MetaTrader 5
Brokerage trading platforms
Financial services software
- Features
- Ease of use
- Ease of management
- Quality of support
- Affordability
- Market presence
Take the quiz to check if MetaTrader 5 and its alternatives fit your requirements.
$15 per month
Free TrialFree version
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What is MetaTrader 5
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) is an electronic trading platform used by brokers and traders to place orders, monitor positions, and analyze markets across asset classes such as FX, CFDs, and exchange-traded instruments, depending on the connected broker. It provides desktop, web, and mobile clients plus an integrated environment for algorithmic trading and custom indicators. The platform is typically offered to end users through a brokerage that licenses and hosts the server-side components.
Multi-asset trading support
MT5 supports multiple instrument types and order modes, subject to what a broker enables on its servers. It includes depth of market, multiple order types, and position/accounting modes that can fit different market structures. This makes it usable for both discretionary trading and broker-provided product catalogs beyond spot FX.
Built-in algo trading stack
MT5 includes the MQL5 development environment for creating expert advisors (EAs), scripts, and custom indicators. It also provides strategy testing and optimization capabilities for backtesting, which reduces reliance on third-party tooling for many workflows. For teams, this can standardize deployment of automated strategies across accounts at brokers that support MT5.
Large ecosystem and integrations
MT5 has a broad third-party ecosystem of indicators, EAs, and utilities distributed through the MQL5 community/marketplace and external vendors. Many brokers and liquidity/bridge providers support MT5 connectivity, which can simplify broker onboarding and client access. The availability of desktop, web, and mobile clients helps firms support multiple user preferences without building their own front ends.
Broker-dependent capabilities
Features, instruments, pricing, and execution quality depend heavily on the broker’s configuration and infrastructure rather than the client application alone. Users may see different symbols, leverage, order handling, or reporting across brokers even though the UI looks similar. This can complicate standardization for multi-broker trading operations.
Limited native portfolio tooling
MT5 focuses on trading and charting rather than full portfolio management, tax lots, and long-horizon performance reporting. Firms that need client reporting, rebalancing workflows, or advisory compliance features typically require additional systems. Data export and reconciliation often rely on broker statements or custom integrations.
Customization requires MQL5 skills
Advanced automation and UI extensions generally require MQL5 development and testing expertise. Code portability can be constrained by broker-specific symbol conventions, execution rules, and data availability. Organizations may need governance around code review, deployment, and monitoring to manage operational risk.
Plan & Pricing
| Plan | Price | Key features & notes |
|---|---|---|
| Trader (Desktop, Web, Mobile) | Free | Full-featured client terminal for trading Forex, Stocks and Futures; algorithmic trading (MQL5/Python), Market (apps), Signals, Virtual Hosting (VPS) integration; free to download and use. |
| Hedge Fund | $4,000 per month | MetaTrader 5 for hedge funds: access to 80+ exchanges and liquidity providers, back-office APIs, free installation & training, technical support; 2-week free demo available. |
| Broker — Entry | Custom pricing | Entry license: capacity for ~1,000 real accounts; request access / contact MetaQuotes for pricing. |
| Broker — Standard | Custom pricing | Standard license: capacity reserve ~25,000 real accounts; contact MetaQuotes for pricing. |
| Broker — Enterprise | Custom pricing | Enterprise license: capacity reserve ~200,000 real accounts; contact MetaQuotes for pricing. |
Additional (usage-based / marketplace):
MetaTrader VPS (Virtual Hosting) Pricing model: Rental Free tier/trial: Brokers may offer Sponsored VPS to clients; availability varies by broker. Example costs: Rental cost starts at USD 15 per month (official site).
MQL5 Market (Apps & EAs)
Pricing model: Marketplace (purchase or rent)
Free tier/trial: Demo versions available for market products.
Example costs: Minimum product price: USD 30; Market commission: 20% (seller receives 80% of sale).
Seller details
MetaQuotes Ltd.
Limassol, Cyprus
2000
Private
https://www.metaquotes.net/
https://x.com/MetaQuotes
https://www.linkedin.com/company/metaquotes/
