MetaLab vs Excited: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
Excited (4.6/5) edges ahead of MetaLab (4.1/5) overall. Excited is the better choice for saaS and fintech product teams wanting a Clutch Top-5 specialist without enterprise-agency rates.. MetaLab is the stronger option for well-funded SaaS and fintech companies needing a full-stack product design partner 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 | 4.1 / 5 | 4.6 / 5 |
| Best for | Well-funded SaaS and fintech companies needing a full-stack product design partner from research through design systems. | SaaS and fintech product teams wanting a Clutch Top-5 specialist without enterprise-agency rates. |
| 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
Andrew Wilkinson founded MetaLab in 2006; it became a subsidiary of Canadian holding company Tiny in January 2017, an ownership fact worth disclosing. Operating remote-first across 17 countries from a Victoria, British Columbia base with 160+ employees, its portfolio includes Slack, Uber, Coinbase, Robinhood, Nike, Midjourney, and Headspace. Full engagements run the arc from research and strategy through UX, UI, design systems, and front-end, inside one team.
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: 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 | |
|---|---|
| + | Portfolio includes Slack, Uber, Coinbase, Robinhood, and Midjourney — exceptional for a 160-person studio |
| + | Remote-first across 17 countries enables round-the-clock delivery coverage |
| + | Full-stack engagement model spans research, strategy, UX, UI, and design systems in one team |
| + | Nearly two decades under the same founding brand |
| - | Became a Tiny subsidiary in 2017 — worth disclosing even though the founding team and brand remain |
| - | Reported $150K+ typical minimum (per industry roundups; independently unverifiable) is out of reach for early-stage startups |
| - | High-profile client roster can mean longer lead times for new engagements |
| 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 MetaLab?
MetaLab is the right choice for well-funded SaaS and fintech companies needing a full-stack product design partner from research through design systems..
A portfolio spanning Slack, Uber, Coinbase, and Midjourney — among the strongest SaaS/fintech track records here. 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 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: 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. 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..
MetaLab (4.1/5) is the better choice when well-funded SaaS and fintech companies needing a full-stack product design partner 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 needing a full-stack product design partner from research through design systems.. Excited is better for saaS and fintech product teams wanting a Clutch Top-5 specialist without enterprise-agency rates..
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 studio before shortlisting.
What are the main differences between MetaLab and Excited?
MetaLab's primary differentiator is: a portfolio spanning slack, uber, coinbase, and midjourney — among the strongest saas/fintech track records here. 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 (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 studio before making a decision.