A main label (MT5) is the company that holds a MetaTrader 5 server licence directly from MetaQuotes and runs the trading server. White labels and grey labels sit underneath a main label and depend on its agreement. “Main label” is a market term, not a MetaQuotes product name: MetaQuotes sells MT5 as Entry, Standard and Enterprise licences.
What is a main label in MT5?
A main label is the licence holder at the top of a MetaTrader 5 setup: the company with a direct agreement with MetaQuotes for an MT5 server. Brokers also call it a full licence or full server. It owns the relationship with MetaQuotes, pays the licence fees and operates the server infrastructure on which client accounts live.
The term exists because other arrangements sit beneath it. A white label is a brand set up under a main label’s agreement; a grey label is a brokerage set up inside a main label’s server with its own client groups and brand on the front ends. When someone says they “have MT5”, the useful follow-up is: are you the main label, or are you on someone else’s?
MetaQuotes itself does not use the phrase. Its MT5 licence page describes three licence types, Entry with capacity for 1,000 real accounts, Standard with 25,000 and Enterprise with 200,000, and says the broker deploys the software on its own hardware. A main label is simply a company holding one of those licences.
“You independently deploy our software on your own hardware, as well as maintain your server infrastructure and fully control support and administration.”
How does a main label differ from a white label and a grey label?
The difference is who holds the MetaQuotes agreement and how much of the server you control. The main label holds the agreement and controls everything. A white label works under the main label’s agreement with a branded, usually dedicated environment. A grey label works inside the main label’s server with its own groups and brand on the WebTrader, apps, CRM and client portal. Our white label vs grey label guide goes through the last two in detail.
| Point | Main label | MT5 white label | MT5 grey label |
|---|---|---|---|
| MetaQuotes agreement | Direct, in your company’s name | Held by the main label | Held by the provider |
| Server | Your own infrastructure | Main label’s infrastructure | Provider’s server; your own client groups |
| Configuration control | Full | Broad, as agreed | Within your groups, as agreed |
| Time to launch with FXUP | Depends on company, bank and MetaQuotes’ review | About 2–4 weeks | About 1–2 weeks |
| Main risk | Cost and operational responsibility | Depends on the main label’s agreement and MetaQuotes’ approach | Depends on the provider’s server and terms |
Why does the main label behind an offer matter?
It matters because everything beneath it depends on that one agreement. If a main label stops paying MetaQuotes, loses its licence or decides to stop hosting partners, every white label and grey label on its server is affected. Your contract is with your provider; your platform’s survival depends on the main label.
That is why the first question in any white label or grey label due diligence is the main label’s legal name. Ask also whether its agreement allows third-party brands, how long it has run the server and what notice it gives partners. Availability of new MT5 white labels has been debated since 2022: MetaQuotes’ metaquotes.net broker page still says MT5 supports White Label licensing, while B2Broker wrote in April 2026 that MetaQuotes halted new MT5 white label licences in late 2022. White label arrangements still exist through some licensees, which makes the main label’s own position the deciding fact.
When should a broker become its own main label?
A broker should consider its own MT5 licence when it needs full control of server configuration, plans to grow past what a host can offer, or wants to remove dependence on another company’s agreement. It is the most control and the most responsibility: your company holds the agreement, runs the infrastructure and carries the fixed costs. MetaQuotes charges a monthly fee that depends on the tier and does not publish prices; in the applications we handle, choosing Entry means three months are paid upfront. Ask us and we will send the current figures.
MetaQuotes’ guide for new brokerages starts with a registered company with the relevant business activities, a corporate bank account at a licensed bank and a website with full company information and risk disclosures. Many brokers start on a grey label, build a client base and then apply for their own licence, keeping the same branded front ends throughout. Our own MT5 licence section and MetaQuotes MT5 requirements guide cover the process.
How does FXUP work with main labels?
We work on both sides. For brokers without their own licence, we set up an MT5 grey label or an MT5 white label where available, and we tell you who the licence holder is. For brokers who are their own main label, we connect our branded WebTrader and mobile apps to their MT5 server through the MetaTrader 5 Web API, together with a CRM: our own broker CRM or a partner CRM, whichever fits. For brokers who want to become a main label, FXUP also works as a consulting firm, handling MetaQuotes requirements and the application for a fee.
FXUP is an independent technology provider and is not affiliated with MetaQuotes. Our full licence vs white label guide compares the two routes in more depth. If you want a second opinion on a provider, ask us on WhatsApp and we will tell you what to ask.
Questions buyers ask
Is “main label” a MetaQuotes term?
Is a main label the same as a full MT5 licence?
Can a main label host white labels?
What happens to my brokerage if the main label stops?
How many accounts does an MT5 licence support?
Can FXUP connect to my own main label?
Not covered here? Ask us on WhatsApp, message @FXUPCK on Telegram or write to [email protected].
Sources
- MetaQuotes — Buy MetaTrader 5 (Entry, Standard, Enterprise) (accessed October 2026)
- MetaQuotes — How to start a brokerage business (accessed October 2026)
- MetaQuotes — MetaTrader 5 for brokers (metaquotes.net) (accessed October 2026)
- B2Broker — MT5 white label cost (24 April 2026, updated 28 April 2026) (accessed October 2026)
FXUP is an independent consulting and technology firm and is not affiliated with MetaQuotes Ltd. MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 are trademarks of MetaQuotes Ltd. This page is general information, not legal, tax or investment advice; regulatory requirements depend on the jurisdiction and change over time. FXUP does not publish prices; contact us for current figures for your setup.