Finding the right UX agency in New York is a bit like trying to find a good bagel in the city, not because they’re rare, but because there are too many.
Most agency lists out there feature the same recycled names with zero personality and even less helpful commentary. That’s not what you’ll find here.
This post is for decision-makers ready to hire UX designers. Real comparisons, honest reviews, and just enough opinion to help you find a UX partner that fits you, not just the flashiest portfolio.
Let’s dive in.
1. Eleken
Founded in 2015, Eleken is a remote-first user experience design agency with a team of 80+ designers. They’ve worked with clients in geoservice, AI, fintech, healthtech, edtech, you name it. And they move fast. You get matched with a dedicated designer in days, not weeks.
Overview
- Founded: 2015
- HQ: Remote
- Team size: 80+
- Services: UX/UI design, product design for SaaS
- Clients: Datawisp, Frontend AI, Kipsi, Advan Research, Greenventory, Data Streams
- Pricing: Subscription model starting at $5K/month
Eleken SaaS product design company partners with both established businesses and fast-growing startups to deliver clean, conversion-focused UX at startup speed.
Their designers embed directly into your team to iterate quickly, tackle complex UX problems, and scale design output without the hiring hassle.
With a free 3-day trial, Eleken provides, you can test the fit before committing. Since they don’t offer development, there’s no upsell pressure. This is an ideal setup for product teams and SaaS companies with devs in place who just need high-quality design minus the delays and bloated retainers.
Clutch rating + client reviews
Eleken has a 4.9 rating on Clutch based on 105+ reviews. Clients consistently mention speed, ownership, and the ability to deeply understand complex products.
One review said it best: “Eleken exceeded expectations and delivered a wonderful product.”
Strong points:
✔️ SaaS-only focus with deep UX expertise.
✔️ Embedded workflow: fast iterations, no PM bottlenecks.
✔️ Predictable pricing.
✔️ Free trial available (rare in this space).
Weak points:
- No development team, design only.
Pricing and fit
Eleken operates on a flat-rate subscription model, starting at $5K/month. That includes unlimited design tasks, one designer at a time, and the ability to pause or scale as needed.
Eleken is a great fit for:
- SaaS startups or scale-ups with product-market fit.
- Teams that iterate fast and want direct contact with UI/UX designers.
- Founders who care more about solving UX problems than creating pitch decks.
Want to see how remote design teams work? Watch Eleken’s video to get a feel for the process.
2. Neuron
When your product has layers of data, roles, and workflows, a pretty UI alone won’t cut it. Neuron helps enterprise teams make complex platforms usable, without losing power or precision.
They’re not here for landing pages or marketing sites. They focus on business tools and B2B systems where the UX complexity lives deep in the product: think dashboards, internal tools, and sales platforms.
Overview
- Founded: 2016
- HQ: New York/Los Angelos, USA
- Team size: 10–50
- Services: UX/UI design, product strategy
- Clients: Jobble, Acuity, Workforce, Vendr
- Pricing: Custom, typically $150+ K for full engagements
Neuron is perfect when you’re scaling or overhauling a platform and need a strategic, scalable, and grounded approach based on user needs. Their design-ops background means they don’t just deliver mockups. They help build internal systems that keep your UX consistent across teams and tools.
Clutch rating + client reviews
Neuron holds a 5 rating on Clutch based on 48 reviews. Clients mention their ability to simplify complexity and communicate clearly with large, cross-functional teams.
Strong points:
✔️ Enterprise UX expertise.
✔️ Strong in design systems and scalable UX patterns.
✔️ Solid onboarding and clear deliverables.
Weak points:
- Pricing and scope geared toward mid-to-large orgs.
Pricing and fit
Neuron operates on a project-based model, starting at a minimum of $25+ K. This typically includes a full discovery sprint, UX research agency services, wireframes, and product strategy.
Neuron is a great fit for:
- Companies with complex UX problems and multiple stakeholders.
- B2B platforms or internal tools that need more structure and clarity.
- Teams looking for strategic design systems, not just screen-level polish.
