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Compare trading platforms

Next Generation vs MetaTrader 4

Compare our award-winning Next Generation platform's features* with the MetaTrader 4 platform. Tailor your preferred platform to suit your trading strategy. Please note that spread betting is only available in the UK and Ireland, whereas CFDs​ are available globally.

Next Generation platform

Our Next Generation trading platform combines institutional-grade features and security, with best-in-class insight and analysis.

  • Get tight spreads on more than 11,000 instruments.
  • Make use of over 115 indicators and 70 chart patterns.
  • Manage your risk with transparent costs and stop-loss orders.

MetaTrader 4 platform

Trade forex, indices and commodities CFDs at home or on the go on MT4, the world's most popular platform. (CFDs only)

  • Automate your trading with algorithms.
  • Enjoy a wide range of chart types and tools.
  • Customise your trading with add-ons that suit your style.

Account comparison

NEXT GEN MT4

Number of instruments

NEXT GEN MT4

Number of instruments

11,000+

53

Forex

YES (330+)

YES (30)

Indices

YES (80+)

YES (17)

Cryptocurrencies

YES (14) – professional clients only

NO

Commodities

YES (100+)

YES (7)

Shares and ETFs

YES (9,500+)

NO

Treasuries

YES (50+)

NO

Countdowns

YES – professional clients only

NO

Account properties

NEXT GEN MT4

100% automatic execution of orders without the mediation and intervention of the dealer

YES

YES

Minimum payment

NO

NO

Free account maintenance

YES

YES

Account currency

CHF, EUR, GBP, NOK, SEK, USD

CHF, EUR, GBP, NOK, SEK, USD

Individual account

YES

YES

Corporate account

YES

NO

CMC Pro offer

YES

YES

Transaction discounts for active customers

YES (professional clients only)

YES (professional clients only)

Maximum leverage

30:1

30:1

Protection against negative balances

YES (retail clients only)

YES (retail clients only)

Available orders

NEXT GEN MT4

Market order

YES

YES

Limit and stop-entry orders

YES

YES

Stop-loss and take-profit orders

YES

YES

Trailing stop-loss orders

YES (also active after switching off the platform)

YES (must logged in to the platform)

Guaranteed stop-loss orders

YES

NO

Boundary orders (helps prevent slippage)

YES

NO

Access market depth via price ladder

YES

NO

Position size examples

NEXT GEN MT4

Transaction unit

Unit (equal to the price of the instrument in the base currency)

Lot (according to specification)

Minimum trade size for EUR/USD

400 EUR (= 0.004 lot on MT4)

0.01 lot (= 1000 EUR on Next Generation)

Maximum trade size for EUR/USD

EUR 30 million (= 300 lots on MT4)

40 lots (= EUR 4 million for Next Generation)

Minimum step size for EUR/USD

1 EUR (= 0.00001 lot on MT4)

0.01 lot (= 1000 EUR on Next Generation)

Minimum trade size for Germany 40

0.01 units (= 0.004 lot on MT4)

0.01 lot (= 0.25 units on Next Generation)

Maximum trade size for Germany 40

1,500 units (= 60 lots on MT4)

5 lots (= 125 units for Next Generation)

Minimum step size for Germany 40

0.0001 units (= 0.000008 lot)

0.01 lot (= 0.25 units on Next Generation)

Minimum trade size for Gold

0.4 units (= 0.004 lot on MT4)

0.01 lot (= 1 unit on Next Generation)

Maximum trade size for Gold

7,500 units (= 750 lots on MT4)

10 lots (= 1000 units for Next Generation)

Minimum step size for Gold

0.001 units (= 0.00001 lot on MT4)

0.01 lot (= 1 unit on Next Generation)

Platform properties and tools

NEXT GEN MT4

Requires installation

NO

YES

Personalise platform appearance

YES

YES (limited)

Personalise order properties

YES

NO

Trade using amounts or units

YES

NO

Choice of forced closure method (close-out)

YES (standard; last in, first out; largest position margin first; largest position loss first)

No (only ordinary)

Choice between netting and hedging

YES

No (only hedging)

Advanced instrument search tools

YES

NO

List of favourite instruments

YES

YES

Custom-stop triggering

YES (at buy, sell or mid-price)

No (only on the right side of the spread)

Advanced charting package

YES

YES

Built-in indicators and drawing tools

YES

YES

Parameters of indicators can be edited

YES

YES

Ability to create your own indicators

NO

YES

Automatic trading

NO

YES (Expert Advisors)

Pattern recognition scanner

YES (candle and line)

NO

Market sentiment tool

YES

YES

1-click transactions

YES

YES

Multi-interval analysis

YES

YES

Offline alerts

YES (free SMS, email, push, inside platform/price, calendar, order fulfilment)

YES

Economic calendar

YES (Reuters)

YES

Fundamental analysis reports of Morningstar Research

YES

NO

Reuters news

YES

NO

Built-in market comments

YES

NO

Price bar (ticker)

YES

NO

Direct access to educational and analytical materials

YES

YES

Next Generation platform

MetaTrader 4 platform

Next Generation platform features

Fast, intuitive platform

Award-winning charting*

Easy fund and withdraw process

Unique layouts for market overview or deep-dive analysis

Over 115 technical indicators and tools

FAQ

Can you spread bet on MT4?

We only offer CFD trading on our hosted MetaTrader 4 platform. However, you can spread bet tax-free** using our Next Generation trading platform, with no capital gains tax, stamp duty or commission fees to pay. Other charges apply, so please see our platform for more details. Learn more about our web-based trading platform.

Is there a minimum payment to get started on the platforms?

There is no minimum deposit to start trading on either platform. However, you will need to ensure you have sufficient funds to cover your leveraged positions to avoid a margin call.

Which markets can I trade CFDs on?

With our Next Generation platform, you can trade CFDs on 11,000+ securities within the forex, index, share, commodity, treasury and ETF markets, as well as our exclusive CFD share baskets. Browse our range of markets. With MT4, you can trade CFDs on popular forex pairs, indices and commodities.

Does Next Generation offer automated trading?

Our Next Generation trading platform doesn’t yet offer automated trading. However, you can create algorithms using Expert Advisors (EAs) and trading robots on MT4 without any coding knowledge. Open an MT4 Sign Up to practise using automated trading strategies.

What technical analysis tools does MT4 have?

MT4 comes with a wide range of technical indicators and add-ons, such as pivot points, Donchian channels and Renko charts. It also offers the powerful Autochartist tool, which uses pattern recognition software to identify trade ideas and opportunities.

Can I trade on mobile?

You can spread bet and trade CFDs using our customisable trading app, which comes with mobile-optimised charts, order tickets and trading alerts. Download our mobile app for Android or iOS devices now.

What is the client sentiment tool?

The client sentiment tool is available on both Next Generation and MT4 to analyse user behaviour and detect whether traders are feeling particularly bullish or bearish about certain instruments. Read more about measuring investor sentiment.

Can you create your own indicators on MT4?

You can create your own leading or lagging indicators on MT4 using Expert Advisors. In order to do this, you should be familiar with MQL4 and MetaEditor tools. Learn how to create MT4 indicators.

What platform features are exclusive to Next Generation?

Some exclusive features of our online trading platform include a chart forum, access to free Morningstar fundamental reports, a Reuters news feed, boundary orders and a price ladder to access market depth. Learn more by watching our Next Generation platform tutorials.

Can I Sign Up?

You can Sign Up to practise with £10,000 of virtual funds on both platforms. Choose between a spread betting Sign Up, CFD Sign Up or MT4 Sign Up to practise trading risk-free.