diff --git a/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/app/DefaultApplicationDescription.java b/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/app/DefaultApplicationDescription.java
index 2e0988b..3862718 100644
--- a/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/app/DefaultApplicationDescription.java
+++ b/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/app/DefaultApplicationDescription.java
@@ -15,15 +15,17 @@
  */
 package org.onosproject.app;
 
-import org.onosproject.core.ApplicationRole;
-import org.onosproject.core.Version;
-import org.onosproject.security.Permission;
-
 import java.net.URI;
 import java.util.List;
 import java.util.Optional;
 import java.util.Set;
 
+import org.onosproject.core.ApplicationRole;
+import org.onosproject.core.Version;
+import org.onosproject.security.Permission;
+
+import com.google.common.collect.ImmutableList;
+
 import static com.google.common.base.MoreObjects.toStringHelper;
 import static com.google.common.base.Preconditions.checkArgument;
 import static com.google.common.base.Preconditions.checkNotNull;
@@ -31,7 +33,7 @@
 /**
  * Default implementation of network control/management application descriptor.
  */
-public class DefaultApplicationDescription implements ApplicationDescription {
+public final class DefaultApplicationDescription implements ApplicationDescription {
 
     private final String name;
     private final Version version;
@@ -49,6 +51,14 @@
     private final List<String> requiredApps;
 
     /**
+     * Default constructor is hidden to prevent calls to new.
+     */
+    private DefaultApplicationDescription() {
+        //  Should not happen
+        throw new UnsupportedOperationException();
+    }
+
+    /**
      * Creates a new application descriptor using the supplied data.
      *
      * @param name         application name
@@ -66,27 +76,26 @@
      * @param features     application features
      * @param requiredApps list of required application names
      */
-    public DefaultApplicationDescription(String name, Version version, String title,
-                                         String description, String origin, String category,
-                                         String url, String readme, byte[] icon,
-                                         ApplicationRole role, Set<Permission> permissions,
-                                         URI featuresRepo, List<String> features,
-                                         List<String> requiredApps) {
-        this.name = checkNotNull(name, "Name cannot be null");
-        this.version = checkNotNull(version, "Version cannot be null");
-        this.title = checkNotNull(title, "Title cannot be null");
-        this.description = checkNotNull(description, "Description cannot be null");
-        this.origin = checkNotNull(origin, "Origin cannot be null");
-        this.category = checkNotNull(category, "Category cannot be null");
+    private DefaultApplicationDescription(String name, Version version, String title,
+                                          String description, String origin, String category,
+                                          String url, String readme, byte[] icon,
+                                          ApplicationRole role, Set<Permission> permissions,
+                                          URI featuresRepo, List<String> features,
+                                          List<String> requiredApps) {
+        this.name = name;
+        this.version = version;
+        this.title = title;
+        this.description = description;
+        this.origin = origin;
+        this.category = category;
         this.url = url;
-        this.readme = checkNotNull(readme, "Readme cannot be null");
+        this.readme = readme;
         this.icon = icon;
-        this.role = checkNotNull(role, "Role cannot be null");
-        this.permissions = checkNotNull(permissions, "Permissions cannot be null");
+        this.role = role;
+        this.permissions = permissions;
         this.featuresRepo = Optional.ofNullable(featuresRepo);
-        this.features = checkNotNull(features, "Features cannot be null");
-        this.requiredApps = checkNotNull(requiredApps, "Required apps cannot be null");
-        checkArgument(!features.isEmpty(), "There must be at least one feature");
+        this.features = ImmutableList.copyOf(features);
+        this.requiredApps = ImmutableList.copyOf(requiredApps);
     }
 
