Platform Comparison

MT4 vs MT5 White Label Comparison

MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 are the two most widely deployed trading platforms in the retail forex industry. This guide breaks down every difference that matters for brokers choosing a white label solution.

What Is a MetaTrader White Label?

A MetaTrader white label is a licensing arrangement where a broker operates under the MetaTrader infrastructure — either MT4 or MT5 — provided by a primary license holder. Instead of purchasing a full server license directly from MetaQuotes (which costs upwards of $100,000 plus monthly fees), the broker accesses the trading engine through a white label provider.

The broker receives their own branded environment — including a unique server name, company branding, and independent client management — while the white label provider handles the underlying infrastructure, server maintenance, and MetaQuotes relationship.

Both MT4 and MT5 support this model, but there is a critical distinction: MetaQuotes stopped issuing new MT4 server licenses in 2022. This means new brokerages can only obtain a white label through MT5, or through an existing MT4 license holder with available capacity.

  • Trade under your own brand and server name
  • No need for a direct MetaQuotes license
  • Lower upfront cost than a full server license
  • Independent client and account management
  • Provider handles server infrastructure and updates
  • Access to liquidity through the provider's bridge
  • Faster time to market — launch in weeks, not months

MT4 vs MT5: Feature-by-Feature Comparison

A detailed side-by-side breakdown of the two MetaTrader platforms across every metric that impacts your brokerage operations.

Feature MetaTrader 4 (MT4) MetaTrader 5 (MT5)
Release Year 2005 2010
New License Availability Discontinued since 2022 Available
Position Accounting Hedging only Hedging and Netting
Asset Classes Forex, CFDs Forex, Stocks, Futures, Options, Bonds, CFDs
Pending Order Types 4 types (Buy/Sell Limit, Buy/Sell Stop) 6 types (+ Buy/Sell Stop Limit)
Programming Language MQL4 (C-like syntax) MQL5 (C++-like, object-oriented)
Built-in Technical Indicators 30 38
Timeframes 9 21
Depth of Market (DOM) Not available Full DOM support
Economic Calendar Not built-in Built-in economic calendar
Strategy Tester Single-threaded Multi-threaded, multi-currency
Execution Speed Standard Up to 3x faster order routing
Partial Order Filling Not supported Fill or Kill, Immediate or Cancel, Return
Built-in Chat/Community Limited MQL5.community integration
64-bit Architecture 32-bit Full 64-bit

Key Differences That Impact Your Brokerage

Beyond the feature list, these are the differences that directly affect your business operations, costs, and growth potential.

Multi-Asset Trading Capability

MT4 was designed exclusively for forex and CFD trading. MT5 was built from the ground up as a multi-asset platform, supporting exchange-traded instruments including stocks, futures, and options alongside forex. For brokers planning to offer a diversified product range, MT5 is the only viable option. This multi-asset architecture also means MT5 can connect to centralized exchanges — a capability MT4 entirely lacks.

Hedging vs Netting Accounts

MT4 supports only hedging, where each trade exists as an independent position. MT5 supports both hedging and netting modes. In netting mode, all orders for the same instrument are aggregated into a single position — the standard model for stock and futures exchanges. This dual capability gives MT5 brokers flexibility to serve both forex traders who prefer hedging and institutional clients who expect netting.

MQL4 vs MQL5 Programming

MQL4 uses a simpler, C-like procedural syntax that many retail traders and EA developers are familiar with. MQL5 is object-oriented, closer to C++, and significantly more powerful — supporting classes, interfaces, and advanced data structures. While the MQL4 ecosystem has a larger legacy library of Expert Advisors, MQL5 offers better performance, more efficient memory management, and access to the full depth of MT5 features.

Licensing and Future-Proofing

This is the most important factor for new brokers. MetaQuotes officially ceased issuing new MT4 server licenses in 2022. Existing MT4 installations continue to receive maintenance, but no new full licenses are being granted. All of MetaQuotes' development resources are focused on MT5. Choosing MT4 for a new brokerage means relying on a platform with a finite support horizon and increasingly limited provider options.

