If you’re a business looking to expand your revenue streams, then getting into the Software as a Service (SaaS) world might be a great choice. SaaS is a rapidly growing field because businesses rely more on digital tools and services to run smoothly. One of the best ways to enter this market through SaaS products, which can bring in steady revenue without the high costs of creating software yourself.
But if you’re new to this idea, you might wonder, “What are all the types of SaaS reseller types?” Knowing the answer can help you decide which works best for your business and customers. This guide will go over everything you need to know about SaaS reseller types, including how they work, the benefits of different types, and real-world examples, especially in cybersecurity.
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.
Benefits of SaaS Reseller Programs
Joining a SaaS reseller program has many benefits that help businesses grow, earn a steady income, and get valuable resources—all without needing to build or manage the software themselves. Let’s take a closer look at these benefits.
Low Overhead Costs
One of the primary benefits of joining a SaaS reseller program is reducing operational costs. Developing, maintaining, and continuously updating software can be expensive and time-consuming. When you enter a SaaS program, the provider handles all this. The SaaS company manages the software’s infrastructure, updates, and any necessary security patches. As a reseller, you don’t have to hire a technical team, invest in development, or manage server costs. This setup lets you focus on growing your business without the high costs of starting up or paying for regular maintenance, which can greatly reduce your expenses.
Recurring Revenue
A key benefit of SaaS reseller programs is the chance to earn ongoing income. Many SaaS products use a subscription model, where customers pay monthly or yearly. As a reseller, you get a commission or percentage of each subscription as long as the customer stays. This setup provides a steady, reliable income stream, unlike one-time sales. It’s perfect for businesses looking to build long-term revenue and move beyond the limits of single-sale income.
Scalability
SaaS reseller programs are designed with scalability in mind, making it easy for businesses to grow. Whether you want to expand into new markets, attract different types of customers, or offer more services, SaaS programs allow you to do so with minimal investment. You can scale your offerings quickly by adding new products or services from the SaaS provider. Since you don’t have to worry about creating these products, the barrier to expansion is low. Additionally, SaaS providers often supply the infrastructure needed to support high customer demand, allowing you to handle growth without the need to build or manage additional resources.
No Need for Technical Expertise
One of the best parts of SaaS reseller programs is that you don’t need a lot of technical knowledge. The SaaS company handles the technical details, like maintenance, updates, and customer support. This allows you to enter the tech market without understanding all the technology. You can focus on sales, customer relationships, and marketing instead. You don’t need your support team since the SaaS provider handles customer issues. This easy entry can make a big difference for businesses without a tech background.
Access to Resources
Many SaaS partner programs go beyond just providing a product for you to sell—they offer a range of resources to help you succeed. This can include marketing materials, training sessions, and dedicated support from the SaaS provider. For example, you might receive branded materials, promotional guides, and ready-made content to help you market the product effectively. Some SaaS programs even offer analytics tools to track your sales, see customer behavior, and find improvement areas. With these resources, SaaS companies help resellers attract more customers and stay competitive.
Flexibility in Partnership Options
SaaS reseller programs often come with flexible options, allowing you to choose the type of partnership that best suits your business model. If you like a hands-off approach, you can select a referral program where you just send customers to the SaaS provider. If you want more control, you could pick a white-label or full reseller program, which lets you sell the product under your brand. This flexibility lets you choose the program that best fits your business goals and resources.
Stronger Customer Relationships
As a SaaS reseller, you can create stronger relationships with your customers. By being the main contact between the SaaS provider and your clients, you build trust, offer personalized support, and suggest extra services that might help them. Building these connections leads to better customer loyalty, keeps customers returning, and increases your recurring income.
Opportunity to Enter a Growing Market
The SaaS market is growing quickly, with more businesses and individuals choosing cloud-based solutions. Statista estimates the global SaaS market could reach around $208 billion by 2025. By joining a SaaS reseller program, you can enter this thriving market without the high costs or risks of developing your software. As more companies adopt SaaS, the need for resellers offering trusted products is also on the rise.
This trend puts SaaS resellers in a profitable field with big growth potential, making it clear why so many businesses are excited to become SaaS resellers. You can avoid high operational costs, earn recurring revenue, and benefit from scalability—all while getting support and resources from the SaaS provider.
What Are All The Types of SaaS Reseller Types?
