I’ve been trading forex for over 25 years and using MetaTrader (both MetaTrader 4 and its successor, MetaTrader 5) for over a decade. In this guide, I’ll break down MT4's differences with MT5, answer some common questions about this popular trading platform, and share my picks for the best MetaTrader brokers.
I'll begin with an overview of the best forex brokers that support MetaTrader 4 and then share some tips that will help both beginners and advanced users, including notes on how to use it for social copy trading or with automated trading systems.
My evaluation of MT4 brokers begins by installing the current software version and scanning the broker’s entire asset catalog. Since the base MetaTrader platform is largely standardized, my analysis focuses on the value-adds: tradeable symbols, fee structures, account tiers, and order execution models. I also prioritize brokers that provide specialized tools for automated trading, such as low-latency VPS hosting and proprietary indicators, to see who truly elevates the platform experience. Keep scrolling to see my picks for the top MT4 brokers for 2026:
My top picks for MetaTrader 4
1. IC Markets – Best MetaTrader 4 broker
| Company |
Minimum Deposit |
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) |
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) |
IC Markets
|
$200 |
Yes |
Yes |
IC Markets is my pick for the best MT4 broker in 2026. The broker offers the full MetaTrader suite (MT4 and MT5) alongside competitive pricing, add-on trading tools, and quality market research, making it an exceptional choice for both manual and algorithmic traders.
Trading costs: IC Markets blends superior execution with cost efficiency. The broker's agency execution model, with no requotes, means your orders are filled at requested prices without intervention. This is critical for strategies that depend on precise execution. The Raw Spread account is particularly competitive, delivering an all-in cost of 0.72 pips on EUR/USD (including commissions).
Advanced trading: To support high-frequency traders, IC Markets provides free Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting for clients trading at least 15 standard lots per month, a feature that can significantly reduce latency and ensure consistent strategy performance. For active traders, IC Markets offers volume-based discounts on trades exceeding 100 standard lots per month, further reducing costs for systematic strategies.
MetaTrader add-ons: IC Markets offers the Advanced Trading Tools package (developed by FX Blue) along with installable plugins from Autochartist and Trading Central. These tools enhance charting, analysis, and signal generation without requiring platform changes. The broker also supports multiple copy trading platforms, including cTrader Copy, Myfxbook, and the recently launched IC Social app, allowing MT4 traders to monetize strategies or copy other providers.
Research and education: The integrated news headlines in IC Markets’ MT4 platform use generative AI, but are reviewed by a human editor. I found the content and included diagrams to be on par with top-tier news. I’d love to see IC Markets expand its MetaTrader-specific educational content for building custom Expert Advisors and backtesting strategies.
Steven's take
"I’ve always been impressed by IC Markets’ ability to meet the needs of advanced traders. No-requote execution combined with tight spreads creates a fantastic environment for professional, algo, and high-frequency traders. The free VPS offering is a meaningful value-add – most competitors either don't offer it, or charge a hefty fee."
Steven Hatzakis

Unlike web-based platforms that often limit you to one or two charts, MT4's multi-chart layout lets active traders monitor correlated pairs simultaneously, which is essential for spotting divergences or confirming setups across timeframes.
2. Pepperstone – Great pricing for MT4
| Company |
Minimum Deposit |
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) |
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) |
Pepperstone
|
$0 |
Yes |
Yes |
Pepperstone is an excellent choice for MetaTrader 4 traders seeking cost-effective execution and platform flexibility. It manages to keep costs low while still providing quality add-ons and plugin support. The tiered rebate structure actually works if you're trading volume, and the Smart Trader Tools integration adds real value without complexity.
Pricing: Pepperstone’s $0 minimum deposit requirement makes it accessible for traders of all experience levels and its Razor account delivers competitive pricing on MT4, with an all-in cost of 0.80 pips on the EUR/USD after commissions, making it attractive for active traders. Pepperstone's tiered Active Trader program can reduce costs further through spread rebates and discounts, with top-tier traders achieving effective spreads as low as 0.26 pips.
