MT4 vs MT5
Updated October 16, 2026
MT4 is the older, simpler forex platform with tons of bots. MT5 is newer, faster and covers more markets like stocks and futures.
MetaTrader 4 has been the main forex platform for years. It's simple, and there are thousands of expert advisors and indicators built for it.
MetaTrader 5 is the newer version. It has more timeframes, more order types, a built in economic calendar and works with more markets.
Both can run hands free trading bots. A bot does the clicking for you, but it can still lose money, so test it on demo first.
| MT4 | MT5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Startup cost | Free | Free |
| Markets | Mostly forex and CFDs | Forex, stocks, futures and more |
| Bots available | Huge library | Growing library |
| Speed | Good | Faster |
| Ease of use | Very simple | Simple |
| Broker support | Very common | Very common now |
Which one should you pick?
Pick MT4 if your broker or bot only runs on it. Pick MT5 if you're starting fresh, since it's newer and covers more markets. Bots built for one don't run on the other.
Questions people ask
Can I use MT4 bots on MT5?
No. They use different code, so a bot has to be made for the platform you use.
Is MT5 replacing MT4?
Many brokers now push MT5 for new accounts, but MT4 is still widely used.
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