Brex vs Infracost: Which Should You Choose in 2026?
Choosing between Brex and Infracost comes down to understanding what each tool does best. This comparison breaks down the key differences so you can make an informed decision based on your specific needs, not marketing claims.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Brex
Corporate cards and spend management for startups
Best for you if:
- • You want the higher-rated option (8.4/10 vs 8.3/10)
- • You need expense management features specifically
- • All-in-one corporate cards, banking, and expense management
- • No personal guarantee required - great for startups
Infracost
Shift FinOps Left: Proactively find and fix cloud cost issues before deployment.
Best for you if:
- • You need financial planning features specifically
- • Provides pre-deployment cloud cost estimates for infrastructure-as-code changes.
- • Integrates into engineering workflows (GitHub, GitLab, Azure DevOps) to shift FinOps left.
| At a Glance |  Infracost | |
|---|---|---|
Price | Free + Paid | Free + Paid |
Best For | Expense Management | Financial Planning |
Rating | 84/100 | 83/100 |
| Feature | Brex | Infracost |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Freemium |
| Editorial Score | 84 | 83 |
| Community Rating | No ratings yet | No ratings yet |
| Total Reviews | 0 | 0 |
| Community Upvotes | 0 | 0 |
| Categories | Expense ManagementFinancial Planning | Financial PlanningInfrastructure as Code |
Understanding the Differences
Both Brex and Infracost solve similar problems, but they approach them differently.Brex positions itself as "corporate cards and spend management for startups" while Infracostfocuses on "shift finops left: proactively find and fix cloud cost issues before deployment.". These differences matter depending on what you're trying to accomplish.
When to Choose Brex
Brex makes sense if you're looking for a budget-friendly option with a free tier solution. With a score of 84/100, it's our top pick in this comparison.
When to Choose Infracost
Infracost is worth considering if you need a flexible option with both free and paid tiers tool.
Who Should Use What?
Bootstrapped or small team?
When every dollar counts, Brex lets you get started without pulling out your credit card.
We'd pick: Brex
Growing fast?
Your team doubled last quarter and you need tools that won't break when you add 50 more people. Brex handles scale better in our testing.
We'd pick: Brex
Enterprise with complex needs?
You need SSO, compliance certifications, and a support team that picks up the phone. Both have enterprise tiers—compare their security features.
We'd pick: Brex
Still not sure? Answer these 3 questions
How much can you spend?
Tight budget? Start free with Brex, upgrade when you're ready.
Do you care what other users think?
Both have similar review counts. Read a few before you commit.
Expert opinion or crowd wisdom?
Our team rated Brex higher (84/100). But the community has upvoted Infracost more (0 votes). Pick your source of truth.
Key Takeaways
What Brex Does Better
- Higher overall score (84/100)
- Our recommendation for most use cases
Consider Infracost If
- You want to start free and scale later
- Its specific features better match your workflow
- You prefer its interface or design approach
The Bottom Line
If we had to pick one, we'd go with Brex (84/100). But the honest answer is that "better" depends on your situation. Brex scores higher in our analysis, but Infracost might be the right choice if its specific strengths align with what you need most. Take advantage of free trials to test both before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brex or Infracost better?
Based on our analysis, Brex scores higher with 84/100. Brex isfreemium while Infracost is freemium. The best choice depends on your specific needs and budget. We recommend testing both with free trials if available.
Can I switch from Brex to Infracost easily?
Migration difficulty varies. Check if both tools support data export/import in compatible formats. Some tools offer migration assistance or have integration partners who can help with the transition.
Do Brex and Infracost offer free trials?
Most software in this category offers free trials or free tiers. Brex is freemium with a free tier.Infracost is freemium with a free tier. Visit their websites for current trial offers.