Top 10 McLean Alternatives & Competitors

McLean is a branding and design agency established in 1991, dedicated to creating impactful visual identities. With a focus on deep client understanding, they leverage decades of industry experience to deliver high-quality solutions. Catering to businesses with substantial project budgets, McLean stands out for their personalized approach and effective design strategies.

Below are 10 agencies, including Hunter, TRIXMEDIA Inc, Deuce Studio, S2 Design Group, The Turtle Story, Herefor Studio, vve.design, DesignerPeople, Elmwood, Bonsey Design:

Top 10 Alternatives to McLean by 7BE

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  • Hunter

    Change your brand for the better.

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    Pros:

    Great brand transformation expertise
    Focus on long-term client success
    Strong creative direction and strategy

    Cons:

    Limited pricing visibility
    Less experience compared to McLean
    Less established history in market

    Undisclosed

    2 - 9

    Founded in 2010

    $25,000+

    Melbourne

    Verified

    Focus

    60% Branding

    60%60% Branding

    40%40% Packaging Design

  • TRIXMEDIA Inc

    Creating Possibilities

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    Pros:

    Competitive project minimum sizes
    Experienced team with fresh perspectives
    Strong user feedback on creativity

    Cons:

    More affordable options available
    Reputation still growing in segment
    Potentially less personalized service

    $200 - $299

    2 - 9

    Founded in 2003

    $10,000+

    Beverly Hills

    Verified

    Focus

    60% Branding

    60%60% Branding

    40%40% Packaging Design

  • Deuce Studio

    Bringing Brands To Life

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    Pros:

    Affordable hourly rates
    Innovative approach to branding
    Strong ability to understand consumer behavior

    Cons:

    Younger team with less experience
    Lower project minimum size
    Limited service offerings compared to McLean

    $100 - $149

    2 - 9

    Founded in 2016

    $10,000+

    London

    Verified

    Focus

    60% Branding

    60%60% Branding

    40%40% Packaging Design

  • S2 Design Group

    Woman-owned branding & packaging agency.

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    Pros:

    Affordable minimum project sizes
    Specialization in branding and packaging
    Experiencing growth and expertise

    Cons:

    Team size larger than competitors
    Less focus on digital strategies
    Potentially less tailored approach

    Undisclosed

    10 - 49

    Founded in 2000

    $1,000+

    New York City

    Verified

    Focus

    50% Branding

    50%50% Branding

    50%50% Packaging Design

  • The Turtle Story

    We create standout brands.

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    Pros:

    Lower hourly rates for services
    High adaptability to client needs
    Creative and immersive branding process

    Cons:

    Geographical distance from U.S. clients
    Lower minimum project budget
    Lesser-known brand reputation

    $50 - $99

    10 - 49

    Founded in 2017

    $10,000+

    Mumbai

    Verified

    Focus

    80% Branding

    80%80% Branding

    20%20% Packaging Design

  • Herefor Studio

    We make nice things for nice people, nicely.

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    Pros:

    Collaborative approach with clients
    Minimum project size matches McLean's
    Solid user feedback on satisfaction

    Cons:

    Limited visibility of past work
    Undisclosed hourly rates
    Still establishing brand presence

    Undisclosed

    2 - 9

    Founded in 2018

    $25,000+

    Portland

    Verified

    Focus

    50% Branding

    50%50% Branding

    50%50% Packaging Design

  • vve.design

    We shape bold ideas.

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    Pros:

    Strong focus on creativity
    Affordable minimum project size
    Gives brand priority over personal desires

    Cons:

    Limited experience compared to McLean
    Higher potential to miss client expectations
    Less transparency in processes

    $150 - $199

    2 - 9

    Founded in 2018

    $5,000+

    Milano

    Verified

    Focus

    50% Branding

    50%50% Branding

    50%50% Packaging Design

  • DesignerPeople

    Design and Branding Agency

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    Pros:

    Extremely affordable hourly rates
    Quick turnaround on projects
    Broad range of services offered

    Cons:

    Lower tier design quality reported
    Less experienced team overall
    Limited focus on B2B strategies

    $25 - $49

    10 - 49

    Founded in 2002

    $1,000+

    Faridabad

    Verified

    Focus

    50% Branding

    50%50% Branding

    50%50% Packaging Design

  • Elmwood

    World-Class Brand Design & Strategy

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    Pros:

    Established brand with global recognition
    Proven effectiveness with award recognition
    Strong foundation in brand design

    Cons:

    Higher minimum project size
    Higher cost of services
    Less personalized service approach

    Undisclosed

    50 - 249

    Founded in 1977

    $25,000+

    New York City

    Verified

    Focus

    80% Branding

    80%80% Branding

    20%20% Packaging Design

  • Bonsey Design

    Building Brands from Innovation to Experience

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    Pros:

    Integrated approach across design and strategy
    Competent in fast-paced market dynamics
    Strong client feedback on effectiveness

    Cons:

    Higher cost associated with services
    Limited presence in niche B2B markets
    Less focus on startups and limited budgets

    Undisclosed

    10 - 49

    Founded in 1993

    $1,000+

    Singapore

    Verified

    Focus

    70% Branding

    70%70% Branding

    30%30% Packaging Design


Comparisons

Cost of services

  • Competitor TRIXMEDIA Inc has a lower min project size starting at $10,000, appealing to a broader range of clients.

  • Deuce Studio offers a more competitive hourly rate starting at $100 - $149, making it budget-friendly for small businesses or startups.

  • S2 Design Group allows projects to start as low as $1,000, making it more accessible than McLean.

Geography

  • McLean operates in the United States, giving them a direct connection to U.S. brands.

  • Competitor Hunter is based in Australia, appealing to brands looking for a different regional approach.

  • Herefor Studio also operates within the U.S., making it geographically advantageous for local clients.

Technologies

  • Competitor TRIXMEDIA Inc can leverage cutting-edge technologies innovative for digital marketing needs, possibly more agile than McLean.

  • Deuce Studio has a strong focus on consumer insights and future trends that may be beneficial for tech-driven brands.

  • vve.design showcases a strong emphasis on bold ideas which could suggest a focus on innovative technologies in branding.


Recommendations

  • Launching on a limited budget

    Consider Deuce Studio or S2 Design Group, both offering lower minimum project sizes that allow more flexibility for budget-conscious clients.
  • Collaborating with U.S.-based agencies

    McLean and Herefor Studio are great choices for clients seeking collaboration with U.S.-based teams for alignments with local market trends.
  • Looking for long-term digital partnership

    Hunter stands out for a commitment to enduring client relationships, making them ideal for businesses seeking a dedicated long-term partner.
  • Requiring niche B2B industry expertise

    Consider Elmwood or Bonsey Design, both known for their strategic brand consulting and tailored expertise across diverse industries.
  • Solving business problems with custom solutions

    TRIXMEDIA Inc and vve.design are equipped to offer creative and bespoke solutions tailored to solving complex business problems effectively.

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