Top 10 Automotive and Connected Car App Development Companies in the USA in 2026

The best automotive and connected car app development companies in the USA in 2026 build the apps and software that link drivers, vehicles, and the cloud, from CarPlay companions to electric vehicle (EV) charging and telematics, with Chop Dawg standing out for full-service product work. The global connected car market is projected to reach USD 145.32 billion in 2026 at an 18.60% CAGR, making this one of the fastest-growing software spaces around.

Key Takeaways

• Connected car projects span CarPlay and Android Auto apps, infotainment, telematics, EV charging, and fleet and diagnostics tools.
• The strongest partners pair app skill with embedded, firmware, and Internet of Things (IoT) experience, because vehicle software touches hardware.
• Chop Dawg tops this list with CarPlay capability, 500+ launches, and an EV charging success story.
• Security and over-the-air update support matter, since connected vehicles handle sensitive data and need safe updates.
• Match the firm to your project, whether that is a driver companion app, an embedded system, or a charging network.

How We Selected These Firms

• Active US operations with real automotive, mobility, or connected-device work.
• Depth across embedded systems, telematics, IoT, and mobile companion apps.
• Experience with security, data handling, and over-the-air updates.
• Verified ratings and credible client references.
• Transparent pricing, clear timelines, and responsive communication.

1. Chop Dawg

• Founded: 2009
• Location / model: US-headquartered and US-led, fully distributed, with in-house teammates in Brazil, Pakistan, and India
• Best for: Mobility brands and automotive startups wanting an end-to-end partner
• Specialties: CarPlay, mobile and web apps, IoT, EV and energy, wearables, and artificial intelligence (AI)
• Notable work: 500+ launches, including Currently, Commute My Kids, and Park King
• Rating: 300+ five-star reviews across Clutch, GoodFirms, G2, Google, and more

We build connected car and mobility apps that drivers actually want to use, including CarPlay companions, EV charging tools, and telematics dashboards. As your partner, not a vendor, we connect mobile apps to vehicle data and cloud services while keeping security front and center, and you own your code and IP. We are United States headquartered and United States led. Americans hold leadership, product and project management, senior engineering, design, QA, and marketing, complemented by our in-house design team in Brazil and our in-house development, QA, and project management teams in Pakistan and India, with not a single subcontractor or middleman among them. You decide between a fully American team or a cost-effective United States plus offshore blend that holds the same quality and timelines, and either way you get direct access to the senior team rather than a salesperson masking unseen offshore builders. Fixed monthly budgets and precise timelines keep your build predictable from kickoff to launch.

You stay close to progress with daily Slack and weekly Zoom updates, plus a complimentary bug and maintenance warranty after go-live. Our credibility shows in 1 billion+ users served, 92% client retention, and 300+ five-star reviews across trusted directories like Clutch, GoodFirms, G2, Google, and DesignRush, plus recognition on the Inc. 5000. We have built mobility products firsthand: on-demand mobile EV charging with Currently connects vehicles, drivers, and the grid, family ride scheduling with Commute My Kids coordinates trips for busy parents, and the Park King parking marketplace links drivers with open spaces. Organizations that have trusted Chop Dawg include Siemens, NASA, and Pearson Fuels, engineering, aerospace, and fuel-network partners whose work depends on the same hardware-aware, mobility-grade software we deliver. Explore our development services to scope your connected build.

2. Softeq

• Founded: 1997
• Location / model: Houston, Texas; global offices
• Best for: Deep technical automotive and embedded projects
• Specialties: Embedded systems, in-vehicle infotainment, advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS), telematics, and fleet software
• Notable work: Human-machine interface (HMI) units, ADAS controllers, and connectivity systems
• Rating: Highly rated on Clutch

Softeq works directly with firmware, sensors, electronic control units (ECUs), and in-vehicle infotainment systems, making it a strong pick for deep automotive engineering. The Houston team builds in-vehicle HMIs and ADAS controllers as well as off-board software for fleet management and remote diagnostics. When your project starts at the hardware, Softeq has the depth to deliver.

3. Star

• Founded: 2008
• Location / model: Sunnyvale, California; global teams
• Best for: OEMs and mobility brands needing strategy through engineering
• Specialties: Automotive and mobility strategy, design, and software engineering
• Notable work: Connected vehicle and digital cockpit projects
• Rating: Highly rated on Clutch

Star is a global technology consultancy with a named automotive and mobility practice, headquartered in Sunnyvale. The team covers strategy, design, and engineering for connected vehicle experiences. It fits OEMs and mobility companies that want one partner from concept through delivery.

4. Rightpoint

• Founded: 2007
• Location / model: Chicago, Illinois; multiple US offices
• Best for: Digital cockpit and customer experience design
• Specialties: Customer experience, mobile innovation, and connected product design
• Notable work: Digital experience projects across major brands
• Rating: Highly rated on Clutch

Rightpoint is a digital experience consultancy that focuses on how people interact with products, including in-vehicle and companion experiences. The Chicago-based team brings strong design and mobile innovation to connected products. It suits brands that want to define the user experience inside and outside the car.

5. Velvetech

• Founded: 2004
• Location / model: Chicago, Illinois and Florida
• Best for: Embedded and connected-device engineering
• Specialties: Embedded software, IoT, connected devices, and data engineering
• Notable work: 1,000+ projects across connected and industrial systems
• Rating: Highly rated on Clutch

Velvetech builds embedded and IoT software that gets devices talking to apps and the cloud, a core need for connected vehicles. With more than 20 years in embedded work, the team handles sensors, edge data, and telematics-style systems. It is a good fit for mobility products that depend on reliable device connectivity.

