British Columbia’s tech ecosystem, especially Vancouver, has exploded in recent years. From 2018 to 2023, Vancouver’s tech workforce grew by over 30%, reaching roughly 98,700 professionals. This boom has spurred demand for advanced software solutions, fueling a surge of innovative development firms in the province. Below we profile nine leading custom software development companies based in British Columbia, highlighting their expertise, services, and client focus. These firms, all headquartered or with major offices in BC, are selected for their proven track records in building tailored software solutions for a range of industries.
Empyreal Infotech is a global software development firm with roots dating to 2015. Based in Vancouver (and London) with a network across North America and Asia, Empyreal Infotech positions itself as a bridge between Canadian tech talent and international clients. The company offers end-to-end custom software services, from mobile and web app development to eCommerce platforms and enterprise solutions. Empyreal emphasizes agile project management and 24/7 client support, leveraging its offshore development resources to deliver cost-effective solutions.
• Core Services: Full-stack custom software development, mobile app development (iOS/Android/Flutter), web development (React, Angular, Laravel, etc.), and digital product consulting. (The company also offers related services like CRM integration, SEO services, and UI/UX design.)
• Industry Focus: Across industries such as e-commerce, finance, education, and healthcare. (Empyreal’s website showcases projects ranging from sports platforms to fintech events.)
• Approach: Empyreal markets itself on “turning clients’ business ideas into reality,” emphasizing clear communication and collaboration during development. Its global delivery model means projects can be staffed with dedicated teams at flat-rate pricing, often with quick turnaround times.
Empyreal Infotech’s global network and experience in cross-border collaboration enable it to connect businesses with Canada’s rising tech talent pools. In Vancouver’s vibrant startup and enterprise scene, Empyreal offers the blend of offshore scalability and onshore insight that many companies seek when building new software solutions.
Essential Designs is a Vancouver-based software development firm founded in 2008. With around 5099 employees, they specialize in building custom enterprise platforms and mobile/web applications for leading brands. Key strengths include robust project management and a strong focus on quality. Clients consistently praise their timely delivery, technical expertise, and flexibility in meeting complex requirements.
• Core Services: Custom software platform development (desktop, web, and mobile apps), enterprise solutions, and ongoing software maintenance. (Their technology stack covers Android/iOS apps, web applications, and UI/UX design.)
• Notable Clients: Essential Designs has built solutions for major companies (including Fortune 500 firms and government agencies). For example, they developed a large-scale SaaS web application for a municipal association, handling everything from design to hosting.
• Reputation: Recognized for custom software innovation, Essential Designs holds a 5.0 rating on clutch with reviews highlighting their “solid, efficient coding” and excellent communication. Their profile notes that 100% of reviewed projects involved custom software for SME, underscoring their focus on bespoke solutions. In summary, Essential Designs combines decades of experience with a customer-centric approach. They
deliver “bespoke software development services” tailored to each client’s needs, making them a top choice in BC for enterprises seeking robust, scalable custom software.
SharpQuest (formerly AI Software) is a Vancouver-headquartered firm (established in 2009) that delivers custom enterprise software and IT consulting. The company acts as a “technology partner” to businesses of all sizes, helping clients overcome mission-critical challenges with modern software solutions. SharpQuest’s hybrid delivery model combines onshore leadership with offshore development teams to ensure cost-effective yet high-quality outcomes.
• Core Services: Custom software engineering (backend and frontend development), QA/testing, and IT strategy consulting. They build solutions using contemporary tech stacks (e.g., .NET, Java, and cloud platforms) and often integrate with clients’ existing infrastructure.
• Industry Focus: Healthcare, financial services, and government have featured prominently, as well as startups seeking MVP development. A key example is their work on a comprehensive CRM system for a UK-based healthcare client, where reviewers noted the team’s collaborative approach and deep domain understanding.
• Client Feedback: SharpQuest earned a 4.9/5 rating from over a dozen reviews. Clients emphasize their commitment "They do everything possible to support our project" and value their transparent, agile process with over a decade of experience (and a tight-knit team of 1049 experts), SharpQuest stands out for turning complex requirements into functional, mission-critical software. Their focus on end-to-end delivery and client satisfaction has made them one of British Columbia’s trusted software development companies.
