Delivering software in React,Node.js,.NET and AWS.
Brainhub is a software consultancy that delivers scalable software solutions that drive business impact. Since 2015, we’ve specialized in React, Node.js, .NET, and AWS, enabling us to tackle specific challenges and meet our clients' unique needs. Trusted by renowned organizations like PwC, Credit Suisse, and National Geographic, our mission is software delivery excellence through:
Continuous Delivery: Achieving short lead times with top-tier reliability, availability, and security. Business-Focused Decisions: Ensuring implementation decisions enhance business impact. Rigorous Project Governance: Strict oversight of budget, scope, timeline, and risks. We prioritize quality over hyper-growth, maintaining high standards through robust processes, close collaboration, and regular project reviews. At Brainhub, we deliver consistent value with a focus on sustainability and mission alignment.
Expert Team: Over 100 top-tier professionals ready to solve your challenges and drive product growth. Fluent Communication: 100% of our team speaks English at a minimum C1 level. Selective Hiring: Only 1.36% of applicants meet our rigorous recruitment standards. Comprehensive Expertise: Our team includes Software Engineers, Technical Advisors, Software Architects, UI/UX Designers, Delivery Managers, Agile Experts, Cloud Consultants, and QA Engineers. Accolades:Deloitte: 50 Technology Fast Central Europe - Rising Stars Awards FT 1000 Europe’s Fastest-Growing Companies (2021 & 2022) Clutch Top 100 Sustained Growth Companies (2020 & 2021)
$50,000+
$50 - $99 / hr
50 - 249
Gliwice, Poland
Founded 2015
5 Languages that we service
English
Polish
German
Spanish
Japanese
2 Timezones that we service
CET
Central European Time (CET)
GMT
Greenwich Mean Time (GMT)
4 Locations
Gliwice , Poland
Warszawa , Poland
Bielsko-Biała , Poland
Kraków , Poland
Focus
No data have been added yet...
Pricing Snapshot
Min. project size
$50,000+
Avg. hourly rate
$50 - $99
/hr
Rating for cost
4.7
/5
What Clients Have Said
Brainhub offers competitive pricing with project costs ranging from $5,700 to over $1 million. Clients emphasize strong value for cost, timely delivery, and effective communication. The firm's flexible engagement model suits various project sizes, making it an attractive choice for diverse budgets.
The team at Brainhub is proactive in addressing potential issues before they arise, offering solutions and improvements that enhance project outcomes. Clients value this forward-thinking approach, which contributes significantly to project success.
Focus on High-Quality Deliverables
Brainhub is recognized for delivering high-quality code and solutions. Their commitment to quality is evident in the minimal bugs and issues reported by clients, reflecting their attention to detail and rigorous testing processes.
High Technical Expertise
Brainhub's technical expertise, particularly in modern frameworks and technologies like React Native and Node.js, is frequently praised. Their ability to leverage these technologies effectively has been a key factor in the success of many projects.
Strong Company Culture
Brainhub's positive company culture is noted for fostering a professional yet enjoyable collaboration environment. Clients often feel that the team is genuinely invested in the success of their projects.
Collaborative and Flexible Approach
Clients commend Brainhub for their flexible and collaborative work style, integrating seamlessly with internal teams and adapting to changing project requirements. This has been crucial in maintaining project momentum and delivering quality results.
Challenges with Scalability
Some clients noted challenges with scaling up resources quickly due to Brainhub's size. While the quality of work is consistently high, clients suggested that scalability could be improved to meet larger project demands more swiftly.
“Brainhub made sure they understood our goals and how we wanted to achieve them.”
Mar 29, 2019
Co-Founder & CEO, Meet'n'learn
Juraj Svincak
Education
Munich, Germany
1-10 Employees
Online Review
Verified
Brainhub developed a React app’s frontend to improve performance. Deliverables included new features, landing pages, and designs.
By integrating features into the existing app, Brainhub evaded a costly codebase rewrite. Additionally, their work has doubled the pace of user conversion. True React experts, Brainhub provided actionable insights in a timely manner. They instituted a collaborative partnership.
The client submitted this review online.
BACKGROUND
Please describe your company and your position there.
I’m the co-founder and CEO of Meet’n’learn, a tutoring platform.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
For what projects/services did your company hire Brainhub?
We hired Brainhub to lead React app development.
What were your goals for this project?
My company hoped to increase conversion rates, implement new features, and test technology on the frontend.
SOLUTION
How did you select this vendor?
We sought JavaScript experts that were particularly skilled in React. My team found Brainhub through an online search and liked their website. We confirmed the engagement after a phone call with one of Brainhub’s co-founders.
Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.
Utilizing React on the frontend, Brianhub integrated new landing pages, designs, and features into our existing app. They advised my team on what components and opensource solutions to use so that we did not have to rewrite the entire codebase.
What was the team composition?
