MetaTrader 5 (MT5) vs cTrader

Home » Trading Broker Guides » MetaTrader 5 (MT5) vs cTrader

The choice of trading platform is one of several choices that new Forex traders must make. Although there are many products on the market, not all of them are equally effective.

For trading in forex, trading platforms are essential. You can access the trading market through them. MetaTrader 5 (MT5) and cTrader are two of the most popular systems for trading currencies. Both of these trading platforms provide access to a wide variety of trading assets, various analytical solutions, and inviting trading interfaces.

Both of these trading platforms have certain benefits and drawbacks, though not all of them. Today’s comparison of MetaTrader 5 and cTrader will cover all the key characteristics and specifics that traders need to be aware of.

What is MT5?

The robust automated trading platform MetaTrader 5 provides cutting-edge capabilities for profitable trading research and trades in the financial markets. The MT5 platform also enables you to trade stocks, CFDs, and futures in addition to forex. Its wide range of order types and execution options let traders employ unique trading tactics even when their machine is not connected to the internet.

What is cTrader?

One of the most well-known trading platforms in the financial trading industry is cTrader. The Spotware founders, Andrey Pavlov and Ilya Holeu, created it in 2010. It is a multi-asset CFD and Forex trading platform that offers level II pricing, advanced charting tools, quick entry and execution, and more.

MT5 vs cTrader: key differences

It is safe to state that cTrader and MetaTrader 5 are the two most widely used trading platforms. Both MT5 and cTrader were released at the same time, in 2010. Both trading systems allow for a considerable degree of customisation, giving users the chance to completely personalize the platform.

But even though both systems are excellent, there are certain key differences that set MT5 and cTrader apart from one another. In order to assist you in deciding which trading platform to use, we have outlined the main distinctions between them below.
Navigation and design

Despite possible minor similarities, these trading systems’ designs are extremely distinct. The design of MetaTrader 5 is reminiscent of Windows 98 from the past. This platform’s layout is comparable to that of MT4, and its navigation is identical. This makes adjusting for traders who want to switch from MT4 to MT5 more simpler.

Although it appears dated, it is actually quite useful. Finding products on the trading platform and navigating it are both quite simple. This covers, among other things, chart settings and indicators.

On the other side, some people dislike this kind of design and prefer something fresher and more contemporary. cTrader specifically has this to offer.

Many traders all around the world utilize the cTrader trading platform because of its clear and contemporary interface, especially when compared to MT5. The trading platform has both light and dark designs and lets users customize every aspect of the platform.

The cTrader platform has a much cleaner appearance, but it still gives traders access to a wide range of tools and indicators. This is a significant benefit of the trading platform because it successfully balances aesthetics and usability.

Additionally, many individuals enjoy drawing comparisons between these trading platforms and MT4, which was developed by MetaQuotes in 2005. When comparing the differences between cTrader, MT4, and MT5, you’ll see that MT4 and MT5 have very little in common in terms of both their appearance and functionality.
Chart and time limits

The charts and tools are among the key distinctions between these two trading platforms that need to be explored. 21 periods and 3 different chart formats are available to traders in MetaTrader 5.

Additionally, traders have access to 38 built-in indicators by default. Contrarily, cTrader provides users with access to 9 distinct types of charts, 54 timeframes, and more than 70 integrated technical indicators.

However, it should be mentioned that although cTrader has more built-in indicators, MT5 users may readily get many sorts of indicators online. This is a result of MetaTrader’s enormous fan base. Many traders are producing their own indicators and making them available for download so that other traders can use them on their charts.

In terms of the charts it offers, cTrader has one benefit over MT5: users may separate the chart windows from the trading platform, allowing for a more cozy and readily configurable experience.

When comparing cTrader to MT5, it’s also crucial to keep in mind that cTrader charts have their own toolbars, making it simpler for users to manage the charts. Additionally, cTrader provides its customers with the option of using timeframes, which enables more accurate and thorough market analysis.
options for orders

Having access to a variety of orders improves traders’ ability to manage their positions. Both MT5 and cTrader have a lot to offer in this area. When it comes to the order types they offer traders, there are very minimal variations.

