In 2025, the debate between MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) for mobile forex trading continues, though the scales are increasingly tipping in favor of the newer platform. Both developed by MetaQuotes, these apps have long been the industry standard for retail forex traders. But as the markets evolve, so do the demands on trading platforms. Let’s break down which app is better suited for mobile trading in the current year.
MetaTrader 4: The Trusted Veteran
MT4, released in 2005, built its reputation as the go-to platform specifically for forex trading. Its mobile app, a streamlined version of its desktop counterpart, still offers a solid and familiar experience for many:
- Simplicity and User-Friendliness: MT4’s mobile interface is generally considered more intuitive for beginners, focusing primarily on currency pairs. This makes it quick to pick up for those new to mobile trading.
- Widespread Broker Support: Due to its long-standing popularity, nearly all forex brokers still offer MT4, making it widely accessible for traders seeking specific brokers.
- Strong Community and Resources: The MT4 ecosystem is vast, with countless custom indicators and Expert Advisors (EAs) developed in MQL4. Many of these older, time-tested tools have mobile-compatible versions or are easily integrated.
- Hedging Capability: MT4 allows for separate hedging positions, a feature some traders prefer for managing risk by having both buy and sell positions open on the same instrument.
However, in 2025, MT4’s age is starting to show. While still functional, it lacks some of the advanced features and multi-asset capabilities that modern traders increasingly demand. MetaQuotes itself has indicated a gradual phasing out of support for older versions of MT4, urging a transition to MT5. This means long-term reliability and new feature development might become a concern.
MetaTrader 5: The Evolving Powerhouse
MT5, launched in 2010, was designed as a more versatile, multi-asset platform. Its mobile app reflects this ambition, offering a more robust and future-proof trading experience for 2025:
- Multi-Asset Trading: This is MT5’s biggest advantage. Beyond forex, the mobile app allows you to trade a broader range of instruments including stocks, indices, commodities, and even cryptocurrencies (availability depends on your broker). This diversification is crucial in today’s interconnected financial markets.
- More Timeframes and Indicators: MT5 boasts 21 timeframes (compared to MT4’s 9) and 38 built-in technical indicators, offering more granular and in-depth analysis directly from your phone. This is vital for complex technical analysis on the go.
- Advanced Order Types: MT5 includes six pending order types (adding Buy Stop Limit and Sell Stop Limit to MT4’s four), providing greater flexibility for executing more complex trading strategies from a mobile device.
- Built-in Economic Calendar: A crucial tool for fundamental traders, MT5’s integrated economic calendar provides real-time news and event updates, allowing for quick reactions to market-moving information.
- Depth of Market (DOM): This feature, available on MT5 mobile, displays market liquidity and order flow, offering valuable insights for professional traders looking to understand market sentiment and potential price movements.
- Improved Backtesting (for EAs): While more relevant for desktop, the underlying MQL5 language for MT5 allows for multi-threaded strategy testing, meaning EAs can be tested more efficiently and with greater accuracy. This often translates to more powerful EAs that can be utilized on mobile.
- Modern Interface and Customization: While both are user-friendly, MT5 offers a more modern feel and greater customization options for charts and layouts, allowing traders to personalize their mobile trading environment.
Which is Better for Mobile Trading in 2025?
For most forex traders in 2025, MetaTrader 5 is the superior choice for mobile trading.
- For the multi-asset trader: MT5 is a clear winner. If you want to trade more than just forex, it provides a unified and efficient platform for all your diverse assets.
- For deeper analysis: The increased timeframes and indicators in MT5 offer more granular and comprehensive analysis on the go, allowing for more informed decisions.
- For serious traders: Features like the economic calendar and Depth of Market are invaluable for informed decision-making, especially when reacting quickly to market events on a mobile device.
- Future-proofing: With MetaQuotes increasingly focusing on MT5 and brokers following suit, choosing MT5 now will ensure better long-term support, access to new features, and compatibility with the evolving market landscape.
While MT4 still holds its ground for pure forex simplicity and widespread broker availability, its limitations are becoming more pronounced. The forex market is no longer one-dimensional, and MT5’s comprehensive features, advanced analytical tools, and multi-asset capabilities make it the undeniable leader for mobile trading in 2025. If you’re serious about trading on the go and want access to the best tools and widest range of markets, it’s time to make the switch to MT5.
