MetaLab vs Big Human: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
MetaLab (4.1/5) edges ahead of Big Human (4.0/5) overall. MetaLab is the better choice for well-funded SaaS/fintech, full-stack design through design systems. 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.
MetaLab vs Big Human: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | MetaLab | Big Human |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2006 | 2010 |
| HQ | Vancouver, BC, Canada (also Victoria; remote-first) | New York, NY, USA (remote team) |
| Team size | 50–249 (Clutch listing; company has cited 160+) | 10–49 (Clutch listing) |
| Rating | 4.1 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | A design portfolio (Slack, Uber, Coinbase, Midjourney) that outsizes its 160-person headcount, covering the full stack from research through design systems | 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 | $100K+ (per Clutch listing) | Not published |
| Primary tech stack | Figma, Framer, Design systems/Storybook | Figma, React, Node.js |
| Industries served | SaaS / B2B software, Financial services / fintech, Consumer products | Consumer products, Media & entertainment, Financial services / fintech |
MetaLab vs Big Human: overview
MetaLab
MetaLab designed interfaces that hundreds of millions of people use daily: Slack, Uber, Coinbase, Robinhood, Headspace, and Midjourney, plus newer work for Windsurf and The Athletic. Andrew Wilkinson founded it in 2006, and it has been part of his holding company Tiny since 2017, now sitting in Tiny's Beam operating group. Clutch lists the studio with a Vancouver headquarters, a Victoria office, and 50–249 employees working largely remotely. Engagements cover research, strategy, UX, UI, and design systems from one team. Its Clutch listing gives a $100K+ minimum, below the $150K figure older industry roundups cited.
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: MetaLab vs Big Human
| Capability | MetaLab | Big Human |
|---|---|---|
| Product design | ✓ | ✓ |
| UX research | ✗ | ✗ |
| Branding | ✓ | ✓ |
| Web development | ✗ | ✓ |
| Mobile development | ✗ | ✓ |
| Design systems | ✓ | ✗ |
Tech stack comparison: MetaLab vs Big Human
| Framework / platform | MetaLab | Big Human |
|---|---|---|
| Figma | ✓ | ✓ |
| Webflow | ✓ | N/A |
| React | ✓ | ✓ |
| Framer | ✓ | N/A |
| Adobe Creative Suite | N/A | N/A |
| Design systems/Storybook | ✓ | N/A |
| After Effects | N/A | N/A |
Pricing comparison: MetaLab vs Big Human
| Criterion | MetaLab | Big Human |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | $100K+ (per Clutch listing) | Not published |
| Engagement models | Fixed project, Dedicated team | Fixed project, Dedicated team |
| Rate transparency | Minimum disclosed | Minimum disclosed |
| Price tier | Accessible | Mid-market |
Target audience comparison: MetaLab vs Big Human
| Dimension | MetaLab | 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 | SaaS product design from research through design system delivery, Fintech app redesign for a funded startup | 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 |
MetaLab vs Big Human: pros and cons
| MetaLab | |
|---|---|
| + | Portfolio covers Slack, Uber, Coinbase, Robinhood, Midjourney, and Windsurf |
| + | Remote-first team spread across many countries supports long delivery days |
| + | Research, strategy, UX, UI, and design systems come from one team |
| + | Two decades under the same founding brand |
| - | Owned by Andrew Wilkinson's holding company Tiny since 2017 |
| - | A $100K+ minimum (per Clutch listing) is still beyond most early-stage budgets |
| - | No client reviews on its Clutch profile, so references have to come from the studio |
| 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 MetaLab?
A typical fit: SaaS product design from research through design system delivery.
A design portfolio (Slack, Uber, Coinbase, Midjourney) that outsizes its 160-person headcount, covering the full stack from research through design systems. Minimum engagement starts at $100K+ (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: MetaLab vs Big Human
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | MetaLab |
| You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme | MetaLab |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Compare: MetaLab ($100K+ (per Clutch listing)) vs Big Human (Not published) |
| You need specialist depth in a specific vertical | MetaLab |
| 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: MetaLab vs Big Human
| Use case | MetaLab fit | Big Human fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| SaaS product design from research through design system delivery | Strong | Limited | MetaLab |
| Fintech app redesign for a funded startup | Strong | Limited | MetaLab |
| 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: MetaLab vs Big Human
MetaLab (4.1/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Product Design projects. A design portfolio (Slack, Uber, Coinbase, Midjourney) that outsizes its 160-person headcount, covering the full stack from research through design systems.
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
MetaLab vs Big Human FAQ
Is MetaLab better than Big Human?
MetaLab (4.1/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. MetaLab's strongest advantage: portfolio covers Slack, Uber, Coinbase, Robinhood, Midjourney, and Windsurf. Big Human's strongest advantage: worked on consumer products HQ Trivia and Vine, and incubates its own startups.
How do MetaLab and Big Human differ in pricing?
MetaLab uses fixed project, dedicated team pricing with a minimum engagement of $100K+ (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: MetaLab or Big Human?
MetaLab 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 MetaLab and Big Human?
MetaLab's primary differentiator is: a design portfolio (Slack, Uber, Coinbase, Midjourney) that outsizes its 160-person headcount, covering the full stack from research through design systems. 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 (50–249 (Clutch listing; company has cited 160+) vs 10–49 (Clutch listing)), minimum engagement ($100K+ (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.