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13 Best MetaTrader 4 (MT4) Brokers for 2026

By
Jitan Solanki
Reviewed By
Ola Alder
Updated: Jun 11, 2026
Advertising DisclosureWe prioritize rigorous, unbiased testing through our independent review process. While our ratings are objective, we receive compensation that may influence list placement. Learn how we make money

Having the right trading platform is essential when trading the world’s foreign exchange market. MetaTrader 4 (MT4) is considered the go-to platform for forex and CFD traders, ranking among the most popular platforms in the industry.

Many brokers offer MT4, but not all of them are equal. Besides giving access to MT4, it is important that your broker offers a backup option to execute your trades while offering a high level of safety and security for your funds.

Reviewing brokers since 2011, our team has developed a thorough methodology for what a perfect broker should look like. Based on FXEmpire’s approach and my personal experience as a trader and broker reviewer, I’ve identified the list of top MT4 brokers that won’t disappoint you.

List of Top MT4 Forex Brokers

Best Brokers for US Traders

MT4 plugins from Signal Centre and Autochartist. 18 extra MT4 add-ons. 86 spot forex pairs. Raw spread accounts.

MT4 upgrade with 28 extra indicators. 68 forex pairs and 10 cryptocurrencies. Minimum deposit $0. High-quality research and education.

Best Brokers for International Traders

MT4 Traders Toolbox. MT4 Autochartist integration. 10,000+ tradable instruments. Competitive fees. Direct Market Access trading.

540+ crypto assets. 5,000+ tradable instruments. Commission-free trading. 24/7 crypto markets. MT4 with FIX API access.

Average execution speed under 12 ms. 84% of client orders filled at requested price or better. VPS hosting for low-latency. Raw+, Elite MT4, and cTrader accounts.

MT4, MT5, and TradingView platforms. Free and paid-for custom indicators and Expert Advisors. 400+ tradable instruments. Execution speed under 9ms.

Leverage up to 1:2000. MT4, MT5, R WebTrader, and R StocksTrader platforms. 12,000+ tradable instruments. Free VPS hosting.

Pro Trader Tools plugin for MT4/MT5. 1,400+ CFDs and real stocks. Advanced research tools. AI trading signals from Acuity.

Fast, digital account setup. Low minimum deposit from $50. Standard, Premium, VIP, and Tailor Made accounts.

900+ share CFDs. Competitive spreads on equities. Fractional shares. Trading Central stock market research.

Advanced Trading Tool Kit. Acuity-powered trading signals. VPS hosting. MT4, MT5, TradingView, and Tickmill Trader platforms. Social and copy trading.

Low minimum deposit. Copy trading. Trading Central market research. IronFX Academy. Commission-free trading.

Trading Central signals and research. VPS hosting. MT4 Multi Terminal and Strategy Tester. Copy trading. 1,400+ instruments.

How Did FXEmpire Choose the Best Brokers for MT4?

  • I made sure each broker offers free access to the MetaTrader 4 trading platform.
  • I tested how easy it is to access MT4 and how fast you can start trading.
  • I reviewed the broker’s regulations and licensing to operate.
  • I analyzed whether the brokers offer additional plugins for MT4, such as integrated content from Trading Central and AutoChartist, an extra indicator package, and access to social trading options.
  • I checked whether the broker allows users to run Expert Advisors via MT4 to enable algorithmic trading.
  • I ensured the brokers offered favorable trading conditions for traders, including access to a wide range of markets, competitive trading fees, responsive customer service, helpful trading tools, and fast execution.

Our team of experts has identified each broker’s strengths and weaknesses using FXEmpire’s comprehensive methodology.

Best Overall

Contracts for Difference (CFDs) are leveraged over-the-counter derivative products and carry a high level of risk to your capital. You should only risk capital that you can afford to lose. In certain circumstances, due to fluctuations in market value you may not get back your initial investment amount. You may not only lose your initial investment but you may incur a liability to pay a further amount to cover losses. This means you can lose more money than you have invested.
  • Min Deposit
    $100
  • Tradable Instruments
    10180
  • Fees
    Low

Why We Picked It

FP Markets is licensed by 6 global regulators and was founded in 2005 in Australia. It has grown into a major broker in the forex and CFD markets. It’s our best MT4 broker for international traders, offering raw pricing, fast MT4 execution from the Equinix NY4 server, zero trade restrictions, and access to its MT4 Traders Toolbox and the MT4 Autochartist plugin.

