- A white label runs on someone else’s MetaQuotes license, and your access depends on their standing.
- A full license is a direct contract between your company and MetaQuotes.
- Since 2024, MetaQuotes has cut off access for firms without direct agreements, so the risks of white labels have increased.
- Your own license requires a properly documented company. Saint Lucia is a fast route.
The two models in one paragraph each
White label. A licensed broker or technology provider that holds its own MetaQuotes license gives you a branded slice of its MT5 server. You get your logo and your own group of accounts, but the provider controls the server, and your access depends on the provider's relationship with MetaQuotes.
Full ("main label") license. Your own company contracts directly with MetaQuotes. You control the server configuration, symbols, groups, plugins and integrations, and you can offer white labels to others yourself.
Side-by-side comparison
| White label | Own MT5 license | |
|---|---|---|
| Contract | With the provider | Directly with MetaQuotes |
| Control | Branding and some settings | Full server control |
| Dependency risk | High, since the provider can lose or restrict access | Only on your own compliance |
| Sub-white labels | No | Yes |
| What you need | A contract with a provider | A documented company, a bank account and a compliant website |
| Cost structure | Provider setup and monthly fees | MetaQuotes monthly fee by tier (first payment covers three months) plus hosting and tech |
| Time to launch | Weeks | Weeks to a few months, depending on your file |
Why the risk calculation changed in 2024
For many years, white labels were the default starting point for small brokers. The events of 2024 changed that. MetaQuotes began enforcing its licensing policy strictly and cut off platform access for firms that operated MetaTrader without a direct relationship, particularly in the prop trading sector. Businesses with thousands of active traders lost their platform with little notice.
If MetaTrader is central to your offer, platform continuity is a business-critical risk. A direct license moves that risk under your own control: as long as your company stays compliant, your access does not depend on anyone else.
When a white label can still make sense
- You are testing a market with a very small client base and short time horizon.
- You do not want to manage any technology yourself.
- Your provider is well established and has a clearly compliant direct relationship with MetaQuotes.
Even then, many firms treat a white label as a bridge while they set up an entity for their own license.
The practical path to your own license
- Incorporate a company with forex/brokerage objects (a Saint Lucia IBC takes 3–5 business days).
- Obtain a legal opinion confirming the company may conduct these activities.
- Prepare the updated registers, address proofs and incumbency certificate.
- Open a corporate bank account and obtain a reference letter.
- Publish a compliant website on a domain the company owns.
- Apply to MetaQuotes and complete SumSub verification.
See our step-by-step MT5 license guide for the details.
Frequently asked questions
Can I switch from a white label to my own license?
Yes. Many brokers do. Plan the client migration with your technology provider and make sure your new entity and website are ready before you apply.
Is a full MT5 license more expensive than a white label?
The cost structures differ: white labels have provider fees, while a full license has MetaQuotes’ monthly tier fees plus hosting and technology. The main difference is control and continuity rather than price alone.