MetaLab vs Doberman: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
MetaLab (4.1/5) edges ahead of Doberman (3.8/5) overall. MetaLab is the better choice for well-funded SaaS/fintech, full-stack design through design systems. Doberman is the stronger option for Nordic/European enterprises, service design backed by EY network. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
MetaLab vs Doberman: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | MetaLab | Doberman |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2006 | 1998 |
| HQ | Victoria, British Columbia, Canada (remote-first) | Stockholm, Sweden (also Oslo and Copenhagen) |
| Team size | 160+ | 100+ (within EY's global network) |
| Rating | 4.1 / 5 | 3.8 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | A Slack/Uber/Coinbase/Midjourney-caliber portfolio built by a 160-person studio, delivered full-stack from research through design systems | Nearly three decades of Nordic service-and-product-design work, now backed by EY's global consulting network after its majority-stake acquisition |
| Pricing model | Fixed project, dedicated team | Enterprise consulting engagement (project-based or retainer) |
| Min. engagement | $150K+ (per industry roundups; independently unverifiable) | Not published |
| Primary tech stack | Figma, Framer, Design systems/Storybook | Figma, Miro, Adobe Creative Suite |
| Industries served | SaaS / B2B software, Financial services / fintech, Consumer products | Financial services / fintech, Enterprise transformation |
MetaLab vs Doberman: overview
MetaLab
Andrew Wilkinson started MetaLab in 2006; by January 2017 it had become a subsidiary of his holding company Tiny, a change worth flagging since the studio is no longer independently owned. From Victoria, British Columbia, a remote-first team of 160+ people spread across 17 countries has designed products for Slack, Uber, Coinbase, Robinhood, Nike, Midjourney, and Headspace — a portfolio most agencies twice its size can't match. Engagements typically run full-stack, covering research, strategy, UX, UI, and design systems inside one team.
Doberman
Doberman started in Stockholm in 1998 and grew into a 100+ person design and innovation firm with studios in Stockholm, Oslo, and Copenhagen before EY acquired a majority stake, folding it into EY's much larger consulting network. Its client list spans Google, Swedish banks, and public-sector organizations, and Doberman positions itself around service and product innovation rather than pure visual design — helping organizations design new services and customer experiences, not just interfaces.
Services and capabilities: MetaLab vs Doberman
| Capability | MetaLab | Doberman |
|---|---|---|
| Product design | ✓ | ✓ |
| UX research | ✗ | ✓ |
| Branding | ✓ | ✓ |
| Web development | ✗ | ✗ |
| Mobile development | ✗ | ✗ |
| Design systems | ✓ | ✗ |
Tech stack comparison: MetaLab vs Doberman
| Framework / platform | MetaLab | Doberman |
|---|---|---|
| Figma | ✓ | ✓ |
| Webflow | ✓ | N/A |
| React | ✓ | N/A |
| Framer | ✓ | N/A |
| Adobe Creative Suite | N/A | ✓ |
| Design systems/Storybook | ✓ | N/A |
| After Effects | N/A | N/A |
Pricing comparison: MetaLab vs Doberman
| Criterion | MetaLab | Doberman |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | $150K+ (per industry roundups; independently unverifiable) | Not published |
| Engagement models | Fixed project, Dedicated team | Fixed project, Retainer |
| Rate transparency | Minimum disclosed | Minimum disclosed |
| Price tier | Accessible | Mid-market |
Target audience comparison: MetaLab vs Doberman
| Dimension | MetaLab | Doberman |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | SaaS / B2B software, Financial services / fintech, Consumer products | Financial services / fintech, Enterprise transformation |
| Best use cases | SaaS product design from research through design system delivery, Fintech app redesign for a funded startup | Service design for a Nordic bank or public-sector organization, Product innovation engagement backed by a large consulting network |
| Typical project type | Fixed project | Fixed project |
MetaLab vs Doberman: pros and cons
| MetaLab | |
|---|---|
| + | Portfolio spans Slack, Uber, Coinbase, Robinhood, and Midjourney — remarkable for a 160-person studio |
| + | Remote-first across 17 countries supports near-continuous delivery coverage |
| + | Full-stack model covers research through design systems without switching vendors |
| + | Nearly two decades operating under the same founding brand |
