Are you contemplating Ruby on Rails for your next big project? You're not alone. Picking the right development framework can be a challenging task. Fortunately, we're here to clear the air!

Ruby on Rails has powered numerous successful tech ventures, including big names like Airbnb and Shopify, proving its efficiency and power.

Now, we'll share some essential criteria to consider when selecting a Ruby on Rails development company. By the end of this article, you'll be equipped with the knowledge to make confident decisions for your development projects. So, let's get started!

Table of Contents

Best Ruby on Rails development companies for 2024
Checklist for Choosing a Ruby on Rails Development Company
Factors to Consider When Selecting a Ruby on Rails Development Company
Benefits of Partnering with a Ruby on Rails Development Company
How was this ranking created?
Best Ruby on Rails development companies - detailed
Your next moves in choosing a Ruby on Rails development firm
Final thoughts

1. Imaginary Cloud

Take a look at our recent projects here

   
Best suitable for: Scale-ups, Enterprises

Brief description: Imaginary Cloud designs scalable technology, and their proprietary development processes guarantee reliable, user-centred solutions that drive seamless digital transformation for Enterprise and Scale-up companies.

They are passionate about helping organisations scale, having worked with a wide range of customers. They have received numerous honours over the previous 13 years, including Top 100 Fastest Growing Companies, Top 1000 Global Companies in 2020 & 2021, UK Top B2B Company in 2021 & 2022, and Europe Best Workplace® 2022.

Services: Product ideation: Digital Transformation, Digital Acceleration, Scoping sessions, Product Development Process, MVP. Product development: Web & Mobile development, Artificial Intelligence, UX/UI Design. Product improvement: Code Audit, UX Audit

Technologies: React, Next.JS, Angular, Due, Webflow, Ruby on Rails, Node, Python, Rails, Django, React Native, Flutter, AWS, Azure, Google Cloud

Key clients: Nokia, Sage, Ernst & Young, BNP Paribas, TravelWiFi, JingaLife, Elsa, Trust Portal, Remax, Environment Intelect

Reviews: 5.0 stars on Clutch from 31 reviews

Feedback: "They always deliver on time and are very responsive to changes in scope"; "The team delivered on time and within budget, ultimately helping accelerate the overall process. Moreover, their team members were outstanding"; "We've worked with several developers, but Imaginary Cloud is the only partner that does what they say they'll do."

Methodology: Agile

Location: London, United Kingdom

Company size: 50 - 249

Founded in: 2010

Price range: $50 - $99 / hr

Culture and values: Highly process-oriented, technical excellence, work with the 1% best-in-class Europe-based developers with years of experience across different industries; digital acceleration with a lean mindset; full transparency: they provide transparent and clear communication, project management, and budgeting; they take strong ownership of the projects they work on, meaning you can expect a business partner ready to help you every step of the way.

Find out Imaginary Cloud software development service and send a message if you want to talk about your project.

2. Dualboot Partners

   
Brief description: Dualboot is a corporation that specialises in business and software development. When they create your software, they create your bottom line.

Their founders have over 25 years of experience launching, leading, and selling technology companies and products. They understand what it takes to succeed and will go to any length to ensure your success. Clients include both IT and non-tech entrepreneurs, as well as Fortune 500 corporations.

Services: UX/UI Design, DevOps, Product Strategy, Web Development, Quality Assurance (QA), Mobile Development, Al & Machine Learning, Blockchain Development

Key clients: DebtBook, PetScreening, MyWorkChoice, Elevation Church, Insurance Agent, Listenwise, Crossrope, Boardroom Insiders, FleetNurse, Payzer, JibJab

Reviews: 4.9 stars on Clutch from 33 reviews

Feedback: “They were timely in responses", “Overall, their project management is second to none", “This company employs great people!”

