Alternatives & competitors

Top 10 Design 1st alternatives

Snapshot

Design 1st at a glance

Here's what Design 1st has listed on this profile:

Hourly rate
$150 - $199
Minimum project size
$25,000+
Company size
10 - 49 employees
Founded
1996

Listed locations:

  • HQ: Ottawa, Canada

Primary service focus ("Focus"):

  • 85%
    Product Design
  • 10%
    IoT (Internet of Things) Development
  • 5%
    Logistics & Supply Chain Consulting

Direction focus

  • 100%Embedded Development
Side by side

Quick comparison

All numbers below are taken from the alternatives page cards (rate, min project, size, founded, location/presence, focus).

TaglineFull Service Product Design and Engineering FirmOur solutions work for the futureWe create digital products since 2011We bring your product ideas to life!
Foundation year1996201020112016
Min. project size$25,000+$5,000+$1,000+$5,000+
Hourly rate$150 - $199$25 - $49$50 - $99$25 - $49
Employees10 - 4910 - 4910 - 492 - 9
HeadquartersOttawa, CanadaWarszawa, PolandMurrieta, United StatesLong Beach, United States
Services
85%

85%Product Design

80%

80%Custom Software

65%

65%UX/UI Design

60%

60%Product Design

Industries
30%

30%Other industries

20%

20%Business services

25%

25%eCommerce

Client sizes
60%

60%Small Business (<$10M)

60%

60%Small Business (<$10M)

60%

60%Small Business (<$10M)

75%

75%Small Business (<$10M)

Directions
100%

100%Embedded Development

65%

65%Web Development

90%

90%Web Development

60%

60%Web Development

Powered by 7BE

Top 10 alternatives to Design 1st

Hire the right agency — smarter, faster, cheaper.

Get verified results

Takes 5 minutes · 100% free

This is how 7BE can help you

  • Easily get reliable proposals from trusted IT agencies
  • Own your entire hiring and project sourcing journey
  • Discover competitive offers tailored to your needs
  • #01mDevelopers

    Our solutions work for the future

    View Portfolio

    Pros

    • Affordable hourly rates compared to Design 1st
    • Wide range of project sizes accepted
    • Focus on clear communication and remote collaboration

    Cons

    • Less experience than Design 1st
    • Limited to smaller project sizes
    • Lower hourly rate may imply less quality

    $25 - $49

    10 - 49

    Founded in 2010

    $5,000+

    Warszawa

    Verified

    Focus

    80% Custom Software

    80%80% Custom Software

    10%10% Product Design

    10%10% Internet of Things

  • #02Atwinta digital agency

    We create digital products since 2011

    View Portfolio

    Pros

    • Very low minimum project size requirement
    • Well-reviewed work process and delivery
    • Quick turnaround on projects

    Cons

    • Small team may lead to resource limitations
    • Limited advanced technologies offered
    • Less established than Design 1st

    $50 - $99

    10 - 49

    Founded in 2011

    $1,000+

    Murrieta

    Verified

    Focus

    65% UX/UI Design

    65%65% UX/UI Design

    20%20% Web Design

    5%5% Product Design

    5%5% Internet of Things

    5%5% Graphic Design

  • #03Parallax Engineering

    We bring your product ideas to life!

    View Portfolio

    Pros

    • Extremely low minimum project size
    • Fast delivery times on projects
    • Specialized in consumer product engineering

    Cons

    • Small team size limits scalability
    • Lower hourly rates may indicate less expertise
    • Less experience compared to Design 1st

    $25 - $49

    2 - 9

    Founded in 2016

    $5,000+

    Long Beach

    Verified

    Focus

    60% Product Design

    60%60% Product Design

    20%20% eCommerce

    20%20% Internet of Things

  • #04moblers

    Professional, award-winning, digital development.

