Exness MT4 vs. MT5: a guide to speed, charts, and liquidity

The choice between MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) is one of the most fundamental decisions a CFD trader has to make. While they look similar, these two platforms are built on different philosophies. One is a time-tested workhorse focused on simplicity and stability, while the other is a multi-asset powerhouse designed for the future of trading.

For traders using Exness—a broker renowned for its unlimited leverage and instant withdrawals—understanding this difference is key to unlocking your full potential. This article breaks down the MT4 vs. MT5 debate with clear explanations and examples, helping you decide which platform aligns with your strategy.

Exness MT4 vs. MT5 terminals

To understand the platforms, you must first understand their creators, MetaQuotes.

• MT4 was built in 2005 specifically for Forex. It became the industry standard because it did forex trading perfectly. It is stable, intuitive, and has a massive community of users.
• MT5 was built in 2010 as a multi-asset platform. While it can trade forex, its architecture is designed to handle stocks, commodities, and futures on a deeper level. It is not merely an upgrade of MT4; it is a completely different software with a broader scope.

Head-to-head comparison

Here are the critical differences broken down for a CFD trader:

Exness MT4 vs. MT5 terminals: market depth and information

• MT4: Provides the basic “Market Watch” window where you see bid/ask prices. It tells you what the price is.
• MT5: Introduces Depth of Market (DOM). This shows you the liquidity available at different price levels. You can see how many buy and sell orders are waiting at each price point.
• Example: Imagine you want to sell a large position of Gold (XAU/USD). On MT4, you click sell and hope the price doesn’t slip. On MT5, you can look at the DOM to see if there are enough buy orders stacked at your target price to fill your entire order without moving the market against you.

Exness MT4 vs. MT5 terminals: timeframes and analytical tools

• MT4: Offers 9 timeframes (from 1 minute to monthly). It features 30 built-in technical indicators.
• MT5: Expands this to 21 timeframes. It includes 38 built-in indicators and 44 analytical objects (for drawing shapes and patterns). It also has a built-in Economic Calendar.
• Example: If you are a scalper looking for extremely short-term moves, MT4 covers the basics. However, if you are a swing trader trying to catch a turn on a 4-hour chart and want to cross-reference that with the 8-hour and 12-hour trends, MT5 gives you those extra analytical windows to refine your entry.

Exness MT4 vs. MT5 terminals: order types and execution

• MT4: Handles the four standard pending orders (Buy Limit, Buy Stop, Sell Limit, Sell Stop).
• MT5: Includes those four, plus Buy Stop Limit and Sell Stop Limit. This allows for more complex entry strategies.
• Example: A “Stop Limit” order allows you to specify a price range where you are willing to buy once a breakout happens, but only up to a certain price. This is crucial for volatile CFD assets like Oil or stock indices, where a breakout can gap through your entry price.

Exness MT4 vs. MT5 terminals: processing power and back-testing

• MT4: Uses MQL4 language for Expert Advisors (EAs). It tests one currency pair or instrument at a time.
• MT5: Uses MQL5, which allows for multi-currency and multi-asset back-testing. You can test a trading robot on a portfolio of 10 different CFD stocks simultaneously to see how it performs under different market correlations.
• Example: If you have an algorithm that trades the correlation between the S&P 500 and the USD/JPY, you can only test that manually (or one at a time) on MT4. On MT5, you can run a back-test that simulates trading both instruments at the same time to see the net portfolio performance.

Exness MT4 vs. MT5 terminals: the verdict

• Choose Exness MT4 if: You are a pure forex trader, you love the simplicity of the platform, or you have a favorite Expert Advisor (Trading Robot) that was written in MQL4, and you don’t want to rewrite it. You value the massive community support and the “if it isn’t broke, don’t fix it” mentality.
• Choose Exness MT5 if: You trade a variety of CFD instruments (Forex + Indices + Commodities + Stocks), you need Depth of Market data for high-volume trading, or you want access to more timeframes and advanced order types for precise entries. It is the better choice for the modern, multi-asset trader.

Exness review

Exness is a well-established online broker, founded in 2008, that has grown into a global financial powerhouse. Regulated by top-tier authorities like the FCA and CySEC, it provides a secure trading environment for clients in over 100 countries. The broker is an excellent choice for both beginners and experienced traders, offering a comprehensive suite of tools and features.

Key features and advantages:

• Low barrier to entry: Start trading with a minimal deposit of just $10.
• Flexible account options: Choose from a free Demo account, popular Standard accounts, or professional Raw Spread, Zero, and Pro accounts to match your trading style.
• Diverse markets: Access a wide range of instruments, including over 100 Forex pairs, stocks, indices, metals, energies, and more than 30 cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum.
• Powerful platforms: Trade on the industry-standard MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), or use Exness’s own intuitive mobile app and web terminal.
• Cost-effective: Enjoy competitive trading conditions with low spreads, no hidden fees, and no commissions on many accounts.
• Added perks: Benefit from free VPS hosting for automated trading, 24/7 support, and the ability to copy the strategies of top-performing traders with Social Trading.

Verdict: Exness combines strong regulatory oversight with trader-friendly conditions, making it a reliable and attractive option for anyone looking to trade the financial markets.

Related articles:

• How to open an account with Exness: a detailed guide to registering and starting your trading journey

• Exness trading accounts: explore the Standard and Pro options

• Exness trading platforms review: MT4, MT5, Web terminal, original mobile app and more