How much does it cost to build a chatbot in 2025? It really depends.
It comes down to what you want your bot to do, how you plan to build it, and whether you hire developers or use a no-code platform. Some companies spend thousands and wait months to launch. Others spin up a working bot in just a few hours for under $100.
There are plenty of factors to consider, including platform fees, developer rates, integrations, hosting, and maintenance. Spend in the wrong spots and you could burn through your budget without getting the results you need.
In this guide, we will break down what actually drives chatbot costs, where it is worth spending, where you can save, and why no-code often gives the best value. By the end, you will know exactly what is fair to pay and how to keep every dollar working for you.
Key Takeaways:
- Chatbot costs in 2025 depend mainly on complexity, features, and integrations. Simple bots start around a few thousand dollars, while advanced AI chatbots can cost over $100,000.
- No-code platforms like Brilio make it easy and affordable to launch powerful chatbots quickly without coding or high developer fees.
- Careful planning, picking the right chatbot type, and focusing on essential features save you money and avoid costly mistakes down the line.
Types of Chatbots and Their Impact on Cost
Before setting a budget, figure out the kind of chatbot you want to build. This decision affects everything from development costs and hosting to integrations and future upkeep.
Pick the wrong type and you could burn cash on features you’ll never use or deliver a bot that falls flat. Pick the right one and you’ll have a chatbot that performs well, scales easily, and stays cost-friendly over time.
| Chatbot Type | Best For (Use Case) | Complexity | Setup Cost Range* | Typical Monthly Cost (2025)* |
| Menu/Button-Based | Quick FAQ, lead capture flows | Very Low | ~$3,000 for a custom build | $0–$50 SaaS |
| Rule-Based | Structured workflows like order tracking or support | Low | $10,000–$30,000 for a one-time build | $30–$150 SaaS |
| AI-Powered (Contextual) | Smart chat flows with intent understanding | Medium | $25,000–$100,000+ custom development | $800–$1,500 SaaS |
| Generative AI | Creative conversations, dynamic responses | Medium–High | $150,000+ for custom enterprise builds | $100–$500+ API usage |
| Hybrid | Blend of rules + AI for flexible and robust flows | High | Enterprise-level pricing (varies) | $150–$600+ SaaS |
| Voice-Enabled | Hands-free interactions via speech | Very High | $15,000–$50,000+ enterprise builds | $300–$1,000+ SaaS |
Your chatbot type influences cost, flexibility, and future upgrades. AI chatbots are pricier but manage complex conversations well. Rule-based bots are affordable and fast to launch, though limited in scope. Hybrid bots combine both, offering the best balance as your business grows.
What Affects Chatbot Development Cost
Before you set your chatbot budget, remember this: the cost isn’t just about building it. It mostly depends on what your bot needs to do, where it’ll run, and how much work it handles behind the scenes. I’ve covered everything you need to know in detail:
Complexity & Features
- Basic bots (buttons, simple rules): $3,000–$15,000
- Mid-level AI bots (NLP, limited integrations): $15,000–$75,000
- Advanced AI bots (deep learning, voice, multi-language): $80,000–$300,000+
More intelligence, adaptability, and interactivity mean higher cost.
Development Phases & Effort Split
- Planning and conversation design: 10–15%
- UI/UX design: 15–20%
- Backend (logic, NLP, AI training): 40–50%
- Frontend (interface): 15–25%
- Testing and QA: 10–15%
Platform & Technology Choice
- No-code or low-code platforms: $500–$8,000 to start, faster and less customizable
- Custom development: $25,000–$200,000+ for full flexibility
- Enterprise AI licensing: $50,000–$500,000+
Integration Needs
The more systems your chatbot connects to, the higher the price:
- CRM: $8,000–$30,000
- E-commerce platforms: $5,000–$25,000
- Payment gateways: $3,000–$15,000
- APIs and databases: $5,000–$20,000+
Ongoing Costs
- Hosting and infrastructure: $100–$2,000 per month
- AI usage fees: $0.001–$0.01 per request
- Annual maintenance: 15–20% of build cost
Developer Location & Expertise
- Rates range from $25/hour (outsourced teams) to $200+/hour (top-tier specialists). Region and skill level affect total cost.
