Braintrust is a decentralized talent network that connects highly skilled freelancers with reputable brands, revolutionizing the hiring process through blockchain technology for transparency and community ownership. The platform offers businesses the ability to find and hire top-tier tech talent, specializing in developers, designers, and researchers, with no fees for freelancers.

Braintrust connects freelancers with roles in various industries, including advertising, ensuring that businesses can source creative and operational talent for their marketing and promotional efforts. Braintrust utilizes AI-powered tools to match candidates with job openings, including AI-generated interview questions and customizable job descriptions. Flexiple, a competitor in the space, also focuses on web developer hiring. Through features like Braintrust AIR, which cuts hiring time by up to 50%, Braintrust ensures an efficient and cost-effective process for both clients and talent. The platform serves prominent enterprises like Apple, Google, and Nike, attracting top talent globally.

How Does UseBraintrust Work?

Usebraintrust works by providing a decentralized platform that connects skilled freelancers with businesses, making it easier for clients to find top talent and for freelancers to find projects that match their skills. Here's a breakdown of how it works for both clients and freelancers:

For Candidates (Talent)

1. Sign Up and Profile Creation: Candidates begin by creating an account on Braintrust, where they can build a comprehensive profile that includes their portfolio, skills, and work history. This helps clients understand their experience and expertise at a glance.
2. Profile Completion: To maximize job application success, candidates are encouraged to complete their profile fully on the Braintrust site. A 100% complete profile is essential for applying to jobs and increases the likelihood of being considered for roles.
3. Job Application: Once the profile is set up and complete, candidates can apply to job listings that align with their skills and interests. They can browse through available opportunities and submit applications for roles that fit their expertise.
4. Screening Process: To gain the “Approved Talent” badge, candidates must complete a brief 10-minute one-way video screening. This helps ensure that only the best candidates are approved and ready for job matching.
5. Job Matching: After being approved, candidates are matched with jobs through Braintrust’s AI-driven system, which matches their skills and interests with available job opportunities. This ensures a higher chance of finding a suitable role.
6. Work and Payment: Upon securing a project, candidates can start working, submit their invoices through the platform, and receive payments. Importantly, Braintrust does not charge any talent fees, ensuring freelancers keep the full amount they earn.

For Clients

1. Account Setup: Clients begin by setting up a company account on Braintrust, where they provide basic company information and any relevant details to get started on the platform.
2. Job Posting: Clients can easily post job listings, outlining their needs, project details, and the skills and experience needed for the job. These listings become visible to qualified freelancers who match the job criteria.
3. Talent Selection: Braintrust uses AI-driven job matching to help clients identify and select the most suitable candidates for their job listings. This system helps streamline the hiring process by quickly narrowing down a pool of talent.
4. Project Management: Clients can manage ongoing projects directly through the platform. Communication with selected talent, task tracking, and collaboration are all facilitated within the system, ensuring smooth workflow management.
5. Invoicing and Payment: Once the project is completed, clients can pay freelancers through the platform via ACH, credit card, or other payment methods. Braintrust charges a flat 15% fee on the total amount paid for the project, which covers platform costs and services.

Business Model of UseBraintrust

The business model of Braintrust is centered around creating a decentralized talent network that connects highly skilled freelancers with top companies. By leveraging blockchain technology, the platform eliminates traditional intermediaries, providing greater transparency, cost-effectiveness, and autonomy for freelancers. 

This model offers a unique structure that benefits both freelancers and clients, enabling fairer compensation and incentivizing community-driven growth. Here are the key elements that define Braintrust's business model:

Decentralized Talent Network

Braintrust operates as a decentralized network, allowing freelancers to directly connect with clients without intermediaries, ensuring that both sides benefit from more control and better pricing.

100% Freelancer Earnings

Freelancers on Braintrust retain 100% of their earnings, a major advantage over traditional platforms that typically take a significant commission. Braintrust only charges a 10% fee on the client side, making it more cost-effective for businesses.

Token Economy & Governance

The platform incorporates a token-based system using BTRST tokens, leveraging various technologies to encourage community engagement and governance. Freelancers and users can earn tokens by contributing to the network, fostering a sense of shared ownership and incentivizing active participation.

Focus on Tech and Design Projects

Braintrust primarily caters to large-scale tech and design projects, including areas like software development, machine learning, and data analytics. This focus attracts top-tier talent from leading tech companies and ensures a steady stream of high-quality projects for freelancers.

Cost-Effectiveness for Companies

By removing traditional agency fees and reducing costs for both freelancers and clients, Braintrust offers a more affordable and efficient way for companies to source and hire talent for tech projects, leading to increased demand among Fortune 1000 companies.

Review of UseBraintrust's Key Features

Braintrust is a decentralized talent network that connects highly skilled freelancers with reputable brands, offering an innovative platform that benefits both clients and freelancers. By leveraging blockchain technology and AI tools, Braintrust ensures transparency, fairness, and efficiency in the hiring process. Below are the top five features of Braintrust that are particularly useful for both clients and freelancers.

