Overview

About Essential Designs

Essential Designs is a Canadian custom software, mobile app, and web application development company founded in 2008. With offices in Vancouver, Toronto, Calgary, Los Angeles, and San Diego, our team builds custom business platforms, SaaS applications, internal tools, mobile apps, web applications, integrations, UI/UX design, AI-enabled software, and long-term software support for SMB, mid-market, and enterprise clients.

What clients say

Review Analytics of Essential Designs

Every review is verified through Goodfirms before it's published.

5.025 Verified Reviews
Quality5.0
Schedule & Timing5.0
Communication5.0
Overall5.0
Review Summary
Summarized from 25 verified reviews · Updated August 2026
Clients consistently praise Essential Designs for technical expertise, high-quality deliverables, and responsive project management. The team is noted for understanding client needs deeply, offering UX suggestions, and maintaining clear communication throughout projects. Affordable pricing relative to competitors and flexibility with scope changes are frequently highlighted strengths. Post-launch support and the personable, knowledgeable nature of team members also emerge as key differentiators.
✦ AI-generated summary. May not reflect every review.
Detailed Reviews of Essential Designs
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What reviewers mention most

Janean Bowen
Janean Bowen, Head of Operations at BioWare at BioWareVerified Review
Posted on Feb 27, 2024

We onboarded Essential designs for Mobile app development

Overall rating5.0
Quality5.0
Communication5.0
Schedule & Timing5.0
Mobile App Development

As a customer of Essential Designs, my experience with the mobile app development process for BioWare., Essential Designs showcased outstanding professionalism, creativity, and technical proficiency. The Essential Designs team displayed a profound comprehension for BioWare specific requirements and challenges within the composite manufacturing sector. They took an active approach to communication, ensuring a thorough understanding of our needs and seamlessly incorporating them into the mobile app development plan.

Sherry Dang
Sherry Dang, Founder & CEOVerified Review
Posted on Feb 26, 2024

Everyone we've worked with at Essential has solid expertise in their area and a can-do attitude.

Overall rating5.0
Quality5.0
Communication5.0
Schedule & Timing5.0
Software DevelopmentWriting Services

While we've just completed the project recently, we are satisfied with Essential Designs work thus far. They fulfill requests promptly and finish deliveries on schedule. They also adhere to extra responsibilities and ad hoc meetings. Overall, we expressed admiration for their business culture and welcoming demeanor.

J. Marc Overhage
J. Marc Overhage, Healthcare Executive at Elevance HealthVerified Review
Posted on Feb 19, 2024

Software Development for Elevance Health

Overall rating5.0
Quality5.0
Communication5.0
Schedule & Timing5.0
Software Development

They first listened to our requirements for features and functions through phone meetings. Then, they took our input and showed us the specifications they wanted to use. Their team developed multiple versions of the apps throughout the development cycle using our feedback. Finally ,Essential Design launched both apps.

Victor Lozinski
Victor Lozinski, Co-founder and Chairman of the Board at LeverxVerified Review
Posted on Feb 5, 2024

Their team consisted of young and highly knowledgeable professionals

Overall rating5.0
Quality5.0
Communication5.0
Schedule & Timing5.0
Web Development

The website required appropriate technologies and frameworks to ensure compatibility, performance, and security. This includes front-end and back-end development, database management, and system integration. They verified that the project was completed on schedule. They demonstrated a solution-oriented approach, offering practical strategies to navigate the challenges that arose throughout the development process. We needed a reliable and effective system for generating QR codes that allows users to input desired information (e.g., URLs, email, contact details) and generate corresponding QR codes. The system also supports customization options, such as QR code size, color, and format.

Jamie Alders
Jamie Alders, VP of Product at NeurableVerified Review
Posted on Dec 26, 2023

Excellent Mobile App

Overall rating5.0
Quality5.0
Communication5.0
Schedule & Timing5.0
Mobile App Development

Essential Designs has designed and developed an iOS and Android app for a biological software products company's new device. Their work has included user research, UX design, and app development. Their project management was superb. They communicated well and became a partner we could rely on to help make good decisions for the project.

Anonymous
AnonymousVerified Review
Posted on Dec 26, 2023

Best mobile ap service ever

Overall rating5.0
Quality5.0
Communication5.0
Schedule & Timing5.0
Mobile App Development

Overall experience is very good. It boost the potential of our work. They serve as the bridge between technology and business, representing both sides effectively. Give 5 stars.

