Choosing Between a White-label App and a Custom App
Tags: custom, mobile, appwritehack
Published: 2022-06-16 06:50:29

Mobile applications are important and gaining popularity as the industries began to thrive on the basis of a strong mobile presence. The availability of mobile-friendly options is vast and accessible,  such as mobile websites, progressive web apps, and so on. 

Among these, there are two major categories in the spectrum of the [custom mobile app development](https://www.digitalgravity.ae/services/mobile-app-development-dubai/) offered by the agencies in UAE and worldwide. These categories include white-label applications and custom applications. We have described the apps briefly in the upcoming section. 

## White Label Applications:

A white label application is developed with the intention to be resold to multiple businesses with complete rights to the code. After acquiring the coding rights, the businesses can customize the application as they desire. With the further customizations, a business can label and market them as their own to the customers. 

the white label applications are built to be industry-specific for the sale and include a set of features typical in nature that suits a particular type of industry. White label applications are industry-based but in the wider sense, the white label application covers all the industries. 

For instance, an eCommerce-based white label application comes with similar core features as every or even customized e-commerce application including listings, search, cart, favorite button, filter, and checkout among other features.

White label apps offer businesses a generic solution in return for a minimum investment with both backend and frontend remaining. 

## Custom Applications:

Custom applications are developed to specifically cater to the business needs and the target audience, reflecting your business processes and branding. As far as the custom apps are concerned, both the back end and front end are customized/ personalized according to the client’s requirements and needs. 

Custom applications are preferred due to their flexibility and scalability as the architecture is built aligned with the company goals. With the custom apps, you can keep up with the market trends and add new functionality conveniently. Custom design applications are costly because you are also paying for design, business analysis, design, quality assurance, maintenance and as well as complete client satisfaction.  

## Choosing Between a White-label App and a Custom App 

White label applications are readily available solutions and don't cost a hefty investment. Whereas customized applications are comparatively costly. While the budget holds significant importance for every agency it shouldn't be the sole factor to make the decision. Some of the factors you should consider are discussed below. 

### Customizability: 

In a sense, both white label apps and custom apps can be personalized according to the business needs and profile. However, both vary in the potential and extent of customizing the app. 

As far as the white label applications are concerned, as you purchase the back end, you get freedom in customizing the app’s appearance and have the space to customize your own features. However, the back-end customization limitation remains, which means when it comes to expansion and security, you can't do much. 

On the other hand, the only limitation in the custom app development comes with the architecture and technologies you choose. 

### Design: 

The design reflects investment prioritizing the visual experience and consumers are constantly impressed by creative yet functional [UI UX design](https://www.digitalgravity.ae/services/ui-ux-design-dubai/).

White label apps are developed for any business in a particular domain and hence these applications follow typical designs most opted for in the specific industry. Hence, your application is at the risk of looking the same as other hundred brands who opted for the same white label solutions. This can be a liability in the long term for your business. 

Custom app development provides you the complete freedom to design a personalized application that truly reflects the branding of your business. 

### Scalability and Flexibility: 

In the competitive industry, you can hardly look over the benefits of scalability and flexibility. Scalability can mean a couple of different things including functionality on new devices, shifting to other/ new forms, the ability to handle more traffic, adding new features, and so on. 


One of the biggest downsides of white label apps is that they are hardly scalable. For example:  if you purchase an iOS white label application and then you want to provide access to android consumers as well. You will need to purchase another model or get a custom app since the white label apps cant be customized from the back end. 

### Maintenance & Support: 

Both white-label applications and custom apps need support and maintenance. However, since the white label applications are resold to the same industry so much that the code is already tried and tested. 

Tried and tested codes are easier to support and usually do not possess a lot of bugs since a huge number of clients would be calling up the agency selling defective apps. This means the white label apps come with certain reliability. 

On the other hand, if the custom app is developed poorly, it is of no use to you. At the end of the day, functionality plays a huge factor. 

### So, when can you exactly rely on the white label app?

Reading the pointers above, you're probably thinking that custom applications have more leverage over white-label apps. According to the experts, the white-label application can prove to be a resourceful tool when your business is experimenting or introducing a mobile app to your business. It can prove to be a great prototype with cost-efficiency. They allow you to get an MVP and test your idea in real market conditions. Once your white label app takes off with profitability you can move on with the custom mobile application development.