Why Are There External Costs?
LLM API Usage
AI models such as OpenAI, Anthropic, Google Gemini, or other LLM providers charge based on the number of tokens (input/output) your AI System processes. The more your AI is used, the higher the API usage cost.
Server Hosting
Many modern AI workflows are built using platforms like n8n, Hermes AI, or other open-source agentic frameworks. While these platforms are free to use, they require a dedicated server or VPS to run reliably 24/7. Hosting costs vary depending on the server specifications and expected workload.
Third-Party Integrations
Some integrations (such as premium APIs, CRM platforms, email services, mapping services, etc) may require their own subscription or usage-based pricing. These costs are charged directly by their respective providers.