The platform is where you will spend your time, so it is worth choosing deliberately. Most brokers offer more than one.
| Platform | Strengths | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | Forex-focused, huge library of indicators and expert advisors, supported by most brokers | Older design, fewer timeframes (9), fewer order and analysis tools than MT5 |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | More timeframes (21), more order types, built-in economic calendar and depth of market, more asset classes | Expert advisors written for MT4 do not run on MT5 without being rewritten |
| cTrader | Clean interface, Level II pricing, popular with traders who like ECN-style execution | Offered by fewer brokers |
| TradingView | Best-in-class charting in the browser, large community of shared ideas, trade from the chart via supported brokers | Order tools and features depend on the broker integration |
| Broker proprietary platforms | Built around the broker’s own tools, apps and features | Not portable; you cannot take your setup to another broker |
Which brokers in our reviews offer what
| Broker | MT4 | MT5 | cTrader | TradingView | Own platform | Copy trading |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IG | ✓ | ✓ | – | ✓ | ✓ | – |
| FP Markets | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | Raw only | – | ✓ |
| FxPro | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | – |
| Tickmill | ✓ | ✓ | – | Raw (USD) | ✓ | – |
| AvaTrade | ✓ | ✓ | – | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| HFM | ✓ | ✓ | – | Charts | ✓ | ✓ |
| Plus500 | – | – | – | – | ✓ | – |
| XM | ✓ | ✓ | – | – | ✓ | ✓ |
| Exness | ✓ | ✓ | – | – | ✓ | – |
| FXCM | ✓ | – | – | ✓ | ✓ | – |
A ✓ means we found the platform listed on the pages we reviewed; a dash means we did not.
How to choose
- If you run expert advisors or follow tutorials that use MetaTrader, choose MT4 or MT5.
- If you want the best charting and analysis in a browser, look for TradingView support.
- If you prefer clean execution tools and Level II pricing, look for cTrader.
- If you want simplicity and do not mind being locked into one broker, a proprietary platform can be enough.
Key takeaway
Test the platform on a demo account before you fund. Features, order types and available markets can also differ by broker entity.
General information for education only, not financial advice. Trading forex and CFDs carries a high risk of loss. Read the disclaimer.