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MetaTrader 5 (MT5) Complete Guide

Download, setup, and master MT5. The platform used by millions of forex and gold traders worldwide.

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Get MT5 via Exness — Free

Open a free Exness account and get full MT5 access. Desktop + mobile. $10 minimum deposit. Unlimited leverage on XAU/USD and all major pairs.

Get MT5 Free via Exness →

What is MetaTrader 5?

MetaTrader 5 (MT5) is the world's most widely used electronic trading platform for retail forex, CFDs, and commodity traders. Developed by MetaQuotes Software Corp, it was launched in 2010 as the successor to MetaTrader 4. Over 1,000 brokers worldwide offer MT5 to their clients.

MT5 is available on Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, plus a browser-based WebTerminal. For traders in Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam, MT5 provides full access to forex, gold (XAU/USD), silver (XAG/USD), indices, and equities through a single platform.

MT5 Download Links

Platform Download Source Notes
Windows (PC) Exness MT5 Desktop 64-bit, Windows 7+. ~30MB installer.
macOS Exness MT5 for Mac Native Apple Silicon + Intel support.
iOS (iPhone/iPad) App Store → search "MetaTrader 5" MetaQuotes Software, free.
Android Google Play → search "MetaTrader 5" MetaQuotes Software, free.
Web (Browser) Exness WebTerminal No download required. Chrome/Firefox.

How to Connect MT5 to Exness

After downloading and installing MT5, connect your Exness account in 4 steps:

  1. Open Exness account — Register at Exness.com. Takes 2 minutes. Choose Standard account for beginners.
  2. Create MT5 trading account — In your Exness Personal Area, go to "My Accounts" → Create new account → Select MT5.
  3. Note your server name — Exness provides a server address (e.g., Exness-MT5Trial4). You'll need this to log in.
  4. Log in to MT5 — Open MT5 desktop app → File → Login to Trade Account → Enter your account number, password, and server name.

For a demo account, follow the same steps but select "Demo" when creating the account. Demo accounts are identical to live accounts but use virtual funds.

MT5 Key Features

21 Timeframes
From M1 to MN. MT4 has only 9. Better multi-timeframe analysis.
38 Indicators
Built-in technical indicators. Add custom indicators via MQL5 marketplace.
Economic Calendar
Built-in economic events calendar. Alerts for high-impact events like CPI and NFP.
Expert Advisors (EA)
Automated trading robots. MQL5 language. Free and paid EAs on the marketplace.
Multi-Asset Trading
Forex, CFDs, stocks, futures, and options (broker-dependent) from one platform.
Strategy Tester
Multi-currency backtesting. Forward testing on real-time tick data.

MT5 vs MT4 — Full Comparison

Feature MT5 MT4
Timeframes219
Built-in indicators3830
Order types6 (incl. BSL/SSL)4
Order book depth21 levels—
Economic calendar✓ Built-in✗
Multi-currency backtesting✓✗
Stocks/futures trading✓✗
Hedging mode✓✓
EA compatibilityMQL5 (not MQL4)MQL4
Best forMulti-asset, automationPure forex, legacy EAs

Should you use MT4 or MT5? If you're starting from scratch, use MT5 — it's the future and has more features. If you have existing MT4 Expert Advisors you rely on, stay on MT4. Note: MQL4 code doesn't work in MT5 without recompiling.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I download MetaTrader 5?
Download MT5 directly from your broker's website. For Exness, visit the Exness Personal Area → Platforms → MT5 Download. Alternatively, download from MetaQuotes at metatrader5.com. The installer is ~30MB for Windows.
Is MetaTrader 5 free?
Yes, MT5 is completely free. You need a broker account to log in — Exness, IC Markets, Pepperstone, and most major brokers offer free MT5 access. No subscription or license fee.
Can I trade gold (XAU/USD) on MT5?
Yes. XAU/USD is available on MT5 through most forex brokers. In MT5, search for "XAUUSD" or "Gold" in the Market Watch symbols. Exness offers XAU/USD with spreads from 0.3 pips and unlimited leverage.
What is the difference between MT4 and MT5?
MT5 has 21 timeframes (vs MT4's 9), 38 indicators (vs 30), a built-in economic calendar, more order types, multi-currency backtesting, and supports stock/futures trading. The main limitation: MT4 EAs (Expert Advisors) don't work in MT5 without rewriting them in MQL5.
Does MT5 work on mobile?
Yes. MT5 has native apps for iOS (App Store) and Android (Google Play). Both are free and offer most desktop features including charting, order management, and EA monitoring.
What is an Expert Advisor (EA) in MT5?
An Expert Advisor is an automated trading robot written in MQL5 that runs inside MT5. EAs execute trades based on coded rules — no manual input required. Thousands of free and paid EAs are available on the MetaQuotes marketplace (mql5.com).