Top Edtech Design Agencies: Leaders in UX Design in Education (2026 Guide) .

Many edtech products try to do the right thing, but end up feeling too complex or simply hard to use. The problem usually lies in the experience (not the idea!).

Good UX design in education means balancing multiple user types and workflows that need to work for both learners and admins. Not every design team is built for that.

To help you hire an edtech design expert, we put together this list by looking at edtech design companies with real expertise that have shipped actual learning platforms. We reviewed case studies, outcomes, client feedback, and team structure to find the top ed tech product design partners who get the details right and know how to make learning products feel engaging.

1. Cieden: best edtech design agency for complex AI-powered UX

Cieden helps edtech teams turn complicated systems into high-performing products. Started by a design professor who handpicked his best students, this edtech design agency has always been built around solid product thinking and practical UX, and you can see that in how they handle complexity.

They specialize in AI-infused UX, from gamified prep apps to smart dashboards that adapt in real time. With a background in regulated industries like fintech and healthcare, Cieden also knows how to build user-friendly products that meet compliance standards (such as FERPA and COPPA) without sacrificing usability, even in education's strictest environments.

If your product technically works but needs to convert better, this is the edtech design team that finds the friction and removes it.

Edtech case snapshots and portfolio overview

• MedEntry: Designed a cross-platform experience for a leading medical exam prep provider. Introduced gamification (leaderboards, “My Journey” tracker) and improved mobile usability.

• Progressionist e-learning platform: Led discovery for a memorization-focused learning product. Introduced spaced repetition and active recall UX patterns.

• Language learning platform: Rebuilt an outdated community product, improving teacher-student flows, payment logic, and scheduling tools.

• Interactive training tool: Unified a fragmented instructional ecosystem into a single dashboard, reducing content-creation time for learning teams and replacing disjointed tools.

• AI data management: Designed an AI-powered interface for a bookstore that auto-generates product copy and visual dashboards.

➕ What clients love

• Measurable wins: 4× audience growth, +35% traffic, 12% reduction in bounce rate, and user flows simplified from five steps to two.

• Academic-style research: Discovery includes interviews, heatmaps, and competitor analysis, often identifying product gaps before the client does.

• AI that feels invisible: They integrate complex concepts like ML sentiment analysis or generative AI messaging so that the features feel like they were there from day one.

• Hyper-reliable collaboration: Slack updates and regular demos make the edtech design team feel fully integrated.

• Compliance-ready UX: Experienced with fintech and healthtech compliance (FERPA, COPPA, KYC), they also apply the same rigor to edtech data and privacy.

⚠️ Where they could improve

• Cross-continental sync: Highly specific business context may need extra clarification across a distributed team to avoid misalignment.

• Scope creep management: Clients note that mid-project feature additions (though often valuable) can lead to budget overruns, so clear scope alignment is key upfront.

• Too much detail: Some execs noted documentation was “overly granular” for high-level reporting.

2. Qubstudio: best for edtech branding and K-12 platform UX

Qubstudio brings 19 years of product design and branding experience. They help edtech teams increase conversion and create emotionally resonant interfaces users will remember.

Led by a former professor with a Ph.D. in Innovation Management, the edtech design company blends deep research with sharp creative. Their approach is rooted in qualitative insight (the kind that helped one edtech platform boost conversions by 54%, and led to a Red Dot: Best of the Best award for brand transformation).

In UX of edtech, Qubstudio focuses on simplifying overloaded workflows and bringing visual systems in line with real user behavior. 

Edtech case snapshots and portfolio overview

• Kide Science: Optimized a teacher training/lesson plan platform and raised its conversion rate from 24% to 54% in one month.

• K-12 platform: Rebranded a large-scale e-learning SaaS used by millions of students. Created a semi-cartoon visual identity while retaining familiar UX patterns.

• Coursebook: Designed an edtech SaaS to help educators build stronger community with learners, supporting higher course signups and more effective upsells.

• AI coaching SaaS: Built the website, logo, and visual identity for an AI-powered coaching solution that analyzes employee performance and mental state data.

