The verdict in three sentences
Connecting your ERP/CRM to your website ends double data entry and shows real-time data, but the price depends entirely on the target: EUR 3,000 to 8,000 for a standard API (HubSpot, Salesforce, Sage), EUR 8,000 to 20,000 for a legacy ERP with no proper API. A middleware / iPaaS (EUR 5,000 to 15,000 + subscription) pays off as soon as you sync more than two systems. The real budget hides in error handling, idempotency and security, not in the "pipe" itself.
Cost per connector type in 2026
The ranges below are 2026 orders of magnitude for the international B2B market, for a bidirectional connector with error recovery. A simple one-way export costs less; a critical real-time sync costs more.
| Integration type | Examples | Range (EUR / USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard CRM API | HubSpot, Salesforce, Pipedrive | 3,000 - 8,000 |
| Standard ERP/accounting API | Sage, NetSuite, Odoo, QuickBooks | 4,000 - 9,000 |
| Legacy ERP without API | Custom development, direct DB layer | 8,000 - 20,000 |
| Middleware / iPaaS | Make, n8n, Workato, Boomi | 5,000 - 15,000 |
| E-commerce catalog sync | Real-time stock, prices, orders | 6,000 - 14,000 |
| QA + monitoring | Tests, alerts, logs | 2,000 - 5,000 |
On the recurring side: an iPaaS bills EUR 20 to 200/month depending on task volume, and connector maintenance (API updates, breakage handling) runs around EUR 150 to 400/month.
Direct API integration vs iPaaS
Direct API integration gives full control and avoids a subscription, but every new system adds code to maintain. An iPaaS pools connectors and speeds up adding sources, at the cost of lock-in and a monthly fee.
| Criterion | Direct API integration | iPaaS |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | 3,000 - 20,000 | 5,000 - 15,000 |
| Monthly cost | Low (hosting) | 20 - 200 |
| Adding a new source | Dedicated development | Fast (ready connector) |
| Error handling | To be built | Often built in |
| Control and privacy | Maximum | Data transits a third party |
| Best for | 1-2 critical systems | 3+ systems, scalable |
Mini case study
Marc is sales director of a 60-person food wholesaler in Nantes. His B2B site shows stale stock and orders are re-keyed into the Sage ERP. A bidirectional connector at EUR 12,500 syncs stock, prices and orders in real time, with logging and alerts. Two reps no longer spend 6 hours per week fixing discrepancies, roughly 550 hours per year. At EUR 38 per loaded hour, the saving reaches nearly EUR 20,900 per year, before counting fewer stock disputes. Payback in about 8 months.
FAQ
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Why does a legacy ERP connector cost so much?
Without a proper API, you often have to hit the database directly or build an exchange layer (files, message queues). That demands thorough testing to avoid corruption, hence the EUR 8,000 to 20,000 range.
What is idempotency and why pay for it?
Idempotency ensures a replayed message does not create a duplicate (e.g. the same order twice). It is essential wherever there are error retries; it is what separates a reliable integration from a hack.
Is an iPaaS enough for everything?
To connect 3 or more systems with standard connectors, yes, and quickly. For a critical, very high-volume flow or an exotic ERP, direct API integration remains preferable.
How is data secured during sync?
Through encryption in transit (TLS), short-lived token authentication, access segmentation and logging. Budget EUR 2,000 to 5,000 for QA, monitoring and alerts.
How long to connect a standard CRM?
A standard HubSpot or Salesforce connector ships in 2 to 4 weeks. A legacy ERP can take 6 to 10 weeks depending on its database complexity.
Let's scope your project. List your systems (ERP, CRM, website), the sync direction you need and a budget between EUR 3,000 and 20,000 per connector: we map the flows and price them. 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.