Not all SaaS partner programs are the same. Companies offer different types of reseller partnerships depending on their needs and the nature of their product. For those wondering what are all the types of SaaS Reseller types, here are the four main types:
Referral Programs
Referral programs are the simplest form of a SaaS partnership. In this model, the reseller refers potential customers to the SaaS provider but doesn’t make the sale. The SaaS company handles everything else—closing the deal, setting up the customer, and providing support.
How it Works: You refer customers to the SaaS provider through a unique link or code. If the customer makes a purchase, you earn a commission.
Pros: Minimal involvement, no customer support responsibilities, and easy setup.
Cons: Lower earnings potential because commissions are usually a one-time reward or a small percentage.
Example: Dropbox has a well-known referral program where users get extra storage space by referring new customers. This model encourages current users to spread the word while Dropbox handles all other details.
Affiliate Programs
Affiliate programs are a step up from referral programs. Affiliates promote the SaaS product on their platforms, such as websites, social media, or email. While affiliates focus on marketing, the SaaS provider takes care of customer support, billing, and updates.
How it Works: You sign up for the SaaS provider’s affiliate program, get a unique link, and promote the product. Whenever someone signs up through your link, you earn a commission.
Pros: Higher earning potential than referral programs and more freedom to choose marketing strategies.
Cons: Still needs more revenue potential compared to reseller and MSP programs.
Example: Many popular web hosting companies, like Bluehost, run affiliate programs where bloggers and influencers earn commissions by promoting their hosting services.
Reseller Programs
Reseller programs are for businesses that want a closer relationship with the SaaS provider. In this model, resellers purchase licenses or subscriptions at a discount and sell them at a markup. Resellers handle the sale but may or may not offer customer support. SaaS providers often give resellers access to marketing tools and training to help them succeed.
How it Works: Resellers buy the product in bulk or at a discount and then sell it to their customers at a set price. They can either keep the SaaS provider’s branding or use a white-label model.
Pros: Higher revenue potential, greater control over pricing, and branding flexibility.
Cons: More responsibilities, including managing customer relationships.
Example: PureVPN’s reseller program allows businesses to sell VPN services under their brand, making it a popular option for companies in cybersecurity.
Managed Service Providers (MSPs)
Managed Service Providers (MSPs) are third-party companies that offer a range of technology services, including SaaS products. They handle everything from implementation to ongoing customer support. MSPs are different because they don’t just resell; they add extra value by managing the software for the customer.
How it Works: MSPs partner with SaaS providers to offer a comprehensive package that includes installation, training, and support. They also take on much of the responsibility for customer success.
Pros: Strong revenue potential due to the added value, better customer relationships, and opportunities for upselling.
Cons: It requires technical knowledge and requires a larger time investment.
Example: Microsoft Azure partners with many MSPs who help customers set up and maintain cloud environments. These MSPs offer additional services like cybersecurity and IT support, creating a one-stop solution.
Examples of Successful SaaS Partner Programs in Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity is one of the fastest-growing areas within SaaS, largely due to the increasing number of cyber threats faced by businesses and individuals alike. As companies and individuals seek more ways to secure their digital assets, cybersecurity-focused SaaS companies have created flexible, effective partner programs to help resellers meet this demand. Here are some successful SaaS partner programs in the cybersecurity sector:
PureVPN
PureVPN has a flexible partner program that helps businesses enter the VPN and internet security market. A key feature of PureVPN’s program is the white-label option, which lets partners sell PureVPN’s VPN services under their brand name. This allows resellers to give their customers a personalized experience while offering the trusted internet security for which PureVPN is known.
Plus, PureVPN provides helpful resources like training, promotional materials, and a dedicated partner portal to support resellers in boosting their success. With the growing need for online privacy and secure internet access, PureVPN’s partner program allows resellers to benefit from a high-demand service while helping their clients protect their data.
Palo Alto Networks NextWave Partner Program
Palo Alto Networks, a top name in cybersecurity, offers the NextWave Partner Program with options for affiliates, resellers, and Managed Service Providers (MSPs). This program gives partners access to Palo Alto’s strong cybersecurity tools, including firewall protection, threat detection, and cloud security.
