MetaTrader 4, or MT4, is one of the most trusted trading platforms in the world. Many traders already know the name, but even those who are just starting will come across it early on. Since its launch in 2005, MT4 has stayed relevant in a fast-moving industry where tools often get replaced quickly.
So why are so many traders still using it in 2025? It’s simple. MT4 is stable, easy to navigate, and packed with features that support all kinds of trading styles. That’s why brokers like Markets4you continue to support it.
In this guide, you’ll learn what the MT4 trading platform is, how it works, and why it remains a favorite.
What Is MetaTrader 4 (MT4)?
MetaTrader 4, or MT4, is a popular trading platform used by millions of traders around the world. It was created by MetaQuotes Software and is mainly used for trading forex and CFDs. Over time, it became the go-to platform for retail traders because it’s simple to use, stable, and packed with useful features.
MT4 acts as the link between you and the markets. It gives you everything you need to watch price movements, analyze trends, and place trades, all in one place.
Here’s what you can do on MT4:
- Track market trends using built-in charting tools and indicators
- Place trades quickly and manage them easily with user-friendly order options
- Run automated strategies using Expert Advisors (EAs), which trade for you based on set rules
- Personalize the platform by adjusting the layout, colors, and tools to suit how you trade
MT4 is a platform that grows with you. It’s simple enough for beginners but powerful enough for experienced traders
Why Is MT4 Still Popular in 2025?
While many newer platforms have launched over the years, MT4 remains widely used. A large share of global retail traders still choose MT4 for their daily trading. But why?
User-Friendly Interface
MT4 is designed for ease of use, even if you’re completely new to trading. Its clean layout features market quotes, charts, and tools all in one view. Everything is clearly labeled, making it easy to place trades, customize charts, and use indicators with just a few clicks. Features like one-click trading and drag-and-drop tools further streamline the experience, so you can act quickly when it counts.
Stability and Speed
MT4 is known for its solid performance, especially during volatile trading periods. It’s built to handle high data loads without freezing or lagging, which is essential when markets move fast. The platform runs efficiently even on older machines and ensures trades execute smoothly and on time. Brokers like Markets4you further enhance this experience by offering lightning-fast execution and reliable uptime on their MT4 servers.
Customizability for Any Strategy
One of MT4’s greatest strengths is how flexible it is. You can personalize almost everything, from chart colors and layouts to technical tools and alerts. It supports thousands of custom indicators, scripts, and Expert Advisors (EAs), which let you automate your trades or test out different strategies. Want to code your own system or just download one from the community? MT4 makes it easy either way.
Massive Community and Resources
With millions of users worldwide, MT4 has one of the most active trading communities out there. That means more educational content, more third-party tools, and more trading strategies you can explore. You’ll find everything from free tutorials and webinars to advanced scripts and EAs that can plug right into your platform. This ecosystem ensures you’re never short of support or ideas, and it keeps MT4 evolving with trader needs.
Key MT4 Features
1. Advanced Charting Tools
MT4 supports nine different timeframes per chart, from one minute to monthly views, giving you the flexibility to analyze both short-term and long-term trends. You can choose between three chart types: line, bar, or candlestick, and apply multiple indicators or drawing tools such as trend lines, Fibonacci retracements, and custom shapes. Traders can open multiple charts simultaneously and create personalized chart layouts that suit their strategies. You can also save templates and reuse them, speeding up your workflow.
2. Dozens of Technical Indicators
Out of the box, MT4 includes more than 30 built-in technical indicators covering trend analysis, momentum, volume, and volatility. Popular ones like Moving Averages, Bollinger Bands, MACD, RSI, and Stochastics are just a click away. But what makes MT4 truly stand out is its ability to add thousands of custom indicators from the MetaTrader Market or community forums. Whether you want to test a new strategy or fine-tune an existing one, there’s likely an indicator for it or you can code your own using MQL4.
3. Automated Trading (EAs)
MT4 revolutionized retail trading by introducing Expert Advisors (EAs) which are programs that automatically execute trades based on predefined rules. These EAs are built using the MQL4 scripting language, and they can scan the market, place orders, manage positions, and even close trades, all without manual input. You can backtest strategies using historical data, optimize your EAs, or run multiple bots on different charts. Whether you’re automating part of your process or running a fully algorithmic system, MT4 offers one of the most powerful retail trading automation environments available.
