How to Place Trading Robots on MT4 and MT5

How to Place Trading Robots on MT4 and MT5

Reading time: 7 minutes

In today's high-tech world of forex trading, it is important to stay ahead of the curve. Traditional trading methods are being complemented and, in some cases, replaced by sophisticated trading robots, often called Expert Advisors or EAs. These aren't just digital tools; they're automated trading systems that can make autonomous trading decisions based on complex algorithms and historical data.

Two popular trading platforms that work well with these robots are MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5). These platforms offer robust infrastructure, intuitive interfaces, and a wide range of tools to enhance the EA experience. As the world of trading becomes more digitised and competitive, you must be equipped with the right tools. This guide aims to bridge the gap between innovation and usability, helping you navigate the process of setting up trading robots on MT4 and MT5 with minimal use of programming language.

Shift Towards Trading Robots?

The fast-paced and volatile nature of the forex market demands high efficiency and precision, which is where these forex trading robots come into play. Think of them as your personal trading assistants. They can look at a lot of market information quickly, decide when to buy or sell, and even handle several trades simultaneously.

Before you start installing these trading bots, let's quickly break down why they might be a game-changer for your trading:

• Reduced Emotional Trading: Human traders are often influenced by emotions in the financial markets, such as fear and greed. EAs help eliminate this emotional factor, ensuring decisions are based purely on logic and predefined criteria.
• Diverse Trading: One can deploy multiple EAs, each tailored for different currency pairs or trading strategies, ensuring diversification.
• Optimised Entry and Exit: With the ability to analyse data in real-time, EAs can pinpoint the optimal entry and exit points for trades.
• Historical Back-testing: Before deploying, traders can back-test EAs on historical market data (in-sample data, if you will) to gauge their potential effectiveness.

Placing Trading Robots on MT4

• Source the Robot: Whether you purchase a licensed EA, download a free variant, or craft your own, ensure its compatibility with MT4.
• Install MT4: Download the MT4 platform from FP Markets, ensuring regular updates for maximum efficiency.

• Robot File Placement: After obtaining your EA file (.mq4 or .ex4), navigate to the MT4's ‘MQL4’ folder via the platform's ‘Open Data Folder’ option. Place your robot file in the ‘Experts’ directory.

• Deployment: Once the platform recognises the EA post-restart, select your desired currency chart and simply drag your EA from the ‘Navigator’ panel onto it. Activate ‘Auto Trading’ after setting your robot's parameters.

Placing Trading Robots on MT5

• Source the Robot: Just as with MT4, you need a compatible EA. MT5 robots come with .mq5 or .ex5 extensions.
• Install MT5: Ensure you have the latest MT5 platform version from FP Markets.

• Robot File Placement: After acquiring your MT5 EA, use the platform's ‘Open Data Folder’ option, navigate to the ‘MQL5’ directory, and place your robot file within the ‘Experts’ section.

• Deployment: Restart MT5, drag the EA onto your desired chart from the ‘Navigator’ panel, adjust the settings, and activate ‘Auto Trading’.
• One final point for MT4 and MT5: Remember to check the box to allow algorithmic trading – Tools > Options > Expert Advisors.

Important Considerations When Using Trading Bots

• Demo First: Always initiate testing a new trading robot on a demo account. This practice provides a comprehensive understanding of its functionalities and risk parameters without putting real funds on the line.
• Consistent Connectivity: Your MT4 or MT5 platform must maintain a stable internet connection for the EA to function effectively. If you're leveraging a VPS (Virtual Private Server), it ensures that your EA remains active around the clock.
• Stay Updated: It's paramount to periodically check for any updates or modifications to your trading robot. Developers frequently roll out updates to cater to evolving market dynamics or to enhance overall functionality.

Choosing the Right Broker

Ready to experience the potential of automated trading? 

Turn to FP Markets, a reputable, fully regulated Forex and CFD broker established in 2005 and start trading. With both MT4 and MT5 platforms on offer, coupled with a vast array of financial products, FP Markets offers transparency in pricing and excellence in customer service.