UX Agency Chicago: Compare 25 Firms, Pricing, and What to Expect

Hiring a UX agency in Chicago can be weirdly overwhelming. Dozens of options, all saying the same things: “user-centered,” “award-winning,” “full-service.”

This isn’t another copy-paste list. It’s a decision tool.

We’ve reviewed over 25 UX agencies, using real data to compare pricing, timelines, specialties, and collaboration models. You’ll see who’s great for what and who’s probably not a fit.

Let’s cut the noise and help you shortlist faster.

1. Eleken

Eleken works with Chicago-based SaaS, design-led startups all the time. What sets them apart is their seamless integration with your team. No bloated proposals, no middlemen. Just product designers who start fast, iterate fast, and focus on real business value.

Services: UX/UI for SaaS, design systems, user flows, and onboarding.
Budget fit: Month flat rate (no surprise fees).
Collaboration style: Async, no PM layer, direct with designers.

Eleken has earned a 4.9-star rating on Clutch, backed by 110+ reviews from SaaS founders, PMs, and CTOs.

Why choose them

If you’re a product-led company with deadlines that don’t wait and roadmaps that shift often, Eleken is a rare find. They know SaaS design inside out, which means you’re not wasting time explaining what a dashboard or onboarding flow is supposed to do. They even offer a 3-day free trial so you can see how the collaboration feels before committing. 

As one client admitted, “The three-day trial was very unique, giving you a risk-free chance to try working with them.”

Strong points
✔️ SaaS-only focus: no generalist fluff, just deep, targeted UX expertise.
✔️ Embedded workflow: designers work as part of your team, not through layers of PMs.
✔️ Predictable pricing: flat monthly rate that’s easy to budget for and scale.
✔️ Free trial: rare among design companies in Chicago, and genuinely useful for fit-checking.

Weak points
– No in-house development. Eleken focuses purely on UX/UI design (you’ll need a dev team ready to implement).

And if you want to learn more about how to manage a design team, consider watching this video:

2. Fuzzy Math

Fuzzy Math is one of Chicago’s most respected UX strategy firms. If your org needs serious research, stakeholder alignment, and thoughtful design documentation, they’re the go-to. They’ve helped healthcare providers, higher ed institutions, and internal tool teams rethink complex systems.

Services: UX research, strategy, wireframes, visual UI.
Budget fit: $50K+ project minimum.
Collaboration style: Strategy-led, project-based, research-heavy.

Clients include HYATT, Global Healthy Living Foundation, and Northwestern University. With a 4.9 Clutch rating, this UX design agency, Chicago, is consistently praised for its reliability, speed, and product-focused approach.

Why choose them

Fuzzy Math isn’t here for flashy UI/UX trends. They’re methodical, mature, and skilled at addressing UX debt in systems with years of technical debt. If your users are frustrated and your internal teams are too siloed to address the issue, these are the people you should call.

One of the clients shared, “They listened to us and translated our ideas into a product that met our needs.”

Strong points
✔️ Deep research: interviews, testing, and ethnographic insight.
✔️ Ideal for healthcare, gov, education, or compliance-heavy teams.
✔️ Thoughtful strategy docs that guide design and development.

Weak points
– Slower ramp-up. Not a fit if you need “designs by Friday”.
– No embedded model: works best with orgs ready for structured project phases.

3. Codal

Codal blends UX and development into one shop. They’re a full-service agency with deep experience in eCommerce and logistics. If you need a polished product and a team to build it, Codal might be your one-stop.

Services: UX design, user interface design, Chicago, web/app development, QA.
Budget fit: $75K+.
Collaboration style: PM-led, cross-functional agency teams.

They’ve partnered with companies like Baxter, MANTL, and Proxy and maintain a 4.9 Clutch rating for their consistent quality and results-driven design.

Why choose them

Codal is good when you don’t want to coordinate between design and engineering teams. They handle it all, from UX flows to frontend code. If your project needs clean UX and a dev team ready to ship, they’ll take it from zero to launch.

As one client put it, “The biggest benefit of working with them is their proficiency with both technology and UX/UI design.”

