> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.base44.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Credits

> Credits power your app building and operations in Base44. Learn how credits work so you can build confidently without hitting limits.

## About credits in Base44

Credits are the units Base44 uses when you interact with Base44's AI or connect your app to external tools. Credit usage adjusts dynamically based on how much work the builder needs to do behind the scenes.

<iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Dc2Pe5Kp-So" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" className="w-full aspect-video rounded-xl" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share; fullscreen" allowFullScreen />

### Types of credits

Base44 uses 2 types of credits to support your [app building](https://base44.com/ai-app-builder) and operations:

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Message credits">
    Used when you interact with Base44's AI while building apps. Message credits are used for prompts that plan, update, or fix parts of your app.

    **Examples:**

    * Asking the AI to add or refine a small feature.
    * Debugging or fixing logic in a specific part of your app.
    * Getting the AI to rewrite copy or microcopy.
    * Applying AI-suggested changes from the chat.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Integration credits">
    Used whenever your app uses Base44's built-in services, such as sending an email, generating an image, running an LLM call, or using [in-app agents](/Building-your-app/AI-agents-for-apps). Integration credits are not used when you call an external service with your own API key. Running a backend function can also use a small amount of credit for the invocation itself.

    [See the full cost breakdown.](#integration-credit-examples)
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## How credits are used

There is no set credit amount used per message. Different actions use credits in different ways, depending on what you ask the AI to do.

Short, focused prompts usually require less work behind the scenes, while broader prompts that touch several pages or components can require more. Manual visual edits, such as dragging elements, changing layouts, or editing text directly in the editor, do not use credits.

Even when a request looks simple or your message is very short, the AI still has a lot to do in the background. It needs to read what you already built, understand your request, figure out the safest way to change it, and apply the update without breaking other parts of your app.

Credits are based on how much work the system has to do, not on how small the change looks. This is why something that feels like a quick tweak, such as "translate the whole app" or "rebuild this page for mobile," can still use a few credits as the AI has to review many files and make complex updates that you do not always see.

<Warning>
  **Important:**

  * The credit amounts shown on this page are estimates based on standard models and average complexity, provided as a guide rather than exact figures. They are subject to change at Base44's discretion. For details, see the [Base44 Terms of Service](https://base44.com/terms-of-service).
  * The credits used for a given action can vary and are calculated after the action runs, so your actual cost may differ from the figures shown here. To see how many credits you have used, check your [credit usage](#checking-your-credit-balance).
  * There is no way to preview an integration credit cost before running an action. To estimate it, run the action in a controlled test and review the execution logs afterward.
  * How an action is billed can differ between workspaces. If what you see in your own workspace does not match this page, that is why.
</Warning>

### Message credit examples

These are rough ranges, not a quote. The exact number of credits is worked out after each message runs and can vary depending on a number of factors, including the work involved and the model you are using. Treat your [credit usage](#checking-your-credit-balance) as the source of truth for what you actually spent.

| Scope of change                | What it usually involves                                                     | Typical credits used |
| ------------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------- |
| Simple visual or text change   | A lightweight update to a single element or short piece of text.             | \~0.5 credits        |
| Improving a small feature      | Adjusting logic across a few files, higher than a simple style tweak.        | \~1 credit           |
| Adding a complex module        | Entities, flows, and logic across multiple files, requiring deeper planning. | \~2 credits          |
| Large-scale or app-wide change | Touching many pages, components, or the full app structure.                  | \~3–4 credits        |

