How much does AI automation cost for a business?
A single automated workflow with AI – such as sorting emails or reading invoices – costs €890 to €2,500 one-off. Several connected workflows cost €2,500 to €8,000, AI agents for complex processes €8,000 to €25,000. Running costs are usually €20 to €150 per month for server and language model.
What it costs, one-off
Single workflow
One clearly defined time sink
- Email or enquiry triage with AI
- Reading receipts and forms
- Integration with one or two systems
- Error alerts and logging
Process automation
Several steps across several systems
- Several connected workflows (n8n, Make or custom code)
- CRM, accounting, calendar, inventory
- Human approval steps
- Documentation and training
AI agents
Complex, varying tasks
- Agents that plan several steps on their own
- Access to your data via RAG
- Limits, approvals and control
- Measuring quality and cost
Guide values. You receive a binding fixed price in writing after a short call. No VAT is charged under § 19 UStG.
What drives the price
Number of workflows and steps
A three-step workflow is quick to build. Every branch, exception and approval takes time – and makes it run reliably day to day.
Interfaces
Modern software with an open API connects quickly. Legacy software without an API needs workarounds and costs more.
Data quality
Uniform forms are easy to process. Inconsistent PDFs, photos and free text need more AI and more testing.
Platform
Self-hosted n8n is cheap to run and GDPR-friendly; custom code pays off at high volume or with special requirements.
Data protection requirements
Processing sensitive data with EU models or open source on your own server takes somewhat more effort than a standard model.
Example: office with 60 emails and 40 receipts per day
| AI inbox triage with draft replies | €1,900 |
| Reading receipts and passing them to accounting | €1,600 |
| Setting up n8n on your own server | €400 |
| Total | €3,900 one-off |
Running: server €15 plus model costs of about €25 per month. Saved: about 6 hours per week, at €35 internal hourly cost roughly €10,500 per year. Prices without VAT under § 19 UStG.
What comes after launch
Self-hosted n8n (server) No per-workflow fee, data stays on your server | €10–30 / month |
n8n Cloud or Make Depending on number of executions | from approx. €20–30 / month |
Language model (usage) Depending on volume and model | €5–100 / month |
Maintenance and changes Or as a monthly flat fee | optional, €65 / hour |
What the market charges
Build it yourself with Zapier & co.
Fine for simple workflows, quickly limited with AI, exceptions and data protection
Freelancer / small studio
Tailored to your workflows, one contact – this is where Log-Studio sits
Consultancy / agency
For corporate projects with many stakeholders
Frequently asked
What is the minimum cost of AI automation?
A single, clearly defined workflow starts at €890 one-off, plus usually €10 to €50 per month for server and language model.
When does AI automation pay off?
Rule of thumb: if a workflow saves at least two hours per week, it usually pays for itself within a year. I calculate this with your numbers before quoting.
What does n8n cost?
Self-hosted, n8n is free to use; you only pay for the server, usually €10 to €30 per month. The cloud version costs from about €20 to €30 per month depending on executions.
Is there funding for AI projects?
Depending on state and company size there are programmes for SME digitalisation. Whether one fits depends on your business – I can point you to contacts but do not replace funding advice.
What does an AI agent cost to run?
Besides server and maintenance, mainly model usage. Agents need more steps per task than simple workflows; depending on volume €30 to €300 per month is realistic.
Want a fixed price for your project?
Describe briefly what you need. You get an honest estimate of effort, duration and cost – in writing.
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