Is MetaTrader 4 Better Than MetaTrader 5?
Opening your trading account and wondering which of these popular platforms best fits your trading strategy? In this article, we’ll compare the key features of MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 to help you identify the platform to take your trading to the next level.
1. Popularity: MT5
For the first time we are giving MT5 the edge in this category. While they just trial in Q4 2024 MT5 by 4%, the trend if clearly towards MT5 and there is no doubt that in 2026 it will be come the most popular trading platform. Therefore if your looking for the most used platform in the future, MetaTrader 5 is the logical option
If you have settled on MetaTrader 4 as your platform, the Best MT4 Brokers For 2026 guide helps you compare the brokers that offer it.

2. Trading Products: MT4
The most significant distinction between the MetaTrader platforms lies in the markets each can serve, and I would start this comparison with the broker account rather than the platform logo. MT4 was developed primarily for forex trading, while MT5 supports forex alongside exchange-market operations. What either platform actually provides depends on the account your broker configures, so the instrument list on the account you would open is the fact that matters here.
Capable of executing trades on centralised exchanges and in decentralised markets, MetaTrader 5 allows users to trade futures, stocks, options, and bonds in addition to forex.

MT4 Trading Products
MT4 traders have access to a single market: forex. That said, users can trade seven different types of popular assets:
- Forex
- CFDs
- Commodities
- Metals
- Energies
- Indices
- Cryptocurrencies
MT5 Trading Products
Developed as a multi-asset platform that would appeal to a wide range of traders and investors, MT5 encourages forex traders to branch out into other markets, particularly stocks. Users can trade 11 different assets across five markets:
- Forex
- CFDs
- Commodities
- Metals
- Energies
- Indices
- Cryptocurrencies
- Stocks
- Options
- Futures
- Bonds
Our verdict on best trading products is a MetaTrader 5
In my view, MT5 deserves this category, but on a conditional basis. Its support for forex alongside exchange-market operations makes it the natural fit for a trader who works across those markets or intends to, while a trader working purely in forex through CFDs can be served well by either platform. The deciding factor is the market access the broker actually configures on the account, and that is where the comparison should be settled.
3. Order Type Comparison: MT5
Order types are the instructions given to the platform for entering and exiting, and the set a platform supports determines which strategies can be expressed cleanly. I would prioritise this check early, because a strategy built on a specific entry or exit condition only works where that instruction exists. Market, limit, and stop instructions each define different conditions, so matching the supported order types against your strategy’s entry and exit requirements is a genuine compatibility question rather than a box-ticking exercise.
- Market orders: A market order is an instruction to buy or sell a financial instrument at the current market price. Market orders are typically executed immediately, and liquidity availability determines the price the order fills.
- Limit orders: A limit order is an instruction to buy or sell a financial instrument at a specific price or better. Limit orders allow you to specify the price at which you want to enter or exit a trade, and they are typically used to take profits or to limit potential losses.
- Pending orders: A pending order is placed at a certain price level and triggers when the market reaches that price.Buy Limit, An order to buy provided the future “ASK” price equals a pre-defined value. In a Buy Limit order, the current price is higher than the price of the order placed. Traders place this type of order when they believe that the price will continue to increase after meeting a specific, pre-set value;Buy-Stop Limit, An order to buy provided the future “ASK” price equals a pre-defined value. In a buy-stop limit order, the current price is lower than the price of the order placed. Traders place this type of order when they believe that the price will continue to increase after meeting a specific, pre-set value;Sell Limit, An order to sell provided the future “BID” price equals a pre-defined value. In a sell limit order, the current price level is lower than the price of the order placed. Traders place this type of order when they believe that the price will continue to decrease after passing a specific, pre-set value;Sell-Stop Limit, An order to sell provided the future “BID” price equals a pre-defined value. In a sell-stop limit order, the current price level is higher than the price of the order placed. Traders place this type of order when they believe the price will continue to fall after passing a specific, pre-set value.
