How much does AI cost for a small business in 2026?

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AI for Small Business: Real Pricing in 2026

If you're asking "how much does AI cost," you're probably thinking about it wrong. Most small business owners expect a big consulting project or retainer. Reality is cheaper: you can hire AI Employees for specific jobs at a fixed monthly price, just like you'd hire a person.

Here's what you actually pay:

Single AI Employees: $179–$449/month.  Maya (AI Receptionist) costs $349/month and never misses a call. Atlas (AI Sales Follow-Up Agent) is $449/month and replies to every lead in 60 seconds. Iris (AI Review Manager) handles your reputation for $179/month. You pick the job, you pay for that job. 
  Vertical-specific AI teams: $699–$1,199/month.  If you run a dental office, the Dental Office Brain is $1,099/month—it's receptionist, scheduler, review manager, and operations all in one. A Contractor Brain ($899/month) quotes jobs, follows up leads, and chases payments automatically. A Solo Professional Brain ($699/month) lets one person compete with a small team. 
  No setup fees. No minimum contracts. No surprise costs.

Why This Model Works

The old way: hire a VA, pay salary + benefits, deal with turnover, hope they're productive. The new way: buy an AI Employee that works the same job 24/7, doesn't call in sick, and costs a fraction of a salary.

You're not paying for "AI strategy" or a consultant who talks about your problems. You're paying for results. Cash (AI Collections Agent, $249/month) gets you paid faster. Echo (AI Content Engine, $299/month) publishes blogs and social posts without you touching it. Sage (AI Support Agent, $229/month) answers customer questions from your own docs at 3 a.m.

Pick an AI Employee that directly solves a bottleneck in your business. The cost disappears when it saves you 10 hours a week or brings in an extra $5,000 in monthly revenue.

Next step:  Go to relvexa.com/hire, pick the specific employee or vertical brain that matches your business, and start a 7-day trial. No card required for most plans.