The verdict in three sentences
A fleet of 10 to 50 vehicles run without a tool suffers 10 to 25 % fuel drift and reactive maintenance that grounds trucks at the worst time. Software with trip dispatch, fuel tracking, preventive maintenance and cost-per-kilometre brings fuel drift to around 6 %. Combined tracking cuts total fleet cost by 12 to 18 %.
Custom software or fleet SaaS: the 2026 comparison
| Criterion | Custom software | Fleet SaaS |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | 3,000,000 to 7,000,000 FCFA | 0 to 300,000 FCFA |
| Monthly cost | 50,000 to 120,000 FCFA (hosting + support) | 40,000 to 120,000 FCFA/month per fleet |
| Trip dispatch | Custom | Standard |
| Fuel tracking / vouchers | Personalised | Generic |
| Preventive maintenance | Per-vehicle schedule | Depends on plan |
| Cost per kilometre | Dedicated calculation | Variable |
| 3-year cost | 4,800,000 to 11,320,000 FCFA | 1,440,000 to 4,620,000 FCFA |
The SaaS starts fast; custom pays off once dispatch rules and cost-per-km are specific to your operation.
Economic impact
| Metric | No tracking | With fleet software |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel drift | 20 % | 6 % |
| Vehicle availability | 78 % | 90 to 93 % |
| Cost per kilometre | baseline | -12 to 18 % |
| Delivery delays | frequent | rare |
| Planned maintenance | no | yes (preventive) |
Mini case study
Etienne, who manages a 20-truck fleet in Lagos, spends about 12,000,000 FCFA/month on fuel. With 20 % drift, roughly 2,400,000 FCFA/month leaks through waste and abuse. Bringing drift to 6 % saves nearly 1,680,000 FCFA/month, over 20,000,000 FCFA/year. The software (5,000,000 FCFA) pays back in about 3 months, before availability gains.
FAQ
How much does fleet management software cost in 2026?
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Budget 3,000,000 to 7,000,000 FCFA for custom (dispatch, fuel, maintenance, cost-per-km). A fleet SaaS runs 40,000 to 120,000 FCFA/month per fleet but stays generic.
How does the software cut fuel drift?
It links each fill-up to the vehicle and trip, flags abnormal gaps (consumption per km) and tracks fuel vouchers. Equipped fleets often move from 20 % to 6 % drift.
Does preventive maintenance really avoid downtime?
Yes: the schedule triggers servicing at the planned mileage or date, lifting vehicle availability from 78 % to over 90 %.
Can we compute a reliable cost per kilometre?
Yes, by combining fuel, maintenance, depreciation and trips, the software produces a per-vehicle cost per km, useful for pricing jobs and spotting loss-making vehicles.
Can I refer Kolonell for a commission?
Yes. The referral programme pays 15 % + 5 % recurring on a showcase site, 12 % on e-commerce, 10 % on marketplace and 8 % on institutional. Introduce us to a carrier and earn a commission at signature.
Let's talk about your project. We price your fleet software and estimate your fuel savings over a typical month. 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.
