R/GA vs Qubstudio: full comparison for 2026
Quick verdict
Qubstudio (4.6/5) edges ahead of R/GA (3.7/5) overall. Qubstudio is the better choice for Fintech, logistics, healthcare — MVP to enterprise redesign. R/GA is the stronger option for large brands, product design plus brand strategy. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
R/GA vs Qubstudio: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | R/GA | Qubstudio |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 1977 | 2006 |
| HQ | New York City, NY, USA | London, UK (Canary Wharf), Ukraine-based delivery team |
| Team size | ~2,000 | 51–200 (company states ~70 creative professionals) |
| Rating | 3.7 / 5 | 4.6 / 5 |
| Primary differentiator | Fuses product design with marketing and brand strategy for large platforms, now independently owned for the first time in over two decades | Currently Clutch's #1-ranked UX/UI firm worldwide for 2026, with Red Dot Design Award recognition layered on top |
| Pricing model | Project-based, retainer for ongoing programs | Fixed project, dedicated team |
| Min. engagement | Not published | $15K (per company website; independently unverifiable) |
| Primary tech stack | Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, After Effects | Figma, Sketch, Webflow |
| Industries served | Enterprise transformation, Consumer products, Media & entertainment | Financial services / fintech, Healthcare |
R/GA vs Qubstudio: overview
R/GA
R/GA has been headquartered in New York City since 1977, expanding to ten countries that include Austin, London, São Paulo, Singapore, and Stockholm. Interpublic Group owned the firm for 23 years before an independent buyout in March 2025, backed by private equity firm Truelink Capital — recent enough that clients should ask directly how the transition has settled. Through all of it, the pitch has stayed the same: digital product design fused with marketing and brand strategy for large consumer and enterprise platforms.
Qubstudio
Qubstudio's exact founding year is disputed — 2006 or 2007, depending on the source — but its current standing isn't: Clutch's 2026 rankings put it #1 among UX/UI firms with 90+ reviews. The firm runs from London's Canary Wharf with a Ukraine-based delivery team, stating roughly 70 creative professionals within a broader 51–200 employee band. Red Dot Design Award and UX Design Awards recognition sit alongside the ranking, with work spanning fintech, logistics, healthcare, and EdTech.
Services and capabilities: R/GA vs Qubstudio
| Capability | R/GA | Qubstudio |
|---|---|---|
| Product design | ✓ | ✓ |
| UX research | ✓ | ✓ |
| Branding | ✓ | ✗ |
| Web development | ✗ | ✗ |
| Mobile development | ✗ | ✗ |
| Design systems | ✗ | ✗ |
Tech stack comparison: R/GA vs Qubstudio
| Framework / platform | R/GA | Qubstudio |
|---|---|---|
| Figma | ✓ | ✓ |
| Webflow | N/A | ✓ |
| React | N/A | ✓ |
| Framer | N/A | N/A |
| Adobe Creative Suite | ✓ | N/A |
| Design systems/Storybook | N/A | N/A |
| After Effects | ✓ | N/A |
Pricing comparison: R/GA vs Qubstudio
| Criterion | R/GA | Qubstudio |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | Not published | $15K (per company website; independently unverifiable) |
| Engagement models | Fixed project, Retainer | Fixed project, Dedicated team |
| Rate transparency | Minimum disclosed | Minimum disclosed |
| Price tier | Mid-market | Accessible |
Target audience comparison: R/GA vs Qubstudio
| Dimension | R/GA | Qubstudio |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | Enterprise transformation, Consumer products, Media & entertainment | Financial services / fintech, Healthcare |
| Best use cases | Consumer platform redesign tied to a brand relaunch, Enterprise digital product with a marketing/campaign component | Fintech MVP launch design, Logistics platform UX overhaul |
| Typical project type | Fixed project | Fixed project |
R/GA vs Qubstudio: pros and cons
| R/GA | |
|---|---|
| + | Combines product design with marketing and brand strategy under one roof |
| + | Ten-country presence spans North America, Europe, Latin America, and Asia-Pacific |
| + | Nearly five decades of case studies and enterprise brand relationships |
| + | Independently owned again since its March 2025 buyout, after 23 years inside Interpublic Group |
| - | Still stabilizing operationally after a recent (2025) private-equity-backed ownership change |
| - | Marketing-first positioning means less pure product-design specialization than boutique firms |
| - | Scale and pricing suit large-brand budgets more than early-stage product teams |
| Qubstudio | |
|---|---|
| + | Currently ranked #1 UX/UI firm on Clutch's 2026 rankings across 90+ public reviews |
| + | Independently verified via Red Dot Design Award and UX Design Awards recognition |
| + | Nearly two decades of operation with a stable London HQ and Ukraine delivery team |
| + | Covers everything from MVP launches to enterprise digital transformation |
| - | Founding year is disputed between sources (2006 vs. 2007) — treated as approximate |
| - | Ukraine-based delivery team carries the same regional-continuity considerations as other Ukraine-rooted firms |
| - | The 51–200 directory band is wide; the company's own ~70 figure is more precise but self-reported |
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 independently owned 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 Qubstudio?
A typical fit: fintech MVP launch design.
Currently Clutch's #1-ranked UX/UI firm worldwide for 2026, with Red Dot Design Award recognition layered on top. Minimum engagement starts at $15K (per company website; independently unverifiable). Works best with clients in Financial services / fintech, Healthcare.
Decision matrix: R/GA vs Qubstudio
| 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 | Qubstudio |
| Your budget is at the lower end | Compare: R/GA (Not published) vs Qubstudio ($15K (per company website; independently unverifiable)) |
| 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 Qubstudio
| Use case | R/GA fit | Qubstudio fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer platform redesign tied to a brand relaunch | Strong | Limited | R/GA |
| Enterprise digital product with a marketing/campaign component | Strong | Strong | Both equally |
| Fintech MVP launch design | Limited | Strong | Qubstudio |
| Logistics platform UX overhaul | Limited | Strong | Qubstudio |
| Fixed-price product build | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
| Dedicated design team augmentation | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
Verdict: R/GA vs Qubstudio
Qubstudio (4.6/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Product Design projects. Currently Clutch's #1-ranked UX/UI firm worldwide for 2026, with Red Dot Design Award recognition layered on top.
R/GA (3.7/5) is worth a look if you need enterprise digital product with a marketing/campaign component. If your situation matches that, R/GA is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
R/GA vs Qubstudio FAQ
Is R/GA better than Qubstudio?
Qubstudio (4.6/5) 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. Qubstudio's strongest advantage: currently ranked #1 UX/UI firm on Clutch's 2026 rankings across 90+ public reviews.
How do R/GA and Qubstudio differ in pricing?
R/GA uses project-based, retainer for ongoing programs pricing with a minimum engagement of Not published. Qubstudio uses fixed project, dedicated team pricing with a minimum engagement of $15K (per company website; independently unverifiable). Neither firm publishes a full rate card; a discovery call is required for project-specific quotes.
Which is better for enterprise: R/GA or Qubstudio?
Qubstudio 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 R/GA and Qubstudio?
R/GA's primary differentiator is: fuses product design with marketing and brand strategy for large platforms, now independently owned for the first time in over two decades. Qubstudio's primary differentiator is: currently Clutch's #1-ranked UX/UI firm worldwide for 2026, with Red Dot Design Award recognition layered on top. They also differ in team size (~2,000 vs 51–200 (company states ~70 creative professionals)), minimum engagement (Not published vs $15K (per company website; independently unverifiable)), and primary industries served (Enterprise transformation, Consumer products vs Financial services / fintech, Healthcare).
Verify all details directly with each firm before making a decision.