Key MT4 Features

  • MT4 Availability: Desktop, web, mobile
  • VPS: Yes
  • MT4 Add-ons: MT4 Traders Toolbox, Autochartist plugin

The MT4/MT5 Traders Toolbox offers a useful range of additional MT4 indicators and tools, including an alarm manager, a correlation trader, a market manager, and a stealth order indicator. I really enjoyed using the correlation trader plugin as it helps to quickly identify which markets are correlated with one another, helping with overall risk and portfolio management.

The broker also integrates Autochartist into the MT4 desktop version. This is a third-party plugin that offers the ability to scan thousands of markets in real time for different chart and candlestick patterns setting up. It helps beginners to find more trading ideas and advanced traders to speed up their market analysis for different opportunities.

Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Useful MT4 add-ons and plugins
  • Wide selection of tradable instruments
  • Competitive spreads
  • Reasearch from Autochartist and Trading Central
Cons
  • One of its offshore entities is unregulated

Best for Crypto Trading

Depending on the company, 70% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with Capital.com Group. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
  • Min Deposit
    $20
  • Tradable Instruments
    6313
  • Fees
    Medium

Why We Picked It

Capital.com was founded in 2016 and is headquartered in Cyprus. The broker has become a strong choice for crypto-focused MT4 traders thanks to its extensive cryptocurrency offering and advanced trading tools.

Key MT4 Features

  • MT4 Availability: Desktop, web, mobile
  • VPS: No
  • MT4 Add-ons: FIX API access for advanced trading

The selection of over 543 crypto assets to trade on is the largest number of instruments I have ever come across from a regulated CFD broker. Even the 147 forex pairs are the largest selection in the industry. Furthermore, the cryptos can be traded 24/7, and the broker provides pre-built category lists showing the most traded, most volatile, top risers and top fallers. This is a useful feature to quickly grasp what’s happening in the crypto market.

For fast timeframe crypto traders, MT4’s one-click trading and Depth of Market (DoM) functionality make it easier to react quickly to market volatility and execute trades instantly. The platform can also be enhanced through Capital.com’s FIX API integration, which provides access to raw spreads directly from an exchange’s order book, including BTC/USD and ETH/USD, and helps deliver very fast order execution speeds.

Pros and Cons

Pros
  • 540+ crypto CFDs
  • One-click trading
  • FIX API solutions
  • Great collection of education
Cons
  • No copy trading

Best Order Execution

73% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing money. (EU, UK)
  • Min Deposit
    $0
  • Tradable Instruments
    2090
  • Fees
    High

Why We Picked It

FxPro was established in 2006 and is headquartered in London. It has built a strong reputation for its fast order execution and transparency. I found an average execution speed of under 12 milliseconds, which is one of the best in the industry, making FxPro ideal for short-term traders who need good quality and fast execution.

Key MT4 Features

  • MT4 Availability: Desktop, web, mobile
  • VPS: Yes
  • MT4 Add-ons: Trading Central plugin

I found that around 84% of client orders are executed at the requested price or better, which is great to have such a high level of execution transparency. As a no dealing desk (NDD) broker, FxPro offers zero requotes, which is useful for short-term traders who need to execute at exact price levels. Alongside MT4’s built-in features like one-click trading and customisable charts, FxPro offers a strong package suitable for fast timeframe and automated traders.

For traders looking to maximise speed and stability, FxPro offers Virtual Private Server (VPS) hosting, which helps reduce latency and maintain a stable connection to trading servers. With an average execution speed of 12 milliseconds, FxPro is well-suited to fast-timeframe and algorithmic traders.

Pros and Cons

Pros
  • True no-dealing desk broker
  • Fast execution speeds of 12ms
  • 2,100+ tradable instruments
  • No minimum deposit on Standard acccount
Cons
  • High spreads on Standard account

Best for Auto Trading

Investing in FX & CFD carries a high degree of risk. Losses can exceed your initial investments
  • Min Deposit
    $1000
  • Tradable Instruments
    4000454
  • Fees
    High

Why We Picked It

Swissquote is a Swiss banking group founded in 2000 and listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange. It’s fast execution speed of less than 9 milliseconds is ideal for auto trading Expert Advisors from the MT4 and MT5 desktop platforms.

