yes. We sign an NDA before you share a single detail about your project.

Is Chicago App Devs HIPAA compliant?

We have built HIPAA-compliant architecture for a mobile healthcare app, and we build to that standard whenever a project data handling requires it.

Mobile App Development Company Chicago, IL

We Build

iOS, Android, And Cross-Platform Apps: Built For Chicago Businesses That Need Software That Actually Works.

Chicago App Devs is a mobile app development company Chicago, IL businesses turn to when the current app can't keep up, or there isn't one yet. What you get is real, working software, built by an in-house team you can actually reach.

Get a Free Quote →(312) 698-3358

PhD-Level expert team

94%Client retention

HIPAA& GDPR compliant

Trusted locally

Mobile Apps Built For Clients Near Chicago, IL.

Chicago, IL

Built In The Loop.
Not In A Time Zone You'll Never Visit.

Custom Mobile App Development Chicago, IL starts with your business, not a template. Out of an office in the Loop, we build for growing businesses, mid-market companies, and funded startups across Chicagoland.

Talk to the team →

Weekly Sprints, Not One Big Reveal

A working build every cycle, nothing lands as a surprise.

The Engineer Actually Works Here

Not a national call center with a local-sounding name.

Chicagoland, End To End

Evanston and Skokie through Naperville and Aurora.

Services

Mobile App Development Services In Chicago, IL, From First Sketch To The App Store.

What's actually included? Every mobile app development service Chicago, IL businesses ask us for, organized by what stage your project is at right now.

Native iOS App Development.

iOS app development Chicago businesses hire us for: a native iPhone and iPad app, tuned for full platform performance.

Native Android App Development.

A native Android app, built in Kotlin and Java, tested across the real range of Android devices.

Cross-Platform App Development.

One React Native, Flutter, or Xamarin codebase that ships to iPhone and Android from a single build.

Hybrid App Development.

An Ionic or Cordova/PhoneGap build, when a lighter-weight hybrid app fits the project better than fully native.

Wearable App Development.

Apps for Apple Watch, Wear OS, and fitness trackers, built to extend your core app to the wrist.

Tablet App Development.

iPad-optimized and Android tablet layouts, designed for the larger screen, not just stretched to fit.

TV App Development.

Apps for Apple TV, Android TV, Fire TV, and Roku, built for the living-room screen and remote-control input.

Cost estimator

What Would Your App Actually Cost To Build In Chicago?

Set your platform, app type, complexity, and screen count. Get a real ballpark range once you tell us where to send it.

WATTBA login and appointment details screens

Step 1 of 5

Which Platforms Do You Need?

Both is the common answer, one cross-platform codebase ships to iPhone and Android.

Work

Mobile Apps We've Built For Our Clients.

EdTechLive · iOS, Android & web

An AI Tutor In Every Student's Own Language.

Personalized tutoring never scaled: a great teacher reaches 30 students, not 30,000. We built Teacher AI for iOS and Android, giving every student their own tutor in their own language.

50k+users

30+countries

7languages

Built for

We Build Apps For Every Phase Of Your Growth.

From funded startups shipping a v1 MVP in 12 weeks to logistics businesses replacing paperwork grids, our engagement sizes to what you need.

Funded Startups

Ship your first production-grade app before your next raise or launch deadline, not a prototype.

MVP in 12 weeksInvestor-ready buildFixed price

Growing & Mid-Market Businesses

Enterprises

First-Time App Buyers

Existing-App Owners

Ops-Heavy Teams

Why teams stay

Why Clients Keep Working With Us.

Not badges we bought. Retention we earned, seniority we staff, and compliance we build to by default.

PhD-Level tech leadershipSenior engineers on every build. No junior developers learning on your project.

94%Client retention rateNearly every client we launch with comes back for the next phase of the roadmap.

12 WeeksAverage MVP build speedA production-grade first release, not a prototype, ready before your next raise or launch deadline.

