How does Chatref's pay-as-you-go pricing work?

Instead of a fixed subscription, Chatref uses a coin-based system. You deposit funds into your account balance, and each AI agent response draws 1-5 coins based on complexity - like response length, retrieval depth, and the model used. A simple answer costs 1 coin; a detailed, multi-step answer might cost 5. Funds only decrease when a chat occurs, so you never pay for unused time.

Because there are no seats, bots, or feature tiers, your entire team can use Chatref on one account. The pay-as-you-go model aligns cost directly with support volume, not team size.

Flash sale stores face extreme chat volume spikes - hundreds of questions in minutes, then quiet stretches. Chatref’s metered pricing handles that gracefully. When a sale goes live, your AI agents handle the surge automatically; when it ends, costs drop to zero. No need to upgrade or downgrade a plan.

Custom-actions allow the bot to pull order statuses, initiate returns, or apply discount codes right inside the chat. That cuts manual work during high-traffic events, and because all features are included, you get those capabilities without an add-on fee.

On every Chatref account you get unlimited AI agents, custom-actions, and a shared-inbox for human handoff - all without extra charges. There’s no “premium” tier and no paywall on branding removal. That makes it straightforward to scale: build a dedicated agent for checkout questions, another for shipping, and a third for post-purchase issues. All run on the same pay-as-you-go balance.

When a question requires a person, the shared-inbox lets your team step into the same thread with full context. This keeps the support experience seamless without multiplying costs.

Many AI chatbot for e-commerce tools lock you into per-month contracts. You pay a fixed fee regardless of usage, and often pay extra per seat or per bot. With flash sale inventory, that can mean paying for capacity you only use 10% of the month.

Chatref’s pricing plans flip this: you pay only for responses delivered. Idle weeks cost nothing. You can start with the $50 free credit, test on real traffic, and top up only if it works. No 14-day expiries, no forced annual commitments. It’s a cashflow-friendly model built for stores where volume varies by the hour.

How is the pay-as-you-go pricing calculated?

Each response from an AI agent deducts 1-5 coins from your account balance. The exact coin cost depends on response complexity - short, straightforward answers consume fewer coins, while longer, multi-step retrievals with custom-actions may use more. There are no per-message flat fees.

Can I adjust my plan based on chat volume?

There is no plan to adjust. Your account works at any volume. Top up your balance before a flash sale, and when traffic subsides, simply stop topping up. Unused credit stays in your account with no expiration, so you can go months between deposits without losing funds or access.

Are there any additional costs for premium features?

No. Every feature - including unlimited AI agents, shared-inbox, custom-actions, lead capture, analytics, and custom branding - is included on all accounts. There are no premium tiers, no removal fees, and no hidden per-seat charges. You only pay for the chatbot responses you use.