3. Perpetual
It’s frustrating when your UX agency, NYC, hands off designs that don’t translate into code. Perpetual solves that by offering both design and full-stack development, with research baked into every stage.
They’re not the flashiest UI/UX design agency in New York, but that’s the point. Their focus is on functional, scalable digital products that are built the right way.
Overview
- Founded: 2012
- HQ: New York, USA
- Team size: 50–249
- Services: UX research, UI/UX design, software development
- Clients: Elle, Reuters, FOX Sports, DAI
- Pricing: Project-based; ~$25 K minimum
Perpetual combines thoughtful design with strong technical chops. They’re great for teams launching new platforms or rebuilding legacy systems, and want fewer handoffs, cleaner code, and continuity from idea to launch.
Clutch rating + client reviews
With a 4.9 rating and 87 reviews, Perpetual consistently receives praise for clear communication, on-time delivery, and handling strategy and execution.
Strong points:
✔️ Full-service delivery: research, UX, and development.
✔️ Ideal for MVPs or multi-stage platform builds.
✔️ Flexible scope with agency consistency and creativity.
Weak points:
- Project minimums may be steep for bootstrapped startups.
- Less focused on mature, complex products with extensive UX systems.
Pricing and fit
Perpetual typically charges between $50 and $99 per hour, with a common project size of around $ 50 K.
Perpetual is a great fit for:
- Startups or midsize teams launching digital products.
- Founders who want one partner for UX and development.
- Companies with product ideas but no in-house tech or design team.
4. Momentum Design Lab
Enterprise SaaS platforms can be sprawling, feature-heavy beasts. Momentum Design Lab tames that complexity with research-driven, human-centred UI/UX backed by full-stack tech delivery.
They’re product partners who use data, strategy, and iteration to refine enterprise systems into usable, polished tools.
Overview
- Founded: 2002
- HQ: New York, USA (also SF and London)
- Team size: 10–49
- Services: UX/UI design, product strategy, UX research, development integration
- Clients: Matillion, Bitstamp, Technomic, Coalfire, OnPlan
- Pricing: Project-based, starting around $25 K
Momentum is a strategic SaaS and fintech design agency that helps resolve usability or scale challenges. They begin with deep user and data insights, then iterate through design, wireframes, and prototypes, all the way to development readiness.
Clutch & review highlights
With a 4.8 average over 90 Clutch reviews, clients praise them for structure, flexibility, and ease of collaboration.
Strong points:
✔️ Expert in enterprise SaaS and data-intensive flows.
✔️ Deep user research and strategy-led methodology.
Weak points:
- Higher pricing.
- May be heavier than needed for lean startups or simple apps.
Pricing and fit
Momentum Design Lab operates on a project-based pricing model, with most engagements starting at $25 K and scaling up to $200+ K for complex systems.
Momentum Design Lab is a great fit for:
- Enterprise SaaS or fintech platforms with complexity to conquer.
- Teams needing UX that aligns with both users and engineers.
- Organizations looking for data-driven, scalable design systems.
5. DOOR3
UX is only half the job if your team still has to figure out how to build it. DOOR3 is built for companies that need both: thoughtful design and robust enterprise-grade development.
They specialize in modernizing internal tools, business platforms, and complex apps, especially where functionality matters more than flash.
Overview
- Founded: 2002
- HQ: New York, USA
- Team size: 50–249
- Services: UX/UI design, custom software development, system integration
- Clients: AIG, Retrievr, Jupiter, FreshDirect
- Pricing: typical project minimum $25+ K
DOOR3 is not your agency if you just want some pretty mockups. But if you’ve got legacy tools frustrating your users or need a system built from scratch with UX baked in, they’re a serious contender.
Clutch rating + client reviews
DOOR3 holds a 4.9 rating on Clutch. Clients rave about their professionalism, delivery speed, and ability to handle everything from research to deployment.
Strong points:
✔️ UX + dev = less back-and-forth, faster delivery.
✔️ Full-stack capabilities, from design to architecture.
✔️ Good at discovery and proof of concept phases.
Weak points:
- Not a fit for startups just needing design.
