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 12,000 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
Number of instruments
Number of instruments
12,000+
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
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
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
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
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
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 demo account 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?
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 open a demo account?
You can open a demo account to practise with £10,000 of virtual funds on both platforms. Choose between a spread betting demo account, CFD demo account or MT4 demo account to practise trading risk-free.