The verdict in three sentences
A secure client portal MVP costs between 18,000 and 40,000 EUR in London in 2026, delivered in 3 to 5 months, with SSO authentication, role management and GDPR compliance. Against a SaaS like Zendesk or Client Portal billed at 20 to 80 EUR per user per month, the bespoke build pays off once you exceed 40 to 60 active accounts. The real win is operational: -30 % support calls and -20 hours per week handed back to your teams.
What goes into a client portal, and what it costs
The classic trap is trying to ship everything in v1. A profitable portal starts with a tight core: order tracking, document downloads, invoice status, and contextual messaging. The rest comes in v2, once usage is proven.
| Scope | MVP (v1) | Version 2 | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSO authentication | Included (OAuth/SAML) | MFA + AD directory | Hardened security |
| Roles and permissions | 3 roles | Unlimited granular roles | Multi-entity |
| Order tracking | Real-time read | Alerts + auto follow-ups | -25 % chasers |
| Documents/invoices | PDF download | E-signature | -15 days cycle |
| Notifications | Email + SMS + in-app | +40 % engagement | |
| Indicative cost | 18,000-40,000 EUR | +15,000-30,000 EUR | ROI 8-14 months |
These figures are a 2026 order of magnitude for a serious European vendor, excluding hosting (around 80 to 250 EUR/month) and maintenance (15 to 20 % of the build per year).
Bespoke build vs SaaS: when to switch
SaaS wins at the start: live in days, zero development. But its cost scales linearly with users, and it forces its data model on you. Bespoke has an entry cost, then a near-zero marginal cost per extra user.
| Criterion | SaaS portal | Bespoke |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 cost (80 users) | 19,200-76,800 EUR | 18,000-40,000 EUR |
| Year 2 cost | 19,200-76,800 EUR | 3,000-8,000 EUR (maintenance) |
| ERP/CRM integration | Limited, connectors | Native, bespoke |
| UX customization | Low | Full (brand, workflow) |
| Data ownership | With the vendor | With you |
| Time to launch | 1-4 weeks | 3-5 months |
At 80 users at 40 EUR/month, SaaS already costs 38,400 EUR over two years: the bespoke build is amortized and yours to keep.
Mini case study
Marc, operations director of a B2B distribution SME in London (55 key accounts), received around 180 support calls per month about order status and invoices. At 12 minutes per call, that meant 36 hours a month tied up.
After a 28,000 EUR MVP portal, calls dropped 30 % (-54 calls/month, about 11 hours saved) and email document requests fell 60 %. Estimated gain: 20 hours per week across teams, roughly 2,200 EUR/month of avoided cost. The portal pays for itself in just over 12 months, before even counting client satisfaction and fewer billing disputes.
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FAQ
How much does a client portal MVP really cost in 2026?
Budget 18,000 to 40,000 EUR for an MVP in London, depending on the number of roles, integrations and security level. The top of the range includes enterprise SSO and ERP connectivity.
How long to deliver?
Between 3 and 5 months for an MVP, scoping included. A more complex extranet with validation workflows can run up to 6 months.
Is the portal GDPR compliant?
Yes: consent, access logging, EU hosting, encryption at rest and in transit, and the right to erasure are included by default in our 2026 deliverables.
When does bespoke become cheaper than SaaS?
From 40 to 60 active users at 40 EUR/month, SaaS exceeds the cost of a build over two years. Beyond that, the gap widens every year in favour of bespoke.
Can you integrate our ERP and CRM?
Yes. Native integrations (Sage, SAP, Salesforce, HubSpot) typically account for 20 to 40 % of the budget but eliminate double entry and make data reliable.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your number of clients, your ERP/CRM integrations and an indicative budget (18,000-40,000 EUR): we'll shape the MVP together. 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.
