Updated: 11/29/2023

MT5 vs TradingView

In the realm of online trading, two platforms stand out for their comprehensive tools and capabilities:…

MT5 vs TradingView
20 Nov 2023
WRITTEN BY Chad Smith
EDITED BY Henry Hicks
REVIEWED BY Chris Padgett

Table of Contents

In the realm of online trading, two platforms stand out for their comprehensive tools and capabilities: MetaTrader 5 (MT5) and TradingView. While both aim to equip traders with advanced functionalities, they cater to different aspects of trading and analysis. MT5, the successor to the widely popular MetaTrader 4, is a powerful platform designed for trading Forex and other financial markets. It excels in providing an array of technical indicators, charting tools, and automated trading capabilities—known as Expert Advisors—that help traders execute trades and analyse the markets with precision.

Conversely, TradingView has emerged as a robust charting and social networking tool, allowing its user base not only to analyse financial markets through an intuitive interface but also to share insights and strategies with a vibrant community of traders. It is particularly praised for its superior charting capabilities and a wide variety of drawing tools, which make it a favourite among those who heavily rely on technical analysis. TradingView also enables traders to access a broad range of markets and instruments and offers a more transparent pricing model—even including a functional free version.

Key Takeaways

  • MT5 is tailored for comprehensive Forex trading and analysis with extensive automated trading functions.
  • TradingView stands out for its charting tools and trader community, facilitating knowledge sharing and market insight.
  • Both platforms cater to different trading needs and preferences, each with a distinct approach to market accessibility and user experience.

Overview of Trading Platforms

As you navigate the world of online trading, you’ll encounter multiple platforms, each with distinct features and benefits. Metatrader 5 (MT5) and TradingView stand out for their comprehensive tools tailored to enhance your market analysis and trading experience.

Key Features of MT5

  • Charting Tools: You have access to an extensive range of charting tools, enabling detailed market analysis across numerous timeframes.
  • Technical Indicators: MT5 provides a vast library of technical indicators for a more informed trading strategy.
  • Multi-asset Trading: The platform supports various assets such as forex, stocks, and commodities, giving you a diversified trading experience.
  • User Interface: While rich in features, MT5 maintains an interface that balances complexity with user-friendliness.

Benefits of TradingView

  • User-Friendly Interface: TradingView is acclaimed for its intuitive interface that caters both to beginners and experienced traders.
  • Social Trading Features: The platform incorporates a strong social component, allowing you to follow other traders, discuss strategies, and share ideas.
  • Multi-Platform Accessibility: TradingView runs on a browser, which means you can operate it on any device without needing to download software.
  • Market Screeners: Forex and stock market screeners are in place to help you identify trading opportunities efficiently.

Charting and Analysis

When trading forex, stocks, or cryptocurrencies, the effectiveness of your technical analysis hinges on the quality and capabilities of the charting tools and technical indicators at your disposal.

Technical Indicators in MT5

MetaTrader 5 (MT5) is equipped with a substantial suite of technical indicators essential for analysing financial markets. You have access to over 30 built-in indicators which can be expanded through custom indicators created by users. MT5’s indicators include popular tools such as:

MT5 allows for advanced analysis with its 21 timeframes, giving you a detailed view of market trends and potential price movements across different intervals, from one minute to one month.

Drawing Tools of TradingView

TradingView, on the other hand, shines with its intuitive and comprehensive range of drawing tools that enable you to visualise analysis and forecast price directions. These tools, designed for clarity and precision, include:

  • Trend lines and geometric shapes
  • Gann and Fibonacci tools
  • Annotation tools like text and callouts

The platform boasts a user-friendly interface that simplifies the process of mapping out complex technical patterns. Additionally, TradingView supports collaborative features, allowing you to share ideas and strategies with a community of traders.

Automated Trading Capabilities

In the realm of online trading, your efficiency and capability to execute strategies with precision can be significantly enhanced through automated trading functions offered by platforms like MT5 and TradingView.

Algorithmic Trading with MT5

With MT5, you have access to an environment that is robust for conducting algorithmic trading. This includes the development, testing, and application of Expert Advisors (EAs), which are automated trading systems that operate according to predefined strategies. MT5’s powerful backtesting capabilities allow you to simulate strategies on historical data to assess performance before live deployment, giving you confidence in your systematic approach.

  • Backtesting: Test and optimise strategies with historical data.
  • MQL5 Language: Develop custom EAs and indicators with the native programming language.

Trading Robots and Expert Advisors

MT5 distinguishes itself with its emphasis on trading robots and Expert Advisors (EAs). These automation tools enable you to apply your strategies across markets, with the ability to adjust parameters in real-time or after comprehensive historical testing.