Simform is a global technology company with a major office in Vancouver and headquarters in India. Though much larger (over 1,000 employees), they are included here for their Vancouver presence and expertise. Simform bills itself as a “premier product engineering services company” and GenAI partner. They excel in large-scale digital transformations and data-driven solutions for enterprise clients.
• Core Services: Product engineering (software architecture, full-stack development), cloud, and DevOps, data engineering, and emerging tech (generative AI, machine learning). Simform often leads end-to-end development of mobile and web platforms for startups to Fortune 500s.
• Key Strengths: Their team is skilled in modern architectures (Cloud/MACH) and automations. They position themselves as partners in innovation, for example, using AI/ML to create smarter, scalable applications.
• Global Reach: Simform serves clients worldwide; their Vancouver branch helps North American clients tap into their global talent network. Client testimonials praise Simform’s professionalism and responsiveness, noting long-term partnerships in mobile app development and cloud services.
Though not exclusively Vancouver-based, Simform’s commitment to the local market (with on-ground staff in BC) and its leading-edge focus make it a top custom development partner. Organizations seeking robust engineering capacity from “Concept to Cloud” often engage Simform for projects that require scale and technical depth.
Designli is a boutique Vancouver agency (50249 staff) specializing in bespoke software solutions and full-stack development. Focused on custom web and mobile app projects, Designli prides itself on end-to-end craftsmanship from initial discovery and architecture through UI design and coding. Clients consistently highlight Designli’s strong project management and collaborative communication, with 100% of reviews noting on-time delivery and responsiveness.
• Core Services: Full-stack web and mobile app development, custom web portals, UX/UI design, and backend integrations. (They handle everything from React/NodeJS frontends to .NET/SQL Server backends as needed.)
• Client Feedback: On Clutch, Designli holds a 5.0/5 rating from dozens of reviews. Customers praise their “tailored solutions” and “collaborative approach throughout development,” emphasizing that Designli teams are “very responsive to emails” and clearly communicate with stakeholders.
• Special Projects: Designli often works with startups and SMEs across sectors like fintech, healthcare, and e-commerce development. For example, they developed a complete custom lending platform for a financial startup, integrating with third-party APIs while ensuring high security and usability.
In summary, Vancouver’s Designli stands out for customization and attention to client needs. Their boutique size allows for nimble, personalized service, an appealing feature for businesses seeking a partner to “bring a startup app or enterprise platform to life” through carefully crafted code and design.
Integrio Systems is a Canadian custom software development company (established 2000) known for enterprise-grade solutions. With roughly 50,249 employees, Integrio serves a mix of startups and larger firms. They emphasize aligning technology with business goals, providing a full spectrum from UX/UI design to robust backend systems.
• Core Services: Custom enterprise software (web and desktop applications), SaaS product development, AI & machine learning solutions, legacy system modernization, and mobile app development. Integrio’s portfolio includes anything from internal data management platforms to customer-facing web apps.
• Industry Focus: They have partnered with several Fortune 500 clients and SMBs, particularly in sectors like logistics, finance, and healthcare. For instance, Integrio built a complex data analytics platform for a consumer services company, leveraging machine learning to optimize supply chains.
• Reputation: The company holds a 5.0/5 rating on GoodFirms, with clients praising their “remarkable” performance and noting that Integrio’s solutions have “made a real impact” on operations. Their DesignRush profile boasts “custom software development trends that make real impact,” highlighting their knack for marrying .NET development with SaaS excellence Integrio’s blend of technical breadth and business acumen makes them a go-to partner for projects that require deep customization. They work closely with clients to ensure software not only functions well but also drives measurable business value.
Convergence Concepts Inc. (often shortened to Convergence) is a digital product development and AI innovation company based in Vancouver. Founded in 2001, the firm has over two decades of experience designing and building custom software and cloud solutions. Convergence focuses on cutting-edge technologies and has a strong presence in both the public and private sectors.
