Method vs Eleken: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
Eleken (4.0/5) edges ahead of Method (3.7/5) overall. Eleken is the better choice for SaaS teams wanting a subscription embedded designer. Method is the stronger option for enterprises wanting design-thinking backed by GlobalLogic scale. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
Method vs Eleken: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | Method | Eleken |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1999 | 2015 |
| HQ | San Francisco, CA, USA (also London and New York) | Distributed team, roots in Kyiv, Ukraine |
| Team size | Not published (operates within GlobalLogic's global workforce) | 40+ to 100+ (approximate; reported figures vary by source) |
| Rating | 3.7 / 5 | 4.0 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | A quarter-century of design-thinking work for Google, Comcast, Samsung, and the BBC, now backed by GlobalLogic's engineering scale | A SaaS-only subscription embedded-designer model (~$6,599/month) with a 4.9 Clutch rating across 200+ projects |
| Pricing model | Enterprise consulting engagement (project-based or retainer) | Subscription (dedicated full-time or part-time designer) |
| Min. engagement | Not published | $6,599/month (per company website; independently unverifiable) |
| Primary tech stack | Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, Design systems/Storybook | Figma, Design systems/Storybook, Miro |
| Industries served | Enterprise transformation, Consumer products, Media & entertainment | SaaS / B2B software |
Method vs Eleken: overview
Method
Five founders — Kevin Farnham, David Lipkin, Patrick Newbery, Mike Abbink, and Meng Mantasoot — started Method in 1999, building a design and innovation consultancy out of San Francisco with offices in London and New York. GlobalLogic acquired Method in 2011, and in 2021 the firm merged with sister company Skookum, adding offices in Charlotte, Atlanta, and Denver. Method's client list — Google, Comcast, Samsung, Nokia, Microsoft, the BBC, Nissan, Nordstrom — reflects a quarter-century of user-centered design thinking work for large brands.
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: Method vs Eleken
| Capability | Method | Eleken |
|---|---|---|
| Product design | ✓ | ✓ |
| UX research | ✓ | ✓ |
| Branding | ✓ | ✗ |
| Web development | ✗ | ✗ |
| Mobile development | ✗ | ✗ |
| Design systems | ✓ | ✗ |
Tech stack comparison: Method vs Eleken
| Framework / platform | Method | Eleken |
|---|---|---|
| Figma | ✓ | ✓ |
| Webflow | N/A | N/A |
| React | N/A | N/A |
| Framer | N/A | N/A |
| Adobe Creative Suite | ✓ | N/A |
| Design systems/Storybook | ✓ | ✓ |
| After Effects | N/A | N/A |
Pricing comparison: Method vs Eleken
| Criterion | Method | Eleken |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | Not published | $6,599/month (per company website; independently unverifiable) |
| Engagement models | Fixed project, Retainer, Dedicated team | Subscription |
| Rate transparency | Minimum disclosed | Minimum disclosed |
| Price tier | Mid-market | Accessible |
Target audience comparison: Method vs Eleken
| Dimension | Method | Eleken |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Enterprise transformation, Consumer products, Media & entertainment | SaaS / B2B software |
| Best use cases | Enterprise product design backed by a larger engineering organization, Media or telecom digital product redesign for a large brand | Embedded product designer for an ongoing SaaS roadmap, Complex B2B or AI product design on a monthly subscription |
| Typical project type | Fixed project | Subscription |
Method vs Eleken: pros and cons
| Method | |
|---|---|
| + | Quarter-century client history including Google, Comcast, Samsung, Nokia, Microsoft, and the BBC |
| + | GlobalLogic ownership since 2011 provides access to a much larger engineering organization |
| + | 2021 merger with Skookum added US office presence in Charlotte, Atlanta, and Denver |
| + | Design-thinking-led methodology with a long, publicly documented case-study history |
| - | Acquired by GlobalLogic in 2011 — no longer an independently owned design consultancy |
| - | Team size isn't published separately from GlobalLogic's much larger combined workforce |
| - | Enterprise consulting scale and pricing are less accessible to startups than boutique studios |
| 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 Method?
A typical fit: enterprise product design backed by a larger engineering organization.
A quarter-century of design-thinking work for Google, Comcast, Samsung, and the BBC, now backed by GlobalLogic's engineering scale. Minimum engagement starts at Not published. Works best with clients in Enterprise transformation, Consumer products, Media & entertainment.
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: Method vs Eleken
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | Method |
| You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme | Method |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Compare: Method (Not published) vs Eleken ($6,599/month (per company website; independently unverifiable)) |
| You need specialist depth in a specific vertical | Method |
| 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: Method vs Eleken
| Use case | Method fit | Eleken fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Enterprise product design backed by a larger engineering organization | Strong | Limited | Method |
| Media or telecom digital product redesign for a large brand | Strong | Limited | Method |
| Embedded product designer for an ongoing SaaS roadmap | Limited | Strong | Eleken |
| Complex B2B or AI product design on a monthly subscription | Strong | Strong | Both equally |
| Fixed-price product build | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
| Dedicated design team augmentation | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
Verdict: Method vs Eleken
Eleken (4.0/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Product Design projects. A SaaS-only subscription embedded-designer model (~$6,599/month) with a 4.9 Clutch rating across 200+ projects.
Method (3.7/5) is worth a look if you need media or telecom digital product redesign for a large brand. If your situation matches that, Method is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
Method vs Eleken FAQ
Is Method better than Eleken?
Eleken (4.0/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. Method's strongest advantage: quarter-century client history including Google, Comcast, Samsung, Nokia, Microsoft, and the BBC. Eleken's strongest advantage: 4.9 Clutch rating across 200+ completed projects and 70+ published case studies.
How do Method and Eleken differ in pricing?
Method uses enterprise consulting engagement (project-based or retainer) pricing with a minimum engagement of Not published. 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: Method 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 Method and Eleken?
Method's primary differentiator is: a quarter-century of design-thinking work for Google, Comcast, Samsung, and the BBC, now backed by GlobalLogic's engineering scale. 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 (Not published (operates within GlobalLogic's global workforce) vs 40+ to 100+ (approximate; reported figures vary by source)), minimum engagement (Not published vs $6,599/month (per company website; independently unverifiable)), and primary industries served (Enterprise transformation, Consumer products vs SaaS / B2B software).
Verify all details directly with each company before making a decision.