Expert Network Cost (2026): What Do Expert Networks Charge, and What Do Experts Earn?

"Expert network cost" means two very different things depending on which side of the call you are on. If you are a client, it is what you pay to talk to an expert. If you are an expert, it is what you earn for your time. This guide covers both sides of expert network pricing in 2026, in plain numbers. What an expert network costs a client Clients do not pay per idea; they pay for access. Most of the big networks like GLG, AlphaSights, and Third Bridge charge for a one-hour expert consultation, and the all-in cost to the client typically runs $1,000 or more per hour. That is well above what the expert receives, because the network keeps a margin for finding clients, vetting experts, running compliance, and scheduling the call fast. The exact number depends on the expert's seniority, how rare the niche is, and how quickly the client needs the call. Expert network pricing models There is no single price list, but the pricing models fall into three buckets: - Pay-per-call. The simplest model: a client pays a set fee for each hour-long call. Good for occasional, ad-hoc research. - Credits or packages. A client buys a bank of credits up front and spends them as calls happen, with a more…