| - | No longer independently owned — became a Tiny subsidiary in 2017 |
| - | Reported $150K+ typical minimum (per industry roundups; independently unverifiable) is out of reach for early-stage startups |
| - | High-profile client list can mean longer lead times for new engagements |
| Doberman | |
|---|---|
| + | Nearly three decades of continuous operation since 1998, longer than most European boutiques on this list |
| + | Three-city Nordic studio footprint (Stockholm, Oslo, Copenhagen) |
| + | EY's majority-stake backing provides access to a much larger global consulting network |
| + | Client list includes Google alongside major Swedish banks and public-sector organizations |
| - | Majority acquired by EY, so clients are hiring into a large consulting network rather than an independent boutique |
| - | Nordic-centered office footprint may mean less overlap with US or APAC business hours |
| - | Team size figures blend Doberman's own ~100 staff with EY's much larger combined network, making direct capacity comparison harder |
Who should choose MetaLab?
A typical fit: SaaS product design from research through design system delivery.
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 Doberman?
A typical fit: service design for a Nordic bank or public-sector organization.
Nearly three decades of Nordic service-and-product-design work, now backed by EY's global consulting network after its majority-stake acquisition. Minimum engagement starts at Not published. Works best with clients in Financial services / fintech, Enterprise transformation.
Decision matrix: MetaLab vs Doberman
| 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 | Compare: MetaLab ($150K+ (per industry roundups; independently unverifiable)) vs Doberman (Not published) |
| 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 Doberman
| Use case | MetaLab fit | Doberman fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| SaaS product design from research through design system delivery | Strong | Limited | MetaLab |
| Fintech app redesign for a funded startup | Strong | Limited | MetaLab |
| Service design for a Nordic bank or public-sector organization | Limited | Strong | Doberman |
| Product innovation engagement backed by a large consulting network | Strong | Strong | Both equally |
| Fixed-price product build | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
| Dedicated design team augmentation | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
Verdict: MetaLab vs Doberman
MetaLab (4.1/5) 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.
Doberman (3.8/5) is worth a look if you need product innovation engagement backed by a large consulting network. If your situation matches that, Doberman is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
MetaLab vs Doberman FAQ
Is MetaLab better than Doberman?
MetaLab (4.1/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. MetaLab's strongest advantage: portfolio spans Slack, Uber, Coinbase, Robinhood, and Midjourney — remarkable for a 160-person studio. Doberman's strongest advantage: nearly three decades of continuous operation since 1998, longer than most European boutiques on this list.
How do MetaLab and Doberman differ in pricing?
MetaLab uses fixed project, dedicated team pricing with a minimum engagement of $150K+ (per industry roundups; independently unverifiable). Doberman uses enterprise consulting engagement (project-based or retainer) pricing with a minimum engagement of Not published. Neither firm publishes a full rate card; a discovery call is required for project-specific quotes.
Which is better for enterprise: MetaLab or Doberman?
MetaLab is the larger team and typically the better enterprise-scale choice. For very large programmes, verify team size and compliance coverage directly with each agency before shortlisting.
What are the main differences between MetaLab and Doberman?
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. Doberman's primary differentiator is: nearly three decades of Nordic service-and-product-design work, now backed by EY's global consulting network after its majority-stake acquisition. They also differ in team size (160+ vs 100+ (within EY's global network)), minimum engagement ($150K+ (per industry roundups; independently unverifiable) vs Not published), and primary industries served (SaaS / B2B software, Financial services / fintech vs Financial services / fintech, Enterprise transformation).
Verify all details directly with each agency before making a decision.