Clay vs Big Human: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
Clay (4.1/5) edges ahead of Big Human (4.0/5) overall. Clay is the better choice for B2B SaaS, AI, fintech — big-tech credibility, low profile. 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.
Clay vs Big Human: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | Clay | Big Human |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2015 | 2010 |
| HQ | San Francisco, CA, USA | New York, NY, USA (remote team) |
| Team size | Boutique-to-mid (unconfirmed; not published by the company) | 10–49 (Clutch listing) |
| Rating | 4.1 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | An unusually large enterprise client roster (Coinbase, Meta, Google, Slack) for a studio that doesn't publish its own founding year or team size | 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 | Fixed project, dedicated team |
| Min. engagement | $50K+ (per Clutch listing) | Not published |
| Primary tech stack | Figma, Framer, Webflow | Figma, React, Node.js |
| Industries served | SaaS / B2B software, Financial services / fintech, Consumer products | Consumer products, Media & entertainment, Financial services / fintech |
Clay vs Big Human: overview
Clay
Clay (clay.global, unrelated to the AI sales-data company at clay.com) publishes little about itself and a lot about its clients: Coinbase, Uber, SendGrid, MoneyLion, Meta, Google, Slack, Snapchat, Amazon, Toyota, and Samsung. Its Clutch profile fills some gaps with a 4.8 rating across 30 verified reviews, a $50K+ minimum project, and hourly rates of $150–$199. Reviewers mostly praise its project management and delivery timing. Founding year and team size remain unconfirmed outside the company.
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 Pricing and minimums stay unpublished.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: Clay vs Big Human
| Capability | Clay | Big Human |
|---|---|---|
| Product design | ✓ | ✓ |
| UX research | ✓ | ✗ |
| Branding | ✓ | ✓ |
| Web development | ✗ | ✓ |
| Mobile development | ✗ | ✓ |
| Design systems | ✗ | ✗ |
Tech stack comparison: Clay vs Big Human
| Framework / platform | Clay | Big Human |
|---|---|---|
| Figma | ✓ | ✓ |
| Webflow | ✓ | N/A |
| React | N/A | ✓ |
| Framer | ✓ | N/A |
| Adobe Creative Suite | ✓ | N/A |
| Design systems/Storybook | N/A | N/A |
| After Effects | N/A | N/A |
Pricing comparison: Clay vs Big Human
| Criterion | Clay | Big Human |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | $50K+ (per Clutch listing) | Not published |
| Engagement models | Fixed project, Retainer | Fixed project, Dedicated team |
| Rate transparency | Minimum disclosed | Minimum disclosed |
| Price tier | Accessible | Mid-market |
Target audience comparison: Clay vs Big Human
| Dimension | Clay | 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 fintech product design for a Series A-C startup, Consumer app design for a high-growth B2B SaaS brand | 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 |
Clay vs Big Human: pros and cons
| Clay | |
|---|---|
| + | 4.8 Clutch rating across 30 verified reviews, with reviewers praising structured project management |
| + | Client list includes Coinbase, Uber, Meta, Google, Slack, and Amazon |
| + | Repeated work across B2B, SaaS, AI, and fintech products |
| + | Branding, UX, and product design come from one team |
| - | Founding year and team size aren't published or independently confirmed |
| - | $50K+ minimum and $150–$199 hourly rates (per Clutch listing) put it above most boutiques here |
| - | Easily confused with the unrelated AI company at clay.com |
| 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 Clay?
A typical fit: AI or fintech product design for a Series A-C startup.
An unusually large enterprise client roster (Coinbase, Meta, Google, Slack) for a studio that doesn't publish its own founding year or team size. Minimum engagement starts at $50K+ (per Clutch listing). 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: Clay vs Big Human
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | Clay |
| You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme | Big Human |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Compare: Clay ($50K+ (per Clutch listing)) vs Big Human (Not published) |
| You need specialist depth in a specific vertical | Clay |
| 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: Clay vs Big Human
| Use case | Clay fit | Big Human fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| AI or fintech product design for a Series A-C startup | Strong | Strong | Both equally |
| Consumer app design for a high-growth B2B SaaS brand | Strong | Strong | Both equally |
| 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: Clay vs Big Human
Clay (4.1/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Product Design projects. An unusually large enterprise client roster (Coinbase, Meta, Google, Slack) for a studio that doesn't publish its own founding year or team size.
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
Clay vs Big Human FAQ
Is Clay better than Big Human?
Clay (4.1/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. Clay's strongest advantage: 4.8 Clutch rating across 30 verified reviews, with reviewers praising structured project management. Big Human's strongest advantage: worked on consumer products HQ Trivia and Vine, and incubates its own startups.
How do Clay and Big Human differ in pricing?
Clay uses fixed project pricing with a minimum engagement of $50K+ (per Clutch listing). 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: Clay 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 Clay and Big Human?
Clay's primary differentiator is: an unusually large enterprise client roster (Coinbase, Meta, Google, Slack) for a studio that doesn't publish its own founding year or team size. 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 (Boutique-to-mid (unconfirmed; not published by the company) vs 10–49 (Clutch listing)), minimum engagement ($50K+ (per Clutch listing) 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.