Getting started with MT4

MetaTrader 4 is a globally renowned online trading platform originally released in 2005, which offers the capability to automate your CFD trading. While it’s often associated with forex trading, it also offers users the ability to trade across a range of indices and commodities, either at home or on the go through a mobile app.

You can customise your setup to suit your trading preferences. For example, you can automate your trading with Expert Advisor programs – algorithms which open and close trades on your behalf, according to set parameters. Users also have access to a wide range of technical analysis tools and chart types, and you can customise your trading thanks to a range of add-ons and indicators.

The platform is popular because it allows traders to analyse a number of key financial markets covering forex, indices and commodities, with a huge range of technical indicators, charts and graphs. These indicators are particularly useful for short-term traders, who tend to focus more on technical analysis, rather than fundamental aspects.

The number of available features was a key catalyst for MT4’s popularity when the platform was unveiled in 2005. The platform was groundbreaking at the time, offering a range of key features to support users’ trading and market analysis. These included multiple, integrated, and easy to use charts; navigator, market watch and indicators’ windows; over 80 pre-installed indicators; and the ability for automated trading.

Since launching, the platform has continued to release new features on a regular basis, including a news area, signals section, one-click trading and additional trading instruments.

It’s a fairly straightforward process to create an account, download the software and begin trading CFDs. View our product page for more information on how to download MT4 for PC or Mac or if you’re ready, get started using the button below.

To set your MT4 password, please log in to the admin portal using the password you created on the application form.

When you trade with us, you need one password to log in and trade on the platform, and one to log in to the admin portal.

In the admin portal, you can fund your MetaTrader 4 account quickly and easily, manage your passwords and view your account balance. You can also view your open positions.

You admin portal password is the one you specify in our online MT4 application form (or your existing CMC (Next Generation) platform​​ password if you already have an account with us).

Your password can then be set up within the admin platform.

Fund your account through the CMC Markets admin portal​ on a PC or Mac, or via our MT4 funding portal​ on your mobile.

To log in, you will need your admin portal username and password, not your MT4 platform login details. The MT4 funding portal also supports two-factor authentication (2FA) for enabled accounts.

Once you've logged in, select the 'Payments' window from the main navigation in the admin portal, to deposit via card, bank transfer, or PayPal. If you've logged in to the funding portal from a mobile, you will see these funding options straight away.

If you're a mobile user, you can create a quick link icon on your mobile homepage for easy access to the funding portal:

When you trade with us, you’re able to download an additional range of free premium add-ons and indicators, helping you to gain insights into the instruments you trade and enhancing your overall trading experience. Choose from 12 add-ons including mini terminal and sentiment trader, and an extra 18 indicators, such as Renko charts, pivot points and order history. You can access over 2,000 indicators and 1,000 EAs in total.

MT4 users can also add EAs, which are automated robots built out of a generated code called MetaQuotes Language 4 (MQL4). Once you install an EA on to the platform, it will automatically follow your instructions and speed up the whole trading process, which is helpful for high-volume traders or those that don’t have time to trade all the time.

EAs take account of data from technical analysis and can trade based on signals they receive from the system, including from new or custom indicators. It’s possible to create your own EA, which can then be customised to fit in with your trading preferences, or you can use one of the many existing EAs.

Explore our selection and download MT4 indicators​.

To start building a custom indicator, you’ll need to be familiar with MQL4 and MetaEditor tools.

Step one: choose what type of indicator you would like to build: leading or lagging. A leading indicator alerts you to an upcoming new trend or reversal pattern, while a lagging indicator informs you of a new trend while it’s happening. You’ll also need to consider whether the indicator contains only core elements of technical analysis, such as pattern recognition and mathematical calculations, or if it combines elements from existing indicators, such as moving averages and the RSI indicator.

Step two: fill in the properties of your new custom indicator, such as indicator name, developer details and a list of indicator inputs and parameters. All these elements help the indicator to draw trend lines within the technical charts.

Step three: this process will create a file with the defined settings of the custom indicator. Located within the EA folder, you can choose to open this data folder to start writing the indicator’s new rules and coding. If you decide you would like to create an EA from your custom indicator, you will need to familiarise yourself with the EA builder. Each EA can have its own settings, and you’ll need to incorporate it within your chart to begin the analysis.

You could assess your indicator through backtesting on a demo account, which can help you to update any elements that aren’t compatible with your trading strategy, or the instrument that you’re trading on. Once it begins to prove successful in terms of your trading plan and goals, you can test it for real on the live platform.

If you already have a demo or live MT4 account with us and are opening a second account, you don’t need to download and reinstall the platform again. If you do reinstall MetaTrader 4, you may lose any preferences you’ve set up previously.