The verdict in three sentences
A custom B2B e-commerce platform costs between 45,000 and 110,000 EUR in 2026, versus 300 to 2,000 EUR/month for a market SaaS. Custom becomes profitable when you handle per-client negotiated pricing, a complex catalog, credit limits and an ERP integration that SaaS cannot cover without add-on fees. Below 500,000 EUR in annual online revenue, stay on a configurable platform; above it, custom gives you back control of your margin.
SaaS B2B vs custom: the 2026 ranges
The B2B market splits into two camps: specialized SaaS platforms (subscription-billed, often by order volume) and custom development (one-off cost + maintenance). Here are the 2026 orders of magnitude.
| Item | B2B SaaS | Custom |
|---|---|---|
| Initial setup | 3,000 - 15,000 EUR | 45,000 - 110,000 EUR |
| Monthly subscription | 300 - 2,000 EUR/mo | Hosting 150 - 600 EUR/mo |
| Maintenance / evolutions | Included (limited) | 800 - 2,500 EUR/mo |
| ERP customization | Quoted, 5,000 - 25,000 EUR | Included in scope |
| Code ownership | No (tenant) | Yes (asset) |
| Launch time | 6 - 10 weeks | 12 - 20 weeks |
SaaS wins on speed and entry price. Custom wins on asset ownership, no volume commission and full functional freedom.
The B2B features that drive the price
A B2B e-commerce site is not a consumer store with a different logo. Structural features weigh heavily on the quote.
| B2B feature | Complexity | 2026 order of magnitude |
|---|---|---|
| Per-client / negotiated price grid | High | 8,000 - 18,000 EUR |
| Online quote request | Medium | 4,000 - 9,000 EUR |
| Credit limits & client accounts | High | 6,000 - 14,000 EUR |
| Recurring / reorder purchasing | Medium | 3,500 - 8,000 EUR |
| ERP integration (stock, pricing, invoices) | Very high | 12,000 - 30,000 EUR |
| Multi-buyer accounts & approval flow | Medium | 5,000 - 11,000 EUR |
A project combining per-client pricing, credit limits and ERP mechanically exceeds 70,000 EUR. That is where SaaS shows its limits: each module becomes a billed option, and the 3-year total meets custom development.
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Mini case study
Marc, sales director of an industrial supplies wholesaler in Villeurbanne, generates 2.4M EUR revenue of which 30% could move online. On a B2B SaaS at 1,200 EUR/month + 15,000 EUR setup + 18,000 EUR ERP integration, his 3-year TCO reaches 76,200 EUR. A custom platform at 82,000 EUR + 1,500 EUR/month maintenance costs 136,000 EUR over 3 years — pricier on the surface. But the SaaS takes 0.4% on every order: on 720,000 EUR of online revenue that adds 8,640 EUR/year, or 25,920 EUR over 3 years, pushing SaaS to 102,000 EUR. Above 1M EUR in online revenue, custom becomes the better option and Marc keeps his asset.
FAQ
How much does a custom B2B e-commerce platform cost in 2026? Expect 45,000 to 110,000 EUR depending on catalog, negotiated pricing and ERP integration. A median project with per-client pricing and online quotes runs around 65,000 EUR.
At what volume does custom pay off? Generally above 1M EUR in annual online revenue, or as soon as SaaS volume commissions and ERP add-ons exceed 25,000 EUR/year.
Can we start with SaaS then migrate to custom? Yes, it is a prudent strategy. Budget 15,000 to 30,000 EUR for migration (data, catalog, client accounts) from the start to avoid lock-in.
Is ERP integration essential? For a wholesaler, yes: without stock/pricing/invoice sync, your teams re-enter data and errors cost more than the integration. It represents 15 to 30% of the budget.
How long to launch? Between 12 and 20 weeks for custom, versus 6 to 10 weeks for a configured SaaS. A working MVP can ship in 8 weeks to validate usage.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your catalog, order volume and ERP: we'll price a custom scope between 45,000 and 110,000 EUR with a migration plan. 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.
