Message credits measure how many chatbot responses you can generate within your subscription.
💡 1 Message Credit = 1 Chatbot Response
Each response from the chatbot costs 1 message credit, while user messages are free. Below, we explain how message credits work, include function call features, live chat and show examples based on typical usage and subscription packages.
Basic Model Setup: Mini Models
ChatLab uses efficient Mini models by default (e.g., GPT-4o-mini, GPT-4.1-mini, GPT-5-mini, Gemini 2.5 Flash) for cost-effective chatbot responses:
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1 chatbot response = 1 message credit (when using Mini models)
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User messages = free
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Average conversation = around 5 exchanges - 1 exchange = 1 user message + 1 chatbot response, resulting in 5 chatbot responses per conversation and use of 5 message credits
Subscription Packages
Here's how many chatbot responses and conversations you can expect with each package:
| Package | Message Credits | Conversations (avg. 5 exchanges) |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Package | 2,400 credits | ~480 conversations |
| Standard Package | 11,000 credits | ~2,200 conversations |
| Premium Package | 50,000 credits | ~10,000 conversations |
AI Models and Message Costs
Different AI models consume varying amounts of credits per chatbot response. ChatLab supports three main model categories:
Mini Models (1 credit per response)
- Optimized for speed and efficiency
- Perfect for general conversational tasks and high-volume chatbots
- Available models: GPT-4o-mini, GPT-4.1-mini, GPT-5-mini, Gemini 2.5 Flash
- Great for websites, customer support, and FAQ bots
- Default model for new chatbots
Full Models (5 credits per response)
- Advanced reasoning and quality
- Required for function calls and integrations with e-commerce/backend systems
- Higher accuracy for complex queries and nuanced conversations
- Available models: GPT-4o, GPT-4.1, GPT-5, GPT-5.1
- Best for e-commerce integrations, order tracking, and sophisticated customer interactions
Premium Models (10 credits per response)
- Highest quality and specialized capabilities
- Exceptional performance for coding, mathematics, and complex reasoning tasks
- Available models: Gemini 2.5 Pro
- Recommended for technical support, developer tools, and advanced use cases
💡 Note: The specific models available may change over time as AI technology evolves. Check your chatbot settings in the ChatLab admin panel for the current list of supported models and their exact credit costs.
Read more here:
Live Chat: Credit Usage
Live chat enables direct communication between users and human operators. Each message in a live chat, whether sent by the user or the operator, costs 1 message credit.
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User messages: Cost 1 credit per message.
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Operator responses: Cost 1 credit per message.
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Both sides of the conversation contribute to the total credit usage.
If a live chat conversation includes:
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5 messages from the user
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5 responses from the operator
The total credit usage will be 10 credits.
Read more here:
Integrations with e-commerce/backend systems
Integrations with e-commerce/backend systems also called Function Calls. These are advanced features designed for integrating your chatbot with backend (ie. e-commerce) systems, such as:
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Checking order statuses.
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Searching for products in your e-commerce store.
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Custom API requests for tailored operations.
Key details about function calls:
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Function calls are disabled by default. You need to enable them in the chatbot settings if required.
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Full models are required for function calls (Mini models don't support this feature).
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Credit usage for function calls:
- Built-in integrations (e.g., Shopify, WooCommerce): 1 credit per call.
- Custom API integrations: 1 credit per call.
Read more here:
Example: Conversations and Function Calls with E-Commerce Integration
Using the Standard Package with 11,000 credits and a Full model (required for API calls, costing 5 credits per response), here's how credits are used when integrating with an e-commerce backend:
- Average Conversation:
- 5 exchanges = 5 chatbot responses = 25 credits.
- 1 built-in integration call per conversation = 1 credit.
- Total per conversation = 26 credits.
This setup allows advanced functionality like checking order statuses or product searches while maintaining high-quality responses.
Agency Partners: Function Call Pricing
For agency partners offering white-label ChatLab solutions to their clients, function call pricing differs from standard accounts. All function calls cost 2 credits per call (compared to 1 credit for standard accounts):
- Built-in integrations (Shopify, WooCommerce, etc.): 2 credits per call
- Custom API integrations: 2 credits per call
💡 This higher pricing applies to all chatbots created under agency partner accounts. The increased cost reflects the additional infrastructure and support required for multi-tenant white-label deployments.