Ever clicked on a website and instantly felt lost? Maybe the layout made no sense. Maybe some of the buttons were broken. Maybe you eventually gave up and went somewhere else.
That’s bad UX, and it costs businesses more than most realize.
In this guide, we’ll explore why UX design isn’t just a nice-to-have but a critical part of building digital products that actually perform. We’ll also highlight what the best UX design agencies bring to the table and how to choose one that fits your business.
What is UX Design?
User experience design (UX design) is the process of designing digital products, like websites, apps, dashboards, and platforms that feel intuitive, logical, and human-centered.
The best user experience design firms go beyond just making something look pretty. When a digital experience is frustrating or confusing, users don’t want to spend their time trying to figure it out.
42% of users will abandon a website if they run into bad usability or functionality. However, when companies invest in high-quality UX/UI design infrastructure, they can improve website conversions by 200%.
Let’s also establish the difference between UX and UI (user interface). UX design consultants often work alongside user interface design firms to build systems that are both functional and visually appealing. However, UX focuses on usability, while UI focuses on the visuals: things like colors, spacing, and typography. If UX is the blueprint of a house, UI is the paint and furniture. You need both, and one doesn’t work without the other.
This is why more companies are turning to digital design agencies, web UX design agencies, and mobile UX design agencies to help them rethink their products from the ground up. UX design experts understand how to reduce friction and drive real results, including higher retention, lower bounce rates, and stronger conversions.
The Role of UX Design Agencies
Most UX design agencies offer a full range of services, starting with user research: interviews, surveys, and data analysis to understand your audience inside and out.
Next comes wireframing, which maps out the structure and layout of your product. Then, prototyping brings those ideas to life in a clickable format so teams can test things early.
They’ll also run usability tests to see how real users interact with the design and fine-tune the interaction design, the small touches that guide users through your product.
Why It Matters
UX design companies specialize in turning complex user needs into intuitive experiences. By digging into real user behavior to identify what frustrates and satisfies them, agencies can design products that feel effortless to navigate. When an agency has seen the same usability problems pop up across dozens of clients, they know how to anticipate friction points before your users ever hit them. That foresight means avoiding a product that feels clunky from the start and launching with a product people are happy to use.
This smoother experience often leads to better business performance, whether that’s more signups, purchases, or demo requests.
What Agencies Bring to the Table
An in-house team might be juggling multiple roles, but the best UX design agencies are made up of specialists singularly focused on helping achieve your design goals. They come equipped with deep expertise, specialized tools, and a refined process.
They’ve seen patterns across different industries and know how to solve complex design problems with proven methods. Plus, they bring fresh eyes, and sometimes that outside perspective is just what a product needs to level up.
Why You Should Work with a UX Design Agency
While in-house teams can get the job done, design agencies for UX bring a level of focus, structure, and strategic thinking that’s hard to match for the price tag.
Efficiency and Expertise
UX agencies specialize in one thing: creating exceptional user experiences. They’re not juggling 10 different priorities like an internal team might. They live and breathe UX. That means they’ve seen what works (and what doesn’t) across industries and platforms, and they have the frameworks to move faster and more efficiently without compromising quality.
From user research to interaction design, their work is grounded in best practices, not guesswork.
Access to the Best Tools
The most innovative UX design agencies don’t just use popular tools; they know how to get the most out of them. Agencies demonstrate their expertise through well-honed practices, such as scalable design systems and behavioral analytics, which turn raw data into solutions for real-world challenges.
They’re able to leverage feedback to make smarter design decisions. The tools help with prototyping faster, allowing ideas to be validated early and avoiding costly rework down the road.
Scalability
You could be a startup launching your first product or an enterprise overhauling a legacy system, and UX agencies will adapt to meet your needs. They can plug into short-term sprints or serve as long-term partners for ongoing optimization. You won’t need to hire and train a full in-house team. With the right agency at the right time, you can scale up or down as your projects evolve.
