Launching a firm
White Label Forex Broker Cost vs a Prop Firm (2026)
What a white label forex brokerage costs in 2026 compared with a prop firm: platform, liquidity, licensing and capital, with dated vendor estimates.
- By PipValley Editorial
- Published
- 7 min read
Founders who want to "start something in forex" often price two businesses at once: a white-label forex brokerage and a prop firm. They look similar from the outside, run on similar platforms and need similar websites. The cost structures are very different, because a broker handles client money and trades, and an evaluation firm sells challenges.
Figures below are vendor estimates and published prices, dated and attributed, checked 12 October 2026. Licence costs vary so much by jurisdiction that we do not quote them.
What does a white label forex brokerage cost?
B2Broker's April 2026 guide gives industry ranges for an MT5 white label. It also says MetaQuotes stopped issuing new MT5 white-label licences in late 2022, so new brokers sub-license through a provider or pick another platform.
| Line | Published range or status | Note |
|---|---|---|
| White-label setup | $5,000–$15,000 one-time | Industry range |
| Platform, monthly | $1,000–$5,000 | Licence, hosting, maintenance, basic support |
| All-in, monthly | $2,700–$11,000 | Adds liquidity, CRM and add-ons |
| Brokerage licence | Quote only; varies by jurisdiction | Regulator and agent fees, capital requirements |
| Liquidity and bridge | Included in all-in range, or quote | Depends on volume and provider |
| Payments | High-risk processing, quote only | Client deposits and withdrawals |
What does a prop firm cost by comparison?
A prop firm's budget depends on who carries payout risk. Spotware puts a typical proprietary trading firm launch at $50,000–$200,000, including $8,000–$25,000 upfront platform licensing and $3,000–$8,000 a month for the tech stack. A lean profit-share white label can start far lower: PropSuite publishes a $2,749 setup and a 50–70% founder share of net revenue.
| Line | White label forex broker | Prop firm (evaluation model) |
|---|---|---|
| Platform | MT5 white label $1,000–$5,000/month (B2Broker estimate) | Match-Trader from $2,500/month; TradeLocker $3,000/month; or profit share |
| Licence | Usually required; quote only | Depends on place and model; most evaluation firms say they are not brokers. Ask a lawyer |
| Liquidity | Required for client trades | Usually not; most evaluations run on demo accounts |
| Client money | Deposits held for clients; segregation rules may apply | Fees paid for challenges; payouts funded by the firm or provider |
| Biggest risk line | Market and counterparty risk, regulatory capital | Payout reserve |
| Typical launch range | Setup plus licence plus capital: quote-led | About $10,000 (profit share) to $50,000–$200,000 (Spotware) |
Why do platform costs look so different?
MetaTrader dominates brokerage and is mostly closed to prop firms. Finance Magnates reported in February 2025 that MetaQuotes raised licensing fees by roughly 20% to 25% from January 2025, and, citing anonymous sources, put a full MT4 package at about $35,000 a month for licence holders. White-label brokers pay a slice of that through their provider. Prop firms mostly use Match-Trader, TradeLocker, cTrader or DXtrade, which sell prop-specific plans.
Which should you start?
Start a brokerage if you can fund a licence and regulatory capital and want long-term client relationships with deposits. Start a prop firm if you want a lighter launch and are prepared to manage payout risk or share profit with a provider. Some groups run both; FTMO's acquisition of OANDA is the best-known example of a prop firm buying a broker.
Both need the same kind of website: clear pricing, a legal footer that fits the jurisdiction, a restricted-countries list and pages that explain risk honestly. The content differs, so build for the business you are actually running.
How does the website differ for each?
A brokerage website sells accounts and must carry regulatory disclosures, spreads and fees, deposit and withdrawal methods, and the regulator's details for each entity. A prop firm website sells evaluations and must explain rules, account sizes, payout terms, the simulated nature of accounts and the refund policy. Both are read closely by payment processors before they approve you.
- Broker: account types, trading conditions, platforms, funding methods, entity and regulator pages, risk warnings in the format the regulator requires.
- Prop firm: pricing table by account size, rules with worked examples, payout proof and schedule, FAQ, simulated-account disclosure, restricted countries.
- Both: legal footer with the entity details, terms, privacy and cookie policies, and support contacts.
Questions
How much does a white label forex broker cost?
A white label forex broker costs about $5,000–$15,000 to set up and $2,700–$11,000 a month all-in for an MT5 white label with liquidity and CRM, per B2Broker's April 2026 estimates. Licensing is extra and quote only.
Is it cheaper to start a prop firm or a forex brokerage?
A prop firm is usually cheaper to start, because most evaluation firms do not hold client deposits or route live trades. A profit-share white label can launch for around $10,000, while a brokerage adds licensing, liquidity and capital costs.
Do I need a licence for a white label forex brokerage?
Usually yes, because a brokerage handles client money and trades. Requirements and costs depend on the jurisdiction, so get advice from a lawyer and quotes from licensed agents.
Sources
- B2Broker: MT5 white label cost (Apr 2026)
- Spotware: How to start a proprietary trading firm (2026)
- PropSuite: homepage pricing (checked 12 Oct 2026)
- Match-Trader: White label as low as $2,500 and server from $5,000 (Nov 8, 2024)
- TradeLocker: Prop firm pricing
- Finance Magnates: MetaTrader fee bill arrives with a 25% increase (Feb 5, 2025)
- Finance Magnates: Prop trading firms cutting US clients and integrating new platforms (Feb 19, 2024)
- Finance Magnates: FTMO closes OANDA acquisition deal after ten months
Illustrative figures, not a forecast. Nothing on this site is legal, tax or financial advice. PipValley is a web design studio; we don’t sell challenges, run trading accounts or provide trading platforms. Spotted something out of date? Tell us and we’ll fix it with the date.
Keep reading
Related guides.
Prop Firm Startup Costs (2026): A Line-by-Line Budget
MT4 and MT5 White Label Cost (2026), and Prop Firms
Prop Firm White Label Cost (2026): Published Prices
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