Are you looking to hire the best UI UX design agency for your business?
If so, you've come to the right place. We’ve done the research for you on the top UX design agencies in the world, and why they might be right for you.
What does a UX design agency do?
First, let's talk about the basics. A user experience (UX) agency specializes in creating seamless, intuitive, and enjoyable experiences for users interacting with digital products, websites, or applications. These agencies employ a team of skilled UX designers, UI designers, researchers, and strategists who work together to understand user needs, behaviors, and preferences.
Their primary goal is to create designs that not only look visually appealing but also function flawlessly, making it easy for users to navigate and complete tasks efficiently. A top UI UX design agency will conduct extensive research, analyze user data, and apply proven design principles to develop interfaces that are intuitive, accessible, and engaging.
How much does a UI UX design agency cost?
The truth is, there's no one-size-fits-all answer—the cost of a UI UX Agency can vary significantly depending on several factors and can vary as widely as a few thousand dollars to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The scope of the project is one of the biggest determinants of cost. A simple landing page redesign will generally cost less than a complex, large-scale project involving multiple platforms or extensive customization. The expertise and experience of the UX agency team also play a role, with top-tier agencies commanding higher prices for their specialized skills and proven track record.
So, how much does UX design services cost?
To give you a rough idea, small-scale UX design projects can range from $5,000 to $10,000, while medium-scale projects often fall between $10,000 and $50,000.
For large, enterprise-level projects, you can expect to pay anywhere from $50,000 to several hundred thousand dollars or more. If you plan to hire one of the best agencies in the world, expect to fork out north of $100,000.
How much does UX cost per hour?
Within these project costs, the hourly rate for UX design services can vary widely. Entry-level UX designers may charge around $50 to $100 per hour, while experienced professionals at a reputable UX agency can command $150 to $300 or more per hour. These hourly rates are often higher for specialized services like user research, usability testing, or strategic UX consulting.
1. Frog Design
Website: www.frog.co
Located in: San Francisco, London, Bangalore, Mexico (with 10 global offices)
Pricing: Contact for details
Marquee Clients: Volvo, Ikea, Purina, UNICEF, Nestlé, Coca-Cola
What makes them special: Takes a holistic approach, by prioritizing customer-centric, research-backed design for their client’s products and services
Frog is a renowned UI/UX design agency with over 50 years of experience in the industry. With a globally distributed team of highly experienced UX designers, Frog has worked with major brands such as Volvo, Ikea, Purina, UNICEF, Nestlé, and Coca-Cola, delivering exceptional user experiences across various platforms.Founded in 1969, Frog has evolved from its roots in industrial design to become a leader in user experience design. With a staff complement of 500 employees across multiple global locations, the agency has established itself as a pioneer in the field, consistently pushing the boundaries of design innovation.
2. IDEO
Website: www.ideo.com
Located in: San Francisco, Palo Alto, NYC, Tokyo, Shanghai
Pricing: Contact for pricing details
Marquee Clients: Apple, Ford, New York University, Sage, Sephora, H&M
What makes them special: One of the oldest and most experienced agencies, involved in iconic projects such as designing the first-ever Mac mouse & the Palm PDA.
IDEO is a renowned international design company that has been at the forefront of shaping countless ideas, prototypes, and successful products. With a team of over 700 employees and offices across North America, Europe, and Asia, IDEO has established itself as a leader in the UI/UX design industry. Founded in 1991, IDEO's design thinking movement has helped shape the way businesses approach user experience and product design. The agency has been involved in iconic projects such as designing the first-ever Mac mouse, the Palm PDA, and Acensia Diabetes Care's internet-enabled blood glucose monitoring system.
3. MetaLab
Website: www.metalab.com
Located in: Victoria, Canada
Pricing: Projects are usually $100,000+
Marquee Clients: Slack, Coinbase, TED, Apple, Disney, and Google
What makes them special: MetaLab has designed some of the most iconic products and interfaces we use everyday.
They also pride themselves on their global perspective and reach—their team works remotely from 14 time zones, and represents 17 different countries. Given that software built today is often used by a diverse audience, this is definitely a plus in their favour. Of course, the talent and experience at MetaLab comes with a price tag that only larger, better funded organizations can afford.
"They designed both Slack and Flow. I would highly recommend them, I would also not expect them to be cheap." —A very honest Reddit review
4. Smart Design
Website: smartdesignworldwide.com
Located in: NYC, New York, USA
Pricing: $10,000+
Marquee Clients: Sephora, Gatorade, Ford
What makes them special: Smart Design has been around for over 40 years—it's an OG agency for consumer design.
