Most software makers keep AI prices easy to predict, a survey finds

Revenera, a software company, did a survey of 415 product and technology leaders at established software makers. It found that 96% at this time put AI in their products, up from 80% a year before. Revenera gave the results in a new report. But most do not move to usage-based pricing. They select prices that customers can predict.

How firms charge

The 3 methods used most are:

• a plan with AI at a price that is more;
• AI at no more charge;
• a mix of a plan and usage-based pricing. Makers put a cost that customers can predict first, almost 3 times more than revenue.

The numbers

Only 7% report seat loss from AI. Almost half report pressure on prices to go down, and some buyers report that they can make AI tools. More than half report more profit, but the cost of AI and of cloud is a large barrier to growth.

What is not known

Almost half report that use of their AI features is small. Many firms do not have clear data on how customers use AI features. They cannot easily select which to price. Revenera did not give its method to select the 415 leaders.

Insight: Stable prices do not mean stable terms

Makers select prices that stay the same. Customers do not want a bill that changes a lot. But ClipJury, a site that rates AI tools, examined 175 AI video, voice, music and image tools. It found that 105 changed a term in 15 weeks. The price can stay set while the terms of use move, and the vendor can continue to change them. Get the terms with the price.