It's one of a beginner's first questions: should you use MetaTrader 4 (MT4) or MetaTrader 5 (MT5)? Both come from the same publisher (MetaQuotes), look alike, but aren't interchangeable. Here's how to decide.
The essentials in one sentence
MT4 is the older standard, mainly built for Forex and still very popular. MT5 is newer, more complete (more markets, more timeframes, better backtesting) and it's the direction of the future.
The differences that matter
- Markets: MT4 is centred on Forex and CFDs; MT5 also natively handles stocks, indices and more instruments.
- Timeframes: MT5 offers more (21 vs 9), useful for multi-timeframe analysis.
- Backtesting: MT5's strategy tester is faster and allows multi-currency — a real plus for evaluating an Expert Advisor.
- EA language: MT4 uses MQL4, MT5 uses MQL5. An EA isn't transferable from one version to the other without a rewrite.
- Market depth, orders: MT5 offers more order types and the depth of market (DOM).
Which to choose?
- You're starting today → MT5. It's the modern platform, better equipped, and the one the ecosystem is migrating toward.
- You want a specific EA that only exists in MQL4 → MT4 may be required. But first check whether it exists for MT5.
- Your broker offers only one of the two → that decides for you (most offer both).
Our choice: MT5
Adestto AI's Expert Advisors are built for MetaTrader 5: multiple markets (Forex, gold, indices), solid backtesting and a long-lasting ecosystem. If you're starting from scratch, it's the logical option.
To install an EA, follow our MT5 installation tutorial. And to choose where to open your account, see how to choose an MT5 broker.
Educational content. Adestto AI is a software and educational-content publisher — not a broker or an investment adviser. No return is guaranteed; trading involves risk.