The verdict in three sentences
A custom business platform in Berlin costs between EUR 60,000 and EUR 180,000 in 2026, driven by the number of modules, users and integrations. Development accounts for roughly 55 % of the budget; the rest splits across discovery, design, testing and go-live. Against a generic ERP that doesn't fit, custom wins the moment your processes are a competitive edge rather than a market standard.
What a business platform budget covers
A business platform is not a website: it is a web application with authentication, roles, a relational database, dashboards and dedicated business logic. The budget is driven mostly by the number of modules (invoicing, scheduling, inventory, reporting...) and the depth of each one.
| Scope | Modules | Users | 2026 budget (EUR) | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Targeted MVP | 1-2 | 5-15 | 60,000 - 90,000 | 3-5 months |
| Standard platform | 3-5 | 20-80 | 90,000 - 140,000 | 5-7 months |
| Extended platform | 6-9 | 100+ | 140,000 - 180,000 | 7-9 months |
| Multi-site / real-time | 9+ | 250+ | 180,000+ | 9-12 months |
In Berlin, the 2026 day rate for a senior agency developer sits between EUR 400 and EUR 600, a tech lead between EUR 600 and EUR 750. A EUR 120,000 project therefore represents roughly 220 to 280 person-days.
Line-by-line breakdown
The key to avoiding surprises: know where every euro goes. Here is the typical split for a EUR 120,000 project.
| Line item | Share | Amount (EUR) | Deliverable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Discovery / scoping | 8 % | 9,600 | Specs, journeys, prioritized backlog |
| UX/UI design | 12 % | 14,400 | Figma mockups, design system |
| Development | 55 % | 66,000 | Front, back, API, database |
| Testing & QA | 15 % | 18,000 | Automated tests, QA, fixes |
| Deployment & docs | 10 % | 12,000 | CI/CD, hosting, training |
Discovery and testing are the lines clients cut first, and they are exactly the ones that make projects slip: a rushed scoping phase generates 20 to 40 % delays during development.
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Mini case study
Thomas runs a 45-employee logistics SME in Berlin. His teams juggle three Excel spreadsheets and an aging tracking tool. We scope a 3-module platform (transport orders, driver scheduling, invoicing): EUR 110,000, delivered in 6 months.
Estimated gain: each dispatcher reclaims 6 hrs/week of re-keying, so for 8 dispatchers about 48 hrs/week. At a loaded cost of EUR 28/hr, that is ~EUR 1,344/week, or roughly EUR 62,000/year. Payback lands in under 24 months, excluding commercial gains from improved reliability.
FAQ
Why not take an ERP at EUR 40/user/month? For 80 users, an ERP costs ~EUR 38,400/year in licences, over EUR 190,000 across 5 years, before customization. Custom has no recurring licence.
Can we spread the payment? Yes. Most agencies bill per sprint or milestone: 30 % at kickoff, then tranches as each module is delivered and accepted.
How much is maintenance afterwards? Budget 15 to 20 % of the initial cost per year (EUR 18,000 to 24,000 for a EUR 120,000 project): fixes, evolutions, security updates.
Can we start with an MVP? It is recommended: a first module at EUR 60,000-90,000 validates real usage before investing in the full scope.
Who owns the code? On genuine custom work, you should receive 100 % of the source code and rights. Check the contract.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your 2-3 priority modules and target budget (2026 ballpark: EUR 60,000-180,000), and we'll propose a sprint breakdown. 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.