Which Platform Should You Choose?

The answer depends on your brokerage's stage, target market, and long-term strategy.

Choose MT5 White Label If You Are...

  • Launching a new brokerage (MT4 licenses unavailable)
  • Planning to offer stocks, futures, or options alongside forex
  • Targeting institutional or professional traders
  • Building for long-term scalability and MetaQuotes support
  • Wanting depth of market and advanced order types
  • Seeking faster execution and 64-bit performance

MT4 White Label May Still Suit You If...

  • Your existing client base is on MT4 and migration is costly
  • You rely heavily on legacy MQL4 Expert Advisors
  • Your product offering is limited to forex and CFDs
  • You already have an MT4 white label and it meets your needs

Note: Even in these cases, planning an MT5 migration path is advisable given MT4's declining support and provider availability.

Cost Comparison: MT4 vs MT5 White Label

Understanding the financial commitment for each platform option.

$1.5K–5K

Typical Monthly Fee

Both MT4 and MT5 white label solutions fall in a similar monthly cost range. Pricing varies based on the provider, included add-ons (CRM, WebTrader, mobile apps), and liquidity bridge configuration. MT5 providers may charge slightly more due to the platform's expanded feature set.

$0–10K

Setup Fee

One-time setup fees cover server configuration, branding, and initial integration. Some providers waive setup fees entirely. MT4 setup costs may be higher due to the scarcity of available licenses, while MT5 providers benefit from MetaQuotes' active support.

$100K+

Full License (Alternative)

A full MetaTrader server license — available only for MT5 — costs upwards of $100,000 plus ongoing monthly fees. The white label model eliminates this cost entirely, making it the preferred entry point for the vast majority of new brokerages worldwide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions brokers ask when comparing MT4 and MT5 white label solutions.

Can I still get a new MT4 white label license? +
MetaQuotes stopped issuing new MT4 server licenses in 2022. While existing MT4 white label setups continue to operate, new brokers can only obtain white label solutions under MT5. Some providers still offer MT4 white labels through their existing server licenses, but availability is limited and declining. For new brokerages, MT5 white label is the recommended and future-proof path.
Is MT5 more expensive than MT4 for a white label? +
MT5 white label costs are comparable to MT4 in most cases. Monthly fees typically range from $1,500 to $5,000 depending on the provider, included features, and liquidity integration. While MT5 infrastructure can cost slightly more due to its expanded capabilities, the difference is marginal and offset by MT5's superior multi-asset support and active development from MetaQuotes.
Can I migrate my brokerage from MT4 to MT5? +
Yes, migration from MT4 to MT5 is possible and increasingly common. The process involves transferring client accounts, trade history, and configurations. However, custom indicators and Expert Advisors written in MQL4 must be rewritten in MQL5, as the languages are not directly compatible. Most white label providers, including FXUP, offer migration assistance to make the transition as smooth as possible.
Which platform do traders prefer — MT4 or MT5? +
MT4 historically had a larger user base due to its longer market presence and extensive library of custom indicators and EAs. However, MT5 adoption has grown substantially, driven by MetaQuotes' focus on MT5 development, better multi-asset support, and the cessation of new MT4 licenses. Most new traders now start on MT5, and the platform's market share continues to grow year over year.
Does MT5 support hedging like MT4? +
Yes. While MT5 initially launched with only netting mode, MetaQuotes added hedging support to MT5 in 2016. MT5 now supports both hedging and netting account types, giving brokers more flexibility than MT4, which only supports hedging. This means forex traders can continue using the hedging model they are familiar with on MT5.
What is the main advantage of MT5 over MT4 for brokers? +
The main advantage is multi-asset capability. MT5 supports forex, stocks, futures, options, and bonds on a single platform, while MT4 is limited to forex and CFDs. MT5 also offers faster execution, more order types (6 pending order types vs 4 in MT4), a built-in economic calendar, depth of market, and superior backtesting with multi-threaded strategy testing. For brokers, this translates to a broader revenue base and a more competitive offering. Learn more about our MT5 white label solution.

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