10 Things Traders Hate About MetaTrader (MT4/MT5)
MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5) have long been the go-to trading platforms for forex and CFD traders worldwide. Despite their dominance, these platforms are far from perfect. Many traders take to Reddit, forums, and social media to vent their frustrations about everything from the outdated interface to unexpected freezes.
If you've used MetaTrader, chances are you've encountered some of these pain points. Here are the top 10 things traders hate about MT4/MT5, backed by real complaints from the trading community.
1. The Outdated Interface ("MS-DOS Vibes")
Many traders complain that MetaTrader’s interface looks like something out of the early 2000s. While other trading platforms have evolved with sleek, modern designs, MT4 and MT5 still have clunky toolbars, basic charting aesthetics, and a layout that reminds traders of "MS-DOS" or "Windows XP era software."
The outdated design is more than just an aesthetic issue—it also affects usability. The cluttered menus and old-school icons make it challenging for new traders to navigate. Many find themselves constantly searching for functions that should be easily accessible.
“Feels like I’m using a platform that should have been left behind a decade ago.” – Reddit trader
2. Frequent Freezes and Lag
For a platform that demands real-time execution, MetaTrader is notorious for lagging and freezing at the worst possible moments—especially during major news events. Traders often report issues where price charts stop updating or the software simply locks up, forcing a restart.
Latency issues can cause significant financial losses, particularly for high-frequency traders or scalpers. A delay of even a few seconds can mean the difference between profit and loss.
“Nothing like having your trade stuck during a high-impact news release.” – Frustrated user
3. Terrible Backtesting System
MT4’s Strategy Tester is often criticized for being slow and unreliable, while MT5’s version is slightly better but still lags behind modern alternatives. The lack of tick data accuracy and poor optimization tools make serious backtesting a headache for algorithmic traders.
Backtesting is crucial for traders who use Expert Advisors (EAs) or automated trading strategies. Many traders complain that the backtesting engine in MT4/MT5 does not provide accurate historical data, leading to misleading results. As a result, traders often have to rely on third-party tools to properly validate their strategies.
“Trying to backtest on MT4 is like using a dial-up connection to download a movie.” – Algorithmic trader
4. Sluggish Mobile App Experience
MT4/MT5 mobile apps are lightweight, but many traders find them too limited. The UI is awkward, charting is frustrating, and executing trades isn’t as smooth as on a desktop. Additionally, traders report frequent disconnections and delayed price updates.
Mobile trading is essential for modern traders who want to monitor their trades on the go. However, MetaTrader’s mobile app lacks essential features such as advanced charting tools and custom indicators, making it a subpar option for serious traders.
“Good luck trying to analyze charts on your phone without getting frustrated.” – Mobile trader
5. Issues with Broker Manipulation
Since MetaTrader is a broker-based platform, it gives brokers significant control over execution. Many traders have raised concerns about price manipulation, suspicious slippage, or servers "going down" conveniently when a big move happens.
Unregulated brokers have been known to take advantage of the platform’s structure by implementing artificial slippage, manipulating spreads, or even tampering with price data to trigger stop-loss orders.
“Ever notice how MT4 ‘disconnects’ right when your stop-loss is about to hit? Yeah, me too.” – Conspiracy-minded trader
6. Limited Customization Options
While MetaTrader supports custom indicators and scripts, the level of customization is still relatively low compared to more advanced trading platforms. Traders often complain about the lack of flexibility when it comes to UI modifications and workspace layouts.
Unlike platforms like TradingView, which allow users to drag and drop widgets, MT4/MT5 requires users to manually adjust chart layouts, which can be time-consuming. Traders also struggle with the inability to fully personalize their trading environment.
“MT4 makes it a nightmare to create a workspace that actually feels intuitive.” – Customization enthusiast
7. No Native Dark Mode
It’s 2024, and somehow, MetaTrader still doesn’t offer a proper dark mode. Traders who spend hours staring at charts often request this feature, yet MetaQuotes has never prioritized it.
While some custom templates and third-party solutions exist, they often come with bugs or compatibility issues. Given how many other trading platforms offer dark mode as a standard feature, it’s baffling that MetaTrader still hasn’t implemented it.
“Would it kill them to add dark mode? My eyes are begging for mercy.” – Late-night trader
8. Lack of Proper One-Click Trading Customization
While one-click trading exists on MT4 and MT5, many traders complain that it's not as intuitive or customizable as it should be. Some even find themselves accidentally executing trades due to the awkward design.
For scalpers and day traders who rely on fast execution, the lack of customization options in one-click trading can be a serious drawback.
“One-click trading should be fast, not an accident waiting to happen.” – Scalper’s nightmare
9. Limited Market Depth Data
While MT5 provides a more detailed depth-of-market (DOM) feature than MT4, it’s still considered inferior to what’s available on platforms like cTrader or TradingView. Many traders argue that the lack of proper order book visibility puts them at a disadvantage.
Market depth is essential for professional traders who rely on order flow analysis to make decisions. The shallow data provided by MT4/MT5 makes it difficult to assess true market liquidity.
“Market depth on MT5 feels like a half-baked feature rather than a serious tool.” – Order flow trader
10. MetaQuotes' Resistance to Change
Despite all these complaints, MetaQuotes (the company behind MT4 and MT5) has been notoriously slow in making meaningful improvements. The company focuses more on broker-side features than trader experience, leaving users stuck with outdated tools.
While many traders have requested updates, MetaQuotes has shown little interest in revamping the software beyond minor patches.
“Why fix something when they can just sell more white-label licenses to brokers?” – Disillusioned trader
So, Why Does MetaTrader Still Dominate?
Despite all these frustrations, MetaTrader remains the industry standard because of its widespread adoption, vast ecosystem of indicators and expert advisors (EAs), and broker compatibility. Many traders put up with the flaws simply because they’ve been using MT4/MT5 for years and don’t want to switch.
But if you’re tired of dealing with MetaTrader’s issues, it might be time to explore better alternatives. Platforms like Crystal Ball Markets offer a fresh approach to trading with modern interfaces, faster execution, and improved user experience.