MetaTrader add-ons: What makes Pepperstone stand out for MetaTrader traders is the suite of Smart Trader Tools plugins available as add-ons, alongside integration with Autochartist for pattern recognition and trading signals. These tools enhance the default MT4 experience without requiring platform migration. The Razor account also supports MetaTrader 5, giving you flexibility to deploy strategies on either version of the MetaTrader platform. Both platforms integrate seamlessly with Pepperstone's charting and analysis tools.
Algorithmic trading: Pepperstone offers support for algorithmic trading via the cTrader Algo framework along with access to the MetaTrader Signals marketplace. Pepperstone won Best in Class for Copy Trading for the ninth consecutive year in 2026, thanks to its support for multiple social copy trading platforms, including Signal Start for MetaTrader, allowing traders to monetize or replicate strategies.

Pepperstone's MT4 desktop platform shows four tiled charts across different currency pairs with technical overlays. This layout allows active traders to monitor multiple positions and correlated pairs without switching between tabs, a key advantage of MT4's customizable workspace.
3. FP Markets – Lots of third-party tools and add-ons
| Company |
Minimum Deposit |
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) |
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) |
FP Markets
|
$100 AUD |
Yes |
Yes |
FP Markets is an excellent choice for cost-conscious MetaTrader 4 forex traders. What impressed me most about FP Markets’ MetaTrader setup was the execution value at that price point. The Raw ECN account pricing is genuinely competitive, and the TradeMedic addition shows FP Markets is investing in algo trader needs.
Pricing: The broker's Raw ECN account delivers ultra-competitive spreads averaging 0.3 pips on EUR/USD plus $6 per round-turn commission, resulting in an all-in cost of 0.9 pips (based on October 2025 average spread data). This pricing is among the tightest you’ll find for MT4, globally. For comparison, FP Markets' Standard account spreads average 1.3 pips, making the Raw account the clear choice for active traders despite the commission structure.
MetaTrader add-ons: FP Markets offers the suite of trading add-ons available through the Trader Toolbox package, developed by FX Blue, alongside Autochartist plugin integration for pattern recognition and trade signals. These tools enhance MT4's default capabilities without requiring platform migration. FP Markets also recently introduced TradeMedic, an AI-powered trade analytics tool for MetaTrader that helps algo traders analyze strategy performance and learn from historical results.
Dual MetaTrader support: The broker supports both MT4 and MT5, providing flexibility for traders wanting to test strategies across versions. FP Markets also offers access to the MetaTrader Signals marketplace and its proprietary social copy trading platform. The primary trade-off here is asset selection. FP Markets' MetaTrader offering includes only about 130 symbols for forex and CFDs. If you need multi-asset exposure beyond forex pairs, this limitation becomes significant.

Active traders benefit from MT4's ability to tile multiple charts while keeping position monitoring, price streaming, and indicator access visible in a single workspace without needing to navigate away from the main trading screen.
4. FOREX.com – Best MetaTrader broker for U.S. traders
| Company |
Minimum Deposit |
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) |
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) |
FOREX.com
|
$100 |
Yes |
Yes |
FOREX.com, part of the publicly traded StoneX Group, pairs reliable MetaTrader 4 access with its award-winning Trading Academy, offering structured courses that cover everything from MT4 basics to advanced strategy development. It's a great fit for traders looking to build their skills over time. Research is solid too, with daily video updates, weekly technical analysis, and integrated Trading Central modules available across platforms.
Pricing: MT4 pricing on the Standard account (the only option for MetaTrader clients) runs higher than average at 1.62 pips on the EUR/USD, so active traders will want to explore the RAW account for tighter spreads. FOREX.com now offers both MT4 and MT5 in the U.S. and Canada, and is one of only three brokers to do so. The trade-off is that stocks and futures require a separate StoneX account, but for forex-focused MT4 traders who value education and research, FOREX.com delivers.
5. Exness – Instant withdrawals, transparent execution
| Company |
Minimum Deposit |
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) |
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) |
Exness
|
$10 info |
Yes |
Yes |
Exness gives MetaTrader 4 traders a notably flexible account structure, with five distinct account types tailored to different trading styles and capital levels. The Standard Cent account is particularly useful for MT4 beginners who want to trade micro-lots with minimal risk while learning the platform. For experienced traders, the Raw Spread account delivers competitive all-in costs, and the Pro account stands out by offering both instant and market execution, a rare option that lets you choose your preferred execution method within MT4.
