Obys Agency Review 2026: Pricing, Services, Pros, Cons & Is It Worth Hiring?

Introduction

There's a certain kind of website that makes designers stop scrolling. Big, confident type. A grid you can feel. Motion that's smooth but never showy. It looks simple, and then you try to make something like it and realize how hard "simple" really is.

A lot of those websites come from Obys.

If you're here, you've probably seen its work on Awwwards or Behance and wondered whether a studio like that would take on your project, what it would cost, and what clients actually say about working with it.

Obys is unusual. It has won more awards than many agencies 20 times its size, but it's a team of fewer than 10 people. In this review, I'll walk you through who Obys is, what it does, who it works with, what it likely costs, and whether that small, founder-led setup is right for you.

The Short Answer: Is Obys Worth It?

Obys is worth it if you want a distinctive, award-level brand or website made personally by its founders, but it takes on only a few projects a year and isn't built for quick or budget work.

How I Wrote This Review

I put this review together in early November 2026. I went through Obys' own website and About page, its Awwwards history and recent award-winning projects, and how it's featured in the design press.

I haven't hired Obys myself. I'm a working designer, and Obys is one of those studios I've followed for a long time, so I'm looking at it with real interest and a practical eye.

Who Is Obys?

Obys is a concept-driven design studio founded in 2018. It's led by two co-founders:

• Olha Olianishyna, Managing Director

• Viacheslav Olianishyn, Design Director

The studio describes itself as EU-based, with teams in Amsterdam, Warsaw and Berlin. The team is under 10 people, and the founders personally lead every project.

Small on purpose

Obys takes on only a limited number of projects each year. That's a deliberate choice. Keeping the team small means the founders stay hands-on and the creative direction stays personal.

For you as a client, that has two sides. You get the people whose work you admire, not a junior team. But you also have to wait your turn, and the studio may say no if your project isn't the right fit.

The Obys style

Obys draws on modernist design and graphic design tradition: strong typography, clear grid systems and thoughtful motion. Its work feels editorial and confident rather than flashy.

A good example is AIM, a project that reinterprets the modernist architecture of Kharkiv, Ukraine, using AI. It was named Awwwards Site of the Month in January 2024.

What Services Does Obys Offer?

Industries

Obys lists architecture, fashion, technology, culture, education, finance, automotive and furniture. It works mostly with marketing leaders and founders who care about authorship, clarity and long-term brand impact.

Teaching and education

Obys also runs Design Education Series, an educational platform, and the founders speak at events like Awwwards conferences (Amsterdam 2022, Valencia 2024) and The Geek Gathering (2025). Teaching is a real part of the studio's identity.

Obys' Clients

According to its website, Obys has worked with:

• CNN

• Porsche

• Hilton

• Miro

• Makhno (a Ukrainian architecture and design studio)

• Glyphic Biotechnologies

That's a strong list for a team of under 10. It mixes big global brands with creative and science companies, which fits Obys' range across industries.

Obys Reviews: What Do Clients and the Industry Say?

Obys doesn't have a Clutch profile or a big set of Google reviews, so there's not much public client feedback to quote. Its reputation comes almost entirely from its work and awards.

The awards

Obys' award list is long:

• Awwwards Studio of the Year (2023, with an earlier win shown in 2020)

• CSS Design Awards Studio of the Year, four times

• Red Dot: Best of the Best

• European Design Awards Jury Prize

• Awwwards Site of the Day, 30+ times

• CSS Design Awards Website of the Day, 35+ times

• Communication Arts Award of Excellence, three times

• Behance: Best of Behance

• Plus 60+ more awards

What strengths come through

• Craft. The awards speak for themselves.

• Personal attention. Founders lead every project.

• Consistency. A clear point of view across years of work.

• Respect in the industry. Regular speaking and teaching.

What's missing

There's very little public information about the client experience: timelines, communication, revisions and budgets. With a small studio, ask about availability too. If one founder is traveling or speaking, how does that affect your project?

Is Obys Legit?

Yes. Obys is a well-known, highly awarded studio with real clients like CNN, Porsche and Hilton, and its founders are active in the design community. It's featured by Awwwards, Red Dot, Communication Arts and Codrops.

How Much Does Obys Cost?

Obys doesn't publish prices. Here's my honest estimate, based on how small, highly awarded studios usually price. These are my own ranges:

Why a small studio isn't "cheaper"

People often expect a small team to be cheaper. With studios like Obys, that's not usually true. You're paying for senior, award-winning people working directly on your project. And since they only take a few projects a year, each one needs to be worth it for them.

A worked example

Say you run a growing architecture firm. Your current site is a basic template, and you're losing pitches to firms whose websites feel more like galleries.

A studio like Obys might:

1. Concept (2 to 3 weeks): a visual idea rooted in your architecture and values.

2. Identity touch-up (2 to 4 weeks): refine your logo, type and grid.

3. Website design (4 to 6 weeks): an editorial-style site with project stories.

4. Development and motion (4 to 6 weeks): build it with smooth, subtle animations.

That's about 3 to 4 months, and a budget likely in the mid to high five figures. You'd end up with a site that matches the quality of your buildings.

