Do I need a separate platform from my broker?

Not always — many brokers include MT4/MT5 or their own platform. A dedicated platform is worth it for advanced charting, automation, or if you want one interface across multiple brokers.

Is market data included?

Often not. Real-time exchange data (especially futures) can require paid subscriptions on top of the platform fee. Check the total monthly cost for the markets you trade.

Trading Platforms

Where you chart and trade

A trading platform is the software you chart and execute in. The key questions are which brokers and prop firms it connects to, what market data costs, its execution and automation capabilities, and how steep the learning curve is.

Before you choose: Check broker and prop-firm support before committing — a great platform is useless if it does not connect to your account. Factor in market-data subscription costs, execution quality, and whether the automation and backtesting you need are included or paid add-ons.

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Showing 3 of 3 providers.

Provider	Type	Markets	Pricing	May fit	Main limitation
MetaTrader 4 Forex & CFD trading terminal	Trading terminal	Forex & CFDs	Free download (via broker)	Forex & EAs	Legacy; forex/CFD-focused	Details Visit
MetaTrader 5 Multi-asset trading terminal	Trading terminal	FX, stocks, futures, CFDs	Free download (via broker)	Multi-asset trading	Broker-dependent	Details Visit
TradingView Charting platform	Charting platform	Multi-asset	Free + paid tiers	Charting & alerts	Paid data / tiers	Details Visit

MetaTrader 4

Industry-standard terminal

Type: Trading terminal
Markets: Forex & CFDs
Pricing: Free download (via broker)
May fit: Forex & EAs
Main limitation: Legacy; forex/CFD-focused

Details →Visit

MetaTrader 5

Multi-asset terminal

Type: Trading terminal
Markets: FX, stocks, futures, CFDs
Pricing: Free download (via broker)
May fit: Multi-asset trading
Main limitation: Broker-dependent

Details →Visit

TradingView

Industry-standard charts

Type: Charting platform
Markets: Multi-asset
Pricing: Free + paid tiers
May fit: Charting & alerts
Main limitation: Paid data / tiers

Details →Visit

Data last checked: July 2026. Provider rules, pricing, drawdown models and payout terms may change. Always verify details on the official provider website before signing up.

Head-to-head comparisons

Two providers, same criteria, differences marked — no winner declared.

TradingView vs MetaTrader 5 TradingView vs MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 vs MetaTrader 4

Frequently asked

Do I need a separate platform from my broker?: Not always — many brokers include MT4/MT5 or their own platform. A dedicated platform is worth it for advanced charting, automation, or if you want one interface across multiple brokers.
Is market data included?: Often not. Real-time exchange data (especially futures) can require paid subscriptions on top of the platform fee. Check the total monthly cost for the markets you trade.

SMCM may receive compensation from some providers listed on this site. This does not change our goal of helping traders compare services, understand risks, and make informed decisions. Ratings are Trustpilot TrustScores and are updated periodically. Not financial advice.

Last checked: July 2026