Estimate what a custom logistics platform would cost to build, then put that figure next to what your SaaS will cost over the same period.
Our calculator lets you estimate the cost of eight types of logistics software, from fleet management and TMS to warehouse systems and platforms.
For trucking companies and fleets that need vehicle tracking with GPS and IoT sensors, maintenance scheduling, fuel control, and driver safety scorecards in one system.
For carriers and brokers who plan loads and dispatch shipments. A custom TMS can also cover carrier management and billing, modules SaaS often sells as add-ons.
For courier and on-demand delivery businesses. Covers dispatch, route optimization, driver apps, proof of delivery, and customer notifications.
For freight forwarders who book shipments and handle customs paperwork, often for cargo that travels by sea and road on the same trip.
For taxi and ride-hailing operators who need dispatch and fare logic behind a rider app and a driver app.
For intercity and coach operators who sell tickets online. We built such a platform for a German startup that served 8M+ passengers.
For warehouses and third-party logistics providers. Usually covers real-time inventory, receiving, picking and packing, and shipping, plus client billing for 3PLs.
For operations that span several workflows and pay for a separate tool for each one. One platform replaces 5–7 SaaS subscriptions, including driver and customer apps.
Depending on project complexity, custom logistics software typically costs $30K-70K for an MVP, $90K–$200K for a mid-size platform, and $200K+ for an enterprise system.
Typical scope
Up to 3 module groups, 1–2 integrations, web app
Best for
Testing a new service or replacing 1–2 SaaS tools
Custom development
$30K-70K
One-time
SaaS
$10K-$25K
Yearly
Typical scope
4–6 module groups, several integrations, web and mobile apps
Best for
Operations replacing a stack of separate SaaS tools
Custom development
$90K–$200K
One-time
SaaS
$40K-100K
Yearly
Typical scope
7+ module groups, legacy system integrations, AI or advanced analytics
Best for
Large or multi-country operations
Custom development
$200K+
One-time
SaaS
$100K-$200K+
Yearly
* Estimates are based on Stfalcon's past logistics projects and don't cover maintenance and hosting. The SaaS column shows what a similar operation typically costs per year in subscriptions and add-ons. For a full breakdown, see our logistics software development cost guide. For an estimate based on your own operation, use the calculator above.
We ran each scenario through the calculator, comparing total costs over five years. We assumed SaaS prices rise 6% a year, which is typical at contract renewal. The bigger and faster-growing the operation, the sooner custom pays off.
Warehouse management
Custom build
$57K
SaaS
$46K
Includes inventory visibility, receiving, picking and packing, returns, and basic reporting. Assumes flat operation.
SaaS stays cheaperFleet management
Custom build
$69K
SaaS
$187K
Includes vehicle tracking, utilization reports, a driver app, safety scorecards, and reporting dashboards. Assumes 10% yearly growth.
Custom pays off in year 2Last-mile delivery
Custom build
$97K
SaaS
$595K
Includes route planning, dispatch, proof of delivery, customer notifications, vehicle tracking, and a driver app. Assumes 25% yearly growth.
Custom pays off in year 1Warehouse management
Custom build
$98K
SaaS
$244K
Includes multi-site inventory, dock and yard management, cross-docking, billing, integrations with ERP and other systems, and analytics. Assumes 10% yearly growth.
Custom pays off in year 2It depends on what your logistics software needs to do and how many other systems it has to talk to.
Your type of operation decides what modules you'll need first. A fleet operator starts with vehicle tracking, a freight forwarder starts with bookings and customs document processing.
Every workflow you add, be it dispatch or invoicing, needs its own logic and testing. Each one is billed separately and raises the final estimate.
You'll need a separate integration for every system your software shares data with. With the first integration, you build the foundation the rest will reuse (like secure logins), so they'll cost less.
Every app and dashboard your team and customers use should be designed and tested for a different user and device, so each adds to the estimate.
Each AI feature costs more to build if your data is scattered or inconsistent. It has to be cleaned before a machine learning model can use it.
The countries you operate in affect what regulations your software has to meet. Detailed user permissions and audit trails take extra development, too.
While SaaS usually charges you for every vehicle or user you add, so your bill grows with your business, custom software costs about the same be it 50 vehicles or 500. Only hosting may grow as you scale.
The calculator gives you a rough budget for your project, based on the features and setup you choose. Use it to decide whether custom software is worth exploring. Keep in mind, the real cost can come in up to 30–40% higher or lower once someone evaluates your data and setup and gives you the full estimate.
The modules you needHow many systems you connectYour size and growthYour SaaS spend (or its estimate*)
How clean and complete your data isHow well systems' APIs are documentedWorkflows specific to your operationEdge cases*For the SaaS comparison, the calculator uses your monthly bill if you enter it, or average 2026 prices for your type of operation if you press “estimate for me”.
The calculator gives you a range, and the Stfalcon team can turn it into a plan you can budget and schedule against during our Discovery phase.
Step 1
We walk through how your team works, including the edge cases you handle that don't make it into a feature list.
Step 2
We estimate integration work based on the systems you need to connect and data you'll move.
Step 3
Our Solution Architect designs the architecture, and we agree on which features go into the first release.
Step 4
We price every feature and split the build into phases with clear timelines.
Every feature priced separately, so you can trim or extend the scope.
How the platform is built and how it connects to the systems you use.
How software will be built, in what order, and how long each phase will take.
Takes
4 - 6 weeks
The results are yours to keep, even if you decide to go with another technical partner.
Book a discovery call
$1.3M+ a year saved
Ukraine's top postal company needed one system for 38K+ staff across 39K branches. Enter Nova Workspace.
Read full story40%+ of intercity bus market captured
A Berlin-based team set out to launch one of Germany's first intercity bus operators. We built its ticket booking platform.
Read full story2X ticket bookings after launch
Ecoline’s old app kept crashing. Passengers couldn't finish buying tickets. We built a new booking flow for it.
Read full story50K+ orders/month on an app BBGO owns
A SaaS taxi platform became too expensive to keep. We built a custom ride-hailing platform with rider and driver apps.
Read full storyOur estimates come from 16+ years of building software for logistics companies. We've worked through the dispatch rules, integrations, and compliance questions, so we know the pitfalls and edge cases. Your range starts from hands-on experience.
Less risk
We've worked with Ecolines, one of Europe's largest coach operators, and Nova Poshta, Ukraine's delivery leader.
Less cost
Our pre-built logistics modules and AI workflows speed up project timelines.
More quality
Our development process meets the highest delivery standards.
Less coordination
We provide all the needed talent to implement your solution, from business analysts to DevOps.
Based on Stfalcon's published estimates:
Build logistics software with generative AI
We help transportation and logistics companies automate operations and scale faster through:
