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Transparent Data Annotation Pricing

Pay for the work you need, the way that suits your project. Every engagement starts with a free pilot, so you see the quality and the exact price before you commit.

Choose a Pricing Model

Three flexible models. You can switch between them as your project evolves.

Per Object

Pay for each labeled object, such as a box, polygon, keypoint, or cuboid. Cost scales directly with output.

Best for: well-defined tasks
  • Predictable cost per unit
  • Ideal for detection and segmentation
  • Volume-based rates

Per Hour

Pay for annotator time when tasks vary, guidelines are still changing, or the work needs expert judgment.

Best for: evolving or complex tasks
  • Flexible scope
  • Good for research and RLHF
  • Transparent timesheets

Per Project

A fixed price agreed upfront for a defined dataset, taxonomy, and delivery date.

Best for: fixed scope and deadline
  • One price, no surprises
  • Milestone-based delivery
  • Dedicated project lead

What Affects Your Price

We look at these factors during the pilot to give you an exact quote.

01

Annotation Complexity

Simple tags cost less than dense polygons, pixel masks, or 3D cuboids.

02

Data Volume

Larger datasets unlock lower per-unit rates.

03

Quality Target

Higher accuracy thresholds need extra review stages.

04

Turnaround Time

Tight deadlines may require larger teams or extra shifts.

05

Domain Expertise

Medical, legal, or technical data may need trained specialists.

06

Tools and Formats

Working in your platform or a custom export schema can affect setup effort.

Included in Every Project

No hidden fees. These come as standard, whichever pricing model you choose.

  • Dedicated project manager
  • Multi-stage quality assurance
  • NDA and secure environment
  • No setup fees
  • No long-term contract

Reviews

From our Clients

★★★★★

“Their flexibility and ability to move fast impress us.”

We chose Smart Annotahub for its strong value, recommendation, and shared company values. Their 10-person team delivered accurate data annotation with a flexible, collaborative approach. They responded quickly, went the extra mile to meet deadlines, and kept the project on track. We’ve been very pleased with the experience and have no improvements to suggest at this time.

Tatsuya Ishihara
Project Manager
★★★★★

“They’re always willing to adapt quickly to our needs and help keep the project on track.”

The team is highly responsive and flexible, quickly adapting to our needs to keep the project on track. Clear, detailed annotation guidelines help them deliver accurate results faster.

Park Ji-Ho
Director
★★★★★

“Communication with the team is smooth, clear, and effortless.”

We chose Smart Annotahub for its expertise, openness to new ideas, and strong interest in autonomous vehicles. Their team provides consistent cuboid and polygon annotation for our growing image dataset, with responsive communication, attentive project management, and reliable quality assurance. We’re very pleased with the collaboration and look forward to continuing our work together.

Matthew Milner
Director of Engineering

Start with a free pilot

Tell us about your data and requirements. We'll return an annotated sample with a precise quote, usually within a few working days.



    Pricing FAQs

    Is the pilot really free?

    Yes. We annotate a sample of your data at no cost so you can evaluate quality and speed, and we use it to give you an exact quote.

    Do you have minimum order sizes?

    No fixed minimum. We support small research datasets as well as large production volumes.

    Can we change the pricing model later?

    Yes. Many clients start per hour while guidelines evolve and switch to per-object pricing once the task is stable.

    How do you invoice?

    Invoices follow agreed milestones or monthly delivery, with a breakdown of volume, hours, and QA results.