Decentralized Talent Network with Blockchain Transparency

Braintrust operates as a decentralized talent network, using blockchain to ensure security, transparency, and community ownership. This structure benefits both clients and freelancers by creating a fair and transparent platform where freelancers retain 100% of their earnings. For clients, it ensures that the hiring process is clear and without hidden fees.

AI-Powered Job Matching

Braintrust uses AI-driven tools to match candidates with job openings. This feature helps clients post jobs and receive instant matches with top candidates. Freelancers benefit by being matched with relevant opportunities based on their skills, enhancing the likelihood of finding the right job faster.

AI-Driven Interviewing System (Braintrust AIR)

The Braintrust AIR system significantly reduces hiring time by up to 50% and cuts interview costs by as much as 80%. It generates detailed scorecards and videos based on key scoring criteria, helping clients streamline the hiring process. Freelancers benefit from a quicker, more transparent interview process, increasing their chances of landing the job. Additionally, the system helps clients respond quickly to candidates, ensuring efficient and effective communication.

No Fees for Freelancers

One of Braintrust’s standout features is that it does not charge fees to freelancers, allowing them to save money and keep 100% of their earnings. This sets Braintrust apart from other platforms that typically charge high fees. For clients, this means that they can attract top talent without the platform charging freelancers a fee, making the hiring process more cost-effective.

Access to Top Talent from Leading Companies

Braintrust attracts top-tier talent from companies like Apple, Google, and Amazon. The platform offers clients access to skilled professionals from various industries, including those working in tech, design, research, and more. For freelancers, this is an opportunity to connect with reputable brands and gain access to high-paying and career-advancing projects.

UseBraintrust Pricing Review

Braintrust offers a flexible pricing structure for both clients and candidates. Below are the fees associated with using the platform:

For Clients

• Platform Fee: Clients pay a flat 15% service fee on top of the agreed-upon talent fees, added to the total invoice amount. This platform is the place where clients manage their payments efficiently.
• Conversion Fee: If a client hires a freelancer as a full-time employee within six months, a 15% conversion fee is applied based on the first year’s base salary.
• Direct Hire Fee: For direct hires, the fee is 15% of the first year’s base salary.

For Candidates

• Talent Fees: Candidates do not pay any fees to Braintrust and earn their full market rate without deductions.
• Payment Terms: Talent is paid as soon as the client pays Braintrust.

UseBraintrust User Experience Review

UseBraintrust offers a seamless experience designed thoughtfully for both freelancers and clients by understanding the needs of people using the platform. Freelancers particularly appreciate the straightforward job matching process, which provides autonomy in choosing projects aligned with their skills and interests. Clients, on the other hand, gain access to a curated pool of highly qualified talent, thanks to the platform’s rigorous vetting process. Smooth communication further enhances the experience, promoting collaboration and effective partnerships.

Nevertheless, the platform faces some challenges. Freelancers occasionally express concern about fees, noting they can be higher compared to alternative freelancing platforms. For clients, navigating through extensive freelancer profiles can be somewhat time-consuming.

Pros and Cons of UseBraintrust: Positive & Negatives

UseBraintrust reviews from freelancers and clients reveal both positive and negative aspects of the platform. Many freelancers and clients find value in the transparency and flexibility of the platform, while others highlight certain limitations and challenges. Understanding both sides of the experience can help users determine if UseBraintrust is the right choice for them.

Pros of UseBraintrust

• Transparent fee structure with no hidden costs.
• Direct access to high-quality clients and projects.
• Flexibility in setting rates and working hours.
• Strong community and network of professionals.
• Opportunity to work on diverse and interesting projects.
• No middleman, ensuring fair compensation.

Cons of UseBraintrust

• Limited availability of projects for specific niches.
• Platform fees may still seem high to some users.
• Client onboarding can be slow at times.
• Some freelancers report inconsistent communication from clients.
• Limited support for freelancers in managing contracts or disputes.

UseBraintrust Reviews from Candidates

Here are a few unfiltered reviews from candidates sharing their experiences with Braintrust.

Braintrust Review 1 from Candidate

This is a 1-star review from Julia Paluch for Braintrust, where she expresses feelings of being scammed. Here’s a summary of her feedback:

Concerns and Issues:

• Unexpected Requirements: After submitting a detailed application, including a cover letter, Julia was unexpectedly required to complete a video interview screening before her application could be sent to the employer.
• Feeling Deceived: The additional screening step made her feel deceived about the process, causing frustration over the perceived misuse of her time and effort.
• Burdens and Expenses: Candidates often face additional burdens and expenses, such as gas for traveling to interviews, without any support from the company, adding to the overall dissatisfaction.

Overall Impression:

• Julia’s review highlights a significant dissatisfaction with Braintrust’s application process, mainly due to unexpected steps that felt burdensome and unfair to her as a candidate.

