Even the smartest software can feel frustrating if the interface doesn’t make sense to real people. That’s why usability testing is so important – it’s how you figure out if your app or website actually works for the users it’s meant for. In the UK, plenty of companies are making this their specialty, combining research, design, and hands-on testing to create smoother, more intuitive digital experiences. Here’s a look at some of the best usability testing firms helping businesses get it right.
1. A-Listware
We have been working in software development and consulting for over two decades, with a steady presence in both the UK and international markets. Our role often involves supporting companies that want to refine how users interact with their digital products. Usability testing is part of that picture, giving us a chance to look beyond code and focus on how people actually engage with the software. From enterprise platforms to smaller applications, we approach projects with the same goal: making technology clear, intuitive, and accessible.
Operating from our UK base in St. Leonards-on-Sea and supported by global teams, we combine local insight with broad technical expertise. For us, usability testing is not an isolated task but part of a wider process that includes design, quality assurance, and long-term system support. This approach helps us stay closely aligned with client teams and ensure that the solutions we shape hold up in real use, not just in theory.
Key Highlights:
- UK presence combined with international delivery capabilities
- Focus on seamless team integration with client organisations
- Access to a large network of skilled IT professionals
- Emphasis on usability as part of wider digital transformation projects
Services:
- Usability testing and quality assurance
- UX and UI design
- Software consulting and outsourcing
- Custom software and product development
- Application services and cloud solutions
- Data analytics and infrastructure support
- Cybersecurity and help desk services
Contact Information:
- Website: a-listware.com
- Email: info@a-listware.com
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/alistware
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/a-listware
- Address: St. Leonards-On-Sea, TN37 7TA, UK
- Phone Number: +44 (0)142 439 01 40
2. Box UK
Box UK has built a solid reputation by helping companies make their digital products easier to use. They don’t just follow a checklist – they watch how real people behave, dig into the data, and collect direct user feedback to spot where things get tricky. This way, they can pinpoint exactly what needs fixing.
From their London office, they run a mix of usability programs: in-lab sessions, remote studies, or quick “guerrilla” testing for fast insights. They also care a lot about accessibility, making sure products are usable for everyone. The idea is simple: tie testing back into design and development so teams can make smarter decisions.
Key Highlights:
- Strong UK presence with a dedicated usability lab in London
- Blend of qualitative and quantitative research methods
- Experience across sectors including education, healthcare, and finance
- Focus on accessibility and inclusive testing practices
- Use of digital tools such as analytics and session recordings to support findings
Services:
- Remote usability testing
- In-lab moderated usability studies
- Guerrilla testing for fast user insights
- Mobile usability testing
- Accessibility and inclusive testing
- Card sorting, tree testing, and quick impression studies
- UX and UI design support
- Accessibility audits
Contact Information:
- Website: www.boxuk.com
- E-mail: info@boxuk.com
- Twitter: www.x.com/boxuk
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/box-uk
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/boxuk
- Address: Octagon Point 5 Cheapside London EC2V 6AA
- Phone: +44 (0)20 7439 1900
3. Keep It Usable
Based in Manchester, Keep It Usable is a research and design agency that really gets into the nitty-gritty of usability testing. They watch real users interact with apps and websites, sometimes using eye tracking to see exactly where attention goes. This hands-on approach uncovers issues that aren’t obvious during development.
They also offer broader UX research throughout the product lifecycle—understanding not just what users do, but why they do it. Whether it’s a large organization or a smaller company, Keep It Usable helps teams turn insights into practical improvements.
Key Highlights:
- UK research and design agency based in Manchester
- Experienced team of usability practitioners
- Moderated testing sessions for deeper user insights
- Use of eye tracking to study user attention and behaviour
- Experience working with a wide range of sectors and clients
Services:
- Usability testing (moderated and remote)
- Eye tracking research for desktop and mobile
- UX research across product lifecycles
- UX design based on testing findings
- Conversion optimisation studies
- Expert reviews of digital products
- Access to a dedicated UX lab for in-person research
Contact Information:
- Website: www.keepitusable.com
- E-mail: hello@keepitusable.com
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/keepitusable
- Twitter: x.com/keepitusable
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/keepitusable
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/keepitusable
- Address: Floor 3, White Tower, MediaCityUK, Manchester, M50 2NT
- Phone: +44 (0) 161 883 7853
4. UserLab
UserLab, based in Newcastle, focuses on usability and customer research. They test both new designs and existing products, using a mix of remote testing, lab sessions, and accessibility studies. Their goal is simple: give teams a clear picture of what works and what doesn’t for real users.
They also dive into discovery research – interviews, diary studies, and field research – so organizations understand their customers more deeply. This approach helps design decisions be evidence-based, not guesswork.
