Free tool
Chatbot cost calculator
Type your monthly chat volume and see what five AI chatbots cost at that traffic, using the prices each vendor published in September 2026. The assumptions are below the table; the point is the shape of the bill, not the cents.
| Tool | Estimated monthly cost | Plan at this volume | Assumption |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chatonbo | $19 | Pro (5,000 conversations) | Flat. Unused conversations roll over. |
| Chatbase | $150 | Standard (4,000 credits) | 1 credit per reply on the cheapest model; premium models cost several credits per reply. |
| Zipchat | $249 | Pro (3,000 replies) | Every AI message is one reply. |
| Tidio + Lyro AI | $579 | Growth ($59) + Lyro for 800 AI conversations | Lyro estimated at the entry rate of $32.50 per 50 AI conversations; larger Lyro packs cost less per conversation, so treat this as an upper bound. |
| Intercom + Fin | $821 | 1 seat on Essential + 800 Fin resolutions | Assumes every AI-handled chat counts as a resolution at $0.99. Essential seats at $29 billed yearly; Advanced and Expert seats cost more. |
Estimates from public list prices as of September 2026; volume discounts, yearly billing and add-ons change real invoices. Plan details and sources: pricing guides. Chatonbo makes this calculator and sells one of the tools in it.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an AI chatbot cost per month in 2026?
Between $0 and about $60 a month on flat plans (Chatonbo is free up to 100 conversations, then $19 or $59), and anywhere from $40 to several thousand dollars on usage-based tools, because Tidio meters AI conversations, Intercom charges $0.99 per resolution on top of seats, Chatbase sells message credits and Zipchat sells reply packs. Prices checked September 2026.
Why does the same traffic cost so much more on some tools?
Usage pricing charges per unit of work the AI does: per conversation, per reply, per resolution or per credit. The bill rises in exactly the months the assistant is useful. A flat plan charges the same whatever happens.
Are the numbers in this calculator exact?
No. They use the public list prices each vendor published in September 2026 and the stated assumptions (replies per chat, share of chats the AI handles, seats). Volume discounts, annual billing and add-ons change the real invoice. Check the vendor page before buying.
Which chatbot is cheapest at 2,000 chats a month?
With three replies per chat and the AI handling most of them: Chatonbo Pro at $19 flat, Tidio Growth plus Lyro in the low hundreds, Zipchat around $249 plus top-ups, Chatbase around $500 in credits, and Intercom with one seat around $2,000 in Fin resolutions.