![Cover image for White Label Chat: The Complete Guide to Branded Chat for Your Website [2026]](https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=1000,height=420,fit=cover,gravity=auto,format=auto/https%3A%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Farticles%2Fp38tm4rpkptay8111vp6.png)
Your chat widget says "Powered by SomeOtherCompany." Your users notice. Your brand takes the hit.
White label chat solves this problem. It gives you a fully branded, embeddable chat experience on your website -- without building anything from scratch.
But here is the thing. Most guides about white label chat focus on chat APIs for developers or customer support tools. They miss the biggest use case entirely: embeddable group chat for events, communities, and live streaming.
This guide covers what white label chat actually is, why it matters for your brand, and how to choose the right platform. You will also get a transparent pricing comparison and a buyer's checklist you can use today.
Whether you run virtual events, manage an online community, or embed chat into a SaaS product -- this is the guide you have been looking for.
What Is White Label Chat?
White label chat is a chat solution you can fully rebrand as your own. You remove the vendor's logo, colors, and "Powered by" watermarks. Your users see your brand -- not someone else's.
Think of it like ordering a product with your own label on it. The technology runs behind the scenes, but the experience belongs to you.
Here is a simple definition: White label chat is any chat service you can completely style, brand, and embed on your website as if you built it yourself.
White Label Chat Is Not the Same As...
The term "white label chat" gets mixed up with other products. Here is how they differ:
| Type | What It Does | Who It Serves |
|---|---|---|
| White label group chat | Embeddable chat rooms for websites, events, communities | Event organizers, community managers, SaaS teams |
| White label live chat | 1-to-1 customer support chat widgets | Support teams, agencies |
| White label chatbot | AI-powered automated chat agents | Marketing teams, agencies |
| Custom-built chat | Chat built from scratch by developers | Engineering teams with large budgets |
This guide focuses on white label group chat -- the kind you embed on a website for real-time conversations among multiple users.
Why White Label Chat Matters for Your Brand
Brand consistency is not a nice-to-have. According to a Lucidpress study, consistent brand presentation increases revenue by 33%.
Now picture this. A visitor lands on your beautifully designed website. They click into your community chat or event stream -- and suddenly the interface looks completely different. Different colors, different fonts, someone else's logo.
That disconnect erodes trust. Fast.
Three Reasons White Label Chat Drives Business Results
1. Trust and credibility. When every touchpoint looks and feels like your brand, users trust the experience more. They stay longer. They engage more.
2. Higher engagement and retention. Sendbird reports that adding messaging features to a platform increases app retention by 3x. Branded chat keeps users inside your ecosystem instead of pushing them to third-party platforms.
3. Revenue impact. McKinsey research shows businesses that implement customized communication solutions see up to a 40% increase in revenue. White label chat is a direct path to customized communication.
The bottom line? Your chat should look like yours. Not like a third-party tool awkwardly bolted onto your site.
White Label Chat vs. Building Chat From Scratch
This is the classic build-vs-buy question. And the math is not close.
Building real-time chat from scratch costs between $30,000 and $300,000+ depending on complexity. It takes 3 to 9 months of development time. And that is just the launch -- ongoing maintenance adds 15-20% annually.
White label chat? You are looking at $99 to $500 per month, with setup measured in hours or days -- not months.
Here is the full comparison:
| Factor | Build From Scratch | White Label Chat |
|---|---|---|
| Upfront cost | $30,000 - $300,000+ | $0 - $500/month |
| Time to launch | 3 - 9 months | Hours to days |
| Ongoing maintenance | In-house team required (15-20% annual cost) | Handled by vendor |
| Scalability | You build and manage infrastructure | Vendor handles scaling |
| Moderation tools | Build from scratch | Included out of the box |
| Updates and features | Your responsibility | Continuous vendor updates |
| Risk | 70%+ failure rate for custom enterprise software | Proven, production-ready platform |
That 70% failure rate is not a typo. Custom enterprise software projects fail at alarming rates, according to industry data cited by Rocket.Chat.
