MetaLab vs Big Human: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
MetaLab (4.1/5) edges ahead of Big Human (4.0/5) overall. MetaLab is the better choice for well-funded SaaS/fintech, full-stack design through design systems. Big Human is the stronger option for Startups/consumer brands, small senior studio, product builders. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
MetaLab vs Big Human: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | MetaLab | Big Human |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2006 | 2011 |
| HQ | Victoria, British Columbia, Canada (remote-first) | New York, NY, USA |
| Team size | 160+ | ~35 |
| Rating | 4.1 / 5 | 4.0 / 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 compact 35-person studio with its own consumer product hits (HQ Trivia, Vine) behind it, not just client work |
| 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, Node.js |
| Industries served | SaaS / B2B software, Financial services / fintech, Consumer products | Consumer products, Media & entertainment, Financial services / fintech |
MetaLab vs Big Human: 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.
Big Human
Big Human has operated out of New York since 2011, staying deliberately compact at roughly 35 people rather than scaling into a large agency. Its portfolio includes work for Whistle, Rockefeller Center, Gemini, and Netflix, and the studio's own product history includes HQ Trivia and Vine — genuine consumer hits it helped build rather than just designed for. The team spans design, strategy, and development, taking on projects from early-stage startups through Fortune 500 companies.
Services and capabilities: MetaLab vs Big Human
| Capability | MetaLab | Big Human |
|---|---|---|
| Product design | ✓ | ✓ |
| UX research | ✗ | ✗ |
| Branding | ✓ | ✓ |
| Web development | ✗ | ✓ |
| Mobile development | ✗ | ✓ |
| Design systems | ✓ | ✗ |
Tech stack comparison: MetaLab vs Big Human
| Framework / platform | MetaLab | Big Human |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Big Human
| Criterion | MetaLab | Big Human |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Big Human
| Dimension | MetaLab | Big Human |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | SaaS / B2B software, Financial services / fintech, Consumer products | Consumer products, Media & entertainment, Financial services / fintech |
| Best use cases | SaaS product design from research through design system delivery, Fintech app redesign for a funded startup | 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 |
MetaLab vs Big Human: 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 |
| Big Human | |
|---|---|
| + | Built and shipped its own consumer hits — HQ Trivia and Vine — evidence of product instinct beyond client design work |
| + | Client list spans Whistle, Rockefeller Center, Gemini, and Netflix despite a compact ~35-person team |
| + | Small team size keeps client relationships direct rather than layered through account management |
| + | 14 years of continuous operation in New York since 2011 |
| - | A ~35-person team caps capacity for very large, multi-workstream programs |
| - | Pricing and minimum engagement size aren't published |
| - | Single-office (New York) footprint offers less multi-region delivery than larger studios on this list |
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 Big Human?
A typical fit: consumer app design for an early-stage or growth-stage startup.
A compact 35-person studio with its own consumer product hits (HQ Trivia, Vine) behind it, not just client work. Minimum engagement starts at Not published. Works best with clients in Consumer products, Media & entertainment, Financial services / fintech.
Decision matrix: MetaLab vs Big Human
| 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 Big Human (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 Big Human
| Use case | MetaLab fit | Big Human fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| SaaS product design from research through design system delivery | Strong | Limited | MetaLab |
| Fintech app redesign for a funded startup | Strong | Limited | MetaLab |
| 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: MetaLab vs Big Human
MetaLab (4.1/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Product Design projects. A design portfolio (Slack, Uber, Coinbase, Midjourney) that outsizes its 160-person headcount, covering the full stack from research through design systems.
Big Human (4.0/5) is worth a look if you need brand-plus-product design bundle for a media or entertainment client. If your situation matches that, Big Human is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
MetaLab vs Big Human FAQ
Is MetaLab better than Big Human?
MetaLab (4.1/5) 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. Big Human's strongest advantage: built and shipped its own consumer hits — HQ Trivia and Vine — evidence of product instinct beyond client design work.
How do MetaLab and Big Human differ in pricing?
MetaLab uses fixed project, dedicated team pricing with a minimum engagement of $150K+ (per industry roundups; independently unverifiable). 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: MetaLab or Big Human?
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 Big Human?
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. Big Human's primary differentiator is: a compact 35-person studio with its own consumer product hits (HQ Trivia, Vine) behind it, not just client work. They also differ in team size (160+ vs ~35), minimum engagement ($150K+ (per industry roundups; independently unverifiable) vs Not published), and primary industries served (SaaS / B2B software, Financial services / fintech vs Consumer products, Media & entertainment).
Verify all details directly with each agency before making a decision.