The verdict in three sentences
A custom multi-vendor B2B marketplace in Dubai costs USD 70,000-200,000 over 18-28 weeks, versus Sharetribe or Mirakl licences. The heart of the model is not the build but the commission economics (5-20 %), split-payment automation and vendor payouts. At low GMV a SaaS is enough; custom pays off when volume and margin carry it, with a break-even estimated around USD 3M GMV.
Custom vs SaaS marketplace: the 2026 costs
A marketplace adds to e-commerce the vendor onboarding, moderation, KYC, payment split and automatic payouts.
| Item | Custom (USD) | Sharetribe | Mirakl |
|---|---|---|---|
| Build / setup | 70,000 - 200,000 | 5,000 - 20,000 | 40,000 - 100,000 |
| Recurring cost | Maintenance ~15 %/yr | 300-1,500/mo | % of GMV |
| Payment split | Custom | Stripe Connect | Native |
| Vendor KYC | Custom | Add-on | Included |
| Timeline | 18 - 28 wks | 6 - 12 wks | 12 - 20 wks |
| Ownership | Full | Limited | None |
Sharetribe accelerates an MVP launch; Mirakl targets enterprise; custom gives full control over commission and experience.
Commission economics and break-even
The marketplace lives on its commission on GMV. Here is the impact at different volumes (estimate, 2026 order of magnitude).
| Annual GMV | Commission 10 % | Platform cost/yr | Net margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| USD 1M | 100,000 | ~35,000 | 65,000 |
| USD 3M | 300,000 | ~55,000 | 245,000 |
| USD 5M | 500,000 | ~70,000 | 430,000 |
| USD 10M | 1,000,000 | ~110,000 | 890,000 |
With a custom build at USD 130,000, break-even is reached around USD 3M GMV at 10 % commission: beyond that, each commission point falls almost entirely to margin.
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Mini case study
Omar, founder of a B2B construction-materials marketplace in Dubai, targets USD 3M GMV in year one with 60 vendors and a 10 % commission, i.e. USD 300,000 in platform revenue. He invests USD 130,000 in a custom build with split payment (Stripe Connect / Telr), vendor KYC and automatic weekly payouts. After operating costs (~USD 55,000/year), his net margin sits near USD 245,000 in year 1: the build pays back in under seven months, and full control lets him tune commission by category to maximise GMV.
FAQ
What does a B2B marketplace cost in Dubai in 2026? USD 70,000-200,000 custom depending on multi-vendor scope, KYC and payment split. A solid MVP lands around USD 120,000-140,000.
Sharetribe, Mirakl or custom? Sharetribe to launch an MVP fast, Mirakl for enterprise with a large catalogue, custom for full control of commission and experience above USD 3M GMV.
How does payment split work? The buyer's payment is automatically split between vendor and platform via Stripe Connect or a local PSP; commission is taken before the vendor payout.
What commission rate should I target? Between 5 and 20 % by sector and value added; 10 % is common in B2B, adjustable by category to balance volume and margin.
When is custom profitable? Around USD 3M GMV at 10 % commission, the custom build reaches break-even and beats a SaaS percentage that grows with volume.
Let's scope your project. Give us your target GMV, vendor count and commission model: we cost build vs Sharetribe/Mirakl and your break-even. 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.