For most teams, building chat in-house means spending months of engineering time on a problem that has already been solved. White label chat lets you skip straight to the result.
Skip the build. Try DeadSimpleChat's white-label chat free -- add branded chat to your website in minutes.
Key Features to Look for in White Label Chat
Not all white label chat platforms are equal. Before you choose one, run through this checklist.
Branding and Customization
This is the whole point of going white label. Look for:
- Full logo and color customization -- your brand, not theirs
- CSS theming -- control fonts, spacing, and layout to match your site exactly
- No "Powered by" watermarks -- complete removal of vendor branding
- Custom domain support -- chat runs on your domain, not the vendor's
Moderation Tools
If your chat handles more than a handful of users, moderation is non-negotiable.
- Ban and unban users
- Delete messages in real time
- Bad word filters (automatic)
- AI-based image moderation -- blocks inappropriate images before they appear
- Multiple moderator roles
- Pre-moderation capabilities (approve messages before they go live)
Scalability
Ask the hard question: how many concurrent users can it actually handle?
Some platforms cap out at a few hundred users. That works for a small community. It does not work for a live event with 10,000 attendees.
Look for platforms that scale from small communities to large-scale events without requiring you to change infrastructure or plans.
SSO and User Authentication
Single Sign-On matters more than most buyers realize. With SSO, your users log into your platform once -- and they are automatically authenticated in the chat. No second login. No friction.
This is critical for:
- SaaS applications where users already have accounts
- Membership sites and online communities
- Virtual events with registered attendees
Other Must-Have Features
- Embedding options -- iframe, JavaScript snippet, or full API/SDK
- Mobile responsiveness -- chat must work on every device
- File and media sharing -- photos, GIFs, audio messages
- Analytics and reporting -- track engagement, message volume, active users
- Password-protected rooms -- for private sessions or premium content
- Webhooks -- trigger actions in your app when chat events happen
Best White Label Chat Platforms [2026]
Here is a transparent comparison of the top white label chat platforms available right now. We focus on platforms that offer embeddable group chat -- not customer support tools or AI chatbots.
1. DeadSimpleChat
Best for: Virtual events, online communities, live streaming, SaaS platforms
DeadSimpleChat is an embeddable chat platform built for group conversations on websites. It scales from 5 users on the free tier to 10 million concurrent users on Enterprise.
Key strengths:
- White label included -- remove all branding, add your logo, customize with CSS
- Massive scalability -- up to 10M concurrent users, no infrastructure changes needed
- Full moderation suite -- ban/unban, word filters, AI image moderation, multiple moderators
- SSO integration -- authenticate users from your existing platform automatically
- Easy embed -- add chat to any website with a JavaScript snippet or iframe
- API, SDK, and webhooks -- build custom experiences on top of the platform
- Daily pricing -- pay per day for one-off events instead of monthly subscriptions
Pricing:
| Plan | Price | Concurrent Users | Rooms |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0/mo | 5 | 2 |
| Growth | $199/mo | 500 | 50 |
| Business | $369/mo | 500 | 1,000+ |
| Enterprise | Custom | 10,000,000 | Unlimited |
Why it stands out: DeadSimpleChat is the only white label chat platform that combines embeddable group chat, enterprise-grade scalability, and a complete moderation suite -- with a free tier to start. Check out the full feature list or see pricing.
2. TalkJS
Best for: Developers building in-app messaging (1-to-1 and group)
TalkJS offers pre-built chat UI components with white-label capabilities. It is API-driven and developer-focused.
- Pre-built UI with customization options
- $279/month for 10,000 MAU (basic tier)
- Strong documentation and developer tools
- Less suited for embeddable event or community chat
3. Sendbird
Best for: Enterprise apps with large-scale messaging needs
Sendbird is a high-end chat API platform with strong white-label support. It targets enterprise mobile and web applications.
