A white label solution or building your own software - what to choose for your vehicle sharing business?

A white label solution or building your own software - what to choose for your vehicle sharing business?

Software is an essential part of your vehicle-sharing business. And it doesn't matter what vehicles your customers are going to share. They will do it through the mobile app. So here is the decision to make – are you going to create the vehicle-sharing software from scratch or choose one of the existing solutions on the market. Hopefully, this article will help you with this decision.

Which one of these two options should you choose? There is no one correct answer and there are advantages as well as weaknesses to both of them.

Imagine that this is your first vehicle-sharing business and you have decided to do everything on your own. You are full of enthusiasm and you approach your CTO or IT partner and promise to come up with the brief. The task doesn't seem too complicated for the software you need. However, the vehicle-sharing business is the one that makes creating the brief so complicated. There are many small details to consider.

First step - long and costly research

If you really have decided to start to develop software from scratch, you should take one step back. Your CTO or IT partner must start with the investigation on what functions you might need and how one thing might lead to another. This might take a lot of time and money. In addition, sometimes you can get an impression of what clients need only by operating in the market. For example, ATOM is operating in 23 countries. Their software that is also a white label solution for vehicle-sharing businesses already includes over 100 different features and settings that users might need. And those features are a collection of suggestions from users made over the course of several years in those markets.

However, the aim of the research is to understand what the vehicle-sharing software might look like. If the investigation is done, you can start to prepare the brief and documentation for developers. Here is a list of some other things that you should consider before starting work on a technical solution:

- backend, as well as frontend of the solution - both should be developed and supported so your team can manage operations;

- there should be two versions of the mobile app - one for users that has a device operating on iOS. Other - for the owners of devices that run on Android;

- whenever Apple or Android updates their operating systems or other 3rd party makes an update, you should be ready to check if everything works on your apps;

- apps should be compatible with smart locks in the case of bikes or IoT solutions in the case of scooters, mopeds, cars that are used on the vehicle;

- the IT solution must be properly tested and debugged - the industry average shows that testing the app takes approximately two-three months;

- if your vehicle fleet has over 100 vehicles, most likely you will have a service team. The most convenient way for the service team to operate is by using the phone app. This means that there should be one more app for the service team. And your team members might also have iOS as well as Android operating systems on their devices. So again – there are two more apps for you to build;

- additionally, you must have an invoicing option and also the option to create reports, see statistics, analyze routes, distribute promotions, launch referral programs, etc. And this list can go on and on.

The software development usually costs from EUR 100,000-400,000 depending on the complexity and features that you might want to include. In addition, you have to keep in mind that nothing ends with development. The software requires testing, private launch, debugging and support. And only then will the software be ready for the public launch. However, more bug fixing should probably be done.

One year and you are ready to go!

This whole process mentioned above takes approximately one year. Of course, fingers crossed that the solution as well as the integration with smart locks or IoT solutions works. There is just one problem - the vehicle-sharing industry is changing very rapidly - new players are coming in, others are expanding, new means of transportation are used for vehicle-sharing. And there are a lot of things that might happen and change in a year. It might be hard to catch up.

Furthermore, competitors are constantly offering and creating new features that were not in the market previously such as subscriptions, which is currently a new trend. For example, ATOM Mobility has created a white label solution for the vehicle-sharing market that constantly collects knowledge from their clients and adds new features. Later those features are integrated into solutions offered to other clients so everyone is up to date. In the case of a custom-made solution, everything is on you - it might take additional time and money.

One more thing that speaks in favor of the white label solution - let's imagine that your business is very successful. You have developed a vehicle-sharing software for the one-vehicle type and you would like to grow by adding other vehicle types. Sorry, not possible. You will have to make significant changes to the existing software or develop the new one. So probably you will have to start over again.

The same problem might apply to extending the fleet. If your business becomes scalable, the software might not be appropriate for a fleet with 20 000 vehicles. White label solution providers are usually ready for such success of their customers as they have already supported thousands of vehicles for some time.

When it is worthwhile developing a custom solution?