Key MT4 Features

  • MT4 Availability: Desktop, web, mobile
  • VPS: No
  • MT4 Add-ons: No

Swissquote offers over 400 CFD instruments, including spot forex, forex options, indices, stocks, commodities, and bonds, through the MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, TradingView and proprietary CFXD platform. For auto trading, the MT4 and MT5 have long been the gold standard as they enable the running of Expert Advisors (EAs), have built-in script editors and strategy-testing tools, making it easy for traders to design, develop, and optimize their own trading algorithms.

During my testing, I found the Swissquote MT4 platform also offers 2,000 free custom indicators and 700 paid ones. There are also ready-made Expert Advisors (free and paid) that traders can implement instantly. This will work well with the broker’s ultra-fast execution speed of 9 milliseconds. You can also access MT4 Signals, which automatically copies trades of other traders in your own account.

Pros and Cons

Pros
  • 9ms average execution speed
  • FIX APIs
  • Strong range of research tools
  • Strategy backtester
Cons
  • High minimum deposit
  • Above-average spreads

Best for High Leverage

Forex trading involves risks.
  • Min Deposit
    $10
  • Tradable Instruments
    12062
  • Fees
    Medium

Why We Picked It

RoboForex was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in Belize. The broker stands out for offering some of the highest leverage in the industry, up to 1:2000, as well as over 12,000 tradable instruments across multiple platforms and private indemnity insurance.

Key MT4 Features

  • MT4 Availability: Desktop, web, mobile
  • VPS: Yes
  • MT4 Add-ons: No

As RoboForex is based offshore, it can offer high leverage of 1:2000 on currency pairs and metals, 1:100 on energies and indices and 1:20 on share CFDs. While high leverage can provide more flexibility in the trading strategies you can employ, RoboForex sets margin call and stop-out levels at 100%, which is very high and increases overall risk. Therefore, it’s important not to use all of the margin available and keep your risk low on each trade.

The broker offers a wide range of platforms to trade from, including MetaTrader 4, MetaTrader 5, and the proprietary R StocksTrader platform. RoboForex is one of only a few brokers that offer free VPS hosting, which is ideal for short-term day traders, scalpers and algorithmic traders who require fast execution.

Pros and Cons

Pros
  • 1:2000 maximum retail leverage
  • Swap-free trading on forex and metals
  • Insightful market research
  • Free VPS hosting
Cons
  • Limited range of trading instruments

Best for Professional Traders

4.0
Online Forex/CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 81% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading Online Forex/CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how CFDs work and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money. It is the responsibility of the Client to ascertain whether he/she is permitted to use the services of Exinity Capital East Africa Ltd based on the legal requirements in his/her country of residence.
  • Min Deposit
    $30
  • Tradable Instruments
    602
  • Fees
    High

Why We Picked It

Founded in 2011, FXTM stands out for professional traders due to its combination of additional trading tools, multiple account types, high-quality in-house market research and trading signals from Trading Central and Acuity. It also offers real stocks on top of 1,460 CFDs, allowing for a true multi-asset class trading experience.

Key MT4 Features

  • MT4 Availability: Desktop, web, mobile
  • VPS: Yes
  • MT4 Add-ons: Pro Trader Tools plugin and 6 additional MT4 plugins

I found the FXTM Pro Trader Tools plugin for MT4 well-suited to professional traders as they allow for advanced trade execution by setting smart orders, attaching partial close instructions and an alarm manager to set up notifications by email, SMS or platform pop-ups. The Connect plugin is helpful to stay up to date with live financial market news and economic news releases.

Another standout feature for professionals is the range of 5 different account types FXTM has. For professionals who priortise low fees, precise trade execution and high leverage the Advantage account is likely the best option as it offers spreads from 0.0 pips, round turn commission of $7 and high leverage of 1:3000. The in-house market research and trading signals from Acuity and Trading Central are useful additions for fundamental traders.

Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Leverage up to 1:3000
  • Pro Trading Tools plugin for MT4
  • AI-powered signals from Acuity
  • Robust market research
Cons
  • High spreads

Best for Account Offering

FX and CFDs trading involves a high risk of loss
  • Min Deposit
    $50
  • Tradable Instruments
    167
  • Fees
    High

Why We Picked It

Founded in 2019 and headquartered in the Seychelles, Errante stands as a top broker for account offering due to its simple account-opening process, multiple account options, low minimum deposit, private indemnity insurance and range of different platforms to trade from, including MT4, MT5, cTrader and TradingView.

