Brainshark review
Data-driven sales readiness software for training, coaching, and content authoring.
Brainshark (now branded as Bigtincan Readiness) is a sales readiness platform that helps organizations create, deliver, and track multimedia training and coaching programs for customer-facing teams.
Independently researched by the SalesHive team. Ratings are from public review platforms; this page is not sponsored by or affiliated with Brainshark. Research last updated December 2025.
What is Brainshark?
Brainshark is a SaaS-based sales readiness platform, now part of Bigtincan, that equips sales and other client-facing teams with on-demand training, video and text-based coaching, and rich content authoring tools so they can perform at the highest level in every buyer interaction.
Founded in 1999 by Joe Gustafson and headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, Brainshark grew from its roots in on-demand presentations into a full-featured sales enablement and readiness suite used across technology, financial services, healthcare, insurance, manufacturing, and other industries worldwide. Over the years, thousands of companies, including a significant share of the Fortune 100, have relied on Brainshark to accelerate onboarding, standardize messaging, and improve sales productivity.
The platform supports rapid authoring of interactive content from PowerPoint, Google Slides, video, and other assets; sophisticated learning paths and certifications; AI-powered video coaching and machine scoring; and readiness scorecards that help leaders see where skills and knowledge gaps exist. Mobile apps for iOS and Android, HTML5-based playback, and offline access make it practical for distributed and field-based sales teams to stay current on products and messaging.
In August 2021, Australian-listed Bigtincan (ASX:BTH) acquired Brainshark and integrated it as Bigtincan Readiness (formerly Brainshark) within its broader revenue enablement platform. Today, Brainshark continues to serve as Bigtincan’s dedicated learning and readiness solution, combining mature training and coaching workflows with newer AI capabilities like RolePlayAI simulations and CoachingAI to help organizations connect enablement programs directly to revenue outcomes.
Brainshark key features
Teams typically use it for sales onboarding, ongoing sales training, sales coaching and certification, and more.
- Data-driven sales readiness platform. centralizes training, coaching, and content for customer-facing teams.
- Multimedia content authoring. convert PowerPoint, Google Slides, video, and other assets into interactive, trackable presentations.
- AI-powered video coaching. record role-plays and pitches with machine analysis scoring to assess delivery quality and message mastery.
- Text-based coaching activities. evaluate reps' written communications such as prospecting emails and objection responses.
- Readiness scorecards. dashboards and scorecards to track training completion, certifications, and readiness across individuals and teams.
- Microlearning and curricula. organize content into courses, paths, and curricula with just-in-time learning modules.
- Certifications and compliance. manage exams and certifications to ensure sales, product, and regulatory requirements are met.
- Knowledge & skills library. map courses to specific skills and knowledge areas to identify gaps and target development.
- Gamification. use badges, points, and leaderboards to increase engagement and drive healthy competition among reps.
- Mobile learning. native iOS and Android apps plus an HTML5 player for consistent, interactive experiences across devices, online or offline.
- CRM-embedded learning. Brainshark for Salesforce and Microsoft Dynamics 365 bring training and coaching directly into CRM workflows.
- Content recommendations. suggest relevant training and sales content based on CRM data like role, industry, and opportunity stage.
- SCORM and LMS interoperability. export or embed Brainshark content into other learning management systems for broader distribution.
- Advanced analytics & reporting. measure content usage, learner performance, and correlate readiness metrics with sales outcomes.
- Enterprise-grade security. SSO/SAML, role-based permissions, and secure content delivery appropriate for regulated industries.
What reviewers love, and what to watch
A balanced view of Brainshark, drawn from public reviews and product research.
Pros
- Easy-to-use authoring tools that let non-technical users convert presentations and videos into interactive training content.
- Strong support for sales onboarding and ongoing training, with curricula, certifications, and microlearning paths to guide reps.
- Effective video and text-based coaching features with machine analysis scoring and structured feedback workflows.
- Robust integrations with Salesforce and other systems, bringing training and content directly into sellers’ daily workflow.
- Mobile apps and offline access that make it convenient for field and remote reps to complete training on the go.
- Detailed tracking of content consumption and training completion via scorecards and analytics.
Cons
- Reporting and analytics are often described as less flexible or less intuitive than those of some newer competitors.
- The admin experience and UI can feel dated or complex, particularly when managing large content libraries or many learner groups.
- Pricing and overall footprint can be high for smaller organizations that need only basic LMS capabilities.
Brainshark pricing
Published pricing at the time of research. Always confirm current rates with the vendor.
- Learning & Coaching
- CoachingAI
- Content Management
- SearchAI
- Digital Sales Rooms & Shares
- MeetingsAI
- Analytics & Scorecards
- RolePlayAI
- Genie Assistant
- All Essential features
- More advanced AI-guided workflows and automation
- Enhanced analytics and insights across readiness, content, and engagement
- Additional configuration and governance options for large enterprises
No free plan is offered; all Brainshark deployments are paid subscriptions.
Who Brainshark is for
A strong fit for
Mid-sized to large B2B organizations with distributed, quota-carrying sales and customer-facing teams that need a scalable platform to onboard, train, and continuously coach reps, especially where Salesforce or other CRMs are core to the sales tech stack.
Probably not for
Very small businesses that only need a lightweight LMS or inexpensive course hosting, or organizations that do not require structured coaching, certifications, or CRM-integrated training.
How Brainshark compares
Compared with modern revenue enablement suites like Mindtickle, Seismic, Highspot, Showpad, and Allego, Brainshark stands out for its depth in learning, coaching, and readiness rather than in pure sales content management. Organizations that put heavy emphasis on structured onboarding, certifications, and ongoing skills development often select Brainshark as the backbone of their sales training strategy, pairing it with a content-focused tool if needed.
Whereas platforms like Seismic and Highspot lead with content orchestration and buyer engagement experiences, Brainshark’s strengths lie in its mature course authoring, AI-powered coaching, readiness scorecards, and large-enterprise deployment track record. For companies that already have a CRM and possibly a separate content hub, Brainshark can provide a best-of-breed readiness layer that connects training outcomes to revenue performance without forcing a complete overhaul of the existing sales tech stack.
Tool research is the easy part. Someone still has to build the lists, write the copy, make the calls, and book the meetings.
Frequently asked about Brainshark
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