Agencies in India usually charge a flat monthly fee, a percentage of ad spend (10% to 20% in the guides we read) or a hybrid, and the fee is separate from the ad budget you pay Meta or Google. Published guides put small-business and startup retainers between about ₹10,000 and ₹75,000 a month. Our own fees are ₹10,000 (Meta), ₹12,000 (Google) and ₹20,000 (both) a month plus GST.
How do performance marketing agencies charge?
There are four common models.
| Model | How it works | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Flat monthly retainer | A fixed fee for a defined scope | Scope creep and unclear inclusions |
| Percentage of ad spend | For example 10% to 20% of what you spend | The agency earns more when you spend more, not when you earn more |
| Performance-linked or hybrid | A smaller retainer plus a bonus on results | Definitions of “result” and what counts |
| Project fee | One price for a set-up or a landing page | What happens after launch |
What do agencies in India typically charge?
Three Indian agency pricing guides published in 2026 show a wide range. Noir & Blanco (9 Sep 2026) lists Meta ads packages from ₹10,000 to ₹15,000 a month for starters up to ₹80,000 to ₹1,50,000 or more for enterprise accounts. Sociolabs (23 Jul 2026) quotes ₹25,000 to ₹75,000 a month for small businesses and ₹20,000 to ₹60,000 for startups, or 10% to 20% of ad spend. Upgrowth (updated Sep 2026) puts retainers at ₹75,000 to ₹1.5 lakh a month for brands spending up to ₹10 lakh a month, or 10% to 15% of ad spend. These are agencies describing their own market, read on 20 October 2026, so use them to see the range, not as quotes. In every case the fee is separate from the ad spend, and GST is usually extra.
What do we charge?
Our management fees are fixed per month, plus GST:
| Package | Fee | What is included |
|---|---|---|
| Meta Ads | ₹10,000 | Facebook and Instagram campaign set-up and management, ad content, tracking checks, weekly report + 30-minute review |
| Google Ads | ₹12,000 | Google Ads set-up and management, a landing page, conversion tracking, weekly report + 30-minute review |
| Combo: Meta + Google | ₹20,000 | Everything in both, with one report and one weekly review (₹22,000 if bought separately; a saving of ₹2,000 a month) |
Ad spend is paid by you directly to Meta and Google. UGC content, extra landing pages and a full website are add-ons. Prices as of 4 Oct 2026. See the full packages.
What drives the price?
- Scope: one channel or two; creatives and landing page included or not; how many campaigns.
- Ad spend: larger budgets need more testing and reporting.
- Reporting and meetings: weekly reviews take time.
- Who does the work: senior specialists cost more than juniors.
- Speed: reply times and support hours.
How should you compare quotes?
- Ask for the fee and the ad budget separately, with GST.
- List what is included: creatives, landing page, tracking, reports, calls.
- Check the lock-in and the notice period.
- Ask who owns the ad account and data.
- Ask for native screenshots with dates. Our 12 questions help.
Is a cheaper agency a better deal?
Not automatically, and not automatically worse. A low fee with no creatives, no tracking set-up and no reporting can cost more than a higher all-in fee. Compare what you get for the fee and what a customer is worth to you.
Key takeaways
- The fee is separate from your ad budget.
- Ask what is included and what is extra, and for GST.
- Prefer month-to-month terms and an account you own.
- Compare scope, not only price.