Chatbot pricing can vary based on your business size, feature requirements, and the chatbot’s complexity. In 2025, businesses are more inclined towards AI-powered chatbots. The main goal behind this is to automate customer service and enhance customer satisfaction. In fact, by 2025, 80% companies are expected to adopt AI-powered chatbots for customer service.
But, the question is, how much should you anticipate spending on one? In this blog, we’ll explore the pricing details of chatbots and discover how to select the ideal AI chatbot solution for your business.
How Much Does Chatbot Cost?
The ongoing costs for AI chatbots depend on various factors. You need to consider the type, its complexity, and which chatbot platform you go for. Generally, chatbot pricing can fall under three main categories. The table below describes:
| Chatbot Type | Estimated Monthly Cost | Best For | Additional Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Chatbots | Free, $20 - $150 | Small businesses with simple needs | Basic features, rule-based responses |
| Mid-Market Chatbots | $800 - $1,200 | Growing businesses that need to manage more complex tasks | Advanced features, NLP, CRM integrations |
| Enterprise Chatbots | $3,000 - $10,000+ | Large companies with advanced requirements | Fully customized, multi-channel support, AI training |
Choose the right solution that will make sure you get the most value within your budget.
Types of Chatbot Pricing Models
When you choose a chatbot solution, you must understand the pricing model. It’s crucial that the AI chatbot aligns with your existing systems and budget. Here are some common pricing models for chatbots.:
1. Subscription-Based (Monthly/Yearly)
In this, you pay a recurring fee to access the chatbot platform. The pricing aspect generally depends on the features, level of support, and the number of users. Discounts for yearly payments over monthly plans are available on certain platforms.
2. Pay-Per-Message
In this approach, businesses incur fees depending on the volume of messages exchanged between the chatbot and its users. For some businesses with lower volumes, this can be a cost-effective solution. Although once the traffic increases, it might become an expensive purchase.
3. Pay-Per-User
The charges in this case are determined by the number of users engaging with the chatbot. It’s a perfect option for those businesses that want to limit their costs, based on the scale of their user base. Because more users interacting means costs will be on the higher side.
4. Freemium vs. Enterprise Pricing
Many chatbot providers offer a freemium model. In this model, businesses can access the basic features for free and upgrade to the premium plans for advanced features.
Enterprise pricing, on the other hand, offers a fully customized solution. Generally, larger companies prefer enterprise level solutions. It includes multi-channel support, advanced workflows, and custom chatbot pricing to meet specific business needs.
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Average Chatbot Pricing by Business Type
37% of businesses utilize chatbots to handle customer support interactions. Which chatbot is right for your business depends on your use case, the size of your business, and the features it offers.
We have categorized the types of chatbots based on three key parameters. Let’s explore each:
1. For Small and Medium Businesses (SMBs)
Cost Breakdown:
- Free: Basic plans or trials with limited features
- Monthly: $20 to $150
- One-time setup: Free to $500 (if DIY) or $2,000 to $10,000 (if custom-built by an agency)
Generally, small businesses and startups opt for this option. Their requirement is for a simple chatbot that handles basic customer inquiries and tasks. Usually, these AI chatbots operate with rule-based logic, meaning they can only respond to questions and scenarios that are predefined.
The setup is often straightforward and requires little to no coding. To get started quickly, you can use pre-built chatbot templates.
Key Features
- Basic, rule-based responses
- Limited customization
- Drag-and-drop builders
- Basic integrations (email, contact forms)
- Great for FAQs and appointment scheduling,
Perfect For
Local shops, freelancers, small service-based businesses, or anyone with a low budget who just wishes to start automating customer support.
2. For Mid-Market Businesses
Cost Breakdown
- Monthly: $800 to $1,200
- One-time setup: $10,000 to $50,000 (if custom-built)
As your business expands, it also becomes more complex. Mid-market chatbots are designed to handle more complex chatbot conversations. They go beyond FAQs and scheduling. This can include qualifying leads, booking appointments, and integrating with your CRM. These bots have advanced features like Natural Language Processing (NLP) and multi-step workflows. ControlHippo’s visual chatbot builder is the perfect solution for businesses at this stage.
