The verdict in three sentences
A vertical accounting SaaS (25-55 EUR/user/month) starts fast but handles firm-specific compliance and reporting poorly. A custom-built platform hosted under your control (40,000-90,000 EUR) becomes profitable once local compliance and statutory filings structure the firm's work. The trade-off turns on compliance fit, vendor dependency and hours saved per staff member.
Vertical SaaS or custom: the cost lines
SaaS appeals through fast rollout, but its cost climbs with add-ons and it rarely covers bespoke statutory schedules natively. Custom fits your chart of accounts and lives on hosting you control. 2026 orders of magnitude for a 10-staff Dublin firm.
| Item | Vertical SaaS | Custom local |
|---|---|---|
| Build / initial license | 0 EUR (subscription) | 40,000-90,000 EUR |
| Monthly cost per user | 25-55 EUR | included in maintenance |
| Compliance + filings module | rarely native | 8,000-16,000 EUR |
| Monthly maintenance | included | 900-2,200 EUR |
| Vendor day rate | — | 500-700 EUR |
| Vendor dependency | high (lock-in) | low (you own it) |
| Time to go live | 3-6 weeks | 10-18 weeks |
The critical line is compliance fit: an ill-suited SaaS forces costly manual reworking, whereas a custom module produces statutory outputs directly.
Three-year comparison (10 staff)
| Scenario | Upfront | 3-year recurring | 3-year total |
|---|---|---|---|
| SaaS at 35 EUR/user | 0 EUR | 12,600 EUR | 12,600 EUR |
| SaaS at 55 EUR/user | 0 EUR | 19,800 EUR | 19,800 EUR |
| Custom 70,000 EUR + module 12,000 EUR | 82,000 EUR | 54,000 maintenance | 136,000 EUR |
In pure cash the SaaS stays cheaper, but it ignores lock-in and manual compliance rework. Once you value automated compliance and low vendor dependency, custom holds up beyond 8-10 staff.
Mini case study
Mr. Walsh, partner at a 10-staff Dublin accounting firm, is tired of manual compliance rework and a SaaS bill that grows with each add-on. He invests 70,000 EUR in a custom platform with a compliance + filings module (12,000 EUR) and 1,500 EUR/month maintenance. Each staff member saves 3 hours a week producing statements. At a loaded cost of 35 EUR/hour that is 10 × 3 × 35 × 45 weeks = 47,250 EUR/year of recovered capacity, before counting reduced compliance risk. The investment pays back in around three years, compliance included.
FAQ
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Does a vertical SaaS handle bespoke compliance?
Rarely natively. Most force manual rework to produce statutory schedules, which cancels part of the time saving.
Why does vendor dependency matter?
A SaaS with limited export and per-user pricing locks you in; a custom platform you own removes that dependency and the renewal price ratchet.
What does the custom compliance module cost?
Between 8,000 and 16,000 EUR depending on filings covered (statutory schedules, VAT, financial statements). It is the key compliance line.
How long for custom software in Dublin?
From 10 to 18 weeks depending on scope. Clear scoping shortens it and firms up the quote.
Is custom worth it over 3 years?
In pure cash the SaaS stays cheaper, but automated compliance and low vendor dependency tip the balance toward custom beyond 8-10 staff.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your headcount, compliance needs and filings: we will cost out the SaaS-vs-custom scenario with hosting you control, indicative budget 40,000-90,000 EUR by scope. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
