Deeplocal vs Goji Labs: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
Deeplocal (3.9/5) edges ahead of Goji Labs (3.8/5) overall. Deeplocal is the better choice for brands needing working hardware prototypes, not just software. Goji Labs is the stronger option for startups and nonprofits, strategy-led design, accessible pricing. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
Deeplocal vs Goji Labs: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | Deeplocal | Goji Labs |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2006 | 2014 |
| HQ | Pittsburgh, PA, USA | West Hollywood / Los Angeles, CA, USA |
| Team size | ~75 | 11–50 |
| Rating | 3.9 / 5 | 3.8 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | A Carnegie Mellon-spinoff studio that engineers and builds working hardware prototypes in-house, not just software mockups | A 2025 Inc. 5000 honoree that explicitly serves nonprofits and individual entrepreneurs, not only funded startups |
| Pricing model | Project-based (not published) | Fixed project, T&M |
| Min. engagement | Not published | $15K (per company website; independently unverifiable) |
| Primary tech stack | Figma, React, Arduino/embedded systems | Figma, React, Swift |
| Industries served | Consumer products, Enterprise transformation, Automotive & mobility | EdTech, Financial services / fintech, Healthcare |
Deeplocal vs Goji Labs: overview
Deeplocal
Deeplocal spun out of Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh in 2006, building a studio around robotics, hardware development, electrical engineering, and industrial design alongside standard software and creative work. WPP Digital acquired the studio in 2017. At around 75 people, Deeplocal does most of its prototyping and production in-house, which shows up in a client list — Google, Netflix, Airbnb, Lyft, Nike, Toyota, Volkswagen, PNC Bank — that regularly asks for physical, working prototypes rather than mockups.
Goji Labs
David Barlev and Adam Sumner founded Goji Labs in 2014 (one source says 2015), building a strategy-led practice from West Hollywood/Los Angeles with 11–50 employees. It made the 2025 Inc. 5000 list and carries 84 Clutch reviews, with deep edtech, fintech, and healthtech experience. What separates Goji from most boutiques in this pool: it explicitly takes on nonprofits and individual entrepreneurs alongside venture-funded clients.
Services and capabilities: Deeplocal vs Goji Labs
| Capability | Deeplocal | Goji Labs |
|---|---|---|
| Product design | ✓ | ✓ |
| UX research | ✗ | ✓ |
| Branding | ✗ | ✗ |
| Web development | ✓ | ✓ |
| Mobile development | ✗ | ✓ |
| Design systems | ✗ | ✗ |
Tech stack comparison: Deeplocal vs Goji Labs
| Framework / platform | Deeplocal | Goji Labs |
|---|---|---|
| Figma | ✓ | ✓ |
| Webflow | N/A | N/A |
| React | ✓ | ✓ |
| Framer | N/A | N/A |
| Adobe Creative Suite | N/A | N/A |
| Design systems/Storybook | N/A | N/A |
| After Effects | N/A | N/A |
Pricing comparison: Deeplocal vs Goji Labs
| Criterion | Deeplocal | Goji Labs |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | Not published | $15K (per company website; independently unverifiable) |
| Engagement models | Fixed project, Dedicated team | Fixed project, Time & materials |
| Rate transparency | Minimum disclosed | Minimum disclosed |
| Price tier | Mid-market | Accessible |
Target audience comparison: Deeplocal vs Goji Labs
| Dimension | Deeplocal | Goji Labs |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Consumer products, Enterprise transformation, Automotive & mobility | EdTech, Financial services / fintech, Healthcare |
| Best use cases | Connected-hardware or physical prototype design for a brand campaign, Automotive or consumer-electronics product design requiring in-house engineering | Nonprofit or mission-driven product design, EdTech or healthtech MVP for an early-stage startup |
| Typical project type | Fixed project | Fixed project |
Deeplocal vs Goji Labs: pros and cons
| Deeplocal | |
|---|---|
| + | In-house robotics, electrical engineering, and industrial design capability alongside software and creative work |
| + | Client list (Google, Netflix, Airbnb, Lyft, Nike, Toyota, Volkswagen, PNC Bank) spans tech, consumer, and automotive |
| + | WPP Digital backing since 2017 provides access to a larger global network when needed |
| + | Two decades of continuous operation since its 2006 Carnegie Mellon spinout |
| - | A ~75-person team caps capacity for very large, multi-workstream programs |
| - | Hardware-and-prototype focus is a narrower fit for clients needing pure software UI/UX work |
| - | Pricing and minimum engagement size aren't published |
| Goji Labs | |
|---|---|
| + | Independently verified 2025 Inc. 5000 growth recognition |
| + | 84 Clutch reviews provide a substantial independent feedback sample |
| + | Explicitly serves nonprofits and individual entrepreneurs, not only funded startups |
| + | Strategy-led approach pairs product discovery with delivery inside one team |
| - | The 11–50 employee band is smaller than most other boutiques here, limiting capacity for very large programs |
| - | Founding year is disputed between sources (2014 vs. 2015) |
| - | Focus on edtech/fintech/healthtech means less depth for consumer or enterprise-only projects |
Who should choose Deeplocal?
