The verdict in three sentences
An internal business web app for 20 to 50 users costs between 30,000 and 70,000 EUR in 2026, delivered in 3 to 6 months. Budget 500 to 1,200 EUR/month for hosting and maintenance. The main pitfall is not technical but organizational: scope creep (the classic "while we're at it") can double the budget, which is why strict scoping matters.
What makes up the price
A typical internal app handles scheduling, activity tracking and reporting. Price depends on the number of screens, roles, integrations (ERP, payroll, calendar) and the level of automation of repetitive tasks.
| Line item | Budget share | On a 50,000 EUR app | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scoping & specs | 12 % | 6,000 EUR | Workshops, flows, prioritization |
| UX/UI design | 18 % | 9,000 EUR | Screens, business ergonomics |
| Development | 55 % | 27,500 EUR | Front, back, roles, integrations |
| QA & acceptance | 10 % | 5,000 EUR | Testing, fixes |
| Training & rollout | 5 % | 2,500 EUR | Documentation, onboarding |
Ranges by scope
| Internal app type | Budget EUR | Timeline | Users |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple app (1 process) | 30,000 - 40,000 | 3-4 months | 20-30 |
| Standard app (scheduling + tracking + reporting) | 42,000 - 55,000 | 4-5 months | 30-50 |
| Extended app (+ ERP/payroll integrations) | 58,000 - 70,000 | 5-6 months | 40-50 |
| Hosting + maintenance | 500 - 1,200 /month | ongoing | - |
| Annual evolutions | 6,000 - 15,000 /year | ongoing | - |
ROI in hours saved
A well-designed internal app removes re-entry, conflicting shared files and manual follow-ups. 2026 order of magnitude: 8 to 12 hours saved per week per team of 5 to 8 people. At a 38 EUR loaded hourly cost, 10 hours/week over 46 weeks equals ~17,500 EUR/year of capacity recovered per team.
| Gain source | Before | After | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data re-entry | 4 hrs/wk | 0.5 hrs/wk | -3.5 hrs |
| Manual reporting | 3 hrs/wk | 0.3 hrs/wk | -2.7 hrs |
| Follow-ups & tracking | 2.5 hrs/wk | 0.8 hrs/wk | -1.7 hrs |
| Information search | 2 hrs/wk | 0.5 hrs/wk | -1.5 hrs |
Mini case study
Mehdi, operations director of a maintenance company in Lille (38 technicians, 42 users), manages scheduling and jobs on Excel and WhatsApp. Internal app quote: 52,000 EUR (scheduling, job tracking, client reporting), 5-month timeline, maintenance 900 EUR/month. Estimated gain: 10 hrs/week across the scheduling-invoicing team, i.e. ~17,500 EUR/year, plus fewer missed jobs. ROI in about 30 months excluding qualitative gains (client satisfaction, traceability). Scope was locked during framing to avoid creep.
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FAQ
Why is scope the main risk?
Because every "small" feature added along the way delays the schedule and inflates the budget. A written scope, with a prioritized backlog and a frozen V1 perimeter, prevents doubling the bill.
Custom development or a no-code tool?
Under 20 users and for a simple process, a no-code tool (20-80 EUR/user/month) can suffice. Beyond that, or with integrations and performance needs, custom becomes more cost-effective and scalable.
How much does maintaining an internal app cost?
Between 500 and 1,200 EUR/month depending on size: hosting, backups, monitoring, fixes and small evolutions. Also budget 6,000 to 15,000 EUR/year for functional evolutions.
How long until ROI?
Usually 24 to 36 months depending on team size and the volume of automated tasks. Qualitative gains (reliability, traceability, satisfaction) show up in the first weeks.
Can the app integrate with our existing ERP?
Yes, via API or connectors. It is a separate line item to quote (often 5,000-15,000 EUR depending on the ERP) but it eliminates double entry and improves data reliability.
Let's scope your project. Tell us the processes to digitize, the number of users and the integrations you need, and we will frame a controlled-scope V1. 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.
