Affiliate disclosure: Setupedia is an independent paid affiliate of HighLevel. If you sign up through a link on this page we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Pricing figures below were researched in August 2026 and are indicative — usage rates vary by route, carrier and region. Always confirm current rates inside your own account under Settings → Company Billing.
This post is about what you should charge, not what you pay. Across agency pricing surveys and the recurring threads in r/agency, monthly retainers for HighLevel-delivered services cluster into four clear bands in 2026. Here they are, with what each band is expected to include.
The four retainer bands
| Band | Monthly retainer | What clients expect | Typical client |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software-only | $97 – $197 | Platform access, a snapshot, email support | Solo operator, local service business |
| Software + setup | $297 – $497 | Configured pipelines, automations, onboarding call | Small business, 1–5 staff |
| Managed marketing | $800 – $2,500 | Above plus campaigns, content, reporting, monthly call | Established local business |
| Full growth partner | $3,000 – $10,000+ | Above plus ad spend management, strategy, dedicated contact | Multi-location or franchise |
The mistake most new agencies make is selling band three at band one prices. If you are configuring automations, writing copy and joining monthly calls, you are not a software reseller.
💡 Price it properly from day one
Build your delivery on the platform first, then price against these bands. The 30-day trial gives you enough time to build a repeatable snapshot before you quote anyone.
What your costs actually are
Your platform cost per client falls as you add clients — the plan fee is fixed and unlimited sub-accounts are included.
| Clients | Platform cost each | Usage each (typical) | Your cost per client |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $297 | $20–60 | $317–357 |
| 5 | $59 | $20–60 | $79–119 |
| 10 | $30 | $20–60 | $50–90 |
| 25 | $20 (SaaS Pro) | $20–60, rebillable | $40–80 or less |
At ten clients your true cost is roughly $50–90 each. A $297 retainer is a 70–80% gross margin. That is the business.
When to raise prices
- You are answering support daily. Support volume is the clearest signal you underpriced.
- Your usage bill is climbing. Either rebill it (see rebilling markup) or raise the retainer.
- You are custom-building per client. Custom work belongs in band three or four, or in a separate project fee.
- You have a waiting list. The market is telling you.
When NOT to charge premium
If you cannot articulate a business outcome — leads, booked appointments, revenue — you are selling software access and should price in band one. Charging $2,000/month for a CRM login is how agencies get churned in month three.
⚡ Build the offer, then the price
Work out your true cost per client during the trial, then set your retainer with real margin data instead of guesswork.