Key Features
- Multilingual support
- Custom chatbot interactions
- CRM and tool integrations (HubSpot, Zendesk)
- Analytics and performance tracking
- Can manage complex workflows (e.g., onboarding, product suggestions)
Perfect For
SaaS businesses, eCommerce stores, or B2B companies looking to grow their customer support and sales processes.
3. For Enterprises
Cost Breakdown
- Monthly: $3,000 to $10,000+
- One-time setup: $50,000 to $150,000+ (depending on complexity)
Enterprise-level chatbots have advanced AI capabilities. These are made to handle high interaction volumes through a variety of channels. These AI chatbots use deep learning, NLP, and machine learning to understand complex customer queries. Accordingly, they deliver personalized responses. They also facilitate integration with a range of business systems, such as CRMs and ERPs.
Key Features
- 24/7 support, high uptime guarantees
- NLP for complex query understanding
- Multi-channel deployment (web, app, WhatsApp, social media)
- advanced security (GDPR, HIPAA compliance)
- Deep integrations with business systems
- Customizable UI and voice assistants.
Perfect For
Large companies in industries like banking, telecom, retail, or healthcare.
How ControlHippo Offers Affordable Chatbot Solutions?
At ControlHippo, we understand that cost can be a concern, especially when you are at the initial stage. That’s why we provide flexible pricing models that scale with your company’s growth, making our solutions affordable for companies of all sizes.
1. Website Chatbot Pricing
ControlHippo offers a free chatbot plan to get started. This allows small businesses to experience the power of a chatbot without any upfront costs. For businesses that need more advanced features, our advanced plans start at just $29/month.
Key Features at Entry-Level Pricing
- Live Chat: Interact with customers in real-time and give instant answers to their questions.
- Bot Builder: Create custom chatbots easily with our intuitive drag-and-drop builder.
- Lead Capture: Collect visitor information and automatically input it into your CRM for follow-up purposes.
- Basic Analytics: Track user interactions on your chatbot dashboard and improve your chatbot’s performance with simple insights by analyzing chat data.
We know that your business will grow, and so will your chatbot needs. That’s why we offer a pay-as-you-grow model. As you progress, you can effortlessly upgrade your plan to gain access to more advanced features or manage increased traffic. You only pay for what you need.
2. Omnichannel Chatbot Pricing
Managing interactions across various channels becomes essential as companies expand their customer service initiatives across several platforms. That is where omnichannel chatbots come in. ControlHippo offers seamless integration across various platforms which includes WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, and your website.
ControlHippo’s omnichannel pricing covers all the major channels. With WhatsApp Business API integration, businesses only pay for conversation-based costs. This offers a more economical choice for businesses with varying levels of interaction.
Costs are determined by the number of conversations that are initiated with customers. Each conversation is measured within a 24-hour window.
Omnichannel Chatbot Pricing
- Instagram & Messenger: AI chatbot cost is free for these platforms. Connect with customers without worrying about any additional cost.
- WhatsApp API & Telegram: These are chargeable, but we keep it simple with conversation-based pricing.
At ControlHippo, we offer transparent pricing. We ensure that there are no hidden costs. What you see is what you pay for.
Conclusion
Currently, over 987 million people are utilizing AI chatbots. So, what’s the takeaway? Chatbots, whether expensive or cheap, basic or advanced, should be able to address the use case of your business. It all comes down to striking the correct balance. Consider the features you require, the size of your company, and the pricing strategy that works for you. After completing this, you will be well on your way to offering your clients more intelligent service.
ControlHippo offers a variety of chatbot options that expand with your company if you’re searching for a flexible and reasonably priced solution. Take time to consider the options and choose the chatbot that addresses your business in the best way possible.
Chatbots are worth it when you choose the right one. This is a great solution because it can help you save time by handling routine tasks. With smarter automation, they provide faster responses. This gives your human agents the time and bandwidth to focus on tasks that matter more.
There are many free options available. ControlHippo's basic plan is free. With it, you can get started with live chat, bot-building, and lead capture without any cost.
AI chatbots typically range from $100 to $500 for basic features. This can go up to $800+ per month for more advanced features.
Updated : July 21, 2025
Jainy Patel is a content strategist who specializes in omnichannel communication solutions. She develops innovative marketing strategies that unify messaging across various channels, ensuring a consistent and engaging customer journey. Jainy is passionate about optimizing communication processes and crafting targeted content that resonates with audiences at every touchpoint.