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 free to publish — websites, portfolios and stores all go live for free with 0% commission and hosting included. You only pay for a custom domain or to remove our badge: ₹199/month ($7.99) for a website, ₹499/month ($14.99) for a full store. Students build and publish 100% free, with just a one-time ₹99 ($3) to drop the badge. No other builder gets you live for less without cutting features.
TL;DR
- • Cheapest website: SitesPlaced — free to build & publish; ₹199/mo only for a custom domain + AI + removing the badge, hosting included.
- • Cheapest real store: SitesPlaced — free to publish with 0% commission and UPI/COD/WhatsApp built in; ₹499/mo adds a custom domain, badge removal and AI.
- • Cheapest for students: SitesPlaced — build & publish 100% free, premium templates and AI included; one-time ₹99 to remove the badge.
- • 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 & publish · ₹199/mo ($7.99) for a domain | ₹199/mo plan | 0% | AI content + hosting + setup person |
| SitesPlaced (store) | Free to build & publish · ₹499/mo ($14.99) for a domain | ₹499/mo plan | 0% | UPI/COD/WhatsApp/Shiprocket built in |
| SitesPlaced (student) | Free to build & publish | Included free | 0% | Premium templates + AI 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. Building AND publishing is free — websites, portfolios and online stores all go live for free on a username.sitesplaced.com URL with 0% commission. You only pay for a custom domain (yourname.com) and to remove the small SitesPlaced badge: the Individual plan for a personal or business website is ₹199/month ($7.99), and the Ecommerce plan for a full store — custom domain, no branding, online card/UPI payments and AI — is ₹499/month ($14.99). Students build and publish 100% free, including the premium templates, with a one-time ₹99 ($3) to remove the badge forever. 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 build and publish 100% free on SitesPlaced — including all the premium templates, a custom domain and AI. The only optional charge is a one-time ₹99 ($3 internationally) that removes the SitesPlaced badge forever — no subscription, no renewal.
Does the cheapest plan still include an online store?
You can build and publish a full online store for free on SitesPlaced — UPI, COD, WhatsApp checkout, Razorpay, Shiprocket and GST invoices all work on the free store, with 0% commission. The Ecommerce plan at ₹499/month adds a custom domain, removes the SitesPlaced badge and unlocks AI plus higher product and storage limits — still the lowest-cost real store builder for Indian sellers.
Pay the least, get the most
Free to build and free to publish. Pay only for a custom domain or to remove our badge — from ₹199/month, with hosting, AI and a setup person included, 0% commission, always.