MetaLab vs Eleken: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
MetaLab (4.0/5) edges ahead of Eleken (4.0/5) overall. MetaLab is the better choice for funded SaaS/fintech companies, full-stack design partner. Eleken is the stronger option for SaaS teams wanting a subscription embedded designer. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
MetaLab vs Eleken: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | MetaLab | Eleken |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2006 | 2015 |
| HQ | Victoria, British Columbia, Canada (remote-first) | Distributed team, roots in Kyiv, Ukraine |
| Team size | 160+ | 40+ to 100+ (approximate; reported figures vary by source) |
| Rating | 4.0 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | A Slack/Uber/Coinbase/Midjourney-caliber portfolio built by a 160-person studio, delivered full-stack from research through design systems | A SaaS-only subscription embedded-designer model (~$6,599/month) with a 4.9 Clutch rating across 200+ projects |
| Pricing model | Fixed project, dedicated team | Subscription (dedicated full-time or part-time designer) |
| Min. engagement | $150K+ (per industry roundups; independently unverifiable) | $6,599/month (per company website; independently unverifiable) |
| Primary tech stack | Figma, Framer, Design systems/Storybook | Figma, Design systems/Storybook, Miro |
| Industries served | SaaS / B2B software, Financial services / fintech, Consumer products | SaaS / B2B software |
MetaLab vs Eleken: overview
MetaLab
Andrew Wilkinson started MetaLab in 2006; since January 2017 it has operated as a subsidiary of his holding company Tiny, worth disclosing since the studio is no longer independently owned. From Victoria, British Columbia, a remote-first team of 160+ people across 17 countries has designed products for Slack, Uber, Coinbase, Robinhood, Nike, Midjourney, and Headspace. Engagements run full-stack — research, strategy, UX, UI, and design systems handled by one team rather than split across vendors.
Eleken
Eleken traces to 2015 with roots in Kyiv, Ukraine, operating today as a distributed team reported anywhere from 40+ to 100+ designers depending on source. Instead of a fixed project fee, Eleken sells a subscription — roughly $6,599/month for a dedicated full-time designer, part-time also available — a genuinely different pricing model from the fixed-price and T&M norm found elsewhere in this pool. SaaS-only by design, the company holds a 4.9 Clutch rating across 200+ projects, covering complex B2B, AI, data, and geospatial or low-code/no-code products.
Services and capabilities: MetaLab vs Eleken
| Capability | MetaLab | Eleken |
|---|---|---|
| Product design | ✓ | ✓ |
| UX research | ✗ | ✓ |
| Branding | ✓ | ✗ |
| Web development | ✗ | ✗ |
| Mobile development | ✗ | ✗ |
| Design systems | ✓ | ✗ |
Tech stack comparison: MetaLab vs Eleken
| Framework / platform | MetaLab | Eleken |
|---|---|---|
| Figma | ✓ | ✓ |
| Webflow | ✓ | N/A |
| React | ✓ | N/A |
| Framer | ✓ | N/A |
| Adobe Creative Suite | N/A | N/A |
| Design systems/Storybook | ✓ | ✓ |
| After Effects | N/A | N/A |
Pricing comparison: MetaLab vs Eleken
| Criterion | MetaLab | Eleken |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | $150K+ (per industry roundups; independently unverifiable) | $6,599/month (per company website; independently unverifiable) |
| Engagement models | Fixed project, Dedicated team | Subscription |
| Rate transparency | Minimum disclosed | Minimum disclosed |
| Price tier | Accessible | Accessible |
Target audience comparison: MetaLab vs Eleken
| Dimension | MetaLab | Eleken |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | SaaS / B2B software, Financial services / fintech, Consumer products | SaaS / B2B software |
| Best use cases | SaaS product design from research through design system, Fintech app redesign for a funded startup | Embedded product designer for an ongoing SaaS roadmap, Complex B2B or AI product design on a monthly subscription |
| Typical project type | Fixed project | Subscription |
MetaLab vs Eleken: pros and cons
| MetaLab | |
|---|---|
| + | Portfolio includes Slack, Uber, Coinbase, Robinhood, and Midjourney — exceptional for a 160-person company |
| + | 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 |
| Eleken | |
|---|---|
| + | 4.9 Clutch rating across 200+ completed projects and 70+ published case studies |
| + | Subscription pricing gives predictable monthly cost instead of a large fixed-price contract |
| + | SaaS-only focus, including complex B2B, AI, data, and geospatial products, builds real vertical depth |
| + | Part-time subscription option available for teams that don't need a full-time designer |
| - | Reported team size varies widely by source (40+ to 100+), making capacity planning imprecise |
| - | SaaS-only positioning rules it out for consumer, healthcare, or brand-led engagements |
| - | Subscription pricing can cost more than a fixed-price project for a short, well-defined engagement |
Who should choose MetaLab?
A typical fit: SaaS product design from research through design system.
A Slack/Uber/Coinbase/Midjourney-caliber portfolio built by a 160-person studio, delivered full-stack from research through design systems. 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 Eleken?
A typical fit: embedded product designer for an ongoing SaaS roadmap.
A SaaS-only subscription embedded-designer model (~$6,599/month) with a 4.9 Clutch rating across 200+ projects. Minimum engagement starts at $6,599/month (per company website; independently unverifiable). Works best with clients in SaaS / B2B software.
Decision matrix: MetaLab vs Eleken
| 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 | MetaLab |
| 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 Eleken
| Use case | MetaLab fit | Eleken fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| SaaS product design from research through design system | Strong | Strong | Both equally |
| Fintech app redesign for a funded startup | Strong | Limited | MetaLab |
| Embedded product designer for an ongoing SaaS roadmap | Limited | Strong | Eleken |
| Complex B2B or AI product design on a monthly subscription | Limited | Strong | Eleken |
| Fixed-price product build | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
| Dedicated design team augmentation | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
Verdict: MetaLab vs Eleken
MetaLab (4.0/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Product Design projects. A Slack/Uber/Coinbase/Midjourney-caliber portfolio built by a 160-person studio, delivered full-stack from research through design systems.
Eleken (4.0/5) is worth a look if you need complex B2B or AI product design on a monthly subscription. If your situation matches that, Eleken is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
MetaLab vs Eleken FAQ
Is MetaLab better than Eleken?
MetaLab (4.0/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. MetaLab's strongest advantage: portfolio includes Slack, Uber, Coinbase, Robinhood, and Midjourney — exceptional for a 160-person company. Eleken's strongest advantage: 4.9 Clutch rating across 200+ completed projects and 70+ published case studies.
How do MetaLab and Eleken differ in pricing?
MetaLab uses fixed project, dedicated team pricing with a minimum engagement of $150K+ (per industry roundups; independently unverifiable). Eleken uses subscription (dedicated full-time or part-time designer) pricing with a minimum engagement of $6,599/month (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 Eleken?
Eleken 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 MetaLab and Eleken?
MetaLab's primary differentiator is: a Slack/Uber/Coinbase/Midjourney-caliber portfolio built by a 160-person studio, delivered full-stack from research through design systems. Eleken's primary differentiator is: a SaaS-only subscription embedded-designer model (~$6,599/month) with a 4.9 Clutch rating across 200+ projects. They also differ in team size (160+ vs 40+ to 100+ (approximate; reported figures vary by source)), minimum engagement ($150K+ (per industry roundups; independently unverifiable) vs $6,599/month (per company website; independently unverifiable)), and primary industries served (SaaS / B2B software, Financial services / fintech vs SaaS / B2B software).
Verify all details directly with each company before making a decision.