MetaTrader

MetaTrader is the world's most widely used retail forex trading platform, developed by MetaQuotes Software. The two main versions, MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), support automated trading via Expert Advisors, custom indicators, comprehensive charting tools, and one-click order execution. MetaTrader is offered by thousands of forex brokers globally, making it the de facto standard for retail traders.

MT4 was released in 2005 and remains popular for its simplicity, stability, and the massive library of third-party EAs and indicators available in the MQL4 language. MT5 was released in 2010 with expanded capabilities including more timeframes (21 vs 9), more order types, depth of market (DOM) display, built-in economic calendar, multi-asset trading (stocks, futures), and a faster strategy tester. MT5 uses MQL5 which is more powerful but less backward-compatible than MQL4. Both platforms run on desktop, web, and mobile.

For example, a trader on MT4 can open a chart of EUR/USD, drag an EA onto it, and the EA begins executing the coded strategy automatically. The terminal shows trade history, account balance, equity, margin, and P&L in real time. A subscriber running a copy trading signal through MT4 or MT5 has every trade from the master account appear on their chart with the original stop loss and take profit levels, scaled to their account size.

In copy trading, MetaTrader 4 and 5 are the dominant platforms because they support expert advisors and copy trading integrations natively. SteadyFlowFX's 9 algorithms run on MetaTrader and connect to subscriber accounts through compatible broker platforms. Understanding how MetaTrader works helps subscribers navigate the platform, read trade history, and configure basic account settings without needing technical support for routine tasks.