What Is a White Label Mobile App ? – White Label App Development

So you have chosen to venture into the world of mobile app development. You wouldn’t be here reading this blog otherwise. 

Who Is This Blog For?

This article can be of help to:

• Engineering managers
• Software developers
• Chief Technology Officers
• Product Managers

But most importantly:

• Business Owners

We know you qualify, so be sure to stick around until the end. Now, if you want to develop or have a mobile app developed, you have two options. You can either develop an app from scratch—from the ground up—which also refers to custom app development. Or you could opt for something readymade instead of DIY, that is, white label app development. 

Definition of White Label Apps

White label app development offers a white label app — a pre-built, generic application developed by software creators as a customizable template. These apps are intended to be resold to businesses that wish to rebrand them as their own. With minimal online branding, they can be tailored to help the business stand out. White labeled apps are, hence, very convenient. 

A readymade app sounds exciting, doesn’t it? It is enticing and easy on the pocket, too. There is no hassle of seeing the development phase through from start to finish. However, while very appealing, the issues with white label digital products and the white label SAAS marketplace cannot be ignored. 

White label app development is the way to go. We will, hence, acquaint you with white label apps and discuss their pros and cons. 

What Is a White Label Mobile App?

White labeling involves one company (company A) producing a product that is resold under the brand of another company (company B). For example, Amazon frequently purchases finished products from independent manufacturers and rebrands them to sell under its own name.

This concept of rebranding applies to not just mobile app development, but every sector in truth. Let’s illustrate the concept for you. 

Imagine you are Company A, and you’ve developed a white label food delivery app designed for your business. Company B, a restaurant, is looking into the white label SAAS marketplace and a white label apps development company to offer mobile ordering to its customers with the app. You present your app to Company B, and they decide to purchase it. Once integrated, the restaurant’s logo and branding are incorporated into the app, creating the impression that the restaurant itself developed the application. To the customers, it looks like a custom-built solution, but behind the scenes, you’re responsible for maintaining and updating the app while the restaurant focuses on delivering great service.

The app includes all the essential features for customers to order and have meals delivered efficiently. Seeing its success, you market the app to other restaurants, each able to put its own branding twist on the product. This allows various restaurants to quickly implement a fully functional mobile ordering system without the high cost or investment of time required to build an app from scratch. 

By entering this kind of white label partnership, restaurants acquire a reliable, fully supported solution quickly and at a lower cost. 

In a nutshell, the concept of a white label app works by having a white label or private label design company develop a base application, which is then customized and resold by other businesses. This model is especially popular for products and services that are produced at scale, as it allows businesses to offer branded solutions without the overhead of development.

To meet rising demand, many businesses partner with software companies offering white label products to develop white label apps or even entire software solutions. White label app development offers numerous opportunities for investors, helping businesses scale rapidly with minimal effort. However, it’s crucial to understand both the advantages and potential drawbacks of white label solutions. 

Should companies fail to consider these factors, they may face issues down the road. 

Overall, white labeled mobile applications provide businesses a powerful marketing tool, enabling them to reach more customers with less effort. This strategy allows companies to expand their offerings, save on development costs, and focus on what they do best: serving their customers.

Want a White Label App for your business? Let’s look into your options. 

What’s the Difference Between White Label Mobile Apps & Custom Mobile Apps?

As established before, a white label solution is a product already developed for companies in a specific market. All that is required is to rename and rebrand it, positioning it so that it appears as if your company originated the concept. However, because these applications are pre-built, they may not fully align with all of your company’s specific needs.

In contrast, a custom mobile app is designed specifically for your business, taking into account your unique requirements and those of your target audience. This type of app can either be developed by your in-house team or outsourced to a professional mobile app development firm – white label app development companies. 

There are two main approaches to acquiring an app under your brand: purchasing a ready-made “white label” app or developing a completely custom solution from scratch. Each method caters to different business needs and offers distinct advantages and disadvantages.

1. Cost-Effectiveness

One of the key advantages white label app development offers through a white label app is its cost-effectiveness. Purchasing a white label app is significantly cheaper than developing an app from scratch. When building an app in-house, expenses quickly add up across various stages, including business analysis, design, quality assurance, maintenance, and project management. Due to industry standards, most modern app development projects require substantial financial investment.

While having a custom app developed offers numerous benefits, many companies with limited budgets are often compelled to choose more affordable options. White label apps present a much cheaper alternative to custom development yet still provide all the essential features needed by users. However, if you want to add additional features or custom functionality, you’ll have to pay extra for development. In some cases, even with additional investment, certain modifications may not be possible due to the constraints of the pre-built solution.

