Clay
Clay is a global UX/UI and branding agency that leverages AI to design scalable, user-centric digital products and experiences.
Mission Control
Mission Control is a UX/UI and web design agency that uses AI to build sleek, strategic digital experiences for fast-growing startups.
Momentum Design Lab
UX/product innovation consultancy focused on AI-powered, data-informed product design.
Work & Co
A design and technology studio that partners with visionary teams to build game-changing products, brands, and websites.
Instrument
A creative agency specializing in digital experiences, offering services in brand strategy, design, and technology development.
Code and Theory
A digital-first creative agency that designs best-in-class products and brand experiences, helping clients drive purposeful change and thrive in a time of digital disruption.
Huge
A global experience agency that helps brands create meaningful digital experiences, combining strategy, design, and technology to drive business growth.
Big Human
Big Human brings modern, clean product UI to tech and marketplace platforms. Their work suits SF companies needing fast, scalable UX built for growth.
Isadora Agency
Isadora blends UX craft with strong storytelling for tech, media, and ecommerce brands — well aligned with SF’s product-focused companies.
Selection process
We carefully research and evaluate each agency based on creativity, UX strategy, design execution, client results, and industry reputation. Our selection process highlights studios that consistently deliver user-centered, high-impact digital experiences.
Portfolio Quality
Reviewed for originality, consistency, and user-focused design.
Process Transparency
Selected agencies follow clear and structured UX workflows.
User Research
Prioritized those that incorporate real user insights through research and usability testing.
Cross-Disciplinary Teams
Chosen teams combine UX, UI, strategy, and technical collaboration.
Industry Expertise
Agencies have demonstrated success in specific sectors like SaaS, eCommerce, FinTech, and healthcare.
Client Feedback
Evaluated using verified reviews, long-term relationships, and client satisfaction.
Innovation and Tools
Favored agencies using modern design tools, accessibility standards, and up-to-date UX practices.
Team Scalability
Selected based on the ability to support both early-stage and enterprise-level projects.
Communication
Agencies were chosen for clear, proactive communication and reliable project management.
Value for Investment
Evaluated on pricing transparency and ability to deliver strong ROI within budget.
Top UX/UI Design Agencies
Explore our curated list of leading UX/UI design agencies known for creating intuitive, user-centered digital experiences.
1. Clay
Clay creates high-precision digital products with strong UX systems, making them a go-to choice for SF startups, fintech, and enterprise teams scaling their product experiences.
Best for: Startups and enterprises seeking polished, scalable digital products and brand systems powered by UX expertise and emerging technologies.
Clients: Slack, Facebook, Google, Amazon, Zenefits, Cisco, Art Bridges Foundation, Vantara
Budget: $100k+
Hourly rate: $175-$200/hr
Employees: 11-50
Location: San Francisco, CA; Globally
2. Mission Control
Mission Control delivers clean, structured UX for fast-moving tech companies. Ideal for Bay Area startups needing strong product logic and rapid iteration.
Best for: Fast-growing startups in fintech, Web3, and B2B tech looking for AI-enhanced web design, no-code development, and hands-on strategic support.
Hourly rate: $150/hr
Employees: 11–50
Clients: Ambitious startups (fintech, Web3, B2B tech)
Location: Remote, headquartered in San Francisco
3. Momentum Design Lab
Momentum Design Lab specializes in enterprise UX, AI-driven interfaces, and complex product systems — a strong partner for SF’s SaaS, AI, and fintech ecosystem.
Best for: Product teams seeking senior UX for complex apps, with enterprise-grade delivery and strategy.
Key Clients: Samsung, PayPal, Mastercard, Adobe, Sony, AT&T, Toyota, Ticketmaster, Dell, Belcorp, IATA, Orange, Mohawk, Verizon, Hasbro, Bayer.
Location: San Mateo, California.
Founded: 2002.
Hourly Price: $150–$199/hr.
Budget: Under $1,000 minimal budget.
4. Work & Co
Work & Co brings world-class product design and engineering discipline to the Bay Area. Trusted by top tech and consumer brands for high-scale applications.
