MetaLab vs Eleken: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
MetaLab (4.2/5) edges ahead of Eleken (4.2/5) overall. MetaLab is the better choice for well-funded SaaS and fintech companies that need full-stack product design from research through design systems.. Eleken is the stronger option for saaS companies that want an embedded designer on a predictable monthly subscription instead of a fixed-price project contract.. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
MetaLab vs Eleken: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | MetaLab | Eleken |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2006 | 2015 |
| HQ | Victoria, British Columbia, Canada (remote-first) | Distributed team, roots in Kyiv, Ukraine |
| Team size | 160+ | 40+ to 100+ (approximate; reported figures vary by source) |
| Rating | 4.2 / 5 | 4.2 / 5 |
| Best for | Well-funded SaaS and fintech companies that need full-stack product design from research through design systems. | SaaS companies that want an embedded designer on a predictable monthly subscription instead of a fixed-price project contract. |
| Pricing model | Fixed project, dedicated team | Subscription (dedicated full-time or part-time designer) |
| Min. engagement | $150K+ (per industry roundups; independently unverifiable) | $6,599/month (per company website; independently unverifiable) |
| Primary tech stack | Figma, Framer, Design systems/Storybook | Figma, Design systems/Storybook, Miro |
| Industries served | SaaS / B2B software, Financial services / fintech, Consumer products | SaaS / B2B software |
MetaLab vs Eleken: overview
MetaLab
Founded in 2006 by Andrew Wilkinson, MetaLab became a subsidiary of Canadian holding company Tiny in January 2017 — an ownership detail worth disclosing. Headquartered in Victoria, British Columbia and operating remote-first across 17 countries with 160+ employees, MetaLab has designed products for Slack, Uber, Coinbase, Robinhood, Nike, Midjourney, and Headspace. The studio runs full product engagements spanning research, strategy, UX, UI, design systems, and front-end.
Eleken
Founded in 2015 with roots in Kyiv, Ukraine, Eleken operates as a distributed team and reports 40+ to 100+ designers depending on source (treated as approximate). The studio uses a subscription pricing model — roughly $6,599/month for a dedicated full-time designer, with part-time also available — a distinctive engagement model versus the project-based competitors elsewhere in this roster. Eleken holds a 4.9 Clutch rating across 200+ projects and 70+ published case studies, and is SaaS-only, working on complex B2B, AI, data, and geospatial and low-code/no-code products through an embedded-team model.
Services and capabilities: MetaLab vs Eleken
| Capability | MetaLab | Eleken |
|---|---|---|
| Product design | ✓ | ✓ |
| UX research | ✗ | ✓ |
| Branding | ✓ | ✗ |
| Web development | ✗ | ✗ |
| Mobile development | ✗ | ✗ |
| Design systems | ✓ | ✗ |
Tech stack comparison: MetaLab vs Eleken
| Framework / platform | MetaLab | Eleken |
|---|---|---|
| Figma | ✓ | ✓ |
| Webflow | ✓ | N/A |
| React | ✓ | N/A |
| Framer | ✓ | N/A |
| Adobe Creative Suite | N/A | N/A |
| Design systems/Storybook | ✓ | ✓ |
| After Effects | N/A | N/A |
Pricing comparison: MetaLab vs Eleken
| Criterion | MetaLab | Eleken |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | $150K+ (per industry roundups; independently unverifiable) | $6,599/month (per company website; independently unverifiable) |
| Engagement models | Fixed project, Dedicated team | Subscription |
| Rate transparency | Minimum disclosed | Minimum disclosed |
| Price tier | Accessible | Accessible |
Target audience comparison: MetaLab vs Eleken
| Dimension | MetaLab | Eleken |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | SaaS product design from research through design system, Fintech app redesign for a funded startup | Embedded product designer for an ongoing SaaS roadmap, Complex B2B or AI product design on a monthly subscription |
| Typical project type | Fixed project | Subscription |
MetaLab vs Eleken: pros and cons
| MetaLab | |
|---|---|
| + | Design portfolio includes Slack, Uber, Coinbase, Robinhood, and Midjourney — an exceptional client list for a 160-person studio |
| + | Remote-first across 17 countries gives genuine round-the-clock delivery coverage |
| + | Full-stack engagement model covers research, strategy, UX, UI, and design systems in one team |
| + | Nearly two decades of continuous operation under the same founding brand |
| - | Became a subsidiary of holding company Tiny in 2017 — worth disclosing though the founding team and brand remain in place |
| - | Reported $150K+ typical minimum (per industry roundups; independently unverifiable) puts it out of reach for early-stage startups |
| - | High-profile client roster means longer lead times for new engagements |
| Eleken | |
|---|---|
| + | 4.9 Clutch rating across 200+ completed projects and 70+ published case studies |
| + | Subscription embedded-team model gives predictable monthly cost versus a large fixed-price contract |
| + | SaaS-only focus, including complex B2B, AI, data, and geospatial products, builds genuine vertical depth |
| + | Part-time subscription option available for teams that don't need a full-time dedicated designer |
| - | Reported team size varies widely by source (40+ to 100+), making capacity planning less precise |
| - | SaaS-only positioning means no fit for consumer, healthcare, or brand-led engagements |
| - | Subscription model can cost more than a fixed-price project for short, well-defined engagements |
Who should choose MetaLab?