Strong points
✔️ End-to-end: no need to hire separate devs.
✔️ Clear project structure and PM support.
✔️ Scales well for mid-sized or enterprise teams.

Weak points
– Less flexible for design-only work.
– Big-agency feel: not ideal for early-stage startups needing hands-on iteration.

4. Intechnic

Intechnic is a UX and web agency that blends UX thinking with conversion-focused website design. If your B2B website looks dated or underperforms, this is where you go to fix that. They're great at marrying branding, CRO, and UX together.

Services: UX design, website design/dev, AI, Healthcare, CRO, SEO.
Budget fit: from $50K per project.
Collaboration style: Waterfall or phased agile.

They’ve worked with leading organizations like Johnson & Johnson and Abbott, earning a 4.8 rating on Clutch for their research-driven, high-compliance UX work.

Why choose them

If you're redesigning a website that needs to convert better, think professional services, SaaS marketing sites, or government portals. Intechnic brings polish and UX rigor. Their dev team ensures the handoff doesn’t get messy.

One of their clients shared, “Intechnic has helped us think about what we can do to best help our particular users; they’re very singularly focused.”

Strong points
✔️ Full UX + dev for B2B websites.
✔️ Great at aligning business goals with user needs.
✔️ Focus on conversion and long-term performance.

Weak points
– Web-focused only: not suited for product/app UX work.
– Less iterative if you’re used to flexible sprints.

5. TXI (formerly Table XI)

TXI is a strategy-heavy product partner. They combine user research, design, and development into cross-functional teams. Their sweet spot: messy problems in healthcare, finance, or legacy enterprise systems.

Services: Product strategy, UX, full-stack dev, innovation workshops.
Budget fit: $100K+.
Collaboration style: Embedded agile teams, PM + designers + devs.

Clients include Motorcity System, ISAKA, and Theragen. With a 4.9 Clutch rating, the agency is recognized for its reliability, responsiveness, and strong product design capabilities.

Why choose them

TXI is perfect if you need a thought partner as much as a build partner. They’re not cheap, but they’ll guide you through alignment, prototyping, design, and go-to-market. Expect workshops, weekly rituals, and solid delivery.

Clients also add, “Their ability to listen, understand, and be flexible when priorities or scope shifted was paramount to our success.”

Strong points
✔️ Great for systems with stakeholder complexity.
✔️ Design + dev under one roof.
✔️ Research-driven + inclusive design practices.

Weak points
– Pricing puts them out of reach for early-stage startups.
– Works best with a dedicated internal product owner to collaborate closely.

6. Grand Studio

Grand Studio calls itself a “design and strategy consultancy,” and that’s pretty accurate. They partner with companies dealing with high complexity—think internal tools, healthcare apps, or enterprise workflows. Headquartered in Chicago’s West Loop, they bring a thoughtful, research-backed approach to every engagement.

Services: UX research, strategy, UI design, service design.
Budget fit: $75K+.
Collaboration style: Phased project work, with stakeholder alignment sessions baked in

Clients include Providence, Chase, and several large healthcare providers based in the Chicago area. The agency holds a 4.9 Clutch rating, reflecting its strength in complex, high-stakes UX projects.

Why choose them

If your problem is fuzzy and your stakeholders aren’t aligned yet, Grand Studio helps you figure out what to build, not just how to build it. They’re especially strong in enterprise and regulated contexts where decision-making is slow and messy.

Clients share, “What sets them apart from other firms is their ability to dive deep and become subject matter experts to really drive challenging strategic conversations forward”.

Strong points
✔️ Local presence: in-person discovery or stakeholder work is a given.
✔️ Great at untangling complex UX problems.
✔️ Strong healthcare and gov experience.

Weak points
– Slower delivery cycles; not ideal for sprint-style execution.
– Pricing won’t fit lean teams looking for quick MVPs.

7. Sandstorm Design

Sandstorm is one of Chicago’s UX staples. They blend research, branding, web development, and digital marketing into a single offering. Ideal for healthcare, non-profit, and meaningful organizations that want to elevate their entire digital presence, not just a product UI.

Services: UX design, branding, Drupal/WordPress dev, digital strategy.
Budget fit: $50K+.
Collaboration style: Project-based, usually brand + web bundles.