What differentiates Exness is its instant withdrawal processing and transparent approach to execution data, publishing real-time statistics on spreads, slippage, and order fills. On the MT4 side, Exness supports standard Expert Advisors, hedging, and built-in VPS hosting colocated with its MetaTrader servers. The broker also offers social copy trading through a dedicated platform, though the $500 minimum to copy a strategy provider is higher than some competitors.
The primary limitation is product range: Exness offers just over 200 tradeable symbols, and its research and educational content, while improving through the new Insights portal, still trails brokers like IC Markets and FOREX.com. Exness also does not accept retail clients under its Tier-1 regulated entities (U.K. and Cyprus), so non-institutional clients will be onboarded to its offshore entities.
FAQs
Is MetaTrader 4 a broker?
No. MetaTrader 4 (MT4) is a third-party trading platform, developed by MetaQuotes Software Corporation, that connects thousands of brokers for forex and CFD trading. MetaTrader 4 is among the most popular third-party platforms for retail forex trading.
You'll need to open a live trading account with a supporting broker if you want to place real trades within the MT4 platform, beyond demo trading with a virtual balance. If you select a broker's server name from the dropdown menu when logging in (this applies to the version of the software downloaded directly from the developer), you can open an account with the broker of your choice and access live rates within MT4. In addition, brokers have dedicated installation files for MetaTrader 4, that you can download and install on a compatible operating system.
A forex broker simply needs a proper license from the developer in order to offer MT4 to you as a customer. However, some forex brokers that offer MT4 may lack proper regulation in the countries in which they operate, thus it is important to only choose trustworthy MT4 brokers. See how we evaluate brokers' trustworthiness.
alt_routeMetaTrader Alternatives:
MT4 alternatives do exist; cTrader is another popular third-party trading platform. I've been using cTrader for over five years – check out my cTrader guide to learn more.
What are the best MetaTrader 4 brokers for U.S. residents?
In the U.S., MetaTrader 4 is limited to just three brokers: tastyfx, OANDA, and FOREX.com. Each delivers MT4 access, but their strengths differ in pricing, research, and platform quality. Here’s what you can expect from each.
FOREX.com
FOREX.com, part of StoneX, blends broad market access with strong platforms and excellent education. Its award-winning Trading Academy and growing video content add real value, while TradingView-powered charting and advanced web/desktop platforms suit all levels. MT4 is fully supported, and MT5 is now available in the U.S. Standard pricing is average unless you hit active-trader tiers, and stocks/futures need a separate account. Overall, FOREX.com offers a reliable MT4 experience with excellent education and research to back it up.
tastyfx
tastyfx, the U.S. branch of IG, stands out for competitive spreads, strong research, and full algo support on MT4 and MT5. AutoChartist and PIA First signals add value, and ProRealTime charts offer advanced studies with access to 80+ pairs, though it costs an additional $40 monthly fee if you trade less than 4 lots per month. Execution is scalable, handling large orders smoothly, and high-volume traders get cashback rebates. Downsides include the need for a separate tastytrade account for trading options or futures and the absence of IG Academy. For MT4 traders who want best-in-class research and scalability, tastyfx is a compelling choice.
OANDA
OANDA is a trusted U.S. broker with a long regulatory track record and reliable support for MT4 and MT5, including VPS hosting for automation requiring constant up-time. MarketPulse provides consistent research, and Algo Labs extends API trading. Pricing, however, is on the high side unless you deposit $10,000 for Core Pricing or qualify for Elite Trader rebates. Education remains light, and its proprietary platform lags top peers. Still, OANDA delivers stability and trust, making it a dependable MT4 option for U.S. traders.
How many MT4 brokers are there?
Our research found that there are at least 3,006 (counted on mobile) MetaTrader 4 (MT4) servers, and an even larger number of MetaTrader 5 (MT5) servers globally. Unfortunately, MetaQuotes Software does not release any figures that reveal the full number of brokers that use MT4. The number of actual brokers will be fewer than the number of servers, as many brokers will offer multiple servers in order to cater to different groups of clients across various locations.
