The verdict in three sentences
A firm billing by time spent needs three things: reliable time tracking, billing compliant with fee agreements, and automatic collection reminders. A vendor (EUR 25 to 55/user/month) covers these needs for most firms; a custom module (EUR 20,000 to 50,000) is justified to tightly integrate your accounting or model unusual fee structures. The real ROI is not the price: it's the collection rate, where a few points gained more than cover the tool.
Vendor vs custom: functions and costs
Fee billing blends time capture, applying agreements (fixed, time-based, success fee), invoice issuance and collection tracking. Here is how the two approaches compare in 2026.
| Criterion | Vendor SaaS | Custom module |
|---|---|---|
| Price | EUR 25 to 55/user/month | EUR 20,000 to 50,000 |
| Time tracking | Standard (timer, entry) | Fitted to your practices |
| Fee agreements | Predefined templates | Exact modeling |
| Automatic reminders | Yes, configurable | Custom |
| Accounting integration | Standard connectors | Dedicated API, no re-keying |
| Time to launch | 2 to 5 weeks | 8 to 14 weeks |
Collection ROI: the calculation that counts
In a firm, unrecorded time and un-chased invoices are a silent loss. Improving time capture and automating reminders acts directly on collected revenue.
| Lever | Typical 2026 impact | On a firm with EUR 1.2M revenue |
|---|---|---|
| Better time capture (+3 %) | +3 % billable revenue | +EUR 36,000/year |
| Fewer unpaid invoices (-2 pts) | +2 % collection | +EUR 24,000/year |
| Automatic reminders (-15 days delay) | Faster cash | Working-capital gain |
| No accounting re-keying | 120 h/year at EUR 45 | +EUR 5,400/year |
Even a custom module at EUR 45,000 pays back in under a year once these levers work together.
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Mini case study
Mr. Diallo, partner at a 7-lawyer business firm in Dakar, also billing international clients. His firm bills the equivalent of EUR 1.1M in fees but estimates losing 4 % of unrecorded time and endures a 3-month average collection delay. A custom module at EUR 38,000, with an integrated timer, automatic agreement application and scheduled reminders, captures 3 % more time (+EUR 33,000/year) and shortens collection by 3 weeks. Result: the tool is paid back in under 14 months, with a lasting effect on cash flow.
FAQ
Is a vendor enough for a small firm? Yes, in the vast majority of cases. Under 10 users and without exotic fee agreements, a vendor at EUR 25-45/user/month is the fastest, lowest-risk choice.
Is custom only worth it for accounting integration? That's often the trigger: removing re-keying between billing and accounting saves dozens of hours and makes figures reliable, which few vendors do perfectly.
How to concretely improve collections? Staggered automatic reminders (D+7, D+21, D+40) and a visual view of unpaid invoices clearly reduce the average collection delay, often by 10 to 20 days.
Can it handle multiple currencies for international clients? Yes. Serious vendors and any custom module handle multi-currency; check conversion and country-compliant invoice issuance.
How long to deploy a custom module? Expect 8 to 14 weeks, including fee-agreement modeling, accounting integration and team training.
Let's scope your project. Give us your lawyer count, your fee-agreement types and your target budget, and we'll say whether a vendor is enough or a custom module boosts your collections. 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.
