The verdict in three sentences
A custom line-of-business web app for a Toronto SME runs between 30,000 and 80,000 EUR (roughly CAD 44,000-118,000) depending on workflow complexity and data volume. An MVP replacing one or two critical spreadsheets starts at 15,000-25,000 EUR and ships in 3 to 6 months. A solid architecture (Next.js + PostgreSQL) costs more upfront than no-code but avoids the scalability wall at 18 months.
Cost per feature
A line-of-business app replaces manual processes: each feature has a measurable cost. Here are 2026 orders of magnitude for a Toronto project.
| Feature | Scope | Indicative cost (EUR) | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Authentication + roles | Login, per-profile permissions | 3,000 - 6,000 | 1-2 wks |
| Core CRUD + database | Management of core entities | 6,000 - 14,000 | 3-5 wks |
| Workflows / approvals | Steps, rules, statuses | 5,000 - 12,000 | 3-4 wks |
| Reporting / dashboards | KPIs, exports, charts | 4,000 - 10,000 | 2-4 wks |
| Third-party integrations | Accounting, CRM, email APIs | 4,000 - 12,000 | 2-4 wks |
| Mobile app / PWA | Field access, offline | 6,000 - 16,000 | 4-6 wks |
Combine 4 to 5 of these blocks and you reach the 30,000-80,000 EUR range, QA and deployment included.
No-code or bespoke: the real 24-month math
No-code (Bubble, Airtable, PowerApps) is attractive for its entry cost, but the reasoning must run over 24 months, subscriptions and limits included.
| Criterion | No-code | Bespoke (Next.js + Postgres) |
|---|---|---|
| Initial build cost | 4,000 - 15,000 EUR | 15,000 - 80,000 EUR |
| Platform subscription | 600 - 4,000 EUR/yr | Hosting 300 - 1,800 EUR/yr |
| Scalability | Capped (rows, queries) | Unlimited per infra |
| Code ownership | No (lock-in) | Yes (100 % delivered) |
| Complex integrations | Limited | Bespoke, full APIs |
| Total cost over 24 months | 6,000 - 25,000 EUR | 16,000 - 85,000 EUR |
In short: no-code is excellent to validate an idea under 10,000 EUR; once the process becomes central and multi-user, bespoke regains the advantage.
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Mini case study
Meet Marc, owner of a 30-person wholesale firm in Toronto, running purchasing and stock across 6 shared Excel files. Duplicates and errors cost his assistant around 1 day/week of rework, i.e. about 1,400 EUR/month (35 EUR/hr loaded). He invests 34,000 EUR in a Next.js + Postgres app replacing the spreadsheets. After delivery, rework drops to 2 hours/week: roughly 1,100 EUR/month saved, i.e. 13,200 EUR/year, plus stock reliability that reduces stock-outs. ROI in about 26 months, with data finally unique and trustworthy.
FAQ
At what budget does a line-of-business app make sense? From 15,000 EUR for an MVP targeting a critical spreadsheet. Below that, a no-code tool or an existing SaaS is often more rational than a dedicated build.
Why Next.js + PostgreSQL over another stack? This pairing offers performance, a mature ecosystem and controlled hosting cost (300 to 1,800 EUR/year). It also eases hiring and handover to another team.
How long to deliver? An MVP ships in 3 to 4 months, a full version with integrations and mobile in 5 to 6 months. Scoping and data modelling (3-4 weeks) are decisive.
Isn't no-code enough to save money? To validate an idea, yes, under 10,000 EUR. But over 24 months with several users and integrations, total cost and scalability limits often catch up with bespoke.
What annual maintenance budget? Plan 15 to 20 % of the build per year, i.e. 4,500 to 16,000 EUR/year, for security, business evolutions and hosting.
Let's scope your project. List the 2 Excel files that cost you the most and your target budget (MVP around 20,000 EUR) and we'll quote the replacement within 48 h. 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.