    View Portfolio

    Pros

    • Focus on high-end digital development
    • Strong reputation for collaboration
    • Same project minimum as Design 1st

    Cons

    • Higher hourly rates compared to Design 1st
    • Limited to digital services
    • May not offer comprehensive engineering

    $50 - $99

    10 - 49

    Founded in 2007

    $25,000+

    Israel

    Verified

    Focus

    24% Custom Software

    24%24% Custom Software

    24%24% AI SaaS Development

    10%10% Internet of Things

    10%10% AI-Powered IoT (AIoT)

    8%8% Cloud Consulting & SI

    8%8% AI on Cloud

    3%3% UX/UI Design

    3%3% Product Design

    3%3% AR/VR

    3%3% Wearable App

    2% AI-Driven UX/UI Design

    2% AI Product Engineering

  • #05orvio

    Award-winning electronics & IoT product design

    View Portfolio

    Pros

    • Award-winning electronic product design
    • Emphasis on IoT and sensor systems
    • Affordable minimum project sizes

    Cons

    • Small team size affects capacity
    • Limited range of industries served
    • Less established than Design 1st

    $50 - $99

    2 - 9

    Founded in 2016

    $1,000+

    Glasgow

    Verified

    Focus

    50% Product Design

    50%50% Product Design

    50%50% Internet of Things

  • #06Intelligent Product Solutions

    Your Partner for Great Product Design

    View Portfolio

    Pros

    • All-in-one global product design capabilities
    • Well-established company with many resources
    • Good reputation for project results

    Cons

    • Higher hourly rates compared to Design 1st
    • Larger teams may complicate communication
    • Less geographic specificity than Design 1st

    $100 - $149

    50 - 249

    Founded in 2008

    $1,000+

    Hauppauge

    Verified

    Focus

    40% Product Design

    40%40% Product Design

    30%30% UX/UI Design

    30%30% Internet of Things

  • #07Nanosoft Technology Inc

    Edging Technology

    View Portfolio

    Pros

    • Lowest hourly rates in comparison
    • Focus on helping startups innovate
    • Based in Canada, which is beneficial

    Cons

    • Limited experience with larger projects
    • Very small team may affect availability
    • Focus on technology rather than design

    < $25 / hr

    2 - 9

    Founded in 2017

    $1,000+

    Markham

    Verified

    Focus

    65% Custom Software

    65%65% Custom Software

    20%20% Internet of Things

    15%15% Product Design

  • #08Skyrockets

    Powering Brands for Rapid Growth

    View Portfolio

    Pros

    • Very affordable pricing for services
    • Focus on global product reach
    • Favorable rates for small projects

    Cons

    • Less experience compared to Design 1st
    • Limited project scope
    • Rapid growth may affect stability

    $25 - $49

    2 - 9

    Founded in 2020

    $1,000+

    Chandigarh

    Verified

    Focus

    55% Custom Software

    55%55% Custom Software

    5%5% UX/UI Design

    5%5% Cloud Consulting & SI

    5%5% Web Design

    5%5% IT Managed Services

    5%5% IT Strategy Consulting

    5%5% Product Design

    5%5% Internet of Things

    5%5% CRM Consulting and SI

    5%5% Cybersecurity

  • #09i-Cons Technologies

    Business Process Outsourcing and ITES Company

    View Portfolio

    Pros

    • Similar operational scale and team size
    • Offers BPO services alongside IT solutions
    • Strong presence in Canada and India

    Cons

    • Higher hourly rates than Design 1st
    • Could lack creative design focus
    • May not specialize in product design

    $100 - $149

    50 - 249

    Founded in 2004

    $10,000+

    Coimbatore

    Verified

    Focus

    10% Custom Software

    10%10% Custom Software

    10%10% AI SaaS Development

    4%4% UX/UI Design

    4%4% Web Design

    3%3% Product Design

    3%3% Search Engine Optimization

    3%3% eCommerce

    3%3% Internet of Things

    3%3% Logo

    3%3% Email Marketing

    3%3% HR Services

    3%3% Pay Per Click

    3%3% Social Media Marketing

    3%3% Content Marketing

    3%3% Print Design

    3%3% Packaging Design

    3%3% Graphic Design

    3%3% Mobile & App Marketing

    3%3% AI-Driven UX/UI Design

    3%3% AI Agent Development

    3%3% AI Product Engineering

    3%3% AI SEO & Content Systems

    3%3% AI-Powered eCommerce

    3%3% AI-Powered IoT (AIoT)

