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    • Top UI/UX Design Agencies for 2026

    This is your shortcut to the best in the business. We rate every UX agency using evidence from public work and case studies, scoring five checks from UX strategy to proof and trust signals.

    . Reviewed by: Alex Khmelevsky.
    Created on:  • Last updated:  • 20 min to read
    Top UI/UX Design Agencies for 2026 - Clay

    Updated: February, 2026. No paid placements.

    Selecting a UI or UX design agency can be overwhelming, yet it doesn't have to be an overwhelming task. Given the fact that our firm has been working with clients from many different industries for years, it is clear how important it can be for product success to have a talented team of designers to support you on your project.

    A properly paired agency can improve your customers' experiences through increased user satisfaction, conversion, retention, and overall experience.

    While we're always happy to become your design partner, we have also provided a complete list of top agencies and consultants in UX design worldwide that focus on user experience, craftsmanship, and proven results.

    How We Rate These UX Agencies

    We score every agency on this list using the same evidence‑based criteria, grounded in public work, published case studies, and reputable third‑party signals — not personal taste.

    Each agency can earn up to 25 points across five areas. Each area is scored 0–5, and points are only awarded when the evidence is clear in live work, case studies, or external validation.

    The Five Checks

    • UX Strategy (0–5). Clarity of research‑led thinking, user flows, and problem framing backed by real process examples.
    • Research & Validation (0–5). Presence of user research, testing, prototyping, and evidence that the work is grounded in user insight.
    • Interaction and UI Craft (0–5). Quality of interaction design, visual clarity, and execution polish across multiple projects.
    • System & Scalability (0–5). Evidence of design systems, reusable components, documentation, and long‑term product flow thinking.
    • Proof & Trust Signals (0–5). Strength of case studies, notable clients, awards, and third‑party validation where available.

    Top UI/UX Design Agencies in 2026 - February Rankings

    A report by Customer Think states that 78% of businesses believe outsourcing UX design to agencies improves their overall user experience.

    But finding the right agency can be tough, so we’ve created this reliable, verified list.

    1. IDEO

    IDEO uses human-centered design to create impactful products, services, and experiences

    IDEO Design Agency

    IDEO is a worldwide organisation that is highly recognised for its work in design and consulting. They place people at the centre of every decision in all aspects of their work; that includes their design practice as well as their organisation's consulting practice. IDEO was originally founded in 1991, and since then has been responsible for some of the most successful and well-known products ever produced, including the original Apple mouse and the Palm Pilot.

    Now IDEO has a staff of approximately 500 people who are involved in numerous types of product design and development projects, including creating sustainable packaging for Unilever's new product lines, and working with Stanford University on developing innovative ways to deliver educational opportunities to students.

    Our Score: 22/25

    • UX strategy 5/5.
    • Research & validation 5/5.
    • Interaction and UI craft 4/5.
    • System & scalability 4/5.
    • Proof & trust signals 4/5.

    Independent Proof

    Last verified Feb 2026.

    2. Work & Co

    A global UX design agency known for its collaborative spirit and focus on human-centered design

    Work&Co Design Agency
    • Team Size: 450+
    • Founded in: 2013
    • Budget: $450k+
    • Hourly rate: $350-$500/hr
    • Services: UX/UI design, user research, product conception, rapid prototyping, product writing, game design, content design, information architecture, motion design, voice interfaces
    • Industries: retail, technology, healthcare, finance, startups, non-profit, travel & hospitality
    • Clutch profile: -

    Work&Co is a UX design agency that works like an embedded product team. Founded in 2013 by industry veterans, it has grown into a global studio with offices across North America, Europe, and South America, including Brooklyn, Portland, Copenhagen, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Belgrade, Los Angeles, and Atlanta.

    Their edge is their close collaboration with clients and their lean teams. Projects are run by small, senior heavy UX design teams, so you get focused attention from leaders, designers, and engineers, not a rotating cast.

    That tight partnership keeps the work honest and fast, and it shows in the results. Work&Co has built award-winning digital products and experiences for brands like Apple, T-Mobile, Goldman Sachs, Equinox, and GOOD AMERICAN.

