With Lay Theme you pay once for the theme and only for webhosting. With most alternatives, you keep paying every month forever — on average 82% more over 5 years. Here’s what you’d pay:
| Option | One-time | Per Month | 1-Year Total | 5-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lay Theme Single + Netcup Webhosting 1000 | €59 | €2.26 | ~€86 | ~€195 |
| Framer Basic | €0 | ~€9 | ~€108 | ~€540 |
| Squarespace Basic | €0 | ~€15 | ~€180 | ~€900 |
| Wix Premium | €0 | ~€17 | ~€204 | ~€1,020 |
| Squarespace Core | €0 | ~€21 | ~€252 | ~€1,260 |
| Framer Pro | €0 | ~€28 | ~€336 | ~€1,680 |
| Option | One-time | Per Month | 1-Year Total | 5-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lay Theme Pro + Netcup Webhosting 2000 | €89 | €3.39 | ~€130 | ~€292 |
| Framer Basic × 3 | €0 | ~€28 | ~€336 | ~€1,680 |
| Squarespace Basic × 3 | €0 | ~€45 | ~€540 | ~€2,700 |
| Wix Premium × 3 | €0 | ~€51 | ~€612 | ~€3,060 |
| Squarespace Core × 3 | €0 | ~€64 | ~€772 | ~€3,860 |
| Framer Pro × 3 | €0 | ~€84 | ~€1,008 | ~€5,040 |
| Option | One-time | Per Month | 1-Year Total | 5-Year Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lay Theme Studio + Netcup Webhosting 8000 | €219 | €11.07 | ~€352 | ~€883 |
| Framer Basic × 10 | €0 | ~€93 | ~€1,120 | ~€5,600 |
| Squarespace Basic × 10 | €0 | ~€149 | ~€1,800 | ~€9,000 |
| Wix Premium × 10 | €0 | ~€170 | ~€2,040 | ~€10,200 |
| Squarespace Core × 10 | €0 | ~€214 | ~€2,580 | ~€12,900 |
| Framer Pro × 10 | €0 | ~€280 | ~€3,360 | ~€16,800 |
Approximate prices in EUR. Toggle "19% VAT" for German pricing. Other EU countries may have different VAT rates added at checkout — this applies to both Lay Theme and the webhosting cost shown. Webhosting prices are Netcup — one of the few webhosts without hidden price increases after the first year. The 3 Websites scenario uses Netcup Webhosting 2000 (3 domains), the 10 Websites scenario uses Netcup Webhosting 8000 (12 domains, 1 TB SSD) — one plan can host all your sites.
If you have purchased a License already, you can upgrade it to a Pro- or Studio License.
Do you offer refunds?
Yes! Within 2 weeks disable your License Key in "Lay Options" → "License Key" and just write an email to info@laytheme.com.
How do I install Lay Theme?
After you have purchased a license you will receive a download link and a license key. If you have not received a license key please write an email to info@laytheme.com.
To install Lay Theme you need your own webspace that runs WordPress. Please head to Installation to find out more.
Which Webhosting should I get?
We recommend these webhosts because they work well with WordPress: Netcup (budget, choose server location in USA, Germany or Austria, no hidden price increases) or Kinsta (premium managed WordPress). We are affiliates of these.
Why not just use Squarespace, Framer or Wix?
Squarespace, Framer and Wix charge you every month forever. Lay Theme is a one-time purchase — you only pay for webhosting after that.
Over 5 years, building one portfolio website costs about €195 with Lay Theme + Netcup webhosting, vs. about €900 with Squarespace Basic or €1,680 with Framer Pro. The longer you run your website, the bigger the difference.
You also keep full ownership and control of your site. You can move it to any webhost any time, install any WordPress plugin, and modify the code. With Squarespace, Framer or Wix your site lives inside their walled garden — if you ever leave, migration is painful or impossible.
Where do I get the invoice?
After your purchase you will receive an email with the invoice attached.
Does Lay Theme support Shop/WooCommerce?
Yes, take a look at the Shop Setup.
Does Lay Theme have all the features I need?
Please take a look at the Documentation where I explain every important Lay Theme feature.
Does it have blog/news posts functionality?
Is Lay Theme up to date?
Since 2015 we released an update at least once a month as you can see in Version History.
Can I use Lay Theme without paying for a webhost?
Yes, you can install WordPress locally on your computer using Local WP. Your website won't be online though.
Can I use third party WordPress plugins?
Yes! If one doesn't work with Lay Theme, just post in the Forum.
If a plugin doesn't work, in "Lay Options" → "Other", activate "Enable Content Filter" and/or "Disable Ajax / Compatibility Mode".
Can I modify Lay Theme’s code?
You cannot modify Lay Theme’s code and it is not "child theme" compatible.
However, there are admin panel fields for custom HTML, custom CSS and custom <head> content. You can insert your own JavaScript and use Lay Theme’s JavaScript Events. This way you can execute your own JavaScript on any page of a Lay Theme website.
You can also add your own PHP code with the Code Snippets plugin — it lets you add PHP snippets through the WordPress admin without editing theme files.
Does Lay Theme support Multilanguage?
Yes, with the plugin qTranslate-XT or Polylang. See how it works here.
Is there a standalone version of the Gridder?
Yes, get it on laygridder.com.
I have another question.
You can find answers in the Documentation or in the Forum. If you have a different question, found a bug or have an idea for Lay Theme let me know in the Forum.