Braintrust Review 2 from candidate

This is a 1-star review from Jackson Berry for Braintrust, focusing on poor customer support. Here’s a summary of his feedback:

Concerns and Issues:

• Delayed Responses: Jackson joined Braintrust and completed his profile 15 days ago. He was told he would receive an email upon approval, but it never arrived.
• Poor Communication: After attempting to contact the support team multiple times, he received either no reply or unsatisfactory responses, which he describes as “lack reply and same word every time.

Overall Impression:

• Jackson’s experience reflects significant frustration with Braintrust’s support services, feeling neglected and poorly treated as a candidate. His feedback suggests a need for improvement in responsiveness and communication within the support team. Candidates have worked in a challenging and unsupportive environment, leading to high turnover rates and burnout.

Top Alternatives to UseBraintrust for Clients

Clients seeking alternatives to UseBraintrust can choose from Flexiple, Toptal, and Gun.io. Each platform offers distinct freelance talent solutions tailored to specific business needs. 

1. Flexiple

Established in 2014, Flexiple specializes in connecting clients with highly-vetted freelance developers and designers. Their network includes alumni from prestigious companies like Amazon and Microsoft. Flexiple’s advanced vetting process evaluates over 50 data points to ensure the highest quality talent. Clients can hire on part-time or full-time contracts, and they even offer a one-week trial to assess compatibility. Flexiple has a strong clientele base, including high-growth startups and top investors.

In addition to tech roles, Flexiple also offers marketing positions, providing opportunities for professionals to work in a supportive environment that values genuine experience over superficial qualifications. A dedicated success manager is assigned to each client to ensure smooth communication, and their platform supports a wide range of tech stacks, including .NET, JavaScript, and React.

2. Toptal

Founded in 2010, Toptal is a highly selective network that connects businesses with the top 3% of freelancers globally, specializing in software engineering, design, and project management. Toptal’s rigorous vetting process includes assessments of technical skills, communication abilities, and problem-solving. Known for its rapid onboarding, often within 24 hours, Toptal offers flexible payment models and a trial hiring period.

Toptal’s clientele includes companies like Shopify and Bridgestone, and their global reach makes them a trusted source for businesses seeking elite talent across multiple industries. Their platform also provides a backup talent option if the initially selected professional is unavailable. Additionally, Toptal offers roles in advertising, catering to the media, entertainment, and hospitality industries, ensuring businesses can find creative and operational talent for their marketing and promotional efforts.

3. Gun.io

Founded in 2012, Gun.io specializes in providing access to top-quality software engineers, offering both freelance and full-time hiring options. The platform is known for its quick hiring process, with candidates available for interviews within days. Gun.io vets talent using a mix of senior engineers and algorithms to ensure high-quality matches.

Clients benefit from transparent pricing and instant access to specialized engineers skilled in frameworks like .NET and Xamarin. Gun.io primarily serves U.S.-based clients, with a dedicated success manager ensuring continuous support throughout the hiring process. Gun.io's features help us personalize user experiences, improve security, and measure the effectiveness of our services, enhancing overall functionality for both the company and the users.

Alternatives to UseBraintrust for Tech Talent

If you're exploring alternatives to using Braintrust as a candidate, consider the following options:

For freelance talent and gig‑based work:

• upwork.com
• freelancer.com
• fiverr.com

For pre‑vetted developers and teams:

• flexiple.com
• toptal.com
• x‑team.com

Is UseBraintrust the Right Platform for You?

Yes, useBraintrust is the right platform for you if you are a highly skilled freelancer seeking a decentralized network that connects you with reputable brands, wants to retain 100% of your earnings, and values transparency through blockchain. It is ideal if you are looking for AI-driven tools to streamline job matching, and if you are seeking career advancement opportunities without paying fees for job placement.

useBraintrust is not the right platform for you if you are not in the tech field or if you prefer a traditional job board with a more centralized, fee-based system for freelancers. Additionally, it may not be suitable if you are looking for a platform that focuses on industries outside of tech, design, and research.

FAQs On UseBraintrust Review

1. How does Braintrust ensure transparency in the hiring process?

Braintrust uses blockchain technology to provide transparency and fairness, allowing freelancers to retain 100% of their earnings.

2. Can I participate in decision-making on Braintrust?

Yes, Braintrust is a user-owned platform, giving community members the ability to participate in governance decisions.

3. What makes Braintrust’s AI-powered tools unique?

Braintrust’s AI tools match candidates to job openings instantly, generate AI-driven interview questions, and create customizable job descriptions to improve hiring efficiency.

4. How does Braintrust AIR reduce hiring costs?

Braintrust AIR cuts interview time by 50% and saves up to 80% on interview costs by providing detailed scorecards and video assessments based on key scoring criteria.

5. What type of companies use Braintrust?

Braintrust connects top-tier freelancers with companies like Nestle, Porsche, Nike, and tech giants such as Apple, Google, and Amazon.