White label apps allow businesses to launch quickly with proven technology. This guide covers everything you need to know about white label mobile app development.
What is White Label App Development?
White label apps are pre-built applications that can be rebranded and customized for your business. Think of it as buying a finished product and putting your label on it.
White Label vs Custom Development:
├── White Label
│ ├── Pre-built features
│ ├── Your branding
│ ├── Quick launch (weeks)
│ ├── Lower cost
│ └── Shared infrastructure
└── Custom Development
├── Built from scratch
├── Unique features
├── Longer timeline (months)
├── Higher cost
└── Dedicated infrastructure
White Label App Categories
1. Food Delivery
Features Included:
├── Customer App
│ ├── Restaurant browsing
│ ├── Menu viewing
│ ├── Cart and checkout
│ ├── Order tracking
│ └── Ratings/reviews
├── Restaurant Dashboard
│ ├── Order management
│ ├── Menu management
│ ├── Analytics
│ └── Promotions
├── Driver App
│ ├── Order assignment
│ ├── Navigation
│ ├── Delivery confirmation
│ └── Earnings tracking
└── Admin Panel
├── All management
├── Commission settings
└── Reports
Popular Providers:
├── Jungleworks (Foodpanda clone)
├── Appy Pie
├── Glovo clone solutions
└── GloriaFood
2. E-commerce
Features Included:
├── Product catalog
├── Shopping cart
├── Multiple payment gateways
├── Order management
├── Inventory tracking
├── Customer accounts
├── Push notifications
├── Analytics dashboard
└── Multi-vendor support
Popular Providers:
├── Shopify (with mobile app builders)
├── WooCommerce app builders
├── nopCommerce
├── Bagisto
└── Custom Shopify alternatives
3. Ride-Sharing
Features Included:
├── Rider App
│ ├── Ride booking
│ ├── Real-time tracking
│ ├── Fare estimation
│ ├── Multiple vehicle types
│ └── Payment integration
├── Driver App
│ ├── Ride acceptance
│ ├── Navigation
│ ├── Earnings dashboard
│ └── Document verification
└── Admin Panel
├── Fleet management
├── Pricing control
├── Analytics
└── Driver management
Popular Providers:
├── Uber clone solutions
├── Ola clone solutions
├── Jungleworks Tookan
└── Apporio
4. On-Demand Services
Service Types Supported:
├── Home services (plumbing, cleaning)
├── Beauty services
├── Fitness/personal training
├── Tutoring
├── Pet care
├── Healthcare
└── Handyman services
Common Features:
├── Service provider profiles
├── Booking calendar
├── Location-based matching
├── Real-time tracking
├── In-app payments
├── Ratings and reviews
└── Service history
5. Fitness and Wellness
Features Included:
├── Workout library
├── Custom workout builder
├── Progress tracking
├── Meal planning
├── Video streaming
├── Live classes
├── Community features
├── Trainer marketplace
└── Subscription management
Popular Providers:
├── Jefit
├── TrainerFu
├── PT Distinction
└── TrueCoach
6. Learning Management (LMS)
Features Included:
├── Course creation
├── Video hosting
├── Quizzes and assessments
├── Progress tracking
├── Certificates
├── Discussion forums
├── Live classes
├── Payment/subscription
└── Analytics
Popular Providers:
├── Thinkific
├── Teachable
├── LearnDash
└── Kajabi
Benefits of White Label
1. Time to Market
Development Timeline Comparison:
├── Custom Development
│ ├── Planning: 2-4 weeks
│ ├── Design: 4-8 weeks