    Our Score: 22/25

    • UX strategy 5/5.
    • Research & validation 5/5.
    • Interaction and UI craft 4/5.
    • System & scalability 4/5.
    • Proof & trust signals 4/5.

    Independent Proof

    Last verified Feb 2026.

    3. Huge

    A global design and innovation company that helps ambitious brands grow

    Huge Design Agency
    • Team Size: 1200+
    • Founded in: 1999
    • Budget: $500k+
    • Hourly rate: $350-$500/hr
    • Services: UI/UX design, content design, mixed reality & immersive CX, user research, web and app design, information architecture
    • Industries: B2B, ecommerce, crypto & Web3, fashion, telecommunications, travel & hospitality, education, healthcare, food & beverage

    Huge specializes as a UX agency providing extreme digital growth through design strategy consulting. Their services include using creativity coupled with a keen understanding of culture to design meaningful and relevant experiences for real users.

    While most of their work results in highly-polished applications and websites, Huge also helps companies reposition themselves in terms of how customers find and interact with their brands – and ultimately develop actual products (digital or otherwise), marketing campaigns, and business models to meet today’s customers' needs.

    Huge has earned its reputation through collaborating closely with such well-known brands as Spotify and Nike as a hands-on team that continually seeks new ideas, better strategies, and improved results through creative collaboration and teamwork.

    Our Score: 22/25

    • UX strategy 5/5.
    • Research & validation 4/5.
    • Interaction and UI craft 5/5.
    • System & scalability 4/5.
    • Proof & trust signals 4/5.

    Independent Proof

    Last verified Feb 2026.

    4. Bakken & Baeck

    Pioneering design and technology Oslo studio crafts digital experiences that blend beauty with functionality

    Bakken&Bæck Design Agency
    • Team Size: 51-100
    • Founded in: 2011
    • Budget: $250k+
    • Hourly rate: $250-$350/hr
    • Services: user experience & user interface design, product strategy, user research & testing, interactive prototyping, visual design systems, customer journeys, UX guidelines, custom software development, content strategy
    • Industries: finance, crypto & Web3, mobility, healthcare, education
    • Clutch profile: -

    Bakken & Baeck is a UX design/technology studio that has a reputation for combining thoughtful product design with engineering to create polished digital products.

    Founded by Tobias Baeck and Johan Bakken in 2011, the studio has expanded from 2 to 70+ staff across offices located in Oslo, Bonn, Amsterdam, London, and Barcelona.

    Bakken & Baeck's projects are known for feeling simple, calm, and genuinely useful. Types of projects include healthcare, financial services, education, and entertainment, with a focus on solving problems through both great UX design and technical precision.

    Our Score: 21/25

    • UX strategy 4/5.
    • Research & validation 4/5.
    • Interaction and UI craft 5/5.
    • System & scalability 4/5.
    • Proof & trust signals 4/5.

    Independent Proof

    Last verified Feb 2026.

    5. ustwo

    A London-based digital product studio known for award-winning games and creating user-centric software

    ustwo Design Agency
    • Team Size: 200+
    • Founded in: 2004
    • Budget: $350k+
    • Hourly rate: $250-$350/hr
    • Services: UI/UX design, design systems, user research, product strategy, prototyping, full-stack development
    • Industries: B2B, e-commerce, crypto & Web3, fashion, telecommunications, travel & hospitality, education, healthcare, food & beverage

    ustwo, a UX design agency, was founded in 2004 and makes digital products for people based on human needs, as well as high technology.

    As a UX firm, we don't just launch brands; we also create award-winning apps to help at-risk communities and build healthier lifestyles through technology.

    With locations in London, New York City, Malmö, Lisbon, and Tokyo, the team at ustwo has an international view of design and a collaborative approach to getting work done. Also, they're both employee-owned and B Corp certified, so they're serious about their ethics and being accountable to the community.

    Our Score: 21/25

    • UX strategy 5/5.
    • Research & validation 4/5.
    • Interaction and UI craft 5/5.
    • System & scalability 3/5.
    • Proof & trust signals 4/5.

    Independent Proof

    Last verified Feb 2026.

