a/the poor man's version of (someone or something)

An inferior substitute or replacement for the actual or genuine person or thing, especially one that is less expensive. The local artist is basically the poor man's version of Jackson Pollack, utilizing the same distinctive style without any of the same creative brilliance. The movie may be a poor man's version of The Terminator, but it's a satisfying sci-fi action film in its own right. Yeah, taste-wise, it's the poor man's version of crème brûlée, but the fact that you can make it so easily is a huge plus.