Key MT4 Features

  • MT4 Availability: Desktop, web, mobile
  • VPS: Yes
  • MT4 Add-ons: No

I opened a live account with Errante and found the process very quick and hassle-free. My account was set up in a few minutes, so I was ready to place my first trade almost immediately after registering and filling out an application form. The broker offers three commission-free account types called Standard, Premium and VIP, as well as a commission-based Tailor Made account. The Standard account has a low minimum deposit of $50 but has the highest spreads.

While the range of 160 tradable instruments is low, it does cover all the major markets required for the majority of retail traders. The ease and simplicity of opening an account and the variety of deposit and withdrawal options available, make Errante a strong option for traders who need to get started quickly.

Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Minimum deposit from $50
  • Dedicated mobile app for copy trading
  • VPS hosting
  • Comprehensive educational content
Cons
  • High spreads on forex and BTC/USD

Best for Share CFD Trading

CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 82% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading CFDs with this provider.
  • Min Deposit
    $0
  • Tradable Instruments
    1108
  • Fees
    High

Why We Picked It

Founded in 2001 and headquartered in London, ActivTrades is a well-known broker for its share CFD offering which includes over 900 instruments and competitive pricing. For those seeking stock market exposure, ActivTrades is a broker to consider.

Key MT4 Features

  • MT4 Availability: Desktop, web, mobile
  • VPS: No
  • MT4 Add-ons: Trading Central

ActivTrade’s 900 global share CFDs cover the USA, UK and Europe and be traded using fractional shares. This means you can buy or sell in units less than one share, such as a third or a fourth of a share, which is a useful option for small accounts and high-priced stocks. Another bonus when trading share CFDs is that you will receive dividend payouts on any long positions.

During live testing, I found the spreads for share CFDs very competitive and much better than the industry average. For example, the spread on Apple was only $0.05 cents, compared to an industry average of $0.33 cents. On top of this, there are zero commissions per trade, making ActivTrades a very cost-effective option for share CFD traders. The Technical Analysis indicator from TradingCentral MT4 plugin is another great feature as it it scans thousands of stocks for chart patterns and candlestick patterns to trade on.

Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Large selection of share CFDs
  • Competitive spreads on share CFDs
  • Order execution around 4ms
  • Trading Central research buit into MT4
Cons
  • No copy trading

Best Trading Tools

Trading Contracts for Difference (CFDs) on margin carries a high level of risk and may not be suitable for all investors. Before deciding to trade Contracts for Difference (CFDs), you should carefully consider your trading objectives, level of experience and risk appetite. It is possible for you to sustain losses that exceed your invested capital and therefore you should not deposit money that you cannot afford to lose. Please ensure you fully understand the risks and take appropriate care to manage your risk.
  • Min Deposit
    $100
  • Tradable Instruments
    649
  • Fees
    Medium

Why We Picked It

Tickmill was founded in 2014 and headquartered in Cyprus. It offers a wide range of some of the best trading tools available including third-party integrations, in-house analytics, multiple platform options and an Advanced Trading Tool Kit for MT4.

Key MT4 Features

  • MT4 Availability: Desktop, web, mobile
  • VPS: Yes
  • MT4 Add-ons: Advanced Trading Tool Kit from Figaro

I was impressed with Tickmill’s Advanced Trading Tool Kit as it offers additional plugins for MT4, including a trade terminal, mini terminal, correlation matrix, and sentiment trader. For day traders and scalpers, the mini-terminal is very helpful as you can use smart lines to place market, stop and limit orders directly on the chart, and there is a built-in risk management calculator allowing for fast trade execution.

Of all the plugins, my favourite tool is the sentiment trader, as it allows you to quickly see how other traders are positioned in the market, which can help to identify overbought and oversold conditions. There are some great trading tools for beginners too, including trading signals from Acuity, copy trading and comprehensive market research content.

Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Advanced Trading Tool Kit for MetaTrader
  • Acuity-powered trading signals
  • Wide range of platforms and tools
  • VPS hosting
Cons
  • High forex spreads

Best for Beginners

Our products are traded on margin and carry a high level of risk and it is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved.
  • Min Deposit
    $50
  • Tradable Instruments
    311
  • Fees
    Medium

Why We Picked It

IronFX was founded in 2010 and is headquartered in Cyprus. The broker stands out as a strong option for beginners thanks to its low minimum deposit, commission-free trading, high leverage, copy trading service and outstanding market research and educational resources.