    6. Instrument

    A multidisciplinary creative agency from Los Angeles redefining brands and user experiences

    Instrument Design Agency

    Instrument is a design agency that creates products that people desire. Founded in 2006, they integrate UI/UX designers, strong branding, and product design thinking to create experiences that are intuitive and modern from the first click.

    They base their interaction design on actual user interactions through careful, detailed design and necessarily keeping brand integrity.

    Instrument collaborates with their clients to learn about their goals, user flows, and pain points; they then convert these data points into design systems and product experiences that look amazing and perform even better.

    Our Score: 20/25

    • UX strategy 4/5.
    • Research & validation 4/5.
    • Interaction and UI craft 4/5.
    • System & scalability 4/5.
    • Proof & trust signals 4/5.

    Independent Proof

    Last verified Feb 2026.

    7. frog

    A global design firm crafting user-centered experiences that disrupt the status quo and champion a sustainable future

    frog Design Agency
    • Team Size: 2000+
    • Founded in: 1969
    • Budget: $500k+
    • Hourly rate: $350-$500/hr
    • Services: UI/UX design, UX research, growth strategy, startup growth, content & communication strategy, product design, CX strategy, marketing strategy
    • Industries: mobility, retail, non-profit, food & beverage, technology, finance, healthcare, telecommunications

    frog was an organization created by designers, engineers, and technologists in 1969 with an attitude of rebellion. While they have become a recognized international brand, their core values of design-based strategy and innovation have not changed. Their mission is to work directly with customers to create meaningful change, not just polish existing processes and/or interface designs.

    They do this by starting with the people who use the company's products/services, finding out where things are broken or confusing for customers, and designing an experience that works seamlessly for the customer.

    Our Score: 20/25

    • UX strategy 4/5.
    • Research & validation 4/5.
    • Interaction and UI craft 5/5.
    • System & scalability 3/5.
    • Proof & trust signals 4/5.

    Independent Proof

    Last verified Feb 2026.

    8. Code and Theory

    A New York-based digital-first creative agency that blends technology and creativity

    Code&Theory Design Agency

    Founded in 2001, Code and Theory is a creative agency that is focused on helping brands thrive in an online ecosystem by offering a seamless integration of design, technology, and strategy. Its expertise includes developing digital products and enhancing the branding experience.

    Presently, Code and Theory is recognized for its user-centered design in industries such as technology, healthcare, finance, and lifestyle, while striving to create engaging experiences through a people-first design process.

    Our Score: 20/25

    • UX strategy 4/5.
    • Research & validation 4/5.
    • Interaction and UI craft 4/5.
    • System & scalability 3/5.
    • Proof & trust signals 5/5.

    Independent Proof

    Last verified Feb 2026.

    9. EY DOBERMAN

    EY Doberman is a design consultancy acquired by EY, focusing on innovation, customer experience, and digital design

    EY DOBERMAN Design Agency
    • Team Size: 101-150
    • Founded in: 1998
    • Budget: $500k+
    • Hourly rate: $350-$500+/hr
    • Services: UI/UX design, UX research, product design, business design, service design, business transformation, industrial design, CX strategy
    • Industries: telecommunications, ecommerce, education, finance, healthcare, technology

    The Nordic design agency Doberman provided the foundation for EY Doberman, bringing together sleek Scandinavian design with EY's expertise and scale.

    They take the creative and strategic aspects of problem-solving and coexist with each other and are able to shape difficult challenges into a more simple and human-centric manner through designing an experience that is just as effective as it is pleasing.

    Our Score: 19/25

    • UX strategy 4/5.
    • Research & validation 3/5.
    • Interaction and UI craft 5/5.
    • System & scalability 3/5.
    • Proof & trust signals 4/5.

    Independent Proof

    Last verified Feb 2026.

    10. Red Antler

    A Brooklyn design agency of creative rebels reimagines businesses with unexpected experiences

    Red Antler Design Agency

    Red Antler is a bold design studio based in Brooklyn, specializing in developing unique brands and creating memorable experiences for their clients.

    Their process involves getting a thorough understanding of the values, goals, strengths, and weaknesses of a business and then creating a unique and compelling brand identity along with engaging digital experiences.

