The verdict in three sentences
A health network that wants its own telemedicine app pays between 40,000 and 100,000 EUR excl. tax in 2026, depending on functional depth (secure video, e-prescription, payment, scheduling). A health SaaS platform avoids the upfront investment but charges a per-consultation commission that becomes heavy at high volume. The build usually pays off beyond a few thousand consultations per month, when the custom cost per consultation drops below the SaaS.
Build or rent a health SaaS platform
A health SaaS launches fast with no capex but bills a subscription plus a commission per teleconsultation. Custom requires an upfront investment and HDS hosting, but the marginal cost per consultation becomes very low.
| Criterion | Health SaaS platform | Custom app |
|---|---|---|
| Entry cost | 0 to 3,000 EUR | 40,000 to 100,000 EUR excl. tax |
| Cost per consultation | 0.50 to 2 EUR + subscription | < 1 EUR (hosting amortized) |
| Time to launch | 2 to 4 weeks | 4 to 6 months |
| Brand and experience | Standard | 100% custom |
| HDS hosting | Included | 300 to 900 EUR/month |
| Ownership / resale | No | Yes |
Modules and cost per consultation over 3 years
The build price depends on modules. The real comparison is the full cost per consultation, hosting and maintenance included, over the product lifetime.
| Monthly volume | SaaS (1.20 EUR/consult + 500 EUR/month) | Custom (build 70,000 EUR / 36 months + 600 EUR/month HDS) |
|---|---|---|
| 500 consults | ~2.20 EUR/consult | ~5.10 EUR/consult |
| 1,500 consults | ~1.53 EUR/consult | ~2.10 EUR/consult |
| 3,000 consults | ~1.37 EUR/consult | ~1.25 EUR/consult |
| 6,000 consults | ~1.28 EUR/consult | ~0.72 EUR/consult |
| 10,000 consults | ~1.25 EUR/consult | ~0.53 EUR/consult |
| E-prescription module | Included/limited | 8,000 to 15,000 EUR (build) |
Mini case study
Ms Ndiaye, director of a 30-doctor network running 4,000 teleconsultations/month, compares. On SaaS at 1.20 EUR/consult + 500 EUR/month, she pays 4,000 x 1.20 + 500 = 5,300 EUR/month, i.e. 190,800 EUR over 3 years. On custom at 70,000 EUR build + 600 EUR/month for HDS and maintenance, she pays 70,000 + (600 x 36) = 91,600 EUR over 3 years. Custom saves her roughly 99,000 EUR over three years, while giving her a branded app she can offer to other partner networks.
FAQ
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What is the budget for a full telemedicine app?
Between 40,000 and 100,000 EUR excl. tax depending on modules: secure video, e-prescription, payment, scheduling, patient portal. HDS hosting adds 300 to 900 EUR/month.
From what volume is custom worthwhile?
Generally beyond 3,000 consultations/month, where the build cost per consultation drops below the SaaS. Below that, SaaS stays cheaper.
Must the video be specifically secured?
Yes: end-to-end encryption, no unconsented recording, hosting of streams and data in an HDS environment for France.
Is e-prescription included?
On SaaS it is often limited; custom-built it is a module to price (8,000 to 15,000 EUR) including signature and secure transmission.
How long to launch?
Expect 4 to 6 months for a full build, versus 2 to 4 weeks for a configured SaaS. The build includes specification, development and clinical acceptance testing.
Let's scope your project. Give us your target consultation volume, your modules (video, prescription, payment) and your HDS constraint: we will price a build or hybrid solution with an indicative budget and timeline. 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.
