Compare/Head to head

Brainner vs Cernor

Same facts, side by side: starting price, free tier, MCP, API and what each one is actually built for.

Starting price

Brainner

$249/mo

AI resume screening and candidate fraud detection with ATS sync. Paid Professional is listed at $249/mo; 25-candidate free start.

Where Brainner fits

  • TA teams drowning in inbound resumes
  • Companies on Greenhouse, Lever, Workday, Ashby, or iCIMS
  • Hiring that needs fraud signals, not only a score
  • Desks that will try 25 candidates before paying

Cernor

$199/role Free trial

AI applicant evaluation for teams with more applications than time to read them: Cernor scores every record against a standard you approve, checks whether the evidence backs each claim and asks follow ups where it does not. At $199 per role for up to 300 candidates with no subscription, it suits occasional hiring, but it is a young product with no published customers and ATS integration only on Enterprise.

Where Cernor fits

  • Teams hiring a few roles a year who do not want a subscription
  • Roles that draw many polished, keyword matched applications
  • Hiring panels that need a written record of why each candidate advanced

At a glance

DetailBrainnerCernor
Starting price$249/mo$199/role
Free tier–No–No
Free trialNot on recordYes
MCP server–No–No
Public API✓Yes–No
Listed underAssessments, Candidate fraud & AI detectionAI screening

Where they pull apart

Brainner

Stands out: Ranking plus fraud (300-plus signals) with two-way ATS sync, not a generic ChatGPT-on-CVs wrapper.

Watch out: Analyses are metered: the paid tier covers a fixed quota and extra analyses are charged per analysis, with unlimited sold as an add-on. A busy month is the thing to model, not the headline.

Not the right fit for

  • Teams that will not use AI on applications
  • Companies that need a flat, unmetered price
  • Agencies that need a full ATS

Cernor

Stands out: Cernor keeps fit, credibility and proof apart for every requirement instead of blending them into one keyword score. Eleven trust checks flag JD mirroring, timeline conflicts and ownership gaps, and follow up questions are built from each candidate's own gaps, with each answer shaping the next. Pricing is per role with no subscription or seat fees, which is rare in AI screening.

Watch out: Cernor holds no SOC 2 or ISO 27001 certification and says so on its security page. ATS integration is listed only under Enterprise, and the site names no customers, reviews or team. Pricing does not say how long a role stays live, so check that before buying for a slow search. It evaluates and ranks only; it does not source, schedule or run interviews.

Not the right fit for

  • Buyers who need SOC 2 or ISO 27001 today
  • Teams wanting sourcing, scheduling or AI interviews in the same tool
  • High volume teams that need ATS sync without an Enterprise deal

Pros and cons

Brainner

  • Resume ranking plus fraud in one product
  • Named two-way ATS connectors
  • Usage-capped free start to try the scoring
  • Quota plus per-analysis overage
  • Unlimited analyses are an add-on
  • Not an ATS

Cernor

  • Per role pricing with no subscription or seat fees
  • Separates fit from credibility and proof for each requirement
  • Follow up questions built from each candidate's own evidence gaps
  • No SOC 2 or ISO 27001 certification yet
  • ATS integration listed only under Enterprise
  • No published customers or reviews yet

What each one costs

Brainner

$249/mo

From $249/mo (Professional). Standard listed at $99/mo. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 7 Sep 2026

Cernor

$199/role

Standard is $199 per role, paid once with no subscription, and covers up to 300 candidates on that role. Targeted follow up, the Decision Packet with change history and unlimited team members are included. Extra capacity is $89 per 100 candidates on the same role. Enterprise is quoted and adds volume pricing, ATS integration, a security review and deployment options. The first five candidates are free with no card. Confirm current terms on the vendor site.

Checked 26 Sep 2026

Common questions

Is Brainner cheaper than Cernor?
Cernor starts lower, at $199/role against $249/mo for Brainner. That is the entry plan on each side, so the real number depends on seats and the tier you land on.
Can you try Brainner or Cernor for free?
Neither carries a free tier on our listing. Cernor offers a free trial.

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Editorial listings, never paid rankings. Prices checked 7 Sep 2026. Confirm current terms on the vendor site. Spot an error?