Billing & Pricing
MCP Gateway Pro uses simple, usage-based pricing with four dimensions: requests, server hours, media storage, and RAG storage.
Pricing Overview
API Requests
per request
Every API call to the gateway counts as one request, regardless of how many servers are aggregated.
Server Hours
per server per hour (~$73/month)
Charged for each enabled server. Disabled servers don't incur charges.
Media Storage
per GB per month
Files uploaded through the console Storage page. Metered hourly based on total storage used.
RAG Storage
per GB per month
Documents in the RAG Engine knowledge base. Includes parsing, chunking, embedding, and vector indexing.
How Requests Are Counted
One request = one charge
Each API call to the gateway counts as one billable request, regardless of:
- How many servers are enabled (aggregation is included)
- Which MCP method is called (initialize, tools/list, tools/call, etc.)
- The size of the request or response
Aggregation example
If you have 10 servers enabled and call tools/list:
- The gateway queries all 10 upstream servers
- Aggregates their tools into one response
- You're charged for 1 request (not 10)
This is part of the value of the gateway — you pay for your usage, not for the fan-out work it does.
How Server Hours Are Counted
Only enabled servers are billed
Server hours are counted only for enabled servers. Each hour, we count how many of your servers have the "Enabled" toggle turned on.
- Enabled server = billed $0.10/hour
- Disabled server = not billed, not accessible
Disabled servers
When you disable a server:
- It stops being billed for server hours
- It becomes inaccessible through the gateway
- It won't appear in
tools/listresponses - Requests targeting it will return an error
Use the Enabled toggle to temporarily pause servers you're not using without deleting them.
Cost example
With 3 servers enabled for a full month:
Disable servers you're not actively using to reduce costs.
Subscription Channels
AppXen supports two ways to subscribe. Pricing and dimensions are the same for both.
Stripe (Direct)
Subscribe at console.appxen.ai/subscribe with a credit card. Usage is metered hourly and billed monthly through Stripe.
- View usage breakdown in Settings → Billing & Usage
- Manage payment method and invoices via Manage Billing
- Cancel or resubscribe anytime from the console
AWS Marketplace (Coming soon)
Subscribe through the AWS Marketplace listing. Usage is metered hourly and appears on your AWS bill.
- Consolidated billing through your AWS account
- Manage subscription in the AWS Marketplace Console
- Use existing AWS payment methods and purchasing workflows
- Eligible for AWS Enterprise Discount Programs (EDPs)
Viewing Your Usage
Stripe customers
- Go to Settings in the console
- The Billing & Usage section shows your current period: requests, server hours, storage, and estimated total
- Click Manage Billing for invoices and payment history
AWS Marketplace customers (Coming soon)
Usage is metered automatically and appears on your AWS bill. To view details:
- Go to AWS Billing Console
- Navigate to Bills → AWS Marketplace
- Find "AppXen for MCP" to see metered usage by dimension
The AppXen console Settings page shows your active server count and storage, but billing details are on your AWS bill.
Tips for Managing Costs
Disable unused servers
Toggle off servers you're not actively using. You can re-enable them anytime without losing configuration.
Use aggregation
One aggregated request is cheaper than multiple individual requests. Let the gateway do the fan-out.
Monitor usage
Check the Analytics page regularly to understand your usage patterns and identify optimization opportunities.
Cache when possible
For tools that return relatively static data, consider caching responses in your application to reduce requests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I get charged for failed requests?
Yes, all requests that reach the gateway are counted, including errors. This is standard API billing practice.
What happens if I exceed my usage?
There are no hard limits — you're billed for actual usage. Review your usage in Settings to avoid surprises.
How often am I billed?
Usage is metered hourly and billed at the end of each billing period (typically monthly). Stripe customers receive a monthly invoice. AWS Marketplace customers see charges on their AWS bill.
Can I switch between Stripe and AWS Marketplace?
Not directly. Cancel your current subscription first, then subscribe through the other channel. Your account data (servers, API keys, storage) is preserved.
Can I set spending limits?
Not currently. Monitor your usage in the console and disable servers if needed to control costs. AWS Marketplace customers can use AWS Budgets to set alerts.