- Stop orders: A stop order is an instruction to buy or sell a financial instrument when the market reaches a specific price. Traders typically use stop orders to manage risk and protect profits. There are two types of stop orders: stop loss orders, which traders use to limit potential losses, and take-profit orders, which traders use to take profits at a predetermined price.Stop-loss, A stop-loss order is an order to sell a financial instrument when the market reaches a certain price. Stop-loss orders work to limit potential losses by automatically closing the trade when the market reaches a pre-determined level.Take-profit, A take-profit order is an order to buy a financial instrument when the market reaches a certain price. (Think of this as the inverse of a stop-loss order.) Take-profit orders help to lock in value from a position by automatically selling when the market reaches your ideal price.

MT4 Order Types
In addition to market and limit orders, forex traders using the MT4 platform can opt for four different types of pending orders:
- Buy Limit
- Sell Limit
- Buy Stop
- Sell Stop
MT5 Order Types
MetaTrader 5 includes standard market and limit order types, as well as two more pending order types than MT4:
- Buy Limit
- Sell Limit
- Buy Stop
- Sell Stop
- Buy Stop Limit
- Sell Stop Limit
MetaTrader 5 wins our verdict on order type
With two additional pending order types, MT5 offers more risk management options for traders implementing complex automated trading strategies. Algorithmic trading is possible with MT4’s more limited range of stop and limit order types. However, the absence of buy-stop and sell-stop limits makes it difficult for MT4 traders to take full advantage of market movements.
4. Execution Speeds: TIE
In trading, “execution type” refers to how an order is processed, and I would keep that concept clearly separate from speed. The execution mode is set by the broker for each security, together with the trade-server settings, and it shapes how orders are handled rather than how fast they fill. The useful comparison is therefore which modes an account offers on the instruments traded, not a platform-level claim about which one fills faster.
- Instant Execution. The platform fills an order at the exact price quoted by the broker.
- Market Execution. The platform fills an order at the current market price based on aggregated liquidity sources. (Traders may experience slippage using this execution type.)
- Request Execution. The platform fills an order at a price pre-agreed by the trader and the brokerage.
- Exchange Execution. The platform fills an order directly on an exchange at the current market price as calculated based on depth of market data.

MT4 Execution Types
As a comprehensive platform dedicated primarily to trading forex, it should come as no surprise that MetaTrader 4 relies on the three primary execution methods when fulfilling trades. Exchange execution, which traders cannot use in forex trading, does not exist on the MT4 platform.
- Instant Execution
- Market Execution
- Request Execution
MT5 Execution Types
MT5’s additional market coverage brings Exchange Execution into its order-processing options, and I value that option where it is actually relevant: an account your broker configures with exchange-traded instruments. For a forex-only account, the relevance depends on the symbols your broker provides, so checking the execution modes available on your account and symbols is the step that settles whether the extra option matters.
- Instant Execution
- Market Execution
- Request Execution
- Exchange Execution
Our verdict on execution types is a tie
I would call this category a tie, and the reason is that execution mode is set by the broker for each security, so neither platform holds an inherent edge. MT5 offers an additional option, and where the trading includes the symbols and account configuration that use it, that option has value. For an account whose instruments never touch it, the platforms sit level, and the broker’s settings decide the experience either way.
5. Order Fill Options: MT5
Order fill options control what the broker does with an order once it is working: whether it must be filled in full immediately, can fill partially and cancel the rest, or can retain the unfilled portion for later. I treat these as instructions about execution behaviour worth understanding precisely, because they define how an order is handled under real market conditions. Their value is control over that behaviour, not a lever that changes the outcome’s profitability by itself.
- Fill or Kill orders. The order must be filled immediately in its entirety or else cancelled.
- Immediate or Cancel orders. Similar to a Fill or Kill order, but allows for partial fills. If the broker cannot fill the order immediately, it fills as much as possible and cancels the remainder.