They cover everything from research, to business & organizational design, to ux design, and engineering. A lot of their work is on the consumer side—working with brands like Gatorade, Sephora, and Ford. If you're in the consumer space and you've got a budget to play with, put Smart Design on the short list.
5. Clay
Website: www.clay.global
Located in: San Francisco, California, USA
Pricing: Minimum project size of $100,000+
Marquee Clients: Coca-Cola, Meta, Sony, UPS, Samsung, Cisco, Google, Stripe
What makes them special: Combines artificial intelligence with design and tech to create future-proof and scalable designs.
Clay is widely regarded as one of the top UI/UX design agencies, known for creating world-class digital products, web design, and branding solutions that improve conversion and increase customer engagement. Their multidisciplinary teams, led by senior design directors and co-founders, work closely with clients to define, design, and develop transformative user experiences across all platforms and touchpoints.Established in 2016, Clay has risen to become a prominent player in the UI/UX design industry, with a team of 51-100 employees. The agency's innovative approach has enabled it to deliver future-proof and easily scalable designs, augmented with AI and design. They also offer website maintenance for premium customers.
“They take the best of best practices from different places in order to see how they can apply them to a new domain.”
- Former Product Lead, Mercari
6. Duck.Design
Website: www.duck.design
Located in: London, UK, with additional offices in New York, Berlin, Hong Kong, and Vilnius
Pricing: Offers a flat monthly fee that includes unlimited requests and revisions, starting at $1,000+
Marquee Clients: HSBC, UBS, Fantom, IronFX, Virgin Media, P&G, Burger King
What makes them special: Offers unlimited graphic design services and a fixed monthly rate, making them cost-effective for businesses with tight budgets.
Duck.Design is a prominent UI/UX design agency that has cemented its reputation by being a design partner for startups, small businesses, and Fortune 500 companies alike. Their team of over 50 full-time design experts employs tried-and-tested approaches to prototyping, product validation, and design, ensuring the delivery of authentic and user-friendly apps.Founded in 2020, Duck.Design started as a one-stop-shop for design services, offering graphic design, website design, and UI/UX design. With a team of 11-50 employees, the agency has grown significantly in a short span of time, garnering recognition for its innovative and user-centric solutions.
7. Fantasy Interactive
Website: www.fantasy.co
Located in: San Francisco, London, New York
Pricing: Contact for pricing
Marquee Clients: Netflix, UFC, The Met, CAA, Master Class, The Weather Channel
What makes them special: Combines human-centered design, product strategy, and AI to launch global products.
Fantasy Interactive is a top UI/UX design agency that has been producing exceptional work for some of the world's largest brands since its inception in 1999. With a client list that includes industry giants like Netflix, UFC, The Met, CAA, and Master Class, Fantasy Interactive has established itself as a go-to agency for creative strategy, product design, visual design, and interaction design.The agency's ability to strike a chord with customers and deliver captivating user experiences has made it a sought-after partner for clients across various industries. Fantasy Interactive's senior teams, carefully selected based on project needs, bring a wealth of experience and expertise to every engagement.
8. UX Studio
Website: uxstudioteam.com
Located in: Budapest, Hungary
Pricing: Starts at $1,000+
Marquee Clients: Netflix, Brenntag, Samsung, HBO, Google, United Nations
What makes them special: Offers UX-driven solutions for long-term to fast-paced projects, for startups as well as industry giants
UX Studio is a top UI/UX design agency that has gained recognition for its exceptional work and innovative solutions. With a team of 40 professionals, the agency has successfully collaborated with clients from across the globe, delivering user-friendly and engaging digital experiences. Founded in 2013, UX Studio has quickly established itself as a leading player in the UI/UX design industry. The agency's proactive and collaborative approach, which emphasizes research, design testing, validation, and iteration, has enabled it to create personalized solutions that resonate with users.UX Studio was also recognized as a Top UX Design Agency by Clutch in 2019.
9. Work & Co
Website: work.co
Located in: Sao Paulo, Copenhagen, Los Angeles, Brooklyn
Pricing: Contact for quote
Marquee Clients: Apple, Virgin America, Chase, Ikea, Aldo, Google
What makes them special: Known for their intensely collaborative process and rapid prototyping, resulting in fast time-to-market. Over 90% of their clients also have offered the agency additional work. Work & Co is a prominent UI/UX design agency that has made waves in the design world with its impeccable work and iterative design approach. With a team of 348 professionals passionate about design, product strategy, and engineering, Work & Co has delivered exceptional results for clients across various industries.The agency's iterative design process, which involves rapid prototyping, regular testing, and optimization, has allowed it to create meaningful and engaging user experiences. Work & Co has worked with industry giants such as Apple, Virgin America, Ikea and Google, shipping over 207 products to date.