NextWave partners gain access to training resources, marketing support, and a partner portal where they can track sales and performance. They also benefit from certifications that can improve their credibility in the cybersecurity market. For MSPs, Palo Alto Networks offers a managed services program that allows partners to bundle their services with Palo Alto’s cybersecurity solutions. This partner program is especially helpful for IT service providers who want to add advanced cybersecurity services to their lineup.
Cisco’s Umbrella Partner Program
Cisco Umbrella is a well-known cloud security platform that protects internet users from malware, phishing, and ransomware. Cisco’s Umbrella Partner Program supports MSPs and resellers, giving them access to Cisco’s technology and brand recognition, which can help attract more customers. Cisco Umbrella is known for its DNS-layer security and is used widely by companies looking for scalable cloud-based solutions.
Partners in Cisco’s program benefit from training, a dedicated partner portal, and marketing resources that allow them to promote Cisco’s solutions effectively. The program also provides in-depth analytics so partners can monitor the performance of their clients’ security measures. This partnership is especially valuable for businesses looking to resell security solutions to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMBs) that lack the resources for large in-house IT departments.
McAfee’s Security Innovation Alliance (SIA)
McAfee partners get access to development resources, API documentation, and marketing support through the SIA program. The alliance also provides testing and validation to ensure partner solutions work well with McAfee’s technology. Partners can use McAfee’s strong brand to attract more clients, especially in the enterprise market.
Fortinet Partner Program
Fortinet, a leader in network security, has a strong partner program that lets businesses resell a wide range of cybersecurity products, like firewalls, endpoint security, and network management tools. The program has different levels, each offering benefits like technical support, sales resources, and training.
For instance, the “Authorized Partner” level provides basic support and resources for new resellers. As partners expand, they can move to “Expert Partner,” which includes advanced training and certifications. This tiered setup allows partners to grow at their own pace while offering clients trusted, high-quality cybersecurity solutions.
Check Point Software Partner Program
Check Point, a top name in advanced threat protection, offers a partner program for resellers and MSPs. The program allows businesses to provide high-quality cybersecurity solutions to their clients. It includes training, certifications, and co-marketing opportunities, helping partners develop expertise and build credibility in the cybersecurity industry.
Partners can use Check Point’s full range of security tools, including endpoint, cloud, and mobile protection. The program also provides a dedicated account manager and marketing development funds (MDF) to support partner growth. This program is especially popular with IT service providers wanting to offer complete cybersecurity packages to clients.
CrowdStrike’s Elevate Partner Program
CrowdStrike, known for its advanced endpoint protection solutions, has the Elevate Partner Program, which allows resellers and MSPs to offer CrowdStrike’s threat detection and response products. CrowdStrike’s program is particularly valuable for partners focused on high-security environments, as CrowdStrike’s solutions are often used in government and large enterprise settings.
The Elevate Partner Program offers certifications, sales training, and marketing resources to help partners succeed. CrowdStrike’s high-profile security features, such as real-time threat detection, appeal to organizations with strict security requirements. The program also includes performance-based incentives so partners can earn additional revenue by meeting sales goals.
Sophos Partner Program
Sophos offers a partner program that enables businesses to sell cybersecurity solutions, including firewall protection, antivirus, and endpoint security. Sophos’ program supports resellers, MSPs, and cloud partners with resources like a partner portal, technical training, and marketing support. One unique feature of the Sophos program is the “Synchronised Security” approach, which connects all Sophos security products to work together, providing unified protection across networks, endpoints, and mobile devices.
Partners benefit from Sophos’ brand reputation, making it easier to attract customers. Sophos also offers MDF, helping partners fund marketing initiatives and grow their client base. This program is ideal for IT resellers who want to provide a complete cybersecurity solution for businesses of all sizes.
Kaspersky’s MSP Program
Kaspersky’s Managed Service Provider program allows IT service providers to deliver Kaspersky’s cybersecurity solutions as part of a managed package. Kaspersky offers endpoint protection, anti-malware, and network security solutions, all designed for seamless integration into existing IT infrastructures.
Kaspersky’s MSP program provides flexible licensing, allowing partners to adjust services according to the specific needs of their customers. The program also includes a cloud-based management console, making it easy for MSPs to monitor and manage security for multiple clients. Kaspersky’s reputation in cybersecurity, combined with flexible partnership options, makes this program appealing to MSPs focused on providing reliable and scalable security solutions.
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.