    Our Score: 18/25

    • UX strategy 4/5.
    • Research & validation 3/5.
    • Interaction and UI craft 4/5.
    • System & scalability 3/5.
    • Proof & trust signals 4/5.

    Independent Proof

    Last verified Feb 2026.

    11. Widecraft

    Shanghai-based design agency helps leading brands build and grow their digital products

    Widecraft Design Agency

    Shanghai-based Wiredcraft is a design agency that works with customers all over the world. With offices in Singapore, they develop and help their clients develop digital products. User-centered thinking underpins all of their processes; therefore, many of the customers who hire Wiredcraft are well-known brands such as Alibaba, Google, and Walmart.

    The Wiredcraft team has gradually changed its focus from working on both end-to-end digital products and end-user-oriented projects to working primarily on end-to-end digital products for large corporations. In doing this, they provided the same product mindset, speed, and quality of execution to larger platforms and more significant launches.

    Our Score: 18/25

    • UX strategy 4/5.
    • Research & validation 3/5.
    • Interaction and UI craft 4/5.
    • System & scalability 3/5.
    • Proof & trust signals 4/5.

    Last verified Feb 2026.

    12. Big Human

    A New York-based technology, design, and branding company that crafts innovative digital products

    Big Human Design Agency
    • Team Size: 11-50
    • Founded in: 2010
    • Budget: $250k+
    • Hourly rate: $250-$350/hr
    • Services: UI/UX design, prototyping, illustration, product strategy, full stack development, mobile app development, UX research, logo design & naming
    • Industries: B2B, ecommerce, crypto & Web3, fashion, telecommunications, travel & hospitality, education, healthcare, food & beverage

    Big Human is a design company that develops digital products and brands with a focus on humans. Originally founded in 2010, Big Human is recognized for merging technology with great user experience (UX), resulting in products that are easy to relate to, useful, and usable.

    They work beyond just designing attractive graphics at the surface level, and explore the client’s values, their target audiences, and how the client’s product will function in everyday use. From designing a platform for a non-profit organisation to creating a brand identity for an up-and-coming startup, Big Human applies a practical, user-centered approach to make products functional, memorable, and based on what real people need.

    Our Score: 17/25

    • UX strategy 3/5.
    • Research & validation 3/5.
    • Interaction and UI craft 4/5.
    • System & scalability 3/5.
    • Proof & trust signals 4/5.

    Last verified Feb 2026.

    Choosing And Hiring The Best UI/UX Design Company

    Is it beneficial to hire a UI/UX design agency? According to research by Forrester, a partnership with a UI/UX design agency results in a 63% faster time-to-market than relying solely on in-house resources.

    In this phase of the project, you should concentrate on the stages of your project that you are in control of once you have completed the previous phases of your project. The initial step of this process is the completion of research on potential UX design agencies. The result of completing this step is a narrowed list of UX design agencies that are not a good match for your project.

    After having a list of potential UX design agencies, contact each of the UX design agencies. Explain your project goals and arrange times to meet with each of the UX design agencies and discuss them in more detail.

    The next step is to send out RFPs (Request for Proposals) to the UX design agencies. Once the UX design agencies have replied to your RFPs, each of the agencies that submitted a proposal will give you their ideas to review. After comparing the ideas of the agencies, you can decide which of the agencies will be the best fit for your project. Once you have made your decision, execute the contracts, and begin your project.

    It is common for each phase of this process to take several weeks or longer to complete; therefore, it is important to complete each step the right way and help ensure that when you finally start the project everything is set up for a successful start to your project.

    Deloitte also reports that firms that are designing their user experience internally can develop expertise and new insights through outsourcing design to a firm, which can help save them an incredible amount of money, estimated at 67% when compared to hiring in-house.

    As we know, time is money — therefore, having a good plan will help to keep the UX design process moving along and create the best UI design possible. This plan will start by asking questions that are relevant to the project.

    • Should you work with a remote or local UI/UX design firm?
    • Is a boutique UX agency better, or should you go with a larger one?
    • What’s the cost of a UX design project?
    • Which skills are essential for the agency to deliver great results?
    • What do you need to prepare before asking for proposals from design agencies?