### Integration credit examples

Each call to a Base44 built-in service uses integration credits. Open a category below to see the typical cost for each integration.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Built-in integrations">
    | Integration                                                                                            | What it does                                               | Cost                                                |
    | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------- |
    | [SendEmail](/Integrations/built-in-integrations#sending-emails)                                        | Sends an email from your app                               | \~1 credit per email                                |
    | [SendEmail](/Integrations/built-in-integrations#sending-emails) with custom domain                     | Sends an email from your own domain address                | \~2 credits per email                               |
    | [SendPushNotification](/Integrations/built-in-integrations#sending-push-notifications)                 | Sends a push notification to someone using your mobile app | \~1 credit per notification                         |
    | [UploadFile](/Integrations/built-in-integrations#uploading-files)                                      | Handles a file upload in your app                          | \~1 credit per upload                               |
    | [ExtractDataFromUploadedFile](/Integrations/built-in-integrations#extracting-data-from-uploaded-files) | Extracts structured data from an uploaded file             | \~1 credit per call                                 |
    | [GenerateImage](/Integrations/built-in-integrations#generating-images)                                 | Generates an image with AI                                 | \~1 credit per image                                |
    | [GenerateVideo](/Integrations/built-in-integrations#generating-videos)                                 | Generates a video with AI                                  | \~5 credits per second of video                     |
    | [GenerateSpeech](/Integrations/built-in-integrations#generating-speech)                                | Converts text to audio                                     | \~1 credit per 50 characters (up to \~100 per call) |
    | [invokeLLM](/Integrations/built-in-integrations#running-llm-calls) (Automatic)                         | Runs an LLM call in a flow or backend function             | \~1 credit per call                                 |
    | [invokeLLM](/Integrations/built-in-integrations#running-llm-calls) (Gemini 3 Flash)                    | Stronger reasoning at moderate cost                        | \~5 credits per call                                |
    | [invokeLLM](/Integrations/built-in-integrations#running-llm-calls) (GPT-5.4)                           | Complex analysis and high-accuracy tasks                   | \~15 credits per call                               |

    An email that does not go out is not charged, whether the send failed on its way to the email provider or the call was missing something it needed. The same cost applies wherever the send comes from, including a workflow.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="In-app agents">
    Each message sent to an [in-app agent](/Building-your-app/AI-agents-for-apps) uses integration credits. What a message costs depends on the model the agent uses and on how long the answer is. **Automatic** starts at about 3 credits a message, and the other models cost more relative to it.

    | Cost compared with Automatic | Models                                        |
    | ---------------------------- | --------------------------------------------- |
    | About the same               | GPT-5 Mini, Gemini 3 Flash                    |
    | Several times more           | Gemini 3.1 Pro, Claude Sonnet 5               |
    | Roughly 10 times more        | GPT-5.6 Sol, Claude Opus 4.6, Claude Opus 4.7 |

    Check **Credits Used** on a message for what it actually cost. See [configuring guidelines](/Building-your-app/AI-agents-for-apps#configuring-guidelines) for how to change it.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Workflows">
    Each step a [workflow](/Building-your-app/Creating-workflows) runs uses a small amount of integration credit. 10 steps use about 1 credit. Steps that only decide where the workflow goes next are free, and a step that waits counts like any other.

    Whatever a step does is charged separately on top of that. If a step calls a backend function, sends an email, or runs an LLM call, that costs what the action costs wherever else you run it.

    For example, a workflow with a step that runs an LLM call and a step that sends an email uses about 0.2 credit for the 2 steps, plus \~1 credit for the LLM call, plus \~1 credit for the email on the default sending domain. Roughly 2 credits each time it fires, so what the steps do costs far more than the steps themselves.

    [Superagent workflows](/superagents/setting-up-workflows) run on the same system and are charged at the same rate.

    <Tip>
      To see what your workflows cost, open your app's usage page and look for **Workflows** under **By source**. Select **Show details** for a ranked list of which ones used the most.
    </Tip>
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Backend functions">
    Running a [backend function](/developers/backend/resources/backend-functions/overview) can use a small amount of integration credit. 100 invocations use about 1 credit.

    Anything the function does is charged separately on top of that. An LLM call, an email, or a file upload from inside a function costs what that service costs. This is why a function can use credits even when it never calls an external service, and why calling an external service with your own API key from inside one is still free.

