Zeptix-first vs. Business-Direct
Zeptix separates two billing models because AI costs, the seller role, support, and tax responsibility must not be mixed. Zeptix-first is the default: Zeptix sells end-user credits or end-user plans. Business-Direct is an optional business mode: the operator sells their own products and takes on more responsibility.
This separation protects Starter and Pro owners from unplanned obligations. It also makes transparent when Zeptix covers costs and checkout and when an operator deliberately controls their own payment flows.
TL;DR — the decision
| Question | Zeptix-first | Business-Direct |
|---|---|---|
| Who sells? | Zeptix | The business operator |
| Who provides checkout and receipts? | Zeptix | The operator via their own setup |
| Who bears provider costs? | Zeptix within the calculated scope | The operator with their own provider keys |
| Who is it for? | Starter, Pro, Business default | Business with white-label and testing |
| Risk | Low | Higher, but more flexible |
Zeptix-first: the safe default
In the Zeptix-first model, Zeptix sells end-user credits and end-user plans. The visitor purchases technical usage units that are used for answers in the respective bot. This purchased end-user usage does not draw on the normal owner cap.
For owners, this means: you can offer your bot without having to build your own Stripe products, your own billing logic, or your own provider cost accounting. From Pro onward, a partner payout can arise on qualifying purchases.
Business-Direct: deliberate and gated
Business-Direct fits when you want your own prices, your own product logic, your own provider keys, and full product responsibility. This mode is therefore only intended for Business and is additionally tied to white-label, tested provider keys, and a secure configuration.
Business-Direct is not a "quick money mode". It is an operating model for teams that know they can handle their own support, tax, refund, and provider cost processes.
Why Pro is not automatically Business-Direct
Pro is the first real monetization tier, but deliberately via Zeptix-first. Pro can receive a partner payout without the owner becoming a seller of their own end-user products. This reduces complexity and prevents smaller operators from accidentally taking on their own payment and provider risks.
If you need your own products, look into Business. If you want to fairly monetize community usage, in many cases Pro with Zeptix-first is enough.
Decision guide
Choose Zeptix-first if you:
- want to offer end-user credits or plans without your own checkout infrastructure.
- need cost control and clear user communication.
- want to work with a partner payout instead of your own seller role.
Choose Business-Direct only if you:
- need your own Stripe products and your own prices.
- have tested your own LLM provider keys.
- are willing to bear support, refunds, tax obligations, and cost risk.