10. Method
Website: www.method.com
Located in: Atlanta, Denver, London, New York
Pricing: Contact for pricing
Marquee Clients: McDonald's, DAZN, Hitachi, Costa Coffee, Manchester City Football Club, Intel
What makes them special: Since the acquisition by GlobalLogic, Method has advertised being able to provide the speed and service of a boutique agency, backed by the support and scale of a global engineering enterprise.
Method is a UI/UX design agency that has been channeling its creative flair since its establishment in San Francisco in 1999. With a team of experienced professionals, Method has helped renowned brands like McDonald's, Hitachi and Intel define and create pleasurable customer experiences.Acquired by GlobalLogic in 2011, a project engineering and software development firm, Method has leveraged its expertise to deliver exceptional user experiences across various industries. The agency's focus on integrating design and strategy has enabled it to create comprehensive solutions that span the digital and physical realms.
11. Designit
Website: https://www.designit.com/
Located in: Sydney, New York, Tel Aviv, Copenhagen (with 13 global offices)
Pricing: Contact for details
Marquee Clients: Nespresso, Yamaha, BMW, Sephora
What makes them special: Commitment to sustainability, and a holistic approach considering the entire product lifecycle and its impact on the environment.
Designit is a leading UI/UX design agency that has been at the forefront of creating sustainable products and services for brands since its inception in 1991. With a team of over 700 employees, including top user experience designers, Designit has worked with major players like Nespresso, BMW and Sephora, delivering fully stacked UX and UI design solutions.The agency's commitment to sustainability sets it apart, as it aims to inspire clients to drive the sustainability of their businesses through innovative and user-centric designs. Designit's approach to design is holistic, considering the entire product lifecycle and its impact on the environment.
12. Beyond
Website: www.bynd.com
Located in: Lisbon, London, Mexico City, New York City, San Francisco
Pricing: Contact for details
Marquee Clients: Balenciaga, Harrods, Indeed, Avon, Netflix
What makes them special: A remote-first culture, which covers a 16 hour time zone for clients.
Beyond is a leading UX design agency, and their expertise lies in blending strategy, design, and technology to create intuitive user experiences. They’re known for their commitment to understanding their clients' needs and conducting thorough competitor analysis, enabling them to identify market opportunities and provide solutions that help businesses move beyond their current position.Founded in 2010, Beyond has since grown into a globally distributed team of over 50 employees, with offices across the world. They practice a remote-first culture, allowing them to cover a 16-hour timezone, appealing to clients from various regions.
13. Orizon
Website: www.orizon.co
Located in: Montreal, Canada
Pricing: Contact for pricing details.
Marquee Clients: Apple, Google, Uber and Tinder
What makes them special: Works 2-3 times faster than a traditional agency due to not relying solely on internal teams, making them a good choice for businesses seeking efficiency and speed.
Orizon is a remote, full-cycle design agency that has earned a reputation for its exceptional website, app, and brand design services. What sets Orizon apart is their flexibility and ability to adapt to clients' needs seamlessly. Whether given a blank canvas or asked to augment in-house staff, Orizon's team of skilled designers can deliver outstanding results. Founded in 2018, Orizon is a relatively young agency. With a focus on delivering high-quality work within tight deadlines and budget constraints, Orizon has become a go-to partner for startups and enterprise clients alike.
14. Neuron
Website: www.neuronux.com
Located in: San Francisco, California, USA
Pricing: Project size starting $25,000
Marquee Clients: Ford, PayCom, Harvard University, Sony, and GM
What makes them special: Neuron is a UI/UX design agency specializing in B2B offerings, with a reputation for being one of the top product design agencies worldwide. Founded in 2016, Neuron has quickly risen through the ranks, boasting a five-star rating on Clutch and once ranking as No.1 UX design agency in San Francisco. With a team of experienced designers and a commitment to excellence, Neuron has worked with renowned clients such as Ford, PayCom, Harvard University, Sony, and GM, delivering exceptional user experiences that drive engagement and success.
“Neuron seemed to have the magic blend between operating strategically and executing tactically.” - VP of Product Engineering, Jobble
15. Digital Silk
Website: https://www.digitalsilk.com/
Located in: Miami, New York City, Chicago, San Diego
Pricing: Contact for pricing details
Marquee Clients: Ford, PayCom, Harvard University, Sony, and GM
What makes them special: Specializes in web design work for B2C, B2B and ecommerce brands
Digital Silk is a renowned responsive web design agency that has earned a reputation for delivering exceptional web designs and marketing for growing brands. With a team of UX professionals and designer specialists, Digital Silk excels in creating responsive designs that seamlessly scale from mobile to desktop platforms. What sets Digital Silk apart is their ability to conduct in-depth UX audits, identifying areas for improvement and ensuring that their clients' digital experiences are truly optimized for user engagement and conversion.Founded in 2019, Digital Silk has quickly grown into a team of over 150 employees, with offices across major cities in the United States. Their expertise extends beyond web design, encompassing services such as branding, eCommerce development, and digital marketing strategy. Digital Silk has worked with businesses of all sizes, delivering award-winning designs that elevate digital experiences and drive business growth.
