The cost of an AI solution depends on three things: which process you want to improve, which systems the solution has to connect with, and how much it needs to be adapted to the way your team works.

A simple chatbot that answers common questions costs significantly less than an application built from scratch. This guide breaks down what makes up the price, so you can compare offers with confidence.

What the price of an AI solution is made of

Whatever the provider, an AI solution for business usually has four cost components:

  • Process analysis. Before anything is built, someone has to understand how your team works today: the repetitive steps, the information involved and the points where a person should stay in control. Skipping this stage makes the project more expensive later.
  • Build and configuration. The visible part: the chatbot, automation or application itself, plus the approved business content its answers rely on.
  • Integration with your systems. Connecting the solution to your website, CRM or internal tools. This is where seemingly similar projects differ most in price.
  • Monthly running costs. Usage of the AI models (typically billed by volume), hosting and adjustments along the way.

What influences the cost most

The complexity of the process

A simple rule: the more exceptions a process has (“we usually do it this way, but if…”), the more work the solution requires. A clear process with predictable steps automates quickly.

The number of connected systems

A chatbot that answers only from your website content is one thing. A chatbot that checks stock, creates an order in your CRM and notifies a colleague on Telegram is quite another. Every integration adds build and testing time.

The languages you work in

For businesses in Moldova, support for Romanian and Russian (often English too) is not a luxury: customers write in both languages. Modern AI models handle both well, but the content and testing have to be prepared for each language separately.

Who stays in control

Solutions where AI only prepares the work (a draft reply, a record to review) and a person approves are simpler and cheaper than solutions where AI acts on its own. For many processes they are the right choice anyway.

Indicative price ranges

Prices vary between providers and between processes, so the figures below are a budgeting guide, not an offer:

  • Chatbot on approved content (website or social channels): from a few hundred to a few thousand euros; monthly — tens of euros.
  • Process automation (1–2 connected systems): from ~€1,000 to a few thousand euros; monthly — tens to hundreds of euros.
  • AI integration into an existing CRM or platform: depends on the platform and access; monthly — tens to hundreds of euros.
  • Custom AI application: from a few thousand euros upwards; monthly — usage-based.

A real offer is only possible after the provider understands your process. Be wary if a fixed price is quoted before anyone has asked you how you work.

How to keep the cost under control

  • Start with one process. The most expensive way to adopt AI is “let’s automate everything”. Pick the task that consumes the most time and validate the solution there.
  • Use the systems you already have. A solution connected to the tools your team already relies on is cheaper than replacing them.
  • Ask to see the trade-offs. A fair provider explains which option is cheaper and what you give up by choosing it — before anything is built.
  • Clarify the monthly costs upfront. Ask separately from the implementation price: what will running this cost at my real customer volume?

Frequently asked questions

Are there free AI solutions for business?

Yes — public tools (such as ChatGPT) help with individual work: writing, summarising, analysing. A business solution — one that works with your data inside your processes — involves configuration and integration, and therefore an implementation cost.

How long does implementation take?

A chatbot on approved content: usually a few weeks. An automation with integrations: from a few weeks to two or three months. Duration follows the same factors as price.

Do I pay once or monthly?

Usually both: an implementation cost (one-off) and a monthly running cost (AI usage, hosting, adjustments). Ask for them separately in any offer.

How do I find out what it would cost for my business?

Describe the process: which task is slow, repetitive or difficult to scale. A first conversation with practical questions is enough for a realistic estimate — you do not need a technical brief.

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