Methodology
Credits are not prices until they become usable output.
ToCreate turns plan prices and credit rules into comparable estimates, then shows the assumptions and confidence behind every result.
Credits are not comparable across platforms.
ToCreate normalizes pricing into dollars per usable output.
Raw generation cost is different from usable output cost.
Retries matter because most creators do not keep every generation.
Subscription waste matters when a plan includes more credits than a workflow uses.
Rollover policies, commercial rights, and watermark rules can change the real cost.
Formulas
| Metric | Formula |
|---|---|
| cost_per_credit | plan_price / included_credits |
| raw_generation_cost | credits_required_for_generation * cost_per_credit |
| usable_output_cost | raw_generation_cost * attempts_per_usable_result |
| monthly_credit_need | quantity * duration_adjusted_credit_cost * attempts_per_usable_result |
| actual_monthly_cost | minimum_plan_cost + estimated_topups |
For MVP, unused credits are shown as plan utilization rather than subtracted from cost unless rollover and top-up behavior are known.
FAQ
Why does ToCreate show both implied cost and subscription cost?
A credit can imply a cheap generation, but the user still has to buy the plan that contains those credits. The calculator separates per-output economics from the actual bill.
Why do attempts matter?
Most usable creative work takes retries. A $1 raw generation becomes $3 per keeper if it takes three tries to get one usable clip.
Are the prices guaranteed?
No. AI pricing changes often. ToCreate shows sources, last-checked dates, and confidence levels so users know what to verify before buying.
Does ToCreate rank by affiliate commission?
No. Rankings are based on the cost model and visible assumptions. Affiliate links, when present, are disclosed separately.
Canonical methodology URL: https://tocreate.com/methodology