The verdict in three sentences
A vendor SaaS TMS costs 25,000 to 60,000 EUR a year: fast, maintained, but bounded by what the vendor chooses to cover. A custom TMS requires 60,000 to 110,000 EUR upfront plus 12,000 to 20,000 EUR maintenance a year, and makes you the code owner. Custom wins when your flows are multi-business, your integrations heavy (EDI, carrier portal, driver app) and your logistics edge strategic.
SaaS or custom: the deciding criteria
Four criteria tip the balance: the specificity of your flows (chartering, courier, distribution, multimodal), the volume of client EDI to integrate, the need for a truly fitted carrier portal and driver app, and the question of code ownership. A generalist vendor suffices for standard flows; the moment exceptions pile up, each configuration becomes a costly compromise.
| Criterion | SaaS TMS | Custom TMS |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-business flows | Compromise, add-ons | Natively modeled |
| Specific client EDI | Per connector | Unlimited, custom |
| Carrier portal | Standard | Fit to your partners |
| Driver app | Generic | Your exact processes |
| Code ownership | No | Yes |
| Vendor lock-in | Strong | None |
The real cost over five years
Thinking in total cost avoids the entry-price trap. SaaS looks light in year one but grows with users, vehicles and modules.
| Line item (2026) | SaaS TMS | Custom TMS |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront investment | 0 to 8,000 EUR | 60,000 to 110,000 EUR |
| Annual recurring cost | 25,000 to 60,000 EUR | 12,000 to 20,000 EUR (maint.) |
| Heavy customization | Often impossible | Included |
| 5-year cumulative cost | 125,000 to 300,000 EUR | 120,000 to 210,000 EUR |
| Reversibility / exit | Hard (data lock) | Total (code + data) |
| Go-live time | 4 to 10 weeks | 4 to 6 months |
Mini case study
Karim is logistics director of a distribution group in Marseille: 60 users, chartering and courier combined, 12 EDI clients. His SaaS TMS is billed 48,000 EUR a year and refuses two specific flows he still runs in Excel. A custom TMS at 95,000 EUR plus 16,000 EUR maintenance costs 175,000 EUR over five years, versus 240,000 EUR for SaaS over the same period. Beyond the 65,000 EUR saving, he regains control of his EDI, a carrier portal his own way and a driver app that removes 8,000 EUR/year of re-keying — a decisive argument to approve the investment.
FAQ
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When does SaaS stay the right choice?
When your flows are standard, volume moderate and team small. Below 20 users and without complex EDI, SaaS stays cheapest for the first three years.
What does "code ownership" mean in practice?
You hold the source, can switch providers and evolve the tool without per-seat licensing. It's a balance-sheet asset, not a rental expense.
Is EDI really a cost driver?
Yes: each client EDI integration is 2,000 to 6,000 EUR in custom, but is sometimes impossible or very expensive with a vendor. The number of EDI clients is a good indicator.
What does maintenance cost for a custom TMS?
Between 12,000 and 20,000 EUR, i.e. 15 to 20% of the upfront investment, fixes and minor evolutions included.
Can we migrate from SaaS to custom without breaking everything?
Yes, by carrying over your data and switching flow by flow. A gradual 3-to-5-month migration limits operational risk.
Let's scope your project. Describe your flows, your EDI clients and user count: we'll compute your five-year cost and the SaaS/custom tipping point. 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.