- May feel less prepared for fast-moving teams, needing more attention to detail in final deliverables and post-launch.
Pricing and fit
DOOR3 uses a project-based pricing model, typically starting around $25 K for UX engagements and scaling based on complexity.
DOOR3 is a great fit for:
- Mid-size to enterprise companies are modernizing tools or platforms.
- Teams that need UX thinking and technical delivery in one.
- Product managers tired of juggling multiple vendors.
6. Designli
Some UI/UX design agencies want a six-month discovery phase. Designli is for founders who want to ship.
They help startups and SMBs design, prototype, and build solutions quickly, with product strategy and user stories baked in. If you’re looking for a partner to go from rough idea to working app, they’re worth a look.
Overview
- Founded: 2013
- HQ: Greenville, South Carolina (serves NYC clients remotely)
- Team size: 50+
- Services: UX/UI design, MVP development, product strategy
- Clients: Behind the Knife, Virtuosity, Grappos
- Pricing: Fixed-fee project pricing, starting around $25+ K
Designli is startup-friendly but still structured. You’ll get dedicated project managers, agile sprints, and real deliverables, plus the flexibility to iterate as your idea evolves.
Clutch rating + client reviews
Designli has a 5 rating from 68 reviews. Clients mention smooth onboarding, clear process, and a focus on building real, usable products, not just decks and mockups.
Strong points:
✔️ End-to-end service: UX + development.
✔️ High responsiveness, especially for first-time founders.
Weak points:
- Less suitable for design-only or ongoing embedded work.
- May be a little expensive.
Pricing and fit
Designli offers fixed-price mobile app development project packages, starting at $13,800. The minimum project size is $10+ K.
Designli is a great fit for:
- Startups needing a full MVP design + dev team.
- Founders who want clarity and fast delivery.
- Projects where speed and structure are both priorities.
7. League Design Agency
If you want more than a website, something visually appealing yet user-friendly, you’ll enjoy League Design Agency’s mix of engineering precision and creative flair.
They specialize in crafting digital experiences that feel personal and polished, blending UI/UX design with strong branding.
Overview
- Founded: 2017
- HQ: New York, NY (also offices in Kyiv and Katowice)
- Team size: 50-249
- Services: UX/UI design, web design agency, brand identity, prototyping
- Clients: OctoPi, Bravo, Geek Up, Solara
- Pricing: Minimal projects starting at ~$10K
League excels when creativity matters, but usability can’t be ignored. Their engineers with artist souls bring structure and inventiveness to produce interfaces that look great, feel thoughtful, and perform well.
Clutch rating + client reviews
The company earned a perfect 5.0 across 130 reviews.
Strong points:
✔️ Visual design and branding combined with UX logic in one team.
✔️ Reliable communication and timely delivery.
✔️ Good project management.
Weak points:
- Lack of creativity
- Added costs for creative designs
Pricing and fit
League Design Agency typically operates on an hourly basis, with most projects starting around $10 K.
League is a great fit for:
- Small to mid-size brands launching a site or app with flair.
- Projects that need both branding and interface design in one scope.
- Teams that need designs for both physical and digital products.
8. Robosoft Technologies
If your digital product spans platforms, devices, and integrations and requires more than UX/UI, you need an engineering-first design agency that can scale. Robosoft does exactly that.
Overview
- Founded: 1996
- HQ: Serves New York, USA (also San Francisco, London, India offices)
- Team size: 250–999
- Services: UX/UI design, digital strategy, software development, AR/VR, IoT, analytics
- Clients: Warner Bros Discovery, HSBC, McDelivery,
- Pricing: Project-based; typical engagements $50K–$200+ K
Robosoft Technologies is one of the web design companies for complex, high-stakes projects, trusted by large enterprises and ambitious startups alike. They blend design thinking with deep engineering expertise across mobile, web, emerging tech, and intricate digital ecosystems.
Clutch rating + client reviews
Robosoft holds a solid 4.7 rating across 26 Clutch reviews. Clients praise their responsiveness, technical skill, and ability to deliver quality work on time.
Strong points:
✔️ Deep technical and UX capabilities across web, mobile, IoT, and AR/VR.
