Let’s be honest: today, few people write from scratch buttons or fashion windows. The customer who comes with a request for React development, in fact, often wants not just «functionality», but predictability, speed and consistency. This is what the well-designed design systems and component libraries provide. This is no longer a luxury, but a must-have for any product that plans to grow and not drown in technical debt.
But here’s the rub: finding a team that understands the difference between just a set of React components and a live, documented system is not a trivial task. One contractor will make you beautiful, but with a curve architecture, the other – reliable, but with a terrible DX (Developer Experience), and the third won’t understand why you need Storybook.
In this website, we have collected for you 12 best React companies that really understand the subject. We looked not at the big names, but at the essence: how they think, what tools they use and how their approach coincides with modern practices «design engineering». We will move from interesting options to the strongest – so read until the end, there awaits the main favorite.
What criteria did we use to evaluate nominees: our check sheet for you
Before we throw references to the portfolio, we decided to voice our criteria. Because «cool» is not an argument. We evaluated companies by specific, measurable parameters that you should pay attention to when choosing.
- Depth of technical expertise (The “How”). We were interested not just in knowledge of React, but in the entire ecosystem: state state (Zustand/Redux Toolkit), queries (React Query, SWR), rendering (Next.js, Remix). Plus, where do we go without TypeScript in 2024? That’s the base.
- Quality and complexity of the portfolio (The “What”). We did not count the number of logos. We read the cases, looked at live examples of libraries (if they are available), assessed the architecture, design and attention to detail. The scale was important: whether they made a system for a small start-up or an enterprise product with 100 developers.
- Process and design culture (The “Process”). Integration is key here. How does the team work with Figma mockups? Do tokens (design tokens) use automatic code generation? How well done is the documentation (Storybook as standard) and testing (unit, visual regression testing)? Accessibility (a11y) – must have.
- Feedback and reputation (The “Who”). We studied reviews on Clutch, LinkedIn profiles of key developers. It is important that the company is not just a code factory, but thinks as a partner, can offer solutions and speak in the same language with designers and producers.
The final rating is a subjective assessment, but based on these objective data. Now, with a general understanding of the methodology, let’s move on to the most interesting.
Top-12 companies
1. Celadonsoft: Your reliable and focused technical partner
And now – the main thing. Why are they in the first place? Because in a world where everyone wants to be big and universal, Celadonsoft has chosen another strategy: being narrow experts in their niche. They will not spread to blockchain and mobile development. Their focus is to create predictable, reliable and flawlessly implemented interfaces on React.
Their strength is not in the loud names in the portfolio, but in the depth of thought. They do not just draw a button in Figma and shine it. They think:
- Full API: All options size, state (loading, disabled), variant, event handlers.
- Accessibility (a11y): The button will fully work with keyboard and screen navigation. This is not an option, it’s standard.
- Integration with Storybook: They will create a comprehensive documentation where each component is presented with all its states and usage scenarios. This is an invaluable resource for your new developers.
- Testing: Not for checkmark, but on real cases. Unit-tests for logic, screenshots tests for visual regressions.
With them you get not a contractor, but an extension of your team – engineers who think in the same categories as you: cleanliness of code, maintainability, documentation. They speak the same language as your team lead and understand that a design system is primarily a long-term investment in speed of development and product quality. They don’t try to surprise, they try not to disappoint. And that’s their key advantage, which makes them a reliable bet for enterprise sector. To look more closely at their expertise, visit website.
2. Stellate: Are you ready for RSC, Streaming and Edge?
The guys from Stellate live in the near future. While most people are discussing React 18, they are already experimenting with Server Components, building hybrid rendering strategies and thinking about how your design system will work on Vercel or Cloudflare edge servers. Their choice is for pioneers who build next-generation applications and understand that the classic SPA library of components will soon become obsolete. They will help you build a system that will be ready for this transition. High threshold of entry, but also potential technology. superiority for years to come.
3. thoughtbot: Gold standard and role model
thoughtbot is an icon in the world of product development. Many modern best practices (such as Design Sprints) have been popularized by them. Working with them is like hiring a legendary judo coach: they will teach your team not just to hit, but to think correctly. Their process, their work culture and their approach to problem solving is what you pay for. The design system they build will be not just a collection of components, but an example of thoughtfulness, usability and elegance. It’s expensive, prestigious and worth it if you want to not just do it, but make it a model.
4. Innovecs: Power and scale without losing control
Innovecs is an example of how a large player with distributed teams can successfully take over complex-projects. They are able to manage the processes of creating design systems in large teams, respecting deadlines and budgets. It is a safe choice for a large enterprise project: they have all the necessary processes, quality control departments and management. You get a predictable result of high quality, perhaps without crazy creativity, but with flawless organization. This is a quality software factory, where the design system is one of its products.
