Free MetaTrader 4 Demo Account - Test Out MT4's Features
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) is a platform which is offered by a wide range of brokers. MT4 has a successor, called MetaTrader 5 (MT5) but MT4 is widely available. MT4 is a platform with a range of features. As a third party platform, some features may not be available at a given broker, but they include support for traders who execute their own trades, via charting tools and the capacity to download and create technical indicators, in addition to those inbuilt on the platform. There is also a wide online community of MT4 users.
Additionally MT4 typically offers support for automated trading with robots. Online trading robots on MT4 are called Expert Advisors (EAs). EAs are computer programs which execute trades in accordance with their algorithms. EAs typically execute signals of some kind, for example based on technical indicators. These algorithms can be the same or similar to ones used by the human trader. So in effect they can be executing trades on behalf of the human trader.
The reasons a human trader may want a computer program to execute their own trades, may include that the program does not tire and barring software or hardware failures of some kind does not make errors. Executing trades is a task which can lead to errors by the human trader, such as those consequent on repeating trades rapidly or simply being tired.
Robots also will execute their algorithms, while human traders may not. This capacity to exercise discretion, which the human trades posses, is a double edged sword. It can make for more nimble trading but it also can make for decisions to leave or stay in a trade against the rules they are following, when it may be better to do the opposite. This said, as a robot ploughs through it can produce rapid losses even if the trade works out in the end, which it may not
At some brokers copy trading features may be enabled, including MetaTrader Signals, which let the trader copy signal providers. The DupliTrade platform connects with MT4 allowing social and copy trading from the DupliTrade platform, which again may be supported at some brokers.
MT4 is known as a Forex platform, but it does support other markets. Typically there are around 100-200 markets available. If the trader wants more, they may find more on MT5. The markets supported can cover a range from Forex to Crypto CFDs. MT4 is offered by a wide range of brokers including what tend to be labelled ECN brokers. ECN brokers in effect provide trading infrastructure geared towards high speed no dealing desk intervention trading. This aligns with MT4, as it can provide enhanced support for a range of trading styles, from scalping to robots.
Open A Free MT4 Demo Account
So with all this in mind, Pepperstone is picked as the example Free MT4 Demo Account, with the idea of letting the trader explore this broker and its platforms, including MT4. This is because Pepperstone has high speed order execution, supports a wide range of trading styles (including news trading, scalping and robots), offers both MT4 and MT5 (as well as cTrader and TradingView) and has MetaTrader Signals (there can be other social and copy trading platforms offered from the live account, depending on location, which can include DupliTrade).
The demo account lets the trader learn how to use MT4 without risking real money and test out its features. To sign up for the demo account, the trader can either choose 'Demo' from the 'Account Types' dropdown on the form to be found below or can sign up for a live account from this form and add demo accounts later. A live account requires a minimum deposit of $200, but the demo account is free.