They’ve worked with clients like the American Medical Association and MEMA, earning a 4.8 Clutch rating for their user-centered approach and attention to detail in regulated industries.

Why choose them

Sandstorm is best suited when your design needs extend beyond product UI, especially for healthcare, nonprofits, and educational organizations. If you’re rethinking your brand and your website, they’re a good full-service choice.

Clients also share that “they communicate well and proactively engage in our projects”.

Strong points
✔️ Local UX team with research chops.
✔️ Brand + UX + dev under one roof.
✔️ Experienced with nonprofits and academic orgs.

Weak points
– Web-first focus; not built for software UX.
– Can feel agency-heavy for teams used to lean startup rhythms.

8. Promet Source

Promet Source is a Chicago-based development and UX agency specializing in accessible web platforms, particularly in higher ed and government. If WCAG compliance or Drupal-based ecosystems are your thing, they’re likely on your shortlist already.

Services: UX design, accessibility audits, web development, CMS migration.
Budget fit: $40K+.
Collaboration style: Phased projects with discovery workshops upfront.

Partnering with Portland State University and more, they’ve built a 4.7 reputation on Clutch.

Why choose them

If you work in the public sector or education and need accessibility done right, Promet’s team knows the rules, the tech stack, and the bureaucratic reality. Bonus: they’re active in the local Chicago civic tech community.

Also, clients often mention their Drupal expertise, “They are experts in what they do.”

Strong points
✔️ Accessibility experts (AA/AAA WCAG compliance).
✔️ Chicago-based team, available for on-site work.
✔️ Strong reputation in higher ed, gov, and non-profit.

Weak points
– Specialized in web/civic projects, not SaaS or mobile.
– Traditional process, limited flexibility for startups.

9. Clique Studios

Clique Studios is one of those rare hybrids that blends design, dev, and content strategy into brand-forward web experiences. Based in Chicago’s Fulton Market, they’ve helped plenty of local businesses and institutions modernize their online presence.

Services: UX, branding, web/app dev, content strategy.
Budget fit: ~$50K–150K per project.
Collaboration style: Agile-ish but milestone-driven.

They’ve worked with brands like McDonald’s and Apollo, and hold a 4.9 rating on Clutch.

Why choose them

Clique is ideal when your org is evolving its brand and digital experience in tandem. They’re strong on storytelling and messaging, not just wireframes. Great for civic orgs and mid-sized companies in growth mode.

One of the clients put it, “We were impressed by their communication with us and adaptability to our needs.”

Strong points
✔️ Full in-house team in Chicago.
✔️ Strong content + design + dev integration.
✔️ Good for public-facing experiences (campaigns, websites).

Weak points
– Less suited for ongoing product design or embedded work.
– Not focused on deep SaaS or B2B workflows.

10. Bright Bright Great

BBG (as they call themselves) is a design-forward agency known for high-impact visuals and strong identity work. While they offer UX and branding, their strongest appeal is to brands that want to stand out. Offices in Chicago and LA.

Services: UX/UI design, branding, visual identity, web design.
Budget fit: $30K–75K.
Collaboration style: Studio-led, visual-first design process.

They’ve worked with Rit and Steelcase in Chicago, earning a perfect 5.0 on Clutch.

Why choose them

If your brand identity is just as important as usability and you’re not afraid of bold design, BBG can give your product or site a strong visual edge. Startups love them for standing out. Enterprise teams like them for brand refreshes. 

Clients mention their communication, “Communication was frequent and clear. Online project management software was very helpful.”

Strong points
✔️ Great visual/UI design skills.
✔️ Identity + UX rolled into one.
✔️ Local and fast-moving team.

Weak points
– More style-forward than systems-focused.
– Better for web and brand, not complex B2B apps.

11. Highland

Highland is a strategy-first digital innovation firm with a Chicago HQ. They don’t just design; they help organizations rethink what their product or service could be. Perfect if you're exploring something new, complicated, or high-stakes.

Services: UX strategy, product innovation, prototyping, and team coaching.
Budget fit: $100K+.
Collaboration style: Workshop-heavy, research-led, often includes facilitation or training.