100%Chicago-based engineersEvery engineer on your build works out of our Chicago office. No offshore hand-off, no relay.

Solutions

The Mobile App Features Chicago Businesses Actually Scope.

Twelve common app mechanics mapped to how they replace spreadsheets, reduce phone tag and secure transaction pipelines.

Commerce

E-Commerce Apps

Shopping apps and mobile marketplaces built for real transaction volume, not a storefront demo.

Operations

On-Demand / Booking Apps

Appointment and delivery apps with reminders, payments and capacity built in.

Operations

Social Networking Apps

Community platforms built for the specific way your users want to connect.

Regulated

Fintech Apps

Mobile banking, payments and wallets, built with the transaction security money movement requires.

Regulated

Healthcare Apps

Telemedicine, tracking and patient portals built to the compliance standard the data requires.

Regulated

EdTech Apps

Learning platforms built to keep a learner returning past the first session.

Emerging tech

AR / VR Apps

Augmented and virtual reality built for the specific device and use case, not a generic demo.

Emerging tech

AI / ML-Powered Apps

Recommendations, chatbots and computer vision built into the core experience.

Emerging tech

IoT-Connected Apps

Apps that control and talk to smart devices in real time, from one screen.

Operations

Location-Based Apps

GPS tracking, geofencing and mapping built for accuracy in the field.

Commerce

Gaming Apps

Casual and AR games built for retention and replay, not just a first download.

Operations

Custom Mobile Apps

A purpose-built app scoped around the workflow you actually run.

Why us

Why Chicago Businesses Build With Us.

A Chicago-Based Team.

Every engineer on your build works out of our Chicago office. No offshore hand-off, no relay.

You Watch It Get Built.

You see your app take shape sprint by sprint, instead of waiting months to find out if it works.

Fixed-Price Guarantee.

The number you agree to is the number you pay. No surprise invoices, no fine print.

Senior Engineers Only.

A PhD-Level Expert Team on every build, not junior developers learning on your project.

Store Risk Isn't Yours.

First-time app owners often trip on Apple's and Google's review rules. We own that risk, resubmissions included.

A Guarantee, Not A Promise.

Free bug fixes for 30 days after launch. It's written into the guarantee you sign, not just marketing.

Process

Five Steps From Scope To App Store.

Every project runs in weekly sprints, so you watch your app take shape and watch real users test it before release.

Discovery & Scope.

We define your platform, iOS, Android, or both, your core features, and the MVP scope before design starts.

UX & Prototype.

Wireframes and a clickable, high-fidelity prototype get tested with real users before a single line of code is written.

Build & TestFlight.

Development runs in 1 to 2 week sprints, with working builds delivered incrementally via TestFlight or internal testing tracks.

Store Submission & Launch.

We handle App Store and Google Play submission, metadata, ASO, and any review rejections or resubmissions.

Grow & Iterate.

We monitor crash reports, ship OS-compatibility updates, and keep building features as real usage data comes in.

Tech stack

The Modern Languages & Frameworks We Build With.

We build using native systems and industry-standard open backend platforms, sized for real scaling.

Swift

Core iOS language

SwiftUI

Declarative UI

UIKit

Mature UI layer

Xcode

Build & profiling

Combine

Reactive data flow

Core Data

On-device storage

Core ML

On-device inference

TestFlight

Beta distribution

Industries

Chicago Sectors We Frequently Build For.

Mobile applications sized for local sector operations: HIPAA telemedicine rules, freight dispatcher screens, and neobank security thresholds.

Finance & Banking

Mobile banking where a two-second lag loses the customer outright.

Fintech & Payments

Payment apps and wallets built with the security money movement requires.

Healthcare & Medical

Telemedicine and patient portals, HIPAA-ready by default.

Professional Services

Client portals and workflow tools for firms that bill by the hour.

Logistics & Supply Chain

Dispatchers and drivers still running on phone calls and paper.

