Bakken & Bæck vs Big Human: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
Bakken & Bæck (4.2/5) edges ahead of Big Human (4.0/5) overall. Bakken & Bæck is the better choice for tech companies (AI, decentralized systems), design plus research. Big Human is the stronger option for Startups/consumer brands, small senior studio, product builders. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
Bakken & Bæck vs Big Human: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | Bakken & Bæck | Big Human |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2011 | 2010 |
| HQ | Oslo, Norway (also Amsterdam, Barcelona, Bonn, and London) | New York, NY, USA (remote team) |
| Team size | 70+ | 10–49 (Clutch listing) |
| Rating | 4.2 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | A five-city European studio that blends design with genuine computer-science research depth, evidenced by recent AI work for Sierra and Coinbase | A compact, senior remote team that has worked on consumer hits like HQ Trivia and Vine and also builds its own startups |
| Pricing model | Fixed project, dedicated team | Fixed project, dedicated team |
| Min. engagement | Not published | Not published |
| Primary tech stack | Figma, React, Next.js | Figma, React, Node.js |
| Industries served | SaaS / B2B software, Financial services / fintech, Consumer products | Consumer products, Media & entertainment, Financial services / fintech |
Bakken & Bæck vs Big Human: overview
Bakken & Bæck
Johan Bakken and Tobias Bæck founded Bakken & Bæck in 2011; Bæck still runs it as CEO. Around 70 people work across Oslo, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Bonn, and London, and several hold computer-science PhDs, which shows in the work. Recent projects include conversational AI products with Sierra and decentralized platforms with Coinbase, alongside IKEA and Norwegian payments app Vipps. The studio takes products from early exploration through launch instead of handing over a design phase and leaving.
Big Human
Big Human is small on purpose. Clutch lists 10–49 employees and a 2010 founding date (other sources say 2011), and the team works remotely from a New York base. That scale hasn't kept it off large accounts: Whistle, Rockefeller Center, Gemini, and Netflix appear in its portfolio, and the studio worked on HQ Trivia and Vine. Its 12 Clutch reviews average 4.9, with 2026 reviews covering rebrands for a fan platform and an AI concierge product. Pricing and minimums stay unpublished.
Services and capabilities: Bakken & Bæck vs Big Human
| Capability | Bakken & Bæck | Big Human |
|---|---|---|
| Product design | ✓ | ✓ |
| UX research | ✓ | ✗ |
| Branding | ✗ | ✓ |
| Web development | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mobile development | ✗ | ✓ |
| Design systems | ✗ | ✗ |
Tech stack comparison: Bakken & Bæck vs Big Human
| Framework / platform | Bakken & Bæck | Big Human |
|---|---|---|
| Figma | ✓ | ✓ |
| Webflow | N/A | N/A |
| React | ✓ | ✓ |
| Framer | N/A | N/A |
| Adobe Creative Suite | N/A | N/A |
| Design systems/Storybook | N/A | N/A |
| After Effects | N/A | N/A |
Pricing comparison: Bakken & Bæck vs Big Human
| Criterion | Bakken & Bæck | Big Human |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | Not published | Not published |
| Engagement models | Fixed project, Dedicated team | Fixed project, Dedicated team |
| Rate transparency | Minimum disclosed | Minimum disclosed |
| Price tier | Mid-market | Mid-market |
Target audience comparison: Bakken & Bæck vs Big Human
| Dimension | Bakken & Bæck | Big Human |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | SaaS / B2B software, Financial services / fintech, Consumer products | Consumer products, Media & entertainment, Financial services / fintech |
| Best use cases | AI or conversational-product design for a fast-moving startup, Decentralized or crypto platform design and build | Consumer app design for an early-stage or growth-stage startup, Brand-plus-product design bundle for a media or entertainment client |
| Typical project type | Fixed project | Fixed project |
Bakken & Bæck vs Big Human: pros and cons
| Bakken & Bæck | |
|---|---|
| + | Design and computer-science research in one team, unusual for a boutique |
| + | Recent AI and crypto work for Sierra and Coinbase |
| + | Offices in five European cities |
| + | Consumer clients like IKEA and Vipps alongside deep-tech work |
| - | No published pricing or minimum engagement |
| - | Europe-only offices give US clients limited working-hour overlap |
| - | Its AI- and crypto-heavy recent portfolio is a narrower fit for traditional industries |
| Big Human | |
|---|---|
| + | Worked on consumer products HQ Trivia and Vine, and incubates its own startups |
| + | Client list includes Whistle, Rockefeller Center, Gemini, and Netflix |
| + | 4.9 Clutch rating, with 2026 reviews covering brand and AI product work |
| + | Small team keeps clients in direct contact with senior people |
| - | Only 12 Clutch reviews, a thin sample compared with most boutiques here |
| - | 10–49 employees caps capacity for large programs |
| - | Founding year differs by source (2010 vs. 2011), and pricing isn't published |
Who should choose Bakken & Bæck?
