Token Launch Cost 2026: The Complete Platform Comparison
Launching a token involves multiple cost layers beyond the initial fee. This guide compares the total expense for 2026 across major platforms like Spawned, Pump.fun, Ethereum L2s, and all-in-one SaaS tools. We detail the upfront launch fee, ongoing creator revenue, holder rewards, and essential hidden costs like website hosting and smart contract deployment.
- •Spawned charges 0.1 SOL (~$20) to launch + includes an AI website builder, saving $29-99/month.
- •Pump.fun has a 0 SOL launch fee but takes 100% of the 0.3% creator fee, offering no ongoing revenue.
- •Ethereum L2 launches can cost $500+ in gas and contract deployment, plus monthly tool subscriptions.
- •The true cost includes perpetual fees: Spawned uses Token-2022 for 1% fees post-graduation; others may take more.
- •Always factor in holder rewards: Spawned shares 0.30% of trades with holders; most competitors do not.
Quick Comparison
The Bottom Line for 2026 Launches
The cheapest launch isn't always the most affordable project.
For crypto creators prioritizing long-term sustainability and community alignment, Spawned offers the most balanced cost structure for 2026. While the 0.1 SOL (~$20) launch fee isn't the absolute cheapest, it includes a professional AI website builder—a tool that costs $29-99/month on other platforms. More importantly, Spawned's 0.30% creator revenue share and 0.30% holder reward model build a sustainable project economy. Competitors with 'free' launches often recoup costs by taking all trading fees or locking you into expensive external services.
If your only goal is to mint a token with zero upfront cash, platforms like Pump.fun exist. However, for building a real project with a website, fair tokenomics, and a rewarded community, Spawned's all-in-one package provides greater value and lower long-term costs. Explore our launch process to see how it works.
Solana Launchpad Cost Breakdown (2026)
Upfront fees are just one part of the equation.
Solana launchpads dominate the low-cost, high-speed niche. Here’s how the numbers compare for a standard token launch.
| Platform | Launch Fee | Creator Fee on Trades | Holder Rewards? | Website/Builder Cost | Post-Graduation Fee Model |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spawned | 0.1 SOL (~$20) | 0.30% (goes to creator) | Yes, 0.30% | Included (AI Builder) | 1% via Token-2022 |
| Pump.fun | 0 SOL | 0% (platform keeps 0.3% fee) | No | $29-99+/month externally | Varies; often higher |
| Other Solana Pads | 0.5 - 2 SOL | 0.1% - 0.5% | Rarely | Extra cost | Usually 2-5% |
Key Takeaway: Spawned's model is designed for creator profitability. The 0.30% creator fee is revenue you keep, not a cost you pay. The included AI builder directly saves $350-$1200+ in the first year alone.
The Hidden Costs of Ethereum & L2 Launches
Launching on Ethereum Layer 2s (like Arbitrum, Base) or other EVM chains is often marketed as 'low-cost,' but the total price can surprise creators. The launch fee on a platform is just the beginning.
First, you must deploy your smart contract. On an L2, this can still cost $50-$200 in gas fees. More complex contracts cost more. Then, you need a website. Using a no-code tool like our alternative to Adalo or Webflow adds a $15-$50/month subscription. You'll likely need analytics and marketing tools, each with their own monthly fee.
Finally, most Ethereum-based launch services take a percentage of your token supply (2-10%) or charge high protocol fees on every transaction (1%+). When you add the $500+ in initial deployment and setup, plus hundreds in annual subscriptions, the 'low-cost' L2 launch often exceeds $1000 in year one. Spawned consolidates these costs into one low fee and shares ongoing revenue back with you.
How to Calculate Your True Total Launch Cost
Follow these steps to avoid budget surprises:
- List All Required Components: Token contract, launch platform, website, liquidity pool, marketing pages, community tools.
- Identify Upfront (One-Time) Costs:
- Launch platform fee (e.g., 0.1 SOL on Spawned).
- Smart contract deployment gas (can be $0 on integrated Solana pads, $200+ on L2s).
- Initial graphic design or branding.
- Identify Recurring (Monthly/Annual) Costs:
- Website hosting & builder subscription ($0 with Spawned AI builder, otherwise $29+).
- Community tool subscriptions (Discord bots, analytics).
- Platform revenue share: Is the trading fee a cost (you pay it) or revenue (you earn it)?
- Identify Post-Launch & Graduation Costs:
- Fee to migrate to a DEX (often 1-2% of liquidity).
- Perpetual protocol fees on trades (e.g., Spawned's 1% via Token-2022).
- Add Holder Incentive Costs: Does the model reward holders (like Spawned's 0.30%)? If not, you may need to fund this separately via buybacks or airdrops.
Example: A launch on a 'free' platform + external website builder + basic tools = $0 upfront but ~$600 in year-one recurring costs. Spawned = $20 upfront, $0 in builder fees, and you earn revenue from day one.
