Short answer: yes, it is expensive sugar.
Longer answer: the type of sugar matters, but only when you approach the limits of what your body can absorb in a given time. So if you’re pushing limits in a long race, it’s worth investing in a 2:1 glucose:fructose mix ratio. For shorter efforts, just sugar is fine imo.
The other aspect is taste and convenience. Just sugar in water just doesn’t taste like gatorate.
If you want a cheaper alternative, there are a couple of threads on here about mixing your own, for example
https://www.trainerroad.com/forum/t/make-sis-beta-fuel-your-self-just-a-few-pence-per-bottle/16117/24