Looking for a flexible, ongoing design partner? Check out Teamtown’s services to see how we support fast-moving teams without the hiccups of a traditional agency.
Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a UX Design Agency
Choosing the right UX agency can make or break your project, so here’s what to look for:
Agency Portfolio
A strong portfolio speaks volumes. Look for projects that reflect the kind of work you need: similar industry, audience, or functionality. Pay attention to both design aesthetics and usability. Have they tackled complex challenges? Do their interfaces look polished and practical?
An agency’s past work is your best window into what its team can do for you.
Industry Specialization
Every industry has its own quirks. An agency that understands your market, whether it’s fintech, e-commerce, healthcare, or SaaS, can skip the learning curve and dive straight into relevant solutions. They’ll already have a good idea of your users’ pain points, regulatory considerations, and common UX pitfalls.
Design Process and Approach
Ask how they approach UX. Do they lead with user research? How do they handle iterations and testing? What does handoff to development look like?
A good agency will have a clear, documented process that covers research, strategy, wireframing, prototyping, testing, and delivery. Transparency here helps set expectations and keeps everyone aligned.
Client Testimonials and Case Studies
Don’t just take their word for it. See what past clients have to say. Social proof, like testimonials, customer stories, and case studies, reveals how an agency works under real-world conditions. Look for results-driven stories that give you insightful feedback about what you’ll experience and what you’ll gain if you choose to work with the agency.
For example, did conversion rates go up? Is there higher mobile engagement? Was there a drop in bounce rates? How did the agency handle challenges? How communicative was the agency throughout the project?
Cost and Flexibility
Since UX design services aren’t one-size-fits-all, neither are pricing models. Some agencies charge hourly, while others use flat project fees or retainers. What matters most is that their model fits your budget and your workflow.
Teamtown, for example, offers a subscription-based design service that’s ideal for businesses needing consistent UX support. Our model allows you to scale services month-to-month, which makes it easier to plan costs, tackle multiple projects, and maintain momentum without overcommitting.
Top UX Design Agencies in 2025
Now that you know what to look for in a UX design agency, the next question is: who’s actually doing it well?
There are thousands of agencies out there, but a few have carved out a reputation for delivering consistently thoughtful, user-first design across all industries, platforms, and project sizes.
Here are 15 of the top UX design agencies worth considering.
1. Teamtown
Website: https://www.teamtown.co
Founded: 2016
Location: Vancouver, Canada
Min. project size: Subscription plans starting at $2,000/month
Clients: Brands of all sizes
Main UX Design Services:
- UX/UI design for web and mobile
- UX audits and optimization
- User research and journey mapping
- Prototypes and wireframes
- Motion graphics and micro-interactions
- Design systems and component libraries
If you need ongoing design support but don’t want the overhead cost of building a big in-house team, Teamtown is an ideal solution. We work on a subscription model, so you pay one monthly fee and get access to a full team of designers. That includes UX/UI design, but also covers everything from social ads and branding to presentation decks, product shots, email design, and even video editing.
With Teamtown, you’re also not just cycling through random designers. You get a consistent team of around three to five people who stick with your brand, learn your preferences, and get faster and more in tune over time. You’ll always have a Design Lead managing the flow, so communication stays easy.
Many clients stay subscribed to Teamtown because of reliably high quality, quick turnaround, and strong responsiveness. We don’t leave you in a “purchase and hope” situation. There’s consistent communication, and our creative output reflects that collaboration. Teamtown is less like working with traditional UI/UX design agencies and more like having your own embedded design crew on call.
2. Clay Global
Website: https://clay.global
Founded: 2009
Location: San Francisco
Min. project size: $10,000
Clients: Startups to enterprises, with a strong track record in fintech and tech-forward industries.
