The verdict in three sentences
Vertical SaaS is fast and cheap to start, but you pay per user for life and bend to its functional scope. A custom portal costs more to build (35,000 to 90,000 EUR) but integrates natively with your systems, customizes without limits and becomes an asset. The tipping point is integration: the more your portal must talk to your ERP, your CRM and your processes, the more custom wins.
Vertical or custom: two logics
Vertical SaaS is designed for one sector: it covers 70 to 80 % of standard needs immediately. A custom portal covers 100 % of your needs, including your specific processes and integrations, but requires an upfront investment and a build timeline.
| Criterion | Vertical SaaS | Custom portal |
|---|---|---|
| Entry cost | Setup 2,000 to 10,000 EUR | 35,000 to 90,000 EUR |
| Recurring cost | 20 to 80 EUR/user/month | Maintenance 6,000 to 15,000 EUR/year |
| Timeline | 3 to 6 weeks | 3 to 5 months |
| Integration with your systems | Limited (standard connectors) | Native and unlimited |
| Customization | Predefined options | Full |
| Ownership | No | Yes |
| Evolution | Vendor roadmap | Your roadmap |
The five-year cost calculation
With 80 users at 50 EUR per month, vertical SaaS costs 80 x 50 x 12 = 48,000 EUR per year, or 240,000 EUR over five years. A custom portal at 70,000 EUR plus 12,000 EUR maintenance comes to 130,000 EUR over the same period.
| Horizon | Vertical 80 users at 50 EUR | Custom 70,000 EUR + maintenance |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 48,000 EUR | 82,000 EUR |
| Year 2 (cumulative) | 96,000 EUR | 94,000 EUR |
| Year 3 (cumulative) | 144,000 EUR | 106,000 EUR |
| Year 4 (cumulative) | 192,000 EUR | 118,000 EUR |
| Year 5 (cumulative) | 240,000 EUR | 130,000 EUR |
| Break-even | ~year 2 | ~35 users |
Past around 30 users and if systems integration matters, custom becomes cheaper and more flexible from year 2.
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Mini case study
Nadia, sales director of a B2B distributor in Bordeaux, is evaluating a portal for her 90 resellers. A vertical SaaS at 55 EUR per month represents 59,400 EUR per year, or 297,000 EUR over five years, but does not connect to her ERP and forces re-keying. A custom portal integrated with the ERP is quoted at 78,000 EUR plus 13,000 EUR annual maintenance, or 143,000 EUR over five years. Estimated saving: 154,000 EUR, not counting the re-keying hours avoided and a reseller experience that genuinely fits.
FAQ
How much does vertical SaaS cost in 2026? Budget 20 to 80 EUR per user per month, plus a setup of 2,000 to 10,000 EUR. The cost rises mechanically with your headcount and the vendor's price increases.
How much does a custom client portal cost? The 2026 order of magnitude is 35,000 to 90,000 EUR depending on complexity and integrations, plus 6,000 to 15,000 EUR annual maintenance. You own the code.
When does custom become more cost-effective? Past around 30 users and as soon as integration with your systems is a stake. In our example, custom pulls ahead from year 2.
Does vertical SaaS integrate with my ERP? Often only partially, via standard connectors that leave manual re-keying. Custom offers native, unlimited integration with no double entry.
Can I start with vertical then move to custom? Yes, but anticipate the migration cost and data export. If integration is critical from the start, custom avoids this costly detour.
Let's scope your project. Specify your user count, your systems integrations and your budget; we will model the five-year cost of vertical versus custom and the break-even. 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.
