The verdict in three sentences
For a 900-employee mid-sized company, a custom e-learning platform costs between 45,000 and 90,000 EUR excluding VAT, SCORM and xAPI compatible, with role-based learning paths and the reporting auditors expect. Against a licence at 7 EUR per learner per month, break-even comes at around 26 months, after which savings exceed 30,000 EUR a year. Custom is justified mainly when your paths are specific (industrial safety, certifications, multi-site onboarding) and you want to own your skills data.
LMS licence or proprietary platform: 2026 figures
Most SaaS LMS vendors bill per active learner. In a mid-sized company, not everyone is active every month: we assume an average of 600 billed learners here.
| Item | Off-the-shelf SaaS LMS | Custom platform |
|---|---|---|
| Initial investment | 3,000 to 8,000 EUR setup | 45,000 to 90,000 EUR |
| Monthly cost (600 active learners) | 4,200 EUR (7 EUR x 600) | 1,200 to 1,800 EUR hosting and maintenance |
| Annual recurring cost | 50,400 EUR | 14,400 to 21,600 EUR |
| Cumulative 3-year cost | 154,000 to 159,000 EUR | 88,000 to 155,000 EUR |
| Cumulative 5-year cost | 255,000 to 260,000 EUR | 117,000 to 198,000 EUR |
| Ownership of data and code | Vendor | Company |
| Learning path customisation | Limited to available options | Complete |
Features and budget per module
| Module | Content | Indicative 2026 cost (EUR excl. VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| Core LMS | Catalogue, enrolments, SCORM 1.2 and 2004 player, quizzes | 15,000 to 25,000 |
| xAPI and LRS | Fine-grained activity tracking, field training, simulators | 6,000 to 12,000 |
| Role-based paths | Assignment rules by job, site, seniority, prerequisites | 6,000 to 14,000 |
| SSO and HRIS | Microsoft Entra ID login, Workday, Lucca or SAP SuccessFactors sync | 5,000 to 12,000 |
| Certifications and refreshers | Forklift, electrical, first aid deadlines, manager alerts | 4,000 to 9,000 |
| HR reporting and audit | Completion rates, PDF certificates, works council exports | 4,000 to 8,000 |
| Virtual and in-person classes | Teams or Zoom integration, digital attendance sheets | 5,000 to 10,000 |
| Total | 45,000 to 90,000 |
Typical timeline: 4 to 6 months, including a pilot on one site or job family from month three. In London, the same scope is usually billed at 70,000 to 140,000 GBP, i.e. 80,000 to 160,000 EUR, which makes development in France or francophone nearshore more competitive.
What about public training funding?
To be precise: in France, OPCO training funds do not pay for building the platform itself. For a 900-employee company, pooled OPCO funds are limited and mostly target firms under 50 employees, apprenticeships and schemes such as Pro-A. Distance learning delivered through your platform can, however, be part of your skills development plan, and external Qualiopi-certified providers can upload their SCORM modules. The platform must then produce the required evidence: login time, assessment results, completion certificates. UK employers face similar logic with the Apprenticeship Levy, which funds training rather than software.
Mini case study
Claire, training manager at a 900-employee industrial company, pays 4,200 EUR per month for 600 active learners on an off-the-shelf LMS. She launches a custom platform for 70,000 EUR with SSO, role-based paths and certification management. Running costs are 1,500 EUR per month. Monthly savings are therefore 2,700 EUR, and the project pays back in 26 months (70,000 / 2,700). Over 5 years, Claire saves about 92,000 EUR, not counting the 6 hours a month saved on manually tracking forklift refreshers.
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FAQ
How much does a custom e-learning platform cost for a mid-sized company?
Between 45,000 and 90,000 EUR excluding VAT depending on integrations (SSO, HRIS, xAPI) and path complexity. Running costs are then 1,200 to 1,800 EUR per month.
When does custom beat a licence?
With 600 active learners at 7 EUR a month, break-even is around 26 months. Above 1,000 active learners, it drops below 18 months.
Will our existing SCORM content be migrated?
Yes, SCORM 1.2 and 2004 packages import as is, along with result history if your current vendor provides an export. Migrating about 150 modules takes 2 to 3 weeks.
Is the platform GDPR compliant?
It is hosted in France or the European Union, with defined retention periods and a processing register. Skills data remains 100% yours.
Can we start with a pilot?
Yes, a pilot on one site or job family costs 20,000 to 30,000 EUR and rolls out in 10 to 12 weeks. It becomes the foundation for the rest of the project.
Let's scope your project. Share your learner count, current LMS and priority paths: we will price a platform between 45,000 and 90,000 EUR with a pilot in 3 months. 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.
