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Is Brex Worth It in 2026? Our Honest Verdict
Situational
Brex: Brex is the default corporate card for funded startups.
Rating★ 4.2/5
Starting price$12/user/mo (Premium)
Best forVC-backed startups wanting corporate car
CategoryAccounting & Finance
Who Brex Is Worth It For
- ✓VC-backed startups wanting corporate cards without personal guarantees.
- ✓No personal guarantee required for corporate cards
- ✓Startup-optimized rewards (SaaS, travel, restaurants)
- ✓Integrated spend management with approval workflows
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- ✕Not ideal for bootstrapped businesses that may not meet brex's funding requirements.
- ✕Requires qualifying funding — not available to all businesses
- ✕Moved away from SMBs to focus on startups and enterprises
- ✕Rewards rates have decreased over time
Is Brex Pricing Fair?
| Tier | Price |
|---|---|
| Free | Essentials: free card and basic spend management |
| Starter | $12/user/mo (Premium) |
| Pro | Custom (Enterprise) |
| Enterprise | Custom pricing |
Pricing verified March 2026.
How Brex Compares
| Brex | Ramp | Stripe | Mercury | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $12/user/mo (Premium) | Free | 2.9% + $0.30/txn (Standard) | Free |
| Rating | ★ 4.2 | ★ 4.8 | ★ 4.6 | ★ 4.5 |
| Verdict | Situational | Best Corporate Card | Recommended | Recommended |
AICores Verdict on Brex
Brex is the default corporate card for funded startups. No personal guarantee, startup-focused rewards, and integrated spend management solve real problems for growing companies. The requirement for qualifying funding means it is not for everyone, but for its target audience, Brex is the obvious choice.
AICores Editorial Review
Reviewed by AICores Editorial Team
Last updated: May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brex worth the money?▼
Brex is the default corporate card for funded startups. No personal guarantee, startup-focused rewards, and integrated spend management solve real problems for growing companies. The requirement for qualifying funding means it is not for everyone, but for its target audience, Brex is the obvious choice.
Is there a free version of Brex?▼
Yes, Brex offers a free tier. Paid plans start at $12/user/mo (Premium) and include additional features and capacity.
What are the best alternatives to Brex?▼
Ramp, Stripe, Mercury are the top alternatives. Ramp is best for startups and mid-market companies wanting modern spend management and has a 4.8 star rating.
Who should NOT use Brex?▼
Brex is not ideal for bootstrapped businesses that may not meet brex's funding requirements.. Common drawbacks include: Requires qualifying funding — not available to all businesses. Moved away from SMBs to focus on startups and enterprises.