• Core Services: Web and mobile development, AI/machine learning consulting, blockchain solutions, and cloud architecture. They help clients build scalable digital ecosystems, whether it’s a new mobile app, a blockchain-based proof of concept, or cloud migration of legacy systems.
• Innovation: Convergence markets itself as an “innovation lab” solving complex problems with emerging tech. For example, they have implemented machine vision and deep learning projects for manufacturing clients and smart contract systems for fintech startups.
• Credentials: The company highlights certifications (ISO, Google, Microsoft) and an all-remote, multidisciplinary team of engineers and designers. Reviews note their “strong project management and a dedicated, collaborative approach,” especially on AI projects for international clients. They maintain a 5.0/5 rating on GoodFirms, underlining their reputation for scalable, future-ready solutions.
Convergence’s longevity and focus on innovation make them an attractive choice for BC businesses looking to build sophisticated, long-term software products. They excel at turning visionary ideas, such as AI-driven analytics or blockchain registries, into operational systems.
Many Hats is a full-service technology firm (1049 staff) based in Vancouver. They describe themselves as “exceptional software solutions crafters” with a passion for innovation in web, mobile, gaming, VR/AR, and more. This broad skillset positions Many Hats as a versatile custom development partner, especially for clients in creative and emerging-tech sectors.
• Core Services: Custom web and mobile app development, game and VR/AR application development, as well as ongoing support and consulting. The company is known for tackling complex interactive projects; for example, they built an immersive VR training platform for a healthcare client that integrated with IoT devices.
• Notable Work: Their portfolio includes award-winning projects; one example is an event app that earned multiple Event Tech Awards, demonstrating their ability to blend design and functionality. Reviews highlight Many Hats’ imaginative approach: Clients appreciate how the team “pushes the limits of what is possible,” particularly in gaming and augmented reality projects.
• Client Feedback: Many Hats maintains a 5.0/5 rating on GoodFirms, with reviewers commending their “outstanding collaboration” and creativity. Their multidisciplinary team (designers, developers, QA, and PMs) allows them to handle the full lifecycle of complex digital products.
With expertise in both traditional software and cutting-edge interactive tech, Many Hats is a top pick for BC organizations seeking custom solutions that blend practicality with innovation. They shine when projects require not just coding skills but also creative problem-solving (for instance, building a gamified app or a mixed-reality experience).
Stepmedia Software (founded 2016) is a rapidly growing Vancouver-based IT solutions and software development company. With a global footprint and offices in key markets, Stepmedia offers clients a full suite of custom development services. Their tagline, “Your trusted technology partner in the digital age,” reflects their focus on long-term collaboration.
• Core Services: End-to-end software development (web, mobile, cloud), IT consulting, and quality assurance. Stepmedia works across platforms, from enterprise desktop software to consumer mobile apps, and emphasizes scalable architectures for clients.
• Global Reach: Despite being headquartered in BC, Stepmedia has a significant international presence (notably in Asia). This allows them to serve North American clients with a combination of local account management and offshore delivery teams, optimizing cost without sacrificing quality.
• Client Praise: They hold a 5.0/5 rating on GoodFirms, with feedback highlighting their organized project management and efficient communication. For example, one review noted that Stepmedia’s team “was well-organized and efficient,” delivering on schedule and within budget.
Stepmedia’s clients range from SMEs to large enterprises. They often undertake large-scale projects that require integrating multiple technologies (e.g., custom CRM systems with cloud backend or full-stack e-commerce solutions). Their commitment to quality, as evidenced by their perfect review score, makes them a standout choice for ambitious custom software initiatives in British Columbia.
Summary: The entire tech sector is home to many skilled custom software developers in British Columbia. The nine companies profiled above represent some of the most reputable and capable in the province, each with a proven track record of delivering tailored software solutions. Whether you need a mobile app, an enterprise SaaS platform, or an innovative AI-driven product, these Vancouver-area firms combine technical expertise.
Just drop us line on info@empyrealinfotech.com or just say HI in chat box, We would love to hear from you.