Main UX Design Services:
- Product & brand strategy
- Branding
- Marketing websites
- Web & mobile development
- Innovation consulting
Clay is known for being deliberate in its approach to design so that nothing feels rushed or surface-level. Clients often point out how much attention the agency gives to both the look and the function of a product when it comes to UX. Projects are led by the co-founders, which makes the process feel more hands-on and collaborative compared to larger agencies where senior leadership rarely touches the work.
The agency also boasts that many of the websites and products in its portfolio haven’t needed major updates in years, which says something about how well the work holds up, especially for companies in fintech or other complex spaces.
3. Goji Labs
Website: https://www.gojilabs.com
Founded: 2014
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Min. project size: $25,000
Clients: Businesses of all sizes
Main UX Design Services:
- Product strategy
- UX research
- Web development
- Mobile app development
- IoT development
Clients describe Goji Labs as proactive, flexible, and easy to collaborate with, whether it’s shifting direction mid-project or staying in close communication throughout. The agency’s process is structured but adaptable, which helps explain how it’s been able to launch over 400 products across multiple industries.
As a fully remote company, Goji Labs strives for accessibility and responsiveness, with teams that are comfortable working across time zones and project scopes.
4. Momentum Design Lab
Website: https://www.momentumdesignlab.com
Founded: 2002
Location: California, New York, and London
Min. project size: $10,000
Clients: Primarily enterprise, with 7% of its client base in the Fortune 500.
Main UX Design Services:
- Innovation strategy
- Experience design
- Strategy & architecture
- Product engineering
Momentum Design Lab has been around for over two decades with more than 800 projects under its belt, which is evident in how well-executed and professional its work tends to be. Clients primarily highlight the agency’s reliability and follow-through, but the agency is especially known for building enterprise-grade applications with clean, modern interfaces and thoughtful UX.
While Momentum describes itself as human-focused and innovation-driven, what stands out most is its ability to combine design thinking with product engineering.
5. Superside
Website: https://www.superside.com
Founded: 2015
Location: Palo Alto, CA
Min. project size: $10,000
Clients: Companies of all sizes
Main UX Design Services:
- UX/UI audits
- Web design
- Custom illustrations
- Webflow development
Superside operates on a subscription-based model, offering monthly creative support beyond UX and web design. Clients also get access to video production, branding, digital strategy, and even AI consulting, making Superside a flexible option for companies with ongoing creative needs.
Clients praise the agency for being responsive, easy to work with, delivering on time, and maintaining a reliable platform for managing requests. Some notable clients include PointCard, Salesforce, and Amazon.
6. LinkUp Studio
Website: https://linkupst.com
Founded: 2013
Location: Poland and Ukraine
Min. project size: $10,000
Clients: Mostly mid-market businesses
Main UX Design Services:
- UX strategy
- User research
- Usability testing
Clients emphasize LinkUp Studio’s ability to blend creativity with strategy to capture the perfect brand feel, specifically for companies in the education, real estate, and financial sectors. Communication and availability are consistently called out as strengths, which matters a great deal when projects span months or even years.
The agency has also worked with clients in over 25 countries, and many of its collaborations stretch well beyond a single launch. The agency’s average project duration is just over two years, which shows how much LinkUp thrives in long-term partnerships where careful iteration and deep brand understanding really matter.
7. Neuron
Website: https://www.neuronux.com
Founded: 2016
Location: San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Boston
Min. project size: $25,000
Clients: Primarily mid-market and enterprise
Main UX Design Services:
- Product design
- Digital strategy
- UX research
- Prototyping
- Design system creation
Neuron is one of the top UX and product design agencies for complex B2B systems, mostly in areas like sales software, AI tools, and enterprise platforms. Clients describe the team as strategic, detail-oriented, and quick to learn the ins and outs of their business.
The agency is led by four partners who stay actively involved in projects, regardless of size. That kind of leadership continuity seems to be part of what gives Neuron its reputation for thoughtful execution. It works across a wide mix of sectors (education, consumer products, and healthcare), often helping companies prepare for what’s next, including how to approach AI in a design-first way.