Recognized with a 4.9 Clutch score for work with clients like FIBO, Kansas City, and Chicago-based civic innovation groups.

Why choose them

If you’re at the fuzzy front-end of a big digital initiative, where clarity is more valuable than mockups, Highland brings strong facilitation and leadership thinking. They're also active in design ops and innovation spaces across Chicago.

One client admitted, “The value Highland brings is in their ideation.”

Strong points
✔️ Excellent for early-stage discovery or reinvention.
✔️ Strong facilitation and stakeholder alignment skills.
✔️ Local team with innovation consulting experience.

Weak points
– Less focused on execution; best at front-end problem framing.
– Higher-budget, longer-timeline projects only.

12. Red Foundry

Red Foundry is a mobile-focused UX and development agency based in Chicago. They build apps and create UX design for startups and enterprise clients alike, from scratch to launch. Not just design, they ship.

Services: Mobile UX, app design/dev (iOS, Android, React Native).
Budget fit: $50K–150K.
Collaboration style: Full product teams, with PM, design, and engineering.

With clients like Expedia and RacketStats, and a 4.8 rating on Clutch, their track record speaks for itself.

Why choose them

If mobile is your core experience, not an afterthought, Red Foundry brings both the UX and engineering chops to build robust native or cross-platform apps, and “iterating until the design came together nicely”.

Strong points
✔️ Specializes in mobile: not just “responsive design”.
✔️ Chicago-based team that builds and ships.
✔️ Strong for MVPs and long-term app support.

Weak points
– Not the best fit for web-first or B2B dashboard products.
– More traditional PM model (less embedded than startup teams might expect).

13. Vault Innovation

Vault Innovation is a Chicago-based digital product shop that partners with startups and corporates to bring new ideas to market. They do product strategy, design, and development, with a strong MVP mindset.

Services: Product design, mobile/web dev, MVP strategy.
Budget fit: $50K+.
Collaboration style: Startup-friendly; phased MVP delivery.

From Nimbus to ProduceDesk, their app launches have earned them a 4.6 Clutch rating.

Why choose them

Vault is ideal if you’ve got a raw idea or early traction, but need help shaping a product that works and getting it to market without breaking the bank. They’re pragmatic, not flashy. 

Many clients mention their project management expertise, “They’re flexible and have outstanding communication and collaboration skills”.

Strong points
✔️ Local startup focus: good at lean MVPs.
✔️ Can handle full product build (design + dev).
✔️ Understands Chicago’s early-stage tech scene.

Weak points
– More generalist than a UX-specialist; design system support is limited.
– Not a fit for teams needing UX-only support without dev.

14. ArtVersion

ArtVersion is a creative agency in downtown Chicago known for visual storytelling, branding, and UI design. If your product or website needs a visual refresh and better UX, they’ll deliver something polished and cohesive.

Services: UX/UI design, branding, website redesign.
Budget fit: Minimal project size starts at $5K.
Collaboration style: Agency-led design cycles, milestone-based delivery.

Trusted by brands like Mack, Volvo, and Hilton and rated 4.9 on Clutch.

Why choose them

They’re a good pick for companies that want a fresh, modern UI but also need visual branding help, especially for public-facing websites and SaaS marketing sites.

One of the clients shared, “The team has been very skillful, knowledgeable, and efficient.”

Strong points
✔️ Visual UI and branding specialists.
✔️ Chicago-based team with a strong portfolio.
✔️ Ideal for websites or marketing-layer UI.

Weak points
– Not product/system design specialists.
– Doesn’t offer embedded or iterative workflows.

15. Chromatic

Chromatic is a small-but-mighty UX and development shop focused on accessibility, content-heavy sites, and technical excellence. Based in Chicago, they’re best known in the open-source and publishing space.

Services: UX design, content modeling, accessibility, Drupal/WordPress development.
Budget fit: $50K+.
Collaboration style: Agile sprints with design/dev hand-in-hand.

From Harvard to Maui Jim to the Linux Foundation, trusted by leaders across industries. Clutch rating is 4.9.