    <Note>
      **If this does not match your workspace:**

      * Whether an invocation uses credit, and how much, can differ between workspaces. If you are not seeing these charges, yours is billed differently.
      * Your app's usage page shows a **Backend functions** figure under **By source**. Check your credit balance to see what you were actually billed.
    </Note>
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Social content">
    | Action                                                                    | What it does                            | Cost                  |
    | ------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------- | --------------------- |
    | [Generate content plan](/promoting-your-app/social-content)               | Generates a social media content plan   | \~10 credits per plan |
    | [Improve with AI or Regenerate image](/promoting-your-app/social-content) | Refines a post or regenerates its image | \~1 credit per action |
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

### Viewing credits used per message

You can see how many credits a prompt used. Click the **More Actions** icon <Icon icon="ellipsis" /> under your prompt to open the menu, then look under **Credits Used** to see the cost for that specific message.

<Frame caption="Viewing how many credits were used in a message in the AI chat">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/base44/TgJsEd6fH4e8d2-d/images/creditsused.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=TgJsEd6fH4e8d2-d&q=85&s=6738b221d64b947a2643465e51a3deea" alt="Viewing how many credits were used in a message in the AI chat" title="Viewing how many credits were used in a message in the AI chat" className="mx-auto" style={{ width:"67%" }} width="1130" height="1118" data-path="images/creditsused.png" />
</Frame>

### Maximizing your credits

Get more out of your Base44 credits with these practical tips. Open each tip below to see how you can save credits and keep your workflow efficient.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="Plan your builds before prompting">
    Planning before you start helps you save both time and credits.

    Start by deciding what your app should do and outlining its main parts. You can use any AI tool to organize your thoughts and write a clear prompt. List the key features you want and describe how people will use your app, step by step.

    You can also ask another AI tool to help you draft a ready-to-use prompt for Base44, then paste it directly into your project.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Use the automatic AI model">
    Keep the AI model set to **Automatic** unless you have a specific need to choose a manual model. Base44 automatically routes each prompt to the AI models best suited for your task, so you get accurate results while your credit usage stays efficient, without needing to worry about the technical details.

    Manually choosing a model is less predictable and can use more credits, especially for complex work.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Keep your prompts focused">
    Write short, focused prompts for each message instead of one very broad request. Focused prompts often use fewer credits and lead to better results. Ask the AI to work on specific files, pages, or functions instead of your entire app, and clearly state what change you want to make.

    For example, you could say: `Update the Home page text to match the new pricing plan`.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Use Discuss mode to explore ideas">
    Use **Discuss** mode to brainstorm, ask questions, or refine ideas without changing your app. Each message in Discuss mode uses **\~0.3 message credits**. When you are ready to apply changes, switch to **Build** mode. [Learn more about Discuss mode](/Building-your-app/AI-chat-modes#using-discuss-mode).

    Use **Build** mode only when you are ready to make direct changes to your app.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Use Edit mode">
    For UI tweaks, select the element in  **Edit** mode before you describe the change so the AI does not need to scan your entire layout.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Avoid repeated automatic fixes">
    If a change is not what you wanted, click the **Revert** icon on that message instead of using extra prompts to debug or undo it.

    If you encounter errors, try using the automatic fix once or twice. If the problem is not resolved, avoid repeating the auto-fix. Switch to **Discuss** mode, explain what is not working, and ask the AI to help you find a solution.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Add and test features in small steps">
    Add new features or make changes to your app one step at a time. Start by building the basics, such as pages, navigation, and a consistent design. Then add new features like forms, search, analytics, or integrations gradually, testing after each change.

    This step-by-step method helps you catch issues early, makes troubleshooting easier, and reduces the risk of using more credits on major fixes.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Track your credit usage">
    Keep an eye on your credit usage by checking your balance while editing your app, or from your workspace settings.

    Monitoring your credits helps you spot actions that use the most credits and plan resets or upgrades if needed, so you can avoid interruptions to your workflow.

