The verdict in three sentences
The choice between off-the-shelf SaaS and a custom app is above all strategic: rent when the process is standard, build when the tool is your competitive edge. Over 3 years the cost gap is often smaller than it seems, because subscriptions add up: 30,000 FCFA a month is over 1,000,000 FCFA across three years. The real question is not "what is cheapest today" but "what do I need to control for the next five years".
Total cost of ownership over 3 years
Comparing the monthly price is not enough: you must think in total cost over three years, including maintenance and dependency. Here is an indicative 2026 framing.
| Criterion | Off-the-shelf SaaS | Custom app |
|---|---|---|
| Entry cost | 0 - 100,000 FCFA | 1,500,000 - 6,000,000 FCFA |
| Monthly cost | 15,000 - 60,000 FCFA | Maintenance 50,000 - 150,000 FCFA |
| Total 3-year cost (estimate) | 1,000,000 - 2,500,000 FCFA | 3,000,000 - 9,000,000 FCFA |
| Time to launch | Immediate | 4 - 12 weeks |
| Fit to needs | Standard, 70-90 % | Bespoke, 100 % |
| Data ownership | At the vendor | With you |
SaaS wins on speed and low entry cost; the custom app wins on full fit, data ownership and freedom from dependence on a vendor who can raise prices or shut down.
Build vs buy decision tree
Use these thresholds to decide quickly based on your situation.
| Situation | Recommendation | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 100 % standard process (accounting, invoicing) | SaaS | No edge in reinventing |
| The tool is your competitive edge | Custom app | Differentiation, control |
| Custom mobile money needs | Custom or hybrid | Specific Wave/OM integration |
| Highly sensitive data | Custom | Control and compliance |
| Tight budget, immediate need | SaaS first | Start fast, migrate later |
| Strong growth expected | Custom eventually | Avoid SaaS price tiers |
A hybrid approach is often wisest: start on a SaaS to validate the need, then build your own app when volume or specificity justify it.
Mini case study
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Aminata runs a distribution SME in Dakar and hesitates between a management SaaS at 45,000 FCFA a month and a custom app quoted at 3,000,000 FCFA. Over 3 years the SaaS costs 1,620,000 FCFA but does not handle her vendor payment split or her specific Wave integration, losing her about 200,000 FCFA a month in manual entry. The custom app, at 3,000,000 FCFA plus 80,000 FCFA monthly maintenance, costs 5,880,000 FCFA over 3 years but saves her 7,200,000 FCFA of wasted time. She picks bespoke, profitable from the second year.
FAQ
Is SaaS always cheaper than a custom app?
In the short term yes, but over 3 years the gap narrows. A 45,000 FCFA monthly subscription exceeds 1,600,000 FCFA over three years, sometimes half the cost of a custom app.
When is it better to build your own app?
When the tool is your competitive edge, when your needs are very specific (mobile money split, compliance) or when you want full ownership of your data.
Can you start on SaaS then migrate to bespoke?
Yes, that is the recommended hybrid approach: validate the need on a SaaS, then build your app when volume or specificity justify it, taking your data with you.
What is the main risk of a foreign SaaS in Africa?
Dependency: price hikes, no offline mode suited to power cuts, poor Wave/OM integration and data hosted outside your control. Worth assessing before committing.
Let's talk about your project. We help you decide between SaaS and a custom app based on your 3-year total cost. 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.
