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Models

AI business models compared, with real revenue proof

Seven models in this set, with who pays and the proof level of each case.

Quick answer

Seven ways of charging show up in this set of 35 cases. This page is the reference. The how-to, with what it took, is How to make money with AI.

Figures here are gross revenue before fees and costs, not profit. No e-commerce cases yet.

See How we verify.

Last updated . Case files checked through .

One section per model: how the money comes in, who pays when the file says so, and the cases with their proof level. One-person businesses are not a separate model. They are on one-person AI businesses.

AI SaaS: who pays and how much?

These businesses charge for software, usually on a monthly or yearly plan. Companies, creators and marketing teams, people who are not professional developers, and people using AI coding agents pay for this software. The app builders here are Base44, Lovable and Builder.ai. Base44's verified figure is the sale price. Builder.ai is Contradicted.

Proof on this list: 13 Verified, 1 Claimed, 1 Contradicted.

  • Synthesia (Verified): AI presenter videos made from a script, in 140+ languages.
  • Skillry (Verified): free Skills and a paid plan.
  • Postiz (Verified): hosted social media scheduling with AI agents for post creation and scheduling.
  • Base44 (Verified): an AI app builder.
  • VirtualJK (Verified): access to an AI consultant trained on James Kemp's material.
  • SEOBOT (Verified): an autonomous SEO blog-writing agent.
  • Low Content AI (Verified): a generator for KDP low-content books.
  • Chatbase (Verified · snapshot): AI support and sales agents trained on a company's own content.
  • GojiberryAI (Verified · snapshot): AI agents that find high-intent prospects and run outreach.
  • Tapesearch (Verified): monthly subscriptions to search podcast transcripts.
  • SuperCarousels (Verified): a subscription to an AI carousel maker, with a free plan to start ("freemium").
  • GEHIRN.md (Verified): monthly plans for an AI marketing assistant.
  • MailCheap (Verified): hosted newsletter sending.
  • Lovable (Claimed): an AI app builder that hosts the result. You describe what you want in a chat.
  • Builder.ai (Contradicted): an AI app-building platform.

AI apps and games: subscriptions or in-app purchases?

These businesses charge people who use an app or a game. People playing with friends, other consumers, and gamers pay for these apps.

Proof on this list: 4 Verified, 2 Claimed, 1 Unverifiable.

  • Imposter AI (Verified): a free party game with in-app purchases.
  • Talefy (Verified): AI interactive stories and games.
  • AI Dungeon (Unverifiable): subscriptions to an AI text-adventure game.
  • VibeSail (Claimed): sponsored islands, branded yachts, banners and rewarded ads in a free game.
  • Wasabi: Multiplayer AI Party Games (Verified): app subscriptions and in-app purchases for AI party games.
  • ToonThis (Verified): an iPhone app subscription that turns selfies into cartoon-style pictures.
  • Cal AI (Claimed): a subscription to a phone app.

AI agencies: what do clients pay for?

These businesses charge a client for done-for-you work. Creators and businesses that want short videos, and brands, pay for this work.

Proof on this list: 3 Verified.

  • White Glove Content (Verified): done-for-you faceless short videos with AI voiceover.
  • AEO Engine (Verified): AI-search visibility (AEO) as a done-for-you service.
  • Reddit Agency (Verified): Reddit presence aimed at LLM recommendations, pay-for-results.

AI newsletters: sponsors or subscriptions?

These businesses give the publication away and charge sponsors, or sell a related course. AI companies, productivity tool makers, and other sponsors pay for the newsletter, and some professionals pay to learn AI.

Proof on this list: 4 Claimed.

  • The Rundown AI (Claimed): newsletter sponsorships and Rundown University (AI training).
  • Superhuman AI (Claimed): newsletter sponsorships.
  • Mindstream (Claimed): sponsorships in a free daily AI newsletter.
  • Ben's Bites (Claimed): newsletter ads and AI-education products.

AI courses and communities: what do members pay?

These businesses charge learners for a community, a course, or both. People who want to sell automation pay for a community, and businesses pay an agency.

Proof on this list: 2 Claimed.

Is an AI directory still a business?

This business charges tool makers for a listing or a newsletter placement. AI tool makers are the buyers.

Proof on this list: 1 Verified.

One-off sales: what do people pay once for?

These businesses charge once for a video or a license, sometimes beside a monthly plan. Power users and teams, developers, and families pay for these.

Proof on this list: 2 Verified, 1 Claimed.

  • TypingMind (Claimed): a chat UI for LLMs (bring your own API key) plus a Team version.
  • GrowingUpVideo (Verified): one-off "growing up" videos made from your photos.
  • Uizze (Verified · snapshot): access to a design library through MCP.

How to make money with AI · Verified revenue · Over $10k a month · One-person businesses · From public filings · This week's changes · Press · How we verify

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