The verdict in three sentences
The custom-vs-SaaS debate isn't settled on entry price but on total cost over 3 years (TCO): a modest subscription can cost more than a build once accumulated, and a build can be justified as soon as the process is highly specific. The tipping point hinges on three variables — process specificity, number of users, integration needs. For 80% of SMEs, the right answer is hybrid: standard SaaS for the generic, targeted custom for what sets you apart.
The real comparison: 3-year TCO
Comparing a one-shot price to a monthly subscription without a time horizon is meaningless. Here's the 2026 order of magnitude over 3 years.
| Item | Custom | SaaS subscription |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | 2,000,000-6,000,000 FCFA | 0-100,000 FCFA (setup) |
| Monthly cost | 40,000-150,000 FCFA (maintenance) | 15,000-70,000 FCFA / user |
| 3-year TCO (5 users) | ~3.5-8M FCFA | ~2.7-12.6M FCFA |
| Code ownership | You | The vendor |
| Fit to your process | 100% | 60-80% |
| Vendor dependency | Low | High (price, shutdown) |
At 5 users, a SaaS at 40,000 FCFA/month/user costs 200,000 FCFA/month — 7.2M FCFA over 3 years, more than an average custom build. But at 2 users on a 20,000 FCFA SaaS, it drops to 1.44M FCFA over 3 years, and custom becomes hard to justify.
The tipping point
Three questions decide. The more you tick the right column, the more custom is justified.
| Question | Leans SaaS | Leans custom |
|---|---|---|
| Is your process standard? | Yes (invoicing, HR) | No, very specific |
| How many users? | 1-5 | 10+ (subscription explodes) |
| Need to integrate your tools? | No | Yes, heavily |
| IS the software your business? | No | Yes, competitive edge |
| Usage horizon? | < 2 years | > 3 years |
The recommended hybrid: keep a SaaS for accounting or payroll (generic, regulated), and build custom the part that differentiates you — the domain CRM, the production module, the field app. That's the best cost/value ratio for most SMEs.
Mini case study
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Moussa runs a services SME with 8 users. A domain SaaS at 35,000 FCFA/month/user would cost 280,000 FCFA/month — 10.08M FCFA over 3 years. A custom build of his specific need is quoted at 4,500,000 FCFA + 80,000 FCFA/month maintenance, i.e. 4.5M + 2.88M = 7.38M FCFA over 3 years.
Custom saves him 2.7M FCFA over 3 years, while giving him code ownership and a 100% fit to his business. Beyond 5-6 users on a specific process, the shift to custom becomes logical.
Become a Kolonell referral partner
Helping an SME decide between SaaS and custom? Refer Kolonell and earn a commission on the signed project: 15% + 5% recurring on a showcase site, 12% on e-commerce, 10% on a marketplace, 8% on institutional projects. A domain build at 4,500,000 FCFA means a substantial commission for an introduction.
FAQ
At how many users does custom become worthwhile? As an order of magnitude, beyond 5 to 6 users on a per-seat SaaS, the 3-year TCO often exceeds that of a custom build.
Isn't SaaS faster to deploy? Yes, that's its edge: a few days versus 4 to 12 weeks for custom. For a generic, urgent need, SaaS almost always wins.
What does hybrid mean concretely? Use a SaaS for the generic (accounting, payroll) and build custom the part that makes your difference: the optimal choice for around 80% of SMEs.
Who owns my data with a SaaS? You remain the data owner, but it lives with the vendor: always check export and reversibility before committing beyond 2 years.
Is custom expensive to maintain? As an order of magnitude, expect 40,000 to 150,000 FCFA/month — far less than the sum of per-seat subscriptions beyond a small team.
Let's talk about your project. We'll compute your 3-year TCO and decide custom, SaaS or hybrid. 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.
