What Are All The Types of SaaS Reseller Types?

At its core, a SaaS reseller program lets businesses or individuals sell software they didn’t build for a profit. There are four core types: Referral Partners, Affiliate Partnerships, Traditional Resellers, and Managed Service Providers (MSPs). Each offers different levels of revenue, brand control, and client ownership.

The SaaS market keeps breaking its own records. Valued at $358.33 billion in 2024, it’s projected to reach $408.21 billion in 2025 and an incredible $1.25 trillion by 2034, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.32% from 2025 to 2034. What’s driving that growth? Simplicity, scalability, and the fact that you don’t need to write a single line of code to earn from it.

If you’re exploring the question what are all the types of SaaS reseller types, you’re not alone. Agencies, freelancers, MSPs, and solopreneurs all want in. But so many jump in blindly, not realizing each reseller model has its own contract style, commission rules, or branding limits. Miss this? You might pick the wrong fit, and leave money on the table.

If you’re serious about reselling SaaS in 2025, whether you’re looking at a software reseller marketplace, a list of software resellers, or the best reseller programs, you need these basics first.

What is a SaaS Partner Program?

A SaaS Partner Program is a structured plan that software providers offer to other businesses, allowing them to sell or promote the software on the provider’s behalf. These programs help the SaaS company and the reseller grow their businesses together. When a company joins a SaaS Partner Program, it becomes a partner and is often rewarded with commissions, discounts, or special tools to make selling easier. This way, SaaS companies can reach more customers without managing every sale directly, and partners can generate revenue with minimal startup costs.

For instance, PureVPN offers a SaaS Partner Program where businesses can join as resellers, affiliates, or white-label partners to promote VPN solutions under their branding. This type of partnership helps PureVPN and its partners expand their customer reach.

What Are All The Types of SaaS Reseller Types?

Reseller Type	Revenue Potential	Who Handles Support	Branding	Examples
Affiliate Partnerships	Low–Medium	Vendor	Vendor’s brand	PureVPN Affiliate program, Semrush Logo Affiliate, Unbounce Software Reseller Program
Referral Partners	Medium	Vendor	Vendor’s brand	HubSpot Solution Partner Program
Traditional Resellers	High	Reseller	Some co-branding	PureVPN Reseller Program
MSPs / White Label	Highest	Reseller	Your brand	PureVPN White Label

1) Traditional Resellers

Now you’re in the game for real revenue. This is the heart of what are all the types of saas reseller types are, you buy licenses wholesale, resell them at your price, keep the margin.

Pros:

• More profit per sale
  
• Bundle with consulting, onboarding, and training

Cons:

• More responsibility: you handle the billing, renewals, and sometimes tier-1 support

2) MSP / White Label Reseller Model

The heavy hitter. MSPs and white label resellers don’t just push someone else’s product — they fully rebrand it. You handle client onboarding, support, and invoicing. The vendor stays invisible.

Pros:

• Maximum margins — you control pricing
  
• Full brand loyalty — your logo, your terms
  

Cons:

• Higher responsibility: client churn is on you
  
• Must negotiate a tight SaaS reseller agreement
  

Example: Offering white label software to resell with your brand slapped on top. Some agencies turn PureVPN’s white label program into their own security bundle.

3) Affiliate Partnerships

Affiliate partnerships are where most SaaS resellers start. You get a trackable link, you promote it, and you earn a cut, usually 10–30% per sale. No invoices, no account management. You don’t own the customer; the vendor does.

Pros:

• Simple to start
  
• Great passive side income
  

Cons:

• One-time payouts usually
  
• Limited control — you can’t adjust pricing
  

Example: Many SaaS reseller companies run affiliate partnerships for SEO tools (e.g., Semrush logo placements on your site) or landing pages (e.g., PureVPN software reseller program). Easy recurring links, simple dashboards.

4) Referral Partners

Referral partnerships are like affiliates — but deeper. Instead of random clicks, you get credited when you pass vetted leads or close warm deals.

