Pay-As-You-Go AI Chatbot for E-commerce (No Monthly Fee)
A pay-as-you-go AI chatbot charges you only when a shopper chats. In a quiet month you pay $0. Emporiqa runs at $0.25 per conversation with the AI model cost included, no per-seat fee, no monthly minimum, and no annual contract. You start with $25 of signup credit and set your own cap.
A pay-as-you-go AI chatbot bills by what shoppers use, not by a fixed monthly plan or per-seat license. When nobody chats, you owe nothing. Emporiqa works this way: $0 base, $0.25 per conversation, the AI model cost included, and a monthly cap you set yourself so the bill can never surprise you.
Subscription chatbot vs pay-as-you-go: what you pay
| What to compare | Typical subscription chatbot | Emporiqa |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly base fee | $24 to $80 a month for a plan with a conversation quota, or $19 to $132 per seat on helpdesks | $0, you pay only when a shopper chats |
| Billing unit | A monthly conversation or credit quota, per seat, or per resolution | Per conversation, $0.25 |
| Cost in a slow month | Full fee still due | Near zero, no chats means no charge |
| Cost in a busy month | Plan fee plus overage charges | Stops at the limit you set; the chat is hidden until the next billing period or until you raise it |
| AI model cost | Included in most hosted tools; one-off plugins often need your own key | Included, no second bill |
| Annual lock-in | Common, billed yearly up front | None, stop any time |
| Card at signup | Usually required | Not required, $25 signup credit applied |
| Products supported | Often tiered by catalog size | Up to 100,000 (Enterprise above) |
What pay-as-you-go means for a store
Pay-as-you-go means the meter only runs when a shopper sends a message. Opening the chat costs nothing. There is no plan to buy, no seat to license, and no minimum to clear before the tool earns its place.
With Emporiqa that comes to $0.25 per conversation, with the AI model cost already inside that price. You do not bring your own key or get a separate bill from a model provider. One number covers it.
Why it fits a small or seasonal store
A small shop or a seasonal store has quiet stretches and busy spikes. A fixed subscription charges the same in December and in February. Pay-as-you-go follows your traffic, so a slow month costs you almost nothing and a busy month only costs more because the chatbot did more work.
Your first 100 conversations are also free, once: a $25 signup credit, no card needed. That is room to see the chatbot recommend products and answer shoppers before you spend anything of your own.
How the cap answers the "unpredictable bill" worry
The usual objection to usage billing is that the bill could run away. Emporiqa answers that by letting you set a monthly limit. You raise, lower or remove it from the billing dashboard. We email you at 80% and at 100%.
Once spend reaches your limit, the chat is hidden from your store until you raise the limit or the next billing period starts. So the worst case is a number you chose, and the normal case is whatever your real traffic adds up to at $0.25 each.
Questions store owners ask
What is a pay-as-you-go AI chatbot?
It is a chatbot that bills by use instead of a fixed monthly plan. You pay per conversation a shopper has, with no seat license and no minimum. Emporiqa charges $0.25 per conversation with the AI model cost included.
What do I pay in a month with no sales?
Close to nothing. With no base fee, if no shopper chats you are charged $0. You only pay the $0.25 per conversation when the chatbot talks with a visitor.
Can my bill spike unexpectedly?
No. You set a monthly limit and can raise, lower or remove it from the billing dashboard. Once spend hits your limit, the chat is hidden from your store until you raise the limit or the next billing period starts, so the worst case is a number you chose.
Is the AI model cost extra?
No. The AI model cost is included in the $0.25 per conversation. You do not bring your own key and you do not get a separate bill from a model provider.
Related:
Start free and pay only when shoppers chat
Create a free account. Your first 100 conversations are free, once: a $25 signup credit, no card needed. Set your own monthly cap and pay $0.25 per conversation after that.