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).

	Design 1st	mDevelopers	Atwinta digital agency	Parallax Engineering
Tagline	Full Service Product Design and Engineering Firm	Our solutions work for the future	We create digital products since 2011	We bring your product ideas to life!
Foundation year	1996	2010	2011	2016
Min. project size	$25,000+	$5,000+	$1,000+	$5,000+
Hourly rate	$150 - $199	$25 - $49	$50 - $99	$25 - $49
Employees	10 - 49	10 - 49	10 - 49	2 - 9
Headquarters	Ottawa, Canada	Warszawa, Poland	Murrieta, United States	Long 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

Top 10 alternatives to Design 1st

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#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.

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Top 10 Design 1st alternatives

Design 1st at a glance

Listed locations:

Primary service focus ("Focus"):

Direction focus

Quick comparison

Top 10 alternatives to Design 1st

How to choose

Cost and engagement

Geography

Capabilities and tech

Recommendations

Launching on a limited budget

Collaborating with U.S.-based agencies

Looking for long-term digital partnership

Requiring niche B2B industry expertise

Solving business problems with custom solutions

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