This type suits agencies or consultants who recommend software as part of a project.

Pros:

• Higher commissions than plain affiliates
  
• You build stronger relationships

Cons:

• Some programs want quotas or demos
  
• Vendor still owns the customer

SaaS Partnership Models: How They Compare?

Feature	Affiliate	Referral	Reseller	MSP/White Label
Revenue	Low	Medium	High	Highest
Customer Ownership	Vendor	Vendor	Shared	Reseller
Branding	Vendor	Vendor	Co-Brand	Fully Yours
Support	Vendor	Vendor	Shared	Reseller
Best For	Bloggers, Marketers	Consultants	Agencies, VARs	MSPs, Agencies

How to Pick the Right Model for You?

So you know what are all the types of SaaS reseller types. Now comes the real decision: what fits your business best? Use these four filters to avoid regrets.

What’s Your Support Capacity?

Ask yourself: Are you ready to be the first call when something breaks?

If you’re dipping a toe in, affiliate partnerships are your safest bet. You share a link, drive traffic, earn commissions — the vendor’s support team does the rest. No late-night pings, no SLA headaches.

But if you want deeper margins and customer ownership, you’ll handle more. MSPs or white label reseller models mean you’re the primary support line. You’ll need processes, a help desk, and possibly even 24/7 coverage if you’re serving clients across multiple time zones.

Pro tip: Start lean. Some resellers test with referral partnerships first, then scale up to managed services when they have a client base and SOPs in place.

Want Full Branding?

This is huge. If brand loyalty matters to you — especially for agencies or consultants who want sticky clients — skip standard referrals. They’re just co-marketing.

With the white label reseller model, you fully control the experience. Your logo’s on the dashboard, your support email handles tickets, and clients never see the upstream vendor. That builds trust. And trust keeps renewals coming.

Example: Many SaaS reseller companies stick with white label software to resell because it turns their stack into an owned product suite, not a generic third-party upsell.

Got an Audience or Client Base?

Be real about your funnel. If you already have traffic — say, you’re a content site or influencer — affiliate partnerships can print money.

But if you do B2B consulting or you’re a boutique agency, referral partnerships and integration partnerships pay off fast. You’re helping clients choose tools anyway — why not get paid for the warm intro?

Know Your Niche.

Not every reseller program is built for every audience. Marketing-focused? CRM resellers like Pipedrive or analytics platforms like Hotjar reseller partners are gold.

Working with SMBs who need IT help? Offer a productivity suite like Microsoft 365 through an MSP approach. Want to mix things up? Look at a software reseller marketplace that lets you test multiple verticals at once.

Bottom line: Pick what feels sustainable for your capacity, your branding needs, and your target buyer. The right fit today can turn a one-off commission into years of recurring revenue.

Step-by-Step Guide to Join a SaaS Reseller Program

Signing up isn’t hard, but picking the right program and doing it well is what makes your reseller side hustle a serious revenue stream. Let’s break this down, one step at a time.

Do Your Homework — Don’t Pick Blind

Before you sign anything, spend time comparing the best reseller programs out there.

Are you aiming for big enterprise deals or small-business volume?

Some SaaS reseller companies offer tiered commissions that grow as your sales scale, while niche white label software to resell options can give you 70%+ profit margins — but they’ll expect you to manage the whole package: branding, billing, customer support, and renewals.

Think about whether you want a simple referral cut with minimal effort, or if you’re ready to run a full branded stack where you own the client relationship end-to-end.

Check:

• Average commission % or margin — is it worth your effort?
  
• Does it include a white label option if you want full branding?
  
• Does the vendor provide solid partner support (live help, onboarding, sales materials)?
  
• Look at what’s included: Does it help you resell Microsoft 365 or more niche tools like Hotjar reseller partners?

Read the Fine Print — Twice

Every SaaS reseller agreement has clauses that can bite later.

• Are there minimum sales quotas?
  
• Does the contract auto-renew?
  
• Are you locked in for 12 months even if you want to switch vendors?