    You can also see [how many credits a specific prompt used](#viewing-credits-used-per-message) from the **More Actions** icon <Icon icon="ellipsis" /> under that prompt in the builder.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>

***

## Credit resets

Your credits refresh automatically based on your plan:

* **Free plan:** You can use up to 5 credits a day, up to a total of 25 credits each month. Once you reach your daily limit, features that require credits are unavailable until your daily balance resets, as long as you still have monthly credits left. Daily credits reset at midnight in the workspace owner's local timezone. If the workspace has no recorded timezone, or you are not its owner, daily credits reset at midnight UTC instead.
* **Paid plans:** Message and integration credits reset monthly on your reset date, which is the same day of the month you subscribed. For example, if you subscribed on July 5, your credits reset on the 5th of every month.

<Note>
  Unused monthly credits expire at the end of your credit cycle and do not carry over to the next month. If you upgrade mid-cycle, how any added credits apply can vary depending on your plan. Any changes are shown for your review before you confirm.
</Note>

If you reach your credit limit, actions that require credits pause until your next reset. If you prefer not to wait, you can upgrade or adjust your plan from your [**billing dashboard**](https://app.base44.com/billing?utm_source=Mintlify\&utm_medium=Billing\&utm_content=credits).

***

## Checking your credit balance

Your credit balance shows how many message credits and integration credits you have available in the current billing cycle. You can also drill into how credits are distributed across your apps and track your daily usage over time.

<Tip>
  You can also view your remaining credits while working in your app editor by clicking the Base44 logo at the top left.
</Tip>

**To check your balance:**

1. Click your workspace name at the bottom left of your workspace.
2. Click **Settings**.
3. Click **Credit usage** under **Workspace**.
4. Review your available **Message credits** and **Integration credits** shown at the top of the page.

<Frame caption="Viewing your credit usage in Base44">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/base44/MV9cK-H1FjvCNE7d/images/credit-usage.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=MV9cK-H1FjvCNE7d&q=85&s=272bee5c8514f2712a40379398ff82e1" alt="Viewing your credit usage in Base44" width="1632" height="934" data-path="images/credit-usage.png" />
</Frame>

### Viewing credit usage per app

Both the **Message credit usage distribution by app** and **Integration credit usage distribution by app** sections show how each credit type is distributed across your apps in the current billing cycle. Expand either section to see a ranked list of your apps with a bar chart and credit totals for each.

<Frame caption="Message credit usage distribution by app in Base44">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/base44/MV9cK-H1FjvCNE7d/images/credits-per-app.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=MV9cK-H1FjvCNE7d&q=85&s=443f2e4b9111ccfb45b3e1dbd64994ee" alt="Credits Per App" width="1230" height="798" data-path="images/credits-per-app.png" />
</Frame>

### Daily credit usage

The **Daily usage** chart shows how many message or integration credits you used each day. Use the **Message credits** and **Integration credits** tabs at the top to switch between the two views.

<Frame caption="Daily credit usage chart in Base44">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/base44/MV9cK-H1FjvCNE7d/images/daily-credits-usage.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=MV9cK-H1FjvCNE7d&q=85&s=0ed78e727c23c899eb2ee9e4b5618fdc" alt="Daily Credits Usage" width="1244" height="689" data-path="images/daily-credits-usage.png" />
</Frame>

### Viewing usage for a single app

The **App usage** page breaks down your app's message and integration credit spend for the current billing cycle, so you can track and manage your credit usage more effectively. Credits are shared across every app in the workspace, and the date they renew is shown at the top of the page.

**To view a single app's usage:**

1. Click **Dashboard** in the app editor.
2. Click **Overview**.
3. Click **App usage**.

For each credit type, you see:

* **This app:** Credits this app has used in the current cycle.
* **Other apps:** Credits used by every other app in your workspace.
* **Remaining:** Credits left out of your workspace total.

