How Much Does Custom ERP or CRM Development Cost in 2026?
In short: a small internal tool starts at roughly €4,000–10,000, a mid-sized ERP/CRM-style system at €10,000–30,000, and a complex SaaS product or platform above €30,000. These are indicative ranges; the exact price depends on scope, integrations and how clear the requirements are.
"How much does it cost?" is the most common question and the hardest to answer, because two "CRMs" can differ tenfold in price. Here is a clear framework so you can budget realistically.
Indicative price categories
- Small internal tool (€4,000–10,000): replaces one or two processes for a few users. For example an order form with approval, or simple inventory tracking.
- Mid-sized system (€10,000–30,000): several modules, roles, reports and external integrations (invoicing, e-commerce, e-mail). A typical SME ERP/CRM.
- Complex system or SaaS (€30,000+): sophisticated business logic, multi-tenancy, payments, AI features and high availability requirements.
Prices are net, indicative, and based on an experienced engineer's rates in the Central European market.
What determines the final price?
- Number and complexity of features. Every module, rule and exception means working hours.
- Integrations. Connecting an external system (ERP, invoicing, bank, e-commerce) is often a significant part of the total.
- Data migration. Cleaning data from Excel or a legacy system is frequently underestimated.
- Permissions and security. Roles, audit logging, GDPR compliance.
- User interface. A clean internal interface is cheaper than a branded, customer-facing one.
- Operations. Hosting, backups, monitoring and CI/CD.
Hidden costs to plan for
- Changing requirements. You discover what's missing along the way. That's why we work in short iterations: change stays cheap.
- Training and rollout. Even the best system is worthless if the team doesn't use it.
- Maintenance. Budget roughly 10–20% of the annual development cost for maintenance and updates.
Fixed price or hourly rate?
When requirements are clear, a fixed price gives predictability. When the system evolves as you go, a transparent hourly rate (with a budget cap) is more flexible and often cheaper. After the consultation you get a written proposal for both.
How to reduce cost without lowering quality
- Start with the most painful process (an MVP) and expand later.
- Use proven technology instead of inventing something new.
- Describe the desired outcome, not only the features.
- Decide up front what the first release needs and what can wait.
Also calculate the return: if a system saves 15 working hours a week, that is hundreds of hours a year. Here's how to tell that the time has come, and I've written a separate guide on custom vs off-the-shelf.
Curious what your system would cost? Request an itemized proposal after a free 30-minute consultation.
FAQ
How much does a custom CRM or ERP system cost?
Indicatively: a small internal tool €4,000–10,000, a mid-sized system €10,000–30,000, a complex system or SaaS above €30,000. The exact price depends on features, integrations and data migration.
Should I choose a fixed price or an hourly rate?
With clear requirements a fixed price is more predictable. If the system evolves as you go, an hourly rate with a budget cap is more flexible and often cheaper.