8. Dreamten
Website: https://www.dreamten.com
Founded: 2014
Location: Raleigh, NC
Min project size: $25,000
Clients: Mostly mid-market
Main UX Design Services:
- App and web design
- UI kits
- Branding
- Animation
- Custom illustrations
Dreamten takes a practical, people-first approach to design. One of its guiding principles is to understand what customers actually want and then “work backwards” from there. Clients say the team is genuine, quick to understand their businesses, and overall easy to collaborate with.
Beyond UX design, the agency also offers design workshops, user journeys, personas, and competitor analysis, which makes it a good fit for brands looking for a full visual system, not just a one-off project. Dreamten works across a range of industries, including advertising, healthcare, real estate, and e-commerce.
9. Eleken
Website: https://www.eleken.co
Founded: 2015
Location: Vancouver, Canada and Kyiv, Ukraine
Min project size: $10,000
Clients: Mostly small and mid-market businesses
Main UX Design Services:
- UI/UX design
- Web and mobile app design
- Web development
- Branding
Eleken is the kind of design agency that keeps things lean, fast, and personal. Instead of having project managers in the middle, you work directly with your designer, who is executing and thinking alongside you. The team is known for delivering work quickly and consistently, with clients often commenting on how smooth the process feels from start to finish.
They also take growth seriously on the inside. Designers at Eleken attend weekly lectures and seminars to sharpen their skills, which keeps the quality high with fast turnarounds.
10. Fantasy
Website: https://www.fantasy.co
Founded: 1999
Location: New York, NY | California
Min. project size: N/A
Clients: Businesses of all sizes
Main UX Design Services:
- Product design
- Visual design
- Creative strategy
- Prototyping and testing
- User research
- Interaction design
- AI design
Fantasy has been around since the late ’90s, which makes it one of the more seasoned names on this list. Despite the low price point, this UX strategy agency brings a level of polish and experience that you’d typically expect from higher-budget shops. Clients say the team delivers on time, communicates well, and knows how to strike a balance between pushing creative boundaries and staying aligned with the brief.
They’ve worked across a wide mix of industries (healthcare, retail, streaming platforms, luxury fashion) and seem just as comfortable working on a startup product as they are on a high-end brand experience.
11. Excited
Website: https://www.excited.agency
Founded: 2018
Location: L’viv, Ukraine | Tallinn, Estonia
Min project size: $10,000
Clients: Mostly small and mid-market businesses
Main UX Design Services:
- Branding & motion design
- Web design & Webflow development
- Mobile app design
- SaaS design
- User research & usability testing
- Design systems
Excited brings a mix of creativity and structure to the table. Clients describe the team as sharp, passionate, and willing to go above and beyond, whether it’s thinking through a tricky design challenge or delivering more than what was asked for.
They tend to work with clients in financial services, tech, and healthcare, though you’ll also see their work pop up in hospitality and e-commerce. The agency’s process is organized and efficient, and the team has a reputation for staying on time and on budget.
12. Work & Co
Website: https://work.co
Founded: 2013
Location: New York, NY (with offices across the U.S., Europe, and Brazil)
Min project size: $5,000
Clients: Mid-market and enterprise
Main UX Design Services:
- Game design
- Motion design
- Product connecting
- Brand design
Work & Co is the kind of agency that big brands call when they need to untangle something complex and make it feel effortless. They’ve worked with names like Apple, Gatorade, Chase, and Nike, not just because the designs look good but because they know how to build intuitive, user-centered experiences at scale.
Their team blends UX, brand, and motion design with product thinking, so everything feels connected, from the interface to the story it tells. No matter the job, Work & Co brings a strong point of view and a high bar for quality.
13. MetaLab
Website: https://www.metalab.com
Founded: 2006
Location: Victoria, BC, Canada
Min project size: N/A
Clients: Mostly mid-market and enterprise
Main UX Design Services:
- Design systems
- UX research and testing
- Ideation and prototyping
- Web and mobile development
MetaLab has been behind the scenes of some of the most recognizable digital products out there: Slack, Uber, and Upwork, to name a few. The team is known for pushing ideas forward and bringing clarity to early-stage concepts through sharp UX thinking and clean design.
