⭐ cTrader vs MT5 vs MT4 Key Difference

cTrader is more comparable to MT5, than MT4



Since 2010 Since 2011 Since 2005
Newer platform, upgrade from MT4
Original platform
Original platform
Desktop, Web, Mobile platform Desktop, Web, Mobile platform Desktop, Web, Mobile platform
  • Desktop-focused subtle design
  • WebTerminal
  • Mobile
  • Web-focused sleek design
  • Desktop
  • Mobile
  • Desktop-focused subtle design*
  • WebTerminal
  • Mobile

  • *not supported on MacOS (32bit support removed)
Trade Forex/CFDs + Stock Markets Trade Forex/CFDs Trade Forex/CFDs
  • Forex
  • CFDs
  • Cryptocurrencies
  • Indices
  • Commodities
  • Metals
  • Energies
  • Stocks
  • Options
  • Futures
  • Bonds
  • Forex
  • CFDs
  • Cryptocurrencies
  • Indices
  • Commodities
  • Metals
  • Energies
  • Forex
  • CFDs
  • Cryptocurrencies
  • Indices
  • Commodities
  • Metals
  • Energies
21 Time Frames 26 Time Frames 9 Time Frames
TimeframeMT5
MinuteM1 M2 M3 M4 M5 M6 M10 M12 M15 M20 M30
HourlyH1 H2 H3 H4 H6 H8 H12
DailyD1
WeeklyW1
MonthlyMN1
TimeframecTrader
MinuteM1 M2 M3 M4 M5 M6 M7 M8 M9 M10 M15 M20 M30 M45
HourlyH1 H2 H3 H4 H6 H8 H12
DailyD1 D2 D3
WeeklyW1
MonthlyMN1
TimeframeMT4
MinuteM1 M5 M15 M30
HourlyH1 H4
DailyD1
WeeklyW1
MonthlyMN1
3 Chart Types 8 Chart Types 3 Chart Types
  • Bar Chart
  • Candlestick
  • Line Chart
  • Bar Charts
  • Candlestick
  • Line Chart
  • Dot Charts
  • Heikin Ashi
  • HLC Chart
  • Renko
  • Range Bars
  • Bar Chart
  • Candlestick
  • Line Chart
38 Built-in Indicators 65 Built-in Indicators 30 Built-in Indicators
New indicators in MT5:
  • Adaptive Moving Average
  • Average True Range
  • Chaikin Oscillator
  • Double Exponential Moving Average
  • Fractal Adaptive Moving Average
  • Triple Exponential Average
  • Triple Exponential Moving Average
  • Variable Index Dynamic Average
  • MT5 Indicators Full List
  • ADXR
  • Alligator
  • Center Of Gravity
  • Cyber Cycle
  • Fractals
  • Hull Moving Average
  • Polynomial Regression Channels
  • Supertrend
  • cTrader Indicators Full List
Standard indicators set
MT4 Indicators Full List
Growing Custom indicators & EA base Growing Custom indicators & EA base Huge Custom indicators & EA base
for custom indicators & EAs
collection of custom indicators & cBots
for custom indicators & EAs
Built for all brokers DD + NDD Built for NDD brokers Built for DD + NDD via bridge
Built for Market Makes (DD) as well as ECNs (NDD)
Built for ECNs (NDD), with higher transparency
Built for Market Makes (DD), with ECN capabilities via MT4-ECN bridge
4 Execution types 1 Execution type 3 Execution types
  • Instant Execution - filled at exact price quoted by the broker
  • Market Execution - filled at current market price (price may shift), aggregated from liquidity sources
  • Request Execution* - trader requests price from broker in advance (mutual agreement on price)
  • Exchange Execution* - filled externally (on the exchange) at current market price, according with the current market depth (DOM)
*not used in Forex
  • Market execution
  • Instant Execution
  • Market Execution
  • Request Execution
6 Pending order types 6 Pending order types 4 Pending order types
Market Orders
  • Buy (by market)
  • Sell (by market)
Pending orders
  • Buy Limit
  • Sell Limit
  • Buy Stop
  • Sell Stop
  • Buy Stop Limit
  • Sell Stop Limit
Order modifications
  • Take Profit
  • Stop Loss
  • Trailing Stop Loss
  • Good till canceled (GTC)
  • Good till today including/ excluding SL/TP
Market Orders
  • Buy (by market)
  • Sell (by market)
Pending orders
  • Buy Limit
  • Sell Limit
  • Buy Stop
  • Sell Stop
  • Buy Stop Limit
  • Sell Stop Limit
Order modifications
  • Take Profit
  • Stop Loss
  • Trailing Stop Loss
  • Good till canceled (GTC)
  • Good till today including/ excluding SL/TP
Market Orders
  • Buy (by market)
  • Sell (by market)
Pending orders
  • Buy Limit
  • Sell Limit
  • Buy Stop
  • Sell Stop