│ ├── Development: 16-32 weeks
│ ├── Testing: 4-8 weeks
│ └── Total: 6-12 months
└── White Label
├── Selection: 1-2 weeks
├── Customization: 2-4 weeks
├── Testing: 1-2 weeks
└── Total: 4-8 weeks
2. Cost Savings
Cost Comparison:
├── Custom Food Delivery App
│ └── $100,000 - $300,000
├── White Label Food Delivery
│ └── $5,000 - $50,000 + monthly fees
├── Custom E-commerce App
│ └── $50,000 - $150,000
├── White Label E-commerce
│ └── $2,000 - $20,000 + monthly fees
├── Custom Ride-Sharing App
│ └── $150,000 - $500,000
├── White Label Ride-Sharing
│ └── $10,000 - $80,000 + monthly fees
3. Proven Technology
Benefits of Proven Tech:
├── Already tested with real users
├── Known performance benchmarks
├── Established security practices
├── Regular updates and fixes
├── Existing documentation
└── Community support
4. Focus on Business
Your Focus Areas:
├── Marketing and user acquisition
├── Customer service
├── Business operations
├── Partnership development
├── Brand building
└── Revenue growth
Provider Handles:
├── App development
├── Bug fixes
├── Feature updates
├── Infrastructure
├── Security patches
└── Technical support
Customization Options
Branding Customization
Typically Customizable:
├── App name and icon
├── Splash screen
├── Color scheme
├── Logo placement
├── Font choices
├── Email templates
├── Push notification content
└── Terms and policies
Sometimes Available:
├── Custom domain
├── Custom email domain
├── White-labeled admin panel
└── Custom app store listing
Feature Customization
Common Options:
├── Enable/disable features
├── Reorder menu items
├── Custom workflows
├── Payment gateway selection
├── Language localization
├── Currency settings
└── Tax configuration
Advanced (Additional Cost):
├── Custom features
├── Third-party integrations
├── Custom reports
├── API access
└── Custom user roles
Customization Code Example
// White Label Configuration
const appConfig = {
branding: {
appName: 'Your Brand',
primaryColor: '#FF6B00',
secondaryColor: '#1A1A1A',
logo: 'https://yourbrand.com/logo.png',
favicon: 'https://yourbrand.com/favicon.ico'
},
features: {
socialLogin: true,
guestCheckout: false,
wishlist: true,
reviews: true,
referralProgram: true,
loyaltyPoints: false,
multiLanguage: true,
darkMode: true
},
payments: {
stripe: true,
paypal: true,
applePay: true,
googlePay: true,
cod: false
},
localization: {
defaultLanguage: 'en',
supportedLanguages: ['en', 'es', 'fr'],
currency: 'USD',
dateFormat: 'MM/DD/YYYY'
}
};
Choosing a White Label Provider
Evaluation Criteria
Technical Criteria:
├── Platform support (iOS, Android, Web)
├── Technology stack
├── Scalability
├── Performance benchmarks
├── Security practices
├── API availability
├── Integration options
└── Update frequency
Business Criteria:
├── Pricing model
├── Contract terms
├── Support quality
├── SLA guarantees
├── Escrow/source code access
├── Exit strategy
└── Reference customers
Questions to Ask
Essential Questions:
├── "Who owns the source code?"
├── "What happens if you go out of business?"
├── "Can I switch providers later?"
├── "What's included vs additional cost?"
├── "How are updates handled?"
├── "What's the typical uptime?"
├── "Can I see customer references?"
├── "What customizations are possible?"
└── "What's the support response time?"
