You Can Copy All Trades from Your MT5 Platform to MT4 Platform

Forex traders often use both MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) due to the distinct advantages each platform offers. MT5 is favored for its enhanced features like additional order types, faster execution, and a wider range of assets, while MT4 remains popular for its simplicity and wide broker support. However, managing trades across both platforms can be challenging, especially when traders want to execute the same trades on both. Fortunately, it is possible to copy trades from MT5 to MT4, enabling seamless replication of trading strategies across these platforms. In this article, we explore how you can efficiently copy all trades from MT5 to MT4 and the tools available to accomplish this.

Why Copy Trades from MT5 to MT4?

Copying trades from MT5 to MT4 provides several benefits, particularly for traders managing multiple accounts or testing different strategies. Here are a few reasons why traders might want to do this:

1. Account Management: Traders managing client accounts may need to replicate their trades across different platforms, ensuring that MT5 trades are copied onto MT4 without manual intervention.

2. Diversification: Copying trades from MT5 to MT4 allows traders to diversify their risk across multiple platforms and brokers.

3. Platform Preferences: Some traders may prefer the advanced features of MT5 for certain markets but want to maintain their core trading activities on the more widely supported MT4 platform.

Tools to Copy Trades from MT5 to MT4

To copy trades from MT5 to MT4, traders can use specialized software called trade copiers. These tools automate the process of replicating trades in real-time between different trading accounts or platforms. Below, we explore some of the top tools that facilitate this process:

1. Local Trade Copier (LTC)

Local Trade Copier is one of the most widely used tools for copying trades between MT4 and MT5 accounts. It supports cross-platform copying, meaning it can efficiently copy trades from an MT5 master account to one or more MT4 slave accounts.

Key Features:

• Cross-Platform Compatibility: LTC supports copying trades across both MT4 and MT5, regardless of the broker or server location.

• Customizable Settings: Traders can adjust risk management settings, such as lot size, take profit, and stop-loss parameters, ensuring the slave account trades match the risk profile of the master account.

• Real-Time Copying: The software ensures that trades are copied instantly from MT5 to MT4, minimizing the risk of slippage.

Example: Setting Up Local Trade Copier

To set up LTC, you need to install the software on both the MT5 (master) and MT4 (slave) platforms. Once installed, configure the master account (MT5) as the source of the trades and the slave account (MT4) as the destination for copying. You can also fine-tune settings like trade size, risk limits, and execution delays to match your trading preferences.

2. FX Blue Trade Copier

FX Blue offers a free trade copier tool that allows traders to replicate trades across different accounts, including MT4 and MT5. FX Blue Trade Copier is reliable and supports cross-platform copying, making it ideal for traders who need to maintain consistency between their trading accounts.

Key Features:

• Instant Trade Replication: FX Blue ensures that trades are copied without delay, which is crucial for high-frequency traders or those operating in fast-moving markets.

• Customizable Lot Sizes: Traders can configure the trade copier to adjust lot sizes based on the equity of the slave account. This ensures that smaller accounts do not take on excessive risk when copying larger trades.

• Multi-Account Support: FX Blue allows traders to copy trades from a single MT5 account to multiple MT4 accounts simultaneously, making it ideal for account managers.

Case Study: Copying Trades for Multi-Account Management

An account manager running an MT5 master account with $50,000 in equity can use FX Blue to copy trades to multiple MT4 slave accounts. For example, a slave account with $10,000 in equity can automatically scale down the lot sizes based on the master account’s trades, ensuring proportional risk management.

3. Social Trader Tools

Social Trader Tools is a cloud-based platform that allows for seamless trade copying between MT4 and MT5 accounts. It’s particularly useful for traders looking for a solution that doesn’t require local installations or complex setups. The platform allows users to manage multiple accounts, set trade parameters, and replicate trades across different platforms.

Key Features:

• Cloud-Based: Unlike traditional trade copiers that require installation on a local machine, Social Trader Tools operates entirely in the cloud, ensuring trades are copied even when your local device is offline.

• Real-Time Execution: The platform replicates trades between MT5 and MT4 instantly, ensuring minimal slippage.

• Risk Management: Social Trader Tools allows traders to set their own stop-loss and take-profit levels, adjust lot sizes, and manage risk according to each account’s balance.

Steps to Use Social Trader Tools:

1. Create an Account: Register for an account on the Social Trader Tools platform.

2. Link MT5 and MT4 Accounts: Connect both your MT5 and MT4 accounts using the API provided by your broker.

3. Configure Trade Settings: Set the lot sizes, risk limits, and any other custom settings needed for the MT4 account.

4. Start Copying: Once configured, Social Trader Tools will begin copying trades from MT5 to MT4 in real-time.

Risks and Considerations

While copying trades from MT5 to MT4 offers many advantages, there are also risks and factors to consider:

1. Execution Delays

Although most trade copier software aims for real-time replication, slight delays can occur due to factors such as server speed, internet connection, or broker execution times. Delays in copying trades may lead to slippage, where the trade on the MT4 platform is executed at a slightly different price than on the MT5 platform.

2. Different Features Between Platforms

MT5 offers more advanced features compared to MT4, such as additional order types and market depth. Some of these features may not be fully replicated on MT4, resulting in different trading outcomes. It is important to understand the limitations of each platform when setting up a trade copier.

3. Risk Management

Careful consideration should be given to risk management, especially when copying trades from a larger MT5 account to a smaller MT4 account. Adjusting lot sizes proportionally is essential to avoid over-leveraging and excessive risk.

Conclusion

Copying trades from your MT5 platform to your MT4 platform is not only possible but also practical with the right tools. Trade copiers like Local Trade Copier, FX Blue, and Social Trader Tools make it easy to replicate trades in real-time, enabling traders to manage multiple accounts or platforms without manual intervention. While execution delays and platform differences are potential challenges, proper configuration and risk management can help ensure seamless trade copying between MT5 and MT4.