- Return orders. Another type of partial fill order, a Return order allows the broker to fill a portion of an order while retaining the remainder for later execution when market conditions meet the trader’s parameters again.
- Hedging. Hedging orders allow traders to place simultaneous long and short positions on the same instrument to exploit market volatility.

MT4 Order Fill Options
MT4’s trade requests are processed by the broker, and that is where the fill behaviour is decided. My priority in this comparison is to check the broker’s account documentation for the execution settings and policies actually enabled before drawing any conclusion about fill behaviour, since the trade-server configuration governs what happens to an order in practice rather than the platform name on it.
MT4 allows hedging in jurisdictions that do not restrict the practice.
- Fill or Kill
- Hedging
MT5 Order Fill Options
For traders implementing strategies that require partial fills, MT5 has a clear advantage. In addition to the standard fill or kill, traders can also opt for immediate or cancel to take advantage of price changes during the execution process. Finally, those playing a longer game can use Return orders to push profits further by allowing the broker to gradually fill an order over time as pre-sent conditions are met.
Hedging is possible with MT5; however, the platform uses a netting position accounting system, which allows traders to open one position per financial instrument as a default setting. Brokers in jurisdictions where hedging is legal can offer this order type but are not required to do so.
- Fill or Kill
- Immediate or Cancel
- Return
- Hedging
MetaTrader 5 wins our verdict for order fill options
My verdict goes to MT5 here, because the wider set of fill behaviours, including partial fills, gives you the instructions to express a strategy that needs that control. The conditions matter, though: fill-policy availability depends on the execution mode and trade-server settings your broker configures, so confirming what your account allows is the step that makes the preference real.
6. Technical Analysis: MT5
Technical analysis in forex trading refers to the use of historical price data and chart patterns to study market behaviour. I would hold the distinction between analysis and prediction firmly here: these tools, and the automated systems built on them, analyse past prices and patterns, which is a method of reading the market rather than a guarantee of what comes next. The outputs are analysis to weigh, not forecasts to follow blindly.

MT4 Technical Analysis
MT4’s technical analysis story turns on selection rather than any inherent limit. Its built-in tools and its MQL4 ecosystem, including the Market, Code Base, and developer services, extend the platform towards a wide range of workflows. The criterion I would apply is specific: whether the indicators and analysis workflow your strategy depends on are available and workable on your installation, not a general ranking of sophistication.
- Technical indicators. MetaTrader 4 includes 30 built-in indicators and offers users access to a collection of over 2,000 free custom indicators. Those with something specific in mind can also browse a market of 700 custom indicators available for purchase.
- Timeframes. MetaTrader 4 offers users 9 different timeframes. While each timeframe requires its own chart, MT4 allows users an unlimited number of custom charts.
- Graphical objects. MetaTrader 4 users have access to 24 graphical objects, including lines; channels; the Gann and Fibonacci tools; and shapes and arrows.
MT5 Technical Analysis
I give MT5 the edge in this category, on a bounded basis. Its charting capabilities suit a trader whose analysis depends on the wider built-in selection, and the platform separates trading robots, which perform trading operations, from indicators, which analyse price data and patterns, a distinction that matters when choosing tools. The edge comes from matching the toolset to the actual workflow, since a longer feature list only matters where a strategy uses it.
- Technical indicators. MetaTrader 5 includes eight more technical indicators than MT4, including six important trend indicators and two additional oscillators.
- Timeframes. MetaTrader 5 includes 21 timeframes and allows users to plot multiple timeframes on a single chart.
- Graphical objects. Traders using MT5 have access to 44 graphical objects, including Regression Channels; Construction of Waves; and Buy and Sell signs.
Overall, I would weigh this category by a single question: do the additional charting and analysis functions on MT5 cover something your analysis actually requires? If they do, MT5 earns the preference, and if the required workflow runs within MT4’s built-in indicators and MQL4 extensions, the extra functions add surface without value. The choice follows the analysis being run, not a general assumption about experience level.
