The verdict in three sentences
An admin manager of a Singapore SME who automates data entry via AI/OCR saves 50 hours per month and reaches 95% extraction accuracy. An AI OCR API costs 0.01 to 0.05 EUR/page; a custom integration project costs 15,000 to 38,000 EUR. ROI lands between 10 and 15 months, with a 60% reduction in entry errors.
API cost or custom project: the 2026 comparison
The raw API is enough to test; the custom project embeds extraction into your accounting workflow and handles edge cases.
| Criterion | AI OCR API only | Custom integration project |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per page | 0.01 to 0.05 EUR | included in project |
| Project cost | 0 (internal dev) | 15,000 to 38,000 EUR |
| Timeline | a few days | 6 to 10 weeks |
| Extraction accuracy | 85 to 92% | 95% and above |
| Accounting/ERP integration | to build | included |
| Exception handling | manual | validation workflow |
| Supported formats | standard | invoices, POs, slips |
Volume and gains by document count
The variable cost depends directly on the monthly volume of documents processed.
| Monthly volume | API cost (0.03 EUR/page) | Entry time saved | Value saved (25 EUR/h) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 500 documents | 15 EUR | 15 h | 375 EUR |
| 1,500 documents | 45 EUR | 40 h | 1,000 EUR |
| 3,000 documents | 90 EUR | 50 h | 1,250 EUR |
| 6,000 documents | 180 EUR | 95 h | 2,375 EUR |
| 10,000 documents | 300 EUR | 150 h | 3,750 EUR |
Mini case study
Elodie, admin manager of a 40-employee construction SME in Singapore, processes 3,000 supplier invoices per month, all entered by hand. She invests 26,000 EUR in an AI/OCR project integrated into her accounting. Variable cost: 90 EUR/month of API. Result: 50 h/month saved (~1,250 EUR), 95% accuracy, entry errors down 60% (fewer supplier rejects and disputes). The net monthly gain is around 1,160 EUR; the project pays back in 13 months.
FAQ
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How much does AI OCR cost per page in 2026?
Between 0.01 and 0.05 EUR per page depending on provider and volume. For 3,000 documents/month at 0.03 EUR, that's 90 EUR/month.
What budget for a custom extraction project?
Expect 15,000 to 38,000 EUR to integrate AI/OCR into your accounting with a validation workflow, in 6 to 10 weeks.
What accuracy can be reached?
A well-configured project reaches 95% accuracy or more on key fields (amount, date, supplier, VAT). Ambiguous cases are flagged for review.
How much time is saved on data entry?
Up to 50 hours per month for a volume of 3,000 documents, by removing manual entry and reducing corrections.
How long until it pays back?
Between 10 and 15 months depending on your document volume and the hourly cost of your admin team.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your monthly document volume and accounting software: we'll price an AI/OCR project with a validation workflow. 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.