MetaLab is the right choice for well-funded SaaS and fintech companies that need full-stack product design from research through design systems..
Design credits spanning Slack, Uber, Coinbase, and Midjourney give MetaLab one of the strongest SaaS/fintech portfolios in this list. Minimum engagement starts at $150K+ (per industry roundups; independently unverifiable). Works best with clients in SaaS / B2B software, Financial services / fintech, Consumer products.
Who should choose Eleken?
Eleken is the right choice for saaS companies that want an embedded designer on a predictable monthly subscription instead of a fixed-price project contract..
Subscription embedded-team model (~$6,599/month) exclusively for SaaS, backed by a 4.9 Clutch rating across 200+ projects. Minimum engagement starts at $6,599/month (per company website; independently unverifiable). Works best with clients in SaaS / B2B software.
Decision matrix: MetaLab vs Eleken
| 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 | MetaLab |
| 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 Eleken
| Use case | MetaLab fit | Eleken fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| SaaS product design from research through design system | Strong | Strong | Both equally |
| Fintech app redesign for a funded startup | Strong | Limited | MetaLab |
| Embedded product designer for an ongoing SaaS roadmap | Limited | Strong | Eleken |
| Complex B2B or AI product design on a monthly subscription | Limited | Strong | Eleken |
| Fixed-price product build | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
| Dedicated design team augmentation | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
Verdict: MetaLab vs Eleken
MetaLab (4.2/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Product Design projects. Design credits spanning Slack, Uber, Coinbase, and Midjourney give MetaLab one of the strongest SaaS/fintech portfolios in this list. It is best for well-funded SaaS and fintech companies that need full-stack product design from research through design systems..
Eleken (4.2/5) is the better choice when saaS companies that want an embedded designer on a predictable monthly subscription instead of a fixed-price project contract.. If your situation matches those criteria, Eleken is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
MetaLab vs Eleken FAQ
Is MetaLab better than Eleken?
MetaLab (4.2/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. MetaLab is better for well-funded SaaS and fintech companies that need full-stack product design from research through design systems.. Eleken is better for saaS companies that want an embedded designer on a predictable monthly subscription instead of a fixed-price project contract..
How do MetaLab and Eleken differ in pricing?
MetaLab uses fixed project, dedicated team pricing with a minimum engagement of $150K+ (per industry roundups; independently unverifiable). Eleken uses subscription (dedicated full-time or part-time designer) pricing with a minimum engagement of $6,599/month (per company website; independently unverifiable). Neither firm publishes a full rate card; a discovery call is required for project-specific quotes.
Which is better for enterprise: MetaLab or Eleken?
Eleken 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 Eleken?
MetaLab's primary differentiator is: design credits spanning slack, uber, coinbase, and midjourney give metalab one of the strongest saas/fintech portfolios in this list. Eleken's primary differentiator is: subscription embedded-team model (~$6,599/month) exclusively for saas, backed by a 4.9 clutch rating across 200+ projects. They also differ in team size (160+ vs 40+ to 100+ (approximate; reported figures vary by source)), minimum engagement ($150K+ (per industry roundups; independently unverifiable) vs $6,599/month (per company website; independently unverifiable)), 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.