The verdict in three sentences
A network of 6 temp staffing branches placing 450 temporary workers a week loses most of its money in re-keying: contracts, timesheets, payroll and client invoicing. Packaged software at 500 to 2,500 EUR a month is enough as long as your organisation fits its model, but custom software at 50,000 to 120,000 EUR becomes relevant once you serve key accounts with specific billing rules. The gain is measured in branch assistant hours freed and payroll errors avoided.
Packaged vs custom: the 2026 comparison
| Criterion | Packaged staffing software | Custom software |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | 2,000 to 8,000 EUR (setup) | 50,000 to 120,000 EUR |
| Subscription | 500 to 2,500 EUR/month | 0 EUR |
| Maintenance and hosting | Included | 8,000 to 15,000 EUR/year |
| Client-specific billing rules | Limited, often paid add-on | Unlimited |
| Collective agreement rates and premiums | Standard | Configurable per client |
| Worker mobile app | Vendor-dependent, 1 to 3 EUR/worker/month | Included in scope |
| Time to go-live | 1 to 2 months | 5 months |
| 5-year cumulative cost (6 branches) | 40,000 to 160,000 EUR | 90,000 to 195,000 EUR |
On cost alone, packaged software often wins. Custom is justified by productivity: a branch assistant spends on average 8 to 12 hours a week keying paper or Excel timesheets. The figures come from the French market (Lyon) and are a reasonable 2026 ballpark for Amsterdam, where the ABU and NBBU agreements play the role of French staffing rules.
Essential modules and their budget
| Module | Function | Indicative budget |
|---|---|---|
| Worker database | Skills, certifications (forklift, first aid), availability | 8,000 to 15,000 EUR |
| Assignment contracts | Generation, e-signature within 2 working days | 8,000 to 18,000 EUR |
| Automated hiring declaration | Filing with the authorities before the start | 4,000 to 8,000 EUR |
| Digital timesheets | Mobile entry, online client approval | 10,000 to 22,000 EUR |
| Payroll and billing export | Payroll variables, 10% end-of-assignment and 10% holiday allowances (France), client invoices | 10,000 to 25,000 EUR |
| Network dashboard | Margin per branch and client, fill rate | 6,000 to 15,000 EUR |
| Worker app | Assignments, documents, pay advances | 8,000 to 20,000 EUR |
Regulatory reminder for France: the assignment contract must reach the worker within 2 working days of placement, and the hiring declaration (DPAE) must precede the start. Software that blocks an assignment without a valid declaration removes the undeclared work risk. Dutch agencies face equivalent obligations under the WAADI registration and their collective agreement.
Typical 5-month plan
| Month | Step | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Month 1 | Scoping, workshops with 2 pilot branches | Specifications, mock-ups |
| Month 2 | Worker database and contracts | First contracts signed online |
| Month 3 | Timesheets and client approval | No more paper in pilot branches |
| Month 4 | Payroll export, invoicing, declarations | Weekly payroll close tested |
| Month 5 | Rollout to 6 branches, training | Whole network live |
Mini case study
Karim runs a network of 6 temp staffing branches and employs 6 assistants who each spend 10 hours a week re-keying timesheets. At a 28 EUR loaded hourly cost, that is 6 x 10 x 28 x 47 weeks = 78,960 EUR a year. The custom software at 85,000 EUR cuts this time by 4, saving 59,200 EUR a year, minus 12,000 EUR of maintenance. Net gain: 47,200 EUR a year, break-even in 1.8 years, not counting avoided payroll errors estimated at 1 to 2% of billed volume.
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FAQ
What does staffing agency software cost in 2026?
Packaged products cost 500 to 2,500 EUR a month depending on branches and workers. A custom build ranges from 50,000 to 120,000 EUR.
Can the software handle hiring declarations automatically?
Yes, via the authorities' APIs, for a budget of 4,000 to 8,000 EUR. The system can block any assignment without a valid declaration.
How do we digitise timesheets?
The worker enters hours on mobile, the client approves in one click and payroll is fed automatically. Budget 10,000 to 22,000 EUR for this module.
Does custom software replace our payroll system?
Not necessarily: most networks keep their payroll and receive an export of variables. That cuts the budget by 20,000 to 40,000 EUR.
How long to equip 6 branches?
About 5 months, with 2 pilot branches live from month 3. Final rollout takes 2 to 3 weeks.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your number of branches, weekly workers and payroll tools, and we will price a scope and a 5-month plan. 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.