A typical fit: AI or conversational-product design for a fast-moving startup.
A five-city European studio that blends design with genuine computer-science research depth, evidenced by recent AI work for Sierra and Coinbase. Minimum engagement starts at Not published. Works best with clients in SaaS / B2B software, Financial services / fintech, Consumer products.
Who should choose Big Human?
A typical fit: consumer app design for an early-stage or growth-stage startup.
A compact, senior remote team that has worked on consumer hits like HQ Trivia and Vine and also builds its own startups. Minimum engagement starts at Not published. Works best with clients in Consumer products, Media & entertainment, Financial services / fintech.
Decision matrix: Bakken & Bæck vs Big Human
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | Bakken & Bæck |
| You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme | Bakken & Bæck |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Compare: Bakken & Bæck (Not published) vs Big Human (Not published) |
| You need specialist depth in a specific vertical | Bakken & Bæck |
| You need staff augmentation or team extension | Neither; consider alternatives that offer staff aug |
| You need consulting before committing to a build | Both may offer discovery engagements |
Use case fit: Bakken & Bæck vs Big Human
| Use case | Bakken & Bæck fit | Big Human fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| AI or conversational-product design for a fast-moving startup | Strong | Strong | Both equally |
| Decentralized or crypto platform design and build | Strong | Limited | Bakken & Bæck |
| Consumer app design for an early-stage or growth-stage startup | Strong | Strong | Both equally |
| Brand-plus-product design bundle for a media or entertainment client | Limited | Strong | Big Human |
| Fixed-price product build | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
| Dedicated design team augmentation | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
Verdict: Bakken & Bæck vs Big Human
Bakken & Bæck (4.2/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Product Design projects. A five-city European studio that blends design with genuine computer-science research depth, evidenced by recent AI work for Sierra and Coinbase.
Big Human (4.0/5) is worth a look if you need brand-plus-product design bundle for a media or entertainment client. If your situation matches that, Big Human is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
Bakken & Bæck vs Big Human FAQ
Is Bakken & Bæck better than Big Human?
Bakken & Bæck (4.2/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. Bakken & Bæck's strongest advantage: design and computer-science research in one team, unusual for a boutique. Big Human's strongest advantage: worked on consumer products HQ Trivia and Vine, and incubates its own startups.
How do Bakken & Bæck and Big Human differ in pricing?
Bakken & Bæck uses fixed project, dedicated team pricing with a minimum engagement of Not published. Big Human uses fixed project, dedicated team pricing with a minimum engagement of Not published. Neither firm publishes a full rate card; a discovery call is required for project-specific quotes.
Which is better for enterprise: Bakken & Bæck or Big Human?
Big Human is the larger team and typically the better enterprise-scale choice. For very large programmes, verify team size and compliance coverage directly with each agency before shortlisting.
What are the main differences between Bakken & Bæck and Big Human?
Bakken & Bæck's primary differentiator is: a five-city European studio that blends design with genuine computer-science research depth, evidenced by recent AI work for Sierra and Coinbase. Big Human's primary differentiator is: a compact, senior remote team that has worked on consumer hits like HQ Trivia and Vine and also builds its own startups. They also differ in team size (70+ vs 10–49 (Clutch listing)), minimum engagement (Not published vs Not published), and primary industries served (SaaS / B2B software, Financial services / fintech vs Consumer products, Media & entertainment).
Verify all details directly with each agency before making a decision.