Braintrust review
Updated September 28, 2026 · DeployCue Editorial Team · Facts checked September 26, 2026
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Our verdict
Braintrust suits developers and small teams that want a capable gateway without giving up provider choice. It offers an OpenAI-compatible API, bring your own key, a free tier, and routing across 17 providers, making it a practical option for teams comparing gateway flexibility alongside platform costs.
Key facts
- Best for
- Teams wanting an OpenAI-compatible gateway with BYOK and broad provider routing.
- Fee model
- Subscription platform fee (Starter $0, Pro $249/mo, Enterprise custom) plus usage-based charges for processed data, scores, retention and model credits↗
- Providers routed
- 17↗
- Bring your own key
- Yes↗
- OpenAI-compatible API
- Yes↗
- Free tier
- Yes↗
- Legal entity
- Braintrust Data, Inc.↗
- Headquarters
- United States↗
- Support channels
- Email, Help-centre, Community↗
- Official website
- braintrust.dev
Facts checked September 26, 2026, 5 sources
Apps and profiles
- Elsewhere
- XLinkedIngithub.comdiscord.gg
Pros and cons
Pros
- Supports bring your own key and provides an OpenAI-compatible API.
- Routes requests across 17 providers.
- Offers a free tier alongside paid subscription options.
- Provides support through email, help centre and community.
Cons
- The 17 provider count trails the cited comparison median of 9.
- The Fee model adds usage-based charges for processed data, scores, retention, and model credits beyond the subscription platform fee.
Who it suits
- Developers and small teams that already use provider keys and want gateway flexibility.
- Teams evaluating AI observability, scoring, retention, and model-credit workflows through one platform.
- Engineers looking for an OpenAI-compatible gateway with email, help-centre, and community support.
Who should look elsewhere
- LiteLLM may suit teams that want open-source self-hosting under an MIT licence and capacity-based enterprise pricing.
- Salad may suit teams that prefer a flat monthly subscription or pay-per-token pricing.
Pricing
Braintrust uses a subscription platform fee, with a free Starter plan, a paid Pro plan, and custom Enterprise pricing. The Fee model also adds usage-based charges for processed data, scores, retention, and model credits. A free tier is available, so teams can start with the platform while reviewing how usage-based services fit their expected activity.
Who runs it
Braintrust Data, Inc. operates Braintrust, with its headquarters in the US according to Braintrust Data, Inc. and US. Support is available through email, help centre and community, combining email, the help centre, and the community. The service is presented as a platform and gateway for teams managing AI provider access and related usage.
How Braintrust compares
Braintrust vs WaveSpeedAI9.1 vs 8.8
Braintrust vs ScalaHosting9.1 vs 8.3
Braintrust vs Contabo9.1 vs 9.2
Braintrust vs Cloudways9.1 vs 9.2
Braintrust vs PlanetHoster9.1 vs 8.7
Braintrust vs Acronis9.1 vs 9.9
Braintrust vs Aruba9.1 vs 9.3
Braintrust vs Decodo9.1 vs 9.1
Braintrust vs Hostinger9.1 vs 9.1- Braintrust vs MarsProxies9.1 vs 9.0
Braintrust vs hide.me9.1 vs 8.7
Braintrust vs Proton Drive9.1 vs 8.3
Braintrust vs Nexos.ai9.1 vs 8.2
Frequently asked questions
What does Braintrust cost?+
Braintrust uses a subscription platform fee, with a free Starter plan, a paid Pro plan, and custom Enterprise pricing. The Fee model also applies usage-based charges for processed data, scores, retention, and model credits.
Does Braintrust have a free tier?+
Braintrust has a free tier. The Fee model also includes subscription platform fees and usage-based charges, so a free account does not mean every included service is free.
Can I use my own provider key?+
Yes. You can bring your own key, which lets teams connect their provider credentials while using Braintrust as the gateway for supported AI providers.
Is the Braintrust gateway OpenAI-compatible?+
Yes. Braintrust provides an OpenAI-compatible API, which can simplify integration for applications built around a compatible interface while teams use their own provider keys.
How many providers does Braintrust route?+
Braintrust routes requests across 17 providers. This gives teams a broad gateway footprint, though the cited provider count is below the comparison median of 9.
How can I get support?+
Support is available through email, help centre and community. These channels cover email, the help centre, and the community, giving users a mix of direct, self-service, and peer support.
Who operates Braintrust?+
Braintrust Data, Inc. operates the service and is headquartered in the US, as shown by Braintrust Data, Inc. and US.
Sources
- braintrust.dev/docs/admin/ai-providers checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Bring your own key
“When you run a model through one of your own AI providers instead, the request goes to that provider on your own key.”
- braintrust.dev/docs/deploy/gateway checked September 26, 2026
Backs: OpenAI-compatible API, Providers routed
“The Gateway supports generating embeddings through the OpenAI-compatible /embeddings endpoint”
- braintrust.dev/docs/plans-and-limits checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Free tier, Support channels
“Starter ($0 platform fee) - Start building and evaluating AI applications for free with generous usage limits. No credit card required.”
- braintrust.dev/legal/privacy-policy checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Headquarters, Legal entity
“please email us at info@braintrustdata.com or contact us at 548 Market St PMB 96611, San Francisco, California 94104-5401”
- braintrust.dev/pricing checked September 26, 2026
Backs: Fee model
“Platform fee $0 / month, $249 / month, Custom ... Processed data 1 GB / month included then +$4/GB”
Compiled from 5 source pages, checked September 26, 2026. We did not open an account.
Braintrust
Teams wanting an OpenAI-compatible gateway with BYOK and broad provider routing.