Best MetaTrader 4 (MT4) Brokers for 2026

No. MetaTrader 4 (MT4) is a third-party trading platform that connects to a broker for forex trading. MetaTrader 4 is the most popular third-party platform for trading forex.

You'll need to open a live trading account with a supporting broker if you want to place real trades within the MT4 platform. If you select a broker's server name from the dropdown menu when logging in (this applies to the version of the software downloaded directly from the developer), you can open an account with the broker of your choice and access live rates within MT4.

A forex broker simply needs a proper license from the developer in order to offer MT4 to you as a customer. However, some forex brokers that offer MT4 may lack proper regulation in the countries in which they operate, thus it is important to only choose trustworthy MT4 brokers. See how we evaluate brokers' trustworthiness.

In the U.S., MetaTrader 4 is limited to just three brokers: tastyfx, OANDA, and FOREX.com. Each delivers MT4 access, but their strengths differ in pricing, research, and platform quality. Here’s what you can expect from each.

tastyfx

tastyfx, the U.S. branch of IG, stands out for competitive spreads, strong research, and full algo support on MT4. AutoChartist and PIA First signals add value, and ProRealTime charts offer advanced studies with access to 80+ pairs, though it costs an additional $40 monthly fee if you trade less than 4 lots per month. Execution is scalable, handling large orders smoothly, and high-volume traders get cashback rebates. Downsides include the need for a separate tastytrade account for trading options or futures and the absence of IG Academy and IGTV integration. For MT4 traders who want best-in-class research and scalability, tastyfx is a compelling choice.

OANDA

OANDA is a trusted U.S. broker with a long regulatory track record and reliable MT4 support, including VPS hosting for automation requiring constant up-time. MarketPulse provides consistent research, and Algo Labs extends API trading. Pricing, however, is on the high side unless you deposit $10,000 for Core Pricing or qualify for Elite Trader rebates. Education remains light, and its proprietary platform lags top peers. Still, OANDA delivers stability and trust, making it a dependable MT4 option for U.S. traders.

FOREX.com

FOREX.com, part of StoneX, blends broad market access with strong platforms and excellent education. Its award-winning Trading Academy and growing video content add real value, while TradingView-powered charting and advanced web/desktop platforms suit all levels. MT4 is fully supported, and MT5 is now available in the U.S. Standard pricing is average unless you hit active-trader tiers, and stocks/futures need a separate account. Overall, FOREX.com offers a reliable MT4 experience with excellent education and research to back it up.

Our research found that there are at least 3,006 (counted on mobile) MetaTrader 4 (MT4) servers, and an even larger number of MetaTrader 5 (MT5) servers globally. Unfortunately, MetaQuotes Software does not release any figures that reveal the full number of brokers that use MT4. The number of actual brokers will be fewer than the number of servers, as many brokers will offer multiple servers in order to cater to different groups of clients across various locations.

For example, a given broker may maintain one server in London and another in Australia, or a different server for each of their account types.

Here is a list of forex brokers that we review who do offer MetaTrader 4: Admirals, ACY Securities, AvaTrade, BDSwiss, BlackBull Markets, City Index, CMC Markets, Capital.com, Eightcap Review, Forex.com, FP Markets, FXCM, FxPro, HYCM, HFM, IC Markets, IG, OANDA, Octa, Pepperstone, Saxo, Swissquote, Tickmill, TMGM, TopFX, Trade Nation, Trade 360, Vantage, VT Markets, XM Group, and XTB(no longer available for newly created accounts).

MetaTrader 4 is based on a prior generation (version) of software, whereas MetaTrader 5 is the latest version. (For a deep dive into the differences between these two popular versions of the MetaTrader software, check out my MT4 vs MT5 guide).

As of the beginning of 2025, MetaTrader 5 (MT5) has officially surpassed MetaTrader 4 (MT4) in trading volume, accounting for 54.2% of the combined volume between the two platforms. MT5’s growing preference among forex traders is largely thanks to its advanced features and broader asset support. More MT4-only brokers continue to launch MT5, offering the full MetaTrader suite, as well as increasing the range of trading products available. MT5 can support stock trading, futures trading, CFDs, and forex trading, making it more of a multi-asset platform. MT5 also includes advanced functions like utilizing cloud storage to run strategies and to conduct backtesting. With MT4, backtesting must be done locally or through a virtual private server (VPS).

While it looks and feels similar to MT4, MT5 is a faster, more modern trading platform. Check out our MetaTrader 5 guide to learn about the platform's advanced features and to get a behind-the-scenes look at mobile, web, and desktop versions of the platform.

MetaTrader 4 is completely free to use, whether you have a demo or live account. That said, you can still incur trading costs charged by your broker (or market-maker) in the form of spreads and commissions when you buy or sell securities such as forex and CFDs.

It can also cost money to hold trades overnight — known as carry charges or overnight rollover premiums — depending on the live account type you have (Sharia-compliant accounts are usually interest-free, but may incur other costs).

The MetaTrader 4 (MT4) platform is predominantly used for forex trading. However, depending on the broker, MT4 often comes with a range of other symbols — such as CFDs on indices, commodities, futures, energies, and metals. If you’d like to learn more about how CFDs work – or you’d just like to see our list of the best CFD trading platforms – check out our full-length guide to the Best CFD Brokers and Trading Platforms.

If you are interested in trading other markets, MetaTrader 5 is a great multi-asset option that provides support for a broad range of securities and instruments (and, as of April 2025, has eclipsed MT4 in overall trading volume).