Updated Jun 23, 2025

MT5 Download Guide: Unlocking Advanced Trading Features

If you’ve spent any time trading, you already know the platform you choose makes a big, big difference! Some of the tools just show you prices, whereas others help you actually trade smarter.

That’s where MT5 stands out.

mt5 installation

It’s designed for traders who want more control, more insight, and more flexibility. Whether you’re into forex, stocks, indices, or commodities, MT5 brings it all together on one powerful platform. And it’s not just about access to more markets, it’s packed with features that go far beyond what you’ll find on older systems.

More timeframes. Deeper market data. A built-in economic calendar. It’s all there, ready to support how you trade, not just what you trade.

Why MT5 Is More Than Just an Upgrade

Many traders begin with MT4 and stick with it for a while. It’s familiar, widely used, and gets the job done. But MT5 takes things much further.

Here’s what makes MT5 a more powerful choice:

  • More timeframes – MT5 offers 21 timeframes compared to MT4’s 9. That means more ways to analyse market behaviour and spot opportunities.
  • Depth of Market (DOM) – This real-time data shows the volume of buy and sell orders at different prices, helping you gauge sentiment and liquidity.
  • Built-in economic calendar – No more switching tabs or searching websites. MT5 keeps you updated with key economic events right inside the platform.
  • Advanced order types – From market and limit orders to stop-limit, MT5 offers greater control over trade execution.
  • Multi-asset support – Trade not just forex, but also stocks, futures, CFDs, and more, all from one platform.
  • Faster backtesting – MT5 uses multi-threaded strategy testing, which speeds up the process of evaluating expert advisors.

Put simply, MT5 is built for the trader who wants more: more flexibility, more insights, and more asset classes.

How to Get Started With MT5

Getting started with MT5 is quick and straightforward. All you need to do is head over to an official platform provider and grab an MT5 download. You can choose from desktop, web, or mobile versions, but if you want full functionality, especially for things like expert advisors or custom indicators, the desktop version is the way to go.

Once it’s downloaded, installation only takes a minute or two. You’ll either create a new account or log in with your existing details. After that, the platform opens with everything ready to go: charts, tools, and a market watch panel all laid out by default.

From there, you can start personalising the setup. Change your chart appearance, load saved templates, set up price alerts, and even add plugins if you want extra features.

If you’re coming from MT4, the layout will feel familiar, but cleaner. MT5 cuts down on the clutter, includes more features right out of the box, and gives you more ways to tailor things to how you trade.

Comparing MT4 and MT5: A Closer Look

Here’s a quick side-by-side breakdown of the most important differences between the two platforms:

FeatureMT4MT5
Timeframes921
Depth of MarketNot available Yes 
Economic CalendarNot built-inIntegrated
Supported AssetsForex onlyForex, stocks, commodities 
Strategy TesterSingle-threadedMulti-threaded
Pending Order Types46
Programming LanguageMQL4MQL5

As this table shows, MT5 is much more than a facelift. It offers real functionality upgrades that matter for strategy development and execution.

Key Benefits for Traders

Whether you’re just getting started or already deep into technical analysis, MT5 gives you tools to work smarter. 

Here are some of the key advantages traders appreciate:

Custom indicators and scripts 

MT5 supports advanced coding through MQL5, which enables traders to build highly specific tools for their strategy.

One-click trading 

Execute trades quickly from the chart without jumping between windows.

Economic event tracking 

With the built-in calendar, you can plan trades around volatility events more easily.

Depth of Market visibility 

This is especially useful for short-term and high-frequency traders who need to see where volume sits on both sides of the price.

These tools aren’t just for pro traders. Even beginners can start using them with a bit of exploration, and many brokers provide educational resources to help you get comfortable.

MT5 for Multi-Asset Trading

One of the biggest advantages of MT5 is how easily it lets you handle multiple asset types in one place.

You can track forex pairs, follow stock indices, watch commodities, and even trade crypto, all from a single account. No jumping between platforms or opening separate logins just to manage different markets. It’s all there on one screen.

That kind of flexibility opens up more ways to build your strategy. Maybe you take short-term positions in forex while holding onto gold or an index for longer-term stability. With MT5, it’s simple to manage both at once.

The layout makes it easy to stay organised, too. You can set up multiple charts, keep key instruments in view, and make quick decisions as the market moves, without feeling overwhelmed.

Who Should Use MT5?

New traders who want a platform they can grow into. MT5 starts out simple but has the tools to support more complex strategies down the line.

Experienced traders looking to trade more than just forex. MT5’s multi-asset capabilities mean you can manage a diverse portfolio more efficiently.

Algorithmic traders who build custom indicators or expert advisors. MT5’s architecture is far more advanced in this area compared to MT4.

If your trading is evolving and you’re hitting limits with your current setup, MT5 can help you break through those barriers.

Where to Access MT5

If you’re ready to make the switch, you can head over to ThinkMarkets. Their platform support makes setup quick and simple, so you can focus on trading instead of troubleshooting. It only takes a few minutes to get started, and once installed, the platform is yours to explore.

Ready to Trade Smarter?

Having a solid strategy is important. But let’s be honest, your strategy is only as good as the tools you use to carry it out.

That’s where MT5 comes in. It’s not just a newer version of something older. It’s a powerful, flexible trading platform built for the kind of decisions you make in fast-moving markets. Whether you want to switch between timeframes, monitor different asset classes in one place, or test strategies with real precision, MT5 gives you the setup to make it happen.

If you’re serious about trading and you want a platform that keeps up with you, it’s time to take that next step.

Frequently Asked Questions
Can I run MT5 on a Mac?

Yes, although it may require additional setup like a compatibility layer or using a web version. Some brokers also offer native Mac support.

Is it better than MT4 for automated trading?

Definitely. MT5’s strategy tester is faster, supports multi-currency backtesting, and allows more complex systems using MQL5.

Can I use my MT4 login on MT5?

No, MT4 and MT5 use separate account types. You’ll need to open a new account specifically for MT5.

Does MT5 support copy trading?

Yes, many brokers offer copy trading services compatible with MT5, depending on their integration.




Author - Suprabha Bhosale
Suprabha Bhosale

Finance Writer

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