How much does a custom ERP cost in India? What actually drives the price
Why ERP quotes vary so much, the six factors that decide the price of a custom ERP in India, and practical ways to keep cost down without buying the wrong system.
Umang Lakkad
Founder & CEO, LKR Code Orbit ·
Key takeaways
- Custom ERP cost depends on six things: modules in scope, custom features, integrations, users, data migration and support level.
- Starting from a ready ERP and tailoring it costs less and goes live faster than building from zero.
- Insist on a written scope and a fixed quote; most ERP cost overruns come from vague scope.
"How much does an ERP cost?" is the first question every business owner asks, and the honest answer is: it depends on what you need it to do. Two businesses of the same size can need very different systems. A snacks maker with three wholesalers and a D2C brand shipping thousands of marketplace orders a month should not pay for each other's modules.
Instead of a price list, here are the factors that decide the price, so you can compare quotes properly.
The six factors behind an ERP quote
| Factor | What it means | How to keep it down |
|---|---|---|
| Modules in scope | Purchase, production, sales, shipping, accounts, portals… | Start with the modules that remove the most manual work |
| Custom features | New screens, reports, documents or rules | Separate must-haves from nice-to-haves |
| Integrations | Shopify, marketplaces, couriers, WhatsApp, banks, Tally | Connect the channels that carry most volume first |
| Users and portals | Back-office users, dealer or distributor logins | Give portal access to active partners first |
| Data migration | Opening balances vs years of history | Bring opening balances; archive old history in Excel |
| Support level | Standard vs priority response | Match to how critical the system is day to day |
Build from zero vs tailor a ready ERP
Build from zero
- Every module designed and coded new
- Longer timeline before first use
- Highest cost
- Makes sense only for unusual processes
Tailor a ready ERP
- Proven modules configured to your process
- First modules live in weeks
- Pay for the modules you keep plus what is new
- Custom pieces built on the same records
At LKR Code Orbit we start from our own ERP for manufacturers and ecommerce sellers. In scoping we mark each module keep, remove or add, and the quote covers exactly that. See how we work.
From enquiry to fixed quote
- 01
Discovery call
About 45 minutes
- 02
Keep / remove / add
Module-by-module scope
- 03
Written scope
Screens, reports, integrations
- 04
Fixed quote
Price and timeline, usually in 2 to 3 days
Hidden costs to ask about
- Annual licence or per-user fees after year one
- Hosting and backup charges
- Cost of changes after go-live
- Integration fees charged by third-party platforms
- Training for new staff later
- Data export if you ever leave
Getting a quote
Send us your product list and a rough idea of monthly orders on WhatsApp. We will set up a discovery call and send a fixed quote for the scope we agree. You can also read which modules exist on the ERP features page.
Frequently asked questions
Why don't ERP companies publish prices?
Because scope varies so much between businesses. A fixed quote after scoping protects both sides better than a generic price list.
Is custom ERP more expensive than SaaS ERP?
Upfront it can be. Over several years, a scoped custom ERP without per-user fees can cost less, and it fits your process instead of forcing you into a template.
Can we start small and add modules later?
Yes. Start with the modules that remove the most manual work, then add portals, integrations or new modules on the same records.
Written by Umang Lakkad
Founder & CEO of LKRCODEORBIT. Architects the data models, workflows and dashboards behind our ERP and CRM projects, leading product vision and execution.
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