Written by Team RDPextra - compiled from live keyword-demand data, MetaQuotes' own official platform specifications, and 20 verified sources. Research compiled September 2026.
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) are both built by MetaQuotes and remain the two most widely used retail trading platforms in forex.[6][7] They aren't simply an old version and a new version of the same thing - MT5 is a broader, more capable platform, and MT4 is still the more universally supported one at brokers worldwide. Here's what actually separates them, using MetaQuotes' own published specifications rather than marketing claims.
MT4 vs MT5: Official Specifications
| Spec | MT4 | MT5 |
|---|---|---|
| Markets | Forex (CFDs via broker) | Forex, futures, options, stocks, bonds[1] |
| Timeframes | 9 | 21[1] |
| Technical indicators | 30 | 38[1] |
| Analytical objects | 31 | 44[1] |
| Pending order types | 4 | 6[1] |
| Accounting system | Hedging only | Netting and hedging[1] |
| Max symbols | 1,024 | Unlimited[1] |
| Programming language | MQL4[5] | MQL5, object-oriented[4] |
Source: MetaQuotes' own platform comparison for brokers.[1] These are the platforms' built-in capabilities - a specific broker may not expose every feature.
What Each Platform Is Actually Built For
MT4: Still the Forex Standard
MT4 has been the de facto standard forex platform for years and remains the most widely supported platform across brokers globally.[6] Its strength is simplicity, a huge library of free and paid custom indicators built up over two decades, and near-universal broker support. If you trade forex exclusively and want the platform with the deepest third-party tool ecosystem, MT4 is still a completely reasonable choice in 2026, not a legacy product to avoid.
MT5: Built for Multi-Asset and Faster Execution
MT5 extends beyond forex into stocks, futures, options, and bonds, with more timeframes, indicators, and order types, plus support for both netting and hedging accounting.[1][7] Its MQL5 language is object-oriented and generally supports faster order execution and more efficient backtesting than MQL4, which matters more the higher-frequency your strategy is.[4]
Expert Advisors (EAs): Where Both Platforms Depend on Uptime
Both MT4 and MT5 support Expert Advisors - automated scripts that execute trades on a defined set of rules without manual input.[8][9][10] An EA is only as reliable as the machine it runs on: if your home PC sleeps, loses power, or drops its internet connection, a running EA stops executing exactly when a signal fires. This is the actual reason serious EA traders run MT4/MT5 on a dedicated VPS or RDP server rather than a home computer - not a marketing add-on, but a real uptime and latency requirement.[15][16]
Forex RDP
24/7 uptimeRuns MT4 & MT5A dedicated Windows server built to keep EAs and both MetaTrader platforms running without interruption from your own hardware or connection. View Forex RDP →
Which Should You Choose?
- Forex-only, want maximum broker/indicator compatibility: MT4.
- Trading stocks, futures, or multiple asset classes alongside forex: MT5 - MT4 simply doesn't support these markets.[1]
- Running higher-frequency or backtesting-heavy EA strategies: MT5's MQL5 gives more efficient execution and backtesting.[4]
- Your preferred broker only supports one platform: that decides it for you - check before assuming a choice exists.
FAQ
Is MT5 simply a replacement for MT4?
No. MetaQuotes still actively supports both, and many brokers offer both side by side. MT5 adds capability MT4 doesn't have, but MT4's broker support and indicator ecosystem remain unmatched for forex-only trading.
Can I run Expert Advisors on both platforms?
Yes - both support EAs, written in MQL4 for MT4 and MQL5 for MT5. The two languages aren't directly compatible; an EA has to be written or ported for the platform you're using.
Do I need a VPS or RDP to run MT4/MT5?
Only if you're running an EA and need it trading continuously. Manual trading from your own computer doesn't require it, but any strategy that depends on being online 24/5 does.
Which platform has more brokers?
MT4 still has broader broker availability worldwide, though MT5 support has grown significantly and most major brokers now offer both.
Is MT5 harder to learn than MT4?
The core interface is similar. MT5 has more menus and options because it does more, but a trader familiar with MT4 can pick up MT5 without much friction.
Does trading forex through MetaTrader require any special regulatory registration?
Your broker handles regulatory compliance (e.g., with the CFTC/NFA in the US, or the FCA in the UK) - the platform itself is just software.[11][12][19]
References
- MetaQuotes - Official MT5 vs MT4 Platform Comparison
- MetaQuotes - MetaTrader 4 Official Page
- MetaQuotes - MetaTrader 5 Official Page
- MQL5 Official Documentation
- MQL4 Official Documentation
- Investopedia - Currency Trading Platform
- Investopedia - Best MetaTrader Brokers
- Babypips - Advantages of a Forex Expert Advisor
- Babypips - MetaTrader 4 (MT4) Definition
- AvaTrade - Expert Advisors (EA) Automated Trading
- National Futures Association (NFA)
- U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)
- ForexVPS.net - What Is a Forex VPS?
- TradingFXVPS - Best Forex VPS for EA Trading
- r/Forex - MT4 or MT5? (Trader Discussion)
- NIST SP 800-46 Rev. 2 - Guide to Enterprise Telework and Remote Access Security
- CISA - #StopRansomware Guide
- Microsoft Learn - Welcome to Remote Desktop Services
- UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
- European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA)