The verdict in three sentences
A B2B marketplace is not a store: it's a financial platform that collects, splits and pays out to third-party vendors. In 2026, a custom starter costs 45,000-90,000 EUR; a SaaS base starts cheaper but caps out fast. Your decision hinges on a trade-off between time-to-market and control of commissions.
SaaS marketplace vs custom
| Criterion (2026) | SaaS (Sharetribe, Mirakl-like) | Custom |
|---|---|---|
| Launch cost | 8,000-25,000 EUR | 45,000-90,000 EUR |
| Monthly cost | 300-2,500 EUR + % GMV | infra 400-1,200 EUR |
| Commission on GMV | often taken by the vendor | 0% (you keep it all) |
| Personalisation | limited | full |
| Time to launch | 2-4 months | 5-10 months |
| Split/payout control | partial | full |
SaaS is ideal to validate the market fast. As GMV climbs, the vendor's commission becomes the item that pushes toward custom.
The commission revenue model
| Model element | 2026 range | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Platform commission rate | 5-20% of GMV | By B2B sector |
| Payment fees (PSP) | 1.4-2.9% + fixed | Pass on or absorb |
| Vendor payout frequency | weekly | B2B standard |
| Vendor subscription (option) | 20-200 EUR/month | Extra recurring revenue |
| KYC / vendor verification | 5-30 EUR/vendor | Mandatory compliance |
Split example: on a 10,000 EUR order at 12% commission, the platform keeps 1,200 EUR and pays out 8,800 EUR to the vendor, PSP fees deducted.
Mini case study
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Karim launches a B2B marketplace for industrial parts, targeting 40 vendors in year one and 2,000,000 EUR GMV. Custom at 75,000 EUR with a 12% average commission generates 240,000 EUR in annual commissions. After infra (~12,000 EUR/year) and maintenance (~30,000 EUR/year), the build is repaid in the first year. A SaaS would have launched faster but taken 5-10% of GMV, i.e. 100,000-200,000 EUR skimmed off.
FAQ
How much does a B2B marketplace cost in 2026? A custom starter costs 45,000-90,000 EUR; a SaaS base starts at 8,000-25,000 EUR but often takes a percentage of GMV.
How does the payment split work? The PSP (Stripe Connect, Mangopay) collects, keeps the platform commission and pays out the balance to the vendor. Budget 1.4-2.9% + fixed PSP fee per transaction.
Is vendor KYC mandatory? Yes, to pay money to third parties. Budget 5-30 EUR per verified vendor; it's a regulatory obligation, not an option.
What's the launch timeline? Expect 2-4 months on SaaS and 5-10 months custom, depending on the complexity of the split, payouts and moderation.
When should you move from SaaS to custom? When the SaaS vendor's commission exceeds the amortised cost of a build, generally above 1.5-2M EUR annual GMV.
Let's scope your project. Give us your sector, your target GMV and your intended commission rate, and we'll cost SaaS vs custom with the revenue model. 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.