➕ What clients love

• Holistic brand transformation: Clients are impressed with their ability to align brand identity and visual design.

• Conversion-focused UX: They excel at conversion optimization, proven by projects like Kide Science, where they more than doubled the conversion rate in a short period.

• Research: They use workshops and intensive user research to turn chaos into crystal-clear roadmaps.

• Complexity made simple: Their experience in regulated and data-heavy industries allows them to handle edtech needs (data visualization, assessment solutions).

⚠️ Where they could improve

• No in-house development: Qubstudio is a design-first agency. They collaborate with vetted dev partners, so clients looking for a full in-house build will need to manage devs separately.

• Documentation can be dense: Their process is highly structured, which some clients appreciate, but documentation can feel heavier than some stakeholders expect.

3. Spaceberry Studio: best for subscription‑based edtech UI/UX design

Spaceberry Studio designs immersive digital experiences with a strong focus on edtech and AI-driven products. They transform educational systems (like LMS, language learning, and SIS platforms) into gamified, easy-to-use platforms. 

What sets this edtech design studio apart is that they focus exclusively on UI/UX, delivered through a flexible subscription model with predictable pricing and fast turnaround. Their work combines award-winning visuals with practical UX for AI integration, from onboarding flows to content generation tools.

New clients can start with a free 3-day trial to assess speed and quality before scaling the engagement.

Edtech case snapshots and portfolio overview

• Picklang: Designed an AI-based language-learning mobile application with personalized content and photo-based learning prompts. The result: 5-star App Store ratings.

• Gorge: Created the custom design and user-friendly mobile application for a live-streaming culinary course system. 

• Vera.io: Designed the UI/UX for a reliable and secure generative AI platform used by companies to power AI in their workflows. 

➕ What clients love

• Efficient workflow: Clients cite speedy turnaround times (designs produced in weeks; often delivering ahead of schedule) and smooth handoffs.

• AI & edtech fluency: They build genuinely engaging educational products and integrate advanced AI/Web3 concepts into friendly UI.

• Predictable pricing: The subscription model gives teams scalable design help without scope bloat or surprise invoices.

• Business-minded design: Their decisions are based on data (Hotjar, user surveys) and driven by goals, turning design into a growth system.

• Excellent value: Clients consistently note better speed and quality than Western agencies at a lower price point.

⚠️ Where they could improve

• No full-stack team: They partner out for heavy back-end development, meaning teams looking for a single build partner may need to coordinate additional vendors.

• Designer consistency: One client noted it would be great to select a specific designer for a project, which means team assignment may vary.

• Enterprise traction: While strong with mid-market and funded startups, they work primarily outside of Fortune 500 enterprise-level deployments.

4. adamard: great for edtech startups and teams building AI products

adamfard is a remote-first edtech design company built with a startup mindset. What began as a one-person portfolio has grown into a design partner trusted by startups and B2B companies across edtech, fintech, and SaaS. Founder Adam Fard still leads hands-on, combining UX expertise with experience actually growing products.

The studio’s edge lies in its real-world product success: the team not only designs for clients but also built and scaled their own tool, UX Pilot AI, which hit $4M ARR and 500K+ users in two years.

That lived experience gives them an understanding of what moves metrics, especially for early- to mid-stage companies where speed and ROI matter most.

Edtech case snapshots and portfolio overview

• Edtech SaaS: Redesigned a K–12 platform with outdated UX, resulting in a 78% conversion lift and a 4x leap in perceived value. 

• Early education wearable: Built the UX/UI for VersaMe’s Starling app, which connects to a wearable counting words spoken to young children. 

• AI-powered SaaS app: Designed a chatbot interface that simplifies how users interact with the platform.

➕ What clients love

• Tool speed: Their proprietary tool, UX Pilot AI, allows for faster delivery and better iteration, which is useful in deadline environments.

• Conversion-first design: They are experts in applying UX to drive revenue, confirmed by business metrics like the 78% conversion lift for Kinteract and a 25% increase in app retention.

• Small team, senior touch: Clients receive the focused, personalized attention of a small shop, backed by the senior-level quality and process maturity.

