Explaining Chat Credits On OnVerb
Published on 28 July 2025
Last updated on 28 July 2025
What Are Chat Credits?
Chat credits are OnVerb's token-based currency that powers all your AI interactions across the platform. Every time you generate content with an AI model, process documents, or create system prompts, you use chat credits based on the complexity and length of your request and the AI model's response.
Think of chat credits as the fuel that powers your AI productivity engine. Different AI models consume credits at different rates, reflecting their varying capabilities, computational requirements, and provider costs. This transparent system ensures you only pay for what you use whilst giving you complete control over your AI spending.
How Chat Credits Work
Token-Based Calculation
Chat credits are calculated using industry-standard token measurements:
Input Tokens: The text you send to AI models (your prompts, documents, questions) Output Tokens: The text the AI generates in response (answers, content, analysis) Total Usage: Input tokens + Output tokens = Total chat credits consumed
Real-Time Tracking
OnVerb provides complete transparency about your credit usage:
- Live Counter: See your remaining credits in real-time as you work
- Per-Interaction Costs: View exactly how many credits each AI interaction consumes
- Predictive Estimates: Preview estimated credit costs before sending requests to AI models
Model-Specific Pricing
Different AI models have varying credit costs based on their capabilities:
OpenAI Models: Higher cost but superior reasoning and complex task handling Claude Models: Competitive pricing with excellent analytical capabilities Specialised Models: Premium pricing for cutting-edge capabilities
View current pricing for all models in your account dashboard under "AI Models"
Understanding Credit Consumption
Factors Affecting Credit Usage
Content Length: Longer prompts and responses consume more credits Model Complexity: Advanced models like GPT-4 cost more per token than GPT-3.5 Document Processing: Uploading and analysing files requires credits based on file size and content System Prompt Complexity: Detailed system prompts consume credits during setup and use Conversation Context: Longer conversations with maintained context use more credits
Optimising Your Credit Usage
Choose the Right Model:
- Use lower cost models for straightforward tasks and quick responses
- Reserve premium models for complex reasoning, analysis, and creative work
- Experiment with different models to find the best balance of cost and quality
Efficient Prompting:
- Be clear and specific in your requests to avoid back-and-forth clarifications
- Use system prompts to establish context once rather than repeating instructions
- Break complex tasks into focused, specific requests
Smart Document Processing:
- Process only the sections of documents you need analysed
- Use OnVerb's document management features to avoid re-uploading the same files
- Leverage CSV processing for bulk operations rather than individual requests
Managing Your Credits
Monitoring Usage
Dashboard Overview:
- Current credit balance prominently displayed
Detailed Analytics:
- Credit consumption by date and time
- Most expensive interactions and optimisation opportunities
- Model performance comparison for your specific use cases
- Team usage breakdown (Growth and Business tiers)
Usage Alerts:
- Customisable notifications when approaching credit limits
- Weekly usage summaries and recommendations
- Alerts for unusually high consumption patterns
- Renewal reminders and upgrade suggestions
Credit Management Strategies
Budget Planning:
- Set monthly usage targets based on your subscription tier
- Monitor daily consumption to stay within limits
- Plan intensive AI work around your credit renewal cycle
- Consider upgrading if consistently approaching limits
Efficiency Optimisation:
- Review usage analytics to identify patterns and opportunities
- Test different AI models to find the best value for your needs
- Develop reusable system prompts to reduce repetitive credit consumption
- Use team features to share credits efficiently across collaborative projects
What Happens When Credits Run Low
Approaching Your Limit:
- Receive notifications when you've used 75% and 90% of your monthly allocation
- Dashboard warnings help you plan remaining usage
- Suggestions for optimising remaining credits
- Easy upgrade options if you need more capacity
When Credits Are Exhausted:
- AI interactions are paused until your next billing cycle or a top up has been purchased
- All your existing content and data remain fully accessible
- Document editing and file management continue without restriction
- Immediate top-up options to restore AI functionality
Top Up Credit Options:
- One off top-up purchases available at any time during your billing cycle
- Immediate credit restoration upon successful upgrade
- No interruption to your workflow or ongoing projects
Credit Security and Fair Usage
Fair Usage Policy
OnVerb's credit system is designed to provide excellent value whilst ensuring sustainable service for all users:
Acceptable Use:
- All legitimate business, educational, and personal productivity applications
- Reasonable usage patterns consistent with your subscription tier
- Sharing credits within authorised team members
- Experimentation and learning with AI capabilities
Usage Guidelines:
- Credits are for your organisation's use and cannot be resold or transferred
- Automated or bulk usage should align with your subscription tier's capacity
- Respect AI provider terms of service and ethical usage guidelines
- Report any technical issues that may cause unexpected credit consumption
Credit Security
Protection Measures:
- Secure authentication prevents unauthorised credit usage
- Team access controls ensure credits are used appropriately
- Usage monitoring helps identify unusual patterns or potential security issues
- Immediate account lockdown capabilities if suspicious activity is detected
Account Safety:
- Team member access can be revoked instantly if needed
- Detailed audit logs help track credit usage across team members
- Support team available to investigate any credit discrepancies
Frequently Asked Questions
General Credit Questions
Q: Do unused credits roll over to the next month? A: Yes, credits carry over. This ensures predictable billing and encourages regular use of your subscription benefits.
