The buying questions, answered honestly.
Before you turn on a department, the honest answers to what it costs, what it replaces, when to buy it, and when not to. Every page is dated, sourced and re-checked.
What does an AI department cost in 2026? Weekly pricing against hiring, agencies and outsourcing
AI departments run from £115 to £249 a week, billed monthly, cancel anytime. The full 2026 cost map against salaries, agency retainers and outsourced desks.
Read the answerThe comparisons
7 guidesAI analyst vs hiring a data analyst: who should read your numbers?
A data analyst costs £35,000 to £55,000 a year and drowns in report assembly. The AI Analyst reads everything daily and writes one plain-English page every Monday, £139 a week.
AI customer service vs outsourcing your support desk: cost, tone and control
Outsourced desks run £1,200 to £3,000+ per agent per month and cost you your tone. AI Customer Care resolves the routine two thirds from £159 a week.
AI marketing department vs a digital agency retainer: what does your money actually buy?
Mid-market agency retainers run £2,000 to £10,000 a month. An AI Online Marketing department works your channels daily from £229 a week. The honest split.
AI outbound calling vs a telesales agency: which works your list better?
Telesales agencies charge £250 to £450 a day or £150 to £400 per appointment. AI outbound calling runs £185 a week, calls in about a minute and logs everything.
AI receptionist vs answering service: which answers your buyers better in 2026?
An answering service takes a message. An AI receptionist answers the question, books the meeting and logs the call, from £115 a week. The honest comparison.
AI web team vs a web agency: the build, the running costs and the honest comparison
A bespoke agency site costs £20,000 to £50,000 and ages from launch day. The AI Web Team builds on Press and runs your site weekly from £249 a week.
Should you hire an SDR or use AI? The honest arithmetic for 2026
An SDR costs £45,000 to £55,000 a year all-in and ramps for months. AI new business runs from £199 a week. When each wins, and the hybrid most firms should run.