We worked with three developers, a delivery manager, a business analyst, and a part-time UX designer.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
Can you share any information that demonstrates the impact that this project has had on your business?
We have converted visitors into leads twice as quickly.
How was project management arranged and how effective was it?
We had daily standups and weekly demos. At the end of each sprint, my team received a report from the delivery manager. We utilized Jira and communicated via Slack.
What did you find most impressive about this company?
Brainhub made sure they understood our goals and how we wanted to achieve them. They took complete ownership of their work.
Are there any areas for improvement?
The cost of the discovery phase initially deterred us. However, we would have agreed to it if Brainhub had better explained the benefits of this phase.
RATINGS
5.0
"They provided a perfect, 10/10 experience."
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
"They provided top-notch service."
Schedule
5.0
On time / deadlines
"They adhered to the timeline."
Cost
5.0
Value / within estimates
"Costs were slightly higher than planned, but they were consistent with the top-quality results."
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
"I had been hesitant to hire a software developer, but Brainhub convinced me otherwise.
SPA Dev for Marketing Solution Provider
Web Development
$10,000 to $49,999
Feb. - June 2016
5.0
Quality
5.0
Schedule
5.0
Cost
5.0
Willing to Refer
5.0
"They asked a lot of questions and wanted to understand why we asked for the features we did."
Mar 5, 2019
Co-founder, President, Life In Mobile
Tomasz Pastuszek
Advertising & marketing
New York City, New York
11-50 Employees
Online Review
Verified
Brainhub developed a SPA taking the form of a browser-based web game. They worked with React and Node.js and contributed to scoping and specification production.
Communicative and inquisitive, Brainhub delivered ahead of time and under budget, earning the end-client’s praise. Their technology recommendations and desire for greater knowledge of project goals were especially noteworthy. Customers can expect a smooth partnership.
The client submitted this review online.
BACKGROUND
Please describe your company and your position there.
I’m the co-founder and president of Life in Mobile. We build solutions that allow marketers to better engage with customers.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
For what projects/services did your company hire Brainhub?
We hired Brainhub to develop a single page application (SPA) using JavaScript.
What were your goals for this project?
Our goal was to create an engaging SPA to collect leads for a traffic-heavy website. We decided to make it a browser-based game.
SOLUTION
How did you select this vendor?
They were recommended to us by a company they had worked with before. We also considered two other vendors, but they lacked experience with React and Node.js.
Describe the project and the services they provided in detail.
They were responsible not only for development but also for shaping our scope and recommending technologies. We began with a short, foundation-laying workshop with their delivery manager and senior developer. Afterward, their business analyst prepared documentation and they moved into development.
What was the team composition?
We worked with two full-stack developers, a business analyst, a manual tester, and a delivery manager.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
Can you share any information that demonstrates the impact that this project has had on your business?
They delivered ahead of schedule and under budget. The product met our client’s expectations, which earned us a long-term contract.
How was project management arranged and how effective was it?
All communication was handled over Slack and Asana. It was effective and seamless.
What did you find most impressive about this company?
Their developers were not only developers but consultants as well. They asked a lot of questions and wanted to understand why we asked for the features we did. They were both really experienced with JavaScript (especially React).
Are there any areas for improvement?
I would love for them to extend their technical expertise to cover PHP so we could do more projects together.
RATINGS
5.0
"It was excellent, as expected."
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
"They were superb and delivered just what we expected."
Schedule
5.0
On time / deadlines
Cost
5.0
Value / within estimates
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
"I'll recommend them to anyone who needs JavaScript skills.
Internal Communication Tool for Financial Research Company
Custom Software Development
$50,000 to $199,999
Nov. 2018 - Ongoing
5.0
Quality
5.0
Schedule
5.0
Cost
4.5
Willing to Refer
5.0
"I've done a lot of projects and worked with at least 15 freelancers. Brainhub has been the best by far."
Feb 25, 2019
Project Manager, Financial Company
Marcus Sonoma
Financial services
Australia
51-200 Employees
Phone Interview
Verified
Using TypeScript and React.js, Brainhub is developing and testing an internal communication tool for a market research firm. Key features include push notifications.
Still in development, the tool has received positive feedback from key stakeholders. Brainhub’s ability to adapt to and communicate about ever-evolving specifications helps make their code relatively bug-free. Their proactive style justifies the investment and makes them a valuable partner.
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this
client over the phone. Below is an edited
transcript.
BACKGROUND
Introduce your business and what you do there.
My company is a financial/market research company based in Europe, with a few offices around the world.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
What challenge were you trying to address with Brainhub?
We needed help developing an internal communication tool. We didn't want to use an off-the-shelf tool like Slack.
SOLUTION
What was the scope of their involvement?
Brainhub started by talking to us about what we’re looking for. They took our requirements and built a robust communication tool with our own code base, using TypeScript and React.js. That way, we can add additional features in the future. They suggested that we do UX testing in the office with our employees.
