What is White Label SaaS agreement? Complete how-to guide in 2025

Dylan Tao

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May 15, 2025

White Label SaaS is a software solution created by one company but rebranded and sold by another. The original creator builds and maintains the product. The partner adds their own brand and presents it as their own. This allows companies to offer complete software without building it themselves.

1.2 Why Is a Specific Agreement Necessary?

This kind of setup involves many shared responsibilities. The software owner must protect their technology. The partner must respect brand rules, support users, and follow legal terms. A clear agreement avoids problems by setting rules for both sides.

Without a solid contract, you risk confusion over who owns what, who supports users, and how money is shared. A strong agreement protects your product, brand, and business.

1.3 Purpose of This Guide

This guide is made for:

Startup founders offering white-label options
Legal teams preparing contracts for partnerships
Indie developers selling branded versions of their tools

You’ll learn how to create an agreement that covers your rights, protects your product, and supports good business.

2. Understanding White Label SaaS

2.1 Definition and How It Works

White Label SaaS is a type of software that one company builds and another company sells under its own name. The software is still hosted and managed by the original creator, but the customer sees the partner’s brand.

For example, a company that makes project management software can allow other businesses to resell it with their own logo and domain name. To users, it looks like a tool made by the reseller, but the backend remains the same.

2.2 Key Differences from Standard SaaS

Compared to regular SaaS, white-label software has special rules:

Standard SaaS	White Label SaaS
Provider sells directly to users	Partner resells under their brand
Branding stays the same	Branding is changed by the partner
Users know the software creator	Users may not know who built the product

Because of this, white label deals need clear agreements about who controls what.

2.3 Common Use Cases

White label SaaS is popular in many industries:

Reselling: A marketing firm resells SEO tools as part of its package
OEM partnerships: A company includes white-label software in its hardware offering
Co-branded platforms: Two companies share the software but apply their own logos

Each case brings different legal needs. That’s why a custom agreement matters.

3. Key Clauses to Include in a White Label SaaS Agreement

key clauses to white label saas agreement

3.1 Definitions

This section lists key terms so both sides agree on their meaning. Important terms may include:

White Label Product: The software offered under the partner’s brand
Partner: The company reselling or branding the product
End Users: The people or companies who use the branded software
Branding: Visual elements like logos, colors, and domains used by the partner

Clear definitions help avoid confusion later.

3.2 License Grant

This clause explains what the partner is allowed to do with the software:

Can the partner resell it to others?
Are there limits on who they can sell to?
Can they change anything in the product?

It also lists what the partner is not allowed to do, like copying or reverse-engineering the software.

3.3 Branding and Customization

This part explains how the partner can brand the product. It includes:

What can be changed (logos, color themes, custom domains)
What cannot be changed (layout, core user experience)

The goal is to protect the product’s core look and feel while allowing enough freedom for rebranding.

3.4 Ownership and Intellectual Property

This clause protects the software creator’s ownership. It should say:

The provider owns all parts of the original software
The partner does not get any ownership rights
Custom features made for the partner may still belong to the provider unless stated otherwise

It also covers copyright, trademarks, and code usage.

3.5 Partner Responsibilities

This section outlines what the partner must do. Common duties include:

Selling the product honestly
Providing first-level support to their end users
Following legal rules and branding guidelines

This protects both parties from user complaints and poor service.

3.6 Pricing and Payment Terms

This clause explains how the partner pays the provider. It includes:

Licensing fees or revenue share details
How and when payments are made
What happens if payment is late

Clear money rules reduce billing issues.

3.7 Service Level Agreement (SLA)

This defines the service quality. It often includes:

How much uptime is promised (e.g., 99.9%)
Support hours and response times
What the provider will do if the service fails

An SLA helps set fair expectations.

3.8 Data Ownership and Privacy

This part explains who owns the data and how it is handled:

The partner or end user usually owns their data
The provider is responsible for protecting it
Privacy rules like GDPR or CCPA must be followed

This clause is key in markets where data protection is a legal requirement.

