XM offers both MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) — but which one should you use? This comparison breaks down every key difference so you can make the right choice for your trading style.
The world's most popular forex trading platform. Simpler, faster, and ideal for forex and CFD traders who rely on Expert Advisors.
The next-generation platform with more timeframes, more indicators, a built-in economic calendar, and multi-asset trading including stocks.
XM MT4 vs MT5: Full Comparison Table
| Feature | XM MT4 | XM MT5 |
|---|---|---|
| Timeframes | 9 | 21 |
| Built-in Indicators | 50+ | 80+ |
| Pending Order Types | 4 | 6 |
| Economic Calendar | No | Built-in |
| Depth of Market (DOM) | No | Yes |
| Stock CFDs | Limited | 1,000+ |
| Forex Pairs | 55+ | 55+ |
| Expert Advisors (EA) | MQL4 | MQL5 |
| EA Community Size | Massive | Growing |
| Hedging | Yes | Yes |
| Netting Mode | No | Yes |
| Mobile App | iOS & Android | iOS & Android |
| WebTrader | Yes | Yes |
| Strategy Tester | Single-threaded | Multi-threaded |
| Price | Free | Free |
When to Use XM MT4
XM MT4 is the right choice if you match any of these profiles:
You use Expert Advisors (EAs) — MT4 has a vastly larger EA marketplace and community. Most commercial EAs are built for MQL4.
You trade primarily forex and gold — MT4 is optimized for currency pairs and precious metals CFDs.
You're a beginner — MT4's simpler interface is easier to learn and less overwhelming than MT5.
You want a lighter, faster platform — MT4 uses fewer system resources and runs smoothly on older hardware.
You want community support — MT4 has the largest online community, with thousands of free indicators and EAs available.
When to Use XM MT5
XM MT5 is the better choice if:
You want to trade stock CFDs — MT5 gives access to 1,000+ global equities not available on MT4.
You want a built-in economic calendar — MT5 includes a live economic calendar directly in the platform, no browser needed.
You need more timeframes — MT5 offers 21 timeframes vs MT4's 9, giving you more granular analysis options.
You do algorithmic trading — MT5's multi-threaded strategy tester backtests EAs significantly faster than MT4.
You want Depth of Market (DOM) — MT5 shows the order book depth, useful for understanding market liquidity.
The Verdict: MT4 or MT5?
For most XM traders, MT4 is still the better choice — especially if you trade forex, gold, or use Expert Advisors. The larger community, simpler interface, and massive EA library make it the go-to platform for the majority of retail traders.
Choose MT5 if you want to trade stock CFDs, need more timeframes, or want the built-in economic calendar. MT5 is also the better long-term choice as MetaQuotes (the developer) focuses more development resources on MT5.
Pro tip: You can run both MT4 and MT5 simultaneously on XM — open one account on each platform and use whichever suits the trade you're making.
Download XM MT4 or MT5 Free
Both platforms are completely free. Open an XM account and download your preferred platform in minutes.