R/GA vs EPAM Continuum: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
R/GA (3.7/5) edges ahead of EPAM Continuum (3.7/5) overall. R/GA is the better choice for global brands, product design bundled with brand strategy. EPAM Continuum is the stronger option for Enterprises, design integrated with strategy and engineering. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
R/GA vs EPAM Continuum: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | R/GA | EPAM Continuum |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1977 | 1983 |
| HQ | New York City, NY, USA | Boston, MA, USA |
| Team size | ~2,000 | Not published (operates within EPAM's global engineering workforce) |
| Rating | 3.7 / 5 | 3.7 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | Fuses product design with marketing and brand strategy for large platforms, now operating independently for the first time in over two decades | Carries Continuum's decades-old industrial-design pedigree (the Reebok Pump) into EPAM's enterprise software engineering scale |
| Pricing model | Project-based, retainer for ongoing programs | Enterprise consulting engagement (project-based or retainer) |
| Min. engagement | Not published | Not published |
| Primary tech stack | Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, After Effects | Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, Design systems/Storybook |
| Industries served | Enterprise transformation, Consumer products, Media & entertainment | Enterprise transformation, Healthcare, Consumer products |
R/GA vs EPAM Continuum: overview
R/GA
R/GA has run out of New York since 1977, expanding to ten countries with offices from Austin to Singapore. Interpublic Group owned it for 23 years until March 2025, when R/GA completed an independent buyout backed by private equity firm Truelink Capital. What hasn't changed across that ownership history is the pitch: product design fused with marketing and brand strategy, aimed at large consumer and enterprise platforms rather than single-scope product work.
EPAM Continuum
Continuum's design pedigree predates most of the firms on this list — Gianfranco Zaccai founded it in Boston in 1983, and the studio went on to shape landmark industrial-design work including the Reebok Pump. EPAM Systems acquired Continuum in 2018, folding it into what's now EPAM Continuum, a practice that fuses strategy, design, and engineering rather than treating design as a standalone deliverable. That combination — decades-old industrial-design credibility running inside a large enterprise software engineering consultancy — is unusual among the names in this list.
Services and capabilities: R/GA vs EPAM Continuum
| Capability | R/GA | EPAM Continuum |
|---|---|---|
| Product design | ✓ | ✓ |
| UX research | ✓ | ✓ |
| Branding | ✓ | ✗ |
| Web development | ✗ | ✗ |
| Mobile development | ✗ | ✗ |
| Design systems | ✗ | ✓ |
Tech stack comparison: R/GA vs EPAM Continuum
| Framework / platform | R/GA | EPAM Continuum |
|---|---|---|
| Figma | ✓ | ✓ |
| Webflow | N/A | N/A |
| React | N/A | N/A |
| Framer | N/A | N/A |
| Adobe Creative Suite | ✓ | ✓ |
| Design systems/Storybook | N/A | ✓ |
| After Effects | ✓ | N/A |
Pricing comparison: R/GA vs EPAM Continuum
| Criterion | R/GA | EPAM Continuum |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | Not published | Not published |
| Engagement models | Fixed project, Retainer | Fixed project, Retainer, Dedicated team |
| Rate transparency | Minimum disclosed | Minimum disclosed |
| Price tier | Mid-market | Mid-market |
Target audience comparison: R/GA vs EPAM Continuum
| Dimension | R/GA | EPAM Continuum |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Enterprise transformation, Consumer products, Media & entertainment | Enterprise transformation, Healthcare, Consumer products |
| Best use cases | Consumer platform redesign tied to a brand relaunch, Enterprise digital product with a marketing or campaign component | Enterprise product design bundled with large-scale software engineering delivery, Legacy industrial-design-adjacent hardware-software product programs |
| Typical project type | Fixed project | Fixed project |
R/GA vs EPAM Continuum: pros and cons
| R/GA | |
|---|---|
| + | Combines product design with marketing and brand strategy under one roof |
| + | Ten-country footprint spans North America, Europe, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific |
| + | Nearly five decades of enterprise brand relationships and case studies |
| + | Independently owned again since its March 2025 buyout, after 23 years inside Interpublic Group |
| - | The 2025 ownership transition to a private-equity-backed independent structure is recent enough to ask about directly |
| - | Marketing-first positioning means less pure product-design specialization than boutiques built around design alone |
| - | Pricing and scale suit large-brand budgets more than early-stage product teams |
| EPAM Continuum | |
|---|---|
| + | Decades of design pedigree predating most agencies on this list, including landmark industrial-design work |
| + | Integrates strategy, design, and engineering rather than treating design as a standalone deliverable |
| + | Backed by EPAM's much larger global technology-consulting and engineering bench |
| + | Long operating history gives it enterprise case studies across multiple industries |
| - | Acquired into EPAM Systems in 2018 — no longer an independent design consultancy |
| - | Consultancy scale and pricing are less accessible to startups than boutique studios |
| - | Design work here comes bundled with broader technology consulting rather than offered as a standalone service |
Who should choose R/GA?