✔️ Experience with large-scale enterprise programs and platforms.
✔️ Transparent communication and reliable delivery.
Weak points:
- UX might not be the sole focus, design often tied to development-heavy projects.
- Inconsistent project management quality noted by some clients.
Pricing and fit
Robosoft Technologies typically charges between $50 and $99 per hour, with most projects falling in the $50K–$200+ K range, depending on scope and platform.
Robosoft Technologies is a great fit for:
- Enterprises or midsize companies needing full-stack delivery, not just design.
- Products involving mobile apps, hardware integrations, and emerging tech.
- Teams that want a single partner for design, development, and deployment.
9. AppMakers USA
Room for improvement? We don’t think so. But if your product needs UX depth and rock-solid delivery on iOS, Android, or the web, AppMakers USA nails both with no drama.
Overview
- Founded: 2014
- HQ: New York and Los Angeles, USA
- Team size: 10–49
- Services: UX/UI design, mobile and web app development, AI integrations, product strategy
- Clients: NFL, CVS, Walmart, Los Angeles Apparel
- Pricing: Minimum engagement ~$10 K
AppMakers is a boutique team that blends UX craftsmanship with full-stack engineering. They shine when you need an app built from concept to store launch. Their work ranges from consumer-facing apps (NFL, Walmart) to enterprise tools and AI-powered platforms.
Clutch rating + client reviews
They’ve earned a 5.0 on Clutch from 81 reviews. Clients praise their proactive communication, quality output, and ability to deeply understand both product goals and technical constraints.
Strong points
✔️ High client-centric UX and product strategy.
✔️ Full delivery, design, and code under one roof.
✔️ Responsive project management.
Weak points
- Design isn’t offered a la carte; they build products end-to-end.
- Limited bandwidth for simultaneous large or time-sensitive projects.
Pricing and fit
AppMakers USA typically charges $5 K per month for mobile app development packages, with most full-cycle projects starting around $10 K and scaling based on the scope and platforms involved.
AppMakers is a great fit for:
- UX design for startups or mid-market teams needing an end-to-end app build.
- Projects requiring UX design plus deployment (iOS, Android, Web).
- Teams wanting quick MVPs or iterative app builds under $200 K.
10. thoughtbot
If you're tired of hiring separate teams for UX and development, thoughtbot combines both, with strategist-level design thinking and rock-solid execution. They’re the partner you want when design and code must evolve in sync.
Overview
- Founded: 2003
- HQ: Serves New York, USA (also, Boston, San Francisco, London, others)
- Team size: ~100
- Services: UX/UI design, product strategy, mobile and web development, AI integrations
- Clients: Health Match 360, Joydrive, Real Simple Energy
- Pricing: $150–250/hr
thoughtbot excels at blending product design with full-stack development. They lead with research and design sprints, then build on those insights with engineers.
Clutch rating + client reviews
They’ve earned a 4.9 average on Clutch across 38 reviews. Clients highlight their strategic partnership, proactive communication, and high-quality deliverables.
Strong points:
✔️ Design-led development from MVP to full product, easy to maintain.
✔️ High technical expertise (Rails, React, mobile, AI).
Weak points:
- Higher rates may be tight for bootstrapped founders.
- Staffing issues that may cause delays for projects with a hard deadline.
Pricing and fit
thoughtbot’s minimum project size is $10+ K, with most common projects starting at $50 K, depending on scope and team composition.
thoughtbot is a great fit for:
- Design-led startups and mid-market teams needing UX + development aligned.
- Projects requiring MVP launch and iterative enhancement.
- Organizations looking for design partners who code.
Top UX design agency comparison matrix
This matrix breaks down each agency by what they do best, how they price, and who they’re built to help, so you can scan fast and shortlist smarter.
How to choose the right UX agency, New York: A practical decision framework
There’s no single “best” UX design agency, just the one that fits your goals, your timeline, and your product.
If you’re still wrapping your head around what is UX design and how it applies to your project, don’t worry. We’ll help you narrow things down below.
✔️ “We need UX help now, and we’re moving fast.”
