At Profectus.AI, we exclusively support MetaTrader 5 (MT5) — the latest and most advanced version of MetaQuotes’ trading platform. Both MT4 and MT5 allow algorithmic trading through Expert Advisors (EAs), but MT5 introduces major improvements in speed, accuracy, and testing capabilities. If you understand the differences, you can make the most out of your trading automation workflow.
Check our article how to access Metatrader 5 as a Windows User and as a Mac User.
Overview
MetaTrader is a free, widely used trading platform for manual and automated trading.
It’s stable, open to customization, and frequently updated by MetaQuotes — the company behind both MT4 and MT5. While MT4 was once the gold standard for retail traders, MT5 now offers a more robust environment for strategy testing, multi-asset support, and advanced performance optimization.
MT4 vs MT5 — Comparison Table
Feature | MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | MetaTrader 5 (MT5) |
Release Year | 2005 | 2010 |
Development Status | Legacy (no major updates since 2012) | Actively developed and supported |
Performance | Single-core processing (slow) | Multi-core + cloud optimization |
Backtesting Speed | One instance at a time | Parallel, multi-asset, multi-threaded |
Optimization | ❌ Not supported | ✅ Supported with variables and constants |
Multicurrency Testing | ❌ Not possible | ✅ Possible |
Statistical Analysis | Basic metrics only | R², custom stats, and extended metrics |
Custom Data Upload | Simple, but limited | Advanced data import options |
Cloud & Local Farms | ❌ Not available | ✅ Cloud network + local agent network |
Ease of Use | Beginner-friendly | Slightly more advanced, broader tools |
Precision & Reliability | Moderate | High – true tick data used for backtests |
Main Drawback | Slow and limited for modern bots | Uploading historical data takes longer |
Why Profectus.AI Uses MetaTrader 5
Profectus.AI focuses on performance, accuracy, and scalability — three things only MT5 delivers:
Faster, multi-threaded backtesting for complex strategies
Real tick data precision for institutional-grade validation
Built-in optimization tools for parameter sweeps
Cloud testing for distributed computing
Seamless integration with our EX5 exports (EA file format for MT5)
In short:
MT4 was built for traders. MT5 was built for traders and developers. That’s why every algorithm created in Profectus.AI compiles directly to MetaTrader 5.
Best Practice
If you’re new to algorithmic trading, start on MT5.
It provides:
Faster feedback loops through visual backtesting
Reliable data handling
Compatibility with all Profectus.AI exports
And if you’ve used MT4 before — transitioning is simple. Most logic and EA structures are identical, only the compiler and certain indicator references differ.