MetaTrader 5 wins our verdict to technical analysis
In this case, more is definitely better. With 21 timeframes, 44 graphical objects, and 38 technical indicators, MetaTrader 5 offers a truly dizzying array of advanced charting possibilities.
7. Other Trading Tools: MT5
Beyond charting, the trading tools below add context: news and economic-calendar information with event times and macroeconomic data, and historical data for studying how a market behaved. I value these tools for separating event timing and market context from a trading forecast, because that separation keeps the analysis honest. They inform a view of the market and its schedule; they do not ensure a profitable read of it.

MT4 Trading Tools
While it no-doubt represented the cutting edge of accessible trading technology in 2005, MT4 shows its age for supplementary resources. The platform does not offer a built-in economic calendar, and its depth-of-market window shows prices and trade requests rather than full exchange order-book data on every broker account. Backtesting is available, however, single-thread processing and system-created ticks may limit its accuracy.
- Economic calendar. MT4 does not include a built-in economic calendar, though a number of integrations exist for those who need this feature.
- Processing power. MetaTrader 4 is a single-threaded, 32-bit trading platform. (Note that iOS no longer supports 32-bit systems.)
- Depth of market (DOM). The platform provides a depth-of-market window that shows available prices and trade requests and supports management of market and pending orders, though this is not the same as full exchange order-book data on every broker account.
- Backtesting. MetaTrader 4 includes a single-threaded strategy tester that uses generated ticks.
MT5 Trading Tools
Double the processing power means double the features. From a built-in economic calendar to DOM data to multi-treaded backtesting based on current market data, there’s not a lot MT5 doesn’t offer users.
- Economic calendar. The MetaTrader 5 platform offers users a built-in economic calendar with up-to-date news from the USA, Japan, and the EU.
- Processing power. MetaTrader 5 is a multi-threaded, 64-bit trading platform. While capable of executing multiple tasks simultaneously with little to no latency, the associated processing load can strain system and memory resources.
- Depth of market (DOM). MT5 users have access to depth of market data.
- Backtesting. MetaTrader 5 includes a multi-threaded strategy tester that relies on real-time ticks and live spreads.
MetaTrader 5 wins our verdict for trading tools
My verdict goes to MT5, because its supplementary tools, including the built-in financial news and economic calendar, arrive with the platform and add context to your trading workflow. If you use event timing and news context daily, having them built in is the condition that decides it.
8 Expert Advisor Comparison: MT4
Expert Advisors, also known as EAs or trading bots, perform trading operations, and they are distinct from indicators, which analyse price data and patterns. I would keep that distinction front of mind when choosing automation, because the right tool follows from the job you need it to do: a robot for trading operations, an indicator for analysis. MetaQuotes provides marketplace routes for sourcing both, and you can also code your own. Before choosing, check that the tool suits your strategy and that automated trading is permitted in your platform and application settings, since a tool list is not proof that any strategy succeeds.
As noted elsewhere, MT4 and MT5 don’t use the same coding language. That means a trading bot that runs like a dream on MetaTrader 4 won’t work with MetaTrader 5 and vice-versa.
MT4 Expert Advisors
The MetaTrader 4 Market currently offers 1,700 EAs and 2,100 technical indicators compatible with the platform. Due to its long-term popularity and extensive user base, however, traders may have an easier time purchasing high-quality custom tools for MT4 than MT5.
MT5 Expert Advisors
The MetaTrader 5 Market maintained by MetaQuotes claims a combined total of 2,000 trading bots and indicators for use on the platform. Continued loyalty to MT4, particularly amongst forex traders, and slow adoption of MT5 may contribute to developers’ reluctance to commit to MQL5 apps.
MetaTrader 4 wins our verdict for expert advisors
With a broader selection of time-tested EAs and indicators, MT4 comes out on top, for now. As MetaQuotes continues to prioritise MT5 (and has stopped developing MT4), we expect to see changes in the near future.