However, there are times that it is worth considering developing a custom solution - your own software for your vehicle-sharing business. It is worth doing this, if:

1) You already know that you might need some very specific features, but the company offering white-label solutions can't provide them to you. For example, you want your car sharing software to run on the blockchain. Or you want to create a decentralized sharing service. However, it is only worth investing in such a specific solution if it is a real game-changer for you and you have the data to proof it;

2) You have EUR 500,000 or more available in funding and you have a very strong team of developers that you would like to keep working for your company. You consider them to be your asset. Then, if you are lucky, after some time, someone might be interested in buying your company just because of the team and, of course, the solution you have developed;

3) The co-founder of the company is a very good CTO with high-level technical skills and the ability to lead the team. Then it is probably worth building a team. However, most likely you will build a technological and not a vehicle-sharing company in the end and spent more on development than actually on vehicles.

4) For some reason one of the requirements is to have a source code. Companies offering white label solutions won't be able to help you with that.

There is a power in sharing and this doesn't just apply to vehicle-sharing. You always get access to a strong network when you are working hand in hand with the industry leaders. That's what we at ATOM emphasize in collaboration with our clients. We are ready to share as much as we can because we do really care about our clients’ business. It is important for us that they grow and constantly have access to the latest achievements within the industry.

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Setting the standard in shared mobility: ATOM Mobility achieves ISO 27001 and ISO 27701 certifications
Setting the standard in shared mobility: ATOM Mobility achieves ISO 27001 and ISO 27701 certifications

🔒 We're proud to announce that ATOM Mobility is now officially certified to ISO/IEC 27001 and ISO/IEC 27701, reinforcing our commitment to the highest standards of information security and privacy. Learn what these internationally recognized certifications mean, why they matter for mobility operators, and how they help protect your business and customer data.

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At ATOM Mobility, trust has always been one of the foundations of our platform. Every day, mobility operators ranging from small operators to entreprises around the world rely on us to manage their fleets, customer data and day-to-day operations. That's why we're proud to announce that ATOM Mobility has officially achieved both ISO 27001 and ISO 27701 certification.

These internationally recognized standards demonstrate our commitment to protecting information, managing cybersecurity risks, and ensuring privacy is built into every aspect of our platform.

What do these certifications mean?

ISO 27001 is the leading international standard for information security management. It confirms that ATOM Mobility has implemented a comprehensive Information Security Management System (ISMS) with processes designed to identify, assess, and mitigate security risks across the organization.

ISO 27701 extends this framework by focusing specifically on privacy information management. It validates that we have established robust processes for handling personal data responsibly, transparently, and in accordance with internationally recognized privacy practices.

Together, these certifications provide independent verification that security and privacy are embedded into how we build, operate, and continuously improve our software.

Why this matters for our customers

Mobility platforms process sensitive operational and customer information every day, from user accounts and payment data to fleet operations and business analytics. Protecting this information is not just a technical requirement - it's a responsibility. The certification scope covers ATOM Mobility's SaaS platform and the internal processes used to develop, operate, and support it.

For our customers, this provides additional confidence that:

  • Information security is managed according to internationally recognized best practices.
  • Customer and personal data are protected through well-defined privacy controls.
  • Risks are continuously assessed, monitored, and improved.
  • Security is integrated into our development and operational processes and not added as an afterthought.
  • Our security and privacy practices are independently audited and continuously improved.

Whether you're launching a new shared mobility service or operating thousands of vehicles across multiple cities, you can rely on ATOM Mobility to support your business with a platform built around security, privacy, and reliability.

More than a certification

Achieving ISO 27001 and ISO 27701 wasn't simply about passing an audit.

It required months of reviewing internal processes, strengthening security controls, documenting procedures, training our team, and ensuring that security and privacy are integrated throughout the organization. While the certifications mark an important milestone, they also represent an ongoing commitment.

Maintaining these standards means continuously evaluating risks, improving processes, and adapting to an evolving cybersecurity landscape. For us, this is not the finish line it's another step in building a platform our customers can trust for years to come.