Best for: Visionary teams seeking to build game-changing products and brands.
Key Clients: IKEA; Apple; Disney; Epic Games; Pfizer; Lyft; Google; Airbnb; Mercedes-Benz; Mailchimp; PGA TOUR; Aesop.
Location: San Francisco, CA, USA.
Founded: 2013.
Team Size: 10–49.
Hourly Price: $150–$200/hr.
Budget: $5,000+.
5. Instrument
Instrument blends premium digital design with product strategy, making them a great fit for San Francisco brands needing high-quality, polished experiences.
Best for: Brands seeking innovative digital experiences and creative solutions.
Key Clients: Nike, Google, Airbnb.
Location: Portland, OR, USA; Bay Area reach.
Founded: 2002.
Team Size: 100–249.
Budget: $50,000+.
Hourly Price: $150–$200/hr.
6. Code and Theory
Code and Theory creates robust digital ecosystems for tech-forward brands. Strong for SF companies needing strategy + UX for complex platforms.
Best for: Brands seeking innovative digital solutions that drive purposeful change.
Key Clients: Amazon, Qualcomm, Spotify, NBCUniversal.
Location: New York, NY, USA; Bay Area reach.
Founded: 2001.
Team Size: 250–499.
Hourly Price: $150–$250/hr.
Budget: $250,000+.
7. Huge
Huge supports large-scale transformation projects across tech, retail, and healthcare. A strong match for Bay Area enterprise and consumer experience work.
Best for: Brands seeking to create meaningful digital experiences that drive business growth.
Key Clients: Google, NBCUniversal, Planet Fitness, Lowe’s, Foot Locker, Dr. Martens.
Location: Brooklyn, NY, USA.
Founded: 1999.
Team Size: 1,000+.
Budget: $5,000+.
Hourly Price: $150–$300/hr.
8. Big Human
A digital agency specializing in branding, design, and development, focusing on creating meaningful digital experiences.
Best for: Brands seeking meaningful and impactful digital experiences.
Key Clients: Rockefeller Center; Gemini; Netflix; TD Ameritrade; TaskRabbit; TodayTix; Carnegie Hall; Two Trees; Chelsea Piers; Vine; Snapchat; HQ Trivia; Whistle; 1800Wheelchair; Subdial; Koalafi; Fastly; Graduate Hotels; RentHop; BlockFills; Bloom; Somatic Living; Quinn; Plentiful.
Location: New York, NY, USA; Bay Area reach.
Founded: 2010.
9. Isadora Agency
Isadora blends UX craft with strong storytelling for tech, media, and ecommerce brands — well aligned with SF’s product-focused companies.
Best for: Enterprise teams seeking high-touch UX/product redesigns with strategy, design, and CRO under one roof at premium budgets.
Key Clients: News Corp; Gartner; UE by Logitech.
Location: Manhattan Beach, California, USA; also New York, NY office.
Founded: 2009.
Team Size: <50.
Hourly Price: $150–$199/hr.
Frequently asked questions
Top-rated studios include Clay, Mission Control, Work & Co, Instrument, Code and Theory, and Huge, all known for building high-impact digital products.
It’s home to leading tech startups, venture firms, and product innovators, making it a global center for user-focused design excellence.
Expect to invest between $10,000 and $300,000, depending on the project scale, complexity, and reputation of the studio.
UX/UI agencies here specialize in fintech, AI, Web3, SaaS, mobility, and enterprise software.
They combine strategic UX, storytelling, and technology fluency, with deep understanding of startup growth and venture culture.
Yes. Many collaborate with international startups and Fortune 100 brands, managing projects across multiple time zones.
Look for agencies experienced in rapid product iteration, investor-ready branding, and scalable design systems.
Most projects last 8–16 weeks, depending on whether it’s an MVP launch or full-scale redesign.
They rely on Figma, Webflow, Framer, Notion, and AI-assisted prototyping tools to deliver fast, collaborative results.
Key trends include AI-driven workflows, hyper-personalization, spatial design, and integrated digital ecosystems.
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