Instrument vs Excited: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
Excited (4.6/5) edges ahead of Instrument (3.7/5) overall. Excited is the better choice for SaaS/fintech teams, Clutch-ranked specialist, accessible pricing. Instrument is the stronger option for brands wanting design bundled with marketing, Stagwell-network. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
Instrument vs Excited: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | Instrument | Excited |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2006 | 2018 |
| HQ | Portland, OR, USA (also Brooklyn, NY) | Lviv, Ukraine |
| Team size | ~300 | 100+ |
| Rating | 3.7 / 5 | 4.6 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | Blends product design with brand and marketing services at Stagwell-network scale, backed by a client list spanning Nike, Google, and Airbnb | Repeatedly ranked Top 5 UX agency worldwide by Clutch, with roughly 70% of reviews citing quality and creativity by name |
| Pricing model | Project-based, retainer | Fixed project, dedicated team |
| Min. engagement | Not published | $20K (per company website; independently unverifiable) |
| Primary tech stack | Figma, Webflow, React | Figma, Framer, After Effects |
| Industries served | Consumer products, Enterprise transformation | SaaS / B2B software, Financial services / fintech |
Instrument vs Excited: overview
Instrument
Instrument started in 2006 as a 15-person production studio in Portland and became a full-service creative agency around 2010. The Code and Theory Network, part of Stagwell, acquired the remaining 49% stake in 2022, so Instrument now operates as part of a larger holding-company network rather than independently. From offices in Portland and Brooklyn, its roughly 300 people handle product design, brand, and marketing work for a client list that includes Nike, Google, Airbnb, Sonos, LinkedIn, and Spotify.
Excited
Founded in 2018 in Lviv, Ukraine, Excited has scaled to 100+ designers while holding a spot among Clutch's Top 5 UX agencies worldwide — not a one-time placement, but a repeated ranking. Roughly 70% of its Clutch reviewers cite quality and creativity by name, an unusually specific signal. The agency's practice is deliberately narrow: UX/UI, product design, branding, and motion design, built specifically around SaaS and fintech clients, with work shipped to 20+ countries.
Services and capabilities: Instrument vs Excited
| Capability | Instrument | Excited |
|---|---|---|
| Product design | ✓ | ✓ |
| UX research | ✗ | ✓ |
| Branding | ✓ | ✓ |
| Web development | ✗ | ✗ |
| Mobile development | ✗ | ✗ |
| Design systems | ✗ | ✗ |
Tech stack comparison: Instrument vs Excited
| Framework / platform | Instrument | Excited |
|---|---|---|
| Figma | ✓ | ✓ |
| Webflow | ✓ | N/A |
| React | ✓ | N/A |
| Framer | N/A | ✓ |
| Adobe Creative Suite | ✓ | ✓ |
| Design systems/Storybook | N/A | N/A |
| After Effects | N/A | ✓ |
Pricing comparison: Instrument vs Excited
| Criterion | Instrument | Excited |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | Not published | $20K (per company website; independently unverifiable) |
| Engagement models | Fixed project, Retainer | Fixed project, Dedicated team |
| Rate transparency | Minimum disclosed | Minimum disclosed |
| Price tier | Mid-market | Accessible |
Target audience comparison: Instrument vs Excited
| Dimension | Instrument | Excited |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Consumer products, Enterprise transformation | SaaS / B2B software, Financial services / fintech |
| Best use cases | Brand and product design bundle for a consumer tech company, Marketing-led product launch requiring both design and campaign work | SaaS product redesign for a growth-stage company, Fintech UX/UI overhaul with motion design polish |
| Typical project type | Fixed project | Fixed project |
Instrument vs Excited: pros and cons
| Instrument | |
|---|---|
| + | Client list — Nike, Google, Airbnb, Sonos, LinkedIn, Spotify — reflects two decades of growth from a small production shop |
| + | Roughly 300 people across Portland and Brooklyn support sizable, multi-workstream engagements |
| + | Combines product design with brand and marketing services under one roof |
| + | Stagwell network backing provides access to broader marketing and data capabilities |
| - | Fully absorbed into the Stagwell/Code and Theory network since 2022, so clients are hiring a network agency, not an independent studio |
| - | Marketing-and-brand positioning means less singular focus on product design than boutiques built around it alone |
| - | Minimum engagement size isn't published, and the client roster suggests enterprise-level budgets |
| Excited | |
|---|---|
| + | Repeatedly ranked Top 5 UX agency worldwide by Clutch — a sustained ranking, not a one-off |
| + | About 70% of Clutch reviewers cite quality and creativity specifically, a strong qualitative signal |
| + | Built specifically around SaaS and fintech, giving genuine vertical depth |
| + | Work shipped to 20+ countries demonstrates broad delivery experience |
| - | The claimed 15M+ user reach figure is self-reported and independently unverifiable |
| - | Ukraine-based team carries the same regional-continuity considerations as other Ukraine-rooted studios here |
| - | SaaS/fintech focus limits fit for buyers in healthcare, consumer, or other verticals |
Who should choose Instrument?
