MetaTrader 5 (MT5) Trading Platform

What Is MetaTrader 5?

MetaTrader 5 (MT5) is a multi-asset trading platform developed by MetaQuotes. It provides tools for market analysis, order management, trade execution and automated trading. STP Trading provides access to MT5 through supported trading accounts.

While MetaQuotes develops the platform, we provide the brokerage services and account access required to trade through its supported environment. MT5 is available on desktop, web, and mobile, with features that vary by version.

MetaTrader 5 Download Options

Download the version that is appropriate for your device. The desktop, web, and mobile versions are not identical, so choose the MetaTrader 5 version that meets your trading and analysis requirements.

MetaTrader 5 Desktop vs Web vs Mobile

Different trading environments offer different features. While all three platforms provide basic trading and charting tools, their analytical and automation capabilities differ.

How to Use MT5 With STP Trading

Follow these steps to connect MetaTrader 5 to your STP Trading account.

1. 1Log in to your STP Trading account. Complete any required registration steps and meet the applicable account-access requirements.
2. 2Select a supported trading account. Familiarise yourself with your account's trading conditions and check that MT5 is available for your selected account.
3. 3Download MT5 or Log In. Download the correct desktop or mobile version, or use the approved WebTrader link.
4. 4Locate the STP Trading server. Select the server associated with your account.
5. 5Enter your MT5 login details. Use the platform credentials provided for your trading account.
6. 6Check the instrument specifications. Before placing a trade, review the contract size, minimum and maximum trading volumes, margin requirements, and other relevant trading conditions.

If the connection fails, verify your login details and the server you are connecting to before contacting support.

Which STP Trading Accounts Support MT5?

STP Trading offers different account types to meet various trading needs, including Standard, Zero, Zero Prime, and Islamic accounts.

However, we strongly recommend checking account availability, platform access, and trading conditions against the current product specifications before opening an account. Do not assume that every account supports every platform feature.

Expert Advisors and Automated Trading on MT5

Expert Advisors are programs that run within the MetaTrader platform and allow traders to implement predefined trading rules. They can analyse the market, generate trade-entry signals, manage trades, or automate parts of a trading strategy.

You can use MT5 Expert Advisors on the desktop platform, along with compatible third-party indicators and other trading tools. You can use existing applications and indicators or create your own using the supported development tools.

If you're new to automation, first learn what Expert Advisors are in trading before buying or installing one. Traders interested in automation may also want to understand how AI trading bots differ from traditional Expert Advisors.

Using an EA does not guarantee profitable results. Automated systems can malfunction, respond poorly to changing market conditions, or generate losses. Test them thoroughly, monitor their performance, and apply appropriate risk controls. You are responsible for assessing third-party software and the risks associated with its use.

Using a VPS With MetaTrader 5

A VPS does not necessarily provide faster execution, better trading results, or a continuous connection. Performance depends on factors such as the VPS location, connectivity to the broker's infrastructure and system configuration. STP Trading permits the use of third-party VPS providers, subject to its applicable terms. A VPS can help maintain a remote MT5 desktop environment, but it does not guarantee uninterrupted service, faster execution or better trading results.

MT5 Market and Pending Order Types

MT5 allows you to place market orders and six types of pending orders. Each order type serves a specific purpose based on the price or conditions that trigger it. MT5 also offers Stop Loss and Take Profit options to help define trade exits.

MT5 also supports trailing stops, which can adjust the stop-loss level as the market moves in your favour.

Trailing Stop on MT5

A trailing stop is a stop-loss mechanism that moves in response to favourable market movements, maintaining a specified distance from the market price. Instead of remaining at a fixed level, the stop-loss level adjusts as the market moves in your favour.

Trailing-stop behaviour depends on the platform and its configuration. On the standard desktop terminal, the terminal generally needs to remain active and connected for the locally managed trailing-stop feature to continue adjusting the stop level.

Do not assume that this functionality will continue if you close the desktop terminal or switch to another device.

Technical Indicators on MT5

The MT5 desktop terminal includes 38 built-in technical indicators that support different approaches to market analysis. Traders can also add compatible custom indicators to expand their analytical options.

Which indicator is right for you? That depends on your strategy, the asset you're analysing, and the prevailing market conditions. Technical indicators should be treated as analytical tools rather than reliable predictors of future price movements.

Traders using short-term strategies can also review our guide to the best indicators for Forex scalping.

MT5 and Lot Size

A lot does not represent the same quantity across all asset classes, so traders should verify the instrument specifications before placing an order. Trading volume in MetaTrader 5 also depends on the instrument selected.

Position size should be assessed alongside account equity, margin requirements and the potential monetary impact of adverse price movements.

MT5 Hedging and Netting

MetaTrader 5 supports two position-accounting systems: hedging and netting. Hedging allows traders to hold multiple positions in the same instrument simultaneously, including positions in opposite directions.

Netting combines trades in the same instrument into a single net position. The available mode depends on the broker and your account settings.

MetaTrader 5 vs MetaTrader 4

MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) are trading platforms developed by MetaQuotes. Both offer a range of features, charting capabilities, and tools for trade execution.

The more appropriate platform depends on the trader's instruments, analytical requirements, automated systems and broker compatibility. These differences should not be the sole basis for choosing one platform over the other.

Consider the instruments you trade, your preferred analytical tools, your existing automated systems, and platform compatibility.

Is MetaTrader 5 Suitable for Beginners?

MT5 provides a broad range of tools for chart analysis, order management and trade execution, which can take time for new users to learn. MT5 provides various features for chart analysis, order management, and trade execution.

Learning to use these tools effectively takes time and practice. Before trading with real capital, you should understand how market and pending orders work, how lot size affects your market exposure, how margin is calculated, and how to apply risk management. If possible, practise on a demo account before risking real capital.

MetaTrader 5 Risks and Important Considerations

Using MT5 does not make trading in financial markets risk-free. Prices can move against your positions, and leverage can amplify both profits and losses. Automated strategies and third-party indicators can also produce unexpected results.

Trading can be affected by hardware failures, connectivity problems, software issues, and other electronic-system disruptions. Order execution may also depend on available liquidity, market conditions, and the broker's execution arrangements.

Review the instrument specifications, account terms, and relevant risk disclosures before trading. Choose position sizes appropriate to your circumstances, monitor automated systems, and never treat a platform feature or trading tool as a guarantee of results.