The verdict in three sentences
A B2B SaaS (200 to 800 EUR/month) is enough when your pricing rules are simple and volumes modest; the moment you manage per-customer pricing, multi-buyer accounts and ERP integration, custom becomes profitable. In 2026, a custom-built B2B ecommerce platform costs 40,000 to 120,000 EUR depending on the number of modules and ERP sync complexity. The real math isn't the entry price but the 3-year TCO measured against average order value and sales time saved.
B2B SaaS vs custom: what you actually pay
SaaS suites (BigCommerce B2B, Shopify Plus B2B, Sana, Intershop) launch fast but charge for every advanced feature and connector. Custom flips the logic: heavier upfront investment, controlled recurring costs and zero functional limits.
| Criterion | B2B SaaS | Custom |
|---|---|---|
| Initial cost | 3,000 - 15,000 EUR (setup) | 40,000 - 120,000 EUR |
| Monthly subscription | 200 - 800 EUR | 0 (hosting 80 - 300 EUR) |
| Per-customer pricing | Limited / add-on | Unlimited, native |
| ERP integration | Paid connector | Custom, bidirectional |
| Multi-buyer accounts | Basic | Roles, approval workflows |
| UX customization | Constrained theme | Total |
| 3-year TCO | 25,000 - 45,000 EUR | 55,000 - 135,000 EUR |
The modules that drive the price
A B2B platform isn't a catalog: it's a selling tool that reproduces your commercial terms. Here are the line items that weigh most in a 2026 quote.
| Module | 2026 range (EUR) | Business impact |
|---|---|---|
| Per-account pricing and discounts | 6,000 - 14,000 | Loyalty, protected margin |
| Quick order (SKU/CSV) | 4,000 - 9,000 | Reorder 3x faster |
| Multi-buyer accounts + approval | 5,000 - 12,000 | Customer budget control |
| Real-time ERP integration | 10,000 - 30,000 | Reliable stock and prices |
| Online quoting and negotiation | 5,000 - 11,000 | Shorter sales cycle |
| Order/invoice tracking portal | 4,000 - 10,000 | Fewer support calls |
Mini case study
Laurent, sales director of an industrial components maker in Saint-Étienne, manages 380 professional customers with different pricing grids. His reps spend 40% of their time keying in orders received by email. He invests 68,000 EUR in a custom platform with per-account pricing, quick order and a link to his Sage ERP.
Result after 12 months: 55% of orders shift online, freeing the equivalent of 1.4 sales FTE (≈ 52,000 EUR/year) redeployed to prospecting. Online average order value rises 12% thanks to reorder suggestions. Return on investment is reached in 17 months, before even counting the drop in data-entry errors.
FAQ
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Isn't a B2B SaaS enough to start?
If your prices are uniform and your catalog small, yes. But past 3-4 pricing grids and an ERP integration, SaaS add-ons push the bill to 600-1,200 EUR/month, and you stay locked on UX.
How long to deliver a custom platform?
Expect 12 to 22 weeks in 2026 depending on modules. ERP integration is often the critical path: budget 4 to 8 weeks just for price/stock sync.
Is custom really cheaper long term?
Over 3 years, yes, if your volumes justify it: above ≈ 500,000 EUR of online revenue, custom TCO typically drops below an add-on-heavy SaaS.
How do I measure ROI?
Track three metrics: share of online orders, sales time saved and average-order-value growth. A combined 10-15% gain on those axes pays the project back in 15-20 months.
Can we deliver in phases to smooth the budget?
Yes. We often launch a core (catalog + per-account pricing + quick order) at 35,000-50,000 EUR, then add ERP and online quoting in phase 2.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your customer count, pricing grids and ERP, and we'll price a custom core and its roadmap. 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.
