The verdict in three sentences
The monthly plan (160-420 EUR/month) smooths spend and suits a small business protecting its cash flow. The outright build (6,500-13,000 EUR) is cheaper beyond ~36 months and makes you the code owner. The decisive question is not the monthly price but the ownership clause and what remains if you leave.
Subscription vs buy: the 2026 numbers
| Criterion | Monthly plan | Outright build |
|---|---|---|
| Entry cost | 0-500 EUR | 6,500-13,000 EUR |
| Monthly fee | 160-420 EUR | 100 EUR (maintenance) |
| Included | Design, hosting, maintenance, light SEO | Site delivered, hosting/maintenance extra |
| Code ownership | No (often) | Yes |
| Commitment | 12-36 months | None |
| Termination | Site switched off | You keep everything |
Break-even over 48 months
| Milestone | Plan 260 EUR/month | Buy 9,500 EUR + 100/month |
|---|---|---|
| 12 months | 3,120 EUR | 10,700 EUR |
| 24 months | 6,240 EUR | 11,900 EUR |
| 36 months | 9,360 EUR | 13,100 EUR |
| 48 months | 12,480 EUR | 14,300 EUR |
| 60 months | 15,600 EUR | 15,500 EUR |
The crossover lands near 48-60 months in this example; it drops to ~30-40 months if the plan is 360 EUR or the build 7,500 EUR. Below a 3-year horizon, subscription is almost always better for cash flow.
Mini case study
Declan, owner of a B2B services micro-firm in Dublin, has 4,000 EUR of deployable cash. An outright 9,500 EUR build would force a loan; he picks the 260 EUR/month plan. Over 30 months he'll pay 7,800 EUR without tying up capital, keeping a buy-out option at 3,800 EUR. With his needs likely to change within 3 years, the subscription protects his flexibility while staying under the buy break-even.
FAQ
What does a 260 EUR/month plan really include?
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Design, hosting, maintenance, security and often light SEO (1-2 optimisations/month). Check the number of included changes and whether a buy-out clause exists.
Do I own my site on a subscription?
Often no: the provider keeps the code and hosting. Demand a priced ownership or buy-out clause on signing, or you start from scratch if you leave.
When does buying become cheaper?
Beyond roughly 36 months depending on the figures. If your horizon exceeds 3 years and cash allows, buying caps the total cost.
Can I switch from subscription to ownership?
Yes if a buy-out clause exists: expect 30-50% of the original build cost to recover the code and hosting.
Does the plan include changes?
Usually 1-2 small edits/month. Beyond that, they bill at day rate. Nail this down to avoid budget surprises.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your usage horizon and available cash, and we'll model subscription vs buy over 36 months with the right ownership clause. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.