An AI agency generally costs between €500 for a simple automation and €50,000 for a complete custom solution. A single AI agent often runs between €1,500 and €15,000 in development, plus a monthly usage cost. The price comes down to three things: project complexity, the level of customization and the pricing model you pick. Here are the detailed ranges to find your bearings.
Price ranges by project type
Not all AI projects are equal. A basic chatbot and an automation system that connects five tools have nothing in common in terms of workload.
| Project type | Price range | Indicative timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Simple automation (connect 2-3 tools) | €500 – €3,000 | A few days |
| Custom AI agent / chatbot | €1,500 – €15,000 | 2 to 6 weeks |
| AI-wired website | €3,000 – €20,000 | 3 to 8 weeks |
| Complete AI solution (multi-tool) | €15,000 – €50,000+ | 2 to 6 months |
| Team AI training | €800 – €5,000 | 1 to 4 days |
These figures cover the French market for an SME. On top of that, there are often recurring costs (see below).
An AI agency's pricing models
Agencies don't all bill the same way. Knowing the models helps you compare quotes without getting played.
The fixed project fee
You pay a fixed price for a defined deliverable. It's the most reassuring: you know what you're paying before you sign. Ideal for a well-scoped project, like a specific AI agent or an automation.
The daily rate
The agency bills by the day, often between €500 and €1,200 per day depending on expertise. Useful for fuzzy or evolving projects, but keep an eye on the number of days estimated.
The monthly subscription
Increasingly common. You pay a fixed amount each month (often €500 to €5,000) covering development, maintenance and continuous improvements. Handy for moving forward continuously without requesting a new quote for every need.
The AI usage cost
Don't forget this one: AI models (like those from OpenAI or Anthropic) bill by usage. An agent handling a lot of requests has a monthly cost from a few dozen to a few hundred euros. That's separate from the agency's cost.
What makes the price vary
Two quotes for "a chatbot" can range from single to triple. Here's why.
- The level of customization. A standard solution adapted to you costs less than development started from a blank page.
- The number of integrations. Connecting AI to a single tool is simple. Linking it to your CRM, your billing and your messaging multiplies the work.
- The volume of data. Training or feeding an AI with your internal data takes preparation, often underestimated.
- The level of autonomy targeted. An agent that suggests costs less than an agent that decides and acts on its own.
- Maintenance. A project delivered and abandoned costs less upfront, but leaves you alone facing the bugs. Plan for follow-up.
How to keep your AI budget under control
The classic trap: trying to automate everything at once. Bad idea. The smart move is to start with one high-ROI project, measure it, then reinvest the gains.
A concrete example: an SME that automates the sorting and first-level reply to its customer emails can save several hours a week. If it costs €2,000 and frees up 5 hours a week, the project pays for itself in a few months. That's the calculation that should guide your budget, not the sticker price.
FAQ
How much does an AI agent cost per month?
Count the initial development cost (€1,500 to €15,000) plus a monthly usage and maintenance cost, often between €50 and €500 depending on the volume of requests handled. The more the agent works, the higher the usage, but the more it saves you too.
Is an AI agency more expensive than a freelancer?
By day rate, yes, generally. But an agency brings a team, a business vision and long-term follow-up. For a one-off, simple project, a freelancer is enough. For a structural project, an agency offers more security.
Can you do AI on a small budget?
Yes. A simple automation starts around €500. The idea isn't to do everything at once, but to target one specific repetitive task, automate it, measure the gain, then expand.
In short
The cost of an AI agency ranges from a few hundred euros for an automation to tens of thousands for a complete solution. What matters isn't the raw price, but the ratio between the investment and the time or revenue it brings you.
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