    Choosing the right UI/UX web design agency is one of the most critical choices to be made when creating a strong digital presence for your business. When choosing an agency, it is important to consider not only the budget and size of the agency but also how well the agency understands your company's needs, how experienced the agency is in completing projects like yours, and how compatible your team will be with theirs.

    Your chosen design agency will work closely with you to create a clearly defined and creatively engaging user experience and user interface that will help your business succeed. One example of this is when you combine a UX design agency with a UX research agency, which creates a powerful synergy that allows businesses to create user-centric digital products and services.

    While having a strong UI/UX design is important, it is not a magical solution to drive your business results. According to Gartner Research, almost 60% of consumers will make their buying decisions based on criteria other than their digital interactions; therefore, you must have a comprehensive marketing and customer experience strategy in place to achieve your desired results.

    FAQs

    Picking the Right Agency

    How Do I Choose the Right UX Agency?

    Look for an agency with a strong UX portfolio, proven research methods, and familiarity with your industry or product type. It also helps to evaluate:

    • Their design process and flexibility
    • Team structure and collaboration approach
    • Ability to deliver insights and measurable improvements

    What Red Flags Should Make Me Walk Away From a UX Agency?

    Walk away if they cannot explain their process, show relevant case studies, or define who will be on your project. Other red flags include vague timelines, no plan for research or validation, and deliverables that are only high-level concepts without specifics.

    What Should a Strong UX Case Study Include?

    It should clearly explain the problem, goals, constraints, and what research informed the work. Look for before and after flows, key decisions, what was tested, and measurable outcomes, like conversion lift, faster task completion, or fewer support tickets.

    How Do I Know if an Agency Can Handle Complex Systems and Edge Cases?

    Ask for examples of enterprise or workflow-heavy products, not just marketing sites. They should be able to talk through permissions, states, error handling, data density, and handoff to engineering. Strong teams also show how they document components and logic, not just screens.

    Budget and Pricing

    How Much Does it Cost to Hire a UX Agency?

    UX projects typically cost:

    • $20,000–$50,000 for smaller or early-stage products
    • $75,000–$150,000+ for enterprise systems or multi-phase UX initiatives

    What Pricing Models Do UX Agencies Use?

    Most use a fixed project fee for a defined scope, or a monthly retainer for ongoing work. Some offer time and materials for a flexible scope, and paid discovery as a separate phase. The best model depends on how clear your requirements are and how much the scope may change.

    Scope and Deliverables

    What Services Do UX Agencies Typically Offer?

    Most UX agencies provide full-cycle design support, including:

    • User research and journey mapping
    • UX strategy and information architecture
    • Wireframing and prototyping
    • Usability testing and user validation
    • Interaction design and developer collaboration

    What Deliverables Should I Expect From a UX Agency?

    Expect a clear problem definition, user journeys, and information architecture. Most teams deliver wireframes and prototypes, validated designs based on testing, and a handoff package for engineering. If UI is included, you should also get a component library or design system guidance.

    What Should a UX Audit Include, and What Do I Get at the End?

    A good audit reviews key flows, usability issues, IA, accessibility basics, and analytics signals. The output should be a prioritized list of problems and recommendations, for example, fixes or redesigned screens for the biggest issues, and a roadmap that outlines what to do first and why.

    What Should Be Included in a UX Roadmap After the Audit?

    Include a prioritized backlog grouped by impact and effort, with clear goals for each phase. Add dependencies, owners, and what success looks like, plus quick wins versus larger redesign items. A strong roadmap also calls out research and testing checkpoints.

    UX vs UI Clarity

    How Is a UX Agency Different from a UI Design Agency?

    UX agencies focus on the structure, logic, and user behavior across the product experience. UI design agencies handle the visual layer, such as colors, typography, and interface layout.

    Do I Need UX Research, UI Design, or Both?

    If users are getting stuck, dropping off, or complaining, start with UX research and flow design. If the experience works but looks inconsistent or outdated, UI and a design system can be enough. Most product teams benefit from both when making major changes.

