MetaLab vs SPCSHP: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
MetaLab (4.1/5) edges ahead of SPCSHP (3.8/5) overall. MetaLab is the better choice for funded SaaS/fintech, full-stack research-to-systems. SPCSHP is the stronger option for consumer brands, design plus creative storytelling. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
MetaLab vs SPCSHP: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | MetaLab | SPCSHP |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2006 | 2000 |
| HQ | Victoria, British Columbia, Canada (remote-first) | Brooklyn, NY, USA |
| Team size | 160+ | Not published (historically ~50+) |
| Rating | 4.1 / 5 | 3.8 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | A Slack/Uber/Coinbase/Midjourney-caliber portfolio built by a 160-person firm, delivered full-stack from research through design systems | A quarter-century of creative digital work (JetBlue, YouTube, Samsung, BMW) under a 2024 rebrand from Big Spaceship to SPCSHP, now backed by MSQ |
| Pricing model | Fixed project, dedicated team | Project-based (not published) |
| Min. engagement | $150K+ (per industry roundups; independently unverifiable) | Not published |
| Primary tech stack | Figma, Framer, Design systems/Storybook | Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, React |
| Industries served | SaaS / B2B software, Financial services / fintech, Consumer products | Consumer products, Media & entertainment, Enterprise transformation |
MetaLab vs SPCSHP: overview
MetaLab
Andrew Wilkinson founded MetaLab in 2006; since January 2017 it has operated as a subsidiary of his holding company Tiny, worth disclosing since the firm is no longer independently owned. From Victoria, British Columbia, a remote-first team of 160+ people across 17 countries has designed products for Slack, Uber, Coinbase, Robinhood, Nike, Midjourney, and Headspace. Engagements run full-stack — research, strategy, UX, UI, and design systems handled by one team rather than split across vendors.
SPCSHP
Michael Lebowitz founded Big Spaceship in Brooklyn in 2000, building a creative digital firm known for early-2000s work with JetBlue, YouTube, Samsung Galaxy, BMW, and NBC. UK marketing group MSQ acquired the firm in October 2024, and it now operates under the name SPCSHP — a rebrand recent enough that some case studies and press still reference the original name. The firm's roots are in interactive creative and brand storytelling rather than pure enterprise product design, a lineage that still shows in its client work.
Services and capabilities: MetaLab vs SPCSHP
| Capability | MetaLab | SPCSHP |
|---|---|---|
| Product design | ✓ | ✓ |
| UX research | ✗ | ✗ |
| Branding | ✓ | ✓ |
| Web development | ✗ | ✗ |
| Mobile development | ✗ | ✗ |
| Design systems | ✓ | ✗ |
Tech stack comparison: MetaLab vs SPCSHP
| Framework / platform | MetaLab | SPCSHP |
|---|---|---|
| Figma | ✓ | ✓ |
| Webflow | ✓ | N/A |
| React | ✓ | ✓ |
| Framer | ✓ | N/A |
| Adobe Creative Suite | N/A | ✓ |
| Design systems/Storybook | ✓ | N/A |
| After Effects | N/A | ✓ |
Pricing comparison: MetaLab vs SPCSHP
| Criterion | MetaLab | SPCSHP |
|---|---|---|
| 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 SPCSHP
| Dimension | MetaLab | SPCSHP |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | SaaS / B2B software, Financial services / fintech, Consumer products | Consumer products, Media & entertainment, Enterprise transformation |
| Best use cases | SaaS product design from research through design system, Fintech app redesign for a funded startup | Consumer brand digital product design with a creative-storytelling emphasis, Campaign-adjacent product design for a media or entertainment brand |
| Typical project type | Fixed project | Fixed project |
MetaLab vs SPCSHP: pros and cons
| MetaLab | |
|---|---|
| + | Portfolio includes Slack, Uber, Coinbase, Robinhood, and Midjourney — exceptional for a 160-person firm |
| + | Remote-first across 17 countries enables round-the-clock delivery coverage |
| + | Full-stack engagement model spans research, strategy, UX, UI, and design systems in one team |
| + | Nearly two decades under the same founding brand |
| - | Became a Tiny subsidiary in 2017 — worth disclosing even though the founding team and brand remain |
