The 5 Best Software Developers in Glasgow Building High-Performance Apps
My friend Sarah runs a small café in Finnieston and wanted a simple app for pre-orders. She ended up explaining the same feature three times to her developer. Yes, three, before they finally got it right!
She kept on ranting about the time wasted, especially when she could’ve been serving customers or perfecting her new pastry menu. Finding a developer who actually gets your vision can feel impossible.
That’s exactly why we put together this list of Glasgow’s top software developers. These are the teams that have proven they can handle the unique needs of local businesses without turning a small project into a long headache.
Plus, when your app is done, you can also check out these local digital marketers to help with your online launch!
How much does hiring a software developer in Glasgow cost?
In Glasgow, the cost to hire a software developer depends on experience, project type, and engagement model.
• Freelance developers typically charge between £200 and £400 per day.
• Agencies offering dedicated teams or full-service project delivery usually charge £3,000 to £6,000 per month for ongoing work.
Custom enterprise projects or MVP development can cost more, depending on complexity and timelines.
1. Tentacle Solutions Limited
Address: Clement Millar Spiersbridge House
Phone: 0141 255 1296
Business hours: Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
When it comes to software developers in Glasgow, Tentacle Solutions Limited is one of the most recommended on our list, largely because of how they approach custom software.
They don’t just build systems and hand them over. They break things down clearly, explain the logic behind each feature, and keep clients involved as the project moves forward. For business owners who aren’t technical, that clarity matters.
Their bespoke work stands out. They build tailored Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Customer Relationship Management (CRM), Content Management Systems (CMS) and cloud platforms that fit businesses’ workflows.
This means teams don’t have to adjust to rigid software.
We also like their strong integration focus. Project management, inventory, and timesheets can live under one connected platform, so operations are organised and easier to track.
They handle the full lifecycle, too. Strategy, planning, build, launch and ongoing support are all covered.
Another detail worth noting is ownership. Clients keep control of their code and data, which offers flexibility if plans ever change.
That said, they’re a relatively small team, so massive enterprise projects could be a stretch.
Excellent and approachable service
“Tentacle developed a new bespoke web based database for us over 6 months and we found their service to be excellent. They made everything very manageable, understandable to us non IT folk, clear, and progressed the project as a good speed taking us along with them to get it done in as short a time as possible. We dealt directly with Zarrar but more but Sadia, both of whom we found excellent and lovely to deal with. We’d definitely recommend Tentacle Solutions and use them and look forward to being involved with them for the future. Thanks to the whole Tentacle team!”
– CDM Scotland Ltd Ayr, Google Review
Supportive and accommodating team,
“Since engaging with Tentacle Solutions as a start-up business, we have been thoroughly impressed with their willingness to help and accommodate us on our journey to launch. They are extremely understanding of the trials and tribulations involved when launching a start-up business, and this has proved very useful indeed. We would thoroughly recommend Tentacle Solutions and we are looking forward to a long-term and fruitful relationship with them.”
– Lewis Woodham, Google Review
2. Pulsion Technology
Address: 5 Eagle Street, Craighall Business Park
Phone: +44 141 352 2280
Business hours: Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Pulsion Technology has been in the software game for nearly 30 years, which says a lot about how much they know.
They cover pretty much everything you could need, from custom software and mobile apps to cloud migration and full-stack web development.
What really caught our eye is how they blend traditional development with modern tech like AI and machine learning. It’s not just flashy talk. They actually use it to make systems run smoother and scale better.
We also like that their team covers the whole process, including QA and UX/UI design, so projects feel polished from both the tech side and the user side.
You can hire a single developer or a full team, depending on your needs, which is handy if your project suddenly grows bigger than expected. Their structured delivery process keeps everything organised, which we appreciate because it avoids the usual chaos.
One thing to keep in mind is that some of their mobile apps use a hybrid approach, combining iOS and Android in one build. They can be a bit slower than fully native apps, so it’s worth considering if performance is a big deal for your project.
Professional team, clear communication
“Pulsion delivered our project on time. Rare… Their team was professional and communicated well throughout the process.”
– Vincent John Bingham, Google Review
Clear, timely communication
“The communication was clear and timely, and the team went above and beyond to ensure that all my requirements were met.”
– Gavin West, Google Review
3. freetobook
Address: 100 Berkeley Street, 2nd Floor
Phone: 0141 270 2173
Business hours: Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Freetobook is a solid choice if you run a hotel, B&B, or self-catering rental and want software that handles everything from bookings to guest management. It’s built specifically for accommodating, so it really fits that kind of work.