What is the team composition?
My main point of contact and the first person I spoke to there is Patryk (delivery manager, Brainhub). We work with a project manager/scrum master, a senior developer, two medium level developers, and a junior frontend developer. A couple of times we needed additional design work and they’d add a designer to the team as well.
How did you come to work with Brainhub?
I found them on Clutch. I needed people that knew TypeScript and React.js. Very few people work in TypeScript, so my search returned only 3–4 agencies doing projects. I contacted Brainhub, and Patryk got back to me quickly.
How much have you invested with them?
They charge in Euros, but I think it’s about $120,000 USD.
What is the status of this engagement?
We started working together in November 2018, and the project is close to wrapping up. There are probably 1–2 sprints left to go.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
I’ll have more results in a few weeks. The feedback I have right now is that the user testing greatly improved the design. It was the first time I've gotten solid, tangible evidence of what was wrong with the design. I wouldn't have resolved those issues as quickly if I’d tried to do this on my own or with freelancers.
How did Brainhub perform from a project management standpoint?
I've done a lot of projects and worked with at least 15 freelancers. Brainhub has been the best by far. Patryk, in particular, is excellent. They’re actually running ahead of schedule, which has never happened before in my experience. I got skeptical that they’d misquoted or overcharged us. I had their code reviewed by my top freelancers. They said Brainhub’s code is a 9 out of 10, which is incredible. They use the latest tech stack for React in addition to TypeScript and PostScript. It’s cutting-edge technology that only a few other companies are using.
What did you find most impressive about them?
I've never worked with a firm that takes as much responsibility as they do. I've always had to micromanage. It’s different with Brainhub. We wanted to implement push notifications, which is quite complicated. They came back within a couple of hours, having done the research and landed on five options. They gave me the pros and cons, as well as how long it would take to implement each.
Are there any areas they could improve?
I didn't want this just to be a glowing review, but honestly no. We had a challenge communicating with one employee, but they were removed from the project. Everyone else is fluent in English.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
Be available. They hate it when a client gives them a brief and then doesn't talk to them again for weeks. If you respond to their questions within 48 hours, they will be super happy.
RATINGS
5.0
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
Schedule
5.0
On time / deadlines
"They deliver ahead of schedule."
Cost
4.5
Value / within estimates
"They’re quite expensive but provide good value."
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
"I’ve already recommended them three times.
Web Development for Gaming Company
Web Development
$1,000,000 to $9,999,999
May 2018 - Ongoing
5.0
Quality
5.0
Schedule
5.0
Cost
5.0
Willing to Refer
5.0
"I’m more than happy to continue doing business with them for the foreseeable future."
Feb 6, 2019
Technical Director, Paradox Interactive
Enzo Martin
Gaming
Stockholm, Sweden
201-500 Employees
Phone Interview
Verified
Brainhub provides ongoing frontend development using Electron and React for a gaming company. They’re working with an internal team to build a desktop application of a game launcher and distribution platform.
Brainhub features a capable and competent staff that is unafraid to make suggestions to improve product quality. They are responsive and proactive to all errors and correspondence. Because of the project’s success, future collaboration is a likely possibility.
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this
client over the phone. Below is an edited
transcript.
BACKGROUND
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I am the technical director of Paradox Interactive, a game publishing company and development studio.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
What challenge were you trying to address with Brainhub?
I hired Brainhub to work alongside our internal team to build a new version of our game launcher, a desktop application that serves as our digital distribution platform.
SOLUTION
What was the scope of their involvement?
Brainhub’s developers have expertise working with the Electron and React web technologies that we needed for frontend development of our game launcher. The project they’ve worked on was built from scratch, but it was inspired and based off of our previous version of the software—which we have deprecated in anticipation of the launch of the new version.
When we sell our games, this is the platform through which our customers can download, install, and play the game on their computer. We also use the application to post news or updates about the game or events that we have. Our customers use this application to access their accounts and manage the game or games that they’ve purchased from us.
What is the team composition?
We requested four engineers and a half-time project manager to coordinate between our two offices in Poland and Sweden.
How did you come to work with Brainhub?
I searched for companies that had demonstrated success in working with the React and Electron technologies. Brainhub had the most case studies and examples of their past work. They also responded very quickly, which made it easier to rule out other companies that took longer to reply.
Brainhub stood out because they didn’t over-promise anything in our initial conversations. In fact, they felt the timeline was unrealistic and too short and that our budget was a poor estimate. I appreciated their honesty. I had tailored our estimates in a way that would make companies want to pick out the red flags, and Brainhub succeeded in doing so.
How much have you invested with them?
We’ve spent more than €1,000,000 (approximately $1.2 million USD).
What is the status of this engagement?
Our engagement began in May 2018. Our original timeline called for a February 2019 launch, but because the game project this application is tied to and dependent upon was delayed until April, we will finish this project in April as well. We have an ongoing engagement right now, and after our launch, I’ve decided that I’ll keep them on a recurring contract with a monthly retainer.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
We have user KPIs we’re expecting to track, but because the product has not yet been released, there are no data to measure.