Why choose them

If you're running a content-heavy platform (news, publishing, higher ed), Chromatic is a hidden gem. They blend UX thinking with great developer empathy, particularly in areas such as accessibility and performance.

Their clients also mention that “Chromatic accurately estimates, tracks, and delivers the work we need to accomplish.”

Strong points
✔️ Excellent accessibility and front-end practices.
✔️ UX that plays well with content modeling and CMS.
✔️ Strong collaboration between design/dev.

Weak points
– Not a SaaS UI shop.
– Not ideal for fast iteration or embedded designers.

16. Calibrate Software

Calibrate is a Chicago-based UX and development firm focused on enterprise software and digital transformation. They’re the ones you call when your legacy tools are holding your team back and no one really wants to touch the codebase.

Services: UX design, UI refresh, app modernization, frontend/backend development.
Budget fit: $75K+.
Collaboration style: Project-based, full-stack design/build.

With a 4.9 Clutch rating and clients like Wilson, KeyBank, and Chicago logistics companies, their credibility speaks volumes.

Why choose them

Calibrate is especially good at modernizing clunky internal systems, without trying to reinvent the wheel. If your current app is slow, ugly, or driving support tickets, they can help untangle it.

One client shared, “What we've appreciated from the onset is that their whole team is very knowledgeable and engaged with our project.”

Strong points
✔️ Deep expertise in legacy UX modernization.
✔️ Chicago-based dev + design team.
✔️ Ideal for internal tools and enterprise SaaS.

Weak points
– Not a great fit for early-stage product design.
– More engineering-led than design-led.

17. Usman Group

Located in the Chicago suburbs, Usman Group is a user experience consultancy with a strong focus on web strategy and content-driven UX. They dig into how your digital experience supports your business goals.

Services: UX research, usability audits, web UX design, and content strategy.
Budget fit: $30K–75K.
Collaboration style: Strategy-led, consultative, phased delivery.

Clients include the University of Chicago and Baird. The company has a 4.9 Clutch rating.

Why choose them

Usman Group is best if you're trying to figure out why your website or platform isn’t converting. Their user research and content-first approach help untangle those invisible friction points.

Clients also mentioned, “What stood out most about Usman Group was their deep knowledge of the current market and digital advertising trends”.

Strong points
✔️ Experienced in Chicago higher ed and professional services.
✔️ Strong usability and strategy focus.
✔️ Helpful for redesigns that need stakeholder alignment.

Weak points
– Not built for product design or in-app UX.
– No embedded or iterative model.

18. Centretek

Centretek is a full-service digital agency with a strong presence in the greater Chicago area and a niche in healthcare. If you’re a hospital or medical group looking to overhaul your website or patient portal, they’ve likely done something similar before.

Services: UX, CMS development, SEO, and content migration.
Budget fit: $75K+.
Collaboration style: Agency-led; full redesign projects.

With a 4.9 Clutch rating and clients like Northwestern Medicine and other leading healthcare systems, they’re trusted across the region.

Why choose them

Centretek is ideal for organizations that need a large-scale web overhaul, especially if accessibility, content strategy, and HIPAA compliance are on their list.

Clients admitted, “We found that they were very strategic focused on their design decisions and methodical with their process.”

Strong points
✔️ Deep healthcare specialization.
✔️ Can handle complex CMS + content integrations.
✔️ Chicago-local with enterprise delivery processes.

Weak points
– Not a product or SaaS design partner.
– Not well-suited for agile or rapid iteration.

19. Doejo

Doejo is a scrappy Chicago creative studio that’s built everything from product prototypes to digital campaigns. They’ve worked with early-stage startups, cafes, VC firms, and everything in between. If you want something cool and fast, they’re game.

Services: UX/UI, branding, website design, dev, motion/creative work.
Budget fit: ~$20K–50K.
Collaboration style: Fast-moving, startup-style sprints.

Clients include Bucketfeet, Grindr, and Chicago-based food and retail brands. The Clutch rating is 4.8.

Why choose them

Doejo is great for scrappy teams who need a bit of everything fast. Branding, front-end development, MVP builds, and marketing sites —they don’t overthink it. They just ship.

The clients mention, “They were very creative, very young. They created a very professional look.”