- Enterprise-grade infrastructure
- Comprehensive SDKs for iOS, Android, and web
- Higher price point (custom pricing for most plans)
- Requires significant development effort to implement
4. Rocket.Chat
Best for: Teams that want self-hosted, open-source chat
Rocket.Chat is an open-source messaging platform you can host yourself. White-labeling requires self-hosting and technical configuration.
- Free and open source (Community Edition)
- Full control over branding and data
- Requires DevOps expertise to deploy and maintain
- Self-hosting costs can reach $1,000-$5,000/month for infrastructure
5. Stream (GetStream.io)
Best for: Developers building custom chat UIs from components
Stream provides chat API infrastructure with UI component kits. Pricing starts at $499/month.
- Powerful API with flexible UI components
- Strong developer documentation
- Higher cost -- $499/month starting tier
- Requires substantial development to implement
Platform Comparison at a Glance
| Platform | White Label | Max Scale | Moderation Suite | Easy Embed | Free Tier | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DeadSimpleChat | Full | 10M users | Yes (AI included) | Yes | Yes | $0/mo |
| TalkJS | Partial | N/A (API) | Limited | No (API) | Trial | $279/mo |
| Sendbird | Full | High | Yes | No (API) | Trial | Custom |
| Rocket.Chat | Full (self-host) | Depends on infra | Yes | No | Yes (OSS) | Free + hosting |
| Stream | Full | High | Basic | No (API) | Trial | $499/mo |
White Label Chat Use Cases
White label chat is not a one-size-fits-all product. The use case determines which features matter most. Here is where it shines.
Virtual Events and Conferences
Live events need chat that scales fast, works for a few hours, and looks like part of the event platform.
What matters most: Scalability (thousands of concurrent users), daily pricing (pay only for the event), moderation at scale, and branded experience that matches the event page.
DeadSimpleChat supports up to 10 million concurrent users and offers daily pricing for one-off events -- so you do not pay a monthly subscription for a single-day conference. Learn more about chat for virtual events.
Online Communities
Community chat needs to be always-on, persistent, and deeply branded. Members should feel like they are in your space -- not on someone else's platform.
What matters most: Persistent chat rooms, member management, full branding customization, and the ability to create multiple rooms or channels (e.g., topic-specific discussions, member-only areas).
Live Streaming
Companion chat alongside a video stream is now expected by audiences. Think Twitch-style chat, but on your own platform with your own branding.
What matters most: Real-time messaging at scale, reactions and media sharing, aggressive moderation tools (live streams attract spam), and mobile responsiveness.
SaaS Applications
SaaS products that need in-app chat -- think marketplaces, education platforms, fintech dashboards -- benefit from white label chat with SSO and API access.
What matters most: SSO integration (users authenticate through your app), API and SDK access for custom workflows, webhooks for real-time notifications, and complete branding control so the chat feels native.
Education
Classroom chat, study groups, and course discussions require privacy controls and moderation suited for educational settings.
What matters most: Password-protected rooms, pre-moderation, file sharing for educational materials, and the ability to create sub-rooms for different classes or cohorts.
How to Set Up White Label Chat on Your Website
Setting up white label chat does not require a development team. Here is the process using DeadSimpleChat as an example.
Step 1: Create your account. Sign up for free -- no credit card required.
Step 2: Create a chat room. Give it a name and configure basic settings (public or private, password protection, etc.).
Step 3: Customize the branding. Upload your logo, set your brand colors, and adjust the CSS to match your website design. Remove all DeadSimpleChat branding for a fully white-label experience.
Step 4: Embed the chat. Copy the embed code (iframe or JavaScript snippet) and paste it into your website. The chat appears instantly.
Step 5: Configure moderation. Set up word filters, enable AI image moderation, and assign moderator roles to your team members.
Step 6: Connect SSO (optional). If your platform has user accounts, configure SSO so users are automatically authenticated in the chat.
The entire process takes minutes, not months. And you can preview changes in real time before going live.
Ready to try it? Get started with DeadSimpleChat for free -- embed white label chat on your website in under 5 minutes.