How did Brainhub perform from a project management standpoint?
I’ve been very impressed. I had initial concerns about English communication issues, but we’ve had no trouble in that regard. Overall, they are quick to resolve any errors, and they are proactive when they feel that something—technologically or interpersonally—is not working well.
What did you find most impressive about them?
I appreciate that they don’t necessarily always follow the adage of the customer always being right. They are comfortable to push back when they believe something is misguided or miscommunicated. This has led to quite a few significant improvements to features that otherwise would have been subpar or not functional at all if they had not spoken up. In the same vein, they are also respectful when we acknowledge their concerns, but we insist on going in a certain direction.
Are there any areas they could improve?
No. We work with a lot of vendors, and Brainhub is, by far, the one we’ve had the fewest problems with during the course of our business. I’m more than happy to continue doing business with them for the foreseeable future.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
It’s critical that Brainhub understands the context of the project and is treated as part of the team. Our internal team and the Brainhub staff work as one, and that’s been a great advantage because they end up caring more about the product, which doesn’t always happen with outsourced projects.
RATINGS
5.0
"We've had a very successful relationship."
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
"They've probably saved us money because of their attention to quality."
Schedule
5.0
On time / deadlines
"They've always been mindful of our deadlines."
Cost
5.0
Value / within estimates
"They are worth the money for the quality of work we receive."
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
"I would definitely recommend them.
Development of a Real Estate Site Publishing Platform
Web Development
$50,000 to $199,999
July 2016 - Ongoing
5.0
Quality
5.0
Schedule
4.5
Cost
4.0
Willing to Refer
5.0
"They’re on the cutting edge when it comes to knowing the different trends in the market."
Jul 18, 2017
Founder, Web Design Firm
Anonymous
Real estate
Los Angeles, California
1-10 Employees
Phone Interview
Verified
Brainhub provides ongoing staff augmentation services, creating new functionalities on a pre-existing platform for building real estate websites. They’ve been in charge of integrations and DevOps tasks.
The number of clients has grown from 10 to 60–70 and the platform gets about 200,000 unique visitors per month. Brainhub’s communication is great compared to other vendors. Their technical expertise is outstanding, however, they need improvement in scalability and consistency with project managers.
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this
client over the phone. Below is an edited
transcript.
BACKGROUND
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I am the founder of a company that builds websites for real estate agents and provides marketing services.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
What challenge were you trying to address with Brainhub?
We were trying to build a new platform and needed someone to augment my software engineering team.
SOLUTION
What was the scope of their involvement?
We basically took an existing platform and built a number of new administrative tools to add more functionalities on top of it. We also built out a number of new design templates on our platform that we can use for our clients.
The platform allows us to create high-end real estate websites and then gives our clients — who are real estate agents — access to an admin panel where they can add their listings and the properties to the website. We have CRM [customer relationship management] and CMS [content management system] functionalities. They’re working on integrating SalesForce with SimplyRETS for MLS listings.
Brainhub took over an existing infrastructure. We did some refactoring in AngularJS, which was what the original platform was built on to react to a component based system; Brainhub was heavily involved in that. Over the last year, they did some DevOps-related tasks, setting up the server environment correctly. Node.js is what the application is built in with MongoDB. The database runs on Webpack and SCSS. We implemented Docker in the container base. They implemented Jenkins. They implemented some testing modules. Over the last year or so since we’ve worked together, at most times they’ve had someone continuously working with the rest of our team.
How did you come to work with Brainhub?
It was an introduction by a friend of mine who knew one of the founders of Brainhub.
How much have you invested with Brainhub?
We have spent about $150,000.
What is the status of this engagement?
We started working with them July 2016 and have been working together since.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or the impact of the engagement?
We’ve grown from having 10 clients or so to now having 60–70. There’s been quite a bit of growth in the client base, but also on the platform itself. We have about 200,000 unique visitors per month.
How did Brainhub perform from a project management standpoint?
Project management was very good. For an outsourced firm, they’re top notch in communication compared to what I’ve seen from other companies, and they’re also very professional.
They have a sort of project manager even though it’s not a true project manager; it’s someone who is organizing the project and who speaks English fluently. I also had direct contact with the developer and their CTO, who both also speak English pretty well. From a communication perspective, it was really great.
What did you find most impressive about Brainhub?
I would say their technical expertise and raw talent are what most impresses me. It’s unique to have an outsourced company that stays on top of things. They’re on the cutting edge when it comes to knowing the different trends in the market and are on par with most U.S. firms that I’ve dealt with.
Are there any areas Brainhub could improve?
They’re not that big of a company, so if you want to scale up quickly, they can’t do it right away. You will have to wait about two months or so when another project ends for them to be able to put someone else on your project.