Strong points
✔️ Startup-friendly and flexible.
✔️ Creative edge, good for brand-first experiences.
✔️ Local team with strong visual skills.

Weak points
– Not great for large orgs or regulated industries.
– Limited UX depth for complex workflows.

20. Rightpoint

Rightpoint is one of the largest digital agencies headquartered in Chicago. They work with Fortune 500 companies on large-scale transformation projects, such as full ecosystem redesigns, rather than just creating visually appealing UIs. Their clients include Walgreens, Kraft Heinz, and Aon.

Services: UX strategy, design systems, product design, enterprise dev.
Budget fit: $250K+.
Collaboration style: Cross-functional teams with PM, strategy, design, and engineering.

Global firm with a large Chicago presence and a Clutch rating of 4.9.

Why choose them

If you're a large enterprise looking for end-to-end digital transformation, not just a UI refresh, Rightpoint brings big agency process, consulting, and scale.

Clients shared, “Rightpoint brought our processes into the modern age without a hitch and implemented the system perfectly.”

Strong points
✔️ Massive delivery capacity and enterprise experience.
✔️ In-house design + dev + strategy teams.
✔️ Proven track record in Fortune 100 environments.

Weak points
– Price and scope are overkill for most startups or mid-market orgs.
– Slower to adapt than lean agencies.

21. Adage Technologies

Adage is a Chicago-based UX and web development firm that specializes in digital experiences for arts, culture, and nonprofit organizations. If you're a museum, theater, or association in need of a UX upgrade, these are the people you need.

Services: UX design, web development (Sitefinity, Optimizely), content strategy.
Budget fit: $75K+.
Collaboration style: Fixed-scope projects, with a strong discovery phase.

They’ve worked with The Met Museum, Argos, and the American Academy of Pediatrics. The company holds a 5-star rating on Clutch.

Why choose them

Adage understands the nuances of public-facing digital experiences with numerous content and stakeholders. They're good at combining creativity with governance, no easy feat.

One of the clients shared, “I am very happy with their hands-on and communicative approach, and very satisfied with the end product.”

Strong points
✔️ Deep experience with nonprofits and cultural institutions.
✔️ In-house Chicago team with strong discovery and dev.
✔️ Long-term partnerships and post-launch support.

Weak points
– Not a fit for SaaS, mobile, or internal tool design.
– Works best with large orgs and long project cycles.

22. Symmetri Marketing

Symmetri is a full-service B2B agency in Chicago offering UX design as part of a broader marketing and branding package. They’re ideal for companies that want UX, messaging, and lead gen all under one roof.

Services: UX/UI design, branding, web dev, B2B marketing strategy.
Budget fit: $50K–100K.
Collaboration style: Integrated campaigns with UX as one component.

Clients include Humanetics, rf IDEAS, and local Chicago B2B manufacturers, with a Clutch rating of 4.8. 

Why choose them

If your UX project is part of a larger repositioning effort, including a new website, messaging, and campaigns, Symmetri can be your all-in-one B2B partner. Not UX purists, but solid generalists.

As one of the clients wrote in the review, “The level of marketing sophistication they brought was above and beyond what I’ve found in other agencies.”

Strong points
✔️ Experienced in complex B2B environments.
✔️ Offers full-funnel strategy + execution.
✔️ Chicago-based with long-term client relationships.

Weak points
– UX isn’t their core specialty.
– Better for marketing websites than product UI.

23. Foxbox Digital

Foxbox is a product studio in Chicago that builds apps, dashboards, and platforms for startups and innovation teams. They combine UX, product strategy, and full-stack dev, usually for fast-moving tech clients.

Services: UX design, product strategy, app dev.
Budget fit: $75K+.
Collaboration style: Sprint-based, startup-style pods with PM and design/dev.

Clients include Anthem, Home Chef, and Chicago-area startups, with a Clutch rating of 4.9.

Why choose them

Foxbox is a solid pick if you want to move fast and build smart. They’re collaborative, technical, and more startup-aligned than most Chicago design agencies.

The clients also mentioned, “The quality of Foxbox Digital's work is top-notch, and their React Native expertise is great.”