Key Highlights:
- Based in Newcastle with a focus on usability and customer research
- Mix of remote, lab, and field testing methods
- Experience working with both private and public sector organisations
- Discovery research to support design decisions
- Practical studies such as benchmarking and accessibility testing
Services:
- Usability testing (remote, lab, and field)
- Accessibility testing
- Usability benchmarking
- Concept and preference testing
- Discovery research and in-depth interviews
- Customer journey mapping
- Diary studies and ethnographic research
- UX consultancy and training
Contact Information:
- Website: www.userlab.co.uk
- E-mail: hello@userlab.co.uk
- LinkedIn: ec.linkedin.com/company/userlab-ux
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/userlabux
- Address: WeWork Kings Place 90 York Way, London N1 9AG
- Phone: +44 (191) 500 7744
5. Nomensa
Nomensa is a UK digital experience agency that blends usability testing with accessibility. They work with organizations across industries, running studies in labs or remotely to see how real users tackle tasks. They pay special attention to inclusive testing, ensuring participants come from diverse backgrounds, including those with accessibility needs.
By integrating testing throughout a project – from discovery to post-launch – they help teams make both immediate improvements and long-term strategy decisions.
Key Highlights:
- Broad usability testing options, including lab-based, remote, and unmoderated sessions
- Strong emphasis on accessibility and inclusive research practices
- Recruitment tailored to project requirements, including niche or underrepresented groups
- Testing integrated at multiple stages of the product lifecycle
- Recognised for expertise in digital accessibility by international standards bodies
Services:
- Moderated in-person usability testing
- Moderated remote usability testing
- Unmoderated usability testing
- Accessibility testing with users with disabilities
- Guerilla usability testing
- Contextual usability testing
Contact Information:
- Website: www.nomensa.com
- E-mail: hello@nomensa.com
- Twitter: x.com/we_are_Nomensa
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/nomensa
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/nomensa
- Address: 80-86 Gray’s Inn Road London WC1X 8NH
- Phone: +44 (0) 117 929 7333
6. Qubstudio
Qubstudio is a design and research company with offices in the UK and Ukraine, working across different industries to improve how people experience digital products. Their usability testing services are aimed at identifying how users interact with interfaces and where potential challenges might appear. By combining structured research with observation, they provide insights that help refine both early-stage prototypes and live products.
Their team approaches usability testing as part of a broader design process, linking it closely with user research and strategy. This allows them to examine not just whether a task can be completed, but also how the overall experience fits into user expectations and behaviours. With a presence in London, they work with clients locally as well as internationally, offering flexibility in how studies are conducted.
Key Highlights:
- Offices in both the UK and Ukraine with an international client base
- Focus on connecting usability testing with wider design strategy
- Experience working with industries such as fintech, healthcare, and SaaS
- Ability to test prototypes as well as live digital products
- Blend of research and design expertise
Services:
- Usability testing for prototypes and live products
- User research and behaviour analysis
- UX and UI design
- Product strategy and consulting
- Industry-focused design solutions (e.g. fintech, healthcare)
Contact Information:
- Website: qubstudio.com
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/qubstudio
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/qubstudio
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/qubstudiocom
- Address: London, United Kingdom Level39, 39th floor, One Canada Square, Canary Wharf
7. UX Connections
UX Connections is a UX research and design agency with offices in London, New York, Sydney, and Dubai. Basically, they help teams really understand how people interact with products. Their approach is flexible – they’ll dive in with internal product teams or work alongside external agencies, observing real users and spotting where the experience could use a little polish.
They don’t just run usability tests in isolation. They combine interviews, surveys, and metrics to get a full picture of user behavior. And they don’t stop at testing – they create wireframes, prototypes, and customer journey maps so insights actually make it into the design.
Key Highlights:
- Offices in London, New York, Sydney, and Dubai
- Flexible integration with client teams for ongoing UX support
- Combines usability testing with surveys, interviews, and metric analysis
- Works with both product teams and agencies
- Supports design through wireframes, prototypes, and journey mapping
Services:
- Usability testing sessions for websites and apps
- UX research including interviews and surveys
- Clickable prototypes and wireframes
- UI design and visual interface support
- Customer journey mapping and functional specifications
- Competitor analysis and best practice reviews
- Metric analysis to track user behavior and performance
Contact Information:
- Website: www.uxconnections.com
- E-mail: hello@uxconnections.com
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/uxconnections
- Twitter: x.com/uxconnections
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/ux-connections
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/uxconnections
- Address: UX Connections 25 Moorgate London, EC2R 6AY UK
- Phone: +44(0)20 7748 3764
8. Browser London
Browser London is a UX agency that blends research, design, and front-end development all under one roof. They focus on understanding how users actually behave and then refining digital products based on those observations. Testing isn’t just at the end – they use it throughout the project so improvements happen in real time.
They also help teams implement insights, offering training and support so findings stick. It’s a practical, hands-on approach that keeps user experience at the center of everything.