The quality wasn’t as consistent as far as project management; throughout the year, we’ve had different people working in different capacities while organizing the project. It was always good, but it was great when their CTO was involved. There have been some inconsistencies depending on who is in charge of the project, although they communicate well when there’s a change of personnel. They’ve gone above and beyond to correct things, even giving discounts when something wasn’t communicated correctly. They’re very invested in making this project work.
What tips or recommendations could you share that might increase the likelihood of success with Brainhub?
They’re at their best when you have a clearly defined and somewhat contained project. If you have very clear expectations and talk those through with them, then they’re going to be very good at making progress and communicating it well. They do their best work when you give them the freedom to do things the way they want to solve them and basically do a project-based basis.
RATINGS
5.0
"They’re a good company."
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
"The code itself was very good."
Schedule
4.5
On time / deadlines
"There were some instances where estimates weren’t met."
Cost
4.0
Value / within estimates
"For a company in Eastern Europe, they’re expensive. Compared to California, though, it’s still pretty affordable. Their value is high and the quality of their work is on par."
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
"I have recommended them to friends and other companies.
Development of Machinery-Tracking Database Software
Custom Software Development
$10,000 to $49,999
Mar. 2016 - Mar. 2017
4.0
Quality
4.0
Schedule
5.0
Cost
4.0
Willing to Refer
5.0
"Brainhub works quickly and communicates well."
Jun 26, 2017
Founder, Software Company
Anonymous
Information technology
Berlin, Germany
11-50 Employees
Phone Interview
Verified
Brainhub built a web-based machine maintenance tracking program for mobile and desktop use, leveraging multiple development tools to support controlled access to client data.
The finished solution is of satisfactory quality. Brainhub’s responsiveness, consistent turnaround time, and technical proficiency contributed to a productive partnership. One area that could be improved is the onboarding of new staff.
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this
client over the phone. Below is an edited
transcript.
BACKGROUND
Introduce your business and what you do there.
Our company deals with equipment maintenance. We have 50 employees. I lead all of the digital staff, including the team that developed the software to monitor our machines. The team also delivers that software to clients.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
What challenge were you trying to address with Brainhub?
We wanted to develop a software that would track the relevant service data of the machines we are maintaining and give this tool to our clients, allowing them to evaluate the current condition of their equipment.
SOLUTION
What was the scope of their involvement?
Brainhub built the software on our request for a company that maintains cranes and doors. With Brainhub, we developed software that allows this client to see relevant machine data, service data, and inspection data online.
I think Brainhub used Node.js and React Native to build the software, which is based online and is accessible via mobile phone and desktop browsers. No matter which device or browser our client uses, they can access the data of any crane by scanning a QR code with a phone. The solution doesn't involve real-time data or sensors.
How did you come to work with Brainhub?
Brainhub was recommended by a friend of a friend, who convinced me to use them. I thought they seemed like a great option.
How much have you invested with Brainhub?
We started with a project that cost around €5,000 [$5,700]. So far, we have spent €10,000 [$11,400].
What is the status of this engagement?
We started working with Brainhub in March 2016, and our work together ended in March 2017.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
How did Brainhub perform from a project management standpoint?
They are quick to respond and deliver on time, more or less. They report to us on a weekly basis, especially during busy phases. We had about 3 resources from Brainhub, but I’m not sure what their specialties were. One was a backend server guy, and another provided coding.
What did you find most impressive about Brainhub?
Brainhub works quickly and communicates well.
Are there any areas Brainhub could improve?
There’s always room for improvement. For example, Brainhub changed their team somewhat during the project, and the new team members weren’t as knowledgeable as the former members. That could have been improved.
RATINGS
4.0
Quality
4.0
Service & Deliverables
"They weren’t always 100% perfect, and we did have to communicate extensively to get a good product."
Schedule
5.0
On time / deadlines
"We didn't have a real timeline, so I can't speak to their scheduling, but they were always available if I had questions."
Cost
4.0
Value / within estimates
"They were more expensive than we thought they’d be. We wanted to finish with a high-quality product, but that came at a high cost. "
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
"My willingness to recommend Brainhub depends on the customer’s proximity to them. Brainhub is in Warsaw, and I’m in Berlin, so our partnership was feasible.
Full Product Development of Marketing Automation Platform
Custom Software Development
$200,000 to $999,999
Aug. 2016 - Ongoing
5.0
Quality
5.0
Schedule
4.5
Cost
5.0
Willing to Refer
5.0
"They are able to think for themselves, and have shown great enthusiasm and understanding around the product."
May 9, 2017
CPO, FlowStack
Rune Viem
Information technology
Copenhagen, Denmark
1-10 Employees
Phone Interview
Verified
Brainhub served as the technical partner for a marketing automation and customer data platform. The product is a software-as-a-service, and Brainhub will continue enhancing it for years to come.