Cost Factors Overview:
| Factor | Impact on Cost | Typical Range/Notes |
| Complexity & Features | Biggest driver | $3K – $300K+ depending on sophistication |
| Development Phases | From planning to QA | Split by % of total |
| Platform & Technology | Customization vs. speed | No-code cheaper; custom more expensive |
| Integrations | Number & complexity | $3K – $30K+ per system |
| Operations & Maintenance | Recurring & usage-based | $100+/month + AI request fees |
| Developer Rates | Region & expertise | $25–$200+/hour |
Pro tip: Your budget is more than just the build. Match complexity, platform, and integrations to your business size today and get clear on ongoing costs early to avoid surprises down the road.
No-Code Chatbots Are Cost-Effective
In 2025, no-code chatbot platforms are booming because they cut costs, speed up launch times, and let anyone build smart chatbots without coding.
Why These Are Cost-Effective
No-code chatbots save you money by cutting out expensive custom development. You avoid large upfront fees, long waits for coding and testing, high hourly rates for expert developers, and complex ongoing maintenance and updates.
On top of that, no-code platforms come with built-in integrations and AI features that would otherwise cost thousands if built from scratch. This means you get smart, scalable chatbots faster and at a fraction of the cost.
Best No-Code Chatbot Platforms for 2025
A couple of no-code chatbot builders that serve different business needs:
- Brilio: Ideal for businesses wanting to train AI agents using their own documents, websites, or live databases without writing code. It offers fast deployment and flexible AI model choices, with a free trial of 50 credits and plans starting as low as $10 per month.
- ManyChat: Great fit for marketing teams focusing on Facebook Messenger and Instagram, featuring an easy drag-and-drop builder and automation tools for lead generation and sales. It offers a free plan for up to 1,000 contacts and paid plans starting at $15 per month.
- Landbot: Best for creating engaging conversational flows for websites and WhatsApp, with easy CRM and payment gateway integrations. It provides a free sandbox plan and paid plans starting around €40 per month.
Each platform offers flexible pricing and features that can fit various budgets and goals.
This makes no-code chatbots a smart, cost-effective option for 2025 and beyond.
For a detailed comparison and more options, check out our full list of Best No-Code Chatbot Builders for 2025.
Breaking Down Chatbot Development Costs
Let’s zoom in on the main cost drivers behind chatbot development. Knowing them helps you budget better and skip unexpected fees.
Planning and Design
This is where your chatbot’s purpose, conversations, and user experience are mapped out. It usually takes 10% to 15% of the total budget but sets the foundation for success. Skipping or rushing this step can lead to expensive fixes later.
Development
The bulk of your budget goes here. This includes:
- Backend: Building the chatbot’s logic, AI and NLP training, and server setup. This can be 40% to 50% of the costs.
- Frontend: Creating the interface users interact with, like chat windows on your website or app, takes 15% to 25%.
Complex bots with advanced AI, voice features, or multilingual support cost more due to extra training and coding.
Integrations
Connecting your chatbot to other systems like CRMs, payment gateways, or databases adds both time and cost. Each integration can range from a few thousand to tens of thousands, depending on complexity.
Testing and Quality Assurance
Testing makes sure your chatbot works smoothly and understands users. This critical phase takes 10% to 15% of the budget. Skipping testing means risking buggy or frustrating user experiences.
Deployment and Hosting
Once built, your chatbot needs a place to live. Hosting fees vary widely depending on traffic and AI usage. Expect anywhere from $100 to $2,000 or more per month.
Maintenance and Updates
Chatbots need regular updates to stay accurate and secure. Maintenance typically costs 15% to 20% of the initial build yearly. AI models might also need retraining as your business evolves.
AI Usage and Cloud Costs
If your chatbot uses AI services or APIs, you’ll pay based on usage, usually per request or token. These costs can add up quickly depending on traffic and complexity.
Cost Breakdown At a Glance:
| Cost Area | What It Covers | Typical Percent of Total Cost |
| Planning & Design | Strategy, conversation flow | 10% to 15% |
| Backend Development | Logic, AI training, servers | 40% to 50% |
| Frontend Development | User interface, chat windows | 15% to 25% |
| Integrations | CRM, payment, databases | Varies ($3,000 to $30,000 or more per system) |
| Testing & QA | Bug fixes, performance checks | 10% to 15% |
| Hosting & Deployment | Servers, cloud infrastructure | $100 to $2,000 or more per month |
| Maintenance & Updates | Regular improvements and fixes | 15% to 20% annually |
| AI Usage Fees | API calls, token consumption | Usage based |
Knowing how costs break down lets you see exactly where your investment goes and empowers you to make smarter, cost-effective choices when building your chatbot this year.