Retail & E-Commerce

Shopping apps built for real transaction volume, not a storefront demo.

Real Estate & Property

Listings, tours and tenant tools that work in the field.

Insurance

Claims and policy apps that replace the PDF-and-fax loop.

Hospitality & Tourism

Booking and guest experience from arrival to checkout.

Restaurants & Food Service

Ordering, loyalty and delivery without a third-party cut.

Education & E-Learning

Platforms where the real test is whether anyone returns on day two.

Fitness, Wellness & Beauty

Scheduling, coaching and retention for appointment-led businesses.

Legal Services

Secure client intake and case tracking on a phone.

Media & Entertainment

Content apps built for session length, not just installs.

The local market

Four Chicago Sectors Where Your Customers Are Already On Their Phones.

Four sectors carry this economy, and every one of them is shifting operations onto a phone right now. That gap is where an outdated system starts costing you customers.

Finance & Banking

Trading floors that can’t tolerate a two-second lag.

Fintech & Payments

Neobanks and wallets moving real money, daily.

Healthcare

Systems held to the standard hospitals answer to.

Logistics

Freight and dispatch still running on paper.

50,000+users reached by a single app we built here, not a prototype, not a pitch deck.

Talk to the team →

Testimonials

What Chicago Clients Say About Working With Us.

5.0

★★★★★14 verified client reviews

★★★★★

“Their approach to managing the project was instrumental in achieving our objectives on schedule and within budget.”

EExecutive, Glamly

★★★★★

“They provided excellent service, and their communication was top-notch.”

VAViki Arslanian

★★★★★

“They offered impressive value for money.”

JVJan van der Aa, CEO, Teacher AI

★★★★★

“What really stands out to me about this company is the dedication of the team.”

GSGuido Speelziek, Operational Manager

★★★★★

“Some developers focus only on development, but this team also thinks about the business side.”

DDirector, IT Services Company

★★★★★

“They proactively solve real problems, anticipate needs, and deliver innovative solutions.”

ASAnnalisa Signorelli, Founder & CEO

★★★★★

“They were a great team that delivered everything that was promised.”

CCEO, E-Commerce Software Firm

★★★★★

“They were willing to get the job done and do more than what was paid for.”

MKMuneeb Khan, CTO

★★★★★

“They're committed to accomplishing tasks with a focus on customer service and excellence.”

CBChristopher Brigham, MD, President

★★★★★

“Their approach to managing the project was instrumental in achieving our objectives on schedule and within budget.”

EExecutive, Glamly

★★★★★

“They provided excellent service, and their communication was top-notch.”

VAViki Arslanian

★★★★★

“They offered impressive value for money.”

JVJan van der Aa, CEO, Teacher AI

★★★★★

“What really stands out to me about this company is the dedication of the team.”

GSGuido Speelziek, Operational Manager

★★★★★

“Some developers focus only on development, but this team also thinks about the business side.”

DDirector, IT Services Company

★★★★★

“They proactively solve real problems, anticipate needs, and deliver innovative solutions.”

ASAnnalisa Signorelli, Founder & CEO

★★★★★

“They were a great team that delivered everything that was promised.”

CCEO, E-Commerce Software Firm

★★★★★

“They were willing to get the job done and do more than what was paid for.”

MKMuneeb Khan, CTO

★★★★★

“They're committed to accomplishing tasks with a focus on customer service and excellence.”

CBChristopher Brigham, MD, President

Engagement models

Three Ways To Work With Our Chicago App Development Firm.

Pick the shape that fits where your project is today. You can move between them as the work changes.

Project-Based Builds

Most chosen

We scope every app around what you actually need, not a generic package. Fixed price, agreed upfront.

Best for · a defined app, start to store

Fixed price before we startWeekly working demosStore submission included

Staff Augmentation

Hire mobile developers Chicago-based, without a full agency engagement. We embed them directly into your team.

