The verdict in three sentences
A custom business web app costs between 30,000 and 90,000 EUR in 2026, delivered in 12 to 22 weeks. Return on investment is measured in hours saved: 10 to 20 hours per week per team when you replace spreadsheets and double entry. Add 50 to 200 EUR/month for hosting and 12 to 18 %/year for maintenance for a controlled total budget.
What drives the budget
The price of a business app depends on the number of modules, user volume and integrations. Here are the 2026 ranges by ambition.
| Level | Scope | Timeline | Budget (EUR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essential | 1-2 modules, CRUD, exports | 12-14 wks | 30,000 - 45,000 |
| Standard | 3-5 modules, roles, dashboard | 14-18 wks | 45,000 - 65,000 |
| Advanced | Workflows, API integrations, mobile | 18-22 wks | 65,000 - 90,000 |
| Complex custom | Multi-entity, real-time, BI | 22 wks+ | 90,000+ |
2026 day rates run from 450 to 650 EUR for a developer, 600 to 850 EUR for a tech lead. A 60,000 EUR project represents roughly 95 to 130 person-days.
Custom vs SaaS licence: the math
The most frequent question: why pay 60,000 EUR upfront when a SaaS exists at 40 EUR/user/month? The table settles it by team size.
| Scenario | Custom (5 years) | SaaS 40 EUR/user/mo |
|---|---|---|
| 10 users | 60,000 + 45,000 maint. = 105,000 EUR | 24,000 EUR |
| 30 users | 60,000 + 45,000 = 105,000 EUR | 72,000 EUR |
| 60 users | 60,000 + 45,000 = 105,000 EUR | 144,000 EUR |
| 100 users | 60,000 + 45,000 = 105,000 EUR | 240,000 EUR |
The break-even usually sits between 30 and 50 users over 5 years, not counting that custom makes you the code owner and matches your process exactly.
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Mini case study
Claire, CFO of an industrial SMB in Lyon, runs her manufacturing orders across 6 shared spreadsheets. Four people each spend 4 hours a day on re-entry and checks, i.e. 16 h/day total. She invests 58,000 EUR in a custom business app.
Estimated gain: 10 h/week/team freed, i.e. about 2,000 h/year valued at 35 EUR = 70,000 EUR/year of recovered capacity. With 200 EUR/month hosting and 9,000 EUR/year maintenance, full year-1 cost reaches 69,400 EUR; the app pays back in about 12 months and yields net gains from year 2.
FAQ
How much does a business web app cost in 2026? Between 30,000 and 90,000 EUR depending on modules and integrations. A 3-5 module project with roles and a dashboard sits around 45,000-65,000 EUR.
What is maintenance and what does it cost? Application maintenance covers fixes, minor enhancements and security. Count 12 to 18 % of development cost per year, i.e. 5,000 to 12,000 EUR/year for a mid-size project.
Custom or SaaS, which to choose? SaaS wins under 30 users or for a standard need. Custom becomes profitable beyond that, especially if your process is specific or strategic.
How long until delivery? From 12 to 22 weeks depending on scope. A first usable version (internal MVP) can ship in 8-10 weeks to start saving time sooner.
Do I own the code? With a serious vendor, yes: source code and IP are yours, with no vendor lock-in or mandatory subscription.
Let's scope your project. List your current spreadsheets, user count and desired integrations: we quote the app and its ROI in hours saved. 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.
