The verdict in three sentences
An RPA platform (UiPath, Power Automate) at 400-900 EUR/month is justified when your processes touch legacy applications with no API and require vendor support. A no-code build (Make, self-hosted n8n) at 20-80 EUR/month plus integration beats the platform on 3-year TCO as soon as your tools expose APIs. In both cases the real lever is the 6 to 12-month payback on 40-120 hours/month freed.
RPA licence versus no-code build: the 2026 face-off
| Criterion | RPA platform (UiPath/Power Automate) | No-code build (Make/n8n) |
|---|---|---|
| Recurring licence | 400-900 EUR/month | 20-80 EUR/month |
| Initial integration | 4,000-10,000 EUR | 6,000-18,000 EUR |
| Connecting apps without API | Excellent (UI robots) | Limited |
| Time to go live | 3-6 weeks | 4-8 weeks |
| Vendor lock-in | High | Low (self-hosting possible) |
| Annual maintenance | 15% of build | 8-12% of build |
No-code shines when your SaaS tools (CRM, ERP, billing, email) expose modern APIs. RPA stays essential to drive an old line-of-business app reachable only through its graphical interface.
The 3-year TCO, the deciding factor
Many SMBs compare entry price and get it wrong. It is the total cost of ownership over 36 months that decides.
| Item | RPA platform | Self-hosted no-code |
|---|---|---|
| Initial integration | 8,000 EUR | 12,000 EUR |
| 36-month licence | 21,600 EUR (600/mo) | 1,800 EUR (50/mo) |
| 3-year maintenance | 3,600 EUR | 2,880 EUR |
| 3-year hosting | included | 1,500 EUR |
| 3-year TCO | 33,200 EUR | 18,180 EUR |
In this scenario no-code saves 15,000 EUR over 3 years, provided your applications are API-connectable. If a single critical process runs through a legacy app, RPA regains the edge on that scope.
Hours freed by process type
| Automated process | Hours/month before | After | Saving/month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Customer dunning | 25 h | 4 h | 21 h |
| Order entry | 40 h | 8 h | 32 h |
| Weekly consolidated reporting | 18 h | 3 h | 15 h |
| Supplier onboarding | 22 h | 6 h | 16 h |
| CRM/accounting sync | 30 h | 5 h | 25 h |
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A portfolio of 3-4 processes commonly frees 40 to 120 hours/month, i.e. 1,400 to 4,200 EUR/month valued at 35 EUR/hour.
Mini case study
Markus runs a 30-person distribution SMB in Berlin. He automates dunning, order entry and CRM sync: 78 hours/month freed. He picks a self-hosted n8n no-code build, integration 13,000 EUR, 60 EUR/month running cost.
Monthly gain: 78 h x 35 EUR = 2,730 EUR, minus 60 EUR running cost = 2,670 EUR net. Payback: 13,000 / 2,670 = 5 months. Over 3 years, net savings of around 83,000 EUR, against an 18,000 EUR TCO.
FAQ
When does the RPA platform stay the right choice? When a critical process runs through software with no API, or if you need contractual vendor support. Budget then 400-900 EUR/month in licence.
Is self-hosted no-code reliable in production? Yes, n8n or Make handle thousands of executions/day. Plan 8-12% of the build/year in maintenance and error monitoring.
What is the typical payback? Between 6 and 12 months for a portfolio of 3-4 processes freeing 40-120 hours/month.
How much is the initial integration? From 6,000 to 18,000 EUR in no-code, 4,000 to 10,000 EUR in RPA (licence on top).
Can we mix both? Yes: no-code for API flows, RPA for the 1 or 2 legacy processes. That is often the lowest TCO.
Let's scope your project. List your 3-5 most time-consuming processes and your tools: we price RPA, no-code or hybrid with a 3-year TCO. 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.