MetaTrader 4 (MT4) is a free Forex trading platform with technical analysis tools, algorithmic and mobile trading, a strategy Market, Virtual Hosting, and…
Category
Hosting
Pricing
Free of charge to download and use; trading costs (spreads/commissions) are set by the individual broker offering MT4.
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) is a free-of-charge Forex trading platform distributed as downloadable software for Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux, with companion apps for iOS and Android mobile devices. The platform is built around a technical-analysis toolkit — its trading-platform pages describe multiple chart timeframes and analytical objects that help traders identify short-term and long-term trends, alongside a dedicated "Trading and Orders" system for placing and managing trades. MT4 also supports algorithmic trading: the site references a Code Base, Market, and Freelance section where traders can download, buy, or commission automated trading tools and indicators, pointing to an ecosystem of Expert Advisors (automated strategies) built around the platform. For traders who want strategies running continuously, MetaTrader 4 offers Virtual Hosting (VPS), described on its own "Virtual Hosting in MetaTrader 4" page. The platform's marketing copy also references a Market and Signals service, indicating a marketplace for trading tools and a system for following or copying other traders' strategies, though the crawled pages don't provide granular detail on how Signals functions. On the broker side, MetaTrader 4 exposes an API and an "integration, plugins & feeds" toolset so brokerages can connect their own systems to the platform.
Key Features
Technical Analysis Tools — Multiple chart timeframes and analytical objects for identifying trends.
Algorithmic Trading — Supports Expert Advisors (automated trading strategies) via Code Base, Market, and Freelance sections.
Virtual Hosting (VPS) — Lets automated strategies run continuously on hosted infrastructure.
Broker API & Integrations — Broker-facing API and integration/plugins/feeds toolset.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Free of charge to download and use as a trading terminal, lowering the barrier to entry for retail Forex trading
Built-in technical analysis toolkit with multiple chart timeframes and analytical objects for identifying trends
Supports algorithmic/automated trading strategies (Expert Advisors) sourced through the platform's Code Base, Market, and Freelance sections
Available across desktop (Windows, Mac OS X, Linux) and mobile (iOS, Android), so traders can monitor and manage positions from multiple devices
Offers Virtual Hosting (VPS) so automated strategies can keep running without a personal computer staying on
Provides a broker-facing API and integration/plugins/feeds toolset for brokerages that want to connect their own systems
Cons
Pricing, spreads, and account terms are set by individual brokers rather than disclosed directly on MetaTrader 4's own site — no plan tiers or numeric pricing appear in the crawled pages
The crawled site emphasizes downloadable desktop and mobile apps rather than a browser-based web trading option
As an install-based terminal, getting started requires downloading dedicated software rather than an instant in-browser experience
The Market/Signals ecosystem is referenced only briefly in marketing copy, without crawled detail on how strategy-copying or the tool marketplace actually works for a new user