     @Override
@@ -177,4 +186,220 @@
                 .add("requiredApps", requiredApps)
                 .toString();
     }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns a default application description builder.
+     *
+     * @return builder
+     */
+    public static Builder builder() {
+        return new Builder();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Default application description builder.
+     */
+    public static final class Builder {
+
+        private String name;
+        private Version version;
+        private String title;
+        private String description;
+        private String category;
+        private String url;
+        private String readme;
+        private byte[] icon;
+        private String origin;
+        private ApplicationRole role;
+        private Set<Permission> permissions;
+        private URI featuresRepo;
+        private List<String> features;
+        private List<String> requiredApps;
+
+        /**
+         * Default constructor for the builder.
+         */
+        public Builder() {}
+
+        /**
+         * Adds an application id.
+         *
+         * @param name application name
+         * @return builder
+         */
+        public Builder withName(String name) {
+            this.name = name;
+            return this;
+        }
+
+        /**
+         * Adds a version string.
+         *
+         * @param version version string
+         * @return builder
+         */
+        public Builder withVersion(Version version) {
+            this.version = version;
+            return this;
+        }
+
+        /**
+         * Adds a title string.
+         *
+         * @param title title string
+         * @return builder
+         */
+        public Builder withTitle(String title) {
+            this.title = title;
+            return this;
+        }
+
+        /**
+         * Adds a description string.
+         *
+         * @param description description string
+         * @return builder
+         */
+        public Builder withDescription(String description) {
+            this.description = description;
+            return this;
+        }
+
+        /**
+         * Adds a category string.
+         *
+         * @param category category string
+         * @return builder
+         */
+        public Builder withCategory(String category) {
+            this.category = category;
+            return this;
+        }
+
+        /**
+         * Adds a URL string.
+         *
+         * @param url url string
+         * @return builder
+         */
+        public Builder withUrl(String url) {
+            this.url = url;
+            return this;
+        }
+
+        /**
+         * Adds a readme string.
+         *
+         * @param readme readme string
+         * @return builder
+         */
+        public Builder withReadme(String readme) {
+            this.readme = readme;
+            return this;
+        }
+
+        /**
+         * Adds an icon.
+         *
+         * @param icon icon data
+         * @return builder
+         */
+        public Builder withIcon(byte[] icon) {
+            this.icon = icon;
+            return this;
+        }
+
+        /**
+         * Adds an origin string.
+         *
+         * @param origin origin string
+         * @return builder
+         */
+        public Builder withOrigin(String origin) {
+            this.origin = origin;
+            return this;
+        }
+
+        /**
+         * Adds an application role.
+         *
+         * @param role application role
+         * @return builder
+         */
+        public Builder withRole(ApplicationRole role) {
+            this.role = role;
+            return this;
+        }
+
+        /**
+         * Adds a permissions set.
+         *
+         * @param permissions permissions set
+         * @return builder
+         */
+        public Builder withPermissions(Set<Permission> permissions) {
+            this.permissions = permissions;
+            return this;
+        }
+
+        /**
+         * Adds a URI for a features repository.
+         *
+         * @param featuresRepo Optional URI for a features repository
+         * @return builder
+         */
+        public Builder withFeaturesRepo(URI featuresRepo) {
+            this.featuresRepo = featuresRepo;
+            return this;
+        }
+
+        /**
+         * Adds a features list.
+         *
+         * @param features features list
+         * @return builder
+         */
+        public Builder withFeatures(List<String> features) {
+            this.features = features;
+            return this;
+        }
+
+        /**
+         * Adds a list of required applications.
+         *
+         * @param requiredApps List of name strings of required applications
+         * @return builder
+         */
+        public Builder withRequiredApps(List<String> requiredApps) {
+            this.requiredApps = requiredApps;
+            return this;
+        }
+
+        /**
+         * Builds a default application object from the gathered parameters.
+         *
+         * @return new default application
+         */
+        public DefaultApplicationDescription build() {
+            checkNotNull(name, "Name cannot be null");
+            checkNotNull(version, "Version cannot be null");
+            checkNotNull(title, "Title cannot be null");
+            checkNotNull(description, "Description cannot be null");
+            checkNotNull(origin, "Origin cannot be null");
+            checkNotNull(category, "Category cannot be null");
+            checkNotNull(readme, "Readme cannot be null");
+            checkNotNull(role, "Role cannot be null");
+            checkNotNull(permissions, "Permissions cannot be null");
+            checkNotNull(features, "Features cannot be null");
+            checkNotNull(requiredApps, "Required apps cannot be null");
+            checkArgument(!features.isEmpty(), "There must be at least one feature");
+
+            return new DefaultApplicationDescription(name, version, title,
+                                          description, origin, category,
+                                          url, readme, icon,
+                                          role, permissions,
+                                          featuresRepo, features,
+                                          requiredApps);
+        }
+    }
 }
diff --git a/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/core/DefaultApplication.java b/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/core/DefaultApplication.java
index f780623..1eb83b4 100644
--- a/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/core/DefaultApplication.java
+++ b/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/core/DefaultApplication.java
@@ -17,6 +17,8 @@
 
 import com.google.common.collect.ImmutableList;
 import com.google.common.collect.ImmutableSet;
+
+import org.onosproject.app.ApplicationDescription;
 import org.onosproject.security.Permission;
 
 import java.net.URI;
@@ -32,7 +34,7 @@
 /**
  * Default implementation of network control/management application descriptor.
  */
-public class DefaultApplication implements Application {
+public final class DefaultApplication implements Application {
 
     private final ApplicationId appId;
     private final Version version;
@@ -50,6 +52,14 @@
     private final List<String> requiredApps;
 
     /**
+     * Default constructor is hidden to prevent calls to new.
+     */
+    private DefaultApplication() {
+        // should never happen
+        throw new UnsupportedOperationException();
+    }
+
+    /**
      * Creates a new application descriptor using the supplied data.
      *
      * @param appId        application identifier
@@ -67,33 +77,26 @@
      * @param features     application features
      * @param requiredApps list of required application names
      */
-    public DefaultApplication(ApplicationId appId, Version version, String title,
+    private DefaultApplication(ApplicationId appId, Version version, String title,
                               String description, String origin, String category,
                               String url, String readme, byte[] icon,
                               ApplicationRole role, Set<Permission> permissions,
                               Optional<URI> featuresRepo, List<String> features,
                               List<String> requiredApps) {
-        this.appId = checkNotNull(appId, "ID cannot be null");
-        this.version = checkNotNull(version, "Version cannot be null");
-        this.title = checkNotNull(title, "Title cannot be null");
-        this.description = checkNotNull(description, "Description cannot be null");
-        this.origin = checkNotNull(origin, "Origin cannot be null");
-        this.category = checkNotNull(category, "Category cannot be null");
+        this.appId = appId;
+        this.version = version;
+        this.title = title;
+        this.description = description;
+        this.origin = origin;
+        this.category = category;
         this.url = url;
-        this.readme = checkNotNull(readme, "Readme cannot be null");
+        this.readme = readme;
         this.icon = icon == null ? new byte[0] : icon.clone();
-        this.role = checkNotNull(role, "Role cannot be null");
-        this.permissions = ImmutableSet.copyOf(
-                checkNotNull(permissions, "Permissions cannot be null")
-        );
-        this.featuresRepo = checkNotNull(featuresRepo, "Features repo cannot be null");
-        this.features = ImmutableList.copyOf(
-                checkNotNull(features, "Features cannot be null")
-        );
-        this.requiredApps = ImmutableList.copyOf(
-                checkNotNull(requiredApps, "Required apps cannot be null")
-        );
-        checkArgument(!features.isEmpty(), "There must be at least one feature");
+        this.role = role;
+        this.permissions = ImmutableSet.copyOf(permissions);
+        this.featuresRepo = featuresRepo;
+        this.features = ImmutableList.copyOf(features);
+        this.requiredApps = ImmutableList.copyOf(requiredApps);
     }
 
