The verdict in three sentences
A SaaS optimization module at 30-120 EUR/month per vehicle is enough to plan standard routes without a big investment. A custom engine at 40,000-95,000 EUR, wired into your ERP and billing, is justified when your constraints (time windows, skills, products) are too specific. With 12-20 % of miles saved, ROI typically sits between 8 and 16 months.
SaaS or custom engine: the comparison
SaaS optimizes fast; custom absorbs your business rules and talks to your systems. 2026 order of magnitude:
| Item | SaaS optimization | Custom engine |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | 0-3,000 EUR setup | 40,000-95,000 EUR |
| Recurring | 30-120 EUR/mo per vehicle | Maintenance 12-15 %/yr |
| Driver app (proof, scan) | Add-on | Module 12,000-28,000 EUR |
| ERP/billing integration | Limited | 5,000-12,000 EUR |
| Fine business constraints | Standard | Tailored |
| Code ownership | No | Yes |
| Timeline | 2-6 weeks | 3-5 months |
For 25 vehicles, SaaS at 90 EUR/month per vehicle is 27,000 EUR/year.
The line items and their ROI
Savings come from avoided miles, fuel and eliminated planning hours. 2026 estimate:
| Item | Range (EUR) | Gain |
|---|---|---|
| Optimization engine | 25,000-55,000 | -12 to -20 % miles |
| Driver app (proof/scan) | 12,000-28,000 | Proof of delivery, fewer disputes |
| ERP/billing integration | 5,000-12,000 | Automated billing |
| Automatic route planning | 8,000-18,000 | -50 to -70 % planning time |
| Miles/fuel dashboard | 4,000-10,000 | Cost control |
Mini case study
Karim runs 28 delivery vehicles in Miami. His hand-planned routes generate ~1,100,000 km/year for ~180,000 EUR of fuel and 1.5 FTE of planning (~54,000 EUR loaded). He invests 78,000 EUR in a custom engine (optimization, driver app, ERP integration). Maintenance at 14 % is 10,920 EUR/year. Saving 16 % of miles (~28,800 EUR fuel) and 60 % of planning time (~32,000 EUR) yields ~60,000 EUR/year. ROI is reached in about 14 months.
FAQ
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What does route optimization software cost in 2026?
As SaaS, 30-120 EUR/month per vehicle. As custom, 40,000-95,000 EUR with 12-15 %/yr maintenance.
How many miles can I expect to save?
On average 12-20 % fewer miles, depending on route density and address-data quality.
Is the driver app essential?
Not mandatory but highly profitable: proof of delivery, scanning, real-time statuses and fewer disputes, for 12,000-28,000 EUR.
Can we integrate our ERP?
Yes, ERP/billing integration costs 5,000-12,000 EUR and removes re-entry into accounting.
How fast until we're operational?
Expect 3-5 months for an integrated custom engine, versus 2-6 weeks for standard SaaS.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your vehicle count, routing constraints and indicative budget, and we'll price the SaaS-or-custom-engine option with the best ROI. 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.