9. Server Architecture: MT5
Server architecture is a broker-side matter, and I would treat it as background rather than a buying criterion. MT5 uses a distributed architecture with functions spread across different servers, which brokers deploy and administer. That infrastructure shapes what the broker’s offering can handle, but it does not by itself determine a retail account’s fill times or results, so the honest inference stops at what the broker provides and no further.
MT4 Server Architecture
MetaTrader 4 relies on a single dedicated server for all operations. While this does have the effect of simplifying and centralising operations, users may chafe at the processing restrictions. That said, MT4 includes all the elements needed for smooth execution: trade servers, access points, manager terminals, gateways, and data feeds.
MT4 generates all reports in .HTML format.
MT5 Server Architecture
A distributed system of four servers exponentially increases the processing load MT5 can handle compared to its predecessor. For traders, that means more orders executed faster across multiple markets at better prices. Between the trader server, the history server, the access server, and the backup server, MT5 has ample resources and a setup that optimises their use.
MT5 generates reports in .HTML and Open .XML formats.
MetaTrader 5 wins our verdict for server architecture
I give this category to MT5, on a bounded basis: the distributed architecture, with functions spread across different servers that brokers deploy and administer, is designed to handle the load a busy brokerage generates. What it means for any individual account is a question for the broker, so the check that matters is how their infrastructure is deployed and what execution conditions the account receives. The architecture earns the category, but the account-level evidence is what a trader should actually rely on.
What you can run comes down to your local environment and the tools themselves, and I would make that check a priority before any migration or build-out. Check the platform version each of your existing EAs or indicators requires, since MQL4 and MQL5 compile to different executable formats, and confirm that automated trading is permitted in your platform and application settings. The architecture does not determine how many EAs your computer will handle; the machine and its configuration do.
10. Compatibility Comparison: Tie
When I weigh compatibility, the deciding factor is what the mobile tasks actually are and which tools the trading already depends on. Both platforms offer iPhone, iPad, and Android download routes, with mobile supporting account and order management and built-in analytical tools. If your mobile use stays within that scope, either platform travels well; if it reaches into custom tools, check the platform version each existing tool requires before switching devices or operating systems.
MT4 Compatibility
MetaTrader 4 exists in multiple flavours suitable for any type of device. Recent compatibility issues with Apple and iOS, however, may give pause to traders loyal to their iPhones.
- Desktop. Some versions of the MT4 software won’t run natively on iOS. In these cases, MetaQuotes advises traders to download Wine, a free software package that allows Unix-based systems to run applications written for Windows. The platform is fully compatible with Windows.
- Mobile. Apple removed MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 from the app store in September 2022 citing concerns about security and user experience. Both apps remain available on the Google Play store.
- Tablet. See above.
- Web trader. Fully compatible with all browsers and operating systems, the MT4 web trading platform needs only an internet connection.
MT5 Compatibility
Easy-to-use interfaces and quick boot times have made Apple computers popular with day traders, but ongoing compatibility issues with iOS may prove problematic even for die-hards.
- Desktop. If you’ve upgraded your iOS to Catalina or later, you’ll need to download Wine to run MT5. The platform is fully compatible with Windows.
- Mobile. Apple removed MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 from the app store in September 2022 citing concerns about security and user experience. Both apps remain available on the Google Play store.
- Tablet. See above.
- Web trader. The MT5 web trader requires only an internet connection and is fully compatible with all operating systems and browsers.
MT4 and MT5 tie in our verdict for compatibility
I would call this category a tie. Both the MT4 and MT5 official sites currently offer iPhone, iPad, and Android download routes, with mobile supporting account and order management and built-in analytical tools, so neither platform is out of reach on iOS. The real check is your own workflow: confirm that the broker account you hold supports the platform on the devices you use, and that any custom tools you rely on work where you need them, since custom-tool parity across devices is not universal on either platform.