How Much Does White Label Chat Cost?
Pricing transparency is rare in this space. Here is what you can actually expect to pay.
White Label Chat SaaS Pricing
Most white label chat platforms charge between $99 and $500 per month for plans that include branding removal. Some offer free tiers with limited features.
DeadSimpleChat starts at $0/month (free tier with 5 concurrent users) and scales to custom Enterprise pricing for organizations that need millions of concurrent users.
Custom Development Costs
Building chat from scratch? Budget for:
- Simple chat app: $30,000 - $65,000 (3-6 months development)
- Complex platform: $250,000+ (9+ months development)
- Annual maintenance: 15-20% of initial development cost
- Infrastructure: Ongoing server, DevOps, and monitoring costs
These numbers come from TalkJS's comprehensive cost analysis and are consistent across multiple industry sources.
The Real Cost Comparison
A SaaS white label chat platform at $200/month costs $2,400 per year. Custom development at the low end costs $30,000 upfront plus $4,500-$6,000 in annual maintenance.
That means white label chat pays for itself in the first year -- and saves you more every year after.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is white label chat?
White label chat is a chat solution you can fully rebrand with your own logo, colors, and styling. It removes the vendor's branding so the chat looks like a native part of your website or application.
How much does white label chat cost?
SaaS white label chat platforms typically cost $99-$500/month. DeadSimpleChat offers a free tier and paid plans starting at $199/month. Custom-built chat costs $30,000-$300,000+ upfront.
What is the difference between white label chat and custom-built chat?
White label chat is a ready-made platform you rebrand. Custom-built chat is developed from scratch by your engineering team. White label is faster, cheaper, and lower risk. Custom gives you full control but requires significant investment.
Is white label chat secure?
Reputable white label chat platforms use encryption for data in transit and at rest, offer SSO integration, provide IP whitelisting, and comply with regulations like GDPR. Always verify your vendor's security practices before committing.
Can I remove all branding from a chat widget?
Yes -- true white label chat platforms let you remove all vendor branding, including logos, "Powered by" text, and email notification branding. DeadSimpleChat supports full branding removal on paid plans.
What is the best white label chat for events?
For virtual events and conferences, look for white label chat with massive scalability, daily pricing options, real-time moderation, and easy embedding. DeadSimpleChat supports up to 10 million concurrent users with daily pricing for one-off events.
Choosing the Right White Label Chat Platform
Here is a quick decision framework to narrow down your options.
Choose an embeddable white label chat (like DeadSimpleChat) if:
- You need group chat on your website, event page, or community platform
- You want to embed chat without heavy development work
- Scalability matters (hundreds to millions of users)
- You need built-in moderation tools
Choose a chat API/SDK (like TalkJS or Sendbird) if:
- You have a development team ready to build custom UI
- You need deeply integrated in-app messaging
- Your use case requires complex custom workflows
Choose self-hosted open source (like Rocket.Chat) if:
- You need full control over data and infrastructure
- You have DevOps expertise in-house
- Compliance requirements demand on-premises hosting
For most teams building websites, running events, or managing communities, an embeddable white label chat platform delivers the fastest results with the least effort.
The Bottom Line
White label chat gives your website a branded, professional chat experience without the cost, risk, or timeline of building from scratch.
The market is growing fast. The global chat software market is valued at $34.5 billion in 2026 and projected to reach $76.8 billion by 2035. Adding branded chat to your platform is not a luxury -- it is a competitive requirement.
The key is choosing a platform that matches your use case. If you need embeddable group chat for events, communities, or live streaming, look for a solution that combines white label branding, scalability, moderation, and simple embedding.
DeadSimpleChat checks every box. It is the only white label chat platform purpose-built for embeddable group chat -- scaling from 5 users to 10 million concurrent, with a complete moderation suite and full branding control.
Try DeadSimpleChat free today -- add white label chat to your website in minutes. No credit card required.
Top comments (0)