If you’ve ever wondered how people trade online through CFDs, you’re not alone. Many think it’s complex or too high-tech. At first, trading technology can seem advanced for most people. However, MetaTrader 4, or MT4, has changed that. It’s now the go-to platform for all traders, both beginners and professionals.

MT4 is nearly 20 years old, yet it remains the most popular trading platform on the planet. That’s not because traders are conservative, but because it is stable, user-friendly, and full of features that everyone from beginners to advanced traders simply love to use.

Think of it this way. If trading platforms were cars, MT4 would be the classic model everyone still loves. It’s simple enough for a new driver. Yet, it’s powerful enough for a pro racer.

MetaTrader 4 – A trading platform you can trust

Stability is everything when you’re trading. For example, if you open a trade and the platform freezes at the exact moment the market moves in your favour, you will feel frustrated. Stability and speed are key for every trader. 

MT4 has earned a reputation for being one of the most stable and dependable platforms in the industry. Since its release in 2005, MT4 has processed billions of trades worldwide. It has proven reliable even during times of high volatility. If you’re new to trading, that’s good news. You have one less thing to worry about. Instead, you can focus on learning and improving your skills.

Black and white image of currency pairs on a laptop with screenshot of the mt4 platform, set against a plain white background.

Simple, intuitive, and easy to learn MetaTrader 4

A lot of individuals are discouraged from learning to trade because they feel like the software seems complex. The great news is that MT4 is designed to keep things as simple as possible. When you open MT4 for the first time, you’ll see clean and tidy charts showing how prices are moving, a list of instruments you can trade and an area to open and manage your trades.

It’s all laid out simply, so you can click and drag and zoom and move around until you’re comfortable. If, for example, you’re tracking the price of EUR/USD and you’d like to see if it will keep rising, then you can open the chart, add some simple tools on (like trendlines or moving averages), and get a rough visual idea of what’s happening.

Amazing charting and analysis capabilities

MT4 really stands out for its technical analysis tools such as indicators and charts.

MT4 gives you access to 30 built-in technical indicators (like Moving Averages, MACD, and RSI), plus thousands more that you may download or even create for yourself with some coding skills. You are able to view charts in different timeframes and apply drawing tools to mark important levels and identify trends or patterns.

For example, if you notice the price making a pattern that looks like a «W,» that’s called a double bottom, and typically, it shows that there might be a price upswing. On MT4, you can just chart that pattern, zoom, and code alerts so you receive a notification when the market starts trending in your favour.

Automating trading with Expert Advisors (EAs)

With the use of EAs, a robot can basically trade on your behalf while you sleep. These programs are designed for trade automation and can execute market analysis and trade for you. You can choose from thousands of ready-made EAs or even create your own if you’re tech-savvy. They work 24/7, never get tired, and never let emotions interfere.

For example, you can use an Expert Advisors (EAs) that automatically buys when the price crosses over a certain moving average and sells if it goes below. This makes your strategy run all the time, even while you are away at the bathroom.

Lightweight and easy to access on your device

Not everybody has the luxury of using a super-cool computer or the quickest internet, and that’s all the more reason MT4 is still so popular. It can run on almost any computer, laptop, or even mobile phone. With the mobile application, you can use MT4 on the go and monitor the markets anywhere.

Multiple markets

Although MT4 originated as a forex trading platform, most brokers (like Xlence) now offer CFDs on a broad range of assets including oil, gold, shares and indices.

Traders can trade EUR/USD, the S&P 500, and gold from the same window using a single MT4 account. It is like having the entire financial world at your fingertips from one dashboard.

A trader man in a blue shirt smiles while working on a laptop at an outdoor cafe. Greenery surrounds him, and sunlight creates a warm, relaxed atmosphere.

Community of traders

Another reason MT4 remains the #1 platform is its enormous community of users. Millions of traders use it every day, which means you’ll never be short on tutorials, tips, or tools. You’ll find YouTube videos, blog posts, and forums full of MT4 tips. You can buy or download third-party custom indicators and Expert Advisors that other traders have created. The community is always there to help you access whatever you need in your MT4 journey.

MetaTrader 4 Security

When you trade online, you’re dealing with real money and all sorts of risks, but MT4 protects your data and trading history, and most brokers offer two-factor authentication (2FA) for that added bit of security.

Bespoke features

We are all different and have unique requirements, but with MT4, you can make each part of the platform your own.  

Whether you want dark mode or to rearrange your charts or add your favourite indicators, MT4 caters to all this.  You can add custom plugins or scripts to make it even more tailored to your tastes. The more you use it, the more MT4 adapts to your trading style.

MetaTrader 4 Still Number 1

Despite the new technology, MT4 is irreplaceable since it has a balance that’s hard to beat. It’s simple enough for beginners to learn, but powerful enough for experienced traders to use for years. And because so many brokers and traders rely on it, MT4 continues to get updates, support, and improvements. MetaTrader 5 does exist, of course, but most traders choose MT4 because it allows them to do everything they need efficiently.

The best place to start trading

The best place to start your trading journey is undeniably  MT4. You can open a free demo account and explore your strategies with virtual money, open and close trades or explore indicators. Since you are only using a demo account you cannot risk your funds but you get to gain valuable experience, exploring real conditions with fake money. Once you get familiar with it, you will be able to open a live trading account.

A forex trader man with glasses, focused on a smartphone, sits in an office. A monitor displaying a line graph is in the background. The mood is thoughtful.

The epitome of MetaTrader 4 trading

MetaTrader 4 represents and embodies modern online trading. Due to its simplicity, power, and reliability it continues to be the favoured platform for many traders. It doesn’t matter what you are looking for, be it learning, discovering your first strategy or just exploring automated trading, MT4 allows you to start and keep growing. So, if you’re thinking about learning to trade, start with MetaTrader 4.

Disclaimer: This information is not considered investment advice or an investment recommendation, but instead a marketing communication.