Brainhub has become an integral part of the technology department, so much so that their tech lead acts as the in-house CTO. This is because they have taken ownership over the project and understand it completely. The team is enthusiastic and they meticulously document their work.
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this
client over the phone. Below is an edited
transcript.
BACKGROUND
Introduce your business and what you do there.
Flowstack is a marketing automation startup platform. I am the chief product officer of the business. I used to be the CEO, but I act as the main concept person at the moment.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
What challenge were you trying to address with Brainhub?
I used to work for a marketing platform vendor as a CTO. I found that I could do better myself and created a startup in order to do things the right way. It would be hard to find the right developers in Denmark, so Brainhub came into play on the technical side.
SOLUTION
What was the scope of their involvement?
Brainhub has built a huge Software-as-a-Service marketing automation and customer data platform from scratch. The platform is similar to HubSpot, but geared towards all data channels, not just email and SMS.
How did you come to work with Brainhub?
During my time as CEO, I received a number of emails from various outsourcing companies. Knowing that I needed some developers, I started the process of contacting some of those groups. One of them was Brainhub, and they proved to be the last name after the selection process. I had a very good feeling about them and moved forward. First of all, Brainhub was one of the software vendors focusing on the right technologies, namely Node.js and React.js. After an initial dialogue with the other providers (most of them from Eastern Europe), I found Brainhub to be the more competent choice. They also had a very good startup spirit and showed enthusiasm and interest in the product I wanted to build. There were two other competent companies, but they didn’t show the same spirit as Brainhub.
How much have you invested with Brainhub?
The cost of their work has been around $350,000. The monthly cost is between $40,000 and $50,000, and it has been consistent since the beginning.
What is the status of this engagement?
We started working with Brainhub in August 2016. We plan to have a full release in August 2017, and more customers will mean more development. We are currently running tests for an early beta version. It’s an ongoing process, and we will continue to work with Brainhub for many years.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or the impact of the engagement?
The platform is not in use by clients, but I have access to a part of the system and have been satisfied with what Brainhub has created.
How did Brainhub perform from a project management standpoint?
They represent our entire technology department, and I see the team more as employees or colleagues, rather than providers of software. We have a dedicated team which will continue to grow. It is made up of three full-stack developers, a UX designer, and a product owner. The latter position has been shared between the CEO of Brainhub and their tech lead, who is basically our CTO.
What did you find most impressive about Brainhub?
I have worked with other outsourcing partners, and I was initially against using another one, given the resources I’d have to put in. What made Brainhub stand out was that I haven’t had to micromanage them in any way. Instead of saying yes to everything I tell them, they are able to think for themselves, and have shown great enthusiasm and understanding around the product we’re building. The team has challenged me with the right questions, and have surprised me many times by giving me more than what I initially asked them to build, or what I was hoping for.
Brainhub has a dedicated team and an excellent product owner who has taken over my role as CTO. They have personal stakes in the project, which is great.
Are there any areas Brainhub could improve?
It would be hard to say. Brainhub is using best practices, and they document the work well. They do cost more than some of the competition, but the quality of work is more than I could hope for.
What tips or recommendations could you share that might increase the likelihood of success with Brainhub?
For someone looking for a competent team, Brainhub is the best choice, but they are not ideal for those used to micromanaging people. I could recommend them, but I need more resources myself, so I’ve chosen to keep Brainhub a secret.
RATINGS
5.0
"<p>Brainhub is not just an outsourced team; there is a good chemistry between them and us, and we see them as family.</p>
"
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
Schedule
4.5
On time / deadlines
"<p>I may not have been clear about timelines at times, but they still deserve a good score.</p>
"
Cost
5.0
Value / within estimates
"<p>I initially thought that Brainhub was an expensive option, compared to the competition, but they are completely worth it. There is a price to be paid for a competent team.</p>
"
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
"<p>I would not like the same company as mine using them, because I’d shoot myself in the foot then.</p>
Web Dev Resources for Consumer Finance Offering
Web Development
$50,000 to $199,999
Jan. 2017 - Ongoing
4.5
Quality
4.5
Schedule
5.0
Cost
4.0
Willing to Refer
5.0
"Since the start, I’ve always been able to discuss various topics with Brainhub’s team."
May 5, 2017
CTO, Finance Startup
Anonymous
IT Services
Zurich, Switzerland
11-50 Employees
Phone Interview
Verified
Brainhub provides subcontracted resources for full-stack web development, allocating up to 2 designated members to support the internal team in a fixed-term engagement.
The integrated team has completed the initial design phase on time, thanks in part to Brainhub’s development processes. Their efficiency and ability to scale workflow to meet rushed timelines contribute to a productive collaboration.
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this
client over the phone. Below is an edited
transcript.
BACKGROUND
Introduce your business and what you do there.
