The verdict in three sentences
A membership portal centralizes joining, dues, documents and communications for your association or federation, for a 2026 custom budget of 20,000 to 50,000 EUR in London. Online dues payment adds 4,000 to 10,000 EUR and the document space 3,000 to 8,000 EUR. Before building, compare with a membership SaaS (15 to 80 EUR/month): custom is only justified beyond a certain member count or with specific rules.
Cost of a custom portal in 2026
The core handles member accounts, renewal and directory; payment, document and communication modules enrich it. Here are the 2026 orders of magnitude.
| Module | 2026 range (EUR) | Lead time |
|---|---|---|
| Portal core (accounts, membership, directory) | 20,000 - 35,000 | 8 - 12 wks |
| Online dues payment | 4,000 - 10,000 | 2 - 4 wks |
| Document space (docs, minutes, bylaws) | 3,000 - 8,000 | 2 - 3 wks |
| Communication (newsletters, events) | 3,000 - 7,000 | 2 - 3 wks |
| Managed hosting | 100 - 400 /mo | ongoing |
A "core + payment + documents" portal lands around 30,000 to 45,000 EUR.
Make vs buy: the 2026 calculation
Membership SaaS tools charge by subscription or commission. Custom has a high fixed cost but no commission and full adaptation. Here is the 3-year comparison.
| Criterion | Membership SaaS | Custom portal |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | 0 - 2,000 EUR | 30,000 - 45,000 EUR |
| Monthly subscription | 15 - 80 EUR | 100 - 400 EUR (hosting) |
| Commission on dues | 0 - 2.9% | 0% (excl. PSP fees) |
| 3-year total (~800 members) | 6,000 - 15,000 EUR | 34,000 - 60,000 EUR |
| Customization | limited | full |
| Portability / reversibility | low | high |
Below ~1,000 members with standard needs, SaaS wins. Beyond that, or with specific business rules (tiered dues, regional chapters), custom pays off.
Mini case study
Nolwenn, secretary general of a sports federation in London (2,200 members, 45 EUR dues). On SaaS at 2.5% commission she pays 2,200 x 45 x 2.5% = 2,475 EUR/year in commissions, plus 60 EUR/month subscription, i.e. ~3,195 EUR/year. A custom portal at 38,000 EUR + 250 EUR/month hosting costs 3,000 EUR/year recurring, no commission. Break-even hits around year 4; beyond that custom is cheaper while offering regional chapters and specific accounting exports.
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FAQ
From how many members is custom worthwhile?
Generally beyond 1,000 to 1,500 active members, or as soon as your rules (chapters, variable dues) don't fit a standard SaaS.
What does the dues payment module cost?
Between 4,000 and 10,000 EUR in development. Add the payment provider's fees (often 1 to 2.9% per transaction).
What lead time for a custom portal?
Expect 3 to 5 months depending on modules. The core alone is deliverable in 8 to 12 weeks.
Is a membership SaaS really enough?
For a small association with standard needs, yes, from 15 EUR/month. Its limits: customization, commissions and vendor lock-in.
What annual maintenance budget?
Between 3,000 and 8,000 EUR/year (hosting + changes) for a mid-sized custom portal.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your member count, your dues rules and whether you're migrating from an existing SaaS: we cost the most profitable make-vs-buy option. 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.