     @Override
@@ -217,4 +220,317 @@
                 .add("requiredApps", requiredApps)
                 .toString();
     }
+
+    /**
+     * Returns a default application builder.
+     *
+     * @return builder
+     */
+    public static Builder builder() {
+        return new Builder();
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Creates a new builder as a copy of an existing builder.
+     *
+     * @param builder existing builder to copy
+     * @return new builder
+     */
+    public static Builder builder(Builder builder) {
+        return new Builder(builder);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Creates a new builder as a copy of an existing application.
+     *
+     * @param application existing application to copy
+     * @return new builder
+     */
+    public static Builder builder(Application application) {
+        return new Builder(application);
+    }
+
+    /**
+     * Creates a new builder as a copy of an existing application description.
+     *
+     * @param appDesc existing application description
+     * @return new builder
+     */
+    public static Builder builder(ApplicationDescription appDesc) {
+        return new Builder(appDesc);
+    }
+
+
+    /**
+     * Default application builder.
+     */
+    public static final class Builder {
+
+        private ApplicationId appId;
+        private Version version;
+        private String title;
+        private String description;
+        private String category;
+        private String url;
+        private String readme;
+        private byte[] icon;
+        private String origin;
+        private ApplicationRole role;
+        private Set<Permission> permissions;
+        private Optional<URI> featuresRepo;
+        private List<String> features;
+        private List<String> requiredApps;
+
+        /**
+         * Default constructor for the builder.
+         */
+        public Builder() {}
+
+        /**
+         * Updates the builder to be a copy of an existing builder.
+         *
+         * @param builder existing builder to copy
+         */
+        public Builder(Builder builder) {
+            this.appId = builder.appId;
+            this.version = builder.version;
+            this.title = builder.title;
+            this.description = builder.description;
+            this.category = builder.category;
+            this.url = builder.url;
+            this.readme = builder.readme;
+            this.icon = builder.icon;
+            this.origin = builder.origin;
+            this.role = builder.role;
+            this.permissions = builder.permissions;
+            this.featuresRepo = builder.featuresRepo;
+            this.features = builder.features;
+            this.requiredApps = builder.requiredApps;
+        }
+
+        /**
+         * Updates the builder to be a copy of an existing application.
+         *
+         * @param application existing application to copy
+         */
+        public Builder(Application application) {
+            this.appId = application.id();
+            this.version = application.version();
+            this.title = application.title();
+            this.description = application.description();
+            this.category = application.category();
+            this.url = application.url();
+            this.readme = application.readme();
+            this.icon = application.icon();
+            this.origin = application.origin();
+            this.role = application.role();
+            this.permissions = application.permissions();
+            this.featuresRepo = application.featuresRepo();
+            this.features = application.features();
+            this.requiredApps = application.requiredApps();
+        }
+
+        /**
+         * Updates the builder to be a copy of an existing application description.
+         *
+         * @param appDesc existing application description
+         */
+        public Builder(ApplicationDescription appDesc) {
+            this.version = appDesc.version();
+            this.title = appDesc.title();
+            this.description = appDesc.description();
+            this.category = appDesc.category();
+            this.url = appDesc.url();
+            this.readme = appDesc.readme();
+            this.icon = appDesc.icon();
+            this.origin = appDesc.origin();
+            this.role = appDesc.role();
+            this.permissions = appDesc.permissions();
+            this.featuresRepo = appDesc.featuresRepo();
+            this.features = appDesc.features();
+            this.requiredApps = appDesc.requiredApps();
+        }
+
+        /**
+         * Adds an application id.
+         *
+         * @param appId application id
+         * @return builder
+         */
+        public Builder withAppId(ApplicationId appId) {
+            this.appId = appId;
+            return this;
+        }
+
+        /**
+         * Adds a version string.
+         *
+         * @param version version string
+         * @return builder
+         */
+        public Builder withVersion(Version version) {
+            this.version = version;
+            return this;
+        }
+
+        /**
+         * Adds a title string.
+         *
+         * @param title title string
+         * @return builder
+         */
+        public Builder withTitle(String title) {
+            this.title = title;
+            return this;
+        }
+
+        /**
+         * Adds a description string.
+         *
+         * @param description description string
+         * @return builder
+         */
+        public Builder withDescription(String description) {
+            this.description = description;
+            return this;
+        }
+
+        /**
+         * Adds a category string.
+         *
+         * @param category category string
+         * @return builder
+         */
+        public Builder withCategory(String category) {
+            this.category = category;
+            return this;
+        }
+
+        /**
+         * Adds a URL string.
+         *
+         * @param url url string
+         * @return builder
+         */
+        public Builder withUrl(String url) {
+            this.url = url;
+            return this;
+        }
+
+        /**
+         * Adds a readme string.
+         *
+         * @param readme readme string
+         * @return builder
+         */
+        public Builder withReadme(String readme) {
+            this.readme = readme;
+            return this;
+        }
+
+        /**
+         * Adds an icon.
+         *
+         * @param icon icon data
+         * @return builder
+         */
+        public Builder withIcon(byte[] icon) {
+            this.icon = icon;
+            return this;
+        }
+
+        /**
+         * Adds an origin string.
+         *
+         * @param origin origin string
+         * @return builder
+         */
+        public Builder withOrigin(String origin) {
+            this.origin = origin;
+            return this;
+        }
+
+        /**
+         * Adds an application role.
+         *
+         * @param role application role
+         * @return builder
+         */
+        public Builder withRole(ApplicationRole role) {
+            this.role = role;
+            return this;
+        }
+
+        /**
+         * Adds a permissions set.
+         *
+         * @param permissions permissions set
+         * @return builder
+         */
+        public Builder withPermissions(Set<Permission> permissions) {
+            this.permissions = permissions;
+            return this;
+        }
+
+        /**
+         * Adds a URI for a features repository.
+         *
+         * @param featuresRepo Optional URI for a features repository
+         * @return builder
+         */
+        public Builder withFeaturesRepo(Optional<URI> featuresRepo) {
+            this.featuresRepo = featuresRepo;
+            return this;
+        }
+
+        /**
+         * Adds a features list.
+         *
+         * @param features features list
+         * @return builder
+         */
+        public Builder withFeatures(List<String> features) {
+            this.features = features;
+            return this;
+        }
+
+        /**
+         * Adds a list of required applications.
+         *
+         * @param requiredApps List of name strings of required applications
+         * @return builder
+         */
+        public Builder withRequiredApps(List<String> requiredApps) {
+            this.requiredApps = requiredApps;
+            return this;
+        }
+
+        /**
+         * Builds a default application object from the gathered parameters.
+         *
+         * @return new default application
+         */
+        public DefaultApplication build() {
+            checkNotNull(appId, "ID cannot be null");
+            checkNotNull(version, "Version cannot be null");
+            checkNotNull(title, "Title cannot be null");
+            checkNotNull(description, "Description cannot be null");
+            checkNotNull(origin, "Origin cannot be null");
+            checkNotNull(category, "Category cannot be null");
+            checkNotNull(readme, "Readme cannot be null");
+            checkNotNull(role, "Role cannot be null");
+            checkNotNull(permissions, "Permissions cannot be null");
+            checkNotNull(featuresRepo, "Features repo cannot be null");
+            checkNotNull(features, "Features cannot be null");
+            checkNotNull(requiredApps, "Required apps cannot be null");
+            checkArgument(!features.isEmpty(), "There must be at least one feature");
+
+            return new DefaultApplication(appId, version, title,
+                                          description, origin, category,
+                                          url, readme, icon,
+                                          role, permissions,
+                                          featuresRepo, features,
+                                          requiredApps);
+        }
+    }
 }
diff --git a/core/api/src/test/java/org/onosproject/app/ApplicationEventTest.java b/core/api/src/test/java/org/onosproject/app/ApplicationEventTest.java
index 3cdedd2..61538f0 100644
--- a/core/api/src/test/java/org/onosproject/app/ApplicationEventTest.java
+++ b/core/api/src/test/java/org/onosproject/app/ApplicationEventTest.java
@@ -32,9 +32,22 @@
 public class ApplicationEventTest extends AbstractEventTest {
 
