Metatrader 5’S Introduction, Brokers Still by Damian Chmiel Prefer Metatrader 4
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Is MetaQuotes Its Own Worst Enemy? Nine Years after MetaTrader 5’s Introduction, Brokers Still By Damian Chmiel Prefer MetaTrader 4 Trading platforms designed by MetaQuotes Due to the unwavering popularity of Meta- which still looks more appealing to traders. On are definitely the most recognized and well- Trader 4, the supplier of the most popular top of that, big brokers that were so far avoiding known within the retail trading industry. If investment software on the market has been MT4 and promoting their own software finally we asked the average trader which platforms struggling with trying to increase the usage had to surrender and introduce their com- they use for trading, most of them would rates of MetaTrader 5 for years. As it turns out, petitor’s software to their clients. This unusual B2Broker of confirm at least occasional contact with one some brokers who already upgraded to MT5, turnaround led Finance Magnates to seek for CEO – of the MetaTrader versions. have decided to return to the “good ol’” solution, the answers to this surprising phenomenon. Azizov 52 Arthur MetaQuotes, originally from Russia and Main Differences between MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 today based in Cyprus, was established in 2000 with the launch of FX Charts, which Arthur Azizov, Fig. 23 CEO of B2Broker MetaTrader 4 MetaTrader 5 was renamed as MetaQuotes just a year later. Trading instruments FX and CFDs FX, CFDs, futures, and stocks The real breakthrough came however in the Timeframes 9 21 middle of the last decade when Metatrader Pending orders 4 types (buy stop, buy limit, sell limit, sell stop) 6 types (additionally buy stop-limit, sell-stop limit) 4 (MT4) was finally released. Since then, the Hedging Only hedging Hedging and netting platform has become the flagship symbol of MT4 still generates the largest trading Technical analysis tools 30 38 dynamically developing retail electronic trad- Market depth No Yes volumes. It is simpler to use than MT5 and ing, and almost 15 years later it is still a first Economic calendar No Yes 70% brokers still have MT4 trading platforms. Order execution types 3 4 choice solution for many investors around Graphical objects 31 44 the world. Despite its ‘old-fashioned’ design Strategy tester Single-threaded Multi-threaded and the emergence of a considerable number Fund transfer between accounts No Yes of alternative apps and proprietary broker- and constant interest of consumers. Programming language MQL4 MQL5 age platforms, MT4 still retains a dominant position. Source: MetaQuotes The refreshed version (MT5), which was to ] MetaTrader 5 – An Improvement for Brokers, not Necessarily for Traders? take over the lead after MetaTrader 4, offi- increasing the fees for the earlier version. Despite the developer’s actions, a large cially debuted in 2010. Although almost ten In January 2018, MetaQuotes made an offi- number of clients still prefer MT4, so brokers Metaquotes has long been preparing the years have passed since then and MetaQuotes cial announcement that it would no longer keep the platform on offer. However, accord- phase-out of MT4, and the final decision was has taken many steps to make this version sell the MetaTrader 4 trading platform. The ing to the industry participants’ opinions, dictated by technological constraints: “The the leading choice of brokers and traders, company elaborated that the system is out- for the investment firms themselves, version architecture was designed under the limita- the issue remains problematic. More inter- dated and cannot be developed further. It number 5 is definitely more advantageous. tions of a different time, due to which it is estingly, since the beginning of last year, MT4 should be noted that the decision came amid MT5 does not exist primarily to help the mil- no longer possible to implement new fea- is not officially being sold anymore, and yet an increasing push for MetaTrader 5 adop- lions of pop traders; it is first and foremost an tures that should meet nowadays increased brokers still offer it to their clients. Some of tion, which began in 2016. Before MetaQuotes improvement for brokers. What are the most requirements of the industry or the brokers them even decided - after removing the plat- decided to stop selling MT4 completely, it significant ones? For the purpose of this article B2Broker form from the offering in the first place - to and traders demands,” MetaQuotes explained of firstly offered preferential license purchase we will consider four different aspects: fewer in January 2018. CEO make it available again due to the tremendous rates to brokers for a newer platform, while – third-party plugins (meaning better control), Azizov 53 Arthur to technological constraints, has mutual ben- MetaTrader 4 and MetaTrader 5 in Google Trends MT4 efits. Firstly, liquidity providers might increase MT5 Greg Niebank, their revenues by offering liquidity services Fig. 24 Group Head of Product at at zero-cost and secondly, brokers using MT5 CMC 100 gain almost instant access to higher liquidity. 