Key takeaways
- BrainGrid targets 'vibe coders' — domain experts using AI coding tools who need help planning before prompting
- Claims 90% AI token savings by 'building it right the first time' through structured specs
- Offers MCP server integration with Cursor, Claude Code, and other AI coding tools
- Over 2,000 builders using the platform across all pricing tiers
FAQ
What is BrainGrid?
BrainGrid is an AI Product Planner that helps non-technical builders structure their ideas into dev-ready specs before using AI coding tools like Cursor or Claude Code.
How much does BrainGrid cost?
BrainGrid offers three tiers: Builder at $10/month, Builder Pro at $23/month, and Team at $75/month per user.
Who competes with BrainGrid?
BrainGrid competes with ChatPRD for spec generation, and with AI coding tools like Cursor and Lovable that have built-in planning features.
Executive Summary
BrainGrid positions itself as the "AI Product Planner" — a tool designed to help non-technical builders (what the industry calls "vibe coders") structure their ideas before feeding them to AI coding tools like Cursor, Claude Code, or Lovable.
The core thesis: AI coding tools are powerful but struggle with vague instructions. They go off-track, miss requirements, and need constant hand-holding. BrainGrid aims to be the "AI Tech Lead" that brings clarity and structure.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Company | BrainGrid |
| Founded | 2025 (estimated) |
| Funding | Not disclosed (likely bootstrapped) |
| Employees | Small team |
| Headquarters | Not disclosed |
Product Overview
BrainGrid helps users transform rough ideas into structured specifications that AI coding tools can execute reliably. The workflow emphasizes "spec-driven development" — the idea that better prompts lead to better code.
Key Capabilities
| Capability | Description |
|---|---|
| AI Product Planner | Conceptualize ideas and scope features with AI assistance |
| Automated Task Breakdowns | Break complex ideas into manageable, dev-ready tasks |
| Code Analysis | Review code for issues (1-10 analyses per day depending on tier) |
| Acceptance Reviews | Verify features meet specifications before shipping |
| MCP Server Integration | Connect directly to Cursor, Claude Code, and other AI coding tools |
Product Surfaces
| Surface | Description | Availability |
|---|---|---|
| Web App | Main product planning interface | GA |
| CLI | Command-line interface for developers | GA |
| MCP Server | Integration with AI coding tools | GA |
Technical Architecture
BrainGrid operates as a cloud-based planning tool that generates structured outputs consumable by AI coding tools.
Key Technical Details
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Deployment | Cloud (SaaS) |
| Context Windows | Basic (100K), Max (500K), Max+ (1M) depending on tier |
| Integrations | Cursor, Claude Code, GitHub, MCP protocol |
| Open Source | No |
The company emphasizes "Agent Context" — the ability to provide AI coding agents with rich, structured context that improves output quality. Higher tiers unlock larger context windows.
Strengths
- Sharp positioning — Clearly targets the "vibe coder" audience (non-technical builders using AI coding tools)
- Spec-driven approach — Addresses a real pain point: AI tools produce better code when given better specifications
- Token efficiency claim — 90% token savings is a compelling value proposition for users burning through API credits
- MCP integration — Native integration with modern AI coding tools via Model Context Protocol
- Active content marketing — Extensive blog with tutorials, comparisons, and builder stories
Cautions
- Narrow use case — Only valuable if you're already using AI coding tools; no standalone utility
- Bootstrapped signals — No disclosed funding suggests limited resources for product development
- Competitive pressure — AI coding tools are rapidly adding planning features natively
- Unverified claims — "90% token savings" and "2,000 builders" lack third-party validation
- Pricing complexity — Credit system and daily limits require users to understand consumption patterns
Pricing & Licensing
| Tier | Price | Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Builder | $10/mo | 2,000 credits, 3 projects, 1 code analysis/day, basic context |
| Builder Pro | $23/mo | 5,000 credits, 5 projects, 5 analyses/day, Max context (500K) |
| Team | $75/mo per user | 20,000 credits, unlimited projects, 10 analyses/day, Max+ context (1M), SSO |
Licensing model: Subscription with usage credits
Hidden costs: Credit consumption varies by task complexity; heavy users may burn through allocations quickly
Competitive Positioning
Direct Competitors
| Competitor | Differentiation |
|---|---|
| ChatPRD | BrainGrid focuses on vibe coders; ChatPRD targets professional PMs |
| Cursor/Claude Code | BrainGrid adds planning layer; these are execution tools |
| Lovable/Bolt.new | BrainGrid helps plan what to build; these tools build directly |
When to Choose BrainGrid Over Alternatives
- Choose BrainGrid when: You're a domain expert using AI coding tools but struggling with specification clarity
- Choose ChatPRD when: You're a professional PM writing formal PRDs for engineering teams
- Choose native AI tool planning when: Your coding tool has sufficient built-in planning features
Ideal Customer Profile
Best fit:
- Non-technical founders building MVPs with AI coding tools
- Domain experts who know what they want but struggle to articulate it to AI
- Solo builders who've hit the "AI productivity drop-off" (features break when extended)
Poor fit:
- Professional developers who can write their own specs
- Teams with dedicated product managers
- Users not already invested in AI coding workflows
Viability Assessment
| Factor | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Financial Health | Uncertain (no disclosed funding) |
| Market Position | Niche player in emerging category |
| Innovation Pace | Rapid (multiple blog posts weekly, active feature development) |
| Community/Ecosystem | Growing (2,000+ claimed users, active Discord) |
| Long-term Outlook | Positive if AI coding adoption continues; risk if tools add planning natively |
BrainGrid is betting on a specific thesis: that AI coding tools will remain execution-focused, leaving room for planning layers. If Cursor, Claude Code, or similar tools add robust spec generation, BrainGrid's value proposition weakens.
Bottom Line
BrainGrid fills a genuine gap for "vibe coders" — domain experts using AI coding tools who need help translating ideas into structured specifications. The spec-driven development approach is sound, and the MCP integration makes it practical.
Recommended for: Non-technical builders actively using AI coding tools who've experienced the frustration of AI "going off-track" due to vague instructions.
Not recommended for: Professional developers, teams with PMs, or anyone not already invested in AI-assisted development.
Outlook: BrainGrid's success depends on AI coding tools remaining spec-hungry. If planning capabilities improve natively in tools like Cursor or Claude Code, BrainGrid will need to evolve or risk commoditization.
Research by Ry Walker Research • methodology