If you want flexibility, check out affiliate partnerships instead — minimal lock-in, easy exit.

Apply — Prove You’re Worth It

Good programs don’t just take anyone.

Expect to share details about your existing audience, mailing list size, or client base. Some vendors want partners who already run an agency or are active in a software reseller marketplace.

Complete Training — Or Be Left Behind

The best SaaS partner programs won’t just throw you a link and wish you luck.

Many SaaS reseller programs require basic training, especially if you want bigger margins, access to premium support, or a trusted partner badge. Resellers who actually complete vendor training and understand the product close deals faster, handle fewer refunds, and keep customers longer because they know what they’re selling and can solve issues before they become churn.

If you’re serious about growing recurring revenue, invest time in any available onboarding or certification. For example, PureVPN’s reseller resources include clear documentation and live support to help you succeed.

Build Your Funnel — Plug It In

Where do your leads come from?

If you’re an agency, plug your SaaS offering, like a privacy-focused tool stack, right into your client onboarding. Already have a blog or newsletter? Add a strong CTA for your PureVPN white label reseller model or your affiliate partnerships. PureVPN makes it simple to customize your brand, pricing, and support while we handle the heavy lifting in the backend.

Connect it all with your CRM, whether that’s part of Microsoft 365, Zendesk, or your favorite stack. If you’re serious about long-term retention, bundle multiple tools together: secure VPN access, CRM, analytics, maybe even hosting. That’s why integration partnerships matter,  they make your offer stickier, keep clients locked in, and boost your recurring revenue.

When you partner with PureVPN, you’re not just selling VPN access. You’re offering peace of mind for remote teams, freelancers, and privacy-conscious businesses, all under your own brand.

Track, Upsell, Stay Ahead

Congrats, you’re in. But SaaS reselling isn’t set-it-and-forget-it. 

Set up a system to track:

• Renewal dates — don’t lose commissions when a subscription lapses.
  
• Cross-sells — can you add extra seats, new modules, training?
  
• Vendor changes — what new features dropped? How does that help you sell?

Power resellers stay close to the vendor. That’s why many join reseller communities on Reddit, Slack, or even vendor-run portals. The more plugged in you are, the faster you adapt — and the longer your revenue lasts.

Want real conversations about SaaS reseller companies and what works in the real world? Connect with peers and swap ideas in our Reddit community: r/PureWhiteLabel

Bonus Tip:

Combine multiple programs. One vertical might dry up, but when you diversify across SaaS reseller programs, you’re always earning.

How Does PureVPN’s White-Label SaaS Model Support B2B Growth?

PureVPN’s white-label SaaS model is one of the best examples of how a SaaS reseller program can help businesses grow. The white-label model lets partners resell PureVPN’s services as if they were their own, meaning they can customize the brand to fit their business. This setup is ideal for companies that want to offer cybersecurity solutions without investing in technology.

• Why It Works: With a white-label model, businesses don’t need to build software or handle the technical side. PureVPN takes care of everything from infrastructure to software updates. This model means lower costs and faster growth.

• Added Benefits: PureVPN’s partners access marketing resources, training, and dedicated support to market the VPN services effectively. Since cybersecurity is a high-demand area, this type of partnership can be highly profitable.

• B2B Advantage: PureVPN’s white-label model is designed for B2B growth. Partners can target other businesses, such as small businesses that need VPN services to protect their data.

With PureVPN’s support, partners can focus on building customer relationships and scaling their business. This model shows how valuable SaaS reseller programs can be in helping companies expand without heavy investment.

Conclusion

SaaS reseller programs offer a powerful way for businesses to expand their services and tap into new revenue streams. These programs allow companies to partner with established SaaS providers, gaining access to advanced technology without the high development or maintenance costs. From simple referral models to comprehensive managed service provider partnerships, SaaS programs are flexible enough to fit nearly any business type. Whether promoting software through referrals, rebranding with white-label options, or providing hands-on support as an MSP, each model allows businesses to grow at their own pace.