A white label app also allows you to quickly receive a minimum viable product (MVP) and test your concept in the real world before making the larger financial commitment of developing a fully custom solution. This approach provides a low-risk way to validate your ideas while staying within budget.

2. Security

Developing a secure app is challenging, and if you choose custom app development, the responsibility for its safety rests entirely with you. This requires regular security audits and inspections to address potential vulnerabilities. However, custom development gives you full control over the app’s security, performance, and quality, allowing you to tailor the app to meet your specific needs and compliance standards. You can fine-tune the app’s speed and reliability for an optimal user experience.

In contrast, a white label app limits your control over the code’s security. You receive a pre-built product, making you dependent on the original developers for its safety features. To mitigate risks, it’s highly recommended to have a professional app development company conduct a security inspection before deployment. These experts can ensure the app meets industry standards and is protected against threats like data breaches or malware.

Though many reputable white label developers follow security best practices, it’s essential to perform regular third-party assessments and vulnerability scans to safeguard your app long-term. 

Custom app development offers greater control over security but requires more resources, while white label apps provide convenience at a lower cost, with additional steps needed to ensure safety.

3. Design

White label solutions provide a ready-made design for the client side of an app. These applications are built to adhere to industry standards, aiming to cater to the widest possible audience. However, your control over the design is usually limited to small adjustments, such as changing color schemes or adding product names. Because so many businesses use the same white label solution, your app will likely look similar to theirs.

By opting for a custom design, you gain complete control over the look and feel of your app, allowing you to tailor every detail, including unique animations and layout choices. While these design elements may seem minor, they represent the effort and care you put into your product and demonstrate the value you place on user experience.

Although such personalization may not be critical for an MVP (Minimum Viable Product), it becomes important when considering the overall aesthetic experience. A thoughtfully designed app not only improves usability but also strengthens your brand image, helping your product stand out in a crowded market.

4. Customizability 

A custom application offers significantly greater opportunities for personalization. While white label apps provide a basic framework with limited options for modification—typically just allowing for changes to specific colors and labels—they lack flexibility in their overall design and functionality. In contrast, if you purchase the backend, you gain some ability to change the app’s look and add features, but the backend’s inherent limitations can still restrict your options.

Building an app in-house allows you to create a product that truly reflects your company’s values and goals while effectively addressing the needs of your target audience. This alignment with your vision is perhaps the most significant advantage of a tailored app.

When engaging in custom app development, it’s crucial to select an app development company that understands your evolving needs. The extent of customization you can achieve is primarily dictated by the underlying architecture and technologies utilized in the development process. With white label applications, you often lack insight into the specific features and functionalities being implemented behind the scenes. This uncertainty can hinder your ability to adapt the app as your business requirements change, making custom solutions a more strategic choice for long-term success.

5. Rejection by App Stores

In 2017, Apple implemented a ban on uploading white-label applications to the App Store, which also raised the demand for white-label Apple apps. However, after recognizing that this move could negatively impact numerous small businesses, the policy was quickly reversed. Despite this change, white-label apps still struggle with a negative reputation in app marketplaces, often viewed as generic or low-quality solutions.

Due to strict regulations aimed at preventing the proliferation of similar applications, platforms like Google Play and the Apple App Store frequently reject white label apps. Even if your app manages to gain approval, developers may still need to make various aesthetic and functional adjustments to differentiate it from other white label offerings.

The most effective way to avoid rejection from app stores is to create a custom app with a distinctive design and unique features. This strategy not only enhances your chances of approval but also provides a more tailored experience for your users, ultimately leading to greater engagement and satisfaction. Additionally, a personalized app can effectively reflect your brand’s identity and values, making it easier to connect with your target audience. By investing in a unique app, you build loyalty among customers and foster a stronger presence in the competitive app market.

6. Support and Maintenance 

Both custom apps and white label apps require ongoing support and maintenance, but their maintenance needs can vary significantly. White label applications are often resold, meaning their code has been tested and proven effective, which typically results in lower maintenance demands. In contrast, creating an app from the ground up may lead to more bugs and inconsistencies, as it is a unique solution tailored to specific needs.

Ultimately, the quality of the software is what truly matters. A well-designed white label solution can be easier to maintain than a poorly executed custom app. However, many low-quality white label applications exist in the market, which can lead to frustrating user experiences and increased support costs. Regardless of which route you choose, investing in a high-quality product or collaborating with skilled developers is essential to ensure a reliable and effective app.

Moreover, working with experienced developers allows you to leverage their expertise in best practices, optimizing performance and security from the start. This proactive approach can help identify potential issues early on, saving you time and resources in the long run. By prioritizing quality, you not only enhance user satisfaction but also strengthen your brand’s reputation in a competitive market. Ultimately, whether you opt for a custom solution or a white label app, focusing on quality will set the foundation for your app’s long-term success.

