AI Pricing: What’s the True Cost of AI for Businesses? 2025
Last Updated: September 29, 2025
Artificial intelligence (AI) encompasses everything from chatbots to data analysis systems, helping businesses around the globe create personalized, sales-driving experiences for consumers and business buyers. On average, AI costs around $100 – $5,000 per month in 2025. Keep reading to learn more about AI pricing!methodology:
- Over 250 U.S-based marketing and sales professionals share how much their companies spend on AI tools, management, and solutions.
Summary
- How much does AI cost in 2025? On average, AI tools cost $10,000 per year, AI solutions cost $5,000 per month, and hourly work can cost $250.
- What factors most affect AI pricing? Whether you use pre-built tools or custom software, solution complexity, data needs, and required infrastructure drive costs — more customization and data typically result in higher spending.
- Is AI worth the investment? Yes — 95% of businesses report ROI satisfaction, citing faster processes, better use of data, and improved customer experiences that help drive sales.
Already, analysts predict spending on AI systems will reach $223 billion in 2028 and surpass $300 billion in the next few years.
How much does artificial intelligence cost, though? It’s a question companies of all sizes (from enterprises to startups) are asking. Good news, this AI pricing guide covers all your questions about the cost of artificial intelligence, from the average rates to the pricing factors that determine what you pay.
Keep reading to learn more about the average cost of artificial intelligence! Or, for more information about how you can add an AI package to your existing WebFX services, give us a call at 888-601-5359 to chat with an experienced WebFX strategist.
How much does AI cost?
We asked 250 businesses how much they spend on AI, from AI software and tools to custom AI solutions to ongoing AI management. Keep reading to find out what they shared!
Cost of AI tools
On average, AI tools cost $50 – $10,000 per year (69% of businesses).
There are a number of AI tools and software available to help your business automate tasks, analyze data, and save time with day-to-day tasks. While some of these tools are free or have free plans, many require a paid subscription to unlock all of their features.
Some examples of popular AI tools and platforms include:
Source Data
|
Cost |
% of Businesses |
|
Less than $50 |
0.79% |
|
$50 – $500 |
21.26% |
|
$501 – $2,500 |
20.47% |
|
$2,501 – $5,000 |
14.96% |
|
$5,001 – $10,000 |
12.60% |
|
$10,001 – $25,000 |
9.45% |
|
$25,001 – $50,000 |
4.72% |
|
$50,001 – $100,000 |
7.09% |
|
$100,001 – $150,000 |
3.15% |
|
More than $150,000 |
5.51% |
Cost of AI solutions per month
AI solutions cost $100 – $5,000 per month (57% of businesses).
AI solutions can pertain to any one-off AI-based strategy or campaign, like using AI to optimize an ad campaign or a custom-built AI solution like a chatbot. It can also refer to hiring a consultant to get help with utilizing AI or using AI to help optimize your strategies.
How much you pay for AI solutions depends on your chosen agency or freelancer and the scope of your needs.
Source Data
| Cost | % of Businesses |
| Less than $100 | 3.06% |
| $100 – $750 | 13.27% |
| $751 – $2,000 | 22.45% |
| $2,001 – $5,000 | 21.43% |
| $5,001 – $7,500 | 8.16% |
| $7,501 – $12,500 | 9.18% |
| $12,501 – $17,500 | 4.08% |
| $17,501 – $25,000 | 1.02% |
| $25,001 – $50,000 | 0.00% |
| $50,001 – $100,000 | 2.04% |
| $100,001 – $150,000 | 6.12% |
| $150,001 – $200,000 | 2.04% |
| $200,001 – $250,000 | 3.06% |
| More than $250,000 | 4.08% |
Cost of AI solutions per hour
On average, AI solutions cost $25 – $250 per hour in 2025.
Certain agencies or freelancers may charge hourly for providing AI solutions. You may also opt to pay hourly if the scope of your AI needs is a smaller time investment.
Hourly rates will depend on your chosen agency or freelancer’s experience and the scope of your project.
Source Data
| Cost | % of Businesses |
| Less than $25 | 2.67% |
| $25 – $50 | 17.33% |
| $51 – $100 | 13.33% |
| $101 – $150 | 17.33% |
| $151 – $200 | 10.67% |
| $201 – $250 | 14.67% |
| $251 – $300 | 8.00% |
| $301 – $450 | 4.00% |
| $451 – $600 | 6.67% |
| More than $600 | 5.33% |
How much does ongoing AI management cost?
Ongoing AI management costs $100 – $5,000 per month on average in 2025.
Ongoing AI management helps you continuously utilize AI to optimize your digital marketing strategies and automate repetitive tasks.
How much you pay for ongoing AI management ill depend on your chosen agency or freelancer, the scope of your AI needs (like how many strategies you want to utilize AI for), and the size of your business.