Outside of design, clients come to MetaLab for help figuring out what to build in the first place and how to make it better, including brands wanting to bring a new product to life or rethink an existing one.
14. ROSSUL
Website: https://www.rossul.com
Founded: 2003
Location: Toronto, Canada
Min project size: $25,000
Clients: Mostly mid-market and enterprise
Main UX Design Services:
- Web design and development
- Application management
- Product design
ROSSUL has been designing digital products for over 20 years, with a focus on making complex tools feel simple and intuitive. Clients point out how organized and detail-oriented the team is, especially when dealing with deep or technically challenging projects.
Most of the agency’s expertise is in the B2B space, especially in IT, web apps, and other software-heavy industries.
15. Slide UX
Website: https://www.slideux.com
Founded: 2012
Location: Austin, TX
Min project size: Subscription plans starting at $1,100/month
Clients: Mostly mid-market and enterprise
Main UX Design Services:
- Web design and development
- IT staff augmentation
- AI development
- Digital and marketing strategy
- Product design
Slide UX is a solid choice for teams that want design work that’s thoughtful, well-managed, and easy to integrate into bigger business goals. Clients often mention how proactive the team is: quick to understand what needs to be built and just as quick to keep everything moving smoothly.
They work across a range of industries, including IT, finance, e-commerce, and manufacturing. Beyond UX/UI and product design, Slide UX also offers web development, AI services, and digital strategy, making it a good fit for companies that need both design expertise and technical horsepower.
Built Technologies Needed Better UX. Here’s How Teamtown Helped.
Built Technologies had the growth and the momentum, but when it came to design, especially UX, they needed backup. The company’s internal marketing team was juggling a lot, and scaling creative output on demand wasn’t easy. Campaigns move fast, and deadlines don’t wait.
That’s where Teamtown stepped in. Our collaboration kicked off with a major milestone: a full website redesign. Built didn’t just want something aesthetically pleasing; they wanted a site that worked hard, guiding users clearly, showcasing their SaaS products in action, and reflecting the sophistication of their platform.
To make all of that happen, Teamtown did the following:
- Overhauled the navigation to create a smoother user journey.
- Designed Lottie animations that gave life to product features.
- Created custom graphics and visuals that felt on-brand and modern.
- Pulled it all together with dynamic content and videos to keep users engaged.
What came out of it was a better website and an overall better experience. One that matched the caliber of Built’s product and gave their team the creative agility they’d been missing.
How to Start Working with a UX Design Agency
Getting started with a UX design agency is usually pretty straightforward. Most will kick things off with a discovery call to learn about your business, your goals, and any challenges you're facing. From there, they’ll outline a proposed scope of work, whether that’s a full redesign, UX audit, or ongoing design support, along with a timeline and pricing structure.
To make the most of the partnership, come prepared with clarity on your goals, key pain points, and any existing design assets or user data. The more context you can provide upfront, the faster your agency can dive in and start delivering meaningful results. And don’t be afraid to ask about their process, preferred tools, or how communication will work. Transparency is key to a strong start.
Good UX Shouldn’t Be a Hassle. Teamtown Keeps It Simple.
Selecting the right UX design agency takes more than checking a few boxes. You’ll want a team that understands your audience, works efficiently, and delivers designs that make your product easier and more enjoyable to use. That means looking at portfolios, understanding how the team approaches design, and making sure their structure fits your workflow and budget.
At Teamtown, we’ve formatted our UX design offering around businesses that need reliable, ongoing support without the complexity of hiring in-house. With a dedicated design team, quick turnarounds, and a subscription model that keeps things predictable, it’s a setup built for marketing teams that value speed, consistency, and quality.
If you want to know more about how Teamtown could work for you, let’s start a conversation.