How to choose the right UX design agency for your business
It's important to note that while cost is certainly a factor, it shouldn't be the sole determining factor when choosing a UX design agency. The best UI UX design agencies offer exceptional value through their expertise, proven processes, and ability to create experiences that drive user engagement, customer loyalty, and ultimately, business success.
When searching for the right UX agency for your project, look for one with:
- A strong portfolio
- Positive client testimonials
- A deep understanding of your industry and target audience
A top UI UX design agency will work closely with you to understand your goals, challenges, and budget, and create a tailored solution that meets your unique needs.
Agency Portfolios: What to look for
A good UI & UX design portfolio is a window into an agency's capabilities and creative approach. The best UI UX design agencies will have a robust portfolio showcasing a diverse range of projects, from websites and mobile apps to complex software interfaces. Pay attention to the following elements:
- Variety of projects: A diverse portfolio demonstrates the agency's versatility and ability to tackle different challenges across industries.
- User-centric designs: Look for designs that prioritize usability, accessibility, and intuitive navigation, reflecting a deep understanding of user needs.
- Attention to detail: Great UI/UX design is in the details. Evaluate the agency's attention to visual hierarchy, typography, and overall aesthetic cohesion.
- Innovation: The top UI UX design agencies stay ahead of the curve, incorporating the latest design trends and technologies into their work.
Getting Started with a UX Agency
To kick off a successful UX project, a user experience agency will need certain information and resources from you. Here's what to expect:
- Project scope and goals: Clearly define the project's objectives, target audience, and desired outcomes.
- Existing data and research: Provide any available user data, analytics, or prior research to help the agency understand your users better.
- Brand guidelines: Share your company's branding guidelines, including logos, color palettes, and style guides, to ensure design consistency.
- Technical requirements: Outline any specific technical constraints, integrations, or platform requirements for the project.
- Stakeholder involvement: Identify key stakeholders who will be involved in the project and their roles.
Geographic Hotspots for UX Design Agencies
While talented UI/UX designers can be found worldwide, certain regions have become hubs for the best UI design firms:
- Silicon Valley, California: Home to tech giants and a thriving startup ecosystem, Silicon Valley attracts top UI/UX talent from around the globe.d desired outcomes.
- New York City, New York: NYC's diverse industries, from finance to media, have fueled the growth of numerous acclaimed UX design agencies.
- London, United Kingdom: As a global hub for creativity and innovation, London boasts some of the world's leading user experience agencies.
- Berlin, Germany: With a vibrant startup scene and a focus on cutting-edge technologies, Berlin has emerged as a hotspot for UI/UX design talent.
By providing this information upfront, you'll enable the UX design agency to hit the ground running and deliver a solution tailored to your unique needs.
RoI of UX Design & Research Services
Is it worth coughing up tens of thousands of dollars for research, ideation, and UX design? What's the RoI of the investment?
If you're considering an investment in UX, these are natural questions to ask. The cost of not researching and designing for your customer is substantial though.
In a post-iPhone world, people expect their technology not just to work, but to delight them. Most customers decide if a website is worth their time within 15 seconds—that's how long you have to make the (right) impression.
So the question isn't, "Should I have professional design & research help?", it's "Do I want to do this in-house or via an agency?".
The answer as always, depends. Top tier talent in countries like the United States will cost you $100,000+, aside from the time investment made in finding, hiring, onboarding this person. If you have a short-term, time-boxed project that your in-house team simply doesn't have the bandwidth for it, it makes more financial sense to hire an external agency.
If however, the project is on-going and requires lots of context that you want to keep and build on in-house, consider hiring full-time talent to grow to your team.
Either way, keep an eye on the RoI of your UX projects and make sure you're showcasing the business value of UX to your management team over and over and over again.
Conclusion
Choosing the right UX design agency is an investment in the success of your digital products and services. While cost is undoubtedly a factor, prioritizing expertise, creativity, and a user-centric approach is essential. Take the time to evaluate portfolios, understand the agency's process, and ensure a collaborative partnership. The right user experience agency is after all, key to creating those exceptional digital experiences that delight your users and drive business growth.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
