The verdict in three sentences
Secib Neo and Kleos-style verticals bill 35 to 55 EUR per user per month, roughly 9,900 EUR/yr for 15 seats on a perpetual subscription. A custom build at 45,000-65,000 EUR one-off costs more upfront but saves 5 hours per week per lawyer on matter work, and becomes TCO-competitive around year 5. The choice depends on your matter volume, e-filing integrations and confidentiality requirements.
Features: what each option actually covers
Verticals cover the core; custom fits your exact organization and approval workflows.
| Feature | Secib / Kleos | Custom (Kolonell) |
|---|---|---|
| Matter management | Standard | Tailored to your practice |
| Time-based billing | Yes | Yes + firm rules |
| Court e-filing integration | Yes | Yes (via connector) |
| Approval workflows | Rigid | Custom |
| Secure client portal | Paid option | Included |
| Own the code | No | Yes |
| Cost per added seat | +660 EUR/yr | 0 EUR |
5-year TCO for 15 seats
Custom is a one-off investment, then maintained at 15 % ATM. The license is a flow that never stops and grows with headcount.
| Item | Secib / Kleos | Custom |
|---|---|---|
| Setup cost | 1,500 EUR | 55,000 EUR |
| Annual recurring | 9,900 EUR | ATM 8,250 EUR |
| Year 1 | 11,400 EUR | 63,250 EUR |
| 3-year cumulative | 31,200 EUR | 71,500 EUR |
| 5-year cumulative | 51,000 EUR | 88,000 EUR |
| 5-year cumulative (25 seats) | 84,000 EUR | 88,000 EUR |
At a flat 15 seats, the license stays cheaper over 5 years. But a firm growing to 25 seats sees the gap almost close by year 5, before counting the value of owned code and the included client portal.
Mini case study
Ms. Lefevre, managing partner of a 15-seat law firm. She pays 9,900 EUR/yr for a Kleos license but finds the workflows too rigid for complex litigation. A custom build at 55,000 EUR + 15 % ATM costs 63,250 EUR in year 1. With 5 hours saved per week per lawyer on matter prep, about 220 h/lawyer/yr, she recovers across 15 lawyers the equivalent of over 148,000 EUR/yr in billable time at a 45 EUR loaded hourly cost. Operational ROI lands at month 30. EU hosting, GDPR and privilege compliance, delivery in 12 to 16 weeks.
FAQ
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What does custom law firm software cost in 2026?
Between 45,000 and 65,000 EUR one-off depending on modules (matters, billing, e-filing, client portal), plus 15 % ATM/yr. A 15-seat firm lands around 55,000 EUR.
Is court e-filing integration possible with custom?
Yes, via a secure connector. Time-based billing and matter tracking sync with your filings, removing double entry and firming up fees.
Is privilege better protected than with a vertical?
With EU hosting, encryption and per-matter access partitioning, yes. You control who sees what without depending on a shared multi-tenant platform.
What deployment timeline should I plan?
Budget 12 to 16 weeks for a full scope with migration of open matters. A single module (billing or client portal) can ship in 6-7 weeks.
At how many seats does custom pay off?
From 20-25 seats, cumulative license spend meets custom over 5 years. Below that, custom is justified mainly by time savings (5 h/week/lawyer) and code ownership.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your seat count, core practice areas and e-filing needs, for an indicative budget of 45,000-65,000 EUR. 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.