A typical fit: brand and product design bundle for a consumer tech company.
Blends product design with brand and marketing services at Stagwell-network scale, backed by a client list spanning Nike, Google, and Airbnb. Minimum engagement starts at Not published. Works best with clients in Consumer products, Enterprise transformation.
Who should choose Excited?
A typical fit: SaaS product redesign for a growth-stage company.
Repeatedly ranked Top 5 UX agency worldwide by Clutch, with roughly 70% of reviews citing quality and creativity by name. Minimum engagement starts at $20K (per company website; independently unverifiable). Works best with clients in SaaS / B2B software, Financial services / fintech.
Decision matrix: Instrument vs Excited
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | Instrument |
| You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme | Excited |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Compare: Instrument (Not published) vs Excited ($20K (per company website; independently unverifiable)) |
| You need specialist depth in a specific vertical | Instrument |
| 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: Instrument vs Excited
| Use case | Instrument fit | Excited fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brand and product design bundle for a consumer tech company | Strong | Strong | Both equally |
| Marketing-led product launch requiring both design and campaign work | Strong | Limited | Instrument |
| SaaS product redesign for a growth-stage company | Limited | Strong | Excited |
| Fintech UX/UI overhaul with motion design polish | Limited | Strong | Excited |
| Fixed-price product build | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
| Dedicated design team augmentation | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
Verdict: Instrument vs Excited
Excited (4.6/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Product Design projects. Repeatedly ranked Top 5 UX agency worldwide by Clutch, with roughly 70% of reviews citing quality and creativity by name.
Instrument (3.7/5) is worth a look if you need marketing-led product launch requiring both design and campaign work. If your situation matches that, Instrument is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
Instrument vs Excited FAQ
Is Instrument better than Excited?
Excited (4.6/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. Instrument's strongest advantage: client list — Nike, Google, Airbnb, Sonos, LinkedIn, Spotify — reflects two decades of growth from a small production shop. Excited's strongest advantage: repeatedly ranked Top 5 UX agency worldwide by Clutch — a sustained ranking, not a one-off.
How do Instrument and Excited differ in pricing?
Instrument uses project-based, retainer pricing with a minimum engagement of Not published. Excited uses fixed project, dedicated team pricing with a minimum engagement of $20K (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: Instrument or Excited?
Instrument 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 Instrument and Excited?
Instrument's primary differentiator is: blends product design with brand and marketing services at Stagwell-network scale, backed by a client list spanning Nike, Google, and Airbnb. Excited's primary differentiator is: repeatedly ranked Top 5 UX agency worldwide by Clutch, with roughly 70% of reviews citing quality and creativity by name. They also differ in team size (~300 vs 100+), minimum engagement (Not published vs $20K (per company website; independently unverifiable)), and primary industries served (Consumer products, Enterprise transformation vs SaaS / B2B software, Financial services / fintech).
Verify all details directly with each agency before making a decision.