Netguru vs Bakken & Bæck: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
Bakken & Bæck (4.2/5) edges ahead of Netguru (3.9/5) overall. Bakken & Bæck is the better choice for tech companies (AI, decentralized systems), design plus research. Netguru is the stronger option for companies wanting design plus full development, one team. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
Netguru vs Bakken & Bæck: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | Netguru | Bakken & Bæck |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2008 | 2011 |
| HQ | Poznań, Poland | Oslo, Norway (also Amsterdam, Barcelona, Bonn, and London) |
| Team size | 401–500 (Clutch listing) | 70+ |
| Rating | 3.9 / 5 | 4.2 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | Product design plus full software delivery from a 400-plus-person team, with client work for IKEA, Volkswagen, and Vinted | A five-city European studio that blends design with genuine computer-science research depth, evidenced by recent AI work for Sierra and Coinbase |
| Pricing model | Fixed project, dedicated team, T&M | Fixed project, dedicated team |
| Min. engagement | $50K+ (per Clutch listing) | Not published |
| Primary tech stack | Figma, React, Node.js | Figma, React, Next.js |
| Industries served | SaaS / B2B software, Financial services / fintech, E-commerce / retail | SaaS / B2B software, Financial services / fintech, Consumer products |
Netguru vs Bakken & Bæck: overview
Netguru
Netguru pairs product design with full software development, and it has done so since Wiktor Schmidt and Jakub Filipowski founded it in Poznań in 2008. The firm has changed shape recently. It bought Bitcraft in December 2024, adding a Białystok office, and Polish tech outlet ITwiz reports that Robert Scholz, a board member since August 2026, became CEO. Clutch now lists 401–500 employees at headquarters, well below the 600–900+ figures older sources gave, plus a 4.8 rating across 73 reviews and a $50K+ minimum. Clients include IKEA, Volkswagen, OLX, Delivery Hero, Wolt, and Vinted.
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.
Services and capabilities: Netguru vs Bakken & Bæck
| Capability | Netguru | Bakken & Bæck |
|---|---|---|
| Product design | ✓ | ✓ |
| UX research | ✓ | ✓ |
| Branding | ✗ | ✗ |
| Web development | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mobile development | ✓ | ✗ |
| Design systems | ✗ | ✗ |
Tech stack comparison: Netguru vs Bakken & Bæck
| Framework / platform | Netguru | Bakken & Bæck |
|---|---|---|
| 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: Netguru vs Bakken & Bæck
| Criterion | Netguru | Bakken & Bæck |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | $50K+ (per Clutch listing) | Not published |
| Engagement models | Fixed project, Dedicated team, Time & materials | Fixed project, Dedicated team |
| Rate transparency | Minimum disclosed | Minimum disclosed |
| Price tier | Accessible | Mid-market |
Target audience comparison: Netguru vs Bakken & Bæck
| Dimension | Netguru | Bakken & Bæck |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | SaaS / B2B software, Financial services / fintech, E-commerce / retail | SaaS / B2B software, Financial services / fintech, Consumer products |
| Best use cases | Large-scale SaaS or e-commerce product design and development, Fintech product build requiring both design and engineering at scale | AI or conversational-product design for a fast-moving startup, Decentralized or crypto platform design and build |
| Typical project type | Fixed project | Fixed project |
Netguru vs Bakken & Bæck: pros and cons
| Netguru | |
|---|---|
| + | 4.8 Clutch rating across 73 reviews |
| + | Design and engineering in one firm, which removes the hand-off between vendors |
| + | Client list spans IKEA, Volkswagen, OLX, Delivery Hero, and Vinted |
| + | Six Polish offices, including Białystok added through the 2024 Bitcraft acquisition |
| - | New CEO in 2026 (per ITwiz reporting), so expect some leadership changes during your engagement |
| - | Headcount is now listed at 401–500, below earlier 600–900+ figures, which suggests a smaller bench |
| - | $50K+ minimum (per Clutch listing) and a development-heavy focus suit larger builds better than design-only work |
| 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 |
Who should choose Netguru?
A typical fit: large-scale SaaS or e-commerce product design and development.
Product design plus full software delivery from a 400-plus-person team, with client work for IKEA, Volkswagen, and Vinted. Minimum engagement starts at $50K+ (per Clutch listing). Works best with clients in SaaS / B2B software, Financial services / fintech, E-commerce / retail.
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.
Decision matrix: Netguru vs Bakken & Bæck
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | Netguru |
| You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme | Netguru |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Compare: Netguru ($50K+ (per Clutch listing)) vs Bakken & Bæck (Not published) |
| You need specialist depth in a specific vertical | Netguru |
| 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: Netguru vs Bakken & Bæck
| Use case | Netguru fit | Bakken & Bæck fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Large-scale SaaS or e-commerce product design and development | Strong | Limited | Netguru |
| Fintech product build requiring both design and engineering at scale | Strong | Limited | Netguru |
| AI or conversational-product design for a fast-moving startup | Limited | Strong | Bakken & Bæck |
| Decentralized or crypto platform design and build | Limited | Strong | Bakken & Bæck |
| Fixed-price product build | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
| Dedicated design team augmentation | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
Verdict: Netguru vs Bakken & Bæck
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.
Netguru (3.9/5) is worth a look if you need fintech product build requiring both design and engineering at scale. If your situation matches that, Netguru is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
Netguru vs Bakken & Bæck FAQ
Is Netguru better than Bakken & Bæck?
Bakken & Bæck (4.2/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. Netguru's strongest advantage: 4.8 Clutch rating across 73 reviews. Bakken & Bæck's strongest advantage: design and computer-science research in one team, unusual for a boutique.
How do Netguru and Bakken & Bæck differ in pricing?
Netguru uses fixed project, dedicated team, t&m pricing with a minimum engagement of $50K+ (per Clutch listing). Bakken & Bæck 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: Netguru or Bakken & Bæck?
Netguru 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 Netguru and Bakken & Bæck?
Netguru's primary differentiator is: product design plus full software delivery from a 400-plus-person team, with client work for IKEA, Volkswagen, and Vinted. 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. They also differ in team size (401–500 (Clutch listing) vs 70+), minimum engagement ($50K+ (per Clutch listing) vs Not published), and primary industries served (SaaS / B2B software, Financial services / fintech vs SaaS / B2B software, Financial services / fintech).
Verify all details directly with each agency before making a decision.