The verdict in three sentences
A coworking network paying EUR 3 to 6 per member per month for Nexudus or Optix sees its software bill rise with every new space. A custom booking platform costs EUR 30,000 to 60,000, delivered in 4 months, with access badges and Stripe payments built in. The break-even point is around 800 members: below that, stay on a licence; above it, a custom build becomes an asset.
SaaS licence or custom build: the numbers
| Criterion | Nexudus | Optix | Custom platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | EUR 0 to 2,000 setup | EUR 0 to 1,500 setup | EUR 30,000 to 60,000 |
| Recurring cost | EUR 3 to 6 per member per month depending on plan | EUR 3 to 5 per member per month | EUR 300 to 900 per month (hosting + maintenance) |
| Desk and room booking | Yes | Yes | Yes, with your network's own rules |
| Badges and access control | Via integrations | Via integrations | Direct link to your system |
| Payments | Stripe, GoCardless | Stripe | Stripe, SEPA direct debit, iDEAL, company invoicing |
| Brand and member experience | Limited customisation | Paid white-label app | Fully on-brand |
| Data | Held by the vendor | Held by the vendor | Yours, free export |
Vendor prices vary by plan and volume: treat these as 2026 orders of magnitude to confirm with a quote.
Where the break-even point sits
| Members | Licence at EUR 4.50 per member per month (per year) | Custom EUR 45,000 over 3 years + EUR 7,200/year | Annual difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 300 | EUR 16,200 | EUR 22,200 | Licence cheaper by EUR 6,000 |
| 500 | EUR 27,000 | EUR 22,200 | Custom cheaper by EUR 4,800 |
| 800 | EUR 43,200 | EUR 22,200 | Custom cheaper by EUR 21,000 |
| 1,200 | EUR 64,800 | EUR 22,200 | Custom cheaper by EUR 42,600 |
| 2,000 | EUR 108,000 | EUR 25,000 | Custom cheaper by EUR 83,000 |
Once you factor in add-on modules billed by vendors (mobile app, company portal) and project risk, the prudent threshold is around 800 active members.
Modules to price in the specification
Booking of desks, offices and rooms with rules per space (maximum duration, credits included in the plan): EUR 8,000 to 15,000. Subscriptions and Stripe payments with automatic invoices, SEPA and iDEAL: EUR 5,000 to 9,000. Badge integration (Kisi, Salto or smart locks): EUR 4,000 to 10,000. Company portal for accounts with several employees: EUR 4,000 to 8,000. Occupancy dashboard per site: EUR 3,000 to 7,000. PWA mobile app: EUR 6,000 to 11,000. Typical timeline is 4 months, member migration included.
Mini case study
Daan runs a network of 5 coworking spaces in Amsterdam, Utrecht and Rotterdam with 950 active members. His licence costs EUR 4.50 per member per month, so EUR 51,300 a year, plus EUR 4,800 in add-ons. A custom platform at EUR 48,000, with EUR 8,400 a year in hosting and maintenance, costs EUR 64,800 in year one, then EUR 8,400 a year. Over 3 years he spends EUR 81,600 versus EUR 168,300 on licences, saving EUR 86,700, and he owns his member data.
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FAQ
How much does a custom coworking booking platform cost?
In 2026, expect EUR 30,000 for booking, subscriptions and payments, and up to EUR 60,000 with badges, a company portal and a mobile app.
From how many members does a custom build pay off?
Around 800 active members with a licence between EUR 3 and 6 per member per month. Below 500 members, an off-the-shelf tool is usually cheaper.
Can we migrate from Nexudus or Optix without losing members?
Yes, members, subscriptions and history are exported then imported. Cutover happens over a weekend, with 2 to 4 weeks of parallel running.
Can Stripe handle company clients?
Yes: card, SEPA direct debit, iDEAL and monthly invoices for company accounts. Stripe fees stay around 1.5 % + EUR 0.25 per European card transaction.
How long until launch?
Four months on average: 3 weeks of scoping, 10 weeks of development, 3 weeks of testing and migration.
Let's scope your project. Send us your number of spaces, members and current tools to receive a break-even calculation and a quote between EUR 30,000 and 60,000 over 4 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.
