The verdict in three sentences
A custom fleet management web app for 60 vehicles costs between EUR 40,000 and 90,000 in 2026, depending on how deep the route optimization and integrations go. Budget 4 to 7 months of development and about EUR 600/month for maintenance and evolutions. Against a SaaS TMS billed at EUR 30-80 per vehicle per month, custom pays off once your fleet passes 40-50 vehicles or your routing rules are too specific for off-the-shelf software.
What the budget covers
A logistics director isn't buying a map with dots on it: they're buying fewer empty miles, controlled fuel and routes that actually hold. Here is the typical cost structure for an Amsterdam project in 2026.
| Item | Scope | Range EUR |
|---|---|---|
| Discovery and UX | Workshops, driver and dispatcher journeys | 4,000 - 8,000 |
| Real-time geolocation | Mapping, tracks, geofencing | 8,000 - 16,000 |
| Route optimization | Assignment engine, time windows | 12,000 - 26,000 |
| TMS module | Transport orders, delivery notes, proofs | 10,000 - 22,000 |
| Mobile driver app | Route sheet, signature, photos | 6,000 - 14,000 |
| Integrations (ERP, telematics, fuel) | Third-party APIs, fuel cards | 5,000 - 12,000 |
| UAT, rollout, training | Testing, go-live, change management | 4,000 - 9,000 |
A workable core (geolocation + routing + driver app) fits in EUR 45,000-60,000. The upper band buys fine-grained telematics, timestamped proof of delivery and a multi-constraint optimization engine.
Custom vs SaaS TMS: the real math
A SaaS TMS has a low but linear cost that climbs with every vehicle. Custom carries a high fixed cost that amortizes. On a 60-vehicle fleet, the 3-year comparison speaks for itself.
| Scenario | SaaS TMS EUR 55/veh/mo | Custom app |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront investment | 0 | EUR 65,000 |
| Monthly cost (60 veh) | EUR 3,300 | EUR 600 (maintenance) |
| 36-month total | EUR 118,800 | EUR 86,600 |
| Specific routing rules | Limited | Unlimited |
| Data ownership | Vendor | You |
| Estimated fuel savings | Standard | -8 to -15% |
Beyond license cost, fuel is the big lever: on a EUR 720,000 annual fuel budget for 60 vehicles, 10% savings equals EUR 72,000 a year - more than the project.
Mini case study
Sarah is COO of a regional carrier in Amsterdam: 60 vehicles, EUR 720,000 in annual fuel, a dispatcher building routes by hand in a spreadsheet. She invests EUR 62,000 in a custom app plus EUR 600/month maintenance. Twelve-month result: 11% fuel savings (EUR 79,000), 6 hours a week saved for the dispatcher, and she drops a SaaS TMS that cost EUR 3,300/month. Payback lands in under 10 months.
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FAQ
How much is annual maintenance?
Budget around EUR 600/month, or EUR 7,200/year, covering fixes, monitoring and small evolutions. Major new modules are quoted separately.
Can we connect our existing telematics units?
Yes, most units expose an API or standard feed. The connector typically runs EUR 3,000-8,000 depending on the vendor.
How long before a usable first version?
A geolocation plus driver-app core can ship in 10-14 weeks. The advanced optimization engine follows, on a 4-7 month total.
At what fleet size does custom make sense?
The tipping point is usually 40-50 vehicles, or sooner if your routing constraints can't be expressed in a standard TMS.
Does the app work offline?
Yes, the driver app can run in degraded mode and sync when the network returns, which is essential in poorly covered areas.
Let's scope your project. Send us your fleet size, annual fuel budget and routing constraints, and we'll price a workable core in the EUR 45,000-90,000 range. 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.