You’ve got a product to build or improve this quarter, and there’s no time for multi-month discovery work.
You can pick one of the best UX design agencies for this purpose:
- Eleken: Fast onboarding, embedded designers, perfect for SaaS.
- AppMakers USA: Great for mobile MVPs with end-to-end delivery.
- Designli: Ideal if you validate an idea and want a dev-ready prototype.
✔️ “We have something working, but UX isn’t scaling.”
Your product is live and functional, but it’s getting messy. Users struggle, stakeholders complain, and you need a design system before chaos wins.
You can partner with these design agencies:
- Neuron: Enterprise-level UX, design ops, and system design.
- Momentum Design Lab: Deep UX thinking for data-heavy tools.
- DOOR3: Combines UX with engineering for enterprise platforms.
✔️ “We’re designing something new, but we’re not sure what yet.”
You’re still in research mode. There’s no product yet, just pain points, user problems, or a fuzzy vision.
These user experience design firms can help:
- thoughtbot: Strategic sprints, design thinking, and product validation.
- Perpetual: Research-forward teams who also build.
✔️ “We need UX with a strong visual or brand layer.”
Your product has to look as good as it works, maybe even better. To do this, you need to align the UX and visual identity.
You can choose:
- League Design Agency: Stylish, functional UI/UX for smaller brands.
- Eleken: While focused on SaaS UX, their marketing design chops show through in brand-forward side projects like TodayMade, which was led by Eleken’s CEO and creative team.
✔️ “We’re in a complex space like healthcare, fintech, or enterprise.”
You’re dealing with compliance, multiple roles, or dense information. Your UX challenges aren’t visual, they’re structural.
Pick:
- Robosoft – Deep experience in regulated and enterprise environments.
✔️ “We want one partner for everything, from design to deployment.”
You don’t want to play UX telephone. You want one team to handle strategy, design, and development without a bunch of handoffs.
Pick:
- thoughtbot: Full-stack agile teams with a design-first mindset.
- AppMakers USA: End-to-end mobile app design agency and web delivery.
- Perpetual: Smooth UX-to-code transition in cross-functional squads.
No matter which type of agency seems like the right fit, there’s still one more choice to make: Do you go local, or partner with a remote team? Let’s break that down next.
Comparing remote and local agencies
If you’re choosing between a UX agency in your city and one halfway across the world, the decision goes deeper than just timezone. Here’s how remote and local UX teams stack up where it counts.
- Cost considerations
Local UI/UX design firms, especially in cities like New York, often come with higher hourly rates and project minimums. That’s partly due to overhead, partly prestige pricing. You’re paying for proximity, not just output.
Remote agencies and international ones tend to offer more competitive pricing without sacrificing quality. A remote team like Eleken can match and exceed big-city UX chops at a fraction of the cost.
- Flexibility and communication
Local teams may be easier to meet in person, but they don’t always move faster. In fact, large local agencies often have rigid timelines, more middle layers (PMs, account leads, creative directors), and slower iterations.
Remote teams are built for async, fast-moving collaboration. They hop into your Slack, adjust to your tools, and work on your schedule. Many skip the PM layer entirely, your designer or strategist talks to you directly.
- Cultural and market insights
Local UX agencies often have sharper insights into regional user behavior, language nuances, and local design trends, especially if your product targets a niche NYC audience or regulated U.S. space.
Remote agencies, particularly those with global client rosters, bring fresh perspectives and broad UX best practices. They excel when your product is SaaS, international, or remote-friendly by nature.
Local vs. remote UX agencies: Quick comparison
Here’s a quick side-by-side to help you weigh local versus remote UX agencies at a glance.
Final thoughts
Finding the right UX/UI design agency isn’t about chasing the biggest name or fanciest portfolio. It’s about fit: how well the agency understands your product, your users, and your workflow.
Whether you need lightning-fast MVP support, enterprise-grade UX systems, or full-stack delivery, there’s a team built for exactly that. Use this guide as your filter, not just your list.
And if you’re building a SaaS product and want a lean, experienced design team that feels like part of your crew, Eleken is ready to help.
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