In this report, we share our research team’s findings on the top seven AI software development companies of 2026. We analyzed more than 35 custom AI software developers specializing in multiple use cases and industries to identify the best within each niche. We then ranked them based on these factors:
- Noteworthy Clients: Premium AI software development should meet the needs of a wide variety of users, so notable clients with large internal teams and customer bases using their apps are indicative of high-quality software solutions.
- Leadership Experience: A 1.0-5.0 score based on the experience of a company’s leadership in AI software development, as some cross-disciplinary firms may not have actual developers in their C-suite, making it harder for them to connect with client needs.
- Company Size: Teams grow when there is higher demand for a company’s services, so we give larger companies a small edge, all else being equal.
- Year Founded: AI software development has been around longer than most realize, and firms that have maintained success for a long time have more versatile and consistent solutions.
- Location: App development firms in major cities like Dallas have access to more robust talent pools, which increases the overall quality of their services.
The Top AI Software Development Companies
| Rank | Company | Notable Clients | Leadership Experience | Company Size | Year Founded | HQ | Development Specialization |
| 1 | 7T | Pepsi, SiriusXM, MPOWERHealth | 4.8 | 50-249 | 2012 | Dallas, TX | Comprehensive AI custom software development services for mobile, desktop, and tablet apps for an industry-leading variety of applications |
| 2 | Slalom | Google, Microsoft, Salesforce | 4.7 | 5,000+ | 2002 | Seattle, WA | AI development and legacy integration for enterprise-level firms |
| 3 | C3 AI | Raytheon, Cargill, Koch | 4.6 | 1000-5000 | 2009 | Redwood City, CA | Custom AI solutions for enterprise companies, primarily focused on supply chain optimization |
| 4 | H2O.ai | AT&T, Commonwealth Bank, AES | 4.5 | 251-500 | 2012 | Mountain View, CA | Custom AI enterprise solutions with a focus on agentic AI |
| 5 | LeewayHertz | Siemens, 3M, Hershey’s | 4.3 | 50-249 | 2007 | San Francisco, CA | AI/ML and generative AI solutions for enterprise digital transformation |
| 6 | Markovate | Healthcare and retail enterprises | 4.2 | 50-249 | 2016 | San Diego, CA | Generative AI and custom AI product development for startups and enterprises |
| 7 | Innowise | Adidas, BMW, Delivery Hero | 4.1 | 1000-5000 | 2007 | Warsaw, Poland | Enterprise AI development with focus on data engineering and ML solutions |
7T
7T is an AI software development company that creates AI (Gen AI and Agentic AI) and machine learning (ML) software solutions for clients across many industries. They can handle client-facing, internal, and cross-platform software solutions, and have some of the most cutting-edge AI expertise on the list. Being based in a rapidly growing business hub like Dallas has provided 7T with experience with businesses of every size, but the bulk of their expertise is in enterprise-level solutions.
One of the key reasons for their high placement is their dedication to understanding client pain points. Instead of the typical onboarding process of forms and Zoom meetings, 7T does a deep dive into client operations, sometimes even going on location to shadow staff for a period of time to truly understand their needs and current software.
As a result, 7T provides the most value on the list due to the innovation and tailored approach they offer. They represent a clear #1 option for enterprise firms looking for solutions that will integrate perfectly with an existing software stack, or replace sizable portions of one without conflicting with what clients want to keep.
- Notable Clients: Pepsi, SiriusXM, MPOWERHealth
- Leadership Experience: 4.8
- Company Size: 50-249
- Year Founded: 2012
- Headquarters: Dallas, TX
- Development Specialization: Comprehensive AI custom software development services for mobile, desktop, and tablet apps for an industry-leading variety of applications
- Contact: 7T website
| Summary of Online Reviews |
| Clients consistently praise 7T for their “deep understanding of business processes,” “innovative approach to problem-solving,” and “exceptional technical execution.” Reviews highlight the team’s ability to deliver complex AI solutions on time and within budget, though some note that premium quality comes with a higher price point. |
Slalom
Slalom has been in the AI software development industry for a long time, and they offer AI development and strategy services geared toward firms looking to update their software suite while keeping preferred legacy systems intact. They are expensive, though, and specialize in large projects, so their cost, scale and emphasis on preserving existing software stacks may not suit the needs of all clients. But, for enterprise companies seeking to modernize without a complete system replacement, they may be a solid partner.
- Notable Clients: Google, Microsoft, Salesforce
- Leadership Experience: 4.7
- Company Size: 5,000+
- Year Founded: 2002
- Headquarters: Seattle, WA
- Development Specialization: AI development and legacy integration for enterprise-level firms
- Contact: Slalom website
| Summary of Online Reviews |
| Reviewers appreciate Slalom’s “enterprise-scale expertise,” “strategic consulting approach,” and “ability to navigate complex organizational structures.” Clients note the team excels at legacy system integration and change management, though some mention the need for clearer project scoping in the initial phases. |
C3 AI
C3 AI is an AI software development company with a focus on supply chain optimization. While this isn’t all they do, a bulk of their clientele consists of firms that rely on supply chain management and C3-designed tools that assist with it. These clients include manufacturing, financial services, utilities, and oil & gas companies, and C3 provides turnkey AI solutions for them to ensure that they can deploy quickly with minimal need for integrations.
Firms looking for comprehensive supply chain management solutions will likely get value from a partnership with C3.
