The verdict in three sentences
A SaaS TMS costs 30 to 90 EUR per user per month, while a custom TMS represents 50,000 to 140,000 EUR for a project delivered in 5 to 9 months. The line item that justifies the investment is not the licence but the mileage saved: cutting kilometres by 10 to 20 % translates directly into fuel, driver hours and fleet wear. The right call depends on your route volume, your business constraints and your existing integrations (ERP, WMS, telematics).
SaaS or custom: the real trade-off
A market TMS deploys fast and covers 80 % of standard needs, but bills per user and limits specific routing rules. A custom TMS costs more upfront but removes the per-seat subscription and matches your exact constraints (time slots, tail lifts, ADR, multi-depot).
| Criterion | SaaS TMS | Custom TMS |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | 3,000 - 12,000 EUR (setup) | 50,000 - 140,000 EUR |
| Recurring cost | 30 - 90 EUR/user/month | Hosting 150 - 500 EUR/month |
| Setup time | 4 - 10 weeks | 5 - 9 months |
| Route optimization | Standard, low configurability | Tailored business rules |
| Cost at 30 users / 3 years | ~65,000 - 97,000 EUR | ~95,000 - 160,000 EUR |
| Code ownership | No | Yes |
What a modern TMS covers
Beyond planning, a 2026 TMS drives the whole transport cycle: route optimization, vehicle assignment, real-time tracking, electronic proof of delivery and carrier invoicing.
| Module | Measured gain | Typical impact |
|---|---|---|
| Route optimization | -10 to -20 % km | Fuel + driver hours |
| Real-time tracking | -40 % customer calls | Support workload |
| Proof of delivery (ePOD) | -60 % disputes | Payment terms |
| Auto transport invoicing | -70 % data entry | Billing errors |
| KPI dashboard | Cost/km visibility | Operations decisions |
Mini case study
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Marc, logistics director at a food distribution SME in Lyon, runs 14 vehicles over 620,000 km/year. His all-in cost is 0.95 EUR/km, or 589,000 EUR/year. A custom TMS at 88,000 EUR saves 15 % of kilometres, or 93,000 km and about 88,000 EUR/year. The investment pays back in just over twelve months, before counting driver hours saved and fewer delivery disputes.
FAQ
Is a SaaS TMS really cheaper? Short term yes, but beyond 25-30 users and over 3 years, the per-seat subscription (30 to 90 EUR/month) often catches up with and exceeds a custom project. A 36-month TCO calculation is essential.
How fast do you see the mileage gain? Within the first weeks after deploying optimization, stabilising between -10 and -20 % once historical routes are recalibrated and drivers are trained.
Can the TMS connect to my ERP and telematics? Yes, and it is the critical point: a custom TMS integrates natively with your ERP, WMS and GPS boxes via API, which a SaaS cannot always do without extra cost.
What minimum budget to start with custom? Plan a first tier around 50,000 EUR for a TMS covering planning, tracking and ePOD on a single-depot scope, then a gradual ramp-up.
Is the -10 to -20 % km gain guaranteed? It is a 2026 order of magnitude seen on distribution fleets; the result depends on your point density, time slots and address data quality.
Let's scope your project. Tell us about your fleet, route volume and integrations (ERP, WMS, GPS) and we will price a TMS matched to your target 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.
