Estimate the cost, timeline and team for a generative AI app, an AI feature or a custom machine-learning model in four short steps. The numbers come from capability-level effort data on past Aalpha projects, and the guide below the calculator shows how each one is worked out.
Typical prices by complexity, how the estimate above is calculated, and answers to the questions clients ask us most.
Typical Aalpha prices for three common project types, next to what a US agency usually charges for the same hours.
| Complexity | Typical scope | Aalpha | Timeline | US agency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simple | Document copilot on hosted model APIs with retrieval, guardrails and a minimal UI | $6,500 – $10,500 | 4–6 weeks | $42,500 – $77,000 |
| Mid-complexity | Custom ML model with a data pipeline, inference API and analytics dashboard | $12,000 – $19,500 | 8–10 weeks | $78,500 – $141,500 |
| Complex | Fine-tuned models, self-hosted infrastructure, MLOps, regulated data | $24,000 – $40,000 | 12–15 weeks | $159,500 – $287,500 |
Estimates. The final cost depends on the scope of work we agree.
We count hours first and then price them at one blended rate. The four steps below use the options you picked in the calculator, so the numbers match your estimate.
Our engineers use AI coding assistants for scaffolding, repetitive UI, API boilerplate, unit tests and documentation. A senior engineer reviews every AI-generated change before it is merged. On our projects this cuts hands-on build time by about 40%, and your estimate includes that saving.
We don't discount use-case definition, data audits, model evaluation and project management, because people still do that work in full.
| Phase | Without AI | Aalpha | Saved |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discovery & data audit | 32 h | 32 h | — |
| UI/UX design | 30 h | 24 h | −6 h |
| Development & modelling | 370 h | 222 h | −148 h |
| Evaluation & testing | 92 h | 70 h | −22 h |
| Deployment | 40 h | 40 h | — |
| Project management | 56 h | 39 h | −18 h |
Six things move the price of AI development. Each one maps to a step in the calculator.
Solution-side work is about 60% of the work. Adding AI to an existing product reuses its UI and data. Custom models and computer vision need training, tuning and evaluation.
× 0.80 AI feature · × 1.00 generative AI · × 1.30 custom ML · × 1.50 vision
Each capability has a benchmark that covers data work, model work and the product surface. Every project also includes a 120-hour foundation: environments, data access, architecture and an evaluation harness.
From 32 h (multi-language) to 120 h (custom training)
Design is a share of build effort. Copilots and dashboards need states for streaming, errors, low confidence and feedback.
8% minimal · 14% branded · 20% premium
Data and hosting work is about 40% of the work. Hosted APIs remove most infrastructure. Self-hosted models add GPU provisioning, serving and MLOps.
× 0.60 hosted API · × 1.00 private cloud · × 1.40 self-hosted
Each data source or system needs authentication, mapping, sync and access rules, so the model only sees what each user is allowed to see.
40 h per integration
Regulated data adds controls across the build: redaction, audit trails, human review and documentation for regulators.
× 1.00 standard · × 1.05 GDPR · × 1.15 HIPAA / PCI / EU AI Act
The same 426 hours, priced at typical agency rates in each region. Only the hourly rate changes.
| Region | Typical rate | Cost for your scope | vs Aalpha | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aalpha (India) | $15–$25/h | $6,500 – $10,500 | Baseline | |
| Eastern Europe | $35–$60/h | $15,000 – $25,500 | 2.4× the cost | |
| Latin America | $35–$65/h | $15,000 – $27,500 | 2.5× the cost | |
| Australia | $90–$150/h | $38,500 – $64,000 | 6.0× the cost | |
| Western Europe & UK | $70–$130/h | $30,000 – $55,500 | 5.0× the cost | |
| United States | $100–$180/h | $42,500 – $77,000 | 7.0× the cost |
Three common project types priced with the calculator. Load any of them to see the full breakdown and adjust it.
Answers staff questions from policies and manuals with citations, on hosted model APIs.
Extracts fields from scanned invoices, with a review queue and an API for your ERP.
Weekly sales forecasts by product and store, with explainability and automated retraining.
Engineers use AI tools and a senior engineer reviews every change. The hours saved come off your estimate.
The effort benchmarks in this calculator come from 18 years of Aalpha delivery records.
You get a written scope of work, milestone billing and a demo every week.
We follow ISO 27001-aligned practices, sign NDAs and keep code in secure repositories. We have delivered GDPR and HIPAA projects.
Source code, designs and documentation are handed over to you at every milestone.
Offices in the United States, the UAE and India, with 250+ engineers in Bangalore and Hubli.
At Aalpha's rate of $15 to $25 an hour, with AI-assisted delivery, a simple AI copilot costs about $6,500 to $10,500, a custom ML model with a data pipeline $12,000 to $19,500, and an enterprise AI platform $24,000 to $40,000 or more. These are estimates, and the final cost depends on the scope of work we agree.
Usually, for the build. Hosted APIs remove model training and infrastructure, which is why the hosted option uses a 0.6 factor in this calculator. Ongoing usage fees can grow with volume, so high-volume products sometimes move to fine-tuned or self-hosted models later.
For generative AI apps, the documents or records the assistant should use. For custom models, labelled historical data, typically thousands of examples. Discovery includes a data audit that tells you whether the data is enough.
A copilot or AI feature takes about 4 to 8 weeks. Custom models take 2 to 4 months, depending on data quality and accuracy targets.
Model API usage fees, GPU hosting, third-party data-labelling vendors and post-launch retraining or support.
The calculator uses typical scope for each item. When we review your requirements, the price can come down, for example if we reuse existing modules or simplify a flow. It can also go up if there are complex business rules or legacy systems. We send a fixed quote after a free discovery call.
Operating and living costs are lower, the pool of software engineers is one of the largest in the world, and the outsourcing industry is well established. Together these let Indian firms charge much less than US, UK and Australian agencies for the same hours.
Yes. After a short discovery phase we agree a written scope of work, milestones and a fixed price. If you'd rather stay flexible, you can hire a dedicated team by the month.
Have a question that isn't here? Ask our team.
Share your idea or specification. A solution architect will confirm the scope and send a fixed-price proposal with milestones. It is often lower than the range above.