I was looking for a 5e character builder for our campaign since our DM has decided to transition to 5e.  I was making the character, until I found something missing, which leads me to my question, and I apologize if it's been asked before.

Why do I have to pay for content that is in the PHB, especially since I already own it?  I was looking for the character builder as a means to speed up and streamline the building process, but I am not looking to pay for content I already have access to.

In this specific instance I am referring to Warlock patrons other than "The Fiend."

I am sure there is a reason, I just wish to know what it is and I thank any who would indulge me.

Here you can find all the discussion about it.

In short, licensed content requires a payment no matter the shape and form of the content. Also, the work done and ongoing on this website (and mobile app) has a cost.

Check on the Marketplace the various options of purchase and the Master Tier Subscription, maybe there is something that it is more appealing to you.

Also, this website supports a homebrew system where you can replicate all the content for private use with no cost.

I appreciate that these things cost money to build and maintain, I really do.  Unfortunately I am a single player in a single casual group who subsists entirely on a monthly disability pension.  I can't afford to purchase the same content multiple times.  I also don't have the time to try to recreate everything via homebrew,, what with the doctor's and hospital visits all the time, this is why I was looking for a builder in the first place.

Thank you for your reply anyways.  I may still use the builder if what I want is within the basic rules in the future.

I agree with you entirely. It's kind of absurd that you can't even get a discount for owning a published hard-copy (not D&D Beyond's fault, that's entirely on wizards).

I recommend that you look towards MBMP's character generator PDF available for free on GitHub. It's ONLY a character-builder, but it's fast and extremely customizable (you can include/exclude any books of your choosing; add 3rd party content like Matt mercer's gunslinger easily; even modify them on the fly.) It's by far the best and most powerful character generator that I've come across.

If you like it, you can elect to support his work on patreon.

MPMB's sheet is SRD only, just like the free version of the builder on this site. You apparently can manually add features to that one, just like you can do here.

If you can add all of the source materials from all published sources with about 3 clicks (click the sources button, click add sources, copy URL into box, click "open"), and also get access to 3rd party content about as easily, by all means share the secret and I'll be happy to recommend D&D Beyond to my friends (and anyone else in earshot.)

My understanding is that it's quite a bit more difficult than that, however. Also, once MBMP character sheet is configured, you can click save and not worry about it (for the most part). If you come back 3 weeks later and decide you want to play a aasamir college of satire bard or a aakorcra sun-soul monk, you can do do that without sitting down and spending 20-60 minutes to "homebrew" a new class/race/subclass (read copy it verbatim out of a book...) and then the DM can also be reasonably sure that everything was copied right, so that's a plus.

Similarly, once you legally purchase the content on this site or input it via private homebrew it's just as simple, if not more so.

I haven't really played with either, but I do know that apparently there are some issues with the UI here that are on the roadmap to make more user-friendly. I know the currently input method is the same that the developers are using.

If MPMB's is easier, then I can't imagine that it's as complete as the one here. 

If MPMB's is easier, then I can't imagine that it's as complete as the one here. 

MPMB's is a blank sheet with drop-down menus. It LOOKS like a character sheet, so if you are used to filling out a character sheet, it's easy. Put your scores where they go, pick your race, pick your class (if you aren't sure about bonuses, hover and it lists your ASIs and relevant proficiency choices.) Fighting styles/class options are picked from a selector. Starting equipment can all be generated with a push of a button. I am constantly learning more and more how powerful it is as a tool, but newbs can also use it. I have yet to find any detail that is missing other than the ability to create homebrew classes quickly and easily. (MPMB will do that for you for a fee or you can print out a sheet and hand-write it) but that isn't what the OP wanted.

Similarly, once you legally purchase the content on this site or input it via private homebrew it's just as simple, if not more so.

A) the OP specifically said that he did not WANT to purchase the content again. He has already purchased it legally, and therefore can use it legally.

B) the legality of MPMB's solution is debatable in any case. As noted, the MPMB sheet is SRD only. The 3rd party  (open/community driven) content is hosted (by a third party) and, for the most part, the supreme court has ruled in the past that private performances have a great deal of latitude in this regard. MPMB is also not SELLING the sheet for a profit, so it's quite the grey area.

I used the MPMB sheet before this site launched, but that was also before the C&D, so I have no experience with adding content to it.

I don't think MPMB is doing anything illegal anymore, but if a 3rd party provides non-SRD content from the published books, that is illegal. If you own the books, then the legality of downloading the content is debatable, but the 3rd party providing that information to everyone is not.

Well, I seem to have sparked a bit of a debate.  For now I've been using a spreadsheet to track all of my stats, etc.  I have some experience with Excel from my college days, so that works well enough for now though I was not looking originally at spreadsheets.

I do appreciate the further advice though.