Key MT4 Features

  • MT4 Availability: Desktop, web, mobile
  • VPS: Yes
  • MT4 Add-ons: MT4 Advanced Trader, Multi-Terminal, TradeCopier

The IronFX Academy is very impressive and offers a wide variety of informative educational resources in both written and video formats. There are numerous eBooks, hundreds of webinars and a regularly updated podcast which have all been crafted to support traders at all levels of experience, particularly beginners.

For beginner traders, the MT4 desktop version requires a steeper learning curve than the web or mobile version. The web version is the easiest way to view charts, perform basic technical analysis and execute trades which can also be done and managed on the web platform. However, the MT4 Advanced Trader tools are only available on the desktop platform, so it is worthwhile watching the broker’s platform tutorials for MT4 desktop.

IronFX’s TradeCopier service is connected to an MT4 trading account. This allows you to view signal providers and their performance and have their trades copied directly into your account. I found that the leaderboard in the client portal section is easy to navigate, allowing users to evaluate different trading strategies and providers very quickly.

Pros and Cons

Pros
  • $50 minimum deposit
  • Copy trading via TradeCopier
  • Free VPS hosting
  • Comprehensive IronFX Academy
Cons
  • No alternative to MT4

Best for Advanced MT4 Tools

Forex and CFD trading involves significant risk to your invested capital.
  • Min Deposit
    $5
  • Tradable Instruments
    1372
  • Fees
    High

Why We Picked It

XM was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in Cyprus. It stands out as offering a strong suite of advanced MT4 tools, which include integrated trading signals from Trading Central, automation capabilities such as a Strategy Builder and Backtester, and useful market research and sentiment indicators.

Key MT4 Features

  • MT4 Availability: Desktop, web, mobile
  • VPS: Yes
  • MT4 Add-ons: Trading Central

XM enhances the basic MT4 desktop platform with a range of useful integrated tools from Trading Central. This includes Market Buzz, Fundamental Insight, Crowd Insight, Newsdesk, Technical Insight, Economic Insight, Technical Views, Strategy Builder and Featured Ideas.

For traders interested in using market research and analysis to execute trades, the Newsdesk, Economic Insight and Market Buzz features are particularly useful. These offer a fundamental overview of the market and how traders are positioned.

Technical analysis traders will enjoy the Technical Insight tool. This scans thousands of markets for candlestick, chart and indicator patterns. It can be used to help speed up market analysis or even as trading signals. The broker’s copy trading service is also useful, as you can copy the trades of other traders directly into your MT4 account.

Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Trading Central research and signals
  • VPS available
  • Copy trading service
  • Live webinars
Cons
  • Wide spreads on the Standard account

Best Overall in the US

Forex trading involves risk. Losses can exceed deposits.
  • Min Deposit
    $1
  • Tradable Instruments
    82
  • Fees
    Low

Why We Picked It

tastfxy (formerly IG US) is part of the IG Group, a well-known financial services company founded in 1974. It stands out as the top overall broker for US traders as it offers access to leveraged forex trading, multiple account types, multiple trading platforms like MT4, MT5, TradingView and ProRealTime and extra MT4 add-ons and plugins.

Key MT4 Features

  • MT4 Availability: Desktop, web, mobile
  • VPS: Yes
  • MT4 Add-ons: 18 additional indicators, Signal Center, Autochartist plugin

During my live testing, I found a range of free additional MT4 add-ons from tastyfx which included a Renko indicator, a pivot point indicator, stealth orders, a correlation matrix, a sentiment trader, and many more. I found the most impressive tool was the mini terminal add-on, which gives a customised MT4 deal ticket that allows you to place your price levels directly on the chart. The terminal also has a built-in profit and loss calculator which I found helpful for quick risk management calculations.

The Signal Centre plugin is interesting as it offers trading signals using a combination of AI technology and human filtering. Each signal has a brief explanation on the reasoning of each trade. I found most of the signals use limit orders and have around a 3:1 reward-to-risk ratio. The Autochartist plugin is helpful for both beginner and advanced traders as it scans thousands of markets in real-time for different chart and candlestick patterns, setting up which can help speed up market research and offer different trading ideas.

