MetaLab vs Bakken & Bæck: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
Bakken & Bæck (4.2/5) edges ahead of MetaLab (4.1/5) overall. Bakken & Bæck is the better choice for tech companies (AI, decentralized systems), design plus research. MetaLab is the stronger option for well-funded SaaS/fintech, full-stack design through design systems. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
MetaLab vs Bakken & Bæck: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | MetaLab | Bakken & Bæck |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2006 | 2011 |
| HQ | Victoria, British Columbia, Canada (remote-first) | Oslo, Norway (also Amsterdam, Barcelona, Bonn, and London) |
| Team size | 160+ | 70+ |
| Rating | 4.1 / 5 | 4.2 / 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 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 | Fixed project, dedicated team |
| Min. engagement | $150K+ (per industry roundups; independently unverifiable) | Not published |
| Primary tech stack | Figma, Framer, Design systems/Storybook | Figma, React, Next.js |
| Industries served | SaaS / B2B software, Financial services / fintech, Consumer products | SaaS / B2B software, Financial services / fintech, Consumer products |
MetaLab vs Bakken & Bæck: overview
MetaLab
Andrew Wilkinson founded MetaLab in 2006, and the studio became a subsidiary of his holding company Tiny in January 2017 — worth knowing since it's no longer independently owned. Based in Victoria, British Columbia, and staffed remote-first across 17 countries with 160+ people, MetaLab has designed products used daily by hundreds of millions: Slack, Uber, Coinbase, Robinhood, Nike, Midjourney, and Headspace all appear in its portfolio. Engagements typically run full-stack — research, strategy, UX, UI, and design systems handled by one team.
Bakken & Bæck
Johan Bakken and Tobias Bæck founded Bakken & Bæck in 2011, and the studio now works from Oslo, Amsterdam, Barcelona, Bonn, and London with a 70-person team that mixes multiple computer-science PhDs into its design and engineering practice. Recent work includes shaping conversational AI products with Sierra and building decentralized platforms with Coinbase, alongside clients like IKEA and Norwegian payments app Vipps. The studio positions itself around building digital products end to end — from early exploration through launch — rather than a single design phase.
Services and capabilities: MetaLab vs Bakken & Bæck
| Capability | MetaLab | Bakken & Bæck |
|---|---|---|
| Product design | ✓ | ✓ |
| UX research | ✗ | ✓ |
| Branding | ✓ | ✗ |
| Web development | ✗ | ✓ |
| Mobile development | ✗ | ✗ |
| Design systems | ✓ | ✗ |
Tech stack comparison: MetaLab vs Bakken & Bæck
| Framework / platform | MetaLab | Bakken & Bæck |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Bakken & Bæck
| Criterion | MetaLab | Bakken & Bæck |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | $150K+ (per industry roundups; independently unverifiable) | 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 Bakken & Bæck
| Dimension | MetaLab | Bakken & Bæck |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | SaaS / B2B software, Financial services / fintech, Consumer products | SaaS / B2B software, Financial services / fintech, Consumer products |
| Best use cases | SaaS product design from research through design system delivery, Fintech app redesign for a funded startup | AI or conversational-product design for a fast-moving startup, Decentralized or crypto platform design and build |
| Typical project type | Fixed project | Fixed project |
MetaLab vs Bakken & Bæck: pros and cons
| MetaLab | |
|---|---|
| + | Portfolio includes Slack, Uber, Coinbase, Robinhood, and Midjourney — an exceptional client list for a 160-person studio |
| + | Remote-first team across 17 countries supports near-continuous delivery coverage |
| + | Full-stack model covers research, strategy, UX, UI, and design systems without switching vendors |
| + | Nearly two decades operating under the same founding brand |
| - | Became a subsidiary of holding company Tiny in 2017 — the founding team remains, but it's no longer independently owned |
| - | Reported $150K+ typical minimum (per industry roundups; independently unverifiable) puts it out of reach for early-stage startups |
| - | High-profile client list can mean longer lead times for new engagements |
| Bakken & Bæck | |
|---|---|
| + | 70-person team spans five European cities, giving real multi-market coverage |
| + | Combines design with computer-science research depth, unusual among boutique product studios |
| + | Recent, high-profile AI and crypto/fintech work (Sierra, Coinbase) demonstrates currency in fast-moving categories |
| + | Client list also includes established consumer brands like IKEA, broadening its portfolio beyond pure tech |
| - | Minimum engagement size and pricing model aren't published, making early budgeting harder |
| - | European-only office footprint may mean less overlap with US business hours for some clients |
| - | AI/crypto-forward recent portfolio may read as a narrower fit for clients outside technology-heavy categories |
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 $150K+ (per industry roundups; independently unverifiable). Works best with clients in SaaS / B2B software, Financial services / fintech, Consumer products.
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: MetaLab vs Bakken & Bæck
| 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 ($150K+ (per industry roundups; independently unverifiable)) vs Bakken & Bæck (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 Bakken & Bæck
| Use case | MetaLab fit | Bakken & Bæck fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| SaaS product design from research through design system delivery | Strong | Limited | MetaLab |
| Fintech app redesign for a funded startup | Strong | Limited | MetaLab |
| 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: MetaLab 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.
MetaLab (4.1/5) is worth a look if you need fintech app redesign for a funded startup. If your situation matches that, MetaLab is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
MetaLab vs Bakken & Bæck FAQ
Is MetaLab better than Bakken & Bæck?
Bakken & Bæck (4.2/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. MetaLab's strongest advantage: portfolio includes Slack, Uber, Coinbase, Robinhood, and Midjourney — an exceptional client list for a 160-person studio. Bakken & Bæck's strongest advantage: 70-person team spans five European cities, giving real multi-market coverage.
How do MetaLab and Bakken & Bæck differ in pricing?
MetaLab uses fixed project, dedicated team pricing with a minimum engagement of $150K+ (per industry roundups; independently unverifiable). 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: MetaLab or Bakken & Bæck?
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 Bakken & Bæck?
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. 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 (160+ vs 70+), minimum engagement ($150K+ (per industry roundups; independently unverifiable) 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.