The verdict in three sentences
In Dublin in 2026, a health SaaS bills 129 to 349 EUR/month/practitioner, while a proprietary application costs 55,000 to 140,000 EUR amortised. The break-even for custom generally sits between 6 and 9 practitioners over a five-year horizon, maintenance included. The real question is not the monthly price but the exit cost: leaving a SaaS after five years can mean weeks of migrating data out of proprietary formats.
Five-year TCO: SaaS vs custom
Let us compare total cost of ownership for a multidisciplinary clinic by practitioner count.
| Practitioners | SaaS at 249 EUR/month (5 yrs) | Custom 90,000 EUR + 16 % maint. (5 yrs) |
|---|---|---|
| 3 practitioners | 44,820 EUR | 162,000 EUR |
| 6 practitioners | 89,640 EUR | 162,000 EUR |
| 9 practitioners | 134,460 EUR | 162,000 EUR |
| 12 practitioners | 179,280 EUR | 162,000 EUR |
| 18 practitioners | 268,920 EUR | 162,000 EUR |
From 10 to 12 practitioners, the proprietary app becomes clearly cheaper over five years while removing vendor dependence.
Build vs buy: beyond price
Monthly cost is not the whole story. Data lock-in and business customisation weigh heavily on the decision.
| Criterion | Health SaaS (buy) | Custom (build) |
|---|---|---|
| Entry cost | Low (129-349 EUR/month) | High (55,000-140,000 EUR) |
| Timeline | 2 to 4 weeks | 12 to 20 weeks |
| Customisation | Limited options | Unlimited |
| Data ownership | Vendor | You |
| Exit cost | High (closed formats) | Zero |
| GDPR compliance | Handled by vendor | Your responsibility (hosting included) |
| Regulatory updates | Automatic | Maintenance 14-18 %/yr |
Mini case study
Dr Antoine Walsh, managing partner of an 11-practitioner multidisciplinary clinic in Dublin, pays 249 EUR/month/practitioner, i.e. 32,868 EUR/year and 164,340 EUR over five years. A proprietary app at 90,000 EUR, with 16 % maintenance (14,400 EUR/year), costs 90,000 + 5 × 14,400 = 162,000 EUR over five years. The gross gap is small (2,340 EUR), but the clinic owns its tool and removes any exit cost estimated at 8,000-15,000 EUR on migration.
FAQ
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From how many practitioners is custom worth it?
Between 6 and 9 practitioners depending on the SaaS price, custom becomes competitive over five years. Beyond 10, the gap widens clearly in its favour.
What is the exit cost of a health SaaS?
Migrating data out of proprietary formats often costs 8,000 to 15,000 EUR and several weeks. It is a hidden cost rarely quantified in the decision.
Does custom handle GDPR compliance?
Yes, provided it includes certified health-data hosting and access governance. These constraints are built into the quote.
How much is the proprietary app in Dublin in 2026?
Between 55,000 and 140,000 EUR depending on modules and interoperability, with maintenance at 14 to 18 %/year.
How long to deliver a custom build?
Expect 12 to 20 weeks versus 2 to 4 weeks to activate a SaaS. Custom takes longer but fits your processes exactly.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your practitioner count, your current SaaS and its monthly cost, and we will compute your build-vs-buy 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.