     private Application createApp() {
-        return new DefaultApplication(APP_ID, VER, TITLE, DESC, ORIGIN, CATEGORY,
-                                      URL, README, ICON, ROLE, PERMS,
-                                      Optional.of(FURL), FEATURES, APPS);
+        return DefaultApplication.builder()
+                .withAppId(APP_ID)
+                .withVersion(VER)
+                .withTitle(TITLE)
+                .withDescription(DESC)
+                .withOrigin(ORIGIN)
+                .withCategory(CATEGORY)
+                .withUrl(URL)
+                .withReadme(README)
+                .withIcon(ICON)
+                .withRole(ROLE)
+                .withPermissions(PERMS)
+                .withFeaturesRepo(Optional.of(FURL))
+                .withFeatures(FEATURES)
+                .withRequiredApps(APPS)
+                .build();
     }
 
     @Test
@@ -53,4 +66,4 @@
         validateEvent(event, APP_ACTIVATED, app, before, after);
     }
 
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/core/api/src/test/java/org/onosproject/app/DefaultApplicationDescriptionTest.java b/core/api/src/test/java/org/onosproject/app/DefaultApplicationDescriptionTest.java
index ac8d971..a935c1b 100644
--- a/core/api/src/test/java/org/onosproject/app/DefaultApplicationDescriptionTest.java
+++ b/core/api/src/test/java/org/onosproject/app/DefaultApplicationDescriptionTest.java
@@ -29,6 +29,7 @@
 
 import static org.junit.Assert.assertEquals;
 import static org.junit.Assert.assertTrue;
+import static org.onlab.junit.ImmutableClassChecker.assertThatClassIsImmutable;
 
 
 /**
@@ -53,12 +54,34 @@
     public static final List<String> FEATURES = ImmutableList.of("foo", "bar");
     public static final List<String> APPS = ImmutableList.of("fifi");
 
+    /**
+     * Checks that the DefaultApplicationDescription class is immutable.
+     */
+    @Test
+    public void testImmutability() {
+        assertThatClassIsImmutable(DefaultApplicationDescription.class);
+    }
+
     @Test
     public void basics() {
         ApplicationDescription app =
-                new DefaultApplicationDescription(APP_NAME, VER, TITLE, DESC, ORIGIN,
-                                                  CATEGORY, URL, README, ICON,
-                                                  ROLE, PERMS, FURL, FEATURES, APPS);
+            DefaultApplicationDescription.builder()
+                .withName(APP_NAME)
+                .withVersion(VER)
+                .withTitle(TITLE)
+                .withDescription(DESC)
+                .withOrigin(ORIGIN)
+                .withCategory(CATEGORY)
+                .withUrl(URL)
+                .withReadme(README)
+                .withIcon(ICON)
+                .withRole(ROLE)
+                .withPermissions(PERMS)
+                .withFeaturesRepo(FURL)
+                .withFeatures(FEATURES)
+                .withRequiredApps(APPS)
+                .build();
+
         assertEquals("incorrect id", APP_NAME, app.name());
         assertEquals("incorrect version", VER, app.version());
         assertEquals("incorrect title", TITLE, app.title());
@@ -74,4 +97,4 @@
         assertEquals("incorrect apps", APPS, app.requiredApps());
         assertTrue("incorrect toString", app.toString().contains(APP_NAME));
     }
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/core/api/src/test/java/org/onosproject/core/DefaultApplicationTest.java b/core/api/src/test/java/org/onosproject/core/DefaultApplicationTest.java
index 38113bf..b523126 100644
--- a/core/api/src/test/java/org/onosproject/core/DefaultApplicationTest.java
+++ b/core/api/src/test/java/org/onosproject/core/DefaultApplicationTest.java
@@ -28,6 +28,9 @@
 import java.util.Optional;
 import java.util.Set;
 