For example, a given broker may maintain one server in London and another in Australia, or a different server for each of their account types.
Here is a list of forex brokers that we review that do offer MetaTrader 4:
Note: IUX also offers MetaTrader, but it only provides MT5 (no MT4 offering).
What is the difference between MT4 and MT5?
MetaTrader 4 is based on a prior generation (version) of software, whereas MetaTrader 5 is the latest version. (For a deep dive into the differences between these two popular versions of the MetaTrader software, check out my MT4 vs MT5 guide).
As of the beginning of 2025, MetaTrader 5 (MT5) has officially surpassed MetaTrader 4 (MT4) in trading volume, accounting for 54.2% of the combined volume between the two platforms. MT5’s growing preference among forex traders is largely thanks to its advanced features and broader asset support. More MT4-only brokers continue to launch MT5, offering the full MetaTrader suite, as well as increasing the range of trading products available. MT5 can support stock trading, futures trading, CFDs, and forex trading, making it more of a multi-asset platform. MT5 also includes advanced functions like utilizing cloud storage to run strategies and to conduct backtesting. With MT4, backtesting must be done locally or through a virtual private server (VPS).
While it looks and feels similar to MT4, MT5 is a faster, more modern trading platform. Check out our MetaTrader 5 guide to learn about the platform's advanced features and to get a behind-the-scenes look at mobile, web, and desktop versions of the platform.
Does MetaTrader 4 cost money or take a commission?
MetaTrader 4 is completely free to use, whether you have a demo or live account. That said, you can still incur trading costs charged by your broker (or market-maker) in the form of spreads and commissions when you buy or sell securities such as forex and CFDs.
It can also cost money to hold trades overnight — known as carry charges or overnight rollover premiums — depending on the live account type you have (Sharia-compliant accounts are usually interest-free, but may incur other costs).
edit_documentUsing a demo account
MetaTrader does offer the use of a free demo account, which many traders use without connecting with a forex broker for conducting technical analysis on historical rates — but this won't include access to any live trading capabilities or updated market rates.
Is MetaTrader 4 only for trading forex?
The MetaTrader 4 (MT4) platform is predominantly used for forex trading. However, depending on the broker, MT4 often comes with a range of other symbols — such as CFDs on indices, commodities, futures, energies, and metals (stocks are typically only available on MT5). If you’d like to learn more about how CFDs work – or you’d just like to see our list of the best CFD trading platforms – check out our full-length guide to the Best CFD Brokers and Trading Platforms.
If you are interested in trading other markets, MetaTrader 5 is a great multi-asset option that provides support for a broad range of securities and instruments (and, as of April 2025, has eclipsed MT4 in overall trading volume).
Our testing
Why you should trust us
Steven Hatzakis is a well-known finance writer, with 25+ years of experience in the foreign exchange and financial markets. He is the Global Director of Online Broker Research for Reink Media Group, leading research efforts for ForexBrokers.com since 2016. Steven is an expert writer and researcher who has published over 1,000 articles covering the foreign exchange markets and cryptocurrency industries. He has served as a registered commodity futures representative for domestic and internationally-regulated brokerages. Steven holds a Series III license in the US as a Commodity Trading Advisor (CTA).
All content on ForexBrokers.com is handwritten by a writer, fact-checked by a member of our research team, and edited and published by an editor. Our ratings, rankings, and opinions are entirely our own, and the result of our extensive research and decades of collective experience covering the forex industry.
Ultimately, our rigorous data validation process yields an error rate of less than .1% each year, providing site visitors with quality data they can trust. Click here to learn more about how we test.
How we tested
At ForexBrokers.com, our online broker reviews are based on our collected quantitative data as well as the observations and qualified opinions of our expert researchers. Each year we publish tens of thousands of words of research on the top forex brokers and monitor dozens of international regulator agencies (read more about how we calculate Trust Score here).
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- For Android, we use the Samsung Galaxy S20 and Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra devices running Android OS 15.
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Our researchers thoroughly test a wide range of key features, such as the availability and quality of watch lists, mobile charting, real-time and streaming quotes, and educational resources – among other important variables. We also evaluate the overall design of the mobile experience, and look for a fluid user experience moving between mobile and desktop platforms.