A special thank you to TestDevLab

This achievement would not have been possible without the expertise and guidance of TestDevLab, who supported us throughout the preparation and certification process.

From helping us assess our existing processes to providing practical recommendations and guiding us through the audit journey, their team played an important role in helping us reach this milestone.

"ATOM Mobility approached certification the right way - not as a compliance exercise, but as a chance to formalise and strengthen how they handle customer data. That mindset is what made the process efficient, and it's what will keep the certification meaningful long after the audit."

"For any SaaS platform handling operational and personal data at scale, security and privacy can't be an afterthought bolted on before a procurement review. ISO 27001 and ISO 27701 give companies a common language for proving that data protection is built into how the business runs - the processes, the controls, the accountability. Increasingly, that's not a competitive advantage; it's the baseline customers and regulators expect."

We're grateful for their professionalism, knowledge, and partnership throughout this project.

Looking ahead

As shared mobility continues to grow, so do expectations around cybersecurity, privacy, and compliance. Operators, cities, enterprise customers, and public authorities all expect technology providers to meet the highest standards when it comes to protecting sensitive information.

Achieving ISO 27001 and ISO 27701 reinforces our commitment to delivering a secure, reliable, and privacy-focused platform for mobility operators worldwide.

We'd like to thank our customers, partners, and team members for their continued trust. We'll keep investing in security, privacy, and operational excellence so you can focus on growing your mobility business with confidence.

Ready to build a secure mobility service?

Whether you're launching a new shared mobility operation or scaling an existing fleet, security and privacy should never be an afterthought. At ATOM Mobility, we're committed to providing a platform that combines enterprise-grade security with the flexibility operators need to grow.

If you'd like to learn more about our platform or see how ATOM Mobility can support your business, book a demo with our team. We'll show you how our software helps operators around the world launch, manage, and scale successful mobility services backed by internationally recognized security and privacy standards.

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How to launch a scooter sharing business in 2026: A step-by-step guide
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🛴 Launching a scooter-sharing business takes much more than buying scooters and publishing an app. Choosing the right city, selecting reliable hardware, planning operations, and investing in software that can scale all play a major role in building a successful mobility business. This guide walks you through every stage of the process, from market research and business model selection to fleet management, customer acquisition, and how operators can launch in as little as 20 days.

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Launching a scooter-sharing business no longer requires millions in funding or a team of software engineers. What once took large mobility companies years to build can now be launched in a matter of weeks. The challenge has shifted from technology to execution. Today's operators compete on reliability, operational efficiency, and the ability to work with cities rather than around them.

The opportunity, however, remains strong. According to the 2025 European Shared Mobility Index, Europe recorded more than 640 million shared mobility trips in 2024, with scooters remaining one of the largest mobility segments. For entrepreneurs looking to enter the market, the biggest advantage is that they no longer have to build everything from scratch. Proven business models, mature hardware, and established software platforms have made launching a scooter-sharing service much more accessible than it was just a few years ago.

Here's what to consider before launching your first fleet.

Step 1: Choose the right city

The success of a scooter-sharing business often depends more on the city than on the scooters themselves. Before investing in vehicles, take time to understand the local market. Does the city issue permits for scooter-sharing operators? Are there already established competitors? Is the population dense enough to support frequent short trips? Well-developed cycling infrastructure and strong public transport networks can also work in your favour by creating first and last mile travel opportunities. Competition isn't necessarily a bad sign. If multiple operators are already active, it usually means there is proven demand. The challenge is understanding whether there's room for another service and how your business can differentiate itself.

Step 2: Build a business model that fits your market

One of the first decisions is choosing how riders will use your service. Some operators choose a free-floating model, where scooters can be picked up and parked anywhere within a designated service area. Others prefer station-based systems that require trips to start and end at fixed locations. Free-floating fleets offer greater flexibility for users, while station-based systems usually provide more predictable operations, simpler charging logistics, and fewer parking issues.

