MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView or a proprietary platform?

With every broker you trade through a trading platform: the software you use to follow prices, analyse charts and place orders. Some brokers offer standard software such as MetaTrader, others have built their own platform. Which suits you best depends on how you trade.

MetaTrader 4 (MT4)

MetaTrader 4 by MetaQuotes was released in 2005 and was the forex platform for years. It is stable, runs on almost any device and offers a huge library of indicators and expert advisors (automated strategies), written in the MQL4 programming language.

• 9 timeframes and 4 pending order types
• Mainly designed for forex
• Still widely supported, but MetaQuotes focuses its development on MT5

MetaTrader 5 (MT5)

The successor to MT4 is broader: more instrument types, more analysis tools and a faster backtester for automated strategies.

• 21 timeframes and 6 pending order types
• Built-in economic calendar and market depth
• Strategies in MQL5; MT4 strategies don't work without changes

cTrader

cTrader by Spotware is a modern alternative with a clean interface, extensive order types and market depth. Automated strategies (cBots) are written in C#. Fewer brokers offer cTrader than MetaTrader.

TradingView

TradingView is first and foremost a charting and analysis platform with a large community. With brokers that offer an integration, you can place orders straight from the TradingView chart. Useful if you already do your analysis in TradingView. A free TradingView account is enough to trade; some features require a paid plan.

Brokers' own platforms

Brokers such as Plus500, eToro and XTB use their own web platform and app. These are often easier to use and better integrated with the rest of your account, such as deposits, withdrawals and alerts. The downside: you are tied to that broker, and options for automated trading are limited or absent.

Which platform suits you?

You want to…	Look at
Start simply, via app or browser	The broker's own platform
Automate strategies	MetaTrader 4 or 5, or cTrader
Use advanced charts and analysis	TradingView or MetaTrader 5
Trade shares and indices as well as forex	MetaTrader 5 or a proprietary platform with a broad range

Tip: try it first

Almost every broker offers a free demo account. Try the platform for a few weeks before depositing money. Check how quickly orders are filled, how you set a stop-loss and whether the app is pleasant to use.

Filter by platform in our comparison table. See also the best MetaTrader 5 brokers.