IDEO vs Excited: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
Excited (4.6/5) edges ahead of IDEO (4.0/5) overall. Excited is the better choice for saaS and fintech product teams wanting a Clutch Top-5 specialist without enterprise-agency rates.. IDEO is the stronger option for enterprises running multi-year design transformation programs with substantial budgets across several business units.. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
IDEO vs Excited: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | IDEO | Excited |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1991 | 2018 |
| HQ | San Francisco Bay Area, CA, USA | Lviv, Ukraine |
| Team size | 500–1,000 | 100+ |
| Rating | 4.0 / 5 | 4.6 / 5 |
| Best for | Enterprises running multi-year design transformation programs with substantial budgets across several business units. | SaaS and fintech product teams wanting a Clutch Top-5 specialist without enterprise-agency rates. |
| Pricing model | Project-based, enterprise engagements (not published) | Fixed project, dedicated team |
| Min. engagement | $300K+ (per industry roundups; independently unverifiable) | $20K (per company website; independently unverifiable) |
| Primary tech stack | Figma, Miro, Adobe Creative Suite | Figma, Framer, After Effects |
| Industries served | Enterprise transformation, Consumer products, Healthcare | SaaS / B2B software, Financial services / fintech |
IDEO vs Excited: overview
IDEO
Formed in 1991 through the merger of David Kelley Design, Moggridge Associates, ID Two, and Matrix Product Design, IDEO operates roughly two dozen studios worldwide from its San Francisco Bay Area base — landmark work includes Apple (the original Apple Mouse), Procter & Gamble, PepsiCo, and major US health systems. Its scale and consultancy-style engagements set it apart from the boutique studios that make up most of this list, and industry roundups place typical minimums around $300K (per industry roundups; independently unverifiable exact figures), enterprise-only territory.
Excited
Excited has grown from a 2018 start in Lviv, Ukraine to 100+ designers today, with Clutch consistently ranking it among the Top 5 UX studios globally — roughly 70% of its reviewers cite quality and creativity by name. Its work covers UX/UI, product design, branding, and motion design, purpose-built for SaaS and fintech, with delivery across 20+ countries and a self-reported reach of 15M+ product users (per company; independently unverifiable exact reach figure).
Services and capabilities: IDEO vs Excited
| Capability | IDEO | Excited |
|---|---|---|
| Product design | ✓ | ✓ |
| UX research | ✓ | ✓ |
| Branding | ✓ | ✓ |
| Web development | ✗ | ✗ |
| Mobile development | ✗ | ✗ |
| Design systems | ✓ | ✗ |
Tech stack comparison: IDEO vs Excited
| Framework / platform | IDEO | Excited |
|---|---|---|
| Figma | ✓ | ✓ |
| Webflow | N/A | N/A |
| React | N/A | N/A |
| Framer | N/A | ✓ |
| Adobe Creative Suite | ✓ | ✓ |
| Design systems/Storybook | ✓ | N/A |
| After Effects | N/A | ✓ |
Pricing comparison: IDEO vs Excited
| Criterion | IDEO | Excited |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | $300K+ (per industry roundups; independently unverifiable) | $20K (per company website; independently unverifiable) |
| Engagement models | Fixed project, Retainer, Dedicated team | Fixed project, Dedicated team |
| Rate transparency | Minimum disclosed | Minimum disclosed |
| Price tier | Accessible | Accessible |
Target audience comparison: IDEO vs Excited
| Dimension | IDEO | Excited |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Mid-market to enterprise | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Enterprise transformation, Consumer products, Healthcare | SaaS / B2B software, Financial services / fintech |
| Best use cases | Multi-business-unit design transformation strategy, Large health system patient experience redesign | SaaS product redesign for a growth-stage company, Fintech UX/UI overhaul with motion design polish |
| Typical project type | Fixed project | Fixed project |
IDEO vs Excited: pros and cons
| IDEO | |
|---|---|
| + | The studio most credited with formalizing human-centered design methodology |
| + | Roughly 24 studio locations give genuine multi-region delivery capacity |
| + | Decades of enterprise transformation case studies with globally recognized brands |
| + | Strategy capability that extends beyond one product line into organization-wide change |
| - | A $300K+ typical minimum puts it out of reach for startups and most mid-market budgets |
| - | Consultancy-scale process can move slower than a true boutique studio |
| - | Broad enterprise-consulting positioning trades away the depth boutiques bring to one specific niche |
| Excited | |
|---|---|
| + | Repeated Top 5 UX studio ranking worldwide by Clutch, not a one-off placement |
| + | Roughly 70% of Clutch reviewers specifically cite quality/creativity, a strong qualitative signal |
| + | Purpose-built around SaaS and fintech, giving real vertical depth |
| + | Delivery experience across 20+ countries demonstrates broad operational reach |
| - | The 15M+ user reach figure is self-reported and independently unverifiable |
| - | Ukraine-based team carries the same regional-continuity considerations as other Ukraine-rooted studios |
| - | SaaS/fintech specialization means less fit outside those two verticals |
Who should choose IDEO?
