Small business owners hear “AI chatbot” and picture big-ticket tech. Rightly, their first question is usually “how much does a simple chatbot cost?”
If that’s you, then here’s the good news: a simple chatbot cost can be low. Often about the price of one pizza order a week. And you stay in control of the bill. Below we’ll discuss some of the price ranges for chatbots, why costs jump, and fast steps to keep spending lean while still delighting customers.
Quick Answer: How much does a simple chatbot cost?
Most local businesses will pay $20-$150 per month for a plug-and-play website chatbot software. Setup is typically free or under $500 one time when you use a do-it-yourself (DIY) tool. Custom code or heavy API work can run $1,000-$5,000 up-front, or far more if you need deep integrations. (Lindy, HelpCrunch)
“Standard chatbot software plans sit between zero and five-hundred dollars a month, while in-house builds can jump to ten-thousand monthly.” – Tidio
Price snapshot
- DIY chatbot apps: free to $29/mo (Tidio Starter) (Tidio)
- Growing plans: $15/mo and up (ManyChat Pro) (manychat.com)
- Sales-focused bots: from $400–2,500/mo (Drift Premium) (Chatbots, G2)
- Pay-as-you-go AI (e.g., OpenAI API): about $0.012 per 1K tokens; real-world midsize use can hit $3,000-7,000/mo (OpenAI, Ptolemay)
What Counts as a “Simple” Chatbot?
A simple bot does one job: greet visitors, answer common questions, and pass live chats to you when stuck. It lives on your site or Facebook page, needs no data-science team, and trains on a short FAQ. That lean scope keeps costs low.
Why Simple Chatbot Cost Changes
1. Build Method
| Method | Up-front | Ongoing | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY (Tidio, ManyChat) | $0-$500 | $0-$59/mo | Budget, fast launch |
| Agency setup | $1,000-$5,000 | $50-$300/mo | Done-for-you setup |
| Custom code | $5,000-$50,000 | $500-$5,000/mo | Complex logic, RAG |
(Sources: HelpCrunch, Antino) (HelpCrunch, Antino)
2. Message Volume
Most DIY plans include 100-1,000 chats a month. Go past the cap and costs rise by 2–4 ¢ per chat. Master of Code notes each bot chat costs just $0.50-$0.70, far below a live agent wage. (Master of Code Global)
3. AI Model Fees
If you connect to ChatGPT or Gemini for smarter replies, token fees stack up. An internal study shows midsize apps hit $3k-$7k monthly at 100k chats. (Ptolemay)
4. Human Help
Custom graphics, extra flows, or holiday promos add hourly agency time. Budget $75-$150/hr for tweaks.
Typical Price Ranges Explained
| Plan Type | Low | High | What You Get |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter chat widget | $0 | $29/mo | Basic script, email capture |
| Growth plan | $15/mo | $150/mo | Multiple channels, Zapier ties |
| Premium/Enterprise | $400/mo+ | $5,000/mo+ | AI routing, sales CRM, analytics |
| One-time DIY setup | Free | $500 | Install + FAQ load |
| One-time custom build | $1,000+ | $10,000+ | Bespoke flows, API hooks |
Sources: Tidio, manychat, G2, Lindy
Hidden and Ongoing Costs
- Training time. Plan 20-60 hours to write clear prompts and answers.
- Updates. Prices change. Drift jumped from $400 to $2,500/mo for some tiers. (Chatbots, G2)
- Regulatory checks. If you collect health or finance data, you may need legal review.
- AI token spikes. Viral traffic can triple usage overnight; set hard usage caps in your dashboard.
Return On Investment (ROI)
AI can now handle up to 95% of customer chats by 2025, freeing staff for sales calls. (Desk365)
Tidio reports 73% of shoppers want to start on one channel and finish on another without repeating themselves—bots make that easy. (Tidio)
Businesses that deploy a bot save 2.5 billion hours a year worldwide. (Sobot)
How to Keep Your Simple Chatbot Cost Low
- Start free. Launch on a no-cost tier to prove value.
- Cap tokens. Most AI dashboards let you set a daily ceiling.
- Reuse answers. Pull from your FAQ page instead of writing new copy.
- Review logs weekly. Fix errors before they balloon.
- Audit prices quarterly. Vendor tiers change fast, as Axios noted when firms resisted $20+ per employee add-ons. (Axios)
- Ask for help focused on local businesses. If you need hands-off setup, Diffyweb’s Chatbot Service does turnkey builds and training (see our Local Chatbots for Small Business page).
Key Takeaways for Busy Owners
- Budget: Most pay $20-$150/mo; only edge cases top $500.
- Hidden Fees: Token overages and custom tweaks can add up fast.
- ROI: Bots answer round-the-clock, cutting wait times and workload.
- Action: Start small, measure, then level up features when the bot proves itself.
Frequently Asked (Tiny) Questions
Is it cheaper to build or buy?
Buying a DIY app is 10x cheaper up front and lets you cancel any time. Building makes sense only if you need extras like ERP links.
Can I switch vendors later?
Yes. Export your Q&A pairs, then import elsewhere. Just test links and webhooks.
Will a bot hurt my “human” brand?
No. 87% of customers say bot chats feel neutral or positive. (Master of Code Global)