The Trading Platform Shift Explained: Is MT5 Now Better Than MT4?

In 2025, MT5 overtook MT4 for the first time, accounting for 62% of CFD trading volume. In this article, we want to analyze and learn how MetaTrader 5s multi-asset features and advanced analytics are reshaping the retail trading landscape and whether MT4 can stay relevant.

According to the report, MT5 accounted for 62% of retail CFD trading volumes on MetaQuotes platforms in Q3 2025, while MT4s share slipped to 38%. This marks a historic turning point, as MT5 now firmly leads its iconic predecessor in global trading activity.

Contents

01

About MT4

02

About MT5

03

2025: The Turning Point

04

The Future of MT4

05

Conclusion: Is MT5 Now Better Than MT4?

About MT4

Launched in 2005, MetaTrader 4 became the gold standard for retail forex and CFD trading. Its simple interface, customizable charts, and support for automated strategies through Expert Advisors (EAs) made it the best choice for traders worldwide.

MT4s ecosystem, consisting of countless brokers, developers, and community resources cemented its dominance for over a decade. Even after MetaQuotes released MetaTrader 5 in 2010, most traders stayed with MT4 due to its stability, efficiency, and vast library of compatible trading tools.

About MT5

Unlike its predecessor, MetaTrader 5 was built to support multi-asset trading, extending beyond forex to include stocks, commodities, indices, and futures. The platform also features enhanced analytics, more timeframes, and a deeper market depth display.

While adoption was initially slow, brokers have increasingly embraced MT5 in recent years — driven by regulatory changes, technology upgrades, and MetaQuotes clear focus on MT5 development over MT4.

MT4 vs MT5: Feature Comparison

MT4 remains excellent for forex-only traders who value simplicity and established tools. However, MT5 offers broader market access, faster performance, and richer analytics, which making it the clear choice for the future.

2025: The Turning Point

The shift became clear in early 2025. For the first time in 15 years, MT5 surpassed MT4 in global trading volume during Q1. The Q3 data confirms that MT5s lead is widening — holding 62% of all MetaTrader trading activity.

This change highlights how brokers and traders are rapidly migrating to the newer platform, driven by its enhanced technical infrastructure, multi-asset flexibility, and ongoing MetaQuotes support.

The Future of MT4

Despite losing ground, MT4 remains deeply embedded in the retail trading ecosystem. Many top brokers still offer MT4 due to its reliability, low system requirements, and massive third-party support network.

However, as new traders enter the market and prefer modern, integrated solutions, MT4‘s share will likely continue to decline. It will remain active, but its role as the industry’s growth engine is over.

Conclusion: Is MT5 Now Better Than MT4?

From a technical and strategic perspective, MT5s multi-asset support, advanced analytics, and active development clearly position it as the platform of the future.

However, MT4s simplicity and massive legacy community ensure it will continue to play an important role, especially for traders and brokers reluctant to change established systems.

The balance of power has shifted — and as 2025 progresses, MT5 is no longer the “next generation” platform. It is the new standard.