Location: Charlotte, NC, USA. Development team: Uruguai

Company size: 250 - 999

Founded in: 2018

Price range: Undisclosed

3. thoughtbot

   
Brief description: thoughtbot is a world-renowned design, development, and product management firm that consistently realises their clients' product visions. They utilise an agile, human-centered strategy for web and mobile products at every stage, including upfront research, prototyping, user-first design, expert development, launch, and continuing operations in between significant releases, so you only deal with one partner.

They embed directly and provide best practises and mentoring to your team's progress. They believe that the most effective products are supported by user research, and that the most fulfilled product teams have a clear, dependable methodology for continual iteration and communication.

Since 2003, they have strived to enhance the way people work while creating higher-quality solutions that people like using for over 1,000 clients.

Services: Web Development, Mobile App Development, UX/UI Design

Key clients: Postmates, Iora Health, JoyDrive, SplitFit, LevelUp, Tile, JoyDrive, SplitFit and SplitFit.

Reviews: 4.9 stars on Clutch from 31 reviews

Feedback: “They actually pulled in someone on their end to help QA since we couldn't", “I can’t speak highly enough about them; they’ve made us feel valued", “The engineering team has great attention to detail and is product-minded, often thinking about complex edge cases.”

Location: New York, NY, USA.

Company size: 50 - 249

Founded in: 2003

Price range: $150 - $199 / hr

4. Perpetual

   
Brief description: Perpetual, a full-service digital agency, designs and develops software for Fortune 500s, startups, and everyone in between.

Since their 2012 founding in New York City, they have completed digital projects in financial services, media, healthcare, insurance, and more.

They prioritise user experience in software development and believe in developing the correct product. In 2021, Inc. 5000 named them the fastest-growing US firm, and Visual Objects named them the greatest NYC design agency in 2022.

Services: UX Research, UI/UX Design, Web Development, Mobile Development, Corporate Innovation, Startup Services, Product Strategy, Technology Consulting, AI Consulting and Development

Key clients: Reuters, Fox Sports, HIMSS, Colgate, Reliance Jio, MIT, The Inside, Yola Vietnam, Sonder, Teach for India, Elle Magazine, Hearst, Coleman Research, Refinitiv, Iowa State Univ, African Leadership University, ProctorU, Univ of California

Reviews: 4.8 stars on Clutch from 70 reviews

Feedback: “Perpetual has done a very good job at cleaning our app’s UI/UX and making it more user-friendly", “They listen to feedback and know how to prioritize production issues. They fix the problem and address the root cause", “Perpetual came in with a wealth of experience relative to onboarding flows.”

Location: New York, NY, USA.

Company size: 50 - 249

Founded in: 2012

Price range: $50 - $99 / hr

5. TekRevol

   
Brief description: TekRevol is a Silicon Valley startup (based in Pakistan) that was established in 2018. It specialises in offering startups and businesses innovative digital solutions, such as the modern design and development of applications, websites, games, and e-commerce platforms.

The organisation promotes creative thinking and a dynamic approach to issue resolution, and it focuses on increasing client happiness.

Services: Mobile app development, Game development, Web development, Custom software development, Flutter app development, React Native app development, Cloud computing, Digital Transformation, Digital marketplace, Data analytics, Digital strategy, Al development, Automation Consultancy, NFT development, Machine learning

Key clients: The University of Toronto, Waste Connections, Oz Leasing, Beach Bandits, The Star and Little Star Pizza, The Mobius Risk Group, The Arrow Recovery Group, UCSF - University of California SF

Reviews: 4.9 stars on Clutch from 67 reviews

Feedback: “They’re experienced, knowledgeable, and resourceful”; ''Everything has been pretty smooth"; "They communicate great and always get back to me the same day."

Location: Houston, TX, USA. Development group: Pakistan

Company size: 250 - 999

Founded in: 2018

Price range: $50 - $99 / hr

6. Digiryte

   
Brief description: Digiryte creates next-generation apps and digital products for business goals. And they inspire entrepreneurs to disrupt industries with new ideas.

