MetaTrader 5 is a free trading terminal for Windows, built for traders who want charts, order tools and automated strategies in one program. It suits people who already trade forex or CFDs and want to add crypto price exposure through a broker instead of a crypto exchange.
The program is proprietary and also runs on macOS and mobile devices. Its main difference from exchange software is that crypto here is offered as a contract for difference (CFD) by the broker you choose, so you trade price movements without holding the coins themselves. Read the safety section before you install it.
What Is a CFD and How Does It Differ From Owning Crypto?
A contract for difference is an agreement between you and a broker to exchange the difference in an asset's price between opening and closing a trade. You never receive the underlying coin, so there is no wallet to back up and no blockchain transfer to make.
That structure has consequences. The broker is your counterparty, so its terms, spreads and available instruments shape your results. CFDs are often offered with leverage, which magnifies both gains and losses, and some brokers charge overnight financing on positions held past the trading day.
Who Is MetaTrader 5 For?
The terminal fits several common situations. A forex trader who wants to add crypto price exposure can use the same charts and order window for both markets. A trader who builds a rule-based strategy can test an Expert Advisor on a demo account before risking real money.
It is also useful for people comparing price action across instruments inside one familiar interface. Beginners can start with manual trading on charts, while experienced users can layer automation on top once they understand how their broker executes orders.
How Automation Fits Into a Trading Workflow
Automation removes repetitive clicking, but it does not remove the need for judgment. An Expert Advisor only does what its rules say, so a poorly designed rule can repeat the same mistake many times in a row. Writing down the logic in plain language before coding it helps catch these problems early.
A practical approach is to run a new advisor on a demo account for several weeks, watch how it behaves in different market conditions, and only then consider a small live position. Keep logs of each change you make to the rules so you can compare versions later.
Key features
Expert Advisors written in MQL5
Crypto as CFDs through brokers
Supported coins
Crypto instruments in MetaTrader 5 are CFDs offered by individual brokers, so the list of coins, pairs and trading hours depends on the broker you open an account with. Before placing a trade, check the instrument specification in Market Watch, including contract size, minimum volume and any margin requirements.
How to install MetaTrader 5 on Windows
- 1
Get the Windows installer
Go to metatrader5.com and download the Windows version from the official website. Avoid mirror sites and links from unfamiliar search ads, since a modified installer can carry malware.
- 2
Verify the file
If the site publishes a SHA-256 checksum or a digital signature for the installer, compare it with your download. In PowerShell, run Get-FileHash on the file and check the result against the published value. Do not run an installer whose hash does not match.
- 3
Run the setup wizard
Launch the installer, follow the on-screen steps and choose an installation folder. Windows may ask for administrator permission during setup.
-
Connect to a broker
On first launch, open a demo account or log in to your broker's server. A demo account lets you learn the layout and test orders without real money at risk.
How to use MetaTrader 5
Once installed, the terminal needs only a short setup before you can trade. Start on a demo account so you can learn the layout before any money is at stake.
- Open the Market Watch panel and add the crypto symbols your broker offers.
- Double-click a symbol to open its chart, then choose a timeframe.
- Place a trade from the New Order window, setting volume, stop loss and take profit.
- To run an Expert Advisor, drag it from the Navigator onto the chart and enable automated trading.
- Review open positions and trade history in the Toolbox panel.
Keep position sizes small while you learn, and check the margin requirement before opening any leveraged trade.
Pros & cons
- Free to download and use
- Charts and order tools in one window
- Expert Advisors written in MQL5 for automated strategies
- Crypto access through broker CFDs, without a crypto exchange account
- Available on Windows, macOS and mobile devices
- Crypto is offered as CFDs, not as coins you own
- Instrument lists and trading conditions depend on each broker
- Leverage can magnify losses quickly
- Writing custom strategies in MQL5 takes time to learn
Is MetaTrader 5 safe?
Download the installer only from the official website, metatrader5.com, and check the SHA-256 hash or digital signature before running it. Never enter your broker password or any seed phrase on third-party websites, and never share login details with anyone who contacts you claiming to be support. The main risk is financial: leveraged CFDs can lose money fast, so treat any live account with care. Check the latest version on the official website before installing.
- Official source only. Download from www.metatrader5.com. Ignore ads and lookalike domains.
- Check the SHA-256. Compare the installer hash with the value the developer publishes before running it.
- Never share your seed phrase. No developer, support agent or website — including CryptApps — will ever ask for it.
Alternatives
MetaTrader 5 centers on broker-based CFDs and Expert Advisors. TradingView Desktop focuses on charts, indicators and alerts. Quantower combines several brokers and crypto exchanges in one platform, while CScalp is a scalping terminal that connects to exchanges such as Binance, Bybit and OKX. If you want to trade crypto directly on exchanges, CScalp or Quantower may suit you better. If your main need is advanced charting, TradingView is the reference point. Choose MetaTrader 5 when your broker offers the crypto CFDs you want and you plan to use MQL5 automation.
Specifications
- Price
- Free
- Type
- Proprietary
- License
- —
- Latest version
- —
- Last update
- —
- Windows support
- Yes (official Windows version)
- Official site
- www.metatrader5.com
Frequently asked questions
Yes, MetaTrader 5 is free to download and use. Get the official Windows version from metatrader5.com. Opening a broker account is a separate step, and trading costs, spreads and financing come from that broker's terms.
Only in the form of CFDs offered by brokers. You trade a contract that follows the price rather than owning the coin. You do not receive or store the underlying asset, and the list of available crypto instruments depends on your broker.
It is safe when you download the installer from the official website and verify its hash or signature. The bigger risk is financial, because leveraged CFD trading can lose money quickly. Never share your broker password or enter a seed phrase on third-party sites.
An Expert Advisor is a program that runs inside MetaTrader 5 and places or manages trades according to rules you define, usually written in MQL5. It removes manual clicking but does not guarantee results, so test any rules on a demo account first.
Yes, the terminal is also available for macOS and mobile devices. This page covers the Windows version, which is the one you install on a PC. The core charting and order tools are similar across platforms.
A crypto exchange lets you buy and hold coins on its own platform. MetaTrader 5 is a terminal that connects to brokers offering CFDs, so you trade price movements instead of owning the asset. Fees, leverage and available symbols vary by broker.
No. You can trade manually using charts and order windows. Programming in MQL5 is needed only if you want to write your own Expert Advisor, and ready-made advisors can be attached to a chart without any code.
Verdict
MetaTrader 5 is a sensible free terminal for traders who already use broker CFDs and want charting and automation in one Windows program. It is less suited to people who want to hold crypto coins or connect directly to an exchange. Start on a demo account, read your broker's terms closely, and approach leveraged trades with caution.