    Timeline and Collaboration

    How Long Does a UX Project Take?

    Most UX projects take 6 to 16 weeks, depending on complexity, research needs, and whether development is included. This usually includes discovery, design iterations, validation, and final handoff.

    Can the UX Agency Work With Our Existing Product and Engineering Team?

    Yes. Many agencies pair with internal teams by leading research and design, then collaborating closely with engineering on feasibility, handoff, and implementation. Define responsibilities, tooling, and review cadence upfront so execution stays smooth.

    What Do I Need to Provide to Avoid Delays?

    Provide clear goals, a single decision maker, and fast feedback cycles. Share access to analytics, user insights, and product context early, plus any constraints like tech stack, compliance, or brand rules. Delays most often come from missing content, unclear approvals, or slow stakeholder reviews.

    Existing Products and Redesigns

    Can a UX Agency Help with Existing Products?

    Yes, UX agencies often specialize in refining existing products. They perform usability audits, redesign workflows, and test solutions to improve performance and user satisfaction.

    What Should Be Included in a UX Roadmap After the Audit?

    It should include a prioritized list of issues and improvements, grouped into phases like quick wins, mid-term fixes, and larger redesigns. Each item should have an outcome goal, estimated effort, dependencies, and a clear owner. Add validation checkpoints, like usability testing, plus measurable success metrics for the key flows.

    Local vs Global

    Should I Choose a Local or Global UX Agency?

    Local UX agencies offer easier communication, especially for in-person workshops. International agencies bring:

    • Broader cross-cultural user insights
    • Global design standards
    • Experience with distributed product teams

    Hiring and Vetting

    What Questions Should I Ask Before Hiring a UX Agency?

    Key questions to ask include:

    • What’s your user research process?
    • How do you test design decisions?
    • Can you share similar projects and their outcomes?
    • What tools do you use for prototyping and collaboration?
    • How will your team work with ours?

    What Should a Strong UX Case Study Include?

    A strong case study explains the problem, goals, constraints, and the role the agency played. It shows the research and insights that drove decisions, the solutions that were tested, and what shipped. The best ones include measurable outcomes, such as conversion lift, reduced drop-off, faster task completion, or fewer support tickets.

    Results and Measurement

    How Does Good UX Impact Business Success?

    Effective UX design improves engagement, lowers churn, and increases customer loyalty. It also boosts key business metrics like conversions, task completion rates, and user satisfaction scores.

    How Do I Measure UX Success After Launch?

    Compare against a baseline and track key flow conversion, task completion, drop-off points, and time to value. Watch retention, activation, and support volume to confirm the experience is improving. Pair metrics with qualitative feedback to catch issues that numbers miss.

    How Do I Set UX KPIs That Tie to Business Outcomes?

    Start with one business goal, then map it to the user behaviors that drive it. Define a primary KPI, like activation or checkout completion, plus supporting metrics like error rate, time on task, or drop off. Keep KPIs tied to a specific flow so they stay actionable.

    How Long Does It Take to See Results From UX Improvements?

    You can see early movement within weeks for conversion and task flows once changes ship. Bigger shifts, like retention and revenue impact, usually take 1 to 3 months as cohorts accumulate. For complex products, it can take longer if improvements roll out in phases.

    Bottom Line

    In short, picking the top UI/UX design company can make or break your digital project. Choose wisely, clarify your project goals, and check the agency’s design creativity and quality.

    Read client reviews, join strategic workshops, and weigh the trade-offs of working with offshore versus onshore teams. Also, do not overlook the perks that local agencies can provide.

    Thanks for reading!

    Clay's Team

    About Clay

    Clay is a UI/UX design & branding agency in San Francisco. We team up with startups and leading brands to create transformative digital experience. Clients: Facebook, Slack, Google, Amazon, Credit Karma, Zenefits, etc.

    Learn more

    Share this article

    Clay's Team

    About Clay

    Clay is a UI/UX design & branding agency in San Francisco. We team up with startups and leading brands to create transformative digital experience. Clients: Facebook, Slack, Google, Amazon, Credit Karma, Zenefits, etc.

    Learn more

    Share this article

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