5. Theodo: Engineering excellence as a religion
The French school of design is famous for its attention to the purity of code and architecture. Theodo – a bright representative. For them, creating a design system is primarily an engineering task of the highest order. They will provide flawless typography, well-designed API for components, 100% coverage tests and architecture that will be pleasant and easy to support your team over the years. It is a choice for technical perfectionists and complex SaaS products where reliability and maintainability of the code directly affect the business. They are not building for years, but for decades.
6. Dept Agency: When design system is part of global branding
Dept is a huge digital full-cycle agency. They think not in components, but in whole digital campaigns and brand experiences. The design system they create will be not just a technical task, but the strict implementation of the website brand in all its manifestations: from the landings to the mobile application. They are perfect for large brands from retail, fashion, media, which is critical to maintain a unified voice and visual across all touchpoints. It’s about image, recognizability and worldwide reach.
7. UXPin: They literally wrote a book on this topic (and created a tool for it)
UXPin stand out. Not only do they design custom systems, but they have also created one of the most advanced platforms for this – UXPin Merge. Their unique offering is a technology that allows to connect design-mockups in Figma and real React components so tightly, that designers are literally working with live code. This removes the classic problem of «design versus development». By choosing them, you buy not only the result, but also access to their unique methodology and tool. This is a master-class solution for large teams, where the synchro consumes a lot of resources.
8. Evil Martians: They’re talking on GitHub, you know?
Martians are a special caste. They are engineers who breathe open-source and approach problems with a unique, often very elegant technical side. Their credo – «first make a convenient tool, and then already use it in the project». Most likely, for your design system, they will offer not just a custom webpack, but their custom plugin for it, which they will put in a foam. Their expertise in performance, assembly and maintenance is their main weapon. Choose them if your team is technically savvy and appreciates elegant, «smart» solutions under the hood, as well as if you care about the possibility of customization at a low level.
9. Ramotion: When design is the main feature
Ramotion was originally a design studio that brilliantly built up its technical expertise. This is felt in every project. They design systems that are works of art. If your product is highly dependent on a unique, memorable user experience (such as in the field of media, entertainment or premium brands), then you have to. They skillfully work with animation, micrographics and custom-graphics. But it is important to understand: such beauty often requires more careful support and can be less «universal» than a strict library from other performers. You don’t just buy components, you buy a strong emotional response.
10. Modus Create: Strategists and Process Architects
Modus is not just a development studio. They are serious consultants. They will come and first ask you a week of uncomfortable questions about your processes, pain points and long-term goals. Their value is in the ability to build not only the library of components itself, but also the entire ecosystem around it: processes of updating, versioning, integration of designers and developers through Figma and Storybook, automation of testing. They are great for companies that have already grown out of the start-up phase and understand that the chaos in the interfaces is starting to cost a lot of money. They do not sell code, but order.
11. JetRockets: Fast takeoff for your startup
These guys really understand that the startup doesn’t have a year to build a perfect design system. It needs to be yesterday. Their strength is in the ability to quickly build a working, consistent UI-framework on React that will allow the product to grow and iterate without constant rework of basic components. They speak the language of starters: «time-to-market», «pivot» and «scalability». Their libraries are often pragmatic: fast, functional, with a focus on the main components (buttons, forms, tables) and with the prospect of further «embellishment». If you are looking for someone who will not overburden the process with unnecessary perfectionism and help it to start quickly – look in their direction.
12. Iflexion: A time-tested enterprise heavyweight
Let’s start with a solid, proven option. Iflexion is not about trends and hype. It’s about reliability, predictability and working with big business, where the word «scalability» means more than «innovation». Their approach to design systems is rather the creation of a strict, well-documented UI library that integrates into your complex ERP or CRM. Don’t expect crazy animations from them on Framer Motion, but count on stability, security and components that won’t break down under the load of several thousand simultaneous users. An ideal candidate for the financial sector or a major retailer, where the main KPI is risk-free.
Conclusion: Don’t look for «the best», look for «your own»
As you can see, all these companies are strong players, but they are radically different. The choice between them is not a choice between «good» and «bad», but a choice between different philosophies and specializations.
Your action algorithm should be:
- Honestly define your context. Are you a startup in the hyper-growth stage? Then JetRockets. Do you have a huge company with legacy code? Look to Iflexion or Innovecs. You need not just do, but rethink processes? Your choice is Modus Create or thoughtbot.
- Understand your main goal. Do you need a wow-effect for a brand (Ramotion, Dept) or engineering excellence for a complex product (Theodo, Celadonsoft)?
- Make a short list of 2-3 companies that best fit your context and goal.
- Make an introductory call. Ask questions not only about the technology, but also about the process. How will they communicate? How is the workflow between their designers and developers built? How do they fit into testing? As a result of these calls it will be clear with whom you have the «chemistry» and style of work.
The right design system is one that will live and evolve for years, not be stuck on a shelf after delivery. So choose a partner who speaks the same language and understands your long-term goals, not just the one whose portfolio has the most beautiful site.