Key Highlights:
- Combines research, design, and development under one team
- Works with products, apps, and websites across industries
- Emphasis on testing and validation throughout project lifecycle
- Integrates findings into development and team training
- Focus on improving digital experiences with practical insights
Services:
- User research including interviews and data analysis
- UX and UI design, journey mapping, and prototyping
- Front-end development and service integrations
- Usability testing and validation
- Design sprints and workshops
- Team training and support for digital projects
Contact Information:
- Website: www.browserlondon.com
- E-mail: hello@browserlondon.com
- Twitter: x.com/browserlondon
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/browserlondon
- Address: 82 Great Eastern Street, Shoreditch, London, EC2A 3JF
- Phone: (0)20 3355 6891
9. Infinum
Infinum is a full-service digital product agency that helps brands and startups turn complex problems into user-friendly solutions. Their workflow is research-heavy, with design and engineering tightly integrated – and usability testing sprinkled throughout to make sure interfaces actually work for real people.
They cover everything from discovery and prototyping to post-launch scaling. The cool part is how they combine real user insights with engineering precision, so products are functional, accessible, and easier for teams to adopt. Plus, they lean on data to make adjustments along the way.
Key Highlights:
- Works with both startups and established brands
- Focuses on research-driven product design and development
- Integrates usability testing throughout product development
- Combines user experience design with engineering expertise
- Emphasizes iterative improvements and data-driven insights
Services:
- Mobile and web application development
- Enterprise platform solutions
- UX and UI design with prototypes
- Product discovery and research
- Security and compliance consulting
- Post-launch product scaling and optimization
Contact Information:
- Website: infinum.com
- E-mail: hello@infinum.com
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/infinumcom
- Twitter: x.com/infinum
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/infinum
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/infinumcom
- Address: 8 Devonshire Square London EC2M 4PL
- Phone: +44 7989 564993
10. Akendi
Akendi is a user experience and customer experience research firm that focuses on validating and improving digital products and services through structured testing. They run cycles of UX reviews and user testing to gather insights, helping teams understand how users interact with their designs and which ideas are worth pursuing. Their work covers both new concepts and existing products, providing feedback that can guide decisions before launching or iterating on offerings.
They use a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods to assess usability and experience, including eye-tracking studies and service experience evaluations. Their process is designed to give teams evidence-based insights, helping to refine interfaces, content, and overall experiences. Akendi collaborates closely with clients and stakeholders, ensuring that testing aligns with real business needs and user expectations.
Key Highlights:
- Operates in the UK and Canada
- Focuses on both UX and CX research
- Uses iterative testing cycles to validate ideas
- Combines qualitative and quantitative methods
- Collaborates closely with clients and stakeholders
Services:
- UX Concept Testing
- Web Usability Testing
- Service Experience Testing
- Usability Reviews
- Eye Tracking Studies
- Brand Concept Testing
Contact Information:
- Website: www.akendi.co.uk
- E-mail: contact@akendi.co.uk
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/AkendiUX
- Twitter: x.com/akendi
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/akendi
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/akendi_inc
- Address: Kemp House 160 City Road London, EC1V 2NX
- Phone: +44 (0)20 35982601
11. Experience UX
Experience UX is all about helping teams really understand how people use their digital products. Instead of just guessing what might work, they dig in with structured usability testing to spot where users get stuck or frustrated. They watch real people interact with websites and apps, then turn those observations into clear, actionable recommendations. The goal? Fix the immediate issues while also improving the long-term user experience.
They cover multiple platforms and mix things up with competitor benchmarking, watching natural user journeys, and running agile testing cycles. What sets them apart is their focus on practical insights – they don’t just throw data at you, they figure out why problems happen and how to fix them. They work hand-in-hand with clients so the research actually translates into improvements that boost engagement, usability, and overall satisfaction.
Key Highlights:
- Based in Bournemouth, UK
- Specializes in usability testing for websites and apps
- Focuses on uncovering user frustrations and barriers
- Combines qualitative observation with structured analysis
- Offers both short-term and long-term insights
Services:
- Usability Testing
- User Research
- UX Design
- Competitor Usability Benchmarking
- Multiplatform Testing
- Agile Usability Testing
Contact Information:
- Website:
- E-mail: hello@experienceux.co.uk
- Twitter: x.com/experience_ux
- LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/experience_ux
- Address: 91 Wimpole Street, Marylebone, London, W1G 0EF
- Phone: 01202 293652
Conclusion
So, when it comes to usability testing in the UK, it’s really about seeing how real people actually use your digital products and spotting the annoying little friction points before they turn into bigger problems. The companies we’ve talked about each have their own way of doing things – some dig deep into user behavior, others mix research with fast prototyping – but at the end of the day, they’re all trying to help teams make smarter decisions and improve the experience for users.
Honestly, usability testing isn’t just ticking boxes or crunching numbers. It’s about putting yourself in your users’ shoes, figuring out what works and what doesn’t, and actually making changes that count. Working with experienced firms can cut down the guesswork, give teams more confidence in their designs, and ultimately make digital products that people enjoy using.