4. One-Click Trading
When every second counts, MT4’s one-click trading feature becomes a serious advantage. You can place buy/sell orders directly from the chart with a single click. It simplifies execution, especially during volatile market conditions, and is ideal for scalpers or traders who want to act fast.
5. Secure and Encrypted
Security is critical in trading, and MT4 doesn’t cut corners. It uses 128-bit SSL encryption to secure data exchanges between your terminal and your broker’s server. The platform also supports two-factor authentication and allows you to create investor (read-only) passwords, which is useful when you want to share your account with others without risking unauthorized trades. MetaQuotes continues to release regular updates and patches to enhance security and platform stability.
6. Mobile and Web Access
MT4 is available across multiple devices, making it easy to stay connected to the markets wherever you are. You can install it on Windows or macOS, download the app for Android and iOS, or use the WebTrader version directly from your browser. The mobile app includes real-time quotes, full charting features with technical indicators, push notifications, and trade management options. Everything syncs seamlessly, so you can start a trade on your desktop and close it from your phone without skipping a beat.
7. Multilingual Support and Global Reach
MT4 supports over 30 languages, making it accessible to traders worldwide. It’s also integrated by thousands of brokers globally, including Markets4you, which enhances MT4 with deep liquidity, fast execution, and access to 250+ trading instruments, all within the same platform you already know and trust.
How MT4 Helps Beginners
Starting in trading can be intimidating. MT4 helps flatten the learning curve with features like:
Demo Accounts: Most brokers offer demo accounts so you can practice without risking real money.
Simple Order Execution: Placing trades is as easy as clicking “Buy” or “Sell.” You don’t need to worry about complicated setups when you’re just learning.
Educational Resources: There’s no shortage of free guides, forums, and video tutorials made specifically for MT4. You’ll find help on almost anything, from setting stop-loss orders to customizing your workspace.
And It’s Great for Pros Too
If you’re an experienced trader, MT4 has the tools to support complex strategies:
Multi-Timeframe Analysis: Watch how a currency pair behaves across several timeframes, all on one screen.
Custom Indicators: Build your own or download custom-made ones that fit your strategy.
Automated Systems: Backtest your strategies or set them to run automatically using EAs.
Fast Execution: Many brokers have enhanced MT4 execution speed. Markets4you, for example, ensures that their MT4 servers are optimized for low latency and reliable uptime.
MT4 vs. MT5: What’s the Difference?
Some traders wonder if they should upgrade to MT5, the newer platform also developed by MetaQuotes. Here’s a quick comparison:
| Feature | MT4 | MT5 |
| Market Focus | Forex and CFDs | Forex, CFDs, Stocks |
| Programming Language | MQL4 | MQL5 |
| Hedging Support | Yes | Yes (recent updates) |
| Netting Support | No | Yes |
| Economic Calendar | No | Yes |
While MT5 is newer, MT4 is still preferred by many due to its simplicity and the large library of existing tools. For forex traders who don’t need stocks or futures, MT4 often feels like the right fit.
How to Get Started with MT4
Open an Account: Sign up with a broker that offers MT4. Markets for you lets you choose between different account types depending on your goals.
Download the Platform: MT4 is available on Windows, Mac, mobile (iOS and Android), and web browsers.
Login and Explore: Use your login credentials to access your trading account. If you’re new, start with a demo.
Customize Your Charts: Set up your preferred indicators and timeframes.
Place Your First Trade: Choose an instrument, click “Buy” or “Sell,” and you’re in.
Final Thoughts
With so many new platforms trying to grab attention, MT4 quietly keeps doing what it does best, which is providing a stable, effective space for traders to work. It’s that rare mix of simplicity and power that keeps it relevant after all these years.
From your very first trade to fine-tuning a fully automated system, MT4 gives you the tools and reliability you need. And when you use it through a broker like Markets4you, you get an even smoother experience backed by great trading conditions and support.
