MetaTrader 4 (MT4) has been the go-to trading platform for retail traders for over a decade now, while MetaTrader 5 (MT5) was supposed to be the better and more advanced version of it. But somehow, both of them are still around and have loyal fans.
When you’re trading, the platform you choose to trade depends on both your strategy and the type of trading you’re into. MT4 has been around since 2005, so is it time to move to MT5, or does the former still do its job?
Let’s find out which one is better in 2025.
What Is MT4?
Both platforms were created by MetaQuotes Software five years apart and are used for trading online.
MT4 came first and was launched in 2005. It is primarily used for forex and CFD trading, and comes with both the essential and advanced tools needed for it. It’s a simple, stable, and ridiculously popular trading platform.
What is MT5?
Then came MT5 in 2010. It was meant to be the next-gen upgrade with more timeframes, indicators, and asset classes. And it is a bit more advanced. It also offers trading markets beyond just forex, but despite being technically better, it hasn’t fully replaced MT4.
That is because MT4 was already dominating the market when MT5 launched, and a lot of brokers and traders simply didn’t want to switch. Fast forward to 2025, and the situation is still very much the same.
MT4 in 2025
When you think about how MT4 was launched two decades ago, your first impression would be an outdated platform with buggy features. But it’s more like that one old phone that still has the best features and works like a charm.
Here are some of the features that make people love MT4:
- Stability and lightness. MT4 runs well on older devices.
- It has massive support and community forums.
- Tons of third-party tools, plugins, and custom indicators.
- Easier learning curve for beginners.
- Works great if you’re only trading forex and CFDs.
If you’re new to trading or you don’t need a lot of advanced tools and features, MT4 is still a solid choice in 2025. It gets the job done without overwhelming you.
MT5 in 2025
MT5 is like MT4’s younger sibling, who’s an overachiever and does a lot more. It’s faster, more advanced, and supports more asset classes like stocks, futures, and options.
Here’s what makes MT5 stand out in 2025:
- More timeframes
- Built-in economic calendar and news feed
- Depth of market (DoM) feature
- Support for more types of orders
Also, MT5 uses an advanced architecture, which makes it run faster and process data more efficiently.
If you’re into technical analysis, automated trading, or you want to trade more than just forex, MT5 gives you more tools to play with.
The Main Differences
Comparing the two platforms comes down to these key factors:
- Release. MT4 was released in 2005, and MT5 in 2010.
- Supported markets. MT4 only offers forex and CFD trading, while MT5 goes beyond the two with stocks and futures.
- Interface. MT4 is easy to use and is beginner-friendly, but MT5’s interface is much more complex.
- Analytics. MT5 has more charts and indicators than MT4 does.