+import static org.onlab.junit.ImmutableClassChecker.assertThatClassIsImmutable;
+import static org.onosproject.core.DefaultApplication.Builder;
+
 import static org.junit.Assert.*;
 import static org.onosproject.app.DefaultApplicationDescriptionTest.*;
 
@@ -36,13 +39,35 @@
  */
 public class DefaultApplicationTest {
 
+    /**
+     * Checks that the DefaultApplication class is immutable.
+     */
+    @Test
+    public void testImmutability() {
+        assertThatClassIsImmutable(DefaultApplication.class);
+    }
+
     public static final ApplicationId APP_ID = new DefaultApplicationId(2, APP_NAME);
+    private Builder baseBuilder = DefaultApplication.builder()
+                .withAppId(APP_ID)
+                .withVersion(VER)
+                .withTitle(TITLE)
+                .withDescription(DESC)
+                .withOrigin(ORIGIN)
+                .withCategory(CATEGORY)
+                .withUrl(URL)
+                .withReadme(README)
+                .withIcon(ICON)
+                .withRole(ROLE)
+                .withPermissions(PERMS)
+                .withFeaturesRepo(Optional.of(FURL))
+                .withFeatures(FEATURES)
+                .withRequiredApps(APPS);
 
     @Test
     public void basics() {
-        Application app = new DefaultApplication(APP_ID, VER, TITLE, DESC, ORIGIN,
-                                                 CATEGORY, URL, README, ICON, ROLE,
-                                                 PERMS, Optional.of(FURL), FEATURES, APPS);
+        Application app = baseBuilder.build();
+
         assertEquals("incorrect id", APP_ID, app.id());
         assertEquals("incorrect version", VER, app.version());
         assertEquals("incorrect title", TITLE, app.title());
@@ -62,20 +87,20 @@
 
     @Test
     public void testEquality() {
-        Application a1 = new DefaultApplication(APP_ID, VER, TITLE, DESC, ORIGIN,
-                                                CATEGORY, URL, README, ICON, ROLE,
-                                                PERMS, Optional.of(FURL), FEATURES, APPS);
-        Application a2 = new DefaultApplication(APP_ID, VER, TITLE, DESC, ORIGIN,
-                                                CATEGORY, URL, README, ICON, ROLE,
-                                                PERMS, Optional.of(FURL), FEATURES, APPS);
-        Application a3 = new DefaultApplication(APP_ID, VER, TITLE, DESC, ORIGIN,
-                                                CATEGORY, URL, README, ICON, ROLE,
-                                                PERMS, Optional.empty(), FEATURES, APPS);
-        Application a4 = new DefaultApplication(APP_ID, VER, TITLE, DESC, ORIGIN + "asd",
-                                                CATEGORY, URL, README, ICON, ROLE,
-                                                PERMS, Optional.of(FURL), FEATURES, APPS);
-        new EqualsTester().addEqualityGroup(a1, a2)
-                .addEqualityGroup(a3).addEqualityGroup(a4).testEquals();
+        Application a1 = baseBuilder.build();
+        Application a2 = DefaultApplication.builder(a1)
+                .build();
+        Application a3 = DefaultApplication.builder(baseBuilder)
+                .withFeaturesRepo(Optional.empty())
+                .build();
+        Application a4 = DefaultApplication.builder(baseBuilder)
+                .withOrigin(ORIGIN + "asd")
+                .build();
+        new EqualsTester()
+                .addEqualityGroup(a1, a2)
+                .addEqualityGroup(a3)
+                .addEqualityGroup(a4)
+                .testEquals();
     }
 
 
@@ -85,9 +110,8 @@
     public void immutableIcon() {
         byte[] iconSourceData = ICON_ORIG.clone();
 
-        Application app = new DefaultApplication(APP_ID, VER, TITLE, DESC, ORIGIN,
-                CATEGORY, URL, README, iconSourceData, ROLE,
-                PERMS, Optional.of(FURL), FEATURES, APPS);
+        Application app = DefaultApplication.builder(baseBuilder)
+                .withIcon(iconSourceData).build();
 
         // can we modify the icon after getting a reference to the app?
         byte[] icon = app.icon();
@@ -126,9 +150,7 @@
 //        Set<Permission> p = PERMS_ORIG;
         Set<Permission> p = PERMS_UNSAFE;
 
-        Application app = new DefaultApplication(APP_ID, VER, TITLE, DESC, ORIGIN,
-                CATEGORY, URL, README, ICON, ROLE,
-                p, Optional.of(FURL), FEATURES, APPS);
+        Application app = baseBuilder.build();
 
         Set<Permission> perms = app.permissions();
         try {
@@ -168,9 +190,7 @@
 //        List<String> f = FEATURES_ORIG;
         List<String> f = FEATURES_UNSAFE;
 
-        Application app = new DefaultApplication(APP_ID, VER, TITLE, DESC, ORIGIN,
-                CATEGORY, URL, README, ICON, ROLE,
-                PERMS, Optional.of(FURL), f, APPS);
+        Application app = DefaultApplication.builder(baseBuilder).withFeatures(f).build();
 
         List<String> features = app.features();
         try {
@@ -188,9 +208,7 @@
 //        List<String> ra = REQ_APPS_ORIG;
         List<String> ra = REQ_APPS_UNSAFE;
 
-        Application app = new DefaultApplication(APP_ID, VER, TITLE, DESC, ORIGIN,
-                CATEGORY, URL, README, ICON, ROLE,
-                PERMS, Optional.of(FURL), FEATURES, ra);
+        Application app = DefaultApplication.builder(baseBuilder).withRequiredApps(ra).build();
 
