CFDs and leveraged forex are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Most retail accounts lose money when trading CFDs. Consider whether you understand how these products work and whether you can afford the high risk of losing your money.

MetaTrader 4

The long-standing retail forex platform, still widely offered for its huge library of indicators and Expert Advisors.

MetaTrader 4, released by MetaQuotes in 2005, is the platform most retail forex traders learn first. It is built around forex and CFD trading, runs automated strategies called Expert Advisors written in MQL4, and has the largest marketplace of third-party indicators and robots.

Who it suits

Traders who rely on existing MQL4 tools, or who want the widest choice of brokers. Its limits are age-related: fewer timeframes and order types than newer platforms, and a single-threaded strategy tester.

What to check with a broker

The platform is the same everywhere; pricing and execution are not. Compare the account type, the commission, the server location and whether the broker allows the trading style you use, such as scalping or automated trading.

Brokers that offer this platform

BrokerDossier ScoreEntity serving youMin. depositPlatformsActions
CMC Markets Founded 1989 Listed 91 CMC Markets UK plc FCA #173730 Tier 1 $0 Own platformMT4TradingView Review Visit site
City Index Founded 1983 Listed 89 StoneX Financial Ltd FCA #446717 Tier 1 — Own platformMT4TradingView Review Visit site
Swissquote Founded 1996 Listed Bank 89 Swissquote Bank Ltd FINMA Tier 1 $1,000 MT4MT5Own platform Review Visit site
FOREX.com Founded 2001 Listed 62 GAIN Global Markets Inc. CIMA #25033 Tier 3 (offshore) $100 Own platformMT4MT5TradingView Review Visit site
IG Founded 1974 Listed 60 IG International Limited BMA Tier 3 (offshore) — Own platformMT4TradingView Review Visit site
OANDA Founded 1996 54 OANDA Global Markets Ltd BVI FSC Tier 3 (offshore) $0 Own platformMT4MT5TradingView Review Visit site
Pepperstone Founded 2010 54 Pepperstone Markets Limited SCB #SIA-F217 Tier 3 (offshore) $0 MT4MT5cTraderTradingView Review Visit site
AvaTrade Founded 2006 50 Ava Trade Markets Ltd BVI FSC #SIBA/L/13/1049 Tier 3 (offshore) $100 MT4MT5Own platform Review Visit site
Admirals Founded 2001 48 Admirals SC Ltd FSA Seychelles #SD073 Tier 3 (offshore) $100 MT4MT5 Review Visit site
ThinkMarkets Founded 2010 48 TF Global Markets Int Limited FSA Seychelles #SD060 Tier 3 (offshore) $0 MT4MT5TradingViewOwn platform Review Visit site
Eightcap Founded 2009 46 Eightcap Global Ltd SCB #SIA-F220 Tier 3 (offshore) $100 MT4MT5TradingView Review Visit site
Vantage Founded 2009 46 Vantage Global Limited VFSC #700271 Tier 3 (offshore) $50 MT4MT5TradingViewOwn platform Review Visit site
Capital.com Founded 2016 44 Capital Com Online Investments Ltd SCB #SIA-F245 Tier 3 (offshore) $20 Own platformMT4TradingView Review Visit site
Exness Founded 2008 42 Exness (SC) Ltd FSA Seychelles #SD025 Tier 3 (offshore) $10 MT4MT5Own platform Review Visit site
HFM Founded 2010 42 HF Markets (Seychelles) Ltd FSA Seychelles #SD015 Tier 3 (offshore) $0 MT4MT5Own platform Review Visit site
FxPro Founded 2006 40 FxPro Global Markets Ltd SCB #SIA-F184 Tier 3 (offshore) $100 MT4MT5cTraderOwn platform Review Visit site
XM Founded 2009 40 XM Global Limited FSC Belize Tier 3 (offshore) $5 MT4MT5 Review Visit site
FBS Founded 2009 38 FBS Markets Inc. FSC Belize Tier 3 (offshore) $5 MT4MT5Own platform Review Visit site
FXTM Founded 2011 38 Exinity Limited FSC Mauritius #C113012295 Tier 3 (offshore) $200 MT4MT5 Review Visit site
IC Markets Founded 2007 38 Raw Trading Ltd FSA Seychelles #SD018 Tier 3 (offshore) $200 MT4MT5cTraderTradingView Review Visit site
Tickmill Founded 2014 38 Tickmill Ltd FSA Seychelles #SD008 Tier 3 (offshore) $100 MT4MT5TradingView Review Visit site
Axi Founded 2007 36 AxiTrader Limited SVG FSA #25417 BC 2019 Registration only $0 MT4MT5 Review Visit site
FP Markets Founded 2005 30 FP Markets LLC SVG FSA Registration only $100 MT4MT5cTraderTradingView Review Visit site
BlackBull Markets Founded 2014 28 BBG Limited FSA Seychelles #SD045 Tier 3 (offshore) $0 MT4MT5cTraderTradingView Review Visit site
Octa Founded 2011 16 Octa Markets Ltd Unregulated $25 MT4MT5Own platform Review Visit site

Dossier Score, entity and regulator are shown for the company that would serve your country. Buttons marked “Affiliate link” may earn us a commission. Unmarked buttons go to the broker's own site and earn us nothing.

CFDs and leveraged forex are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. Most retail accounts lose money when trading CFDs. Consider whether you understand how these products work and whether you can afford the high risk of losing your money.