    3%3% AI Email Marketing

    3%3% AI-Driven PPC

    3%3% AI Social Media Marketing

    3%3% AI Content Marketing

  • #10Atlantic Web Services

    Advanced Web Solutions & Enterprise Web Apps

    View Portfolio

    Pros

    • Established company in the Canadian market
    • Offers a variety of digital services
    • Reviews indicate strong client satisfaction

    Cons

    • Potentially higher costs than Design 1st
    • May focus more on web than product design
    • Limited technology offerings

    $25 - $49

    10 - 49

    Founded in 2005

    $1,000+

    Halifax

    Verified

    Focus

    8% Custom Software

    8%8% Custom Software

    8%8% AI SaaS Development

    3%3% BI & Big Data Consulting & SI

    3%3% Cloud Consulting & SI

    3%3% IT Strategy Consulting

    3%3% Blockchain

    3%3% AR/VR

    3%3% eCommerce

    3%3% Internet of Things

    3%3% Application Testing

    3%3% Other Application

    3%3% Enterprise App Modernization

    3%3% CRM Consulting and SI

    3%3% Cybersecurity

    3%3% Application Management & Support

    3%3% Wearable App

    3%3% ERP Consulting and SI

    3%3% Logistics & Supply Chain Consulting

    3%3% AI Data Intelligence

    3%3% AI on Cloud

    3%3% AI Strategy Consulting

    3%3% AI Agent Development

    3%3% AI-Powered eCommerce

    3%3% AI-Powered IoT (AIoT)

    3%3% AI-Augmented Application Testing

    3%3% AI-Driven Enterprise Modernization

    3%3% AI Sales Automation

    3%3% AI Cybersecurity

    2% AI Operations

    2% AI Process Automation

    2% AI Workflow Automation

Decide with confidence

How to choose

Quick pointers comparing pricing, location and capabilities across leading alternatives.

Cost and engagement

mDevelopers offers a lower hourly rate ranging from $25-$49, making them more budget-friendly compared to Design 1st.

Atwinta provides competitive pricing with an hourly rate of $50-$99, less than Design 1st's minimum rates.

Parallax Engineering has a minimum project size starting at $5,000, significantly lower than Design 1st, making them more accessible for small projects.

Geography

mDevelopers operates from Poland, providing cost-effective solutions for European clients.

Nanosoft Technology is based in Canada, similar to Design 1st, ensuring easy collaboration on projects within the same region.

Atlantic Web Services also based in Canada, facilitates localized support and communication.

Capabilities and tech

Intelligent Product Solutions is a larger firm with extensive resources, offering robust product design capabilities that surpass Design 1st's offerings.

Orvio specializes in IoT product design, providing niche technological expertise that is not a primary focus for Design 1st.

Atwinta offers a solid range of digital services that may appeal to clients looking for diverse technological solutions.

Guidance

Recommendations

Pick the right agency for your needs with these quick pointers.

  • For limited budgets, mDevelopers is perfect due to their low minimum project size and competitive hourly rates.
  • Atwinta is well-suited for U.S.-based projects, leveraging local industry knowledge and expertise for effective collaboration.
  • Intelligent Product Solutions is ideal for clients seeking a long-term partnership, offering comprehensive design and development capabilities.
  • Orvio stands out for niche projects, specializing in electronics and IoT, thus providing targeted solutions for specific industries.
  • Design 1st is well-equipped to tackle custom engineering challenges by leveraging their extensive product design experience.
Ready when you are

Stop buying AI promises. Start buying verified results.

Describe the outcome. You pay only when it's verified.

Get verified results

5 minutes · no cost · no commitment