Under **Integration credits**, the **By source** section breaks down what used integration credits this cycle, such as workflows, AI, and tools. Select **Show details** to see a ranked list of the specific sources and how many credits each one used.

<Frame caption="App usage for a single app in Base44">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/base44/UC878P5z8SsfanbQ/images/appsusage.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=UC878P5z8SsfanbQ&q=85&s=c548776d4578ee95311a384aa467ad91" alt="App usage page in Base44" width="1456" height="735" data-path="images/appsusage.png" />
</Frame>

***

## Using credits with teams

Credits in your workspace are shared across everyone you invite. When any member builds or uses apps, credits are drawn from the workspace's shared pool.

* **Message credits:** Drawn from the workspace pool whenever anyone in the workspace sends a prompt.
* **Integration credits:** Drawn from the workspace pool whenever an app triggers a built-in Base44 service, such as sending an email, generating an image, or calling an LLM.

***

## Sharing your app and earning credits

You can earn 20 credits by sharing your Base44 project on LinkedIn or X. Spread the word about your app and get rewarded with extra credits to keep building. Once your post is approved, the credits are added to your account and work like regular credits.

<Note>
  **Notes:**

  * You can only earn these credits once per Base44 account by sharing an app on **LinkedIn or X**.
  * This is separate from the [referral program](/Community-and-support/Referral-program), which earns you credits when friends you invite sign up and start building.
</Note>

<Frame caption="Opening Earn credits from your app's Overview">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/base44/wBCheCDHFhl14PUu/images/earn-credits.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=wBCheCDHFhl14PUu&q=85&s=cf36fa04512718f3cf430da19208146f" alt="The Earn credits button on the app Overview page" width="2230" height="886" data-path="images/earn-credits.png" />
</Frame>

**To earn free credits:**

1. Click **Dashboard** in your app editor.
2. Click **Overview**.
3. Click **Earn credits**.
4. Review the **Sharing Guidelines**, then click **Share on LinkedIn** or **Share on X (Twitter)**.
5. Write your post so it meets the guidelines:
   * Tag **@base44**.
   * Write at least 200 characters about your experience building with Base44.
   * Post from an account with over 100 followers.
   * (Optional) Add a screenshot or video of your project, and a link to it.
6. Copy the link to your published post.
7. Back in the **Earn credits** panel, click **support system** to open a ticket, paste the link to your post, and submit it.

<Note>
  The support ticket that you submit needs to be handled by an expert. The credits cannot be given automatically. Please make sure that your ticket is escalated.
</Note>

***

## FAQs

Click a question below to learn more about credits.

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="How does credit usage differ between prompts?">
    Credit usage depends on how much work the builder needs to do behind the scenes.

    Simple, focused prompts usually require fewer steps, so they tend to use fewer credits. For example, changing a button color or adjusting padding is often a lightweight update.

    Larger or more complex prompts, such as adding new pages, features, or integrations, often involve planning, updating multiple files, and running more checks. These usually use more credits, although in some cases the builder can complete a large task efficiently in a single pass.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Is there a minimum or maximum number of integration credits per action?">
    There is no fixed minimum or maximum. The total scales with every action your app triggers. For example, a workflow that runs an LLM call and sends an email costs the steps themselves plus the LLM call plus the email send. LLM calls also vary by model, and lighter models cost fewer credits than advanced ones.

    Because the range is wide, run the action in a controlled test and check the execution logs to understand the cost for your specific workflow.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Do database queries cost integration credits?">
    No. Reading and writing data to your app's database does not use integration credits. Integration credits are only charged when your app calls a Base44 built-in service, such as sending an email, generating an image, running an LLM call, or running a workflow step. Standard database operations are included at no extra credit cost.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why does Base44 use two types of credits?">
    Message credits cover your building process, while integration credits cover your app's live operations. Separating them makes it easier to understand and manage the cost of development versus runtime activity.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why were credits deducted for AI mistakes, and how do I request a refund or reset?">
    We understand that issues can arise, and we are here to support you. Credits are non-refundable for tool behavior and AI mistakes. Each prompt still requires work from the builder, even if the result is not what you expected.

