Plain-English breakdown of what an AI CMO costs vs alternatives — pricing tiers, what's included, what to actually budget.
AI CMO products run $200-$2,000/month; DIY $20-$200/month; fractional CMO $8K-$25K/month.
Three tier patterns dominate in 2026:
Most B2B mid-market companies should budget for the team tier — not enterprise. Enterprise pricing only becomes justified above 50-100 seats or when specific compliance requirements force it.
For solo operators and small teams: start with the Pro tier. Upgrade to Team only when collaboration features become necessary (sharing prompts, admin controls, etc.).
Don't just budget the subscription. Real-world costs include:
All-in budget for a small team running serious AI workflows: $200-$1,500/month total. ROI usually positive within 30-60 days.