Hosted vs Owned Online Store: Subscription or Source Code?
Hosted is $19 per month — the store runs on infrastructure that is hosted and maintained for you. Owned is a one-time purchase from $349 that hands you the full source code to host wherever you like. At those prices Owned pays for itself after roughly 18 months of Hosted fees, but you take over hosting and upkeep. You can start with Hosted and switch later.
The two options
Both plans give you a real online store: a product catalog, a cart and an order dashboard. The difference is who runs it afterwards.
- Hosted — $19/month. The store runs on infrastructure that is hosted and maintained for you for a flat monthly fee. You never touch a server.
- Owned — from $349, one time. You receive the full source code and host it anywhere you like.
Side by side
| Hosted | Owned | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $19 / month | From $349 one-time |
| Product catalog and cart | Yes | Yes |
| Order dashboard | Yes | Yes |
| Inventory tracking | Yes | Yes |
| Source code | Not included | Full source code handed over |
| Hosting and upkeep | Handled for you | You host it |
| Delivery time | 1–2 weeks | 2–3 weeks |
The break-even math
$349 divided by $19 a month is about 18.4 months. If you expect to run the store for longer than a year and a half and you are comfortable arranging hosting, Owned is cheaper over time. If you would rather never think about servers, updates or downtime, Hosted's monthly fee is buying you that peace of mind — and it lets you start with a much smaller upfront cost.
Which one fits you?
- Choose Hosted if you want to launch quickly, keep cash free at the start, and have someone else keep the store running.
- Choose Owned if you need to control the code, want to host it on your own infrastructure, or plan to build on top of it.
- Not sure? Start with Hosted. If you later want to own it, message me and I'll quote the handover.
What neither plan includes
Payment gateway fees and product photography are not included in either plan. Owned also means you pay for your own hosting.
Frequently asked questions
What is the real difference between Hosted and Owned?
Hosted is a subscription that is hosted and maintained for you. Owned is a one-time purchase — you get the source code and run it on your own hosting.
Can I switch from Hosted to Owned later?
Yes. Message me and I will quote the handover.
How long does it take to launch?
Hosted takes 1–2 weeks and Owned takes 2–3 weeks.