Pricing deserves just as much attention. Many operators combine an unlock fee with per-minute pricing, while others introduce subscriptions, ride bundles, or daily passes for frequent users. It's also worth defining your target utilisation rate before purchasing vehicles. A fleet of 200 scooters averaging five trips per day is generally a healthier business than a fleet of 500 scooters averaging only one or two.

Step 3: Choose hardware that will last

Buying scooters is only one part of the investment. Operators should look beyond purchase price and evaluate durability, battery capacity, weather resistance, maintenance requirements, spare part availability, and the total cost of ownership over several years.

The hardware inside each scooter is equally important. GPS tracking, remote locking, battery monitoring, vehicle diagnostics, and theft protection all depend on reliable IoT connectivity. Many newer operators also choose swappable battery systems because they reduce downtime and allow batteries to be replaced on the street instead of transporting scooters back to a warehouse for charging.

Choosing hardware that integrates smoothly with your software platform will make expansion much easier later on.

Step 4: Select software that can grow with your business

The customer usually sees only the mobile app, but software runs almost every part of a scooter-sharing business. Beyond booking and payments, operators need tools for fleet management, pricing, subscriptions, maintenance scheduling, customer support, analytics, reporting, and day-to-day administration. As fleets grow, managing these processes manually quickly becomes unrealistic. When comparing software providers, look beyond the list of features. Consider how well the platform integrates with your hardware, whether new vehicle types can be added later, and how much of the daily operational work can be automated, what other operators are saying about the software.

Platforms such as ATOM Mobility's vehicle-sharing software bring rider apps, fleet management, payments, maintenance workflows, and analytics together in one system, allowing operators to manage the business without relying on multiple disconnected tools.

Step 5: Think about your first riders before launch day

Successful operators usually spend weeks preparing their first marketing campaigns before the fleet goes live. Referral programmes can encourage existing users to invite friends, while partnerships with universities, hotels, offices, residential developments, and local businesses help introduce the service to potential riders. Introductory discounts often work well during launch, but long-term success depends on giving people a reason to keep coming back after the promotion ends.

Step 6: Prepare your operations before the first ride

Many mobility businesses don't struggle because demand is low – they struggle because operations become difficult to manage as the fleet grows. Before launch, operators should already have clear procedures covering:

  • vehicle inspections
  • charging and battery swaps
  • maintenance and repairs
  • fleet balancing
  • customer support
  • incident reporting

It is also worth deciding when operational action should be triggered. For example, at what battery level should a scooter be collected? How many inactive hours should pass before a vehicle is relocated? When should damaged scooters automatically be removed from service? Answering these questions early helps create consistent operations as the business grows.

How long does it actually take to launch?

Building custom mobility software from scratch can easily take 6-12 months or more, particularly when mobile apps, payments, IoT integrations, and fleet management systems all need to be developed from 0. Custom mobility software also costs 10 times more and may not be delivered in time.

Using a white-label platform shortens that process considerably. With ATOM Mobility's vehicle-sharing platform, operators can often launch in as little as 20 days, depending on branding, hardware integrations, payment setup, and operational readiness. That allows founders to spend less time developing software and more time preparing the business itself.

Launching a scooter-sharing business has never been easier from a technical perspective, but long-term success still depends on execution. Choosing the right city, investing in reliable hardware, selecting software that can grow with the business, and establishing strong operational processes all have a much bigger impact than simply deploying more scooters. The operators that build those foundations early are usually the ones best positioned to scale in the years that follow.

Want to learn more?

For entrepreneurs who want to dive deeper, ATOM Academy (https://www.atommobility.com/academy) is a free online learning platform created by mobility industry experts. It includes practical video courses covering topics such as:

  • How to launch a shared mobility business
  • Fleet operations and maintenance best practices
  • Pricing and business models
  • Marketing, support and customer acquisition
  • Mobility software tutorials and platform walkthroughs
  • Industry trends and expert insights

Whether you're preparing to launch your first fleet or looking to optimise an existing operation, the Academy provides practical guidance based on real-world experience from hundreds of mobility projects worldwide.

Launch your mobility platform in 20 days!

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