| - | Reported $150K+ typical minimum (per industry roundups; independently unverifiable) is out of reach for early-stage startups |
| - | High-profile client roster can mean longer lead times for new engagements |
| SPCSHP | |
|---|---|
| + | A quarter-century of continuous operation since its 2000 founding as Big Spaceship |
| + | Named client work spans JetBlue, YouTube, Samsung Galaxy, BMW, GE, Microsoft, and Google |
| + | MSQ backing since October 2024 provides access to a larger marketing and creative network |
| + | Creative-and-brand-storytelling roots differentiate it from purely process-driven enterprise design firms |
| - | Rebranded from Big Spaceship to SPCSHP in 2024 — recent enough that some public case studies and reviews still reference the old name |
| - | Acquired by MSQ in 2024, so clients are hiring into a larger network rather than an independent studio |
| - | Team size isn't published in current sources, making capacity planning harder without a direct conversation |
Who should choose MetaLab?
A typical fit: SaaS product design from research through design system.
A Slack/Uber/Coinbase/Midjourney-caliber portfolio built by a 160-person firm, 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 SPCSHP?
A typical fit: consumer brand digital product design with a creative-storytelling emphasis.
A quarter-century of creative digital work (JetBlue, YouTube, Samsung, BMW) under a 2024 rebrand from Big Spaceship to SPCSHP, now backed by MSQ. Minimum engagement starts at Not published. Works best with clients in Consumer products, Media & entertainment, Enterprise transformation.
Decision matrix: MetaLab vs SPCSHP
| 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 SPCSHP (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 SPCSHP
| Use case | MetaLab fit | SPCSHP fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| SaaS product design from research through design system | Strong | Limited | MetaLab |
| Fintech app redesign for a funded startup | Strong | Limited | MetaLab |
| Consumer brand digital product design with a creative-storytelling emphasis | Strong | Strong | Both equally |
| Campaign-adjacent product design for a media or entertainment brand | Limited | Strong | SPCSHP |
| Fixed-price product build | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
| Dedicated design team augmentation | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
Verdict: MetaLab vs SPCSHP
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 firm, delivered full-stack from research through design systems.
SPCSHP (3.8/5) is worth a look if you need campaign-adjacent product design for a media or entertainment brand. If your situation matches that, SPCSHP is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
MetaLab vs SPCSHP FAQ
Is MetaLab better than SPCSHP?
MetaLab (4.1/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. MetaLab's strongest advantage: portfolio includes Slack, Uber, Coinbase, Robinhood, and Midjourney — exceptional for a 160-person firm. SPCSHP's strongest advantage: a quarter-century of continuous operation since its 2000 founding as Big Spaceship.
How do MetaLab and SPCSHP differ in pricing?
MetaLab uses fixed project, dedicated team pricing with a minimum engagement of $150K+ (per industry roundups; independently unverifiable). SPCSHP uses project-based (not published) 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 SPCSHP?
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 firm before shortlisting.
What are the main differences between MetaLab and SPCSHP?
MetaLab's primary differentiator is: a Slack/Uber/Coinbase/Midjourney-caliber portfolio built by a 160-person firm, delivered full-stack from research through design systems. SPCSHP's primary differentiator is: a quarter-century of creative digital work (JetBlue, YouTube, Samsung, BMW) under a 2024 rebrand from Big Spaceship to SPCSHP, now backed by MSQ. They also differ in team size (160+ vs Not published (historically ~50+)), minimum engagement ($150K+ (per industry roundups; independently unverifiable) vs Not published), and primary industries served (SaaS / B2B software, Financial services / fintech vs Consumer products, Media & entertainment).
Verify all details directly with each firm before making a decision.