Emanuel Kadziela
Emanuel Kadziela, Vice President at Spruce InfoTech, Inc at SPRUCEVerified Review
Posted on Dec 8, 2023

They serve as the bridge between technology and business, representing both sides effectively.

Overall rating5.0
Quality5.0
Communication5.0
Schedule & Timing5.0
Software Development

Their business analysts are exceptional. They serve as the Bridge between technology and business, representing both sides effectively. We work with a time and effort contract, but it's not an open budget. The team is dependable when it comes to managing time and finances, consistently staying within the designated budget. Usually, the Essential Designs team delivers before the deadline, which is fantastic.

Markk James
Markk James, General Manager at Bolwell Corporation Pty. Ltd.Verified Review
Posted on Nov 27, 2023

Essential Designs Delivers Excellence in Bolwell Corporation's Mobile App Development

Overall rating5.0
Quality5.0
Communication5.0
Schedule & Timing5.0
Mobile App DevelopmentSoftware Development

As a client of Essential Designs, I had a remarkably positive experience throughout the mobile app development process for Bolwell Corporation Pty. Ltd., a composite manufacturer with facilities in Melbourne and Thailand. Essential Design demonstrated exceptional professionalism, creativity, and technical expertise. The team at Essential Designs exhibited a deep understanding of Bolwell Corporation's unique needs and challenges in the composite manufacturing industry. They were proactive in communication, ensuring that our requirements were thoroughly understood and incorporated into the mobile app development plan.

Tracy Sutton
Tracy Sutton, Executive director at Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce at Saginaw County Chamber of CommerceVerified Review
Posted on Nov 27, 2023

Essential Designs: Elevating Our Custom App Experience

Overall rating5.0
Quality5.0
Communication5.0
Schedule & Timing5.0
Mobile App DevelopmentSoftware Development

Working with Essential Designs has been a truly positive experience for the Custom Application Developers at Saginaw County Chamber of Commerce. Their team's commitment to excellence, attention to detail, and innovative approach to custom application development have greatly contributed to the success of our projects. Essential Designs has consistently demonstrated a deep understanding of our organization's unique needs, and their solutions have significantly enhanced our capabilities. Their professionalism, responsiveness, and collaborative spirit have made the entire process smooth and enjoyable.

Peter Weiss
Peter Weiss, Co-Founder at Alpaca Real EstateVerified Review
Posted on Nov 27, 2023

Advanced software solution for Real Estate Management Agency

Overall rating5.0
Quality5.0
Communication5.0
Schedule & Timing5.0
Software Development

Our client in the field of mineral exploration and mining needed assistance in creating an advanced software solution. This tool would help them keep track of different stages of the exploration process across their multiple mining sites. They needed our advice on the best provider to work with to efficiently organize, uncover insights, and oversee the project. From the initial stages of project discovery to the final phases of implementation, Essential Designs demonstrated a remarkable ability to align resources, streamline workflows, and maintain a clear trajectory toward project milestones. The project advanced smoothly without any significant deviations from our deadlines, underscoring Essential Designs remarkable capacity to maintain oversight and coordination. As the project continues, our consistent success in meeting sprint objectives without major setbacks serves as a testament to Essential Designs exceptional organizational capability

Jeff Hardy, Founder & Chief Executive Officer at Lifeguard Digital HealthVerified Review
Posted on Nov 20, 2023

App Dev for Substance Users & Emergency Responders.

Overall rating5.0
Quality5.0
Communication5.0
Schedule & Timing5.0
Mobile App Development

We came to Essential Designs with an idea of what we were looking for and provided initial sketches, and they provided storyboards based on our ideas. We worked together to start building the application screen by screen, and they went on to develop and design the Lifeguard Digital Health mobile app for iOS and Android. They programmed and implemented text-to-speech technology into the applications as well. We’re partnered with emergency responders and during our testing phase, they’ve found the application to be very user-friendly and reliable. The app will be ready to roll out this spring. The Essential Designs team communicated with me constantly and kept me updated on project deadlines. Scott was very warm, open, honest, and professional. They made me extremely comfortable with technical knowledge.

