It has been my experience that you get what you pay for. Good hardware is never the cheapest. One also has to consider the value of one's time in the cost equation. Whenever I have taken the low cost route, it has resulted in an outcome that required more of my time debugging, fighting with a vendor over a return, or just having to put in more effort to get the outcome that I wanted.
However, if you are willing to trade your effort for something that is innovative, risky, and maybe a lower $ cost, there are options. Take a look at ODrive Robotics. They have a device that turns a brushless DC motor into a servo.