Their specialty is in creating mobile and web app user experiences.

Services: Mobile application development, Web application development, Full product development, MVP development, Product designing and prototyping, Product scaling, Code & UX audit, Digital Transformation, Machine learning.

Key clients: NHS, Channel 4, Close Brothers, Hinch Property Management, Vapewunder, Blackpool Pleasure Beach, Acuity Coaching, Queen Mary University of London, Direct Opportunities Network, Marriott, Hilton, GNC, Medzdigital, Breezemove, Roof, Que App, OoberFit App, Vitfinder, Chaice

Reviews: 4.8 stars on Clutch from 43 reviews

Feedback: “Digiryte is always forthcoming with the best way to do things”, “The Digiryte team has essentially read my mind and brought my vision to life”, "I have found Digiryte to be flexible and trustworthy throughout the project."

Location: Manchester, United Kingdom. Development group: India.

Company size: 50 - 249

Founded in: 2016

Price range: $25 - $49 / hr

7. Roonyx

   
Brief description: Roonyx is a web and mobile development agency that provides much-needed openness and predictability in the software development outsourcing industry.

Over the last ten years and over 230 projects, they've established their own project management strategy that prioritises commercial impact.

Services: Design & Development of Complex Web Apps, Mobile App Development (Cross-platform, iOS, Android), Blockchain, Web3 (DeFi & CeFi), Artificial Intelligence, Staff Augmentation

Key clients: Pollen Pay, Yoshi, Netsbo, Koko Face Yoga, Orcheya, Tokensale Development Service, CLaunchIt.

Reviews: 4.8 stars on Clutch from 40 reviews

Feedback: “Everything was done well and, at times, even above our expectations”, “They're one of the best vendors we got to work with across all industries”, "We felt that the product was in good hands and they cared about it."

Location: St. Petersburg, FL, USA. Development group: Russia.

Company size: 50 - 249

Founded in: 2010

Price range: $50 - $99 / hr

8. 3 SIDED CUBE

   
Brief description: 3 Sided Cube is a trusted technology partner for world-changing groups on a mission to use technology to improve the lives of millions of people.

Their partners' goods have reached communities in over 87 countries and have received over 100 million downloads worldwide. They have also received various prizes for their work, including a Lovie, Digital Impact, and multiple Webbys.

Their team works with impact-driven companies at all stages of the project lifecycle, including product scoping, user testing, design and UX, build, launch, and continuing support.

Services: iOS, Android, ReactNative app development; Web app & website development; Voice & Alexa Skill development, Bot & AI development; UI/UX app & web design; Mobile strategy; Prototyping & concept development; Product & software design

Key clients: American Red Cross, UNHCR, Global Forest Watch, UNESCO, World Resources Institute, LUSH, Global Commons Alliance, British Red Cross

Reviews: 4.8 stars on Clutch from 39 reviews

Feedback: “3 SIDED CUBE is always highly communicative and delivers things when they say they will", “They're a passionate, enthusiastic, and young team", “We had confidence that their work would make sense from every perspective.”

Location: Washington, DC, United States

Company size: 50 - 249

Founded in: 2009

Price range: $100 - $149 / hr

9. Launchpad Lab

   
Brief description: LaunchPad Lab is a digital product organisation that specialises in online, mobile, and Salesforce development to help businesses transform.

Their team has been assisting organisations in shaping, building, and optimising web and mobile applications that solve problems and accelerate growth since 2012. They collaborate with you to address the appropriate problem, not just the obvious one—and this approach is one of the primary reasons why over 90% of their clients remain long-term partners.

Services: Web App Development, Mobile App Development, UX/UI Design, Product Strategy, Salesforce Development, Contentful Design & Development.

