The verdict in three sentences
In 2026, a custom management web app costs 15,000-30,000 EUR for a small app, 35,000-75,000 EUR for a mid-size business app and 80,000-180,000 EUR for a business-critical multi-module app, at a French day rate of 450-650 EUR. Six factors can triple a quote: number of roles, integrations, data volume, offline mode, mobile and SLA level. The real figure to compare is the 3-year total cost of ownership = build + 15 %/year maintenance + hosting.
The 2026 price ranges
Price depends on business scope and criticality. Here are orders of magnitude for an SME in Bordeaux.
| App type | Examples | 2026 budget (EUR) | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Small app | Case tracking, mini-CRM, internal tool | 15,000 - 30,000 | 6 - 10 wks |
| Mid-size business app | Activity management, scheduling, billing | 35,000 - 75,000 | 10 - 16 wks |
| Business-critical multi-module | Light ERP, business platform, multi-site | 80,000 - 180,000 | 16 - 28 wks |
A small app covers a single need with a few screens. A critical app orchestrates several functions, with integrations, high volume and availability requirements.
The 6 factors that can triple a quote
At seemingly identical scope, a quote can triple depending on these levers.
| Factor | Budget impact | Order of magnitude |
|---|---|---|
| Number of roles/profiles | + complex access control | +10 to +25 % |
| Integrations (ERP, accounting, API) | + connectors and sync | +5,000 to +25,000 EUR |
| Data volume (millions of rows) | + optimization, indexing | +10 to +20 % |
| Offline mode | + local sync, conflicts | +15 to +30 % |
| Native mobile app | + iOS/Android build | +20,000 to +50,000 EUR |
| SLA level (99.9 %) | + redundancy, monitoring, on-call | +10 to +25 % |
A 40,000 EUR business app can thus reach 110,000 EUR once offline, native mobile and 99.9 % SLA are added.
The 3-year total cost of ownership
The build quote alone is misleading. Over 3 years, maintenance and hosting weigh heavily. Here is the TCO for three app profiles.
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| Application | Build | Maintenance (15 %/yr x3) | Hosting (3 yrs) | 3-year TCO |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small app | 25,000 EUR | 11,250 EUR | 3,600 EUR | ~39,850 EUR |
| Mid-size app | 55,000 EUR | 24,750 EUR | 6,500 EUR | ~86,250 EUR |
| Critical app | 120,000 EUR | 54,000 EUR | 12,000 EUR | ~186,000 EUR |
Simple rule: over 3 years, count a TCO around 1.5 to 1.6 times the build price. That's the figure to weigh, not just the initial quote.
Mini case study
Julien, owner of a building-materials trading SME in Bordeaux (35 staff), wanted to replace a rigid off-the-shelf package at 9,600 EUR/year of license with a custom business app. Kolonell prices a mid-size app at 58,000 EUR (catalog, quotes, orders, delivery scheduling, 4 roles), delivered in 14 weeks, plus 8,700 EUR/year of maintenance. Three-year TCO: ~90,000 EUR. Over the same period, the package would have cost 28,800 EUR in licenses but without the missing specific modules. The custom app removes 1.5 FTEs of re-entry (60,000 EUR/year): it pays back by year two while becoming an owned asset.
FAQ
What is the price of a custom management web app in 2026? From 15,000-30,000 EUR for a small app, 35,000-75,000 EUR for a mid-size business app, and 80,000-180,000 EUR for a business-critical multi-module app, at a day rate of 450-650 EUR.
Why can two quotes triple for a similar need? Because of six factors: number of roles, integrations, data volume, offline mode, native mobile app and SLA level. Each can add 10 to 50 % or tens of thousands of euros.
What is total cost of ownership? It's the build plus maintenance (15 %/year) and hosting over 3 years. Count about 1.5 to 1.6 times the build price. That's the figure to compare across solutions.
Is custom worthwhile versus an off-the-shelf package? Yes when the package forces costly workarounds or doesn't cover your business. Custom becomes an asset and removes re-entry, often paying back in 2 to 3 years.
Can I reduce the upfront budget? Yes, by first shipping a small app or MVP focused on the highest-ROI function, then adding modules by sprints. You spread the investment without freezing the architecture.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your roles, integrations and expected volumes: we'll frame a Bordeaux app between 15,000 and 180,000 EUR depending on criticality. 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.