Strong points
✔️ Flexible, sprint-based workflows.
✔️ Strong with MVPs and dashboards.
✔️ Good blend of UX + engineering.

Weak points
– Focused on product; not suitable for branding or content-heavy work.
– Limited design-only engagements (most work includes dev).

24. Kahoots Creative Group

Kahoots is a Chicago agency focused on creative storytelling, branding, and design. While they offer UX/UI, their sweet spot is helping companies look, sound, and feel like themselves online. Think strong brand voice + clean design.

Services: Branding, UX design, content, web design.
Budget fit: ~$40K–75K.
Collaboration style: Design-led, collaborative creative process.

Clients include Amadeus, Pepsico, and Chicago startups. The Clutch rating is 4.9.

Why choose them

Kahoots is for you if your digital experience needs more soul, not just structure. They’ll help you tell your story visually and emotionally, not just functionally.

As one of their clients shared, “They are very easy to work with while producing great work, which ultimately is what you want.”

Strong points
✔️ Creative branding + visual storytelling.
✔️ Experience with cultural institutions and Chicago brands.
✔️ Collaborative and flexible for creative teams.

Weak points
– Better for web than in-app or product design.
– No dev or engineering services.

25. Gulo

Gulo is a Chicago-based UX and WordPress agency specializing in high-performance websites and digital marketing tools. Their vibe is clean, fast, and conversion-focused. Often hired by healthcare and association clients.

Services: User experience design Chicago, WordPress dev, CRO, content strategy.
Budget fit: $30K–60K.
Collaboration style: Fixed-price projects with agile delivery.

Clients include Follett and Dell, with a Clutch rating of 4.8.

Why choose them

Gulo delivers no-fuss UX work for websites that need to convert. They’re a good fit for smaller teams that want quality UX Chicago and development without the agency's ego or overhead.

As one client wrote in a review, “We selected Gulo because they were a one-stop shop.”

Strong points
✔️ Strong healthcare and nonprofit experience.
✔️ Lean team = lower cost and faster delivery.
✔️ Focused, pragmatic UX process.

Weak points
– WordPress-centric: not for app or product UI.
– Doesn’t offer strategic product guidance.

After reviewing the agencies, here’s a comparison table to speed up your shortlisting. It’s structured around the key criteria hiring managers look for.

UX agency comparison table

Scan for your project type, web design agency pricing, and preferred collaboration style. You don’t need 25 options, just 3 that fit your stage, speed, and structure.

Remote vs local: when Chicago presence matters

Some teams need an agency that’s located nearby. Others? A Slack channel and a Figma file are more than enough.

Here’s how to figure out which kind of collaboration model works for your team and how to hire UX designers accordingly.

When you really do need a local UX agency

There are moments in a project when being in the same room makes a real difference, especially if:

• You have multiple stakeholders who need to get aligned fast.
  
  
• You’re dealing with high-regulation UX (think healthcare, gov, or finance).
  
  
• You need in-person user research with hard-to-reach groups.
  
  
• Executive buy-in depends on workshops or design sprints.
  
  
• Your org just runs better with face-to-face collaboration.

In these cases, hiring a design agency with a Chicago footprint matters. UX agencies, Chicago, such as Fuzzy Math, Grand Studio, or Promet Source, excel at these moments. They’re used to gathering stakeholders around a whiteboard in the Loop or running moderated tests with real users at Northwestern Hospital.

In short, if your product is highly sensitive or the internal UX design patterns are complex, in-house designer vs agency is not only a budget question but also a logistics one.

When remote works, and it works better

If you already have a strong internal team and need flexible, embedded design support, remote often wins:

• Faster ramp-up, especially with global or async-ready teams.
  
  
• Easier to scale up/down without contracts or “change orders”.
  
  
• More affordable: top-tier talent without local price inflation.
  
  
• Continuous collaboration via Slack, Loom, Figma, not flights.

This is where UI/UX design agencies like Eleken thrive. They integrate directly with your team, bypassing the PM layer, and you can start designing immediately. It’s not about being in Chicago; it’s about working like a product team.

