JustMarkets MT4 vs MT5 — Which Platform Is Better for You in 2026?

Overview — The Core Difference Between MT4 and MT5

The debate between MT4 and MT5 is often framed as 'old vs new' or 'simple vs complex' — neither is accurate. The real difference is narrower: MT4 is a forex-focused platform with a massive existing community ecosystem. MT5 is a technically superior multi-asset platform that is gaining adoption rapidly but has a smaller (though growing) community of custom tools.

For traders with no existing investment in the MT4 ecosystem, MT5 is the stronger choice in 2026 for almost every objective measure. For traders with existing MQL4 EAs that they use daily, MT4 remains the practical choice — MQL4 EAs cannot run on MT5 without being rewritten.

Feature-by-Feature Comparison: MT4 vs MT5 on JustMarkets

EA Compatibility — The Single Most Important Difference

If you already use Expert Advisors built in MQL4, this point is decisive: MQL4 EAs cannot run on MT5. MQL4 and MQL5 are different programming languages with different syntax, object models, and function libraries. An MQL4 EA cannot be directly imported into MT5 — it must be rewritten in MQL5.

What to do if you have MQL4 EAs and want to use MT5

• ✓Check if your EA provider offers an MQL5 version — many popular commercial EAs now have both versions available. Contact your provider.
• ✓Hire a developer to port the EA — for complex EAs, an MQL5 developer can rewrite the logic. Expect costs of $50–$500+ depending on complexity.
• ✓Keep MT4 for the EA, use MT5 for analysis — open separate accounts on both platforms. Run your EA on MT4 while using MT5's additional timeframes and calendar for analysis.

Writing new EAs in 2026 — MQL4 or MQL5?

For new EA development starting in 2026, MQL5 is the recommended choice. MQL5 is more powerful, compiles to faster machine code, supports multi-threading, and has better long-term support from MetaQuotes. The MQL5 community is growing rapidly and the language documentation is comprehensive.

When MT4 Is the Better Choice at JustMarkets

• ✓You have working MQL4 EAs that you rely on daily and cannot or do not want to port to MQL5
• ✓You are on older or lower-spec hardware where MT4's lighter resource footprint matters
• ✓You rely on specific MQL4 custom indicators from the MT4 marketplace that don't have MT5 equivalents
• ✓You trade only forex and gold and 9 timeframes (M1, M5, M15, M30, H1, H4, D1, W1, MN1) is sufficient for your strategy
• ✓You are already comfortable with MT4 and the learning curve of MT5 is not worth the benefits for your specific strategy

These are valid reasons — but they are all specific to existing users with legacy investments in the MT4 ecosystem. For a trader starting fresh, none of these apply.

When MT5 Is the Better Choice at JustMarkets

• ✓You are starting fresh in 2026 with no existing MQL4 EA library — MT5 is technically superior in every measurable dimension
• ✓Your strategy uses intermediate timeframes — H2, H3, H6, H8, H12 are only available on MT5
• ✓You want an economic calendar inside your trading platform — MT5 has it built in; MT4 requires a separate browser tab
• ✓You run or develop EAs and want faster backtesting — MT5's multi-threaded tester completes tests in a fraction of MT4's time
• ✓You want to trade stock CFDs — MT5 has native stock CFD support; MT4 has limited support
• ✓You want Depth of Market analysis — MT5 shows Level II order book data; MT4 has no DOM panel

Migrating from MT4 to MT5 — What Changes and What Stays the Same

What is different on MT5 vs MT4

• ✓The interface layout is similar but not identical — the Navigator panel and chart context menus have some differences
• ✓EA and indicator file formats (.ex4 on MT4, .ex5 on MT5) — you cannot run .ex4 files on MT5
• ✓The Strategy Tester interface has additional options and settings for multi-currency testing
• ✓Some charting keyboard shortcuts differ between versions

What stays the same

• ✓Same account management — Personal Area, deposit/withdrawal, account settings unchanged
• ✓Same instrument list — 260+ instruments available on both platforms
• ✓Same spreads and execution — your JustMarkets account conditions are not affected by platform choice
• ✓Same mobile apps — MT4 and MT5 mobile apps operate the same way on iOS and Android

Can You Use Both MT4 and MT5 at JustMarkets Simultaneously?

Yes. JustMarkets allows you to open multiple live and demo accounts under one verified profile. A Standard account on MT4 and a Pro account on MT5 can both be active at the same time — with separate account numbers, balances, and login credentials. There is no cost to maintain multiple accounts — JustMarkets does not charge account maintenance fees.

Many active JustMarkets traders use both platforms: MT4 for running established MQL4 EAs on a Standard or Cent account, and MT5 for manual analysis and trading using the 21-timeframe charts, DOM, and economic calendar on a Pro account.

Frequently Asked Questions — MT4 vs MT5 at JustMarkets

More JustMarkets Guides