The verdict in three sentences
An iPaaS (Zapier, Make, managed tools) costs EUR 40 to 600/month by task volume, with no entry cost; a custom connector needs 6 to 22 M FCFA (approx. USD 10,000-37,000) upfront then 18%/year maintenance. The 2026 break-even sits around 15,000-25,000 runs/month: beyond that, custom becomes cheaper over 3 years. The real trade-off is not only financial: it is vendor lock-in versus internal technical debt.
3-year cost comparison
The question is not "which is cheaper" in absolute terms, but "which is cheaper for my volume and horizon". Below are 2026 orders of magnitude.
| Criterion | iPaaS (subscription) | Custom build |
|---|---|---|
| Entry cost | 0 | 6 - 22 M FCFA |
| Monthly cost | 40 - 600 EUR/month | Hosting 50-120,000 FCFA/month |
| Annual maintenance | Included in subscription | 18% of build |
| Setup time | Days to 2 weeks | 4 to 9 weeks |
| Control / customisation | Limited to connectors | Total |
| Dependency | High (vendor) | Low (internal debt) |
The break-even and what it hides
At low volume the iPaaS always wins: no entry cost, fast setup. But price rises with run count, and some business logic becomes impossible to model in an iPaaS.
| Monthly volume | Cheapest choice (3-year horizon) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| < 5,000 runs | iPaaS | Entry cost unjustified |
| 5,000 - 15,000 | iPaaS or hybrid | Depends on complexity |
| 15,000 - 25,000 | Break-even zone | Compare case by case |
| > 25,000 runs | Custom | iPaaS subscription too heavy |
| Complex business logic | Custom | iPaaS blocking |
Practical 2026 rule: often start on iPaaS to validate the need, migrate to custom when volume or complexity crosses the threshold.
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Mini case study
David, IT lead at a wholesaler in New York, connects store, ERP and delivery tool. On iPaaS his volume hits 22,000 runs/month, billed about EUR 420/month, roughly 15.4 M FCFA over 3 years, before counting limits on his discount logic. A custom connector is quoted at 12 M FCFA, hosting 90,000 FCFA/month, maintenance 18%: over 3 years, about 16 M FCFA but with full control and zero vendor lock-in. At this volume the choice tilts to custom once business logic matters.
FAQ
At what volume does custom become worthwhile? Around 15,000-25,000 runs/month over a 3-year horizon. Below that, iPaaS is almost always cheaper.
Is vendor lock-in a real risk? Yes: shifting pricing, deprecated connectors, API limits. Custom makes you autonomous but creates technical debt you must maintain.
Can I start on iPaaS then migrate? It is even recommended: validate the need on iPaaS, then switch to custom when volume or complexity demands it. This avoids over-investing too early.
What hidden costs live in iPaaS? Per-task pricing that climbs fast, volume tiers, and time spent working around limits when business logic exceeds what the tool allows.
Does custom require an in-house team? Not necessarily: maintenance (18%/year) can be outsourced. But you must budget this recurring cost from year 1 so the connector does not degrade.
Let's scope your project. Give us your monthly run volume, the apps to connect and your budget horizon, and we will compare iPaaS and custom with figures. 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.