Order modifications
  • Take Profit
  • Stop Loss
  • Trailing Stop Loss
  • Good till canceled (GTC)
  • Good till today including/ excluding SL/TP
Hedging Hedging Hedging
Available by default
Available by default
Available by default
Netting Netting no
  • Netting = Multiple open positions for the same currency pair are combined into 1 "net sum" position
  • Netting is not available on "hedge enabled" accounts
  • Netting = Multiple open positions for the same currency pair are combined into 1 "net sum" position
  • Netting is enabled on cTrader Netted Accounts & not available in cTrader Hedged Accounts
No Netting
Every open position runs separately
Trailing Stops don't work after logout Trailing Stops work after logout Trailing Stops don't work after logout
Trailing Stop orders will be cancelled once you logout from your account or close MT5, since they function on trader's platform side
Trailing Stops continue to work after logout/close cTrader, since they function on the broker's server side
Trailing Stop orders will be cancelled once you logout from your account or close MT4, since they function on trader's platform side
EAs stop working after logout EAs stop working after logout EAs stop working after logout
In order to keep them working, stay logged in and keep the platform open
In order to keep them working, stay logged in and keep the platform open
In order to keep them working, stay logged in and keep the platform open
no Advance Take Profit & Stop loss no
no feature
Automatically scale out of position with partial Take Profits & automatically move Stop Loss to break even
no feature
Standard Stop-Out 2 Stop-Outs options Standard Stop-Out
  • Standard Stop-Out - automatic closing of the open positions starting with least profitable ones
  • Smart Stop-Out - position with the largest-taking margin will be partially closed allowing to maintain the position and its entry point
  • Fair Stop-Out - position with the largest-taking margin closed in full to free as much margin as possible for remaining positions
  • Standard Stop-Out - automatic closing of the open positions starting with least profitable ones
no Reverse & Double position in 1 click no
no feature
Reverse position (switch Buy to Sell, Sell to Buy) in 1 click or Double (add x2 volume) in 1 click
no feature
Non-detachable charts Detachable charts Non-detachable charts
Charts cannot be detached form the platform
Charts detach and can be used as stand-alone across multiple screens
Charts cannot be detached form the platform
1 Market Depth (DOM) view 3 Market Depth (DOM) views no
  • For OTC Markets (over-the-counter markets = Forex/CFD) - 1 Standard DOM view is based on the quotes/volume provided by the broker
  • For Exchange Markets (stocks, options, futures, bonds) - 1 Standard DOM view is based on real prices and order volumes from market participants
Market Depth (DOM) in 3 views:
  • Standard depth
  • Price depth
  • VWAP depth
For OTC Markets (Forex/CFD):
DOM shows the full range of executable prices, coming directly from liquidity providers
Orders are filled against the full order book, using Volume Weighted Average Price (VWAP)
No DOM
Automated trading (EAs) Automated trading (cBots) Automated trading (EAs)
Automated trading with EAs (.mql5 and .ex5)
MQL5 language (built on C++)
Automated trading cBots (.algo)
C# language and .NET framework
Automated trading with EAs (.mql4 and .ex4)
MQL4 language (built on C++)
Copy Trading (Signals) Copy Trading (cMirror) Copy Trading (Signals)
"Signals" is a convenient service for automatic copying of trading operations of professional traders directly to your account
cMirror is a premium copy trading solution, fully integrated with cTrader platform
Trading signals - automatically copy the deals performed by other traders in real time
8 Integrated Liquidity Providers 16 Integrated Liquidity Providers none
  • Integral
  • Cboe FX
  • Euronext FX
  • Currenex
  • FXCM Pro
  • LMAX Exchange
  • Swissquote
  • Alpari
  • Advanced Markets
  • CharterPrime
  • FX-EDGE
  • FXOpenPrime
  • GAIN Capital
  • Invast
  • IS Prime
  • LCG Institutional Liquidity
  • LMAX Exchange
  • PhillipCapital UK
  • Saxo Capital Markets
  • Sucden Financial
  • Swissquote
  • TopFX
  • TradeTech Alpha
  • Tradeview Prime
none


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Comments

Nayan Jhaveri

I really like the cTrader trading platform. A lot of good things have been written about this platform. I recently read an entire manual. I was pleasantly surprised that the platform has additional options to display charts. For example, charts for currency pairs or CFDs open in Watchlist or Finder. To call the menu, you need to click the right mouse button or click on the icon in the center of the form.

Huge Meister

cTrader is a cross-broker solution for trading in many ways. It includes sections for manual trading and market research, detailed history of trading, automation and copy-trade platform to become a strategy provider or follow other traders. The list of charting tools is full of adjustable and accurate indicators, it’s possible to open trades and place SL and TP orders easily, as well as open trades in one click.

Lionel Rauch

Of all trading styles, I favor news trading. It’s because in my eyes it’s relatively predictable. This platform is especially convenient for news trading because it comes with a rationally organized news section that doesn’t distract me from viewing charts - I can view them both at the same time. When viewing news on Metatrader, you need to shift your focus to news, while losing control of charts. It can cost a lot under the circumstances of high volatility.




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