Beyond the Launch Fee: 3 Cost Factors Creators Miss
The launch fee is visible. These other costs determine your project's financial health.
- Ongoing Revenue vs. Expense: Is the trading fee (often 0.3%) your income or a platform cost? On Pump.fun, it's 100% a cost (you get 0%). On Spawned, it's 100% revenue (you keep 0.30%). This difference can amount to thousands of dollars as volume grows.
- Holder Reward Sustainability: Funding holder rewards from your pocket is unsustainable. Spawned's built-in 0.30% reward pool distributes value automatically, a cost saved on manual buybacks or expensive airdrop campaigns.
- Tool Consolidation: Paying for separate website builders, no-code databases (like an Airtable alternative), and analytics platforms creates subscription sprawl. An all-in-one platform like Spawned eliminates 3-4 separate SaaS bills.
Spawned vs. Common Alternatives: Cost Over 12 Months
A simple fee comparison doesn't tell the full story.
Let's project the cost of running a successful token project for one year, assuming $10,000 in daily trading volume after launch.
| Cost Category | Spawned | Pump.fun + External Tools | Ethereum L2 + Full Stack |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launch Fee | $20 (0.1 SOL) | $0 | $200 (gas + fee) |
| Website/Builder (12 mo.) | $0 (Included) | $468 ($39/mo avg) | $468 ($39/mo avg) |
| Creator Fee Impact | +$1,095 (0.30% revenue) | -$1,095 (0.3% cost) | Varies (often a cost) |
| Estimated Holder Rewards | Automated (0.30% pool) | Cost to Creator ($0) | Cost to Creator ($0) |
| Other Tools (12 mo.) | Minimal (integrated) | ~$300 | ~$600 |
| Projected Year 1 Total | Net Positive | ~$1,863 Cost | ~$1,268+ Cost |
Calculation: $10,000 daily volume * 0.003 fee * 365 days = $10,950 in total fees. Spawned creator gets 0.30% ($1,095), Pump.fun model costs creator that amount.
This shows how a platform's economic model is more important than its initial price tag.
Ready to Launch with Transparent, Creator-First Pricing?
Stop comparing hidden fees and fragmented costs. Spawned provides a complete launch solution for a predictable 0.1 SOL, giving you the tools to build and a sustainable economic model to grow.
- Launch your token with a professional website in minutes.
- Start earning 0.30% creator revenue from the first trade.
- Automatically reward your holders with 0.30% of every transaction.
Start Your Launch for 0.1 SOL and see the full cost breakdown before you commit.
Still evaluating? Compare Spawned to other web3 builders to make an informed decision.
Related Topics
Frequently Asked Questions
The 0.1 SOL fee covers the token launch and access to the AI website builder. There are no hidden platform fees. However, you must provide initial liquidity for your token, which is a standard cost on any decentralized exchange. After your token 'graduates' to a full DEX, the Token-2022 standard enables a 1% fee on transactions, which is common for sustaining projects post-launch.
Pump.fun uses a bonding curve model where early buyers fund the initial liquidity pool. They do not charge an upfront fee, but they retain 100% of the 0.3% transaction fee that is typically shared with creators on other platforms. This means creators generate no direct revenue from trading activity on Pump.fun, making the platform's cost effectively a 0.3% tax on all volume.
A creator fee is a small percentage (commonly 0.1-0.6%) taken from every token trade. The key difference is who receives it. On Spawned, the creator (you) earns the 0.30% as revenue. On many other platforms, the platform itself keeps this fee as its primary source of income. Always check if a listed 'fee' is an income source for you or an expense paid to the platform.
Holder rewards are a portion of trading fees distributed to people who hold your token. Spawned automatically allocates 0.30% of every trade to this reward pool. If a platform doesn't offer this, you must fund holder incentives manually through buybacks or airdrops, which is a significant out-of-pocket cost. Built-in rewards are a major long-term cost savings for project sustainability.
Post-graduation, your token moves to a decentralized exchange like Raydium. Standard costs include DEX liquidity provider fees and any perpetual protocol fees encoded in your token. With Spawned's Token-2022 integration, a 1% fee is applied to all post-graduation trades to support the project treasury. This is a common model to fund ongoing development, unlike platforms that may take higher, ongoing percentages without clear utility.
Yes, significantly. A comparable no-code website builder with hosting, a custom domain, and Web3 integrations typically costs between $29 and $99 per month. Over a 12-month project lifecycle, that's a savings of $348 to $1,188. This makes Spawned's 0.1 SOL (~$20) effective cost negative when you factor in the avoided subscription expense.
There is no extra charge to use the Token-2022 standard at launch. It is part of Spawned's integrated stack. The standard enables advanced features like the 1% post-graduation fee and transfer hooks. The only potential 'cost' is the 1% fee itself on trades after graduation, which is a deliberate economic design to provide perpetual funding for your project, replacing the need for aggressive token selling by the team.
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