The verdict in three sentences
A custom clinic system starts at 45,000-80,000 EUR for an MVP scheduling + records, and reaches 110,000-220,000 EUR as a full platform. The real cost driver is health-data compliance (HDS/GDPR) and HL7/FHIR/national-record interoperability, not just the screens. ROI hinges on OR utilisation and billing lead time.
Scope vs budget
Cost depends on the modules included. Here is a 2026 order of magnitude for a private clinic in France.
| Scope | Modules | Budget | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| MVP | OR scheduling + patient records | 45,000-80,000 EUR | 16-20 wks |
| Intermediate | + admissions + billing | 80,000-140,000 EUR | 20-24 wks |
| Full platform | + patient journey + stock + reporting | 110,000-220,000 EUR | 22-26 wks |
The compliance surcharge (often underestimated)
Health data requires certified hosting and standardised interoperability. These recurring lines weigh heavily on TCO.
| Compliance item | 2026 detail | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Certified health hosting (HDS) | by volume/HA | 800-2,500 EUR/mo |
| HL7/FHIR interoperability | lab/imaging connectors | 12,000-30,000 EUR (build) |
| National health record link | integration | 8,000-18,000 EUR |
| Health GDPR audit + DPO | annual flat fee | 6,000-14,000 EUR/yr |
| Maintenance | ~15% of build | 16,500-33,000 EUR/yr |
Custom vs off-the-shelf PMS/EHR
| Criterion | Off-the-shelf | Custom |
|---|---|---|
| Entry cost | Low (licence/month) | 45,000-220,000 EUR |
| Fit to clinic flows | Limited | Total |
| FHIR/record interoperability | Vendor-dependent | Native, controlled |
| Code ownership | No | Yes |
| Evolution | Vendor roadmap | Your roadmap |
| Health hosting | Included/imposed | Your choice, certified |
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Mini case study
Dr Renaud, director of a 90-bed private clinic in Nantes, loses 11% of OR slots for lack of reliable scheduling and bills procedures with a 42-day average lag. An MVP scheduling + billing at 75,000 EUR on certified hosting (1,500 EUR/month) cuts lost slots to 4%: on an OR generating 2.8 M EUR/year, recovering 7 utilisation points is ~196,000 EUR/year in additional revenue. Bringing billing lag from 42 to 25 days also frees roughly 130,000 EUR of working capital. The investment pays back in under 6 months.
FAQ
How much does custom clinic software cost in 2026? An MVP scheduling + records runs 45,000-80,000 EUR; a full platform 110,000-220,000 EUR, excluding certified hosting and interoperability.
What is certified health hosting and why is it mandatory? It is a certification required to host personal health data. Budget 800-2,500 EUR/month depending on volume and high availability.
Do I need HL7/FHIR and national-record interoperability? Yes if you exchange with labs, imaging or the national health record. Interoperability build costs 12,000-30,000 EUR, the national-record link 8,000-18,000 EUR.
How long to go live? Budget 16-20 weeks for an MVP, 22-26 weeks for a full platform, QA and data migration included.
What annual maintenance budget? Maintenance of ~15% of the build per year, plus the health GDPR audit (6,000-14,000 EUR/year) and monthly certified hosting.
Let's scope your project. Describe your priority modules (OR, billing, records), your volume and indicative budget: we'll frame a costed compliant MVP. 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.