         List<String> reqApps = app.requiredApps();
         try {
@@ -204,11 +222,9 @@
 
     @Test
     public void nullIcon() {
-        Application app = new DefaultApplication(APP_ID, VER, TITLE, DESC, ORIGIN,
-                CATEGORY, URL, README, null, ROLE,
-                PERMS, Optional.of(FURL), FEATURES, APPS);
+        Application app = DefaultApplication.builder(baseBuilder).withIcon(null).build();
         byte[] icon = app.icon();
         assertNotNull("null icon", icon);
         assertEquals("unexpected size", 0, icon.length);
     }
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/core/common/src/main/java/org/onosproject/common/app/ApplicationArchive.java b/core/common/src/main/java/org/onosproject/common/app/ApplicationArchive.java
index 92709cb..55c198e 100644
--- a/core/common/src/main/java/org/onosproject/common/app/ApplicationArchive.java
+++ b/core/common/src/main/java/org/onosproject/common/app/ApplicationArchive.java
@@ -328,10 +328,22 @@
         // put short description to description field
         String desc = compactDescription(readme);
 
-        return new DefaultApplicationDescription(name, version, title, desc, origin,
-                                                 category, url, readme, icon,
-                                                 role, perms, featuresRepo,
-                                                 features, requiredApps);
+        return DefaultApplicationDescription.builder()
+            .withName(name)
+            .withVersion(version)
+            .withTitle(title)
+            .withDescription(desc)
+            .withOrigin(origin)
+            .withCategory(category)
+            .withUrl(url)
+            .withReadme(readme)
+            .withIcon(icon)
+            .withRole(role)
+            .withPermissions(perms)
+            .withFeaturesRepo(featuresRepo)
+            .withFeatures(features)
+            .withRequiredApps(requiredApps)
+            .build();
     }
 
     // Expands the specified ZIP stream into app-specific directory.
diff --git a/core/common/src/test/java/org/onosproject/store/trivial/SimpleApplicationStore.java b/core/common/src/test/java/org/onosproject/store/trivial/SimpleApplicationStore.java
index ec05afb..c904455 100644
--- a/core/common/src/test/java/org/onosproject/store/trivial/SimpleApplicationStore.java
+++ b/core/common/src/test/java/org/onosproject/store/trivial/SimpleApplicationStore.java
@@ -76,20 +76,11 @@
             ApplicationId appId = idStore.registerApplication(name);
             ApplicationDescription appDesc = getApplicationDescription(name);
             DefaultApplication app =
-                    new DefaultApplication(appId,
-                            appDesc.version(),
-                            appDesc.title(),
-                            appDesc.description(),
-                            appDesc.origin(),
-                            appDesc.category(),
-                            appDesc.url(),
-                            appDesc.readme(),
-                            appDesc.icon(),
-                            appDesc.role(),
-                            appDesc.permissions(),
-                            appDesc.featuresRepo(),
-                            appDesc.features(),
-                            appDesc.requiredApps());
+                DefaultApplication
+                    .builder(appDesc)
+                    .withAppId(appId)
+                    .build();
+
             apps.put(appId, app);
             states.put(appId, isActive(name) ? INSTALLED : ACTIVE);
             // load app permissions
@@ -129,20 +120,11 @@
         ApplicationDescription appDesc = saveApplication(appDescStream);
         ApplicationId appId = idStore.registerApplication(appDesc.name());
         DefaultApplication app =
-                new DefaultApplication(appId,
-                        appDesc.version(),
-                        appDesc.title(),
-                        appDesc.description(),
-                        appDesc.origin(),
-                        appDesc.category(),
-                        appDesc.url(),
-                        appDesc.readme(),
-                        appDesc.icon(),
-                        appDesc.role(),
-                        appDesc.permissions(),
-                        appDesc.featuresRepo(),
-                        appDesc.features(),
-                        appDesc.requiredApps());
+            DefaultApplication
+                .builder(appDesc)
+                .withAppId(appId)
+                .build();
+
         apps.put(appId, app);
         states.put(appId, INSTALLED);
         delegate.notify(new ApplicationEvent(APP_INSTALLED, app));
diff --git a/core/common/src/test/java/org/onosproject/utils/ComparatorsTest.java b/core/common/src/test/java/org/onosproject/utils/ComparatorsTest.java
index 8562d7e..6047719 100644
--- a/core/common/src/test/java/org/onosproject/utils/ComparatorsTest.java
+++ b/core/common/src/test/java/org/onosproject/utils/ComparatorsTest.java
@@ -161,9 +161,22 @@
     }
 
     private Application app(int id, String name) {
-        return new DefaultApplication(new DefaultApplicationId(id, name), VER, TITLE, DESC, ORIGIN,
-                CATEGORY, URL, README, ICON, ROLE,
-                PERMS, Optional.of(FURL), FEATURES, APPS);
+        return DefaultApplication.builder()
+                .withAppId(new DefaultApplicationId(id, name))
+                .withVersion(VER)
+                .withTitle(TITLE)
+                .withDescription(DESC)
+                .withOrigin(ORIGIN)
+                .withCategory(CATEGORY)
+                .withUrl(URL)
+                .withReadme(README)
+                .withIcon(ICON)
+                .withRole(ROLE)
+                .withPermissions(PERMS)
+                .withFeaturesRepo(Optional.of(FURL))
+                .withFeatures(FEATURES)
+                .withRequiredApps(APPS)
+                .build();
     }
 
     @Test
diff --git a/core/net/src/test/java/org/onosproject/app/impl/ApplicationManagerTest.java b/core/net/src/test/java/org/onosproject/app/impl/ApplicationManagerTest.java
index 5fd7701..5528f26 100644
--- a/core/net/src/test/java/org/onosproject/app/impl/ApplicationManagerTest.java
+++ b/core/net/src/test/java/org/onosproject/app/impl/ApplicationManagerTest.java
@@ -15,7 +15,6 @@
  */
 package org.onosproject.app.impl;
 
-import com.google.common.collect.ImmutableList;
 import com.google.common.collect.ImmutableSet;
 import org.junit.After;
 import org.junit.Before;
@@ -138,9 +137,22 @@
 