Q: Can I purchase additional credits without upgrading my subscription? A: Yes, top-ups are available for a number of individual credit packs, simply click on subscriptions in your OnVerb Dashboard and select the one time credit packs to see the options available to you.
Q: How do I track my team's credit usage? A: Growth and Business tier subscribers have access to detailed team analytics showing credit consumption by team member, project, and time period.
Technical Questions
Q: Why do different AI models cost different amounts of credits? A: AI models have varying computational requirements and provider costs. More advanced models like GPT-4 require more processing power and therefore cost more credits per interaction.
Q: Do system prompts consume credits? A: System prompts consume a small number of credits when first created and tested, but once established, they don't consume additional credits unless modified or used in AI interactions.
Q: How are credits calculated for file uploads? A: File processing credits are based on the content length and complexity of the analysis requested. Larger files and more complex analysis consume more credits.
Billing Questions
Q: When do my credits reset? A: Credits reset on your billing anniversary date each month. You can view your next reset date in your account dashboard.
Q: What happens if I downgrade my subscription mid-month? A: Your current credit allocation remains until your next billing cycle, when it will adjust to your new subscription tier's allocation.
Q: Can I get a refund for unused credits? A: Credits are part of your monthly subscription and are not refundable.
Getting the Most Value from Your Credits
Best Practices
Efficient Workflow Design:
- Develop comprehensive system prompts that reduce the need for repeated instructions
- Use OnVerb's document management to avoid re-processing the same files
- Plan complex projects to make efficient use of AI capabilities
Team Collaboration:
- Share effective system prompts across team members to avoid duplicate development
- Coordinate team usage to maximise the value of shared credit allocations
- Use team analytics to identify the most cost-effective approaches for your organisation
Advanced Usage Tips
Batch Processing:
- Use CSV processing features for bulk data analysis rather than individual requests
- Group similar tasks together to benefit from maintained conversation context
- Plan intensive AI work sessions to make efficient use of credits
Quality Optimisation:
- Invest credits in developing high-quality system prompts that improve all subsequent interactions
- Use AI assistance to refine and improve your prompts, making future usage more efficient
- Experiment with different approaches to find the most effective methods for your specific needs
Support and Assistance
Getting Help with Credits
Self-Service Resources:
- Comprehensive usage analytics in your account dashboard
- Model comparison tools to help choose the most cost-effective options
Customer Support:
- Email support for detailed usage analysis and optimisation advice
- Priority support for Business tier subscribers
Upgrade and Billing Support
Easy Upgrades:
- Instant upgrade options available in your account dashboard
- One off top-ups available when you need more usage than your credit pack in a month
- No interruption to your work when upgrading
OnVerb's chat credit system is designed to provide transparency, control, and excellent value for your AI-powered productivity needs. Whether you're an individual professional exploring AI capabilities or a large team requiring extensive AI assistance, our flexible credit system scales with your needs whilst ensuring you always understand and control your usage costs.
Ready to get started? Sign up for your free account today and receive 50 credits to explore OnVerb's powerful AI capabilities. Upgrade at any time as your needs grow, with immediate access to additional credits and advanced features.
Need more information? Contact our support team at support@onverb.co.uk or explore our comprehensive help documentation for detailed guidance on maximising your OnVerb experience.