11. Longevity: MT5
Committing to a platform should start with an inventory of what would need to move, and I would make that inventory the first step of any MT4 to MT5 decision. List the EAs, indicators, and tools your trading depends on, and check the actual platform version each requires, since MQL4 and MQL5 compile to different executable formats, EX4 and EX5 respectively. That inventory shows what a switch would cost you in practice, which matters more than any general assumption about a platform’s future.
MT4 Longevity
MetaQuotes officially ended the development of MetaTrader 4 in 2015 and stopped issuing new sales licences three years later, including additional servers for existing clients. Brokers with existing licences do have the option to purchase additional White Label terminals, however.
MetaTrader 4 no longer offers customer-side technical support for the MT4 platform. For now, users can turn to an active community of MT4 aficionados for technical help.
MT5 Longevity
MetaQuotes continues to develop and maintain the MT5 trading platform. Brokers can purchase both new licences and additional servers or terminals and enjoy comprehensive technical and customer support from the company.
MetaTrader 5 wins our verdict for longevity
Despite the loyalty of its customer base, it’s clear MetaQuotes sees MT5 as the platform of the future. New traders, particularly those who intend to pursue a fully automated trading strategy, may want to steer clear of MT4. Remember, any custom indicators or EAs created with the MQL4 language won’t run on MT5 in case of a future switch.
What is the best forex broker to trade with MetaTrader 4?
We consider Pepperstone as the best of the Best MT4 Brokers for a number of reasons:
- 3rd party platforms that work with MT4. These include Capitalise.ai, Myfxbook, DupliTrader and Smart Trader Tools.
- Low spreads, which average 0.1 pips for EUR/USD currency pair
- Range of trading products, including over 92 Forex pairs, 19 Crypto, 25 indices, 5 Metals including Gold and Silver, 4 energies, 16 soft commodities and 10,000 stocks.
- Fast execution on MT4, with limit orders filling in 77 ms and market orders in 100 ms in our 2026 execution test.
Our zero-spread testing recorded Pepperstone’s spread at its minimum for 100% of the recorded time, level with StoneX Trading.
| Broker | Time at Minimum Spread | Minimum Spread |
|---|---|---|
| Pepperstone | 100.00% | 0.00 |
| StoneX Trading | 100.00% | 0.00 |
| Fusion Markets | 98.55% | 0.00 |
| TMGM | 97.83% | 0.00 |
| IC Markets | 97.83% | 0.00 |
| FP Markets | 97.83% | 0.00 |
| EightCap | 97.83% | 0.00 |
| Admiral Markets | 95.65% | 0.00 |
| ThinkMarkets | 94.93% | 0.00 |
| Blueberry Markets | 94.20% | 0.00 |
| Go Markets | 87.68% | 0.00 |
| Blackbull Markets | 86.96% | 0.10 |
| Tickmill | 86.23% | 0.00 |
| Axi | 82.61% | 0.10 |
What is the best forex broker to trade with MetaTrader 5?
We think IC Markets is the best forex broker for trading with MetaTrader 5. This is mostly because of their low spreads.
Ross Collins’s spread tests covered RAW accounts at 15 brokers. IC Markets placed in the top five on five of the six major pairs, averaging 0.23 pips on AUD/USD, 0.19 pips on EUR/USD, and 0.27 pips on GBP/USD.