         @Override
         public Application create(InputStream appDescStream) {
-            app = new DefaultApplication(APP_ID, VER, TITLE, DESC, ORIGIN, CATEGORY,
-                                         URL, README, ICON, ROLE, PERMS,
-                                         Optional.of(FURL), FEATURES, ImmutableList.of());
+            app = DefaultApplication.builder()
+                    .withAppId(APP_ID)
+                    .withVersion(VER)
+                    .withTitle(TITLE)
+                    .withDescription(DESC)
+                    .withOrigin(ORIGIN)
+                    .withCategory(CATEGORY)
+                    .withUrl(URL)
+                    .withReadme(README)
+                    .withIcon(ICON)
+                    .withRole(ROLE)
+                    .withPermissions(PERMS)
+                    .withFeaturesRepo(Optional.of(FURL))
+                    .withFeatures(FEATURES)
+                    .withRequiredApps(APPS)
+                    .build();
             state = INSTALLED;
             delegate.notify(new ApplicationEvent(APP_INSTALLED, app));
             return app;
@@ -211,4 +223,4 @@
         }
     }
 
-}
\ No newline at end of file
+}
diff --git a/core/security/src/test/java/org/onosproject/security/impl/SecurityModeManagerTest.java b/core/security/src/test/java/org/onosproject/security/impl/SecurityModeManagerTest.java
index 15155ff..328d903 100644
--- a/core/security/src/test/java/org/onosproject/security/impl/SecurityModeManagerTest.java
+++ b/core/security/src/test/java/org/onosproject/security/impl/SecurityModeManagerTest.java
@@ -69,11 +69,22 @@
         testFeatures.add("testFeature");
         testRequiredApps = new ArrayList<String>();
         testRequiredApps.add("testRequiredApp");
-        app = new DefaultApplication(appId, Version.version(1, 1, "patch", "build"), "testTitle",
-                "testDes", "testOri", "testCT",
-                "testurl", "test", null,
-                ApplicationRole.ADMIN, testPermissions,
-                Optional.ofNullable(null), testFeatures, testRequiredApps);
+        app = DefaultApplication.builder()
+                .withAppId(appId)
+                .withVersion(Version.version(1, 1, "patch", "build"))
+                .withTitle("testTitle")
+                .withDescription("testDes")
+                .withOrigin("testOri")
+                .withCategory("testCT")
+                .withUrl("testurl")
+                .withReadme("test")
+                .withIcon(null)
+                .withRole(ApplicationRole.ADMIN)
+                .withPermissions(testPermissions)
+                .withFeaturesRepo(Optional.ofNullable(null))
+                .withFeatures(testFeatures)
+                .withRequiredApps(testRequiredApps)
+                .build();
 
         store.registerApplication(appId);
     }
diff --git a/core/security/src/test/java/org/onosproject/security/store/DistributedSecurityModeStoreTest.java b/core/security/src/test/java/org/onosproject/security/store/DistributedSecurityModeStoreTest.java
index f3e38bf..220b44e 100644
--- a/core/security/src/test/java/org/onosproject/security/store/DistributedSecurityModeStoreTest.java
+++ b/core/security/src/test/java/org/onosproject/security/store/DistributedSecurityModeStoreTest.java
@@ -79,11 +79,22 @@
         testFeatures.add("testFeature");
         testRequiredApps = new ArrayList<String>();
         testRequiredApps.add("testRequiredApp");
-        app = new DefaultApplication(appId, Version.version(1, 1, "patch", "build"), "testTitle",
-                "testDes", "testOri", "testCT",
-                "testurl", "test", null,
-                ApplicationRole.ADMIN, testPermissions,
-                Optional.ofNullable(null), testFeatures, testRequiredApps);
+        app = DefaultApplication.builder()
+                        .withAppId(appId)
+                        .withVersion(Version.version(1, 1, "patch", "build"))
+                        .withTitle("testTitle")
+                        .withDescription("testDes")
+                        .withOrigin("testOri")
+                        .withCategory("testCT")
+                        .withUrl("testurl")
+                        .withReadme("test")
+                        .withIcon(null)
+                        .withRole(ApplicationRole.ADMIN)
+                        .withPermissions(testPermissions)
+                        .withFeaturesRepo(Optional.ofNullable(null))
+                        .withFeatures(testFeatures)
+                        .withRequiredApps(testRequiredApps)
+                        .build();
 
         testLocations = new HashSet<String>();
         testLocations.add("locationA");
diff --git a/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onosproject/store/app/DistributedApplicationStore.java b/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onosproject/store/app/DistributedApplicationStore.java
index 532b279..c65d1aa 100644
--- a/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onosproject/store/app/DistributedApplicationStore.java
+++ b/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onosproject/store/app/DistributedApplicationStore.java
@@ -571,20 +571,10 @@
      */
     private Application registerApp(ApplicationDescription appDesc) {
         ApplicationId appId = idStore.registerApplication(appDesc.name());
-        return new DefaultApplication(appId,
-                                      appDesc.version(),
-                                      appDesc.title(),
-                                      appDesc.description(),
-                                      appDesc.origin(),
-                                      appDesc.category(),
-                                      appDesc.url(),
-                                      appDesc.readme(),
-                                      appDesc.icon(),
-                                      appDesc.role(),
-                                      appDesc.permissions(),
-                                      appDesc.featuresRepo(),
-                                      appDesc.features(),
-                                      appDesc.requiredApps());
+        return DefaultApplication
+                .builder(appDesc)
+                .withAppId(appId)
+                .build();
     }
 