Best for · teams that need senior hands now

Senior engineers onlyYour tools, your standupsScale up or down monthly

Run & Optimize Retainer

Already on the App Store or Google Play? An ongoing retainer covers updates, fixes and growth.

Best for · apps already live in the stores

OS-update compatibilityCrash monitoring & fixesFeature growth from data

Not sure which one fits? Most clients start with a scoping call and decide from there.Book a scoping call →

Where your app lives

Your iOS And Android App, On The Stores Your Customers Already Use.

No side-loading, no "install this file" instructions. Your app sits in the two stores already on every phone, and getting it approved is our job, not yours.

For every iPhone and iPad customer you have.

We submit it for youWe write the listingRejections are ours to fix

Comparison

Custom App Development Vs A Typical Agency, Side By Side.

Twelve things worth checking before you sign anywhere, ours against the typical agency, freelancer or no-code build.

What you get

✓Source code, designs and repo access transfer to you at final paymentCode ownership

✓Fixed price signed before the first line of codePricing

✓Published under your own Apple and Google accounts, so reviews and revenue are yoursStore accounts

✓Screenshots, metadata, ASO keywords and every resubmission handled by usStore submission

✓Any bug we introduced, fixed free for 30 days after launchPost-launch

✓A working TestFlight or Play build in your hands every 1–2 weeksDuring the build

✓The same senior engineers you met on the scoping callWho writes your code

✓Offline-first sync, so field teams keep working without signalOffline behaviour

✓HIPAA-compliant architecture from day one, as built for DecimaCompliance

✓Backend sized for real traffic, not a demo loadScaling past launch

✓14 verified client reviews you can read in fullTrack record

✓Signed before you describe a single featureNDA

Get a free quote →

Typical Agency, Freelancer Or No-Code

✕You license the build; the repo stays with themCode ownership

✕Hourly billing with no ceiling on the totalPricing

✕Published under the vendor account, so you inherit nothingStore accounts

✕Submission quoted as a separate add-on, rejections billed hourlyStore submission

✕Support ends the day the files are handed overPost-launch

✕One big reveal at the end, after the budget is spentDuring the build

✕Sold by a local rep, built by an offshore team you never meetWho writes your code

✕Breaks the moment the connection dropsOffline behaviour

✕Bolted on after launch, if it is raised at allCompliance

✕Hits a platform ceiling and needs a rebuild to growScaling past launch

✕Three hand-picked quotes with no company namesTrack record

✕Requested only if you ask for oneNDA

Based on what clients tell us they left behind.

Security

App Security And Code Ownership, Protected From Day One.

NDA Before Anything.

Before you describe a single feature, the paperwork protecting it is already signed and filed.

Access-Controlled Development.

Your codebase lives in access-controlled repositories. Only the engineers on your project can touch it.

HIPAA-Compliant Builds.

Decima, a healthcare voice-AI app, was built to HIPAA-compliant architecture from day one, the same standard your project gets.

Your Code. Your Data. Your Guarantee.

You're trusting us with your product, your data, and your timeline. Here's exactly what protects you, in writing, before we start.

01100% Code Ownership Guarantee

02Fixed-Price Guarantee

0330-Day Support Warranty

Compliance

Compliance Standards We Build Every Mobile App To.

HIPAA

GDPR

CCPA / CPRA

SOC 2 Aligned

PCI DSS Aligned

COPPA

FERPA

WCAG 2.0 AA

App Store Review Guidelines

Google Play Developer Policy

HIPAA

GDPR

CCPA / CPRA

SOC 2 Aligned

PCI DSS Aligned

COPPA

FERPA

WCAG 2.0 AA

App Store Review Guidelines

Google Play Developer Policy

FAQ

Still Have Questions? Ask Away.

App development cost Chicago projects run varies by platform, complexity, and screen count, so there's no single number that fits every app. Use the Cost Estimator above to get a real ballpark range in seconds, or talk to our team for an exact scope-based number.

Contact

Tell Us What You're Building.