• Empathy in design: They consistently use UX to make traditionally challenging subjects (like stressful testing/learning) feel fun and stress-free.

⚠️ Where they could improve

• Creative range: A few reviews noted a tendency to stick to familiar, successful patterns rather than pushing boundaries with wilder design concepts.

• Leadership bandwidth: A few clients wished Adam remained more actively involved throughout, not just at the kickoff and review stages.

• Analytics depth: One review pointed out the need for more detailed user behavior analytics to optimize designs further post-launch.

• Team availability: As a compact team, it's best to lock timelines in early, especially during Q2/Q4 project spikes.

5. Phenomenon Studio: best for full-cycle edtech design and development

Phenomenon Studio is a full-cycle product design and development agency that builds compliant, high-performance edtech platforms. Unlike typical vendors, they act as full product partners, owning the process from early strategy and regulatory planning (WCAG/FERPA) to execution and post-launch growth.

Their distributed model is founded on local presence/global delivery: strategic leadership operates from North America while experienced product, design, and engineering teams in Europe handle day-to-day execution. This gives clients senior-level direction with fast delivery and cost efficiency.

Clients typically report strong results: fast go-to-market timelines, high satisfaction ratings, and over $500M in follow-on funding.

Edtech case snapshots and portfolio overview

• AI & scalability: Turned a traditional IELTS study tool into an AI-powered learning platform, leading to 2× engagement and better scores.

• LMS & code practice: Designed a platform combining theory videos with an in-platform coding editor to bridge the theory/practice gap. 

• MasterClass: Replaced a poorly performing mobile app with a streamlined version designed for intuitive course browsing and learner flow.

• Virtual classroom platform: Developed a web-based classroom simulator replicating the real school environment online. 

➕ What clients love

• Full-cycle product ownership: From strategy to design to full-stack build, they take ownership of the entire journey and make things move.

• Compliance built-in: Whether it's HIPAA, GDPR, or FERPA, their design and engineering teams are fluent in compliance.

• Seamless collaboration: They work as true partners. Clients highlight their proactive mindset, 24/7 availability across time zones, and ability to integrate quickly.

• Real impact on engagement: Phenomenon is known for solving drop-offs, e.g., doubling retention or increasing submissions by 40%.

⚠️ Where they could improve

• Better timezone balance: While the team is highly responsive, one partner suggested adding a dedicated Western Hemisphere contact to smooth out time zone overlap.

• More creative stretch: Some clients would love to see bolder design ideas earlier in the process. 

• Post-launch runway: A few noted that extended post-launch help would make onboarding easier for complex products.

6. Octet Design Studio: best edtech design company for high-value UX research

Octet Design Studio is a team of product thinkers who specialize in building platforms that drive real outcomes. Founded by Aakash Jethwani (also the founder of AI platform TalkToAgent), this India-based agency focuses on edtech, fintech, and B2B SaaS, where every feature is tied to a measurable business result.

They combine deep UX research with adaptive learning strategies to increase retention and engagement, whether that’s simplifying LMS tools or creating inclusive edtech UX design for neurodivergent learners. 

Their design team is so invested in the learning journey that they launched a free design academy to train new UX talent.

Edtech case snapshots and portfolio overview

• Quizzer: Built a mobile-first career guidance app with aptitude testing, survey-based personalization, and an engaging interface. 

• Mom's Belief: Designed an e-learning platform for parents of children with special needs. The UX made it easy to access therapy plans and resources, with enterprise-level scale.

• MIT Group of Institutions: Designed and developed a user-friendly, responsive website for the educational institution.

➕ What clients love

• Deep UX research: Teams praise how they go beyond contracts to interview users, surface pain points, and align design with KPIs like retention and conversion.

• High ROI at low cost: With rates under $50/hr, clients call their work enterprise-grade, but without the enterprise price tag.

• Hands-on leadership: Aakash stays closely involved in major projects, guiding teams through daily reviews and strategic checkpoints.

• Reliable delivery: Deadlines are consistently hit. Clients highlight their flexibility in adapting to sudden shifts like legal or scope changes.

