Apps / Calculator
Build vs. Rent Calculator
Squarespace looks cheap at $33/month. But what's the real 5-year cost-and what are you giving up? Let's compare renting vs. owning your web infrastructure.
"Cheap" monthly fees add up. A $33/month Squarespace site costs $1,980 over 5 years-and you own nothing at the end. Add plugins, premium features, and designer help? You're looking at $8,000-15,000.
Your Scenario
For calculating transaction fee impact (ecommerce)
Include hidden costs:
Platform Cost (Rent)
Base subscription $1,980
Hidden costs
Transaction fees $0
Total Cost (Rent) $5,880
What you own at the end: Nothing. Switch platforms and start over.
Custom Build (Own)
Setup/Development $15,000
Hosting & Infrastructure $3,000
Maintenance $2,400
Total Cost (Own) $20,400
What you own at the end: Everything. Full codebase, data, and portability.
Difference +$14,520
Custom costs more upfront, but you own it forever.
What "Ownership" Actually Means
| Factor | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|
| True Portability | Can't fully export. Start over if you leave. | Take your entire site anywhere, anytime. |
| Performance Control | Shared resources. Platform decides speed. | Choose your hosting. Optimize as needed. |
| SEO & Technical Control | Limited access to technical SEO settings. | Full control over schema, headers, everything. |
| Custom Functionality | Limited to available plugins/apps. | Build exactly what you need. |
| Data Ownership | Platform has access to your data. | Your data on your servers. |
| No Platform Risk | Platform changes terms? You adapt or leave. | You control your own destiny. |
When Each Option Makes Sense
→ Rent (Platform) If...
- • You need a site up in days, not weeks
- • Budget is under $5,000 total
- • You're testing a business idea
- • You have zero technical resources
- • The site is temporary or promotional
→ Own (Custom) If...
- • Website is core to your business
- • You need custom functionality
- • Performance and SEO matter
- • You're planning 3+ years ahead
- • You want to build equity, not rent
Ready to own your web presence?
We build sites on infrastructure you control. No lock-in. No surprises.