Obys vs Other Award-Winning Studios

Obys is often compared with studios like Studio Feixen (Switzerland), Exo Ape (Netherlands), Cuberto, Zajno and Locomotive (Montreal).

• Studio Feixen is known for bold, colorful, playful graphic design.

• Exo Ape and Locomotive are known for smooth, crafted websites.

• Cuberto and Zajno lean into product and app design with strong motion.

• Obys stands out for modernist, typography-led work and its very small, founder-led team.

My Honest Design Opinion

As a designer, I really admire Obys. Its work proves that you don't need a huge team to make world-class design. Its typography and grids are the kind of thing other designers study.

My honest advice: be sure you want the Obys look. Its work has a clear modernist, editorial voice. If your brand is soft, playful or cartoon-like, you'd be asking it to work against its strengths.

And plan ahead. With so few projects a year, you may need to book months in advance. If you need a site live in four weeks, Obys probably isn't the answer.

Pros of Obys

• Exceptional craft. 100+ awards, including Awwwards Studio of the Year.

• Founder-led. The people whose work you admire do your project.

• Distinct style. Strong typography, grids and motion.

• Big-brand experience. CNN, Porsche, Hilton and Miro.

• Respected teachers. Active in design education.

Cons of Obys

• Very limited capacity. Only a few projects a year.

• No public pricing.

• Few client reviews. Most proof comes from awards.

• Strong house style. Not for every brand.

• Not for urgent projects.

Who Should Hire Obys?

Obys is a good fit for:

• brands that want an award-level website or identity,

• architecture, fashion, culture and design-led companies,

• founders and marketing leaders who value authorship and craft,

• companies willing to plan ahead and wait for the right team.

Who Should Look Elsewhere?

Look elsewhere if you:

• need a site quickly,

• have a small budget,

• want a playful or very colorful style,

• need ongoing, everyday design tasks,

• want a big team with lots of capacity.

Questions to Ask Before You Sign

1. "When could you realistically start our project?"

2. "Will both founders be involved?"

3. "What's the budget range for what we've described?"

4. "Can we speak to a recent client?"

5. "Who builds the website, and can we edit it ourselves?"

6. "How do you handle feedback and revisions?"

Best Obys Alternatives

These aren't ranked. Most are award-winning studios with strong craft, and I've also included myself.

A Quick Note About Me

I'm Subarno, and I run a small design and no-code studio. Like Obys, I keep things small and work directly with clients. But I'm not going to pretend my work sits on the same award shelf. Obys is one of the best in the world at what it does.

Where I can help is with businesses that want a clean, modern website and brand without waiting months for an opening. My $1,000/month retainer covers:

• website design in Figma,

• website builds in Framer or Webflow,

• branding for smaller businesses, like logos, colors and brand guides,

• small website animations and interactions,

• banners, posters and social media content.

I handle one task at a time and usually turn things around in 24 to 48 hours. If that sounds useful, book a free 30-minute call or reach me on my contact page. If you have the budget and the patience, though, Obys is a studio worth waiting for.

Final Verdict: Is Obys Worth It?

Obys is a rare studio: tiny, founder-led and one of the most awarded design teams in the world. Its work with CNN, Porsche and Hilton shows it can deliver for big brands, and its modernist style is instantly recognizable.

It's worth it if you want award-level craft, love its visual style, and can plan ahead. It's not the right choice for urgent projects, small budgets or brands that need a very different look.

FAQ

What is Obys?

Obys is a concept-driven design studio founded in 2018, led by Olha Olianishyna and Viacheslav Olianishyn. It designs websites, brand identities and motion work.

Where is Obys based?

Obys describes itself as EU-based, with teams in Amsterdam, Warsaw and Berlin.

How big is Obys?

Under 10 people. The founders lead every project.

What awards has Obys won?

Awwwards Studio of the Year, CSS Design Awards Studio of the Year four times, Red Dot Best of the Best, and more than 100 awards in total.

Who are Obys' clients?

CNN, Porsche, Hilton, Miro, Makhno and Glyphic Biotechnologies, among others.

How much does Obys cost?

Obys doesn't publish prices. Expect mid five figures and up for a website or identity.

Does Obys take on many projects?

No. It takes on a limited number each year, so plan ahead.

What are Obys reviews like?

There are few public client reviews. Its reputation comes mainly from its awards and portfolio.

What are good alternatives to Obys?

Studio Feixen, Exo Ape, Cuberto, Zajno and Locomotive. For faster, smaller projects, my $1,000/month retainer is another option.

Sources

• Obys: About page

• Awwwards: AIM, AI Modernism of Kharkiv, Site of the Month January 2024

Details can change over time. Always confirm directly with the studio before you hire.