How To Save Money Without Cutting Corners
Saving money is smart, but cutting corners blindly just leads to costly problems down the road. Here’s how to save without sacrificing quality.
Start Small and Build Gradually: Don’t try to do everything at once. Build the core features your users actually need and skip the flashy extras for now. It saves you money and helps you figure out what really works before you invest more.
Choose No-Code Platforms Wisely: No-code tools like Brilio take care of the tricky stuff for you. They get you up and running fast without hiring expensive developers. Try a few free trials to see which one fits your business best before committing.
Reuse Existing Content for Training: Use what you already have, your website, FAQs, and docs, to teach your chatbot. It’s way cheaper and faster than starting from zero, plus your bot stays aligned with your current info.
Limit Integrations to Essentials: Every new system you connect adds complexity and cost. Focus on the few that really matter to your customers and get those right first. You can always add more later.
Test Early and Often: Get your chatbot in front of real people as soon as possible. Fixing problems early saves you a ton of headaches and money down the line. Plus, it builds confidence that your bot actually works.
Avoid Custom Development Unless Necessary: Custom code is expensive and tricky to maintain. Use it only if you absolutely have to. Most no-code platforms can handle everything else.
Plan for Ongoing Costs From Day One: Remember, the costs don’t stop after launch. Maintenance, updates, and AI usage add up. Plan ahead so you’re not caught off guard later.
By following these steps, you’ll keep costs down and create a chatbot that grows alongside your business.
Why Chatbots Are Worth The Investment
Is a chatbot really worth the cost? Here’s the quick answer: they save you money, make customers happier, and help grow your business all at the same time.
Here’s why investing in chatbots makes sense for 2025:
- Save Big on Support Costs: Chatbots handle up to 70% of routine questions automatically. That cuts down the need for a large support team and slashes customer service costs by up to 30%. Businesses saved billions of work hours last year alone.
- Better Customer Experience, 24/7: Instant responses around the clock keep customers happy. Chatbots resolve many issues quickly, freeing your human team to focus on trickier problems.
- Boost Sales and Conversions: By giving quick answers and personalized guidance, chatbots can increase conversions by 10-25%. They help visitors buy faster and come back more often.
- Scale Without Breaking the Bank: Chatbots manage thousands of chats at once, so when your business grows or hits busy seasons, your support keeps up without hiring more staff.
Chatbots also show you what your customers really need, so you can make smarter product and marketing decisions.
In short, a solid chatbot quickly pays off by cutting costs, improving support, and boosting sales as you grow.
Why Brilio Is The Best No-Code AI Chatbot
Building a chatbot in 2025 doesn’t have to mean long development cycles. Brilio gives you everything you need to design, train, and launch an AI chatbot that feels like part of your brand with no coding required.
Brilio is built for small to mid-sized site owners, agencies, and anyone who wants an AI chatbot that’s simple to train and quick to launch.
- Train your bot with documents, websites, FAQs, or live databases
- Customize your chatbot’s look, tone, and style to match your brand
- Pick from top AI models like OpenAI, Claude, Llama, or Gemini
- Launch in minutes with just one line of embed code
- Get started free with 50 credits, no credit card needed
If you want to skip the technical headaches and get a smart, on-brand chatbot live today, Brilio has everything you need to make it happen. Get started with 50 free credits.
FAQs About Chatbot Costs
How much does building a chatbot cost in 2025?
The cost varies a lot depending on the type of chatbot, features, and integrations you need. Simple bots can start around $3,000, while advanced AI-powered chatbots with voice and multi-language support can cost $80,000 or more.
What factors affect chatbot development costs?
The biggest cost drivers are complexity and features, platform choice (no-code versus custom), integrations with other systems, and ongoing maintenance like hosting and AI usage fees.
Are no-code chatbots cheaper than custom ones?
Yes, no-code platforms like Brilio let you launch fast and keep costs low by avoiding expensive developer fees and long build times, without sacrificing quality or flexibility.
What ongoing costs come after launching a chatbot?
Beyond the initial build, budget for hosting, AI service usage, regular updates, and maintenance because these can add up and are key to keeping your chatbot running smoothly.