When comparing types of design agencies, this lean, asynchronous model is ideal for SaaS companies that iterate quickly and prefer not to receive hand-holding.

Hybrid collaboration: the real-world middle ground

You don’t have to choose between “100% remote” and “weekly on-site.”

Many teams start with a hybrid model:

• In-person kickoff → remote sprints.
  
  
• Midpoint check-ins or critiques in person.
  
  
• Final workshop or handoff session onsite.

Most Chicago agencies can adapt to this. Just ask early and evaluate UI/UX designers not just by their portfolio, but by how they fit your workflow.

Chicago industry spotlights: what local UX experience gets you

From dense healthcare systems to old-school logistics workflows, designing digital products here means navigating legacy infrastructure, compliance hoops, and real-world complexity. A good UX agency understands not only the user but also the ecosystem.

Here’s what that looks like, broken down by sector.

Healthcare and medtech

What makes it hard: Compliance. Accessibility. Interoperability. Stakeholder alignment. Clinicians with zero time. Patients with zero patience.

What to look for in a UX partner:

• Knows how to handle HIPAA without killing usability.
  
  
• Has experience with multi-role interfaces (patients, doctors, admin).
  
  
• Can design for real-world constraints: older devices, shared workstations, low digital literacy.

If you need proof, ask agencies for UX ROI case studies specific to healthcare. Agencies to check out: Eleken, Fuzzy Math, Grand Studio, Promet Source, Centretek.

Fintech and insurtech

What makes it hard: Onboarding friction. KYC flows. Legal disclosures. Risk-averse execs.
And the challenge of making complex financial concepts actually understandable.

What to look for in a UX partner:

• Can build trust through design (microcopy, visuals, interaction patterns).
  
  
• Understands compliance vs conversion balance.
  
  
• Has worked with secure auth, dashboards, or transaction flows.

Agencies to check out: Eleken, TXI, Foxbox Digital.

Logistics, manufacturing, internal tools

What makes it hard: Legacy systems. Bad data. User resistance. Tech debt.
Many users are not “tech-savvy,” and that matters.

What to look for in a UX partner:

• Skilled in redesigning legacy UIs with zero hand-holding required.
  
  
• Comfortable with B2B workflows and dense data interfaces.
  
  
• Can run usability tests in context (e.g., warehouse, factory floor).

Agencies to check out: Calibrate, Vault Innovation, Codal, TXI.

Public sector, education, and nonprofit

What makes it hard: Multiple stakeholders. Political nuance. Slow approvals. Limited budgets.
Accessibility is non-negotiable. Content is king. Tech is often outdated.

What to look for in a UX partner:

• Deep understanding of accessibility (WCAG 2.1 AA/AAA).
  
  
• Experience designing with committees and RFP processes.
  
  
• Strong with content strategy and migration.
  
  

Agencies to check out: Promet Source, Adage, Chromatic, Usman Group, Sandstorm.

eCommerce and retail

What makes it hard: Conversion pressure. Performance budgets. Brand consistency across channels. Shipping, returns, and product pages that don’t make people rage-click.

What to look for in a UX partner:

• Can optimize for conversion without trashing user experience, Chicago.
  
  
• Designs mobile-first, speed-aware UIs.
  
  
• Knows the KPIs that matter (and how to A/B test them).

Agencies to check out: Codal, Clique Studios, Doejo.

Conclusion: don’t just browse, decide

If you’re still wondering what UX design is beyond wireframes and post-its, it’s the intersection of user behavior, product goals, and business outcomes.

Clear, you’re not trying to become a UX agency expert. You’re just trying to hire the right team and not regret it six months from now.

Here’s the shortcut:

1. Use the comparison table to narrow down to 2–3 agencies.
   
   
2. Check if their collaboration model matches how your team actually works.
   
   
3. If you’re still unsure, talk to them. The first call will tell you more than 10 case studies ever will.

And if you’re building a SaaS product and need embedded designers who move fast and think like product owners, Eleken is your best bet. You’ll get a designer who starts next week, integrates with your team, and actually cares about outcomes, not just pixels.

Curious if we’re the right fit? Start with a 3-day free trial and see how we work. Get in touch, and let’s make progress.