The largest distinction would be that, unlike MT5, cTrader permits its users to use pending orders even while the market is closed. Additionally, it should be noted that cTrader makes order configuration significantly simpler when comparing MT5 and cTrader order types.

cTrader additionally provides order tickets that have the ability to estimate the potential risks of the deal. This is quite beneficial for traders. The order types themselves are essentially the same on MT5 and cTrader. As a result, cTrader is regarded by many traders as one of the best MT5 alternatives.
Automated trading and other characteristics

When contrasting these two trading platforms, automatic trading should be included as it is a crucial aspect. Expert Advisors are automated trading platforms that MetaTrader makes available to its users.

These manually coded software applications can be used to automate a variety of market trading duties. This covers both actual trading activity as well as pursuits like technical analysis.

Depending on the approach you’re utilizing and your personal interests, expert advisors can be personally produced or downloaded from the internet. As for cTrader, there is a comparable automated trading tool called cBots that is accessible for this platform.

Given that C# is regarded as a worldwide coding language and that cTrader employs it, some people might believe that there are more automated trading solutions available for cTrader. This is not the case, though.

Some of the most well-liked trading platforms on the market are MetaTrader 5 and MT4, and over the years, many automated trading tools have been developed for them. New ones are being developed every day.

MT5 vs cTrader: pros and cons

The benefits and drawbacks of these trading platforms must be understood by traders in order to fully appreciate the distinctions between MetaTrader 5 and cTrader.

While they are both excellent and actively utilized by millions of Forex traders worldwide, they do have particular benefits and drawbacks that traders should take into account when deciding which one to use. The primary benefits and drawbacks of MetaTrader 5 and cTrader will each be covered in turn below.

MT5 pros and cons

For Forex traders, MetaTrader 5 has a lot of benefits. The fact that this platform comes with a variety of indicators that can greatly simplify market analysis for individual traders is one of the main benefits of utilizing it.

The trading platform is also well-known for having a large online following, making it a wonderful platform for trading because you can quickly find other traders who are using it, exchange ideas with them, and see how they use it.

Because so many traders produce new tools to use on it, its popularity also makes it simple for traders to find many supplementary tools to install on MetaTrader 5. A variant of C++ is used as the programming language for MT5. Traders can create their own indicators, automated trading bots, and other tools using this language, known as MQL5.

The outdated design of this trading platform is a drawback that some people may find to be very disadvantageous.

cTrader pros and cons

Utilizing cTrader allows traders a high degree of customisation, which is one of its main benefits. This trading platform is adaptable to the specific requirements of the trader. Additionally, cTrader has a more user-friendly and contemporary interface.

Similar to MT5, users of cTrader can create their own trading indicators and bots. They do this using the C# programming language, which is more popular and perhaps simpler to learn than the MQL5 language used in MT5.

Because cTrader is not as well-known as MT5, one disadvantage is that it is more difficult to discover supplementary tools to use with it. In fact, some traders consider it to be one of the top MetaTrader 5 substitutes as they are both widely regarded platforms for trading forex.

Is cTrader better than MT5?

Because so few brokers support it, cTrader is less available. The policy of cTrader is to keep a platform in charge of order execution transparency. They preserve execution records and make them accessible to traders. For this reason, only genuine ECN brokers can consent to cooperate with cTrader. Without delving into the specifics, I can say that this choice cost cTrader a lot of brokers’ business while also winning over a lot of devoted traders.

To be objective, though, I must state that MT5 and cTrader are extremely similar in all other respects. They are stable and free of bugs. Both include a variety of practical tools, such as charting tools, indicators, and the ability to create unique plugins. The language that was utilized to create the code makes a difference. While cTrader’s bots are created using C#, MT5 demands the usage of its own MQL5 language, which is extremely close to C++.

Conclusion: should I use MT5 or cTrader?

In conclusion, it’s very clear that each of MetaTrader 5 and cTrader has advantages and disadvantages of its own. Popularity-wise, MetaTrader 5 is well-known for its ease of use, excellent technical trading assistance, integrated features, and accessibility. The strength of cTrader, on the other hand, is found in its slick user interface, transparency, and adaptability.

Because the user interface is so simple and straightforward, cTrader may be a better option for newbies who are just getting started with trading platforms. Once you’ve grown accustomed to cTrader’s user-friendly interface, you might not want to transfer to another platform until cTrader is unable to meet your needs.

However, if you are an experienced trader or an established MT4 user, you could want to view MetaTrader 5’s retro design. The extensive range of assets and trading instruments will unquestionably support your trading requirements and aid in your goal-achieving.

---

Relevant Articles

---