Helen Ching
Helen Ching, Chief Executive Officer at Cloud Launch One at Cloud Launch OneVerified Review
Posted on Nov 20, 2023

Amazing App Dev & Design for Technology Consulting Company

Overall rating5.0
Quality5.0
Communication5.0
Schedule & Timing5.0
Mobile App Development

I provided them a line map, and walked them through all of the information required in terms of the environment. Then we had several conversations about user personas and required functionalities. They’re designing native apps for iOS and Android, as well as a version for a web portal. The goal is to add functionality that our competitors don't have to give ourselves a competitive advantage. I'm primarily working with one UI/UX designer. A couple of people have been on some of our phone calls in order to manage the project on their end. I'll work directly with a developer once the design is finalized. The subcontractor that I typically work with was booked, so I looked online for a new firm. I decided to give Essential Designs a call because they have a Toronto office. I was very impressed by our phone conversation, and thought they would be a good fit. The team is very good at keeping the project moving. A lot of times we’re waiting for the client to evaluate and respond to a design.

Zack Bowlby
Zack Bowlby, Chief Executive Officer at ROI Amplified, a full-service digital marketing agency at ROI AmplifiedVerified Review
Posted on Oct 30, 2023

User- Friendly Custom Web App Dev for Marketing Agency

Overall rating5.0
Quality5.0
Communication5.0
Schedule & Timing5.0
Software Development

We had built the original system in-house, but the team at Essential Designs has now optimized it, adding newer functionalities. We gave them specific directions because we knew what we wanted. It’s a basic customer account management application that integrates CRM aspects, which include managing database and contact information. They recently upgraded our credit card payment systems to more securely manage our credit card data. We are relatively satisfied with everything they’re doing. All of our customers seem pleased and rarely complain about it. Our company has doubled in size since partnering with Essential Designs. They manage everything, staying on top of it. We use a program to track all of the projects that also goes into the smaller fixes and feature additions.

Nicolo Laurent
Nicolo Laurent, Project Manager at Riot Games advisor at Riot Games advisorVerified Review
Posted on Oct 30, 2023

Custom Software Dev for Gaming Startup Company

Overall rating5.0
Quality5.0
Communication5.0
Schedule & Timing5.0
Software Development

I found Essential Designs online when searching for software developers. I had reached out to multiple software development companies and Groovy Web was by far the cheapest and they clearly understood the goals of my project. They designed the software I required over the course of 10 weeks which was the timeline originally set out in our agreement. They used a variety of methods to collect all the data I require and display it on a website they provided for me. We were able to launch the project on time and with everything working as required. They provided quality assurance as well as a generous support period of 6 months where they will fix any bugs and help me as I adjust to using my new product. I would recommend them any day

Rodrigo Boabaid
Rodrigo Boabaid, Founder at Sunset Capital LLC at Sunset Capital LLCVerified Review
Posted on Oct 26, 2023

Cost Effective and Flexible MVP

Overall rating5.0
Quality5.0
Communication5.0
Schedule & Timing5.0
Mobile App DevelopmentWeb Development

Essential Designs provided low-cost resources that built a high-quality MVP with clean code. They used React Native for mobile development and ReactJS for web development. Their team built the app's web backend using typescript and a variety of AWS frameworks. As their services can be turned on or off, we have a flexible arrangement. They’re able to lay-down code quickly. That code takes two forms including a scrappy MVP that effectively provides core functionality at low cost, meaning time in development hours. The second form that their code can take is a product that was built meticulously. For us as an early-stage company, success metrics include shifting to users, testing, and iterating rapidly. We’ve measured success by the output of code and the number of features built in a short period of time. They participate in retrospectives with our team, which provides a good feedback loop. With us leaning into the team, they lean back and that creates a collaborative engagement.

Focus

Service Focus of Essential Designs

How the team's effort is distributed across services.

35%25%20%10%5%5%

Industries Focus

25%15%15%10%10%10%10%5%

Client Focus

Small Business90%
Medium Business10%
Selected Work

Client Portfolio of Essential Designs

Where their work concentrates - by industry, budget, and timeline.

Clients: 8

TechnologyHealthcareStartupReal EstateRetailEcommerceManufacturerStartups

Where we are

Locations (1)

Offices where Essential Designs operates.

Headquarter
Canada

Canada

408 - 55 Water Street, Unit 4825
Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 1A1
(604) 568-7800