    If something remains unresolved or you need further assistance, contact support with a detailed description of the issue, screenshots, and a link to your app.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What are promotional and free credits?">
    Base44 may issue extra credits for sign-ups, campaigns, or promo codes. These credits appear in your dashboard and work like regular credits, but are often one-time or limited-time.

    For example, you can earn credits by sharing your project on LinkedIn or X.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="How do I redeem a coupon code?">
    Base44 may provide coupon codes that add extra credits to your account.

    **To redeem a coupon code:**

    1. Click your workspace name at the bottom left of your workspace.
    2. Click **Settings**.
    3. Click **Credit usage** under **Workspace**.
    4. Enter your code in the field next to **Redeem a coupon or gift card**.
    5. Click **Apply**.

    <Frame caption="Redeeming a coupon or gift card in your Base44 account">
      <img src="https://mintcdn.com/base44/MV9cK-H1FjvCNE7d/images/redeem-coupon.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=MV9cK-H1FjvCNE7d&q=85&s=b88e3803e2eaae61381e7616545c8d23" alt="Redeeming a coupon or gift card in your Base44 account" width="1632" height="873" data-path="images/redeem-coupon.png" />
    </Frame>
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Do automatic AI fixes use credits?">
    On the Free plan, both **Resolve with AI** and automatic error fix messages consume message credits. Each message and automatic fix counts as work, so both draw from your message credit balance.

    On paid plans, automatic AI fixes are free and do not use credits.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What happens if I run out of message credits?">
    You cannot send new messages in the AI chat until you have message credits again. The chat shows how many credits you have left and offers a way to get more.

    Your message credits reset on your monthly reset date. If you need more before then, you can upgrade your plan for a higher monthly allowance.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What happens if I run out of integration credits?">
    If you are using integrations and run out of integration credits:

    * We email you when your integration credits run out.
    * Any action you perform that requires integration credits fails and shows an error that you have used all your integration credits.

    If someone using your app attempts an action that uses integration credits, for example subscribing to your app and triggering an email, they receive a generic error message without any reference to integration credits:

    <img src="https://mintcdn.com/base44/BonfmDdzrhrmw7cY/images/2025-10-05_15-10-14.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=BonfmDdzrhrmw7cY&q=85&s=4eccea4a7ddea5c7b8d8214e2d733280" alt="An example of an error message when integration credit limit is reached." className="mx-auto" style={{ width:"73%" }} width="1384" height="1284" data-path="images/2025-10-05_15-10-14.png" />
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why haven't my credits refreshed yet?">
    Your message and integration credits reset each cycle at the exact time your subscription was purchased, based on Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), not just on the calendar date in your own time zone.

    For example, if your reset date is the 5th and you are several hours behind UTC, your credits may refresh while it is still the 4th where you are, or later in the day on the 5th.

    If your credits have not refreshed after your reset time has passed in UTC and you checked your billing cycle and current credit usage, wait and check again later in the day. Your credits should update once your reset time passes.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="Why are my backend functions blocked on a paid plan?">
    Backend functions are available on the Builder plan and above. If your workspace is on a Builder plan or higher and backend functions are still blocked, check that the app owner's workspace has the right plan. If the app was created in a different workspace, backend functions follow the plan of that workspace.
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="What should I do if the AI chat gets stuck or will not revert changes?">
    If AI chat is unresponsive, gets stuck processing, or does not undo changes as expected, there are a few ways to recover.

    For step-by-step solutions, including how to use **Version History** or the **Revert** option, unstick a frozen prompt, or get help if the chat panel is completely unresponsive, see the [Troubleshooting Issues](/Community-and-support/Troubleshooting) article.
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>