What is Bricks?

For decades, the spreadsheet has remained the undisputed king of business data, yet its fundamental design hasn’t changed much since the 1980s. While Microsoft Excel and Google Sheets have added cloud collaboration and minor features, they still rely on the same logic of manual formulas, rigid grids, and the dreaded #REF! error. Enter Bricks (thebricks.com), a modern contender that brands itself as "The AI Spreadsheet We've All Been Waiting For."

Bricks isn't just a spreadsheet with an AI plugin; it is an AI-native workspace designed to bridge the gap between data analysis, documentation, and presentation. Built from the ground up with a custom computation engine and WebAssembly, Bricks offers a performance level comparable to desktop Excel but within a browser. It treats data not just as a collection of cells, but as a dynamic database that can be queried using natural language. This allows users to bypass the steep learning curve of complex syntax and focus instead on the insights they need to uncover.

At its core, Bricks operates on a "blocks" system, reminiscent of Notion, where users can mix grids (spreadsheets), boards (visualizations), and documents within a single interface. This eliminates the "tab-switching" fatigue that analysts often face when moving data from Excel to PowerPoint or Tableau. By integrating AI directly into the workflow, Bricks allows anyone—regardless of their technical background—to clean data, generate formulas, and build professional-grade dashboards in a matter of minutes.

Key Features

Natural Language Formula Generation: Instead of memorizing nested IF statements or VLOOKUP syntax, users can simply type a request like "Calculate the month-over-month growth for the Sales column." Bricks’ AI interprets the request and generates the correct logic instantly.
AI-Powered Data Visualization: Bricks functions like a "Canva for data." You can ask the AI to "Create a bar chart of revenue by region for 2024," and it will generate a polished, interactive visual that can be dragged and dropped into a report or presentation board.
Smart Data Cleaning: One of the biggest time-sinks in data work is formatting. Bricks includes AI tools to automatically standardize date formats, remove duplicates, and fix inconsistencies in your datasets with a single prompt.
The "Board" System: Unlike traditional spreadsheets that are just an endless sea of cells, Bricks allows you to create "Boards." These act as a presentation layer where you can reference live data from your grid, ensuring that your reports and slides update automatically whenever the underlying data changes.
Database-Backed Reliability: Bricks is built on a true database structure rather than a flat grid. This means formulas are more robust, and the tool can handle large models and datasets much faster than Google Sheets without lagging or crashing.
External Data Integrations: Users can import data directly from sources like Google Sheets, CSV files, and even CRM systems. The tool also supports "Auto-Refresh" features, meaning your AI-generated dashboards stay current without manual re-uploads.

Pricing

Bricks offers a tiered pricing structure designed to accommodate everyone from individual freelancers to large enterprises. As of early 2026, the pricing is as follows:

Free Plan: Includes full access to the spreadsheet, visual boards, and documents. It supports up to 3 teammates and provides 20 AI messages per month to test the capabilities.
Premium Plan ($20/month per seat): Designed for power users and small teams. This tier increases the AI limit to 500 messages per month, allows for unlimited dashboards, and supports collaboration for up to 200 people.
Pro Plan ($100/month per seat): For heavy users who rely on AI for daily data analysis. This plan includes unlimited AI messages and priority support.
Enterprise Plan (Custom Pricing): Tailored for large organizations requiring advanced security, unlimited AI usage, and dedicated account management.

Note: An "AI Message" is defined as any prompt or request made to the AI, such as asking it to generate a chart, fix a formula, or analyze a dataset.

Pros and Cons

Pros

Unmatched Speed: The use of WebAssembly makes the interface feel incredibly snappy, even when dealing with larger datasets that would typically slow down a browser-based spreadsheet.
Reduced Technical Debt: By using natural language, teams avoid the "black box" problem where only one person knows how a complex Excel model works. The AI-generated formulas are easy to audit and explain.
Seamless Storytelling: The ability to combine live charts, text, and data grids into a single document makes it much easier to create narratives around data compared to traditional BI tools.
User-Friendly UI: The interface is clean, modern, and far less intimidating than the ribbon-heavy design of Microsoft Excel.

Cons

AI Credit Limits: The 20-message limit on the free plan is quite restrictive, making it difficult to complete a full project without upgrading to the $20/month tier.
Learning Curve for Traditionalists: While it is easier for beginners, long-time Excel "power users" who rely on specific keyboard shortcuts and legacy features may find the transition to a block-based system jarring.
Ecosystem Lock-in: While it integrates with Google Sheets, moving a complex, AI-driven Bricks model back into a standard .xlsx format may result in the loss of some interactive features.

Who Should Use Bricks?

Bricks is an ideal tool for several specific user profiles:

Startups and Founders: When you need to build a quick investor deck or a performance dashboard without hiring a dedicated data analyst, Bricks’ AI does the heavy lifting for you.
Marketing and Sales Teams: These professionals often deal with messy CRM exports. Bricks is perfect for cleaning that data and turning it into a visual report in minutes.
Non-Technical Managers: If you find yourself "fighting" with Excel formulas just to get a simple answer, the natural language interface of Bricks will feel like a superpower.
Students and Researchers: The tool is excellent for analyzing dissertation data or class projects where professional visualization is required but time is limited.

Verdict

Bricks is a breath of fresh air in a software category that has been stagnant for far too long. By treating the spreadsheet as a modern, AI-first workspace rather than just a digital version of a paper ledger, it solves the two biggest problems in data work: the difficulty of complex formulas and the friction of reporting. While the pricing for unlimited AI usage is steep, the $20/month Premium tier offers excellent value for most professional users. If you are tired of "Excel fatigue" and want a tool that actually helps you think through your data, Bricks is arguably the best AI spreadsheet currently on the market.