The verdict in three sentences
A custom API integration between your ERP and CRM costs EUR 8,000-30,000 in 2026 depending on the number of synced objects and the direction of the flows. Below three business entities and without conditional logic, an iPaaS (Make, Zapier, n8n) at EUR 20-500/month does the job with no development. Custom pays off when the mapping is complex, volume is high, or transactional reliability underpins your billing.
What an Exact-HubSpot integration budget covers
Pricing hinges on the number of synced objects (accounts, contacts, quotes, invoices, items) and whether the flow is one-way or bidirectional with conflict resolution. Here are 2026 orders of magnitude for a Dutch SME.
| Scope | Synced objects | Flow direction | Price EUR | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simple connector | 1-2 (contacts) | One-way | 8,000 - 12,000 | 6 weeks |
| Standard SME | 3-4 (accounts, quotes, invoices) | Bidirectional | 14,000 - 22,000 | 8-10 weeks |
| Advanced | 5+ (items, stock, payroll) | Bidirectional + rules | 24,000 - 30,000 | 10-12 weeks |
| Monthly maintenance | support + monitoring | - | 300 / month | ongoing |
| History migration | existing data reprocessing | one-shot | 2,000 - 5,000 | 1-2 weeks |
The most underestimated line item is data mapping: aligning a Dutch "handelsnaam" field with a HubSpot "company name" looks trivial, but VAT formats, currencies and lead statuses require tested lookup tables.
iPaaS vs custom connector: the switch-over threshold
Many SMEs over-invest in code when an iPaaS would suffice. Here is the 2026 decision grid.
| Criterion | iPaaS (Make/Zapier) | Custom connector |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | EUR 0 - 1,500 | EUR 8,000 - 30,000 |
| Recurring cost | EUR 20 - 500/month | EUR 300/month (maintenance) |
| Supported volume | < 10,000 ops/month | unlimited |
| Conditional logic | limited | full |
| Transactional reliability | medium | high (idempotency) |
| Vendor lock-in | strong | none (you own the code) |
| Setup time | 1-3 weeks | 6-12 weeks |
Simple rule: above 10,000 monthly operations or when the sync touches billing, custom is justified. Below that, iPaaS stays cheaper over three years.
Mini case study
Sarah, IT manager at a 60-person industrial SME in Amsterdam, lost 12 hours a week to double entry between Exact Online and HubSpot, split across two assistants. Estimated loaded cost: 12 hrs x EUR 35 x 4 weeks = EUR 1,680/month, or EUR 20,160/year, before billing errors. She commissioned a bidirectional connector at EUR 18,000 plus EUR 300/month maintenance. Payback: 13 months, then EUR 16,000 saved each year and entry errors cut fivefold.
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FAQ
How much does an ERP-CRM integration cost in 2026?
Between EUR 8,000 and 30,000 depending on object count and bidirectionality. A standard SME syncing accounts, quotes and invoices lands around EUR 14,000-22,000.
Can an iPaaS like Make or Zapier be enough?
Yes, below 10,000 monthly operations and without complex logic. Budget EUR 20-500/month. Beyond that, a custom connector becomes more reliable and cheaper to run.
What timeline should I plan for?
Six to twelve weeks depending on scope, including mapping analysis, development, testing and history migration.
Is maintenance needed after delivery?
Yes. APIs evolve: maintenance around EUR 300/month covers monitoring, fixes and adapting to Exact or HubSpot updates.
Who owns the connector code?
You do, with custom work. Unlike an iPaaS, you are not tied to a third-party vendor or its pricing changes.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your software (ERP, CRM), the objects to sync and the flow direction, and we quote a connector 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.