Red Flags
Warning Signs:
├── No live demo available
├── Vague pricing
├── No reference customers
├── Long lock-in contracts
├── No source code access option
├── Outdated technology
├── Poor reviews online
├── Unresponsive pre-sales
└── No SLA offered
Pricing Models
One-Time License
Structure:
├── Upfront payment: $5,000 - $100,000
├── Source code access: Usually included
├── Updates: Limited or additional cost
├── Support: Usually 1 year included
└── Hosting: Your responsibility
Best For:
├── Large businesses
├── Need full control
├── Long-term use
└── In-house tech team
SaaS Subscription
Structure:
├── Monthly fee: $99 - $2,000/month
├── Source code: Usually not included
├── Updates: Included
├── Support: Included
├── Hosting: Included
└── Scaling: Additional fees
Best For:
├── Startups
├── Testing market fit
├── No tech team
└── Predictable costs
Revenue Share
Structure:
├── Setup fee: $0 - $10,000
├── Revenue share: 5% - 20%
├── Minimum monthly: Often required
└── All features included
Best For:
├── New businesses
├── Limited upfront capital
├── Uncertain revenue
└── Shared risk
Hybrid Model
Structure:
├── Setup fee: $2,000 - $20,000
├── Monthly subscription: $99 - $500
├── Transaction fees: 1% - 3%
└── Premium features: Additional cost
Best For:
├── Growing businesses
├── Scalable model
└── Balanced risk
Implementation Process
Phase 1: Selection (Week 1-2)
Tasks:
├── Define requirements
├── Research providers
├── Request demos
├── Compare options
├── Check references
└── Negotiate terms
Phase 2: Setup (Week 3-4)
Tasks:
├── Sign agreement
├── Provide branding assets
├── Configure settings
├── Set up admin accounts
├── Connect payment gateways
└── Configure domains
Phase 3: Customization (Week 5-6)
Tasks:
├── Apply branding
├── Customize features
├── Set up integrations
├── Configure notifications
├── Localize content
└── Import initial data
Phase 4: Testing (Week 7)
Tasks:
├── Functional testing
├── Payment testing
├── Device testing
├── User acceptance testing
├── Performance testing
└── Fix identified issues
Phase 5: Launch (Week 8)
Tasks:
├── Submit to app stores
├── Set up monitoring
├── Train team
├── Plan marketing
├── Soft launch
└── Full launch
Common Challenges
1. Customization Limitations
Challenge:
├── Core features can't be changed
├── UI modifications limited
├── Workflow fixed
Solutions:
├── Choose provider with more flexibility
├── Use CSS overrides where possible
├── Request custom development
└── Accept limitations for speed/cost benefits
2. Scalability Concerns
Challenge:
├── Shared infrastructure limits
├── Performance at scale unknown
├── Cost increases with growth
Solutions:
├── Get scalability guarantees in contract
├── Choose enterprise-grade providers
├── Plan for dedicated infrastructure option
└── Test with realistic load
3. Vendor Lock-in
Challenge:
├── No source code access
├── Data export difficult
├── Switching costs high
Solutions:
├── Negotiate source code escrow
├── Ensure data export is possible
├── Avoid long-term contracts initially
└── Choose providers with API access
4. Support Quality
Challenge:
├── Slow response times
├── Limited technical knowledge
├── Timezone differences
Solutions:
├── Get SLA in contract
├── Test support before signing
├── Choose providers in similar timezone
└── Pay for premium support
White Label vs Custom: Decision Framework
Choose White Label If:
✓ Time to market is critical
✓ Budget is limited ($5K - $50K)
✓ Standard features are sufficient
✓ You want to validate business model
✓ No in-house tech team
✓ Industry has proven white label solutions
Choose Custom If:
✓ Unique features are core differentiator
✓ Budget allows ($100K+)
✓ Long-term strategic investment
✓ Have in-house tech team
✓ Complex integrations required
✓ Full control is essential
Hybrid Approach
Start with White Label:
├── Launch quickly
├── Validate market
├── Generate revenue
├── Learn user needs
└── Build capital
Transition to Custom:
├── When limitations become blockers
├── When revenue justifies investment
├── When you understand exact needs
└── When you have tech team
Success Stories
Food Delivery Startup
Situation:
├── New food delivery in small city
├── Budget: $30,000
├── Timeline: 2 months
Approach:
├── White label solution
├── Focus on local marketing
├── Partner with restaurants
Results:
├── Launched in 6 weeks
├── 50 restaurants onboarded
├── 5,000 users in 6 months
├── Profitable in 8 months
Fitness Coach Platform
Situation:
├── Personal trainer going digital
├── Budget: $15,000
├── Timeline: 1 month
Approach:
├── White label fitness app
├── Custom branding
├── Added video content
Results:
├── Launched in 4 weeks
├── 200 clients migrated
├── 40% increase in revenue
├── Expanded to group coaching
Conclusion
White label apps offer a practical path to market for many businesses:
- Speed: Launch in weeks instead of months
- Cost: Fraction of custom development
- Proven: Technology already tested at scale
- Focus: Concentrate on business, not tech
The key is honest evaluation of your needs. If standard features work for your business, white label is often the smarter choice.
Need help choosing between white label and custom development? Contact Hevcode for a free consultation to evaluate your options.