On top of the low spreads, we like that IC Markets offers a decent range of trading tools for the MT5, including social and copy trading tools, giving you versatile options on how to trade the markets.
| Average RAW Spread From Test Done By Ross Collins | Average RAW Spread From Test Done By Ross Collins | Average RAW Spread From Test Done By Ross Collins | Average RAW Spread From Test Done By Ross Collins | Average RAW Spread From Test Done By Ross Collins | Average RAW Spread From Test Done By Ross Collins | Average RAW Spread From Test Done By Ross Collins | Average RAW Spread From Test Done By Ross Collins | Average RAW Spread From Test Done By Ross Collins | Average RAW Spread From Test Done By Ross Collins | Average RAW Spread From Test Done By Ross Collins | Average RAW Spread From Test Done By Ross Collins |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AUDUSD | Average Spread | EURUSD | Average Spread | GBPUSD | Average Spread | USDCAD | Average Spread | USDCHF | Average Spread | USDJPY | Average Spread |
| Fusion Markets | 0.09 | TMGM | 0.15 | StoneX Trading | 0.17 | StoneX Trading | 0.16 | Pepperstone | 0.39 | Fusion Markets | 0.22 |
| TMGM | 0.15 | Tickmill | 0.15 | Fusion Markets | 0.21 | Fusion Markets | 0.23 | Fusion Markets | 0.41 | IC Markets | 0.24 |
| Pepperstone | 0.19 | Fusion Markets | 0.16 | IC Markets | 0.27 | TMGM | 0.43 | StoneX Trading | 0.44 | ThinkMarkets | 0.25 |
| StoneX Trading | 0.23 | IC Markets | 0.19 | FP Markets | 0.31 | IC Markets | 0.45 | TMGM | 0.51 | StoneX Trading | 0.27 |
| IC Markets | 0.23 | Pepperstone | 0.19 | TMGM | 0.35 | Go Markets | 0.47 | Go Markets | 0.51 | TMGM | 0.33 |
| FP Markets | 0.31 | FP Markets | 0.2 | Pepperstone | 0.41 | Blueberry Markets | 0.5 | Tickmill | 0.52 | Pepperstone | 0.36 |
| Blueberry Markets | 0.32 | EightCap | 0.2 | EightCap | 0.44 | Tickmill | 0.5 | IC Markets | 0.57 | FP Markets | 0.39 |
| Go Markets | 0.37 | Admiral Markets | 0.21 | Blueberry Markets | 0.44 | FP Markets | 0.51 | Blueberry Markets | 0.63 | Blueberry Markets | 0.43 |
| Tickmill | 0.37 | StoneX Trading | 0.22 | Go Markets | 0.59 | ThinkMarkets | 0.56 | ThinkMarkets | 0.70 | Go Markets | 0.45 |
| ThinkMarkets | 0.42 | ThinkMarkets | 0.22 | Tickmill | 0.59 | Pepperstone | 0.61 | FP Markets | 0.71 | EightCap | 0.47 |
| EightCap | 0.48 | Blueberry Markets | 0.27 | ThinkMarkets | 0.62 | EightCap | 0.64 | EightCap | 0.76 | Admiral Markets | 0.58 |
| Axi | 0.67 | Go Markets | 0.38 | Admiral Markets | 0.73 | Axi | 0.74 | Axi | 0.94 | Axi | 0.64 |
| CMC Markets | 0.68 | Axi | 0.43 | CMC Markets | 0.90 | CMC Markets | 0.75 | CMC Markets | 0.94 | CMC Markets | 0.64 |
| Admiral Markets | 0.70 | CMC Markets | 0.44 | Axi | 0.95 | Blackbull Markets | 1.01 | Admiral Markets | 1.08 | Tickmill | 0.67 |
| Blackbull Markets | 0.85 | Blackbull Markets | 0.46 | Blackbull Markets | 0.96 | Admiral Markets | 1.46 | Blackbull Markets | 1.31 | Blackbull Markets | 1.04 |
Is MetaTrader 4 Or MetaTrader 5 Is Better?
So, which platform offers the best trading experience? In our view, multi-threaded, 64-bit processing and nearly infinite charting capabilities make MetaTrader 5 the stronger choice, especially for those devoted to trading robots and other forms of automation.
