The verdict in three sentences
A TMS (Transport Management System) optimises routes, digitises transport orders and automates client invoicing. In 2026, custom builds cost 60,000-160,000 EUR, while SaaS runs 60-150 EUR per vehicle per month: custom pays off above 40 vehicles or with strong business-specific rules. ROI lands in 12 to 18 months, driven by fuel savings and better load factor.
Custom or SaaS: 2026 costs
The choice depends on fleet size, telematics integration needs and how specific your routing rules are.
| Item | SaaS TMS | Custom TMS |
|---|---|---|
| Entry point | 60-150 EUR / vehicle / month | 60,000-160,000 EUR |
| Onboarding | 3,000-12,000 EUR | included (3-6 months) |
| Route optimisation | standard | dedicated algorithm |
| Telematics integration | limited connectors | any hardware |
| Business customisation | low | full |
| 3-year cost (30 vehicles) | 75,000-160,000 EUR | 90,000-190,000 EUR |
Below 25 vehicles, SaaS stays the rational pick; above that, the gap narrows and custom wins over time.
The measurable gains of a TMS
A TMS only pays off when operational gains are tracked. Here are 2026 orders of magnitude seen across the market.
| Lever | Before | After TMS | Gain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel consumption | baseline | -8 to -12 % | 6,000-18,000 EUR / year |
| Load factor | 68 % | 78-82 % | +10-14 points |
| Empty km | 22 % | 14-16 % | -6-8 points |
| Planning time | 4 h / day | 1 h / day | -75 % |
| Invoice disputes | 6 % | 1.5 % | -75 % |
| CO2 emissions | baseline | -9 to -12 % | CSRD compliance |
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Mini case study
Mark, operations director of a 32-vehicle carrier in East London, spends 480,000 EUR on diesel per year. A custom TMS at 110,000 EUR saves 10 % on fuel (48,000 EUR / year), cuts planning time by 3 hours a day (one lighter role, ~28,000 EUR / year) and divides invoice disputes by four. Annual gains: around 82,000 EUR. Payback in 16 months, then 82,000 EUR recurring every year.
FAQ
How long to deploy a custom TMS? Budget 3 to 6 months depending on integrations (telematics, ERP, subcontracted carriers). A single-depot pilot can start in 8-10 weeks.
Will the TMS integrate with my existing telematics? Yes: Geotab, Webfleet or Ptv units connect via API. Budget 5,000-15,000 EUR of integration depending on the number of sources.
What realistic fuel saving can I expect? Between 8 and 12 % by optimising routes and load factor. On a fleet burning 400,000 EUR / year, that is 32,000-48,000 EUR.
SaaS or custom for 15 vehicles? At that size, SaaS (60-150 EUR / vehicle / month) is almost always more economical. Custom becomes relevant above 30-40 vehicles or with atypical business rules.
Does a TMS help with sustainability reporting? Yes: per-route emission tracking feeds directly into your extra-financial reporting, an asset beyond 2026 regulatory thresholds.
Let's scope your project. Tell us your fleet size, telematics stack and indicative budget, and we will define the most profitable TMS scope. 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.
