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Forex Guide · Platforms & Prop Firms

MT4 vs MT5: the real differences

MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 look alike, but MT5 is a newer, faster platform with more tools. Here is what actually changes for a forex and Gold trader.

Qazi Forex Tips
By the Qazi Forex Tips team, led by Dr. Qazi Abdul Basit, Ph.D
Updated 23 October 2026
Dr. Qazi Abdul Basit
Dr. Qazi's takeIn his own words, from his lectures and teaching

Learn and practise on a demo account first. When you go live, use only money you can afford to lose and keep the risk on each trade small, for example 1% of the account.

From our FAQ

In numbers

MT4 was released in 2005 and MT5 in 2010. MT5 has 21 timeframes (MT4: 9), 38 built-in indicators (MT4: 30) and 6 pending order types (MT4: 4; MT5 adds Buy Stop Limit and Sell Stop Limit).

MT4 and MT5 compared on timeframes, indicators and pending order types.
MT4 and MT5 compared on timeframes, indicators and pending order types.

What MT5 adds

  • A built-in economic calendar and depth of market on supported symbols.
  • Hedging and netting account modes (MT4 is hedging only).
  • A 64-bit, multi-threaded strategy tester that can test on real ticks and on several symbols at once.
  • Timeframes such as M2, M10, H2, H6 and H12 that MT4 does not have.

Expert advisors and indicators

MT4 tools are written in MQL4 and MT5 tools in MQL5. They are not interchangeable: an EA or indicator built for MT4 does not run on MT5 and the other way round. That is why many tools, including ours, ship separate MT4 and MT5 versions.

Which one should you use?

  • Choose MT5 for a new account: it is faster, has more timeframes and tools, and MetaQuotes has focused development on it for years.
  • Stay on MT4 if your broker or prop firm only offers MT4 or you depend on an MT4-only tool.

Charts, price action and risk management are the same on both; the platform does not change how you read the market.

Khulasa (Roman Urdu / Hindi)

  • MT4 (2005) vs MT5 (2010): 9 vs 21 timeframes, 30 vs 38 indicators, 4 vs 6 pending orders.
  • MT5 mein calendar, depth of market, hedging + netting, tez tester.
  • MQL4 aur MQL5 ke EA aapas mein nahi chalte.
  • Naya account ho to MT5; broker sirf MT4 de to MT4.

Questions

Is MT5 better than MT4?

For most traders yes: more timeframes, order types and a faster strategy tester. MT4 is still fine if your broker or tools require it.

Can I use MT4 indicators on MT5?

No. MT4 tools use MQL4 and must be rewritten or released in an MT5 version.

Does MT5 allow hedging?

Yes, on hedging accounts. MT5 supports both hedging and netting; the mode is set by the broker per account.

How many timeframes does MT5 have?

21, compared with 9 on MT4.

Which is better for backtesting, MT4 or MT5?

MT5: its tester is multi-threaded and can use real tick data. For manual practice, a replay simulator works on both.

Do prop firms use MT4 or MT5?

Many offer MT5, and some still offer MT4; check the platform list of the firm you choose.

Watch the video lessons

Video lesson · 20:34TradingView tutorial: technical analysis for beginnersVideo lesson · 15:28How to select a forex broker: a simple guideVideo lesson · 24:00How to backtest a trading strategy like a pro

Education only, not financial advice. Trading forex, Gold and CFDs carries a high risk of loss. Contract sizes, spreads and leverage differ by broker; check your own broker's specifications.