The look difference
Brass has a warm, golden tone that ages into a distinctive patina over time; stainless steel (even in PVD gold, see our PVD guide) reads cooler and stays visually consistent rather than developing character through age.
Maintenance is the real deciding factor
Uncoated brass tarnishes and needs regular polishing to keep its shine — some buyers actually want that aged patina look, but if you want a consistently bright finish, brass demands ongoing upkeep that stainless simply doesn't.
Cost and durability
Brass is a softer metal, more prone to dents and wear in high-traffic fittings like door handles; stainless steel holds up to daily handling with far less visible wear over years of use.
Where each makes sense
Brass suits a deliberately traditional, heritage-style interior where patina is part of the design intent. Stainless — including PVD gold or bronze finishes for a similar warm look without the tarnishing — suits nearly everything else, which is why it's our default recommendation for decorative fittings.