Optimizely is the Rolls-Royce of experimentation platforms. It's powerful, enterprise-grade, and priced accordingly. If you've ever wondered why their pricing page just says "Contact Sales," this article is for you.
The Price Tag
Optimizely's experimentation platform typically costs $50,000 - $200,000+ per year. Some enterprise deals exceed $500,000/year. This isn't a tool for startups — it's built for Fortune 500 companies.
Why Optimizely Costs So Much
Optimizely's pricing reflects what they're actually selling: an enterprise platform for large organizations. Here's what you're paying for:
Enterprise Infrastructure
Server-side testing, feature flags, edge delivery, and infrastructure that handles billions of requests. This costs real money to build and maintain.
White-Glove Support
Dedicated account managers, implementation teams, training, and 24/7 support. Enterprise customers expect (and pay for) high-touch service.
Advanced Statistics
Sophisticated statistical engines, multi-armed bandits, and advanced segmentation that large companies need for complex testing programs.
Optimizely Pricing Tiers
Web Experimentation
$50,000+/yearClient-side A/B testing with visual editor. Entry-level enterprise.
Feature Experimentation
$75,000+/yearFeature flags and server-side testing for product teams.
Full Stack
$100,000+/yearComplete experimentation suite with all features.
Enterprise Custom
$200,000+/yearCustom contracts for large organizations with specific needs.
Who Should Actually Use Optimizely
Optimizely makes sense if you check most of these boxes:
What to Do If You're Not Enterprise
If you don't check those boxes, Optimizely is overkill. Here's the reality:
Most companies don't need enterprise experimentation. They need:
- A simple way to run A/B tests
- A visual editor that doesn't require developers
- Reliable statistics they can trust
- Pricing that doesn't require board approval
Optimizely vs ExperimentHQ
| Feature | Optimizely | ExperimentHQ |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $50,000/year | $0 (free tier) |
| Visual Editor | ||
| Setup Time | 2-4 weeks | 2 minutes |
| Feature Flags | ||
| Server-Side Testing | ||
| Script Size | ~150KB | <5KB |
The Bottom Line
Optimizely is an excellent platform — for companies that need it. But for 90% of businesses, it's like buying a Ferrari to drive to the grocery store. Powerful, impressive, and completely unnecessary.
If you just want to run A/B tests and make data-driven decisions, you don't need a $50,000/year platform. You need something simple, fast, and effective.