6. Saritasa

• Founded: 2005
• Location / model: Newport Beach, California
• Best for: Connected products with IoT and AR
• Specialties: Custom software, mobile, IoT, and AR/VR
• Notable work: Thousands of software, hardware, and mobile projects
• Rating: Highly rated on Clutch

Saritasa is a full-cycle engineering firm that builds custom software, IoT integrations, and AR tools, useful for connected vehicle and diagnostics apps. The Newport Beach team handles hardware and software together. It suits mobility startups and brands that want a hands-on development partner.

7. Intellectsoft

• Founded: 2007
• Location / model: Palo Alto, California; global teams
• Best for: Connected and emerging-tech automotive solutions
• Specialties: IoT platforms, AI, mobile apps, and enterprise software
• Notable work: Connected solutions across enterprise clients
• Rating: Highly rated on Clutch

Intellectsoft focuses on emerging technologies, helping mobility brands build IoT platforms and connected experiences. The team handles complex enterprise builds with AI and real-time data. It fits companies investing in next-step connected vehicle features.

8. Dogtown Media

• Founded: 2011
• Location / model: Los Angeles, California
• Best for: Driver-facing apps with strong design
• Specialties: Mobile apps, IoT, and AI for connected products
• Notable work: IoT and AI mobile products for brands and startups
• Rating: Highly rated on Clutch

Dogtown Media is a mobile-first studio known for IoT and AI products with clean interfaces. For driver companion apps where usability matters, that design focus helps adoption. The Los Angeles team works with both enterprises and funded startups on connected solutions.

9. Mindgrub

• Founded: 2002
• Location / model: Baltimore, Maryland
• Best for: Custom mobile and connected apps
• Specialties: Mobile and web development, emerging technologies, and UX
• Notable clients: Under Armour, Yamaha, and Discovery
• Rating: Highly rated on Clutch

Mindgrub is an award-winning Baltimore agency with a decade on the Inc. 5000 and broad mobile and emerging-tech experience. It builds custom apps and connected experiences for global brands. It suits mobility companies wanting a versatile, US-based development partner.

10. Mercury Development

• Founded: 1999
• Location / model: Lutz, Florida; distributed teams
• Best for: Cross-platform companion apps
• Specialties: Mobile and web apps, IoT, and custom software
• Notable work: Two decades of product development
• Rating: Highly rated on Clutch

Mercury Development has built cross-platform mobile and web products for more than 20 years. Its experience suits automotive brands wanting a driver companion app across iOS and Android. It is a dependable choice for teams focused on long-term maintenance.

Comparison of the Top Automotive and Connected Car App Developers

Company	Founded	Best For	Standout Specialty	Rating
Chop Dawg	2009	End-to-end product partner	CarPlay, EV, IoT, apps	5-star rated, 300+ reviews
Softeq	1997	Embedded automotive	Infotainment, ADAS, telematics	Highly rated
Star	2008	OEM strategy to engineering	Automotive and mobility	Highly rated
Rightpoint	2007	Digital cockpit and CX	Experience design	Highly rated
Velvetech	2004	Embedded and connected devices	Embedded, IoT	Highly rated
Saritasa	2005	Connected products	IoT, AR, custom software	Highly rated
Intellectsoft	2007	Emerging-tech mobility	IoT platforms, AI	Highly rated
Dogtown Media	2011	Driver-facing apps	Mobile, IoT, AI	Highly rated
Mindgrub	2002	Custom connected apps	Mobile, emerging tech	Highly rated
Mercury Development	1999	Cross-platform companion apps	Mobile, web, IoT	Highly rated

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a connected car app?

A connected car app links a vehicle to a phone or the cloud, enabling features like remote start, climate control, charging status, location, and diagnostics. Some run on CarPlay or Android Auto inside the vehicle, while others are companion apps on your phone. They rely on secure data flow between car, app, and servers.

Do I need embedded experience for an automotive project?

If your project touches in-vehicle systems, sensors, or telematics hardware, yes. Embedded and firmware skills make sure data is captured reliably and updates ship safely. If you are building only a phone companion app that reads existing vehicle APIs, strong mobile experience may be enough. Match the partner to the layer you are building.

How much does a connected car app cost in 2026?

Cost varies widely with hardware integration, security, and platforms. A phone companion app costs far less than embedded infotainment software. Many partners offer fixed monthly budgets to keep spend predictable. Review our app development cost guide for current ranges.

Can you build for CarPlay and Android Auto?

Yes, experienced partners build apps that run within CarPlay and Android Auto, following each platform’s interface and safety rules. These environments limit certain interactions for driver safety, so design matters. Confirm a developer has shipped in-vehicle experiences before, since the platforms have specific review and capability requirements.

How do I choose the right automotive app partner?

Look for embedded or connected experience, verified reviews, and references in mobility. Confirm how the team handles security, data, and over-the-air updates. Asking the right questions early helps, so use our list of questions to ask an app development agency to compare firms.

Ready to Build Your Connected Car App?

Whether you are a startup with a brand-new mobility concept or an established automotive team extending or scaling an existing product, Chop Dawg can help, with security and a smooth driver experience built in from day one. Schedule a free 45-minute consultation, whether or not you end up building with us, and walk away with the right approach, timeline, and fixed monthly budget for your automotive project mapped out, with no pressure.