My preferred account at tastyfx is the Zero+ account, as it offers raw spreads starting at 0.0 pips and a flat commission of $5 per lot, per side, which is slightly higher than the $3.50 industry average. The Prime account is interesting as it offers interest on idle cash and spreads that are 44% lower than other account types.

Pros and Cons

Pros
  • Helpful MT4 add-ons and plugins
  • Wide range of trading platforms
  • Average execution speed of 17ms
  • Minimum deposit $1
Cons
  • Only forex trading

Best MT4 in the US

OANDA corporation is a member of NFA and is subject to NFA's regulatory oversight and examinations. However, you should be aware that NFA does not have regulatory oversight authority over underlying or spot virtual currency products or transactions or virtual currency exchanges, custodians, or markets.
  • Min Deposit
    $0
  • Tradable Instruments
    69
  • Fees
    Medium

Why We Picked It

OANDA was founded in 1996 and provides products for institutional, corporate and retail traders. It’s our top MT4 provider in the US, due to its API access, fast order execution and 28 new indicators and apps in its premium upgrade package.

Key MT4 Features

  • MT4 Availability: Desktop, web, mobile
  • VPS: Yes
  • MT4 Add-ons: MT4 Premium Upgrade with 28 additional indicators and tools

I found the MT4 Premium upgrade useful for live trading as the additional indicators and advanced order types help trade more advanced strategies. I enjoyed the alert manager which was easy to use and helps to stay notified when the market reaches important price levels.

As one of my trading strategies involves breakout trading from small ranges, I found the standout tool was the ability to place OCO (one-cancels-the-other) in the MT4 desktop version – an order type which many platforms don’t offer. These orders enable you to place one long order and one short order on the same instrument. When one of the orders triggers, the other order is automatically canceled, making it great for breakout trading.

As an active trader myself, I found the Elite Trader Program interesting. This can reduce trading costs by 34% by providing cash rebates of up to $5 to $17 per million traded. You can also be invited to VIP events, such as special sporting events and dinners across the US, helping to provide a more social experience.

Pros and Cons

Pros
  • $0 minimum deposit
  • Cash rebates
  • Forex and crypto trading
  • Fast order execution
Cons
  • Free VPS only on Elite Trader Program

How to Choose an MT4 Forex Broker?

Even though the basic functionality of MetaTrader 4 is the same across all brokers, the overall experience can still vary greatly. Since MT4 is an older platform, the quality of your trading experience depends heavily on how the broker delivers and enhances it. Here are some of the key MT4 factors to consider when choosing a broker:

Execution Type: Native vs Bridged MT4

The way your trades are executed from the MT4 platform is not equal across brokers. The difference between native and bridged MetaTrader 4 lies in how trades are executed.

Native MT4 processes orders entirely within the broker’s own system, typically used by market makers, offering fast execution but less transparency since prices are set internally.

Check our list of Best brokers with fast execution.

A bridged MT4 connects the platform to external liquidity providers, allowing trades to be routed to the wider market with potentially better pricing and greater transparency. This is often used by ECN/STP brokers and is generally more ideal for forex trading.

What to look for:
Brokers offering No Dealing Desk (NDD), STP, or ECN execution.

Explore our guides of Best ECN forex brokers and Best STP forex brokers.

Why it matters:
MT4 was originally designed for market makers. A poorly configured bridge can lead to more requotes and higher slippage, especially during volatile market conditions.

Server Infrastructure & Latency

Execution speed is a crucial factor when trading on MetaTrader 4, particularly for scalpers, day traders, and algorithmic strategies that rely on precise entry and exit points. Even small delays between placing an order and its execution can lead to price slippage, missed opportunities, and reduced profitability.

Learn more about Best forex brokers for scalping and Best forex broker for day trading.

What to look for:
Brokers hosting MT4 servers in major financial data centres like Equinix NY4 (New York) or LD4 (London).

Why it matters:
The closer you are to the broker’s server, the lower the latency and the faster the trade execution.

VPS Hosting for Automated Trading

One reason MT4 is so popular is its support for automated trading via Expert Advisors (EAs). However, to run an Expert Advisor, the MT4 platform needs to run continuously without interruption. This makes VPS hosting an essential part of any MT4 setup.

What to look for:
Brokers offering free or discounted VPS hosting.

Why it matters:
Running MT4 on a personal computer can lead to internet interruptions or power issues. A VPS ensures stable, 24/7 operation with low latency.