     /**
diff --git a/incubator/protobuf/models/src/main/java/org/onosproject/incubator/protobuf/models/core/ApplicationProtoTranslator.java b/incubator/protobuf/models/src/main/java/org/onosproject/incubator/protobuf/models/core/ApplicationProtoTranslator.java
index a4b2ca6..eba30ee 100644
--- a/incubator/protobuf/models/src/main/java/org/onosproject/incubator/protobuf/models/core/ApplicationProtoTranslator.java
+++ b/incubator/protobuf/models/src/main/java/org/onosproject/incubator/protobuf/models/core/ApplicationProtoTranslator.java
@@ -23,7 +23,6 @@
 import org.onosproject.incubator.protobuf.models.security.PermissionProtoTranslator;
 import org.onosproject.security.Permission;
 
-import java.util.Optional;
 import java.util.Set;
 
 import static org.onosproject.grpc.core.models.ApplicationProtoOuterClass.ApplicationProto.getDefaultInstance;
@@ -46,12 +45,21 @@
         app.getPermissionsList().forEach(p ->
                 permissions.add(PermissionProtoTranslator.translate(p)));
 
-        return new DefaultApplication(ApplicationIdProtoTranslator.translate(app.getAppId()),
-                VersionProtoTranslator.translate(app.getVersion()), app.getTitle(),
-                app.getDescription(), app.getOrigin(), app.getCategory(), app.getUrl(),
-                app.getReadme(), app.toByteArray(),
-                (ApplicationRole) ApplicationEnumsProtoTranslator.translate(app.getRole()).get(),
-                permissions, Optional.empty(), app.getFeaturesList(), app.getRequiredAppsList());
+        return DefaultApplication.builder()
+                .withAppId(ApplicationIdProtoTranslator.translate(app.getAppId()))
+                .withVersion(VersionProtoTranslator.translate(app.getVersion()))
+                .withTitle(app.getTitle())
+                .withDescription(app.getDescription())
+                .withOrigin(app.getOrigin())
+                .withCategory(app.getCategory())
+                .withUrl(app.getUrl())
+                .withReadme(app.getReadme())
+                .withIcon(app.toByteArray())
+                .withRole((ApplicationRole) ApplicationEnumsProtoTranslator.translate(app.getRole()).get())
+                .withPermissions(permissions)
+                .withFeatures(app.getFeaturesList())
+                .withRequiredApps(app.getRequiredAppsList())
+                .build();
     }
 
     /**
diff --git a/web/api/src/test/java/org/onosproject/rest/resources/ApplicationsResourceTest.java b/web/api/src/test/java/org/onosproject/rest/resources/ApplicationsResourceTest.java
index 61e7174..48cbd2d 100644
--- a/web/api/src/test/java/org/onosproject/rest/resources/ApplicationsResourceTest.java
+++ b/web/api/src/test/java/org/onosproject/rest/resources/ApplicationsResourceTest.java
@@ -107,30 +107,55 @@
     private static final URI FURL = URI.create("mvn:org.foo-features/1.2a/xml/features");
     private static final Version VER = Version.version(1, 2, "a", null);
 
+    private DefaultApplication.Builder baseBuilder = DefaultApplication.builder()
+                .withVersion(VER)
+                .withIcon(new byte[0])
+                .withRole(ApplicationRole.ADMIN)
+                .withPermissions(ImmutableSet.of())
+                .withFeaturesRepo(Optional.of(FURL))
+                .withFeatures(ImmutableList.of("My Feature"))
+                .withRequiredApps(ImmutableList.of());
+
     private Application app1 =
-            new DefaultApplication(id1, VER, "title1",
-                    "desc1", "origin1", "category1", "url1",
-                    "readme1", new byte[0], ApplicationRole.ADMIN,
-                    ImmutableSet.of(), Optional.of(FURL),
-                    ImmutableList.of("My Feature"), ImmutableList.of());
+            DefaultApplication.builder(baseBuilder)
+                .withAppId(id1)
+                .withTitle("title1")
+                .withDescription("desc1")
+                .withOrigin("origin1")
+                .withCategory("category1")
+                .withUrl("url1")
+                .withReadme("readme1")
+                .build();
     private Application app2 =
-            new DefaultApplication(id2, VER, "title2",
-                    "desc2", "origin2", "category2", "url2",
-                    "readme2", new byte[0], ApplicationRole.ADMIN,
-                    ImmutableSet.of(), Optional.of(FURL),
-                    ImmutableList.of("My Feature"), ImmutableList.of());
+            DefaultApplication.builder(baseBuilder)
+                    .withAppId(id2)
+                    .withTitle("title2")
+                    .withDescription("desc2")
+                    .withOrigin("origin2")
+                    .withCategory("category2")
+                    .withUrl("url2")
+                    .withReadme("readme2")
+                    .build();
     private Application app3 =
-            new DefaultApplication(id3, VER, "title3",
-                    "desc3", "origin3", "category3", "url3",
-                    "readme3", new byte[0], ApplicationRole.ADMIN,
-                    ImmutableSet.of(), Optional.of(FURL),
-                    ImmutableList.of("My Feature"), ImmutableList.of());
+            DefaultApplication.builder(baseBuilder)
+                    .withAppId(id3)
+                    .withTitle("title3")
+                    .withDescription("desc3")
+                    .withOrigin("origin3")
+                    .withCategory("category3")
+                    .withUrl("url3")
+                    .withReadme("readme3")
+                    .build();
     private Application app4 =
-            new DefaultApplication(id4, VER, "title4",
-                    "desc4", "origin4", "category4", "url4",
-                    "readme4", new byte[0], ApplicationRole.ADMIN,
-                    ImmutableSet.of(), Optional.of(FURL),
-                    ImmutableList.of("My Feature"), ImmutableList.of());
+            DefaultApplication.builder(baseBuilder)
+                    .withAppId(id4)
+                    .withTitle("title4")
+                    .withDescription("desc4")
+                    .withOrigin("origin4")
+                    .withCategory("category4")
+                    .withUrl("url4")
+                    .withReadme("readme4")
+                    .build();
 
     /**
      * Hamcrest matcher to check that an application representation in JSON matches