WeAreBrain vs Plain Concepts: full comparison for 2026
Last updated: July 2026
Quick verdict
WeAreBrain (4.2/5) edges ahead of Plain Concepts (3.9/5) overall. WeAreBrain is the better choice for companies wanting AI and machine learning delivered as part of a broader digital product build. Plain Concepts is the stronger option for enterprises standardized on Microsoft Azure wanting a certified Microsoft AI Partner for ML delivery. The right choice depends on your project size, budget, and required tech stack.
WeAreBrain vs Plain Concepts: head-to-head summary
| Criterion | WeAreBrain | Plain Concepts |
|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2015 | 2006 |
| HQ | Amsterdam, Netherlands | Madrid, Spain |
| Team size | 51–200 | 201–500 |
| Rating | 4.2 / 5 | 3.9 / 5 |
| Best for | Companies wanting AI and machine learning delivered as part of a broader digital product build | Enterprises standardized on Microsoft Azure wanting a certified Microsoft AI Partner for ML delivery |
| Pricing model | Fixed project, dedicated team | Dedicated team, fixed project, retainer |
| Min. engagement | $25K | $35K |
| Primary tech stack | Python, AWS, Azure | Python, Azure ML, Azure OpenAI Service |
| Industries served | SaaS, Fintech, Enterprise, Retail | Enterprise, Retail, Healthcare, Financial Services |
WeAreBrain vs Plain Concepts: overview
WeAreBrain
WeAreBrain is an Amsterdam, Netherlands-headquartered digital product and AI agency founded in 2015 by Mario Grunitz, Elvire Jaspers, and Ievgen Miasushkin. The roughly 60 to 70 person team specializes in digital transformation, AI and machine learning applications, and intelligent process automation. In 2017, WeAreBrain co-founded Tur.ai, an AI and hyperautomation platform with joint Amsterdam and Kyiv operations, reflecting the founders' Ukrainian engineering ties.
Plain Concepts
Plain Concepts, founded in 2006 and headquartered in Madrid, Spain, is a 450-plus person technology consultancy with offices across the USA, UK, Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, and Romania. As a Microsoft Gold Partner, Microsoft AI Partner, and 2016 Microsoft Partner of the Year, Plain Concepts brings deep Azure-native AI and machine learning delivery experience alongside mixed reality and IoT engineering.
Services and capabilities: WeAreBrain vs Plain Concepts
| Capability | WeAreBrain | Plain Concepts |
|---|---|---|
| ML model development | ✓ | ✓ |
| Computer vision | ✗ | ✗ |
| NLP | ✗ | ✗ |
| Generative AI / LLM integration | ✗ | ✗ |
| MLOps | ✓ | ✓ |
| AI strategy consulting | ✓ | ✓ |
| Staff augmentation | ✗ | ✗ |
Tech stack comparison: WeAreBrain vs Plain Concepts
| Framework / platform | WeAreBrain | Plain Concepts |
|---|---|---|
| Python | ✓ | ✓ |
| TensorFlow | ✓ | N/A |
| PyTorch | N/A | N/A |
| AWS | ✓ | N/A |
| Azure | ✓ | ✓ |
| Kubernetes | N/A | ✓ |
Pricing comparison: WeAreBrain vs Plain Concepts
| Criterion | WeAreBrain | Plain Concepts |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum engagement | $25K | $35K |
| Engagement models | Fixed project, Dedicated team | Dedicated team, Fixed project, Retainer |
| Rate transparency | Minimum disclosed | Minimum disclosed |
| Price tier | Accessible | Accessible |
Target audience comparison: WeAreBrain vs Plain Concepts
| Dimension | WeAreBrain | Plain Concepts |
|---|---|---|
| Best company size | Startup to mid-market | Startup to mid-market |
| Best industries | SaaS, Fintech, Enterprise | Enterprise, Retail, Healthcare |
| Best use cases | Building an AI-powered consumer-facing digital product, Intelligent process automation for back-office workflows | Azure-native ML model deployment for an enterprise client, Mixed reality plus AI product development |
| Typical project type | Fixed project | Dedicated team |
WeAreBrain vs Plain Concepts: pros and cons
| WeAreBrain | |
|---|---|
| + | A decade of operating history since founding in 2015 as an Amsterdam-based digital product agency |
| + | Co-founded a dedicated AI and hyperautomation platform, Tur.ai, showing deeper AI investment beyond client services |
| + | Combines product design with ML and AI engineering, useful for consumer-facing AI products |
| + | EU-headquartered in the Netherlands, simplifying GDPR compliance for European clients |
| - | AI and ML is one of several practice areas alongside broader digital product work |
| - | Some delivery ties to Kyiv, Ukraine via the Tur.ai venture carry the same continuity considerations as other Ukraine-linked firms |
| Plain Concepts | |
|---|---|
| + | Two decades of operating history since founding in 2006, with Microsoft Gold and AI Partner status |
| + | Multi-country office footprint across Spain, the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Romania, and the US for broad coverage |
| + | Deep Azure-native ML and AI delivery credentials, useful for Microsoft-standardized enterprises |
| + | Recognized with Microsoft Partner of the Year award in 2016 |
| - | Azure-centric specialization may be less ideal for clients standardized on AWS or GCP |
| - | Broader technology consultancy scope, including mixed reality and IoT, means ML is one of several core practices |
| - | Larger enterprise-oriented engagement sizes, less accessible for very small startup budgets |
Who should choose WeAreBrain?
