Pick North Star if
- You want the lower hourly rate
- You are in the Bay Area and like that
- You would rather be invoiced after the work
Consult / North Star AI Consultation alternative
Comparison · checked October 19, 2026
North Star AI Consultation alternative: $100 an hour vs 30-minute blocks
North Star and AgentHive Inc both do hands-on AI work for small businesses. North Star is cheaper per hour. AgentHive Inc lets you buy 30 minutes at a time and pay up front on Stripe. Here is what each one publishes.
What North Star publishes (checked October 19, 2026)
- Coaching, team training, tool reviews, and done-for-you setup at $100 an hour, online.
- Work is quoted before it starts and billed after by invoice. No long-term contracts.
- A retainer is a monthly block of hours at the same $100 an hour.
- Its pricing page calls the rate low for the Bay Area on purpose.
What AgentHive Inc offers
AgentHive Inc: a free 30-minute call, then $75 for 30 minutes, $150 an hour, or a 10-hour pack for $1,250 ($125 an hour, $625 up front, the rest when the hours start). Paid on Stripe, no contract. Daniel Graham runs every session by video in your own accounts, one task at a time, for owners anywhere in the US. AI Concierge is the $2,000-a-month retainer if you want someone every month.
Side by side
| North Star AI Consultation | AgentHive Inc | |
|---|---|---|
| First call | Free 30 minutes (Calendly, by video) | |
| Hourly | $100 an hour, online | $150 an hour, or $75 for 30 minutes |
| Bigger block | Monthly block of hours at $100 an hour | 10 hours for $1,250 ($125 an hour) |
| How you pay | Invoice after the work | Stripe, before the session. No contract |
| Monthly option | Retainer of hours | AI Concierge, $2,000 a month |
North Star figures from its own pricing page, checked October 19, 2026.
Pick AgentHive Inc if
- You want to buy 30 minutes at a time
- You want the work set up in your own accounts by video
- You want a 10-hour pack at $125 an hour or a fixed monthly retainer
Questions
Is North Star cheaper than AgentHive Inc?
Per hour, yes. North Star publishes $100 an hour online; AgentHive Inc charges $150 an hour, $75 for 30 minutes, or $125 an hour in a 10-hour pack. Checked October 19, 2026.
How does a first call with AgentHive Inc work?
It is a free 30-minute call, booked on Calendly and run by video.
Where do I start with AgentHive Inc?
Book the free 30 or call +1 320-335-6186. Bring the one task you most want off your plate.
Sources
Plain-text sources, no outbound links. Each was read on the date shown. Prices change, so check before you compare.
- North Star AI Consultation: northstarconsult.ai/pricing ("Last updated: October 10, 2026"), checked October 19, 2026.
- AgentHive Inc: agenthiveinc.com/consult (prices, how it works, FAQ), checked October 19, 2026.