How much does AEO cost for a small business? Software, DIY and agencies compared
AEO (answer engine optimization) can cost nothing but your time, a monthly software fee, or an agency retainer. The price only means something next to what it includes: how many questions are measured, on which AI engines, how often, and whether anyone actually fixes your website.
Three ways to pay for AEO
- Do it yourself: free. Work through the AI-readiness checklist and ask ChatGPT your customers’ questions by hand, several times each, in a clean session.
- Software: a monthly subscription. Most AI visibility tools measure how often answers mention you; fewer also write or apply fixes. Compare what is included, not only the price.
- Agency or consultant: a monthly retainer or an hourly rate, usually far above software prices. You get people doing the work, which software does not replace.
AEO Pro prices
- Essentials, $49 a month: the 3–5 most important fixes for your homepage as a ready-to-paste work order, each checked on your live site; 10 questions measured on ChatGPT every two weeks.
- Complete, $199 a month: every page of your site; FAQ answers, expert bios and fuller service text drafted from facts on your site and published only after your approval; a monthly check against competitors; 30 questions on ChatGPT, Gemini and Claude, including Spanish where relevant; alerts when your Google Business Profile disagrees with your site.
- Both: billed monthly, cancel online anytime, 30-day money-back guarantee on every payment, tax as applicable. Each site is its own plan.
What to compare between AEO tools
- Questions: how many, and are they the questions your customers ask without your name in them?
- Engines: which AI assistants are asked (for example ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Google AI Overviews)?
- Repeats: answers change from run to run, so is each question asked several times and reported as a rate with a margin of error?
- Fixes: does the tool only report, or does it write the changes for your site and check that they are live?
- Your site: does anything change that you did not approve? Are booking and payment pages left alone?
- Exit: what stays on your site if you cancel?
Is the money well spent?
Nobody can guarantee that an AI assistant will recommend your business. What you can pay for is a readable site, consistent facts and honest measurement over time. AEO Pro shows a day-60 report next to the baseline from your first days, with the formula and raw data, and every payment can be refunded within 30 days.
Start free: Get a free AI check shows your AI-readiness score and which businesses AI names instead of you.
Questions
How much does AEO software cost?
AI visibility software is usually a monthly subscription. AEO Pro costs $49 a month (Essentials) or $199 a month (Complete). Compare the number of questions, the engines, how often they are asked and whether fixes are included.
Is AEO cheaper than hiring an agency?
Software usually costs far less than an agency retainer, but it does not replace people. AEO Pro writes the work order and checks every fix; you or your web person apply it, or on Complete you can connect the site so AEO Pro applies fixes itself.
Can I try AEO Pro for free?
The AI check is free: your score, the questions we asked and which businesses were named. Paid plans have no free trial, but every payment can be refunded within 30 days.