The verdict in three sentences
A simple connector (scheduled import/export) costs 3,000-8,000 EUR, while a real-time integration with data mapping rises to 12,000-35,000 EUR. An iPaaS platform (Make, Zapier) lowers the entry ticket to 20-500 EUR/month but hits volume and business-logic ceilings fast. The real budget risk is not the development but the poorly documented target API, which easily adds 40% of unplanned time.
Three approaches, three budgets
The choice depends on exchange volume, required data freshness, and the complexity of mapping your objects (customer, order, invoice) to the ERP/CRM ones.
| Integration type | Setup cost (EUR) | Timeline | Annual maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple connector (scheduled batch/CSV) | 3,000 - 8,000 | 3-4 wks | 600 - 1,500 EUR |
| Standard API integration (documented REST) | 8,000 - 15,000 | 4-7 wks | 1,500 - 3,500 EUR |
| Real-time integration + mapping | 12,000 - 35,000 | 6-10 wks | 3,000 - 7,000 EUR |
| No-code iPaaS (Make/Zapier) | 500 - 3,000 (setup) | 1-3 wks | 240 - 6,000 EUR |
| Custom middleware (internal bus) | 25,000 - 60,000 | 8-14 wks | 6,000 - 12,000 EUR |
iPaaS or custom: the real trade-off
Make or Zapier shine for syncing a few hundred records per day without complex logic. Beyond that, per-operation cost and rate limits make custom development more profitable.
| Criterion | iPaaS (Make/Zapier) | Custom connector |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly cost at 50,000 ops | 300 - 500 EUR | ~50 EUR (hosting) |
| Complex business logic | Limited | Unlimited |
| Real-time (webhooks) | Partial | Native |
| Vendor lock-in | High | None |
| Setup time | 1-3 wks | 4-10 wks |
| Break-even | < 12 months if low volume | > 12 months, high volume |
Mini case study
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Claire, CFO of an industrial SME in London, wants to connect her site-tracking app to her Sage ERP and HubSpot CRM. Her teams currently re-key 220 orders/month by hand, about 55 hours at 35 EUR = 1,925 EUR/month of wasted time. She chooses a standard two-way API integration at 13,000 EUR (setup) + 2,800 EUR/year maintenance. Return on investment: the 55 hours saved each month pay back the project in about 7 months, before even counting the reduction in data-entry errors.
FAQ
Why does an undocumented API cost more? Without OpenAPI documentation, the developer must reverse-engineer endpoints and test each field, typically adding 40% of time, or 3,000 to 8,000 EUR on a mid-size integration.
How much is annual integration maintenance? Budget 15 to 20% of setup cost per year, i.e. 1,500 to 7,000 EUR depending on complexity, to absorb API version changes and monitoring.
iPaaS or custom to start? Below 10,000 operations/month with no business logic, an iPaaS at 20-500 EUR/month is enough. Beyond that, custom becomes more profitable within the first year.
What timeline should I plan? From 3 weeks for a simple connector to 10 weeks for a real-time integration with mapping and load testing.
What happens if the ERP changes version? A well-built integration isolates calls in an abstraction layer; the update then costs 1 to 3 dev days instead of a full rebuild.
Let's scope your project. Specify your target systems (ERP, CRM, invoicing), monthly exchange volume, and required real-time level for a quote between 3,000 and 35,000 EUR. 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.