⚠️ Where they could improve

• Project planning detail: One client noted the need for the team to focus on the project management side, as sometimes details might be missing from the project plan.

• Development depth: While they do offer full-stack, most praise centers on design, not engineering.

• Visibility outside core markets: A client noted they should be better known internationally, given the quality of work.

7. Guidea: best edtech UX design for high-stakes products and AI coaching

Guidea is a woman-owned edtech design agency known for bringing military-grade UX research to industries where precision is non-negotiable. Founded by former IBM designer and O’Reilly author Theresa Neil, the team has designed products used by over 660 million people and is trusted by 20 of the Fortune 100.

They specialize in building adaptive learning systems, AI-powered coaching tools, and outcome-focused dashboards that help educators and admins make better decisions and improve student performance. 

In 2025, they were acquired by Invene, a healthcare AI company, expanding their reach into full-stack delivery and signaling a deeper alignment with AI strategy and execution.

Edtech case snapshots and portfolio overview

• AI coaching: Partnered on the early video interface and later designed the Edthena AI coach, a project recognized as TIME's Best Invention of 2025 in Education.

• Macmillan: Provided UX design for classroom collaboration tools, earning multiple Campus Technology Readers’ Choice Platinum Awards.

• Lynda.com: Handled the complex replatforming process for the e-learning site, ensuring continuity and improved UX during a major structural change.

• Pearson: Created insight-driven dashboards for assessment tools, helping teachers and school admins translate student performance data into smarter decisions.

• ETS: Provided ResearchOps support for the educational testing service, helping them scale user research across enterprise platforms.

➕ What clients love

• Business-changing results: Projects have led to metrics like a 36% boost in application completions and product longevity, even years post-engagement.

• Vision + execution: Clients appreciate the balance of conceptual thinking and domain fluency.

• Fast, sharp research delivery: Their team moves fast, recruiting and interviewing users quickly and synthesizing feedback into decisions within weeks.

• Longevity of solutions: Key UX strategies have proven to last, as clients report still using Guidea-developed ideas six years later.

⚠️ Where they could improve

• Premium pricing: At $150-$199/hr, Guidea is built for enterprise. Early-stage edtech startups need to weigh budget fit.

• Staffing alignment: Some clients mentioned early resourcing shifts and that Guidea’s fast pace can stretch internal teams if not ready for tight turnarounds.

• Ramp-up for complex domains: In deeply technical or niche product spaces, there’s occasionally a brief ramp-up period at the beginning of the engagement.

8. Tenet (formerly KodeGlobe): best for gamified learning

Tenet is a full-cycle product studio that combines UX, development, and growth strategy into one feedback loop. Previously known as KodeGlobe, this edtech UI UX design agency rebranded to reflect a shift toward building conversion-focused digital platforms. In edtech, their specialty lies in applying cognitive science and gamification to create experiences that improve engagement.

Their portfolio includes over 450+ product launches with more than $1.5B in combined revenue and funding generated, and they back their design decisions with deep experimentation across onboarding and monetization funnels. 

If you're looking to hire an edtech design expert who is also a full-stack partner, Tenet is a strong contender.

Edtech case snapshots and portfolio overview

• Gamified e-learning: Delivered a full-stack solution for India’s top quizmaster Derek O’Brien, including website, Android app, backend, and 15+ games.

• Design & Vastu school: Built a full visual identity, brand strategy, and responsive site for a school focused on experiential design education.

➕ What clients love

• Full-stack product specialists: Clients say Tenet acts more like a strategic partner than an execution team, balancing creative and engineering needs under one roof.

• Measurable financial ROI: Reviews consistently report significant gains in engagement, conversion rates, and reduction in application abandonment.

• Strategic design: Their work incorporates user research and SEO principles to ensure every design decision supports both UX and discoverability.

• Proactive & empathetic communication: The team is transparent and collaborative (Jira/Slack).

⚠️ Where they could improve

• Executive reporting: While detailed and structured, some enterprise clients wished for more digestible summaries tailored to executive stakeholders.