IDEO is the right choice for enterprises running multi-year design transformation programs with substantial budgets across several business units..
The studio that originated human-centered design, backed by roughly 24 locations and decades of enterprise case studies. Minimum engagement starts at $300K+ (per industry roundups; independently unverifiable). Works best with clients in Enterprise transformation, Consumer products, Healthcare.
Who should choose Excited?
Excited is the right choice for saaS and fintech product teams wanting a Clutch Top-5 specialist without enterprise-agency rates..
A repeat Clutch Top-5 global UX ranking, with roughly 70% of reviews specifically citing quality and creativity. Minimum engagement starts at $20K (per company website; independently unverifiable). Works best with clients in SaaS / B2B software, Financial services / fintech.
Decision matrix: IDEO vs Excited
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | IDEO |
| You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme | IDEO |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Excited |
| You need specialist depth in a specific vertical | IDEO |
| 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: IDEO vs Excited
| Use case | IDEO fit | Excited fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multi-business-unit design transformation strategy | Strong | Limited | IDEO |
| Large health system patient experience redesign | Strong | Limited | IDEO |
| 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: IDEO vs Excited
Excited (4.6/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Product Design projects. A repeat Clutch Top-5 global UX ranking, with roughly 70% of reviews specifically citing quality and creativity. It is best for saaS and fintech product teams wanting a Clutch Top-5 specialist without enterprise-agency rates..
IDEO (4.0/5) is the better choice when enterprises running multi-year design transformation programs with substantial budgets across several business units.. If your situation matches those criteria, IDEO is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
IDEO vs Excited FAQ
Is IDEO better than Excited?
Excited (4.6/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. IDEO is better for enterprises running multi-year design transformation programs with substantial budgets across several business units.. Excited is better for saaS and fintech product teams wanting a Clutch Top-5 specialist without enterprise-agency rates..
How do IDEO and Excited differ in pricing?
IDEO uses project-based, enterprise engagements (not published) pricing with a minimum engagement of $300K+ (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: IDEO or Excited?
IDEO is the larger team and typically the better enterprise-scale choice. For very large programmes, verify team size and compliance coverage directly with each studio before shortlisting.
What are the main differences between IDEO and Excited?
IDEO's primary differentiator is: the studio that originated human-centered design, backed by roughly 24 locations and decades of enterprise case studies. Excited's primary differentiator is: a repeat clutch top-5 global ux ranking, with roughly 70% of reviews specifically citing quality and creativity. They also differ in team size (500–1,000 vs 100+), minimum engagement ($300K+ (per industry roundups; independently unverifiable) vs $20K (per company website; independently unverifiable)), and primary industries served (Enterprise transformation, Consumer products vs SaaS / B2B software, Financial services / fintech).
Verify all details directly with each studio before making a decision.