Key clients: Whirlpool, Empower Illinois, Ingenuity, Amplify Credit Union, Apex Leaders, Omaha Zoo, New York Cruise Lines, National Futures Association,Groupon

Reviews: 4.8 stars on Clutch from 39 reviews

Feedback: “LaunchPad Lab has done what they said they were going to do", “The workflow with LaunchPad Lab was perfect", “We always looked forward to our meetings because LaunchPad Lab was fun and easy to work with.”

Location: Chicago, IL, USA.

Company size: 50 - 249

Founded in: 2012

Price range: $150 - $199 / hr

10. Sedin Technologies

   
Brief description: Sedin Technologies is a software development and consulting firm that provides high-end solutions for a variety of business demands of SMBs of all sizes. Their competence in cutting-edge technologies and strict adherence to Agile-development principles have made them one of the world's leading technology consulting firms.

They've created over 700 applications for their clients all across the world.

Services: Business Intelligence and Analytics, Enterprise asset management, Enterprise content management, Robotic process automation, Engineering services, Salesforce Development, Cloud infrastructure services,
Web and mobile app development

Reviews: 4.8 stars on Clutch from 16 reviews

Feedback: “Their drive for excellence and the values they share from the top down was impressive", “They meet our expectations and feel like part of our team", “Their ability to adapt to changing work and funding scenarios based on our project was most impressive and unique.”

Location: Sunnyvale, CA, USA. Development team: India

Company size: 50 - 249

Founded in: 2006

Price range: $25 - $49 / hr

Checklist for Choosing a Ruby on Rails Development Company

Discover the 11 crucial factors when choosing a software development company

In web development, Ruby on Rails (RoR) stands out for its efficiency and scalability, making choosing a RoR development company a crucial decision for your project's success. With RoR powering over 3.7 million websites worldwide, selecting a company that excels in this framework is essential for building robust, high-performing web applications.

The checklist below highlights key aspects to consider.

Factors to Consider When Selecting a Ruby on Rails Development Company

Why should you consider Ruby on Rails to build your marketplace

Development cost

Development cost can vary widely from one company to another and is influenced by various factors:

1. Professionals expertise: The experience and speciality of the team can significantly affect the cost. A firm with highly experienced developers often charges more due to their expertise and efficiency, which may be worth the added expense for complex projects.

2. Geographical location: Companies based in different geographical locations can have different pricing models. Typically, companies in North America and Europe have higher rates, while those in South Asia and Eastern Europe offer services at more economical prices.

3. Project complexity: A project's complexity and size can impact the development cost. More complex projects that require advanced functionalities and unique solutions usually cost more than simpler ones.

4. Project duration: The timeframe of a project often influences the final cost. Longer projects requiring dedicated developers over an extended period can increase costs.

How to compare development costs?

Comparing costs between Ruby on Rails development companies can be tricky due to these variables. However, here are some tips:

1. Get detailed quotes: Request detailed proposals or quotes from potential companies, ensuring they break down costs comprehensively. It'll help you understand where your money is going.

2. Compare apples to apples: Look at equivalent offerings when comparing quotations. Compare similar levels of experience, project complexity, and timeframe.

3. Ensure transparency: Choose companies that offer transparency in their pricing. Hidden charges can surprise you in the end, leading to higher costs.

While cost is essential, it shouldn't be the only criterion for choosing a Ruby on Rails development company. Consider factors like expertise, communication, project understanding, and customer service to ensure you get the best value for your investment.

Development speed

Several factors can affect the speed of development:

1. Project complexity: Naturally, if your web application has complex features or custom requirements, it will require more time for development.

2. Developers' skills: Experienced developers with expertise in the chosen technology can work faster and more efficiently.

3. Team size: A bigger team can potentially do the job quicker but also needs more coordination.

4. Methodology followed: Agile methods speed up the development process by focusing on continuous improvement and rapid delivery of small, functional chunks.

