The verdict in three sentences
A vertical business SaaS costs 40 to 150 EUR/user/month and deploys fast, but imposes its processes and its own pace of change. An in-house build (60,000 to 150,000 EUR) fits your business exactly and creates an owned asset, at the cost of upfront investment and maintenance. The math tips toward in-house beyond 100-150 licenses or when SaaS fails to cover 30% of key needs; hybrid is often the optimum.
The real cost of vertical SaaS at scale
SaaS is cheap at 5 users, expensive at 150. Cost grows linearly with licenses and never builds equity. Compare total cost over 3 years.
| Number of users | SaaS at 80 EUR/mo (3 yrs) | In-house (build + 20%/yr maint.) |
|---|---|---|
| 20 users | 57,600 | ~150,000 |
| 50 users | 144,000 | ~150,000 |
| 100 users | 288,000 | ~160,000 |
| 150 users | 432,000 | ~170,000 |
| 250 users | 720,000 | ~190,000 |
Beyond ~50-60 licenses at 80 EUR/month, the 3-year SaaS cost exceeds that of an amortized in-house build. The more you scale, the wider the gap in favor of in-house.
Build, buy, or hybrid: the decision grid
The choice is not just cost. Functional coverage, strategic differentiation, and speed to deploy weigh just as much.
| Criterion | Vertical SaaS (buy) | In-house (build) | Hybrid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | Low (setup) | 60,000 - 150,000 EUR | 25,000 - 60,000 EUR |
| Time | 2-6 weeks | 4-9 months | 6-14 weeks |
| Business fit | Standard | Full | High |
| Owned asset | No | Yes | Partial |
| Maintenance | Included | 15-20%/yr | Shared |
| Ideal if | Standard process | Competitive edge | 70% standard + 30% specific |
2026 rule: if SaaS covers more than 70% of your needs, buy and customize at the margin. Below that, build or go hybrid (SaaS + custom bricks via API).
Mini case study
Sophie, CIO of a 120-branch brokerage network in Bordeaux, evaluates a business SaaS at 90 EUR/user/month for 130 users, i.e. 140,400 EUR/year, or 421,200 EUR over 3 years. The SaaS does not handle her specific commission process (an uncovered key need).
She goes hybrid: a general SaaS for standard CRM (35 EUR/user/month = 54,600 EUR/yr) and a custom commission-calculation brick built for 55,000 EUR plus 11,000 EUR/yr maintenance. 3-year total: 54,600 x 3 + 55,000 + 22,000 = ~240,800 EUR, i.e. ~180,000 EUR saved over 3 years versus the full vertical SaaS, while finally covering her key process.
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FAQ
From how many users should you consider in-house?
Generally beyond 100-150 licenses, the cumulative 3-year SaaS cost exceeds that of an amortized in-house build. The threshold drops if the per-license price is high.
What does an in-house business tool cost in 2026?
Expect 60,000 to 150,000 EUR for a robust first scope, plus 15 to 20%/yr in evolutionary maintenance.
Isn't SaaS safer and faster?
Yes to start: deployment in weeks and maintenance included. The risk is dependence (lock-in, price hikes, imposed processes) as you grow.
What is the hybrid approach?
Use SaaS for the 70% standard needs and build custom bricks connected via API for the 30% differentiating ones. It is often the best cost/value ratio in 2026.
How to avoid vendor lock-in?
Require data export, favor open-API SaaS, and isolate your key business logic in components you control.
Let's scope your project. Give us your user count, the coverage rate of existing SaaS, and your differentiating processes, and we quote build, buy, or hybrid. 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.