Find more about Best forex brokers with VPS hosting.

MT4 Add-Ons and Platform Enhancements

The standard MT4 platform is relatively basic by today’s standards, so many brokers enhance it with additional tools. One of the major benefits of MT4 is that many developers can easily create enhancements that can be added to the platform as upgrades.

What to look for:
Additional MT4 plugins and add-ons from third-party providers like Trading Central, Autochartist, Figaro, Acuity, and others.

Why it matters:
These add-ons can significantly improve your trading research and execution.

Check out Best brokers with Trading Central and Best brokers with Autochartist.

Range of Markets Available on MT4

Although MT4 was originally designed for forex trading, many brokers now extend its functionality by offering additional asset classes through the platform. However, the number and type of instruments available can vary significantly between brokers.

What to look for:
A wide range of instruments within the MT4 “Market Watch” tab covering forex, shares, indices, commodities and cryptocurrency CFDs.

Why it matters:
Having a broad range of asset classes to trade means you capitalize on the best opportunities developing in the market.

Discover our full list of Best CFD brokers.

Slippage Control and Execution Transparency

While brokers mainly focus on advertising their spreads, execution quality is just as important when trading on MT4. Slippage, the difference between the requested and executed price, can significantly affect your profitability.

What to look for:
The ability to set “Maximum Deviation” (slippage tolerance) in MT4.

Why it matters:
Brokers that allow slippage control tend to offer more transparent execution. Receiving many requotes or rejected orders can indicate poor execution quality, even if advertised spreads are low.

Support for Automated & Advanced Trading

MT4 has remained one of the most popular retail trading platforms in the world, largely because of its support for automation and customization. While MT4 supports automated and advanced trading, some of its tools may be disabled by the broker.

What to look for:
The ability to use Expert Advisors (EAs), access the MetaTrader Market and Signals.

Why it matters:
If you plan to automate your trading, ensure the broker fully supports MT4’s algorithmic features without restrictions. Similarly, if you plan to use its copy trading technology, ensure the broker grants access to MetaTrader Signals.

Discover our list of Best brokers for automated trading.

Meet Our Experts

The forex and CFD analysts and editors at FXEmpire bring together seasoned trading professionals and experienced financial journalists. Many of our experts have been featured in leading publications such as Investopedia and Forbes, and all of them combine strong industry credentials with hands-on trading experience.

Get to Know Our Authors

Dan BlystoneBroker Analyst

Dan Blystone began his career in the trading industry in 1998 on the floor of the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Later, Dan gained insight into the forex industry during his time as a Series 3 licensed futures and forex broker. He also traded at a couple of different prop trading firms in Chicago. Dan is well-equipped to recommend the best forex brokers due to his extensive experience and understanding of the brokerage industry.

Jitan SolankiBroker Analyst

Jitan Solanki is a professional trader, market analyst, and educator. He day trades major currency and index markets and focuses on swing trading US equities and commodities. A qualified Market Technician, Jitan also works with trader education and brokerage companies on various projects. These include market analysis, live trading events, and broker reviews. As an experienced trader and educator, Jitan brings all his qualities in action when reviewing and recommending brokers.

Plamen StoyanovBroker Analyst

Having been a retail trader since 2013, Plamen has gained an in-depth understanding of the challenges that novice traders face today. His expertise is swing trading and day trading with a heavy emphasis on psychological and fundamental analysis. Plamen’s favourite trading instruments include FX majors and gold. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Economics and International Relations. Plamen's broad experience has equipped him with the expertise to recommend the best forex brokers.

Vladimir ZernovBroker Analyst

In more than 15 years of trading in the financial markets, Vladimir dealt with a wide range of brokers and financial instruments. His career as a day-trader at a proprietary trading firm goes back to 2007. Later, Vladimir turned to longer time frames and became an independent trader and analyst managing his own portfolio. Using his experience, he helps traders find the best broker in his reviews.

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About the Author

Jitan SolankiBroker Analyst

Jitan Solanki is a professional trader, market analyst, and educator. He day trades major currency and index markets and focuses on swing trading US equities and commodities. A qualified Market Technician, Jitan also works with trader education and brokerage companies on various projects. These include market analysis, live trading events, and broker reviews. As an experienced trader and educator, Jitan brings all his qualities in action when reviewing and recommending brokers.

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