The verdict in three sentences
Automating your business processes in London costs between EUR 8,000 and EUR 40,000 in 2026 depending on the number of flows, with a typical payback in 9 to 14 months. The real choice is not no-code versus custom, but the volume and complexity of your flows: below 3 simple processes an off-the-shelf platform is enough; beyond that, dedicated development becomes profitable. Always size the ROI in hours freed rather than licence cost.
How much an automation project costs in 2026
The budget depends on the number of flows, the systems to connect and the level of customisation. Below are the 2026 orders of magnitude observed in London.
| Scope | Number of flows | Budget | Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light automation (no-code) | 1 to 2 | EUR 8,000 - 12,000 | 3 - 4 wks |
| Standard automation | 3 to 5 | EUR 14,000 - 24,000 | 5 - 7 wks |
| Advanced custom automation | 6 to 10 | EUR 26,000 - 40,000 | 8 - 10 wks |
| Application maintenance (support) | — | EUR 300 - 700/mo | ongoing |
A senior developer / integrator's daily rate sits between EUR 450 and 650 in 2026 depending on seniority and agency.
Off-the-shelf no-code or custom development
Both approaches hold up depending on your volume. The table below compares the decision criteria.
| Criterion | No-code platform | Custom development |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | EUR 8,000 - 15,000 | EUR 20,000 - 40,000 |
| Recurring licence | EUR 20 - 60/user/mo | 0 (hosting ~EUR 50/mo) |
| Time to deploy | 3 - 5 weeks | 6 - 10 weeks |
| Customisation | Medium | Full |
| Vendor lock-in | High | None |
| Best for | 1 to 3 simple flows | Complex, high-volume flows |
Over 3 years, a platform billed at EUR 45/user/month for 20 users represents EUR 32,400 in licences, excluding configuration. Custom then becomes competitive once your flows stabilise.
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Mini case study
Claire, CFO of a 45-person industrial SME in London, automates purchase-order entry and approval workflows. Two employees each spend 30% of their time on it, i.e. the equivalent of 0.6 FTE. On a loaded cost of EUR 55,000 per FTE, that represents ~EUR 33,000/year of tied-up time. The project, quoted at EUR 22,000 with EUR 500/month of maintenance, frees roughly 60% of that time, i.e. ~EUR 20,000/year. Payback: 13 months, then a recurring net gain.
FAQ
How long to automate a first process? Allow 3 to 5 weeks for a simple no-code flow, 6 to 10 weeks for custom including scoping, development and testing. A one-week upfront scoping phase avoids 80% of back-and-forth.
What ROI can I realistically expect? A well-targeted project pays back within 9 to 14 months through freed hours. Beyond that, each euro invested typically generates EUR 1.5 to 2.5 of recurring annual gain.
Do we need to replace our existing software? No. Modern automation connects to your ERP, CRM and accounting tools via API. Replacement is only considered if a legacy tool exposes no interface.
What maintenance budget should we plan? Support runs between EUR 300 and 700/month depending on the number of flows and criticality. It covers fixes, minor changes and monitoring.
Is no-code really cheaper? Short term yes, but per-user licences can exceed EUR 30,000 over 3 years for 20 seats. Beyond 3 stabilised flows, custom is often more economical.
Let's scope your project. Describe your 2 or 3 most time-consuming processes, your number of users and an indicative budget, and we'll tell you where your ROI sits. 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.