We are a startup incubator developing a web platform in the B2C financial area. We offer data-aggregation services by working with a data provider. We don’t provide a lot of analysis on it, but this will come at a later stage in order to improve the level of financial advice we can provide. At the moment, it’s an overview of a user’s financial situation. I am a co-founder and the CTO of the incubator.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
What challenge were you trying to address with Brainhub?
When we started the project, we needed to find web development support, both on the frontend and backend. We needed more dedicated resources for a fixed-term project.
SOLUTION
What was the scope of their involvement?
We are using ReactJS for the frontend, and Node.js on the backend. We initially used one dedicated person from Brainhub’s team starting in January of 2017. We added another member in February and have continued using them.
How much have you invested with Brainhub?
The cost of Brainhub’s work has been approximately $12,000 to $15,000 per month since January. The total has been between $60,000 and $75,000.
What is the status of this engagement?
We started working with Brainhub in early January of 2017. We completed the initial phase on March 10th and have continued to maintain and improve it.
The project is structured between two corporate entities in Switzerland. Unfortunately, it seems like one of them is leaving, but we’re looking at a new distribution partner who will bring the necessary people onto the platform. Our client eventually wants to hire a local team in Zurich. Until that happens, we will continue using Brainhub.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or impact of the engagement?
The platform is not live on the market yet because of our internal situation, but it’s ready for testing. The people who have used it have shown it to be stable enough for launch, but our client is holding back because of some legal concerns.
What we aren’t doing at the moment is estimating our tickets in terms of time, which makes it hard to have metrics speaking to the efficiency or velocity of Brainhub’s team. The project has medium complexity, and there are quite a few features involved. From my perspective, Brainhub has been quite good, and I would rate the team at around 80% efficiency. We get through with new features quite fast and they are also efficient at fixing bugs. We’re using a Git repository for tracking reviews and testing features. We have to deliver good quality, which is even more important than being fast. We’ve found a balance between the two.
How did Brainhub perform from a project management standpoint?
We are working directly with our developers and have integrated them into our team, which is composed of Brainhub’s two developers, two other remote resources, an on-site developer, and myself. I guide them and schedule daily meetings. We have demo and planning sessions every second week and have a Scrum-based approach. We use JIRA for tracking assignments. Brainhub gave us some inputs at the beginning of the project when we weren’t structured that well, helping us make the project more efficient. They suggested what the structure of our demo and planning sessions should be, which we’ve adopted since then and run without any input from their side. Since the client does not have this capability, I have acted as their interim CTO. It’s been clear that as the project evolves, I will probably step down from this role and have local resources take over.
What did you find most impressive about Brainhub?
They are very good at communicating. Since the start, I’ve always been able to discuss various topics with Brainhub’s team. They’re also dedicated to the project and have helped us achieve the goals and implementation we need.
Are there any areas Brainhub could improve?
There has been a small misalignment in terms of the billing cycle between us and our client. It would be hard to mention anything else about Brainhub. They’ve been great.
RATINGS
4.5
"There is almost nothing to complain about."
Quality
4.5
Service & Deliverables
"We’ve never had any troubles with Brainhub, and 90% of their deliverables worked as expected. We have had to take shortcuts that were patched-up later, but, in general, it was worth it."
Schedule
5.0
On time / deadlines
"I have no reason to complain. Our first release was scheduled for March, so Brainhub’s people made themselves available over the weekend and even on evenings. They dug into the project heavily."
Cost
4.0
Value / within estimates
"Brainhub is not the cheapest option, but their value is great."
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
"I would recommend Brainhub for similar Node.js and JavaScript projects. They seem to have the skills and people for this type of work.
Desktop App Development Resources for Camera Software
Custom Software Development
$50,000 to $199,999
Apr. 2016 - Feb. 2017
4.0
Quality
3.0
Schedule
4.0
Cost
4.0
Willing to Refer
4.0
"They will do whatever’s needed to get things done during a tight timeline."
Apr 25, 2017
Vice President, Camera Software Producer
Anonymous
Information technology
Oslo, Norway
11-50 Employees
Phone Interview
Verified
Brainhub developed a desktop application to tilt, pan, and zoom a USB camera. They built the UI in React.js and Redux, developed the backend and installer, and created vendor-specific camera features.
Brainhub provided the necessary resources to stand up a skilled, competent team. Daily video communication led to smooth collaboration. Their English skills are strong and each member of the team is helpful.
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this
client over the phone. Below is an edited
transcript.
BACKGROUND
Introduce your business and what you do there.
We are a startup creating a camera-based product which can observe objects in rooms. I am the VP of collaborations, in charge of application development. We are building tools which will help users interact with our camera products.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
What challenge were you trying to address with Brainhub?
We needed to create a desktop application for driving our USB camera, and needed help.
SOLUTION
What was the scope of their involvement?
Brainhub was able to provide two developers who helped on our project. We decided to develop the desktop application using the Electron framework. It allows us to build desktop applications using web technology. Brainhub’s team had a lot of experience using React.js and the Redux Framework, so they basically built our UI framework on those technologies, and also helped us assemble and build the backend and installers for the app.
