The verdict in three sentences
A custom TMS transport platform runs between 70,000 and 160,000 EUR in Amsterdam in 2026, meaning 5 to 9 months of development covering route planning, live geolocation, mobile proof of delivery (POD) and invoicing. A SaaS TMS costs 40 to 120 EUR/user/month but imposes its own routing rules and bills per driver. Beyond 15 to 20 drivers, custom becomes cheaper and, above all, delivers measurable ROI on empty kilometres and fuel.
What a custom TMS costs in Amsterdam in 2026
Budget depends on the number of modules and the level of route optimisation. Here are 2026 orders of magnitude per module.
| Module | Scope | Indicative 2026 cost (EUR) |
|---|---|---|
| Route planning & optimisation | Assignment, constraints, mapping | 20,000 - 45,000 |
| Live fleet geolocation | GPS tracking, alerts, geofencing | 12,000 - 25,000 |
| Mobile POD (driver app) | Signature, photo, scan, offline mode | 15,000 - 30,000 |
| Invoicing & pricing | Client grids, disputes, accounting export | 12,000 - 28,000 |
| Customer portal & parcel tracking | Tracking, ETA, notifications | 8,000 - 20,000 |
| Integrations (ERP, telematics) | API, EDI, connectors | 8,000 - 18,000 |
| Full project | All modules + acceptance | 70,000 - 160,000 |
On top of this comes evolutionary maintenance (TMA) of 2,000 to 4,000 EUR/month covering hosting, fixes, enhancements and support.
Custom or SaaS: the real math
SaaS looks cheaper at launch, but the cost climbs with the fleet and the optimisation stays generic.
| Criterion | SaaS TMS | Custom TMS |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | 0 - 5,000 EUR (setup) | 70,000 - 160,000 EUR |
| Monthly cost (25 drivers) | 1,000 - 3,000 EUR | 2,000 - 4,000 EUR (TMA) |
| Route optimisation | Generic | Your real constraints |
| Data ownership | Vendor | 100% yours |
| Enhancements | Vendor backlog | On demand |
| 3-year cost (25 drivers) | 36,000 - 108,000 EUR | 142,000 - 304,000 EUR |
Custom costs more in absolute terms, but captures value SaaS leaves on the table: every 1% of empty kilometres removed is thousands of euros of fuel per year across a fleet of 25 trucks.
Mini case study
Sarah, COO of a logistics firm in Rotterdam (28 drivers), runs 1.9 million km/year with 22% empty kilometres. At 0.42 EUR fuel cost per km, those empty kilometres cost roughly 176,000 EUR/year.
Her custom TMS at 118,000 EUR optimises assignment and cuts empty kilometres from 22% to 15%, saving 56,000 EUR/year on fuel alone, before halving planning time. With 42,000 EUR of annual TMA, the net first-year result is -104,000 EUR (investment) then +14,000 EUR net/year afterwards, excluding productivity gains. Break-even lands under 20 months.
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FAQ
What is the minimum budget to start a custom TMS?
A useful first scope (planning + mobile POD) starts around 45,000 - 60,000 EUR. You add invoicing and the customer portal in phase 2 to smooth the investment.
How long until go-live?
Expect 5 to 9 months depending on modules and integrations. A planning + driver-app MVP can ship in 3 to 4 months.
Does the mobile POD work offline?
Yes. A well-built driver app stores signatures, photos and scans locally and syncs once the network returns, essential in peri-urban zones and on the motorway.
Can the TMS connect to our ERP and telematics?
Yes, via API or EDI. Budget 8,000 to 18,000 EUR for connectors (accounting ERP, telematics boxes, freight exchange platforms).
From how many drivers is custom worth it?
Generally beyond 15 to 20 drivers, when per-user SaaS costs and the lack of optimisation exceed the cost of a dedicated tool.
Let's scope your project. Tell us about your fleet, your routing constraints and your target integrations for a precise estimate. 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.
