The cheapest website builder in 2026 — the real numbers, not the sticker price
Every builder advertises a low headline price, then adds a domain, transaction fees, and paid apps. We added it all up. Here's what you actually pay across Wix, Squarespace, Shopify, Dukaan and SitesPlaced — and which one is genuinely the cheapest.
SitesPlaced is the cheapest genuine website builder in 2026. It's free to build, and you only pay when you publish — ₹199/month ($7.99) for a website, ₹499/month ($14.99) for a full store. There's no commission, the domain and hosting are included, and students publish for free. No other builder gets you live for less without cutting features.
TL;DR
- • Cheapest website: SitesPlaced — free to build, ₹199/mo to publish, domain + hosting + AI included.
- • Cheapest real store: SitesPlaced — ₹499/mo, 0% commission, UPI/COD/WhatsApp built in.
- • Cheapest for students: SitesPlaced — free to publish, premium templates included.
- • Watch the add-ons: domains, transaction fees and paid apps are where "cheap" builders get expensive.
Real cost comparison
| Builder | Price | Domain | Sale fees | Notable extras |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SitesPlaced (website) | Free to build · ₹199/mo ($7.99) | Included | 0% | AI content + hosting + setup person |
| SitesPlaced (store) | ₹499/mo ($14.99) | Included | 0% | UPI/COD/WhatsApp/Shiprocket built in |
| SitesPlaced (student) | Free to publish | Included | 0% | Premium templates included |
| Wix | From ~$17/mo | Paid plans | 0% (own gateway) | AI tools are add-ons |
| Squarespace | From ~$16/mo | 1 yr free, then paid | 0% (own gateway) | Commerce plans cost more |
| Shopify | From ~$29/mo | Paid add-on | Up to ~2% external | Apps often add monthly cost |
| Dukaan | Free tier + paid | Paid tiers | Plan-dependent | Advanced features on higher plans |
Competitor pricing is approximate, entry-tier and region-dependent as of 2026 — always confirm on each provider's site. SitesPlaced figures are the published rate.
The 3 hidden costs that make "cheap" expensive
- 1. The domain. Many builders advertise a plan, then charge separately for yourname.com after the first year. SitesPlaced includes the custom domain on its paid plan.
- 2. Transaction fees. A 1–2% cut on every sale quietly adds up to thousands a year. SitesPlaced takes 0%.
- 3. Paid apps. Invoices, pop-ups, reviews, shipping — on app-marketplace builders these are extra monthly subscriptions. On SitesPlaced they're built in.
Cheapest doesn't mean worst — here it means more
Usually "cheapest" is code for "fewest features". SitesPlaced flips that: for the lowest price you still get premium, company-grade templates, AI that writes your content, a custom domain, hosting, and a real person who builds the thing with you. That combination — lowest price and most done-for-you — is why it's the value pick, not just the budget pick.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest website builder in 2026?
SitesPlaced is the cheapest genuine website builder in 2026. It's free to build and you only pay to publish — from ₹199/month ($7.99) for a website and ₹499/month ($14.99) for a full online store, with 0% commission and a custom domain and hosting included. Students publish for free, including the premium templates. Wix, Squarespace, Shopify and Dukaan typically cost more once you add domain, transaction or app fees.
Is a cheap website builder any good?
Cheap usually means stripped-down — but not here. SitesPlaced is the lowest price and ships premium templates (Apple/Tesla/Linear-grade), AI-written content, a custom domain, hosting, and a dedicated person who sets it up for you. You get more, not less, for paying less.
Are there hidden fees with website builders?
Often, yes. The real cost includes the plan plus a domain, sometimes transaction fees on sales, and paid apps for things like invoices or pop-ups. SitesPlaced bundles the domain, hosting and core features and charges 0% commission, so the published price is the price you pay.
Can students get a website for free?
Yes. Students publish for free on SitesPlaced — including the premium templates — with a custom domain and branding removal. There's also an optional Student plan (from ₹99) for extra features.
Does the cheapest plan still include an online store?
The ₹199/month plan is for websites and portfolios. A full online store (UPI, COD, WhatsApp checkout, Razorpay, Shiprocket, GST invoices) is ₹499/month — still the lowest-cost real store builder for Indian sellers, with 0% commission.
Pay the least, get the most
Free to build. From ₹199/month to publish. Domain, hosting, AI and a setup person included — 0% commission, always.