What impressed us right away was the all-in-one setup. Booking engines, payments, messaging, and reputation tools all live in one place. It makes managing reservations and guest communications way easier.
Being cloud-based is another big plus. You can keep an eye on your property from anywhere without being tied to a single device.
The team’s experience really shows. With over 24 staff members combining more than 200 years of travel and tech expertise, the platform feels reliable and well thought out.
Pricing is flexible, too! You only pay for what you use and can switch features on or off whenever it suits you.
The only limitation is the focus. Freetobook is really designed just for accommodation bookings, so if you need software outside hospitality, it isn’t the right fit.
Outstanding support, cost-effective
“As a web developer, I’ve worked with many booking systems, and FreetoBook is by far one of the best. I use it myself and recommend it to all my clients who need a simple, reliable, and cost-effective booking engine. The system is easy to use, full of useful features, and great value for money. The support is also fantastic – Heather has been especially helpful and always goes the extra mile. It’s a pleasure working with her and the team.
Ben – Cumbria Creative Projects”
– Ben Davies-McChesney, Google Review
Wonderful product with reliable, long-term support
“The team at Freetobook are superb. They’re always available to help, answer questions, listen to suggestions etc etc. We’ve been with them for many years and recommend them without hesitation. It’s a wonderful product with excellent support. Thank you to everyone involved, you’re great!”
– Ian Andrews, Google Review
4. iSmart Apps
Address: 2 West Regent Street
Phone: +44 141 343 8755
Business hours: Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
If you’re looking for a software development team that really knows Oracle Cloud inside out, iSmart Apps is worth checking out.
They focus on Oracle Human Capital Management (HCM) and cloud apps, so if your business is running on that ecosystem, they’re pretty much in their element.
What’s impressive is how much experience their consultants bring. They have over two decades of experience, which makes you feel like whatever solution you need, they’ve probably seen it before and know how to handle it.
We were also impressed by their knack for building custom apps and integrations. They don’t just make things work; they tailor tools, chatbots, and UX solutions to fit the exact way your business runs.
And the AI features they add, like Oracle Digital Assistant and Intelligent Advisor, actually feel useful instead of gimmicky. It’s the kind of stuff that makes workflows smoother and keeps everyone, from clients to employees, on the same page.
The only catch is their narrow focus. If you’re not in the Oracle world, their services probably won’t be much use. But for businesses in that space, their expertise and custom solutions make them worth talking to.
Highly knowledgeable Oracle experts
“iSmart Apps is an exceptional team of Oracle experts, led by Nizam, Oracle ACE, with extensive global expertise in Oracle applications and platforms. Their knowledge and experience make them a trusted partner for Oracle solutions.”
– Mohamed Ibrahim, Google Review
Knowledgeable and friendly team
“Fantastic team, Knowledgable and friendly. Created beautiful bespoke website and webapps exactly as we needed. Fantastic UI design and really exceeded our expectations. Highly recommend the iSmart team!”
– Lewis Campbell, Google Review
5. Vertical Vertical
Address: 20 Woodside Place
Phone: 0800 024 8303
Business hours: Monday to Friday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
If you need a team that can handle the whole digital picture, Vertical Vertical is pretty hard to beat.
They don’t just build software. They make sure it actually works for real people, not just in theory. Some teams stop at “it functions,” but Vertical Vertical goes further. They think about usability, flow, and whether the software feels intuitive.
It’s the kind of detail you don’t always notice until something feels off, and here, it rarely does. That really matters when you want to launch something people will actually enjoy using instead of just tolerating.
Their mix of app development, UX/UI design, and branding makes the final product feel polished and cohesive, not thrown together.
On top of that, they’re really into experimenting with tech. Cloud apps, Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and AI aren’t just buzzwords. They use these tools in ways that actually help businesses, which is a nice change.
The team’s consultative approach also stands out. They listen, refine, and make sure the final product isn’t just functional but precise and thoughtful.
Unfortunately, they lean toward the premium side. If you’re watching your budget, it might sting a bit, but for anyone serious about building something that actually works, it’s worth considering.
Professional service with a positive team
“Have been working with Vertical Vertical for a number of years now. Top class service and professionalism. They are always so positive and helpful, and go the extra mile to ensure our site is looking its best.”
– GHK Rugby, Google Review
Responsive and supportive team
“Highly recommend. Brilliant team, very responsive and great customer service with a lot of support. Couldn’t be happier with the results of our website, thank you to all at Vertical!”
– Gemma Waters, Google Review