The verdict in three sentences
Custom software is paid once (order of magnitude 1.5M FCFA) and is yours; a SaaS is rented for life (~25,000 FCFA/month) but starts in a few days. On cost alone, break-even sits around 60 months — five years. The right decision is not settled there: it depends on the customization you need, data ownership and vendor lock-in risk.
The 3-year total cost calculation
Think in total cost of ownership (TCO), not sticker price. Here is the 2026 order of magnitude for an SME.
| Item (over 3 years) | Custom | SaaS |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | 1,500,000 FCFA | 0 |
| Subscription (36 months) | 0 | 900,000 FCFA |
| Maintenance / changes | ~450,000 FCFA | included |
| Customization | full | limited |
| 3-year TCO | ~1,950,000 FCFA | ~900,000 FCFA |
| Code ownership | yes | no |
Over 3 years the SaaS is cheaper; it is beyond that, and on specific needs, that custom regains the edge.
Beyond price: the criteria that decide
| Criterion | Choose custom if... | Choose SaaS if... |
|---|---|---|
| Process | atypical, competitive edge | market standard |
| Horizon | use > 5 years | immediate need, trial |
| Data | sovereignty critical | acceptable at vendor |
| Integrations | Wave/OM + internal tools | standard connectors suffice |
| Dependence | you want control | you accept lock-in |
| Cash | capex possible | prefer monthly opex |
A hybrid often wins: start on a SaaS to validate the need, then move to custom once volume and specificity justify it.
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Mini case study
Fatou runs a 12-person SME in Dakar. A SaaS at 25,000 FCFA/month costs 900,000 FCFA over 3 years and 1.5M FCFA over 5 years — past the custom break-even of 1.5M FCFA (excluding maintenance). Because her invoicing process is atypical and she wants to plug in Wave and her internal stock, she chooses custom: owner of the code, no subscription hikes, and an app that fits her business exactly. The upfront premium is absorbed by year five, with an asset to show for it.
FAQ
When does custom become worthwhile? At break-even, around 60 months against a SaaS at 25,000 FCFA/month. If you plan to use the tool for over five years, or the SaaS does not cover your process, custom wins sooner.
Isn't SaaS safer? It is faster to start and maintained by the vendor, but you depend on its pricing policy and longevity. Custom removes that dependence at the price of an upfront investment.
Can you migrate from SaaS to custom? Yes, and it is a healthy strategy: validate the need on a SaaS for 12 to 18 months, then build a tailored app once the business rules are stable.
Who owns the data? With custom, you own the code and host data where you want. With SaaS, the data lives at the vendor; always check the export clause before signing.
What budget for a custom business app? 2026 order of magnitude: from 400,000 FCFA (simple ledger) to 2,000,000 FCFA (full CRM), depending on modules and integrations.
Let's talk about your project. We'll lay out your build-vs-buy math and 3-year TCO within 48 hours, jargon-free. 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.
