Action-Based Pricing: Why Revenue Platforms Should Charge for Outcomes, Not Seats

The Seat-Based Pricing Problem

Most B2B software charges per seat. Add a user, pay more. It's simple to understand and predictable to budget. But seat-based pricing creates a fundamental misalignment: the vendor profits when you add users, regardless of whether those users create value.

Consider the perverse incentives:

• A platform that helps you do more with fewer people costs you less—but delivers more value
• A platform that requires more users to operate costs you more—even if it delivers less
• Vendors have no incentive to make you more efficient
• AI that replaces human effort reduces vendor revenue under seat-based models

This is why many "AI-powered" platforms add AI features as bolt-ons rather than core functionality—their business model depends on you needing lots of human users.

Action-Based Pricing: Aligned Incentives

Moklo uses action-based pricing. You pay for billable actions—SMS sent, voicemails dropped, AI calls made, leads enriched—not for user seats. This creates alignment:

• Moklo profits when you take more revenue-generating actions
• You profit when those actions create pipeline and closed deals
• AI that replaces human effort benefits both parties
• Efficiency gains compound—do more with less, invest savings in more actions

The Economics of Action-Based Pricing

Let's compare the models concretely:

Seat-Based Platform (Traditional)

• 10 SDRs × $150/seat/month = $1,500/month
• Each SDR sends ~2,000 emails, makes ~500 calls
• Want to 2x output? Hire 10 more SDRs, pay $3,000/month for platform
• Plus: $800K+ annual fully-loaded SDR cost

Action-Based Platform (Moklo)

• Pay per SMS, RVM, AI call, enrichment
• AI handles outreach, qualification, scheduling
• Want to 2x output? 2x actions, pay 2x—but no headcount increase
• Cost scales with activity, not with org chart

Why This Matters for AI-First Platforms

Action-based pricing is essential for genuine AI-first platforms. When AI executes work that humans used to do, seat-based models break down. Who is the "user" when AI is doing the work?

Platforms clinging to seat-based pricing can't fully commit to AI execution. They need humans in the loop to justify per-user charges. This is why you see "AI copilots" everywhere instead of AI that actually does the work—the business model demands human users.

Moklo's action-based model means we're incentivized to make AI as autonomous as possible. Every task AI handles without human involvement is a win for both parties: you get efficiency, we get volume.

Predictability with Flexibility

A common concern with usage-based pricing is budget predictability. Moklo addresses this with:

• Volume Commitments: Lock in rates with usage commitments
• Spending Caps: Set maximum monthly spend if needed
• Usage Dashboards: Real-time visibility into consumption
• ROI Tracking: Connect actions to outcomes to see true cost-per-result

Conclusion

Pricing models reveal true incentives. Seat-based pricing incentivizes vendors to keep you dependent on human users. Action-based pricing incentivizes efficiency and AI execution. Moklo's action-based model aligns our success with yours: you pay for revenue-generating actions, and we're motivated to help you take more of them with less effort. See transparent, outcome-aligned pricing at getmoklo.com.