Why More Traders Are Choosing MT5 Over MT4 in 2025

Metatrader 5, or simply MT5, was released in 2010. It is the successor to MT4, which has been around since 2005. At its launch, MT4 initially revolutionised the entire retail Forex industry. Suddenly, all you needed was a stable internet connection to trade. No expensive terminals, no direct access to institutional platforms—MT4 brought powerful charting tools, custom indicators, and automated trading to everyday retail traders.

MT4 has been the go-to trading platform for forex traders for several years. But in 2025, MetaTrader 5 is finally becoming the focal point. In the Finance Magnates Intelligence reports published in April, numbers show that MT4’s dominance in CFD trading has been steadily declining and was surpassed by MT5 earlier this year, which now has a market share of 54.2%.

If you're looking to get started with a broker that supports MT5, check out our curated list of the best MT5 forex brokers.

So, why is this shift happening now? This article will explore why MT5 is quickly becoming the preferred platform choice for Forex traders worldwide.

MT5 vs. MT4: Quick Overview

While both Metatrader platforms share a similar interface and the same basic functionality, the more hidden differences are significant, especially in terms of performance, supported instruments, and available tools. 
 

As the table shows, MT5 not only offers Forex trading, but also comes with multi-asset trading functions with support for other financial instruments such as stocks, futures, and ETFs. 

Another distinction lies in the scripting language. MT4 relies on MQL4, whereas MT5 uses the more advanced MQL5, which is better for backtesting Expert Advisors (EAs). However, it's worth noting that EAs built for MT4 are incompatible with MT5 because of the differences in these programming languages.

In contrast to MT4, MT5 also features 21 timeframes, a built-in economic calendar, 80+ built-in indicators, and deeper market insights (DOM).

The Key Reasons Traders Prefer MT5 Today

So, what do these differences mean for traders? Well, the broader overall functionality that comes with MT5 is one of the main reasons why traders choose it. Unlike MT4, which was designed primarily for Forex trading, MT5 was built with multi-asset trading in mind right from the beginning. MT5 offers traders native support for exchange-traded instruments such as CFDs, stocks, and futures, which means that traders gain access to a broader range of markets.

Other arguments for choosing MT5 include the fact that MT5’s scripting language (MQL5) is more efficient than MQL4. Not only is it more powerful, but it also supports multi-threaded strategy testing and is therefore more accurate when backtesting Expert Advisors (EAs). This is a significant advantage for algorithmic traders relying on realistic market behaviour simulations. 

Lastly, many traders appreciate MT5’s more modern and user-friendly interface. It also features more built-in tools, charts, timeframes, indicators and order types, an integrated economic calendar, real-time news feeds—resources that help traders make more informed decisions.

Why Now? The 2025 Shift

Given that MT5 has been around for over 15 years, why is this shift only happening now? There are several reasons. One is that the industry's technical advancements have raised demands for platform speed, efficiency, and analysis capability—demands that MT5 is better equipped to meet than MT4.

At the same time, regulatory requirements in many regions have become more strict in recent years, which require brokers to adopt platforms that can better handle these demands. 

For example, MT5 uses a centralised order and position accounting model (as opposed to MT4’s decentralised ticket-based system), which simplifies the process of generating detailed trade logs and transaction reports for brokers, which many of the top-tier regulators require.

Because of this, many brokers have increasingly been prioritising and promoting MT5 as they update or expand their product offerings. The wider range of instruments also makes it more appealing to a broader client base.

Meanwhile, MetaQuotes—the developer behind both MT4 and MT5—has itself played an active role in driving this transition. Over the past several years, the company has gradually reduced updates and official support for MT4. This strategic move has made brokers and traders more prone to choosing MT5 over MT4.

The Rise of Alternative Trading Platforms

Despite MT5’s growing popularity compared to MT4, it’s not the only platform in the field that has been gaining traction. Other platforms are also gathering momentum, especially TradingView and cTrader, showing that traders seek more than just familiarity. The modern trader wants a platform offering an intuitive experience and tools tailored to their evolving needs. 

Originally built as a browser-based charting solution, TradingView is now one of the most widely used platforms for analysis, thanks to its clean interface, cross-device syncing, and highly customisable charts. Meanwhile, cTrader has established itself as a strong contender for traders who want more control, speed, and transparency. Its Level II pricing and full market depth provide more insight into liquidity, while the support for cBots and algorithmic trading—built on C#—makes it appealing for systematic traders.

So, while MT5 is undoubtedly driving the transition from MT4 in 2025, the field is becoming increasingly competitive. As more traders experiment with alternative platforms like TradingView and cTrader, the future of retail trading software may be more diverse than ever before.