WeAreBrain is the right choice for companies wanting AI and machine learning delivered as part of a broader digital product build.
Digital product agency DNA combined with a dedicated AI, ML, and intelligent automation practice. Minimum engagement starts at $25K. Works best with clients in SaaS, Fintech, Enterprise, Retail.
Who should choose Plain Concepts?
Plain Concepts is the right choice for enterprises standardized on Microsoft Azure wanting a certified Microsoft AI Partner for ML delivery.
Deep Azure-native AI and ML delivery credentials as a Microsoft Gold and AI Partner, plus mixed reality expertise. Minimum engagement starts at $35K. Works best with clients in Enterprise, Retail, Healthcare, Financial Services.
Decision matrix: WeAreBrain vs Plain Concepts
| Your situation | Recommended choice |
|---|---|
| You need full-ownership delivery on a defined project scope | WeAreBrain |
| You need a large dedicated team for an ongoing programme | WeAreBrain |
| Your budget is at the lower end | WeAreBrain |
| You need specialist depth in a specific vertical | WeAreBrain |
| You need staff augmentation or team extension | Neither; consider alternatives that offer staff aug |
| You need consulting before committing to a build | WeAreBrain |
Use case fit: WeAreBrain vs Plain Concepts
| Use case | WeAreBrain fit | Plain Concepts fit | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building an AI-powered consumer-facing digital product | Strong | Limited | WeAreBrain |
| Intelligent process automation for back-office workflows | Strong | Limited | WeAreBrain |
| Azure-native ML model deployment for an enterprise client | Limited | Strong | Plain Concepts |
| Mixed reality plus AI product development | Limited | Strong | Plain Concepts |
| Fixed-price build | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
| Staff augmentation | Limited | Limited | Both equally |
Verdict: WeAreBrain vs Plain Concepts
WeAreBrain (4.2/5) is the stronger overall choice for most Machine Learning Development projects. Digital product agency DNA combined with a dedicated AI, ML, and intelligent automation practice. It is best for companies wanting AI and machine learning delivered as part of a broader digital product build.
Plain Concepts (3.9/5) is the better choice when enterprises standardized on Microsoft Azure wanting a certified Microsoft AI Partner for ML delivery. If your situation matches those criteria, Plain Concepts is a competitive option.
Related comparisons
WeAreBrain vs Plain Concepts FAQ
Is WeAreBrain better than Plain Concepts?
WeAreBrain (4.2/5) scores higher overall, but "better" depends on your use case. WeAreBrain is better for companies wanting AI and machine learning delivered as part of a broader digital product build. Plain Concepts is better for enterprises standardized on Microsoft Azure wanting a certified Microsoft AI Partner for ML delivery.
How do WeAreBrain and Plain Concepts differ in pricing?
WeAreBrain uses fixed project, dedicated team pricing with a minimum engagement of $25K. Plain Concepts uses dedicated team, fixed project, retainer pricing with a minimum engagement of $35K. Neither firm publishes a full rate card; a discovery call is required for project-specific quotes.
Which is better for enterprise: WeAreBrain or Plain Concepts?
Plain Concepts is the larger team and typically the better enterprise-scale choice. For very large programmes, verify team size and compliance coverage directly with each company before shortlisting.
What are the main differences between WeAreBrain and Plain Concepts?
WeAreBrain's primary differentiator is: digital product agency dna combined with a dedicated ai, ml, and intelligent automation practice. Plain Concepts's primary differentiator is: deep azure-native ai and ml delivery credentials as a microsoft gold and ai partner, plus mixed reality expertise. They also differ in team size (51–200 vs 201–500), minimum engagement ($25K vs $35K), and primary industries served (SaaS, Fintech vs Enterprise, Retail).
Last reviewed: July 2026. Verify all details directly with each company before making a decision.