7. Scalability 

Scalability in software development can be understood in several ways, including:

• Adding new features
• Accommodating more users
• Transitioning to different platforms
• Supporting new devices

In general, white label applications tend to have limited scalability. For instance, if you purchase an iOS app but later realize you need to reach Android users, you will either have to create an Android version yourself or wait for your app development company to provide one.

Furthermore, if your business thrives in one market and you plan to expand internationally, you may encounter users with varying devices and operating system versions compared to your initial market. To succeed, your app must be compatible with these different technologies.

White label applications are typically designed for a specific operating system and set of devices, which makes it challenging to adapt them for broader use. In contrast, custom applications offer much greater flexibility in this regard, allowing for easier adjustments to meet the evolving needs of your business and its users. This adaptability can be crucial for long-term success, as it enables your app to grow alongside your business and respond to changing market demands.

Pros and Cons of White Label App Development

Much like anything, white label apps and white label app development have both pros and cons. 

Let’s take a look at their benefits. 

Pros 

1. Cost-Effectiveness

One of the main advantages of white label applications is their cost-effectiveness. Startups and companies utilizing SaaS often turn to these solutions to save money over time. Developing a custom app can cost tens of thousands of dollars, while purchasing a ready-made app solution can be significantly less expensive.

Hiring a custom app development team can be particularly costly for startups and small businesses, as it involves expenses related to research, validation, development, and ongoing maintenance. Even if you opt to outsource the app creation to a third-party company, these costs can quickly add up. As a result, the financial burden of creating a unique app can become quite heavy, making white label options an attractive alternative for those looking to minimize expenses while still accessing functional software solutions. This cost-saving aspect allows businesses to allocate resources to other important areas, enhancing their overall growth potential.

2. Easy to Deploy

Since you’re not initiating the app’s development, you won’t need to oversee the process. An external entity will handle its creation, leaving you focused solely on ensuring that the final product meets your requirements.

For instance, if you decide to create a custom mobile app with a company in India, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with their workflow and dedicate personnel to manage the project. This can add stress and divert your attention from your core business priorities.

Instead, consider purchasing a white-label app from a reputable app development company. This option allows you to avoid the complexities of managing a development project while benefiting from a proven solution backed by experienced app developers. This way, you can focus on what truly matters for your business.

3. Easy to Market

Choosing to build a custom app and getting it launched can take months or even up to a year. No one can predict future market trends or how quickly your competitors might advance.

The mobile app development process is lengthy and intricate. By the time you finish your app, competitors may have already attracted thousands of users.

Many companies opt for white label applications to avoid being left behind. Since the software is already developed, you only need to purchase it, make minor adjustments, and release it under your brand. This approach can significantly reduce your time to market.

4. Limited Chances of Failure

Utilizing white label applications can minimize the risk of failure since third-party developers are responsible for any errors that occur. This allows you to invest with confidence, knowing your resources are not wasted while you enjoy the benefits of a quality product. Meanwhile, the developer takes care of any potential issues.

If you’re uncertain about whether a white label app is suitable for your business, you can explore it risk-free. Make sure your service provider allows ample time for you to test the app and ask about the level of customization available to align with your business needs.

Cons

1. Security Risks

When you acquire a white label app, you are essentially buying access to the application, but you do not gain access to the server or the source code. This means you cannot assess the reliability of the source code or the security of your users’ data.

By developing the app in-house or hiring a team for the job, you can directly address and reduce these risks. With a white label application, the only way to understand its reliability is to ask specific questions about it.

2. Limited Customization Options

The primary drawback of white label applications is their lack of flexibility. To achieve exactly what you envision for your app, it’s often better to develop it from scratch. With white label solutions, you typically receive a product that is largely pre-defined. You can make some customizations, such as altering colors, adding your logo, and rearranging certain modules.

To obtain a more tailored application, consider working with a white label development company. They can create a custom framework specifically for your needs or offer you a modified version of an existing product. Reach out to a white label developer to explore the possibilities they can provide for your business.

3. Overlapping of Brand Identity

When customization options are limited, establishing a unique identity for your brand becomes difficult. For instance, if another company acquires the same app framework that you purchased last year, it can be challenging to set your brand apart from competitors. 

Regardless of the adjustments you attempt, the overall look and layout will largely remain the same, leading to confusion among users who interact with both applications. This lack of differentiation can weaken brand recognition and customer loyalty, as consumers may struggle to identify your app among similar offerings. A generic app may also fail to meet the specific needs of your target audience, hindering engagement and user satisfaction.