80 Higher markets range and new features – While MT4 limited asset offering to a few 60 There is a large community of long standing hundred symbols, MT5 has abolished these MetaTrader 4 users that we would not be restrictions. In addition to supporting Forex 40 able to attract unless we made MetaTrader 4 and CFDs, MT5 allows offering futures, stocks, available to them. bonds, and options trading, thus bringing in a 20 larger audience and additional clients. 0 Pricing - In its pricing system, MetaQuotes Feb 23, 14 Feb 22, 15 Feb 28, 16 Feb 26, 17 Feb 25, 18 gateway liquidity solution, more markets and never concealed that it offers more preferen- Source: Google Trends better features, and lastly an improved pric- tial rates for brokers choosing MetaQuotes 5 ing structure. (while MT4 was still being sold). In the begin- Control and fewer third-party add-ons – ning of 2018, a new entrant could expect to clients having problems with MT5”. Some of the brokers, especially bigger ones Brokers using MT4 would need MetaQuotes’ pay $100,000 for MT4, while MT5 started at who have big IT teams, will invest in their own Virtual Dealing Desk to handle order $75,000 for 1,000 users and ran up to $300,000 “MetaQuotes is the leader on the market own solutions to differentiate. However, routing or adapt third-party plugins to pro- for 200,000 trader accounts. and seems that this will not change soon. the platform itself is a kind of commodity to vide the feature that came built-in with the MT5’s supremacy over MT4 when it comes achieve business goals. I believe that the only newer MetaTrader. Add extensive API support to additional features were confirmed by platform that would allow clients to improve to the package, which allows brokers to build Piotr Baszak, Head of Trading Department their results can be a real game changer. Until their custom apps and website integration, at Dom Maklerski TMS Brokers: “From MQ MT4 Global Market Share in FX/CFD then there is no significant evidence that one and you receive a better-tailored solution for we know that the main idea behind building Retail Volumes * of the platforms has any superiority over the every investment company. MT5 platform was to make the architecture Fig. 25 others,” he added. Gateway liquidity solution – Thanks to the of the system more reliable and be prepared The examples mentioned above show that 5 STP Gateway, MT5 gets a massive advantage to support also other asset classes,” Baszak Q1 2018 Q2 2018 Q3 2018 Q4 2018 Total w/o Japan 50.5% 52.3% 55.1% 55% MT5 is definitely a better solution for most over MT4, allowing any MetaTrader 5 broker said. “MetaQuotes does not work on devel- Total with Japan 31.5% 33.9% 36.1% 37% retail brokers. Taking into account the back- to connect directly to any other MetaTrader opment on new features in MT4. MT5 now is the priority. When it comes to interfaces MT4 end infrastructure, it looks more developed B2Broker 5 broker for additional liquidity. This solution, Source: Finance Magnates Intelligence of than MT4 making things easier when it comes which was not possible in the case of MT4 due and MT5 are similar therefore we do not see *-includes MT5 volume CEO – Azizov 55 Arthur to brokerage business. What is good for the At the end of the day, it turns out that a broker, however, does not always go hand in product which, in theory, is better, newer, Top 10 Brokers by MT4 Usage in Q4 2018 hand with market demand. Clients’ interests more developed, and offers a number of ben- Piotr Baszak, Head of Trading Department show that they still prefer to use MT4 - at least efits to brokers (and indirectly to customers) Fig. 26 at TMS Brokers in terms of ‘traditional’ FX and CFD trading. loses the fight with its older and technologi- MT4 % Volume MT4 Volume ($B) cally constrained sibling. Share The monopoly that MT4 has established in IC Markets 94.0% 497.3 [ 50% around the World, 100% among Some Bro- recent years ironically works against Meta- Pepperstone 86.0% 210.4 kers – MT4 Will Not Die That Fast (If Ever) Quotes’ attempts to promote MT5. Directly, From MQ we know that the main idea behind Alpari 100.0% 139.4 traders are comfortable with MetaTrader 4, building MT5 platform was to make the Axi Trader 100.0% 130.9 and they do not need any change – the plat- According to data gathered by Finance architecture of the system more reliable FXOpen 100.0% 122.3 form is stable, working and available every- Magnates’ Intelligence Department, Meta- and be prepared to support also other asset Tickmill 100.0% 116.4 where.