Ruby on Rails and fast development

When we talk specifically about Ruby on Rails, it is renowned for its contribution to fast development. A few reasons include:

a. Convention over configuration: Ruby on Rails operates on the principle of convention over configuration, meaning it has a set of conventions that simplify decisions developers must make, thus speeding up the process.

b. Rich libraries: Ruby on Rails offers a wide array of plugins called "gems" that can be readily used, reducing development time.

c. MVC architecture: Its MVC (Model-View-Controller) architecture facilitates parallel development, where developers can work on different components simultaneously, accelerating the process.

Agile and Scrum to the rescue

Find out the best Agile practices to use in your Software Development Life Cycle

A significant number of software development companies adopt efficient strategies like Agile and Scrum. These strategies involve brief, intensive work phases that enable quick adaptations and continual progression.

It's crucial to acknowledge that these approaches can be differently understood and applied by many companies. It's beneficial to discuss their execution of these strategies when exploring potential Ruby on Rails development partners.

While speed should be a concern during web development, it's equally important not to sacrifice quality for speed. A balance between the two will ensure a successful web application.

Years on the market

Choosing a development company isn't just about their technical expertise or cost. One factor that often gets overlooked but can hold significant value is how long the company has been on the market. Let's explore why this matters.

Stability and reliability

Companies that have been operating for several years show stability and reliability. It indicates they've survived challenges and have a sustainable business practice. Therefore, they are less likely to disappear suddenly, leaving your project high and dry.

Proven track record

Years on the market often translate into a proven track record. Multiple completed projects mean they've gone through various scenarios and problems and found solutions. This wealth of experience is invaluable and reduces the risks associated with your project.

Established processes

Long-standing companies have had time to establish their processes. They know how to manage projects, communicate efficiently with clients, and meet project timelines. This experience is advantageous for smooth project execution.

Evolving expertise

Companies that have been on the market for years have more opportunities to keep up with industry changes and technology advancements than younger companies. This ongoing learning and adaptation make them more equipped to suggest and implement modern solutions for your project.

Building trust

Lastly, a company with several years on the market may elicit higher trust. It indicates they've successfully provided services over the years, earning client trust and steadiness.

In conclusion, while choosing an older, more established company for your development needs is not obligatory, their years on the market can play a significant part in the level of experience, reliability, and quality of service you can expect.

Team size

Why team size matters

1. Efficiency: Larger teams often can work more efficiently, as they can divide the work amongst more people. This division can lead to faster results without compromising on quality.

2. Diverse skills: A larger team will likely house diverse skill sets and experiences. This variety can result in more innovative solutions and a comprehensive approach to problem-solving.

3. Parallel development: A larger team means different aspects of an application, such as the backend, frontend, and UI/UX, can be worked on concurrently, speeding up the development process.

4. Continuity: Larger teams often have redundancies built in. So, if one developer falls ill or leaves, others can pick up the slack and keep the project moving forward.

But attention that smaller teams can offer benefits as well

But size isn’t everything

While team size has benefits, it’s not the only factor to consider. The skill level of the team, their communication, and how they work together are equally important.

A small team of dedicated, highly skilled professionals can be just as effective, if not more so, than a larger team. Small teams tend to have better communication, less bureaucracy, and can often be more agile and responsive to changes.

Benefits of Partnering with a Ruby on Rails Development Company

Partnering with a Ruby on Rails development company brings numerous advantages to your project. Known for its rapid development capabilities, RoR is utilized by many high-profile companies, indicating its reliability and effectiveness in creating robust web applications.

1. Quick Development and Time-to-Market:

One of the standout benefits of RoR is its ability to accelerate development processes. A Ruby on Rails development company can significantly reduce the time-to-market for your project. This rapid development is possible due to RoR's convention over configuration approach, reusable code libraries, and integrated testing tools. Faster development means quicker deployment and a sooner realization of ROI.

2. Cost-Effectiveness:

Ruby on Rails can also be more cost-effective compared to other frameworks. The framework's efficiency and the availability of open-source libraries reduce the amount of code that needs to be written from scratch, thus cutting down on development hours and costs. This can be a significant advantage for startups and businesses with budget constraints.