Whether it's an app that can't keep up or an idea you haven't scoped yet, a real member of the team replies within one business day.

Address203 N LaSalle St, Suite 2100
Chicago, IL 60601Downtown, in the Loop

Phone(312) 698-3358Straight through to the team

Emailcontact@chicagoappdevs.comWe reply within 1 business day

Office hoursMonday–Sunday
24 hours

Our Loop office, Downtown Chicago.

Cloud Gate and the Chicago skyline at dusk

Areas we serve

Wherever You Are In Chicagoland, We Build For You.

We work out of the Loop and meet clients across the metro: twenty communities, one team.

Chicago City & North Shore

ChicagoEvanstonSkokieWaukegan

Northwest Suburbs

SchaumburgArlington HeightsPalatineHoffman EstatesDes Plaines

West Suburbs

Oak ParkBerwynWheatonDowners GroveNapervilleAuroraElgin

South Suburbs

Orland ParkTinley ParkBolingbrookJoliet

Not on the list? We still build for you, this is where we meet in person.Book a meeting →

Got An App Idea? Let's Build It.

Get a real ballpark in minutes, or talk to a real member of our team today.

Get a Free Quote Call (312) 698-3358

Mobile App Development Company Chicago, IL

We Build

iOS, Android, And Cross-Platform Apps: Built For Chicago Businesses That Need Software That Actually Works.

Get Your Free Quote

Mobile Apps Built For Clients Near Chicago, IL.

Built In The Loop.Not In A Time Zone You'll Never Visit.

Weekly Sprints, Not One Big Reveal

The Engineer Actually Works Here

Chicagoland, End To End

Mobile App Development Services In Chicago, IL, From First Sketch To The App Store.

Native iOS App Development.

Native Android App Development.

Cross-Platform App Development.

Hybrid App Development.

Wearable App Development.

Tablet App Development.

TV App Development.

Mobile UI/UX Design.

App Strategy Consulting.

MVP Development.

ASO Strategy & Planning.

Discovery & Requirements Workshops.

E-Commerce/M-Commerce Apps.

On-Demand/Marketplace Apps.

Social Networking Apps.

Fintech Apps.

Healthcare Apps.

EdTech Apps.

AR/VR Mobile Apps.

AI/ML-Powered Apps.

IoT-Connected Apps.

Location-Based Apps.

Gaming App Development.

Other/Custom Mobile Apps.

Backend Development For Mobile Apps.

Third-Party API Integration.

Cloud Integration.

Push Notification Systems.

Database Design & Management.

Mobile App Testing & QA.

Device Compatibility Testing.

Performance Testing.

Mobile App Security Audits.

Automated Testing/CI-CD Setup.

App Store Submission & Publishing.

Ongoing App Store Optimization.

App Maintenance & Support.

App Analytics & Performance Monitoring.

App Modernization/Migration.

Feature Enhancement & Scaling.

Dedicated Mobile Development Teams.

Staff Augmentation.

Fixed-Scope Project Outsourcing.

App Consulting & Technical Audits.

What Would Your App Actually Cost To Build In Chicago?

Which Platforms Do You Need?

Mobile Apps We've Built For Our Clients.

An AI Tutor In Every Student's Own Language.

We Build Apps For Every Phase Of Your Growth.

Funded Startups

Growing & Mid-Market Businesses

Enterprises

First-Time App Buyers

Existing-App Owners

Ops-Heavy Teams

Why Clients Keep Working With Us.

The Mobile App Features Chicago Businesses Actually Scope.

E-Commerce Apps

On-Demand / Booking Apps

Social Networking Apps

Fintech Apps

Healthcare Apps

EdTech Apps

AR / VR Apps

AI / ML-Powered Apps

IoT-Connected Apps

Location-Based Apps

Gaming Apps

Custom Mobile Apps

Why Chicago Businesses Build With Us.

Built In The Loop.
Not In A Time Zone You'll Never Visit.