To truly stand out in a crowded market, investing in custom app development allows you to design an application that reflects your brand’s values and meets your users’ unique requirements. By prioritizing personalization and innovation, you create a memorable experience that distinguishes your app from the competition and fosters a stronger connection with your audience.

How to Choose the Best White Label Mobile App Company

With so many options available in the white label app development market, it can be hard to choose a company that best suits your needs. Here is how we recommend choosing a white label manufacturer for your app. 

1. Define Your Requirements

Choosing the right white label mobile app company starts with clearly defining your specific requirements. Outline the essential features that your app must have to serve your target audience effectively. Consider whether you need functionalities like user authentication, payment processing, real-time notifications, or integration with third-party services. 

Additionally, consider any specific customization options you might want to implement. These could include unique branding elements, user interface designs, or specialized modules tailored to your business model. Defining your requirements early in the process will not only help you communicate effectively with potential partners but also ensure that the chosen company can meet your expectations.

Moreover, understanding your target audience’s preferences and pain points will guide your requirements and enhance the overall user experience of your app. Remember that a well-defined scope of work will facilitate smoother project execution and minimize the risk of misunderstandings later on. Taking the time to articulate your needs upfront will set a solid foundation for a successful partnership and help you avoid costly changes during the development phase.

2. Check Portfolio and Client Reviews

Once you’ve defined your requirements, the next step is to evaluate potential white label app companies by examining their portfolios and client reviews. A company’s portfolio offers valuable insights into its previous work and capabilities. Look for examples of apps that are similar to what you envision for your business. This will help you assess their design aesthetics, functionality, and overall quality. Pay attention to the diversity of projects in their portfolio, as varied experience often indicates a versatile skill set.

Additionally, client reviews and testimonials provide first-hand accounts of the company’s reliability and professionalism. Take the time to read through these reviews on various platforms to gain a well-rounded perspective. Positive feedback regarding timely deliveries, responsiveness, and post-launch support can significantly influence your decision. Conversely, be cautious of red flags, such as consistently poor reviews or a lack of transparency in client relationships. A company’s track record in the white-label app development industry is crucial, as it can serve as a predictor of future performance. By thoroughly checking portfolios and client reviews, you will be better positioned to select a company that aligns with your vision and values.

3. Make a Decision

After defining your requirements and evaluating potential partners based on their portfolios and client feedback, it’s time to make a decision. Focus on companies that demonstrate proven expertise in developing white label mobile apps. Narrow down your options to a select few that not only meet your criteria but also align with your company’s goals and values.

It’s beneficial to schedule meetings or consultations with these shortlisted companies to discuss your project in detail. This interaction will give you a clearer idea of their communication style, problem-solving approach, and willingness to accommodate your specific needs. Assess how well they understand your vision and whether they provide insightful suggestions that enhance your app’s functionality. Consider factors like pricing structures, development timelines, and the level of post-launch support offered.

Making a decision requires careful consideration of both the technical capabilities and the interpersonal dynamics involved in your potential partnership. By selecting a company that excels in both areas, you can ensure a collaborative and successful development process. Ultimately, the right white label mobile app company will be one that not only meets your current needs but also grows alongside your business as you expand and evolve.

What Is the Cost of White Label App Development

White label apps, consisting of only the basic features, can cost around $20,000- $30,000 for a single platform, be it Android or iOS. However, customizations, including advanced features and multi-platform integration, can cost up to $60,000 to $70,000. 

Does PureVPN Offer White Label App Development?

PureVPN is a comprehensive cybersecurity suite designed to meet the needs of individuals and businesses alike. Equipped with a wide range of features, it provides robust protection and privacy tools necessary for navigating the online world safely. From advanced encryption to secure browsing options, PureVPN ensures a seamless and secure online experience.

It offers user-friendly interfaces and reliable customer support, making it accessible even for those who may not be tech-savvy. With features such as malware protection, ad blocking, and split tunneling, users can enjoy enhanced security without compromising on speed or performance. PureVPN is an all-in-one solution for modern online security needs.

If you are looking for a custom VPN for your business, it would be wise to also develop a white label VPN app for your company. You can create and manage your VPN accounts using the PureVPN console, have a custom VPN app built for your VPN (available for all major platforms), and modify the API as needed. With the white label VPN app, customization and productivity are in your hands.

At PureVPN, our developers and staff have decades of experience, from top roles in several companies to helping startups scale their businesses. Our workforce has merged their skills to create a proven method of app development that caters to not only our clients’ needs but also helps us adhere to our core values. 

PureVPN is the ultimate solution for your company’s security and privacy needs. Contact us today for a free consultation.