The verdict in three sentences
A logistics SME stacking Excel, inboxes and four or five disconnected SaaS tools already pays 800 to 3,000 EUR/month in subscriptions without ever owning one reliable dataset. A custom business platform (multi-user, roles, API) runs between 100,000 and 260,000 EUR in 2026, with an operational MVP in 12 to 18 weeks. The payback shows on two lines: -1.5 FTE of manual re-keying and +20% operational productivity.
Assembled SaaS or proprietary platform: the real math
Stacking SaaS looks cheaper upfront, but the hidden cost is fragmented data: every tool has its own customer records, CSV exports and mismatched fields. A custom platform flips the logic: one data model, precise roles, an API that feeds your carriers and your accounting.
| Criterion | Assembled SaaS stack | Custom platform |
|---|---|---|
| Entry cost | 0 to 8,000 EUR (setup) | 100,000 to 260,000 EUR |
| Monthly cost | 800 to 3,000 EUR/month | Hosting 150 to 600 EUR/month |
| Unified data | No (silos, exports) | Yes (central model) |
| Re-keying | High | Near zero |
| Business customization | Limited | Total |
| Code ownership | No | Yes |
| 5-year cost (10 users) | 90,000 to 200,000 EUR | 175,000 to 320,000 EUR |
Over five years the two curves cross: beyond 8-10 users and complex flows, custom becomes cheaper and creates an asset you own.
What makes up the 2026 budget
Price depends on functional scope, number of roles and integrations. Here are the typical line items for a logistics platform (orders, routes, stock, invoicing, client portal).
| Line item | 2026 range (EUR) | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Product and UX discovery | 8,000 to 20,000 | 2 to 3 weeks |
| MVP (2-3 core modules) | 55,000 to 120,000 | 12 to 18 weeks |
| Additional modules | 30,000 to 90,000 | 6 to 12 weeks |
| API and third-party integrations | 12,000 to 45,000 | 4 to 10 weeks |
| Cloud infrastructure (Scaleway/OVH) | 3,000 to 9,000 (setup) | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Annual maintenance (TMA) | 15 to 20% of build/year | Ongoing |
A senior European team's day rate sits between 480 and 620 EUR in 2026. Budget 15 to 20%/year of build cost for evolutive maintenance and security. Public schemes such as France Num and BPI loans can cover part of the estimate: subsidized diagnostics and growth loans for small businesses.
Mini case study
Marc runs a transport and parcel SME: 22 employees, 3 full-time people on route entry and carrier invoice reconciliation. Loaded cost of those 3 roles: about 135,000 EUR/year. He invests 160,000 EUR in a custom platform, plus 28,000 EUR/year of maintenance.
After rollout, re-keying drops from 3 to 1.5 FTE: a saving of ~67,000 EUR/year. Adding +20% productivity on planning (fewer empty miles, invoice disputes cut in half), the annual gain exceeds 90,000 EUR. The platform pays for itself in under 24 months, maintenance included.
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FAQ
How much does a custom business platform really cost in 2026?
For a logistics SME, budget 100,000 to 260,000 EUR depending on the number of modules and integrations. An MVP focused on 2-3 core modules often stays under 120,000 EUR.
How fast is the MVP usable?
Between 12 and 18 weeks for a first scope live in production, then increments every 3-4 weeks. You don't freeze everything: you ship in value waves.
What budget for maintenance?
A maintenance fee of 15 to 20%/year of build cost, i.e. 15,000 to 50,000 EUR/year for a 100,000-260,000 EUR project. It covers fixes, evolutions, version upgrades and security.
Are there subsidies to finance the project?
Yes: France Num funds diagnostics and support, and BPI offers digital loans suited to small businesses. Depending on the case, this can ease 10 to 30% of the initial investment.
Custom or assembled SaaS: when to switch?
As soon as you exceed 8 to 10 users with specific flows and time-consuming re-keying, custom becomes more profitable over 5 years while making you the owner of the tool.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your target modules (orders, routes, stock, invoicing), your user count and an indicative budget: we scope the MVP and cloud architecture. 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.
