An MT5 grey label puts your groups and accounts on a licence holder's MT5 server, with your brand on the website, client portal, CRM and app; it is the lowest-cost and fastest route. An MT5 white label usually adds your own branded server name and more control at a higher cost. A main label is your own full MT5 licence from MetaQuotes, with full control and the highest cost. Most start-ups begin with a grey or white label and upgrade as volumes grow.
- Grey label: lowest cost, fastest, your brand on portal, CRM and app.
- White label: usually your own server name and more control.
- Main label: your own MetaQuotes licence, highest cost and control.
- MetaQuotes stopped issuing new MT5 white label licences in late 2022.
- Plan your upgrade path before you sign.
Looking for an MT5 grey label solution? The lowest-cost route onto MetaTrader 5, with a path to a white label or full licence.
Brokers searching for "MT5 grey label" or "MT5 gray label" are usually choosing between three ways to offer MetaTrader 5. This guide compares them. For the services themselves, see our MT5 grey label solution and MT5 white label solution.
The three MT5 routes compared
| Grey label | White label | Main label (full licence) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Server | A licence holder's MT5 server | A licence holder's MT5 server | Your own MT5 server |
| Server name clients see | The licence holder's | Usually your own | Your own |
| Your brand on | Website, portal, CRM, emails, app | Server name, terminals, portal, apps | Everything |
| Admin access | Your groups and reports | Manager access to your groups | Full server administration |
| Upfront cost | Lowest | Medium | Highest |
| Time to launch | Fastest | Weeks | Months |
| Best for | Start-ups, IBs, testing a market | Growing brokers | Large, established brokers |
What changed in 2022
MetaQuotes stopped issuing new MT5 white label licences in late 2022 and no longer sells new MT4 licences. Since then, new brokers offer MT5 through a licence holder's existing server (grey or white label), through a full licence bought from MetaQuotes, or choose another platform such as cTrader or Match-Trader. Availability of grey and white labels depends on the licence holder, so confirm it before you plan your launch. Read how to get an MT5 licence.
How to choose
- Budget: a limited budget points to a grey label.
- Brand: if clients must see your own server name, choose a white label or main label.
- Control: if you need full server administration and your own plugins, plan for a main label.
- Growth: agree in writing how accounts and history move when you upgrade.
When to upgrade
Brokers usually move from grey label to white label when they want their own server name and more control, and to a main label once volumes justify the licence and an in-house MT5 team. See MT5 white label vs full licence and MT5 white label cost.
General information written in November 2026, not legal advice. Licensing terms change; confirm your route with your provider and advisers. MetaTrader is a trademark of MetaQuotes Ltd.