A typical fit: consumer platform redesign tied to a brand relaunch.
Fuses product design with marketing and brand strategy for large platforms, now operating independently for the first time in over two decades. Minimum engagement starts at Not published. Works best with clients in Enterprise transformation, Consumer products, Media & entertainment.
Who should choose EPAM Continuum?
A typical fit: enterprise product design bundled with large-scale software engineering delivery.
Carries Continuum's decades-old industrial-design pedigree (the Reebok Pump) into EPAM's enterprise software engineering scale. Minimum engagement starts at Not published. Works best with clients in Enterprise transformation, Healthcare, Consumer products.
Decision matrix: R/GA vs EPAM Continuum
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | R/GA |
| You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme | EPAM Continuum |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Compare: R/GA (Not published) vs EPAM Continuum (Not published) |
| You need specialist depth in a specific vertical | R/GA |
| 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: R/GA vs EPAM Continuum
| Use case | R/GA fit | EPAM Continuum fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer platform redesign tied to a brand relaunch | Strong | Limited | R/GA |
| Enterprise digital product with a marketing or campaign component | Strong | Strong | Both equally |
| Enterprise product design bundled with large-scale software engineering delivery | Strong | Strong | Both equally |
| Legacy industrial-design-adjacent hardware-software product programs | Limited | Strong | EPAM Continuum |
| Fixed-price product build | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
| Dedicated design team augmentation | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
Verdict: R/GA vs EPAM Continuum
R/GA (3.7/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Product Design projects. Fuses product design with marketing and brand strategy for large platforms, now operating independently for the first time in over two decades.
EPAM Continuum (3.7/5) is worth a look if you need legacy industrial-design-adjacent hardware-software product programs. If your situation matches that, EPAM Continuum is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
R/GA vs EPAM Continuum FAQ
Is R/GA better than EPAM Continuum?
R/GA (3.7/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. R/GA's strongest advantage: combines product design with marketing and brand strategy under one roof. EPAM Continuum's strongest advantage: decades of design pedigree predating most agencies on this list, including landmark industrial-design work.
How do R/GA and EPAM Continuum differ in pricing?
R/GA uses project-based, retainer for ongoing programs pricing with a minimum engagement of Not published. EPAM Continuum 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: R/GA or EPAM Continuum?
R/GA 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 R/GA and EPAM Continuum?
R/GA's primary differentiator is: fuses product design with marketing and brand strategy for large platforms, now operating independently for the first time in over two decades. EPAM Continuum's primary differentiator is: carries Continuum's decades-old industrial-design pedigree (the Reebok Pump) into EPAM's enterprise software engineering scale. They also differ in team size (~2,000 vs Not published (operates within EPAM's global engineering workforce)), minimum engagement (Not published vs Not published), and primary industries served (Enterprise transformation, Consumer products vs Enterprise transformation, Healthcare).
Verify all details directly with each agency before making a decision.