- Notable Clients: Raytheon, Cargill, Koch
- Leadership Experience: 4.5
- Company Size: 1000-5000
- Year Founded: 2009
- Headquarters: Redwood City, CA
- Development Specialization: Custom AI solutions for enterprise companies, primarily focused on supply chain optimization
- Contact: C3 AI website
| Summary of Online Reviews |
| C3 AI receives high marks for “prebuilt enterprise applications,” “rapid deployment capabilities,” and “deep industry expertise in manufacturing and energy.” Clients value the platform’s scalability and real-time analytics, though some note the learning curve for customization can be steep. |
H2O.ai
H2O.ai is a custom AI platform developer that advertises “the world’s best agentic AI.” Their focus is on utilizing generative AI to create client-facing experiences in areas like customer support. They also offer predictive AI tools in use cases that require them, such as the finance and healthcare industries. They are known to be one of the most expensive options on the list, but they offer solid solutions for the firms they partner with.
H2O.ai offers workable solutions for big firms that aim to use either agentic AI or predictive AI and are okay with more generalist tools made for the industry, not necessarily a custom-tailored approach to their specific workflows.
- Notable Clients: AT&T, Commonwealth Bank, AES
- Leadership Experience: 4.4
- Company Size: 251-500
- Year Founded: 2012
- Headquarters: Mountain View, CA
- Development Specialization: Custom AI enterprise solutions with a focus on agentic AI
- Contact: H2O.ai website
| Summary of Online Reviews |
| H2O.ai is recognized for “cutting-edge agentic AI capabilities,” “powerful automation features,” and “strong democratization of machine learning.” Users appreciate the platform’s accessibility for non-technical teams, though some mention that advanced customization requires significant technical expertise. |
LeewayHertz
LeewayHertz is an AI development company known for delivering comprehensive AI/ML solutions, with a particular focus in generative AI and emerging technologies. Having worked with Fortune 500 clients like Siemens, 3M, and Hershey’s, the company brings over 160 AI experts to bear on complex enterprise challenges. Founded by former entrepreneurs with deep technical roots, LeewayHertz has built a reputation for bridging the gap between AI strategy and execution.
Their services span the full AI development lifecycle, from consulting and model development to LLM integration and deployment. With expertise in blockchain, IoT, and Web3 alongside their AI capabilities, LeewayHertz is well-suited for companies seeking to combine multiple emerging technologies into unified solutions. The firm’s collaborative approach and project management methodology ensure that AI initiatives align with business objectives throughout development.
- Notable Clients: Siemens, 3M, Hershey’s
- Leadership Experience: 4.5
- Company Size: 50-249
- Year Founded: 2007
- Headquarters: San Francisco, CA
- Development Specialization: AI/ML and generative AI solutions for enterprise digital transformation
- Contact: LeewayHertz website
| Summary of Online Reviews |
| Clients consistently highlight LeewayHertz’s “flexibility in adapting to changing requirements,” “strong technical execution across AI and blockchain,” and “cost-effective project delivery.” Reviews note the team’s responsiveness and ability to handle complex integrations, though some mention that documentation could be more detailed. |
Markovate
Markovate specializes in generative AI solution development tailored for startups and large businesses across retail, travel, fitness, and healthcare sectors. With a team of 50 vetted engineers, the company focuses on delivering AI solutions that drive tangible business outcomes rather than just technical implementation. Markovate’s approach emphasizes proof of concept creation, custom AI product development, and comprehensive consulting services that help clients navigate their AI transformation journey.
The company has earned recognition for their goal-oriented delivery and industry-specific AI applications, but this can result in some longer timetables for deployment, as mentioned in their reviews. Their expertise spans from conversational AI and natural language processing to computer vision and predictive analytics. Markovate’s strength lies in their ability to translate complex AI capabilities into user-friendly applications that enhance customer experiences and operational efficiency. Their focus on personalization and actionable insights makes them particularly valuable for companies looking to differentiate through AI-powered features.
- Notable Clients: Healthcare and retail enterprises
- Leadership Experience: 4.3
- Company Size: 50-249
- Year Founded: 2016
- Headquarters: San Diego, CA
- Development Specialization: Generative AI and custom AI product development for startups and enterprises
- Contact: Markovate website
| Summary of Online Reviews |
| Markovate earns praise for “high-quality deliverables,” “professional project management,” and “deep understanding of generative AI applications.” Clients on Clutch (4.8/5 rating) commend the team’s engagement and ability to deliver innovative solutions, though some note that timelines can be ambitious for more complex implementations. |
Innowise
Innowise is a global AI development powerhouse with over 1,000 professionals delivering enterprise-grade solutions across multiple industries. Having completed 600+ projects for clients like Adidas, BMW, and Delivery Hero, the company brings extensive experience in data engineering, machine learning, and AI-powered automation. Founded in 2007, Innowise has evolved into one of the most highly-rated B2B companies on Clutch, combining technical excellence with strong project management capabilities.
The firm’s AI services encompass the full spectrum of machine learning development, from predictive analytics and NLP to computer vision and intelligent automation. Innowise’s strength lies in their ability to handle complex, large-scale AI initiatives, but they do struggle at times with their visual design and usability. Their engagement model offers flexibility, with project costs ranging from $20,000 to $600,000 depending on scope and complexity.
- Notable Clients: Adidas, BMW, Delivery Hero
- Leadership Experience: 4.6
- Company Size: 1000-5000
- Year Founded: 2007
- Headquarters: Warsaw, Poland
- Development Specialization: Enterprise AI development with focus on data engineering and ML solutions
- Contact: Innowise website
| Summary of Online Reviews |
| Innowise receives consistently high ratings for “technical expertise and responsiveness,” “timely delivery and quality outcomes,” and “clear communication throughout complex projects.” Approximately 90% of reviewers on Clutch commend their capabilities, though some suggest improvements in visual design documentation and initial project scoping details. |
