MetaTrader 4 platform

Q: What is the MetaTrader 4 (MT4) platform?

MetaTrader 4 or MT4, developed by MetaQuotes, is an online trading platform used to speculate on the price movement of assets such as forex, indices and commodities. It's one of the most popular forex trading platforms available online, and can be downloaded on Windows, Android and iOS. MT4 enables the use of Expert Advisors (EAs) to automate your trading.

Q: What is auto trading on MT4?

Auto or algorithmic trading is one of the most powerful features on the MT4 platform, allowing you to test and apply Expert Advisors (EAs) and technical indicators that you've built or acquired.

Q: How do I download MT4 indicators and add-ons?

You can learn more about our premium MT4 indicators and add-ons, and download them for free here.

Q: How do I open an MT4 demo account?

1. Apply for a demo account 2. Create an MT4 password within our admin portal 3. Follow the live account login steps outlined above (but select the demo server – you can find the server name at the top of the emails we sent you during the application process)

Q: Does my MT4 demo account expire?

MT4 demo accounts remain active as long as you log in to the MT4 trading platform at least once every 30 days. If you don't log in during that time, your account will automatically be closed, but you can set up a new demo account again at any time.

Q: Is it free to open an account?

There's no cost to open a live trading account with us. You can also view prices and use tools such as charts, Reuters news, or Morningstar quantitative research equity reports, free of charge. You'll need to deposit funds in your account to place a trade.

Q: Is CMC Markets regulated?

Yes, CMC Markets UK plc (registration number 173730) is fully authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in the UK. Retail client money is held in segregated client bank accounts and money held on behalf of clients is distributed across a range of major banks, which are regularly assessed against our risk criteria.

Q: Is CMC Markets covered by the FSCS?

Yes, your eligible deposits with CMC Markets are protected up to a total of by the Financial Services Compensations Scheme (FSCS), the UK's deposit guarantee scheme. If CMC Markets ever went into liquidation, retail clients would have their share of segregated money returned, minus the administrator's costs in handling and distributing these funds. Any shortfall of funds up to may be compensated under the FSCS.

Q: How does CMC Markets segregate client money?

Under the FCA's Client Money rules, we're required to segregate client money (unless you agree with us otherwise) from CMC's own funds. The funds held in segregated bank accounts do not belong to CMC, and will be held in a way that enables it to be identified as client money. Learn more about client money regulations

Q: How does CMC Markets make money?

CMC Markets earns revenue through spreads and other applicable fees and charges. The fees and charges that apply may vary depending on the product and account type.

Financial Conduct Authority regulated

Protected up to £85,000¹

FTSE 250 group

2026 WINNER

Best Spread Betting Broker

Good Money Guide Awards 2026

2025 WINNER

Best Mobile Trading Platform

ADVFN International Financial Awards

2025 WINNER

No.1 Commissions & Fees

ForexBrokers.com Awards

MT4 markets and costs

Access tight spreads on over 175 forex pairs, plus key indices and commodities. Minimum spreads on forex start from 0.0 pips with our FX Active account², and 0.5 pips with our spread betting and CFD trading accounts.

Why trade on MetaTrader 4 with us?

London-based server

Our London-located server and industry reputation helps us provide a tier-one liquidity solution, so we can consistently deliver lightning-fast execution³ speeds.

Free premium indicators and EAs

Hone your technical analysis and tap into our suite of additional premium MT4 indicators and EAs, included at no cost.

Straightforward deposit and withdrawal

Deposit and withdraw funds easily, and whenever you want to, with no charge.

Hedge your positions

We give clients the ability to go long and short at the same time on a specific instrument, which means there's no interruption for traders using Expert Advisors (EAs).

Superior execution and reliability

Our pioneering technology and experienced customer service, alongside the renowned MT4 platform, provides the ideal combination for serious traders.

Open a demo account

Automated execution

You can be sure your trades will be filled without any dealer intervention.

Fill rate⁴

We fulfil your order without off-quotes, and wherever possible at the price you see.

Platform stability²

We consistently achieve almost 100% core platform uptime, so you can focus on your trading.

What do our customers say about trading with us?

Discover why 2 million+ global traders and investors choose us.³

MetaTrader 4 trading tools

Enhance your MT4 trading experience with our 12 free, premium EAs, including mini terminal and sentiment trader, and 18 indicators, such as pivot points and renko charts.

Discover MT4 tools

Compare our account types

MT4 spread betting

A tax-efficient way of speculating on the price movement of global financial instruments.

Trade with leverage
No stamp duty to pay⁷
No capital gains tax on profits

Available schemes: Price+, Alpha

MT4 CFD trading

Trade on the price movement of underlying financial assets, with no stamp duty payable.

Trade with leverage
No stamp duty to pay⁷
Profits subject to capital gains tax

Available schemes: Price+, Alpha

Learn more

FX Active

Commission-based³forex trading, designed for CFD traders who want to trade on pure price action.

No stamp duty to pay⁷
Spreads from 0.0 pips on 6 major pairs²
25% spread discount on all other FX pairs

Available schemes: Price+, Alpha

FAQs

New to MetaTrader 4?

What is the MetaTrader 4 (MT4) platform?

What is auto trading on MT4?

How do I download MT4 indicators and add-ons?

How do I open an MT4 demo account?

Does my MT4 demo account expire?

New to CMC Invest?

Is it free to open an account?

Is CMC Markets regulated?

Is CMC Markets covered by the FSCS?

How does CMC Markets segregate client money?

How does CMC Markets make money?

Any questions?

Email us at

clientmanagement@cmcmarkets.co.uk

or call on +44 (0)20 7170 8200

We're available whenever the markets are open, from Sunday night through to Friday night.

¹0.009 seconds CFD median trade execution time on CMC Markets' web and mobile platforms, 1 April 2024-31 March 2025.

² Spreads from 0.0 pips on EUR/USD, GBP/USD, AUD/USD, NZD/USD, USD/CAD, and USD/JPY with our FX Active account. A fixed commission at 0.0025% per transaction applies.

³0.018 seconds CFD median trade execution time on MetaTrader 4 globally, 1 April 2024-31 March 2025.

⁴ 99.29% of MT4 market open orders were filled at quote, 23 September 2024-31 March 2025

⁵ 99.99%+ MT4 core platform uptime, 1-31 August 2023.

⁶Based on over 2 million unique user logins across CMC's trading and investing platforms, including partners, as at November 2025.

⁷Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and may be subject to change in the future.

MetaTrader 4 platform

What is MetaTrader 4?

MT4 markets and costs

Why trade on MetaTrader 4 with us?

Superior execution and reliability

What do our customers say about trading with us?

MetaTrader 4 trading tools

Compare our account types

MT4 spread betting

MT4 CFD trading

FX Active

FAQs

Ready to get started?

Any questions?