R/GA vs Big Human: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
Big Human (4.0/5) edges ahead of R/GA (3.8/5) overall. Big Human is the better choice for Startups/consumer brands, small senior studio, product builders. R/GA is the stronger option for large brands that want product design and marketing from one partner. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
R/GA vs Big Human: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | R/GA | Big Human |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1977 | 2010 |
| HQ | New York City, NY, USA | New York, NY, USA (remote team) |
| Team size | ~2,000 | 10–49 (Clutch listing) |
| Rating | 3.8 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | Pairs product design with brand and marketing strategy, and since going independent has been buying and building AI design capability | A compact, senior remote team that has worked on consumer hits like HQ Trivia and Vine and also builds its own startups |
| Pricing model | Project-based, retainer for ongoing programs | Fixed project, dedicated team |
| Min. engagement | Not published | Not published |
| Primary tech stack | Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, After Effects | Figma, React, Node.js |
| Industries served | Enterprise transformation, Consumer products, Media & entertainment | Consumer products, Media & entertainment, Financial services / fintech |
R/GA vs Big Human: overview
R/GA
Since buying itself back from Interpublic Group in March 2025, with majority backing from Truelink Capital, R/GA has moved quickly. It set up a $50M innovation fund, launched a global AI products team, and made the first acquisition in its nearly 50-year history: Addition, an AI system design studio. In September 2026 it hired former Google executive Sadie Thoma as its first global chief business officer. The agency has run out of New York since 1977 and now works from ten countries, including Austin, London, São Paulo, Singapore, and Stockholm. Product design still arrives bundled with brand and marketing strategy.
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 Pricing and minimums stay unpublished.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: R/GA vs Big Human
| Capability | R/GA | Big Human |
|---|---|---|
| Product design | ✓ | ✓ |
| UX research | ✓ | ✗ |
| Branding | ✓ | ✓ |
| Web development | ✗ | ✓ |
| Mobile development | ✗ | ✓ |
| Design systems | ✗ | ✗ |
Tech stack comparison: R/GA vs Big Human
| Framework / platform | R/GA | Big Human |
|---|---|---|
| Figma | ✓ | ✓ |
| Webflow | N/A | N/A |
| React | N/A | ✓ |
| Framer | N/A | N/A |
| Adobe Creative Suite | ✓ | N/A |
| Design systems/Storybook | N/A | N/A |
| After Effects | ✓ | N/A |
Pricing comparison: R/GA vs Big Human
| Criterion | R/GA | Big Human |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | Not published | Not published |
| Engagement models | Fixed project, Retainer | Fixed project, Dedicated team |
| Rate transparency | Minimum disclosed | Minimum disclosed |
| Price tier | Mid-market | Mid-market |
Target audience comparison: R/GA vs Big Human
| Dimension | R/GA | Big Human |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Enterprise transformation, Consumer products, Media & entertainment | Consumer products, Media & entertainment, Financial services / fintech |
| Best use cases | Consumer platform redesign tied to a brand relaunch, Enterprise digital product with a marketing or campaign component | 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 |
R/GA vs Big Human: pros and cons
| R/GA | |
|---|---|
| + | Product design and marketing strategy come from one team, which saves large brands a second vendor |
| + | Acquired AI system design studio Addition, its first acquisition, funded from a $50M innovation fund |
| + | Offices in ten countries across North America, Europe, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific |
| + | Leadership bench keeps growing after the buyout, including a first global chief business officer hired in September 2026 |
| - | Ownership changed in 2025 and the AI products team is new, so ask how much of that capability would touch your project |
| - | Trade-press reports of 25% year-on-year revenue growth in Q1 2026 come from the agency itself |
| - | Marketing-led positioning and large-brand pricing fit early-stage product teams poorly |
| 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 R/GA?
A typical fit: consumer platform redesign tied to a brand relaunch.
Pairs product design with brand and marketing strategy, and since going independent has been buying and building AI design capability. Minimum engagement starts at Not published. Works best with clients in Enterprise transformation, Consumer products, Media & entertainment.
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: R/GA vs Big Human
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | R/GA |
| You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme | Big Human |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Compare: R/GA (Not published) vs Big Human (Not published) |
| You need specialist depth in a specific vertical | R/GA |
| 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: R/GA vs Big Human
| Use case | R/GA fit | Big Human fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer platform redesign tied to a brand relaunch | Strong | Strong | Both equally |
| Enterprise digital product with a marketing or campaign component | Strong | Limited | R/GA |
| 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: R/GA vs Big Human
Big Human (4.0/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Product Design projects. A compact, senior remote team that has worked on consumer hits like HQ Trivia and Vine and also builds its own startups.
R/GA (3.8/5) is worth a look if you need enterprise digital product with a marketing or campaign component. If your situation matches that, R/GA is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
R/GA vs Big Human FAQ
Is R/GA better than Big Human?
Big Human (4.0/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. R/GA's strongest advantage: product design and marketing strategy come from one team, which saves large brands a second vendor. Big Human's strongest advantage: worked on consumer products HQ Trivia and Vine, and incubates its own startups.
How do R/GA and Big Human differ in pricing?
R/GA uses project-based, retainer for ongoing programs pricing with a minimum engagement of Not published. 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: R/GA or Big Human?
R/GA 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 R/GA and Big Human?
R/GA's primary differentiator is: pairs product design with brand and marketing strategy, and since going independent has been buying and building AI design capability. 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 (~2,000 vs 10–49 (Clutch listing)), minimum engagement (Not published vs Not published), and primary industries served (Enterprise transformation, Consumer products vs Consumer products, Media & entertainment).
Verify all details directly with each agency before making a decision.