The purpose of the software is to demonstrate the cameras’ abilities, and also allow power users to create panning, tilting and zoom. It also provides vendor-specific features for the camera.
How did you come to work with Brainhub?
We ran across each other on LinkedIn. Brainhub seemed to be a team of young people who were interested in the latest JavaScript technology. They managed to convince us that they were truly interested in our technology.
How much have you invested with Brainhub?
The cost of Brainhub’s work has been around $100,000.
What is the status of this engagement?
We started working with Brainhub in April 2016. We stopped using external contractors in February 2017, and are building our own team.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or the impact of the engagement?
Most of the components in our software have been developed in collaboration with Brainhub’s team. I would say that they have developed more than 50% of our tool. We’re not in the market yet, so the number of downloads is not great.
How did Brainhub perform from a project management standpoint?
Brainhub’s team had an expert who stepped in as a technical lead on their side. They also assigned a more junior developer who worked based on instructions from the senior person. Our lead is a good developer, and was able to help on most parts, as did the other resource. We did have one developer who did not perform at the level we wanted, but we took up the subject with Brainhub’s management, and they switched him out fast. They seem to be a competent company, technically-speaking.
We had mostly daily thinks with Brainhub’s team, and the communication was very good. We used video every time, which worked quite well. Language-wise, they are decent in English.
What did you find most impressive about Brainhub?
I would just say that Brainhub is a helpful group, not afraid to spend a few extra hours if needed in order to help complete a task. This is the best thing I could mention about Brainhub: they will do whatever’s needed to get things done during a tight timeline.
Are there any areas Brainhub could improve?
There are always areas for improvement, but, if I was to go back, I would choose to add one more senior person on our team, someone with a bit more experience.
What tips or recommendations could you share that might increase the likelihood of success with Brainhub?
I don’t have anything, sorry.
RATINGS
4.0
"<p> In general, Brainhub has some very good talent, and there’s a lot of potential in the company.</p>
"
Quality
3.0
Service & Deliverables
"<p>The rating relates to the lack of senior experience. The level of testing was not fantastic, before we started pushing for it.</p>
"
Schedule
4.0
On time / deadlines
"<p>I find that a maximum rating would require some truly unique efforts, and we’re not there. A 4 is a good score, in my opinion.</p>
"
Cost
4.0
Value / within estimates
Willing to Refer
4.0
NPS
"<p>If I meet someone in need of a development partner abroad, with the pricing that Brainhub can offer, I would suggest that they, as a client, onboard a senior on their own team, but I would definitely recommend the company.</p>
Increased Throughput for Software Dev Team
Web Development
$10,000 to $49,999
Jan. 2015 - Ongoing
4.5
Quality
5.0
Schedule
4.5
Cost
4.5
Willing to Refer
5.0
"I wish I could work with developers like them all the time."
Oct 5, 2016
Project Manager, Marketing Agency
Anonymous
IT Services
Warsaw, Poland
51-200 Employees
Phone Interview
Verified
The partnership has required various development resources to support the client's performance marketing capabilities.
The quality of the work-product along with the professionalism of Brainhub's team has impressed the client to the point that they anticipate that Brainhub's rates will increase to better match the value they are producing.
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this
client over the phone. Below is an edited
transcript.
BACKGROUND
Introduce your business and what you do there.
We are a digital marketing agency. Our specialization is performance marketing, which means we are always focused on numbers. I’m a project manager in the design and development team, so I am responsible, for example, for website development.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
What challenge were you trying to address with Brainhub?
We needed a skillful and responsible software house for development projects.
SOLUTION
How did you come to work with Brainhub?
We already had a partnership when I came to my organization.
How much have you invested with Brainhub?
We have spent roughly $25,000.
What is the status of this engagement?
We started working with them in early-mid 2015.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or the impact of the engagement?
I can say that we were always focused on top quality and deadlines, which sometimes were really difficult to achieve, but we always were able to find a solution in every situation.
How did Brainhub perform from a project management standpoint?
Perfect. They have been using JIRA, which is very cool tool, and Slack for communication, which is also a pretty good choice. After working a few days with these guys, you are sure that they know how to do stuff and that they are pros.
What did you find most impressive about Brainhub?
I found their mindset most impressive because they are not just a group of developers, but they are a group of cool people with extraordinary developer skills.
Are there any areas Brainhub could improve?
To be honest, I don’t have anything in my mind at the moment.
RATINGS
4.5
"They are good and they are fast. I wish I could work with developers like them all the time. It’s a really good company."
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
"They are a very good and reliable partner."
Schedule
4.5
On time / deadlines
"They are fast and flexible. Even with a hard project, it is good work."
Cost
4.5
Value / within estimates
"Their hourly rates are typical for Polish standards, but in my opinion, it will go higher because of the good quality which they deliver."
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
"For sure.
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