Bakken & Bæck vs UX studio: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
UX studio (4.4/5) edges ahead of Bakken & Bæck (4.2/5) overall. UX studio is the better choice for complex B2B SaaS, research-first design partner. Bakken & Bæck is the stronger option for tech companies (AI, decentralized systems), design plus research. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
Bakken & Bæck vs UX studio: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | Bakken & Bæck | UX studio |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2011 | 2013 |
| HQ | Oslo, Norway (also Amsterdam, Barcelona, Bonn, and London) | Budapest, Hungary |
| Team size | 70+ | ~50 (per company job postings; Clutch lists 10–49) |
| Rating | 4.2 / 5 | 4.4 / 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 | Research-first B2B SaaS design with a 5.0 Clutch rating across 41 reviews, comparable in method to Phenomenon Studio's discovery-first approach |
| Pricing model | Fixed project, dedicated team | Fixed project, dedicated team |
| Min. engagement | Not published | $10K+ (per Clutch listing) |
| Primary tech stack | Figma, React, Next.js | Figma, Dovetail, Maze |
| Industries served | SaaS / B2B software, Financial services / fintech, Consumer products | SaaS / B2B software |
Bakken & Bæck vs UX studio: 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.
UX studio
UX studio's Clutch profile reads 5.0 across 41 reviews, with a $10K+ minimum and $50–$99 hourly rates. David Pasztor founded the Budapest studio in 2013, and it now presents itself as a dedicated UX partner for B2B SaaS teams, with research coming before interface work on every project. The team is smaller than older figures suggested: the company's own 2026 job posts describe a 50-person studio, and Clutch lists 10–49. It also builds its own products, UXfolio and Copyfolio, so its designers know what shipping SaaS feels like from the inside.
Services and capabilities: Bakken & Bæck vs UX studio
| Capability | Bakken & Bæck | UX studio |
|---|---|---|
| Product design | ✓ | ✓ |
| UX research | ✓ | ✓ |
| Branding | ✗ | ✗ |
| Web development | ✓ | ✗ |
| Mobile development | ✗ | ✗ |
| Design systems | ✗ | ✗ |
Tech stack comparison: Bakken & Bæck vs UX studio
| Framework / platform | Bakken & Bæck | UX studio |
|---|---|---|
| Figma | ✓ | ✓ |
| Webflow | N/A | N/A |
| React | ✓ | N/A |
| 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 UX studio
| Criterion | Bakken & Bæck | UX studio |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | Not published | $10K+ (per Clutch listing) |
| Engagement models | Fixed project, Dedicated team | Fixed project, Dedicated team |
| Rate transparency | Minimum disclosed | Minimum disclosed |
| Price tier | Mid-market | Accessible |
Target audience comparison: Bakken & Bæck vs UX studio
| Dimension | Bakken & Bæck | UX studio |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | SaaS / B2B software, Financial services / fintech, Consumer products | SaaS / B2B software |
| Best use cases | AI or conversational-product design for a fast-moving startup, Decentralized or crypto platform design and build | Complex B2B SaaS product research and redesign, Discovery-phase UX research before a full product build |
| Typical project type | Fixed project | Fixed project |
Bakken & Bæck vs UX studio: 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 |
| UX studio | |
|---|---|
| + | 5.0 Clutch rating across 41 reviews |
| + | Research comes before UI on every project, documented in its published case studies |
| + | Builds and runs its own SaaS products (UXfolio, Copyfolio) |
| + | $10K+ minimum (per Clutch listing) is accessible for a research-led studio |
| - | Team is around 50 people, smaller than earlier 60–71 figures, which limits parallel projects |
| - | B2B SaaS focus makes it a weaker fit for consumer, healthcare, or fintech-specific products |
| - | Research-first sequencing adds time before screens appear |
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 UX studio?
A typical fit: complex B2B SaaS product research and redesign.
Research-first B2B SaaS design with a 5.0 Clutch rating across 41 reviews, comparable in method to Phenomenon Studio's discovery-first approach. Minimum engagement starts at $10K+ (per Clutch listing). Works best with clients in SaaS / B2B software.
Decision matrix: Bakken & Bæck vs UX studio
| 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 UX studio ($10K+ (per Clutch listing)) |
| 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 UX studio
| Use case | Bakken & Bæck fit | UX studio fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| AI or conversational-product design for a fast-moving startup | Strong | Limited | Bakken & Bæck |
| Decentralized or crypto platform design and build | Strong | Limited | Bakken & Bæck |
| Complex B2B SaaS product research and redesign | Limited | Strong | UX studio |
| Discovery-phase UX research before a full product build | Limited | Strong | UX studio |
| Fixed-price product build | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
| Dedicated design team augmentation | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
Verdict: Bakken & Bæck vs UX studio
UX studio (4.4/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Product Design projects. Research-first B2B SaaS design with a 5.0 Clutch rating across 41 reviews, comparable in method to Phenomenon Studio's discovery-first approach.
Bakken & Bæck (4.2/5) is worth a look if you need decentralized or crypto platform design and build. If your situation matches that, Bakken & Bæck is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
Bakken & Bæck vs UX studio FAQ
Is Bakken & Bæck better than UX studio?
UX studio (4.4/5) 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. UX studio's strongest advantage: 5.0 Clutch rating across 41 reviews.
How do Bakken & Bæck and UX studio differ in pricing?
Bakken & Bæck uses fixed project, dedicated team pricing with a minimum engagement of Not published. UX studio uses fixed project, dedicated team pricing with a minimum engagement of $10K+ (per Clutch listing). Neither firm publishes a full rate card; a discovery call is required for project-specific quotes.
Which is better for enterprise: Bakken & Bæck or UX studio?
UX studio 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 UX studio?
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. UX studio's primary differentiator is: research-first B2B SaaS design with a 5.0 Clutch rating across 41 reviews, comparable in method to Phenomenon Studio's discovery-first approach. They also differ in team size (70+ vs ~50 (per company job postings; Clutch lists 10–49)), minimum engagement (Not published vs $10K+ (per Clutch listing)), and primary industries served (SaaS / B2B software, Financial services / fintech vs SaaS / B2B software).
Verify all details directly with each agency before making a decision.