A typical fit: connected-hardware or physical prototype design for a brand campaign.
A Carnegie Mellon-spinoff studio that engineers and builds working hardware prototypes in-house, not just software mockups. Minimum engagement starts at Not published. Works best with clients in Consumer products, Enterprise transformation, Automotive & mobility.
Who should choose Goji Labs?
A typical fit: nonprofit or mission-driven product design.
A 2025 Inc. 5000 honoree that explicitly serves nonprofits and individual entrepreneurs, not only funded startups. Minimum engagement starts at $15K (per company website; independently unverifiable). Works best with clients in EdTech, Financial services / fintech, Healthcare.
Decision matrix: Deeplocal vs Goji Labs
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | Deeplocal |
| You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme | Deeplocal |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Compare: Deeplocal (Not published) vs Goji Labs ($15K (per company website; independently unverifiable)) |
| You need specialist depth in a specific vertical | Deeplocal |
| 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: Deeplocal vs Goji Labs
| Use case | Deeplocal fit | Goji Labs fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Connected-hardware or physical prototype design for a brand campaign | Strong | Limited | Deeplocal |
| Automotive or consumer-electronics product design requiring in-house engineering | Strong | Limited | Deeplocal |
| Nonprofit or mission-driven product design | Limited | Strong | Goji Labs |
| EdTech or healthtech MVP for an early-stage startup | Limited | Strong | Goji Labs |
| Fixed-price product build | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
| Dedicated design team augmentation | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
Verdict: Deeplocal vs Goji Labs
Deeplocal (3.9/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Product Design projects. A Carnegie Mellon-spinoff studio that engineers and builds working hardware prototypes in-house, not just software mockups.
Goji Labs (3.8/5) is worth a look if you need EdTech or healthtech MVP for an early-stage startup. If your situation matches that, Goji Labs is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
Deeplocal vs Goji Labs FAQ
Is Deeplocal better than Goji Labs?
Deeplocal (3.9/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. Deeplocal's strongest advantage: in-house robotics, electrical engineering, and industrial design capability alongside software and creative work. Goji Labs's strongest advantage: independently verified 2025 Inc. 5000 growth recognition.
How do Deeplocal and Goji Labs differ in pricing?
Deeplocal uses project-based (not published) pricing with a minimum engagement of Not published. Goji Labs uses fixed project, t&m pricing with a minimum engagement of $15K (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: Deeplocal or Goji Labs?
Goji Labs is the larger team and typically the better enterprise-scale choice. For very large programmes, verify team size and compliance coverage directly with each company before shortlisting.
What are the main differences between Deeplocal and Goji Labs?
Deeplocal's primary differentiator is: a Carnegie Mellon-spinoff studio that engineers and builds working hardware prototypes in-house, not just software mockups. Goji Labs's primary differentiator is: a 2025 Inc. 5000 honoree that explicitly serves nonprofits and individual entrepreneurs, not only funded startups. They also differ in team size (~75 vs 11–50), minimum engagement (Not published vs $15K (per company website; independently unverifiable)), and primary industries served (Consumer products, Enterprise transformation vs EdTech, Financial services / fintech).
Verify all details directly with each company before making a decision.