The verdict in three sentences
Imported legal SaaS costs 25,000 to 70,000 FCFA per user per month, but it ignores your local procedural deadlines and fee-billing habits. A custom platform covering cases, hearing calendars and fees costs 10,000,000 to 24,000,000 FCFA plus 220,000 to 550,000 FCFA in monthly maintenance. The real gain isn't accounting: it's zero missed deadlines and roughly 180 hours a year recovered on billing, two levers that protect the firm's liability and cash flow.
Pricing by firm size in 2026
SaaS cost climbs with the number of lawyers and staff; custom has a fixed cost that pays off as the firm grows. 2026 orders of magnitude for the Cotonou market.
| Firm size | Imported SaaS (per month) | Imported SaaS (per year) | Custom (indicative build) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 lawyers | 50,000-140,000 FCFA | 600,000-1,680,000 FCFA | 10,000,000-13,000,000 FCFA |
| 5 lawyers | 125,000-350,000 FCFA | 1,500,000-4,200,000 FCFA | 13,000,000-17,000,000 FCFA |
| 10 lawyers | 250,000-700,000 FCFA | 3,000,000-8,400,000 FCFA | 17,000,000-21,000,000 FCFA |
| 15+ lawyers | 375,000-1,050,000 FCFA | 4,500,000-12,600,000 FCFA | 21,000,000-24,000,000 FCFA |
From 10 lawyers on, the cumulative subscription over 3-4 years exceeds the build of a tool you own and that encodes your own deadline rules.
What the custom scope covers
A useful legal tool is more than a case directory. Here are the modules and their value.
| Module | Key function | Measured impact |
|---|---|---|
| Case management | 360° view per matter, documents, parties | -40% document-search time |
| Hearing & deadline calendar | automatic alerts on procedural deadlines | zero missed deadlines |
| Fee billing | fixed fee, time spent, retainers, reminders | 180 h/year saved |
| Document vault | encrypted storage, access traceability | compliance & security |
| Time tracking | timer per matter, per-staffer breakdown | complete billing |
| Monthly maintenance | 220,000-550,000 FCFA/month | upgrades & security |
The procedural-deadline alert module protects the firm most: one missed deadline can cost far more than the software itself.
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Mini case study
Ms. Adjovi is managing partner of an 8-lawyer firm in Cotonou. Previously, fee billing tied up an assistant 4 hours a week to reconstruct time spent and issue invoices, about 180 hours a year. Valuing that hour at 3,500 FCFA, that's 630,000 FCFA of annual time absorbed, not counting forgotten retainers. After deploying a custom tool at 18,000,000 FCFA, per-matter time tracking automates invoice issuance: the 180 hours are recovered and the retainer-recovery rate improves. Add the disappearance of missed deadlines and the investment justifies itself on professional-risk reduction alone.
FAQ
Does the software handle local procedural deadlines? Yes: deadline rules are configurable and trigger automatic alerts (hearings, filing of submissions, appeals), eliminating the risk of a missed deadline.
How long to go live? Plan on 12 to 18 weeks for a cases + calendar + billing scope, with a gradual matter-by-matter switchover so activity isn't interrupted.
Can we bill on time spent and fixed fee? Yes. The module handles fixed fees, time billing, retainers and reminders, with a per-matter timer for complete, traceable billing.
Is the document vault secure? Documents are stored encrypted with access traceability. Confidentiality is a major stake for a firm, and a trust argument toward clients.
SaaS or custom for 3 lawyers? For a very small firm, well-chosen SaaS may suffice at first. Custom becomes rational from 8-10 lawyers, or earlier if you have very specific billing or deadline needs.
Let's scope your project. Tell us the number of lawyers, your billing model and your deadline constraints, and we'll frame a scope with an indicative budget in FCFA. 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.
