AI automation for SMBs typically starts at €1,500 for a scoped pilot and €2,450–€7,500 for a complete implementation, plus possible support and usage costs. ROI depends on volume, current handling time and integrations; calculate it with a baseline and a 30-day pilot.
"What does an AI chatbot cost?" is the question we get most often. The honest answer: it depends. But in this article we give you concrete prices, comparisons and an ROI calculator so you know exactly what to expect.
AI Automation Pricing Overview 2026
| Solution | One-time | Monthly | Implementation |
|---|---|---|---|
| AI Chatbot | €2.450 - €7.500 | €199 - €999 | 1-2 weeks |
| AI Voice Agent | €4.950 - €12.000 | €499 - €1.999 | 2-3 weeks |
| AI Email Agent | €2.950 - €8.000 | €299 - €799 | 1-2 weeks |
| RPA Workflows | €5.000 - €25.000 | €500 - €2.500 | 3-6 weeks |
AI Chatbot Costs Explained
The costs for an AI chatbot depend on three factors:
1. Conversation complexity
An FAQ bot that answers 20 questions is cheaper than a bot that creates quotes, schedules appointments and retrieves CRM data.
2. Integrations
Connection with your CRM (Salesforce, HubSpot), calendar (Google, Outlook) or ERP adds €500-€2,000 per integration.
3. Volume
Monthly costs scale with the number of conversations. At Utomatic you start with 1,000 conversations/month included.
AI Voice Agent Costs
An AI voice agent (phone AI) is more complex than a chatbot, hence the higher price. You pay for:
- Speech-to-text — Voice recognition (€0.01-0.03 per minute)
- AI processing — The "thinking" and generating response
- Text-to-speech — Natural voice (€0.02-0.05 per minute)
- Telephony — Inbound/outbound numbers
Tip: A voice agent handling 100 calls/day easily saves you €3,000-€5,000/month in personnel costs.
Calculating ROI: When Do You Earn It Back?
Payback differs by process. The illustrative calculation below shows which assumptions you need; always replace them with your own baseline:
Example calculation: real estate agency with AI chatbot
- Investment: €4,950 one-time + €499/month
- Savings: 2 hours/day customer service = €1,500/month
- Extra leads: 15% more conversion = €2,000/month
- ROI: 5x within 6 months
Want to know more? Check our AI solutions for real estate or read the case studies.
Utomatic vs. Competitors
How do our prices compare to the market?
| Provider | Chatbot Start | Implementation | Support |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utomatic | €2.450 | 2 weeks | 3+ months incl. |
| Watermelon | €3.000+ | 4-6 weeks | Limited |
| Trengo | €2.500+ | 3-4 weeks | Email only |
| Intercom | $5.000+ | 4-8 weeks | Paid |
Frequently Asked Questions about AI Costs
Are there hidden costs?
Not at Utomatic. You pay the stated price including implementation, training and 3 months support. Only variable: API costs at very high volume (>10,000 conversations/month).
Can I start small first?
Yes! Our Pilot packages start from €1,500 for a working proof-of-concept. Satisfied? Then we scale up. Not satisfied? Money back.
What if I already have software?
No problem. We integrate with your existing CRM, helpdesk or ERP. Popular integrations: Salesforce, HubSpot, Zendesk, Exact, AFAS.
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