• Minor revisions pacing: In late stages, small tweaks (like minor UI or copy changes) occasionally take 2-3 business days, which can delay publishing momentum.

• Knowledge transfer: Providing lightweight training videos or internal toolkits would help client teams manage the platforms independently post-launch.

9. ProCreator: best edtech design studio for fixing the design-dev gap

ProCreator is a metrics-obsessed design and development firm. They build digital products focused first on how easily they can be implemented, and second on how beautiful they look. Their philosophy closes the notorious design-dev gap, meaning their interfaces are optimized to ship fast and integrate perfectly. 

With competitive pricing and a growing 50+ member team, ProCreator provides full-stack capability and delivers huge ROI. They boosted retention rates by 400% for one major edtech platform. Their deep experience covers compliance and translating subjects like programming or mental health into personalized and fun user journeys.

They are experts at education app design where functionality needs simplified edtech UI design.

Edtech case snapshots and portfolio overview

• Programming Hub: Overhauled the brand and refined the visual design. By making navigation simpler and using interest/intent-based categories, the redesign boosted retention by 400%.

• ProApp: Redesigned this "Digital Design Academy" platform (250+ screens), building a robust design system (500+ components). 

• PlayShifu: Developed the website for this AR-based educational toy startup. The design focused on clearly explaining the augmented reality concept to parents.

➕ What clients love

• Extreme ROI and retention: They deliver results that move large metrics, like the 400% boost in edtech retention, proving their design is conversion-focused.

• Implementation-first design: Their designs are built for the developer, which means faster implementation and minimal rework.

• No middlemen collaboration: Designers integrate directly with the client's internal team, cutting out layers of account managers and speeding up decisions.

• Agentic experience (AX) focus: They think strategically about the future, actively designing not just for the human user (UX), but also for how AI agents will use the platform's flows.

⚠️ Where they could improve

• Design-development alignment: Clients sometimes report the design ambition might occasionally outpace their in-house development team's capability.

• Junior designer oversight: One enterprise team noted they had to ask for several do-overs with less experienced designers.

• QA and rocumentation: Enterprise clients wished for more thorough documentation and noted minor screen inconsistencies that slipped through QA.

• Creative constraints: Their focus on implementation and efficiency sometimes leads them to safe, proven design patterns, which some clients might find too creatively constrained.

Methodology behind our top edtech design agency picks

We started this list by looking for partners who understand that UX design in education isn't the same as designing for e-commerce. It means dealing with sensitive user data (FERPA/COPPA), balancing the needs of learners and administrators, and making material feel engaging.

We looked past the basic directory listings and generalist firms. Here’s how we curated the best edtech design company partners:

• Edtech fluency and experience: We only included edtech design agency teams with proven experience in educational software: think LMS, assessment tools, student information systems, and virtual classrooms. If they can’t talk about edtech UX complexity, they didn't make the list.

• Proof of learning outcomes: We reviewed case studies to see if their ed tech product design led to results like higher retention, better engagement metrics, or faster course completion, not just pretty screens.

• Compliance know-how: We prioritized agencies that understand data and accessibility standards (WCAG, FERPA, COPPA). Getting edtech UI UX design agency work right means building trust and compliance from day one.

• Niche expertise: We highlighted specific specializations, whether it's building a complex K-12 platform, using AI to personalize the experience, or focusing on high-converting education app design.

• Reviews and collaboration: Every firm has strong client feedback (4.8+ Clutch ratings and testimonials) on how they run projects.

Ready to hire an edtech design expert?

Finding the right partner to hire an edtech design expert shouldn't slow your product down.

Hopefully, this list helps you shortcut your search for a top-tier edtech design company that can turn your great idea into a usable learning platform. The difference between an app that gets deleted and one that grows your audience is always in the experience.

If you’re still exploring options, reach out to Cieden. We specialize in making learning systems feel effortless for users, blending solid ed tech product design with AI strategy. We’d be happy to walk through your challenges, no strings attached. If we’re the right fit, awesome. If not, we'll gladly point you toward another team that can help you hit your learning and business goals.