That said, MT5’s additional capabilities don’t necessarily make it the “better” choice for everyone. I would route the decision by requirements: if the trading spans forex and exchange-traded markets, MT5’s coverage fits, while a trader whose needs sit within MT4’s range, and whose existing tools are built there, may find the migration effort outweighs the extra functions. Checking the markets, tools, and platform versions the trading actually depends on is what settles which way to go.
Overall, whether MT4 or MT5, we found Pepperstone to be the best-rated broker overall based on its spreads, trading environment, and customer support.
To weigh the other two platforms as well, start with the MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView comparison, then follow its link to the broker ranking for the platform that suits your trading style.
Risk Warning and Disclaimer
Forex trading can entail a high level of risk. The same market volatility and leverage that propel significant profits can also lead to catastrophic loss. Beginner traders are advised to start trading using a free demo account from a trusted brokerage licensed by the Financial Markets Authority (FMA) to better understand their trading needs before putting money into the financial markets.
CompareForexBrokers.com provides educational reviews of online trading products and services, including brokerages, trading platforms, and trading tools. CompareForexBrokers.com is not an investment adviser, financial adviser, or other financial services professional and does not offer investment advice. None of the content published on this page or elsewhere on CompareForexBrokers.com should be construed as investment advice or an inducement to invest.
What is MetaTrader 4? What is MetaTrader 5?
Launched in 2005 and 2010 by MetaQuotes Software Corp., MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 are among the best-known, most popular, and most powerful trading platforms available today.

The developer remains tight-lipped about just how many forex traders use a version of either platform but did share that MT4 claims over 16 million users. MT5, on the other hand, recently became more popular with brokerages. According to MetaQuotes, the number of brokers offering MT5 officially surpassed those offering MT4 in June 2021.
Key Differences Between MetaTrader 4 vs MetaTrader 5
The MT4 and MT5 trading platforms differ in the markets they can serve, the features they offer, and the programming languages used to build tools for them, with MQL4 and MQL5 compiling to different executable formats. I would read the differences below as a requirements checklist rather than a ranking, since the platform that wins is the one that covers the markets and tools a specific strategy needs.
- Broker Support: Both the MT4 and MT5 platforms are supported by a large number of brokerage firms. Due to its more extensive track record and forex trading-specific features, however, MT4 enjoys a slightly higher adoption rate among top forex brokers.
- Trading Products: MT4 is mainly used for forex and CFD (Contract for Difference) trading, while MT5 is more comprehensive and includes additional features for trading in futures, equities, and options.
- Order types: MT4 offers a limited range of order types, including market, limit, and stop orders. MT5 provides a wider range, including stop-limit orders, trailing stops, and multiple execution modes. In addition, MT5 traders can opt for either request execution or market execution when placing orders.
- Technical analysis: Both MT4 and MT5 offer a range of technical analysis tools and indicators. MT5 includes additional features, however, such as more advanced charting capabilities and custom timeframe functionalities.
- Algorithmic trading: Both the MT4 and MT5 platforms support algorithmic trading through the use of Expert Advisors. MT5 offers a wider variety of assets available to trade and more sophisticated technical indicators than its counterpart.
- Programming language: MT4 uses the MetaQuotes Language 4 (MQL4) programming language to create custom indicators and automated trading strategies. MT5 uses MetaQuotes Language 5 (MQL5).
- Compatibility: MT5 recently surpassed MT4 as brokers’ most popular trading platform among brokers.
FAQs
What are the costs associated with trading on MetaTrader?
Is it possible to use both MT4 and MT5?
Is the MetaTrader platform free to use?
Can I trade with MetaTrader without a forex broker?
Can I use MetaTrader on Android mobile?
Can I use MetaTrader as an iOS app?
Can I use MetaTrader on a demo account?
Does MT4 or MT5 have a guaranteed stop loss?
How does MT4 compare to cTraders?
About the author
Justin Grossbard is the Co-Founder and CEO of CompareForexBrokers, which he established with Noam Korbl in 2014. He has over 20 years of professional experience in online marketing and holds a Master's in Marketing from Monash University.
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