The verdict in three sentences
A legal SaaS (30-70 EUR/user/month) is enough for a Dublin firm that wants to manage cases, billing and e-filing without heavy investment. A custom build (50,000-120,000 EUR) becomes necessary once confidentiality, controlled hosting and specific workflows turn strategic. The switch turns on three criteria: data control, court e-filing connector, and secretarial hours saved.
Vertical SaaS or custom: the cost lines
Legal SaaS appeals through fast rollout and native e-filing integration. Custom costs more upfront but offers hosting of your choice and an integrated digital vault, often decisive for a corporate practice. 2026 orders of magnitude for a 10-seat Dublin firm.
| Item | Legal SaaS | Custom build |
|---|---|---|
| Build / initial license | 0 EUR (subscription) | 50,000-120,000 EUR |
| Monthly cost per user | 30-70 EUR | included in maintenance |
| Court e-filing connector | often included | 6,000-12,000 EUR |
| Digital vault | add-on | 4,000 EUR |
| Monthly maintenance | included | 1,200-3,000 EUR |
| Vendor day rate | — | 550-750 EUR |
| Time to go live | 3-6 weeks | 14-22 weeks |
The key point for a law firm is client data hosting: in SaaS it lives with the vendor; in custom you pick a sovereign host and set your own retention rules.
Three-year comparison (10 lawyers + support staff)
| Scenario | Upfront | 3-year recurring | 3-year total |
|---|---|---|---|
| SaaS at 50 EUR/user | 0 EUR | 18,000 EUR | 18,000 EUR |
| SaaS at 70 EUR/user + add-ons | 0 EUR | 25,200 EUR | 25,200 EUR |
| Custom 85,000 EUR + e-filing 9,000 EUR | 94,000 EUR | 72,000 maintenance | 166,000 EUR |
SaaS stays lighter on cash. But custom changes the equation once the firm values control of its sensitive data and automation of secretarial tasks (file opening, drafting standard documents, fee reminders).
Mini case study
Mr. Byrne, partner at a 10-lawyer corporate practice in Dublin, hesitates to leave his SaaS for a custom build at 85,000 EUR with an e-filing connector (9,000 EUR) and 2,000 EUR/month maintenance. His goal: automate file opening and standard document generation. Support staff save 2.5 hours per lawyer per week. At 38 EUR/loaded hour that is 10 × 2.5 × 38 × 45 weeks = 42,750 EUR/year of recovered capacity, plus the value of sovereign hosting that reassures his large-account clients. The investment pays back in a little over two years, before counting the commercial trust gained.
FAQ
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Does a legal SaaS handle court e-filing?
Yes, most legal SaaS natively integrate e-filing. In custom, the connector costs 6,000 to 12,000 EUR but adapts to your workflows.
Why pay for a digital vault?
Budget around 4,000 EUR for an integrated vault guaranteeing evidential archiving and traceability, a compliance asset for sensitive matters.
Does custom improve confidentiality?
Yes: you choose the host (sovereign if needed), encryption and retention rules. In SaaS those choices belong to the vendor.
How long for custom lawyer software?
From 14 to 22 weeks depending on scope (billing, e-filing, vault, client portal). Serious scoping avoids overruns.
What maintenance should I plan?
Maintenance of 1,200 to 3,000 EUR/month depending on the volume of regulatory changes and expected support level.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your headcount, area of law and e-filing/confidentiality needs: we will cost out the best-fit scenario, indicative budget 50,000-120,000 EUR by scope. 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.
