The verdict in three sentences
A custom TMS costs 45,000 to 95,000 EUR to build but removes the 900-2,800 EUR/month SaaS subscription and fits your routes exactly. Below 15 vehicles with no heavy process constraints, SaaS stays smarter; above that, custom pays back in 12 to 16 months. The deciding factor is not the licence price but integration quality (telematics, fuel, invoicing) and the annual maintenance (TMA).
Custom vs SaaS: the real comparison
The decision turns on five quantified criteria, not the sales brochure. Here are 2026 orders of magnitude for a mid-size French carrier.
| Criterion | Custom TMS | Off-the-shelf SaaS |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | 45,000 - 95,000 EUR | 0 - 6,000 EUR (setup) |
| Recurring cost | TMA 8-15%/yr of licence | 900 - 2,800 EUR/month |
| Go-live time | 12 - 20 weeks | 3 - 8 weeks |
| Fit to your routes | Total | Configurable, limited |
| 5-year cost (20 vehicles) | 95,000 - 150,000 EUR | 108,000 - 200,000 EUR |
| Code ownership | Yes | No |
Over five years the gap narrows then reverses once the fleet passes 18-20 vehicles or processes leave the standard (multi-depot, charter, cross-docking).
What each module costs
A realistic requirements spec splits the budget by functional lot, allowing you to phase and negotiate an MVP before committing to the full scope.
| Module | 2026 range (EUR) | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Route planning & optimisation | 14,000 - 28,000 | 4 - 6 wks |
| Real-time tracking & telematics | 8,000 - 16,000 | 3 - 4 wks |
| Client billing & pre-billing | 7,000 - 14,000 | 2 - 4 wks |
| Client portal / delivery tracking | 6,000 - 12,000 | 2 - 3 wks |
| Driver app (mobile POD) | 9,000 - 18,000 | 3 - 5 wks |
| Reporting & dashboards | 5,000 - 10,000 | 2 - 3 wks |
Hosting on OVH or Scaleway (sovereign, GDPR-compliant) adds 80 to 300 EUR/month depending on volume and required high availability.
Mini case study
Claire, logistics director of a 24-vehicle transport SME near Lyon, pays 2,100 EUR/month for a SaaS that does not optimise her multi-depot routes. She invests 72,000 EUR in a custom TMS with optimisation and a driver app. Twelve-month result: 22% fewer empty kilometres (about 31,000 EUR of fuel saved) and 9 hours/week freed in planning (0.3 FTE). Combined gains: ~47,000 EUR/year. Adding the 25,200 EUR of cancelled subscription, payback lands at 14 months, maintenance included.
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FAQ
How much does a custom TMS cost in 2026?
Between 45,000 and 95,000 EUR for an SME, depending on module count. An MVP focused on planning and billing can start around 35,000 EUR.
How long before go-live?
Expect 12 to 20 weeks. A first usable module (planning or tracking) can ship by week 6 in an iterative approach.
What does TMA cover and what does it cost?
Application maintenance (fixes, evolutions, support) is 8-15% of software value per year, i.e. 4,000-12,000 EUR/year. It is essential to secure the ROI.
Is custom software GDPR-compliant?
Yes, by hosting data with OVH or Scaleway in France, with encryption, access logging and a processing register. This is often better controlled than a SaaS hosted outside the EU.
Can existing telematics be connected?
Yes, most units (Geotab, Webfleet, Ocean) expose APIs. Integration runs 8,000-16,000 EUR depending on the number of feeds (position, fuel, driving).
Let's scope your project. Describe your fleet, telematics integrations and target budget, and we will quote a phased TMS MVP and rollout plan. 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.