3.9 Term and Termination

This clause covers how long the agreement lasts and how it can end:

Contract start and renewal periods
Rules for early cancellation
What happens to user data if the deal ends

This protects both sides if things change.

3.10 Indemnification and Liability

This part explains legal risk-sharing. It usually includes:

Each side agrees to cover the other’s losses if they cause a problem
Limits on how much each side can be held responsible for

This keeps legal risk under control.

3.11 Dispute Resolution

This clause explains what happens if there is a serious disagreement:

Which laws apply
Where legal claims must be made
Whether arbitration or court is used

This helps avoid long, unclear legal battles.

You can generate a white label SaaS agreement in under 15 minutes with our easy-to-use contract builder.

4. Tailoring the Agreement for Different Scenarios

4.1 Adjusting Terms by Industry

Not every white label setup is the same. Some industries have strict rules, so your agreement should match those needs.

For example:

Healthcare: Must follow laws about patient data and system reliability
Finance: Needs stronger security and clear terms on data ownership
Education: May require rules about student privacy and content usage

Make sure your contract includes any special legal terms required in your target industry.

4.2 Levels of Integration

Not all white label deals are fully branded. Some partners only change the logo, while others want deeper control. Your agreement should match the level of customization.

Basic White Label:

Partner only changes brand visuals
Provider keeps control over features and updates

Co-Branded or Joint Development:

Partner may help build new features
Agreement must include who owns those features
More legal and business coordination is needed

By setting clear limits and roles, you avoid later arguments about who controls what.

5. Common Mistakes to Avoid

5.1 Ambiguity in IP Ownership

One of the most serious mistakes is not clearly stating who owns the software and any new features. If this part is unclear, it can lead to legal conflict.

Always state that:

The provider owns the core product
Any custom changes belong to the provider or are licensed clearly
The partner only gets rights to use and resell, not to claim ownership

5.2 Failing to Restrict Partner Behavior

Some agreements forget to set limits on what the partner can do. This can cause issues like:

Poor customer support damaging your brand
The partner reselling to restricted markets or groups
Violations of branding rules

Be sure to include clear guidelines on how the partner should act and what they must avoid.

5.3 Overlooking Data Security and Compliance

When your partner handles user data, you are still responsible in many cases. If your agreement does not set clear rules about data handling, privacy laws like GDPR or CCPA could be violated.

To avoid this:

Define who owns the data
Explain how it must be protected
Require the partner to follow all privacy laws

These steps help protect both your users and your business.

6. Templates and Legal Tools

6.1 Recommended Agreement Templates

If you’re starting from scratch, using a trusted template can save time and reduce mistakes. Here are a few options:

Juro: Offers simple contract automation with templates
SaaSGree: Contract builder tool, including SaaS contract templates
Docracy: A free collection of startup-friendly legal documents

Use these as a base, but always customize the terms for your specific product and partner setup.

6.2 Tools for Contract E-Signing

Once your agreement is ready, you’ll need a way to send and sign it. These tools help you manage everything in one place:

Tool	Main Use
DocuSign	Reliable electronic signatures
HelloSign	Easy for teams to manage documents
Contractbook	Full contract lifecycle management

These tools make it easier to track, sign, and store agreements without delays or confusion.

6.3 When to Consult a Legal Professional

Even if you start with a template, it’s wise to have a lawyer review your final agreement. A legal expert can:

Check compliance with local laws
Spot unclear or risky language
Help with IP, data, and partner rights

For large or long-term deals, legal review is strongly recommended.

7. Conclusion

A clear White Label SaaS agreement protects your software, your brand, and your business. It sets the rules for how your product is used, how it is sold, and how each party must act.

This type of partnership can be a great way to grow your product’s reach without extra sales or marketing work. But without a strong agreement, it can lead to confusion, lost revenue, or legal problems.

Always treat a white label deal as a real business contract. Use clear terms, cover data rights, define ownership, and set limits. Tailor the agreement to each partner’s needs, and when in doubt, get legal help.