Source Data
| Cost | % of Businesses |
| Less than $100 | 6.45% |
| $100 – $500 | 25.81% |
| $501 – $1,000 | 12.90% |
| $1,001 – $2,500 | 11.29% |
| $2,501 – $5,000 | 14.52% |
| $5,001 – $10,000 | 6.45% |
| $10,001 – $15,000 | 1.61% |
| $15,001 – $20,000 | 3.23% |
| $20,001 – $50,000 | 8.06% |
| $50,001 – $100,000 | 4.84% |
| More than $100,000 | 4.84% |
AI costs by business size
The size of your business can have an impact on how much you spend on AI software. For example, some larger businesses may spend more on AI technology due to have larger amounts of data and a bigger scope of tasks that require AI.
Take a look at the cost of AI for different business sizes in the table below:
| Business Size | AI Cost Per Year | % of Businesses |
| Startup / Micro-Enterprise
(1-10 Employees) |
$50 – $500 | 67% |
| Small Business
(11-50 Employees) |
$501 – $2,500 | 50% |
| Mid-Sized Business
(51-250 Employees) |
$50 – $5,000 | 65% |
| Large Business
(251-500 Employees) |
$501 – $2,500 | 67% |
| Enterprise
(501+ Employees) |
$50 – $25,000 | 64% |
AI cost factors
When it comes to artificial intelligence, a range of factors influence AI software costs. From your preference for a custom or pre-built solution to the type of AI required, like a virtual assistant or analysis system, dozens of decisions will influence what your business invests in AI.
Learn more about the most influential factors that influence the cost of AI:
Custom or pre-built software
The type of AI software you opt for will have the largest impact on your AI costs. For example, you can choose existing AI tools and platforms for your tasks, like ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, and more. You can either choose to use the free versions of these tools or opt for the paid subscription to access more features.
Or if you need something specially built for your tasks or projects, you can choose to partner with a developer or agency for custom AI solutions which will cost more than using existing AI tools.
Complexity
How complex the AI tool or software is and how many features you need to access can also impact your costs. For example, tools like chatbots or basic tools will usually cost less than more complex tools that can handle large-scale data analytics and predictions.
Data requirements
Data plays a big part in training AI models and carrying out the tasks you need it to. That means you may need to invest in data collection methods and data storage depending on how much data your AI solutions need, which can involve additional costs.
Technology and infrastructure
AI software can require decent hardware to run it, including cloud-based infrastructure. That means you may need to invest in better computer systems in order to run the AI software and technology you need for your tasks.
Is AI worth the price tag?
Yes, AI is worth the cost! In fact, 95% of businesses say they are happy with the return on investment (ROI) they receive from AI tools, solutions, and ongoing management.
Artificial intelligence offers immense value, and every business should try and take advantage of it. With AI, you can expedite processes, get value from company data, and provide clients with a better experience. All those benefits can help drive sales and boost revenue.
The cost of artificial intelligence, however, can make companies hesitate.
Remember, though, that your business doesn’t have to build a custom solution. You can choose from pre-built options that offer immense power and insight. Chatbots are one of the most common examples of AI that companies can use without straining themselves financially.
If you’re looking for AI solutions that go beyond chatbots and into data analysis, there are options too.
RevenueCloudFX, for example, offers the power of AI (specifically, IBM Watson) and machine learning to provide actionable insight and guidance into your marketing efforts. It can even assess sales and informational content across your site via AI content analysis and writing for search engine optimization.
You can take advantage of platforms like these without the high development cost of a custom system.
With these different options, you can make AI a worthwhile investment for your business.
How to determine the cost of AI for your business
So, how can you understand how much you’ll spend on AI? Afterall, every business is unique and has different goals and requirements which will largely impact how much you’ll spend.
Let’s take a look at some steps you can follow to help you narrow down how much your company may spend on AI:
- Determine your goals: Think about the goals you want to achieve with AI technology and the tasks and projects you would like AI assistance with.
- Decide between existing or custom AI solutions: Decide whether you can meet your goals with existing AI tools and platforms or if you will need custom AI software developed for your needs.
- Consider the complexity of your AI solutions: Think about the data and hardware requirements of the AI software you will need.
- Think about ongoing costs: Consider if you will need ongoing maintenance and updates for your AI software to keep it running in tip-top shape.
WebFX helps companies like yours reach their business goals.
See Case Study“WebFX has always worked hard to make sure that we’re getting what we need out of the partnership, not just what may seem like the best result.”
Learn more about AI pricing in your industry
Businesses across industries, from retail to manufacturing, can take advantage of artificial intelligence. Whether you’re looking to deliver dynamic pricing, improve customer service, or enhance online initiatives, you can use AI to accomplish marketing goals — without stressing your team.
While AI may pose a high price tag, depending on your company’s size, goals, and requirements, it offers immense advantages. As an early, rather than later, adopter, your business can get ahead of competitors and capitalize on the benefits of AI, like by using dynamic pricing to boost revenue or AI agent development services to streamline business operations.
Do you want to learn more about how AI can accelerate your company’s growth?
Add AI services to your existing marketing package with WebFX by talking to your account manager today!
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