3. High-Quality and Scalable Solutions:

RoR is designed for scalability, making it an ideal choice for businesses planning to expand. A Ruby on Rails development company can create easy applications to scale up as your user base grows, ensuring your application can handle increased traffic and data without performance issues.

4. Strong Community and Support:

The RoR community is vibrant and supportive, with many plugins and modules available. This community support translates into enhanced security, regular updates, and quick fixes to typical issues, contributing to your web application's overall reliability and security.

5. Consistency and Maintainability:

Ruby on Rails emphasizes clean, readable code, which makes maintenance easier. Working with a RoR development company ensures a consistent coding style across your project, making future updates and modifications more straightforward.

How was this ranking created?

We have considered Clutch to build this leaderboard since Clutch is a company that helps businesses find the best service providers for their needs through study and reviews. They offer verified client reviews and ratings, as well as in-depth study and analysis on companies in many different fields, such as web app development, marketing, design, and more. Clutch's goal is to help businesses choose service providers based on good information and to help service providers show off their skills and get noticed for their work.

The companies part of this leaderboard meet the following requirements:

• On Clutch, they are ranked in the top positions for Ruby on Rails Developers in the United States and the United Kingdom.
• Have at least 20 customer reviews on Clutch.
• Have a total Clutch rating of 4.7 or higher.
• Have been in the market for at least 5 years and have considerable web development experience backed up by a robust and trustworthy portfolio.
• Employ a team with the knowledge and skills to create scalable digital solutions.

This information is not sponsorship and is based on our own analysis.

Your next moves in choosing a Ruby on Rails development firm

Deciding on which Ruby on Rails development firm to partner with is a critical turning point for any project. There is no absolute right or wrong choice, but here are some simple steps to guide you to your best fit.

1. Defining your needs
The first step is to define your requirements clearly. Understand the scope of your project, the complexity, the features you want to include, and your timeline. This information can act as your guiding light while assessing the suitability of various companies.

2. Research
Shortlist potential firms based on their reputation, services, and portfolio. Look at the projects they've handled before, check if they have experience in your industry, and whether their work impresses you.

3. Evaluate their approach
Different development firms may have diverse approaches towards project planning and execution, communication, and problem-solving. Evaluate which firm aligns best with your expectations and requirements in these aspects.

4. Partnership perspective
Understand how each firm views its relationship with clients. Are they looking for a simple client-vendor relationship, or are they interested in forming a partnership where they guide, advise, and grow with you?

5. Responsibility and consultancy attitude
Assess their stance on taking responsibility for their actions, especially when mistakes are made. Also, look for their willingness to share their knowledge, provide insights, and advise you on the best practices.

6. Budget considerations
While it's crucial to pick a developer who can create the perfect application, it’s also essential to consider your budget. Compare the cost-effectiveness of each firm.

7. Communication
Effective and timely communication is the key to ensuring your project runs smoothly. Look for firms that prioritise clear, open, and consistent contact.

In conclusion, finding the ideal Ruby on Rails development firm involves evaluating diverse perspectives and factors, considering more than just their technical capability. It’s about finding a team that aligns perfectly with you, understands your vision, and can transform it into a reality.

Final thoughts

Selecting a Ruby on Rails development firm is not about picking the most significant name or affordable option. It's about choosing a team that understands your vision, values your partnership, shares their knowledge, holds themselves accountable for their actions, and aligns with your budget and project requirements. It's about finding a firm you trust and feel confident will deliver high-quality results.

The best company for you will be the one that fits your project requirements precisely and smoothly integrates with your working style. So take your time to consider, compare, and choose.

Once you've found your perfect match, you'll be one major step closer to bringing your project to life, watching your ideas transform into a stunning, functional application.

So take the first step today to elevate your business to new heights: contact our Imaginary Cloud team right now!