MetaLab vs Excited: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
Excited (4.6/5) edges ahead of MetaLab (4.2/5) overall. Excited is the better choice for saaS and fintech product teams that want a Clutch Top-5 specialist without enterprise-agency pricing.. MetaLab is the stronger option for well-funded SaaS and fintech companies that need full-stack product design from research through design systems.. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
MetaLab vs Excited: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | MetaLab | Excited |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2006 | 2018 |
| HQ | Victoria, British Columbia, Canada (remote-first) | Lviv, Ukraine |
| Team size | 160+ | 100+ |
| Rating | 4.2 / 5 | 4.6 / 5 |
| Best for | Well-funded SaaS and fintech companies that need full-stack product design from research through design systems. | SaaS and fintech product teams that want a Clutch Top-5 specialist without enterprise-agency pricing. |
| Pricing model | Fixed project, dedicated team | Fixed project, dedicated team |
| Min. engagement | $150K+ (per industry roundups; independently unverifiable) | $20K (per company website; independently unverifiable) |
| Primary tech stack | Figma, Framer, Design systems/Storybook | Figma, Framer, After Effects |
| Industries served | SaaS / B2B software, Financial services / fintech, Consumer products | SaaS / B2B software, Financial services / fintech |
MetaLab vs Excited: overview
MetaLab
Founded in 2006 by Andrew Wilkinson, MetaLab became a subsidiary of Canadian holding company Tiny in January 2017 — an ownership detail worth disclosing. Headquartered in Victoria, British Columbia and operating remote-first across 17 countries with 160+ employees, MetaLab has designed products for Slack, Uber, Coinbase, Robinhood, Nike, Midjourney, and Headspace. The studio runs full product engagements spanning research, strategy, UX, UI, design systems, and front-end.
Excited
Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Lviv, Ukraine, Excited has grown to a team of 100+ designers and is consistently ranked among the Top 5 UX agencies worldwide by Clutch, with roughly 70% of reviewers citing quality and creativity specifically. The agency covers UX/UI, product design, branding, and motion design, built specifically for SaaS and fintech clients, with work shipped to 20+ countries and products reportedly used by 15M+ people (per company; independently unverifiable exact reach figure).
Services and capabilities: MetaLab vs Excited
| Capability | MetaLab | Excited |
|---|---|---|
| Product design | ✓ | ✓ |
| UX research | ✗ | ✓ |
| Branding | ✓ | ✓ |
| Web development | ✗ | ✗ |
| Mobile development | ✗ | ✗ |
| Design systems | ✓ | ✗ |
Tech stack comparison: MetaLab vs Excited
| Framework / platform | MetaLab | Excited |
|---|---|---|
| Figma | ✓ | ✓ |
| Webflow | ✓ | N/A |
| React | ✓ | N/A |
| Framer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Adobe Creative Suite | N/A | ✓ |
| Design systems/Storybook | ✓ | N/A |
| After Effects | N/A | ✓ |
Pricing comparison: MetaLab vs Excited
| Criterion | MetaLab | Excited |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | $150K+ (per industry roundups; independently unverifiable) | $20K (per company website; independently unverifiable) |
| Engagement models | Fixed project, Dedicated team | Fixed project, Dedicated team |
| Rate transparency | Minimum disclosed | Minimum disclosed |
| Price tier | Accessible | Accessible |
Target audience comparison: MetaLab vs Excited
| Dimension | MetaLab | Excited |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Best use cases | SaaS product design from research through design system, Fintech app redesign for a funded startup | SaaS product redesign for a growth-stage company, Fintech UX/UI overhaul with motion design polish |
| Typical project type | Fixed project | Fixed project |
MetaLab vs Excited: pros and cons
| MetaLab | |
|---|---|
| + | Design portfolio includes Slack, Uber, Coinbase, Robinhood, and Midjourney — an exceptional client list for a 160-person studio |
| + | Remote-first across 17 countries gives genuine round-the-clock delivery coverage |
| + | Full-stack engagement model covers research, strategy, UX, UI, and design systems in one team |
| + | Nearly two decades of continuous operation under the same founding brand |
| - | Became a subsidiary of holding company Tiny in 2017 — worth disclosing though the founding team and brand remain in place |
| - | Reported $150K+ typical minimum (per industry roundups; independently unverifiable) puts it out of reach for early-stage startups |
| - | High-profile client roster means longer lead times for new engagements |
| Excited | |
|---|---|
| + | Consistently ranked Top 5 UX agency worldwide by Clutch — an independently verified, repeated ranking rather than a one-off |
| + | Roughly 70% of Clutch reviewers cite quality/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 15M+ user reach figure is self-reported by the company and independently unverifiable |
| - | Ukraine-based team introduces the same regional-continuity considerations as other Ukraine-rooted studios |
| - | SaaS/fintech focus means less fit for buyers in healthcare, consumer, or other verticals |
Who should choose MetaLab?
MetaLab is the right choice for well-funded SaaS and fintech companies that need full-stack product design from research through design systems..
Design credits spanning Slack, Uber, Coinbase, and Midjourney give MetaLab one of the strongest SaaS/fintech portfolios in this list. 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 Excited?
Excited is the right choice for saaS and fintech product teams that want a Clutch Top-5 specialist without enterprise-agency pricing..
Consistently 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: MetaLab vs Excited
| 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 | Excited |
| 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 Excited
| Use case | MetaLab fit | Excited fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| SaaS product design from research through design system | Strong | Strong | Both equally |
| Fintech app redesign for a funded startup | Strong | Strong | Both equally |
| SaaS product redesign for a growth-stage company | Strong | Strong | Both equally |
| Fintech UX/UI overhaul with motion design polish | Strong | Strong | Both equally |
| Fixed-price product build | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
| Dedicated design team augmentation | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
Verdict: MetaLab vs Excited
Excited (4.6/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Product Design projects. Consistently ranked Top 5 UX agency worldwide by Clutch, with roughly 70% of reviews citing quality and creativity by name. It is best for saaS and fintech product teams that want a Clutch Top-5 specialist without enterprise-agency pricing..
MetaLab (4.2/5) is the better choice when well-funded SaaS and fintech companies that need full-stack product design from research through design systems.. If your situation matches those criteria, MetaLab is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
MetaLab vs Excited FAQ
Is MetaLab better than Excited?
Excited (4.6/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. MetaLab is better for well-funded SaaS and fintech companies that need full-stack product design from research through design systems.. Excited is better for saaS and fintech product teams that want a Clutch Top-5 specialist without enterprise-agency pricing..
How do MetaLab and Excited differ in pricing?
MetaLab uses fixed project, dedicated team pricing with a minimum engagement of $150K+ (per industry roundups; independently unverifiable). 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: MetaLab or Excited?
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 Excited?
MetaLab's primary differentiator is: design credits spanning slack, uber, coinbase, and midjourney give metalab one of the strongest saas/fintech portfolios in this list. Excited's primary differentiator is: consistently 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 (160+ vs 100+), minimum engagement ($150K+ (per industry roundups; independently unverifiable) vs $20K (per company website; independently unverifiable)), 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.