TradingView provides platform capabilities for strategy scripting and testing, however, it’s important to distinguish that it primarily facilitates the analytical aspect rather than the direct automation of trades. Direct integration for automated trading through EAs is an area where MT5 excels and stands distinct.

Trading Instruments Comparison

When selecting a trading platform, it’s vital to understand the types of instruments offered. Your trading strategy and preferences will guide your choice between MT5 and TradingView, as each caters to different markets.

Forex and Commodities Trading

MetaTrader 5 (MT5) provides you with extensive capabilities for trading Forex and commodities. You can engage in Forex trading with a wide array of currency pairs, leveraging advanced charting tools, technical analysis, and automated trading systems known as Expert Advisors (EAs). For commodities trading, MT5 offers a variety of options that include precious metals and energies, which are essential commodities on the global market.

Stocks and Cryptocurrencies Markets

On the other hand, TradingView excels with its offerings for stocks and cryptocurrency markets. You will find that it supports an expansive universe of stocks, including global names and various stock exchanges. As for cryptocurrencies, TradingView provides interactive crypto charts and a social networking aspect that allows the sharing of trading ideas within the crypto community, enhancing your crypto trading experience.

Community and Support

As you explore MT5 and TradingView, you’ll notice a distinctive difference in their approach to community engagement and support structures. Both provide comprehensive support and a platform for traders to share ideas, but they do this in uniquely different ways.

MT5 User Community

MetaTrader 5 (MT5) boasts a large user community, which is reflected in the numerous forums and online resources dedicated to it. This community is a hub for:

  • Support: You can find a plethora of topics ranging from troubleshooting to strategy sharing.
  • Professional traders: Many experienced traders use these forums to offer insights, helping to navigate the complexities of the platform.

Engaging with the MT5 community can enhance your trading experience by giving you access to a wide pool of knowledge and expertise.

TradingView Social Trading Features

TradingView, on the other hand, is renowned for its integrated social trading aspects. The platform combines charting and social features, allowing you to:

  • Publish trading ideas: With ease, share your market analyses and watch how the community interacts with them.
  • Interact with traders: Follow other traders, comment on shared strategies, and even discuss live chart setups.

TradingView takes a more social approach, and here, you’re encouraged to collaborate and capitalise on the collective wisdom of a network of both amateur and professional traders.

By engaging with these communities, you can get real-time support, share and receive trading strategies, and connect with traders worldwide.

Performance and Accessibility

When exploring the capabilities of MT5 and TradingView, you’ll find distinct advantages in performance and accessibility that cater to different aspects of your trading experience.

MT5’s Performance

MT5, being a fully-fledged trading platform, provides robust performance particularly suited for high-frequency trading where speed and reliability are essential. Your ability to execute trades is supported by a highly stable system designed to handle complex strategies and extensive backtesting with advanced tools. The mobile app experience ensures that you maintain access to these performance features even on the go, which is paramount for maintaining your trading activities without disruption.

Ease of Use on TradingView

TradingView is acknowledged for its user-friendly interface, which promotes an easier approach to chart analysis and trading. Its accessibility on various devices through a web browser makes it convenient for you to access your charts and data without the need for a software download. The intuitive design elements and straightforward navigation allow you to utilise the platform efficiently, which is particularly advantageous if you prioritise analysis and visual trading tools over direct market execution.

Comparative Pricing and Additional Services

When considering MetaTrader 5 (MT5) and TradingView, it’s essential to scrutinise not only their pricing models but also the array of extra tools and services on offer.

Account Tiers and Pricing Models

MetaTrader 5 (MT5): MT5 offers a free version with essential features for trading. However, if you require more advanced capabilities such as algorithmic trading, you might need to invest in additional services or opt for a broker that provides a more feature-rich version. Bear in mind that some brokers might incorporate additional costs or offer different pricing models.

  • Brokers: The actual costs associated with MT5 can vary significantly depending on the broker you choose, such as TradeStation, eToro, AMP, Binance, or Gemini. These platforms might offer MT5 with distinct pricing structures and some could bundle additional services or offer lower fees.

TradingView: TradingView operates on a freemium model, offering a free basic account tier which comes with essential charting tools. For more advanced traders, there are paid subscriptions:

  • Pro: Priced at an intermediate level, suitable for regular traders desiring additional charts and the capability to use more indicators per chart.
  • Pro+: Offers more in terms of simultaneous charts and enhanced server-side alerts.
  • Premium: The top tier with the most features, including priority customer support and extensive backtesting capabilities.

Extra Tools and Services

MetaTrader 5 (MT5): MT5 is recognized for its robust algorithmic trading framework and comes with a variety of in-built tools:

  • Expert Advisors (EAs): Utilise automated trading strategies without manual intervention.
  • Custom Indicators: Tailor your analysis with personalised technical indicators.

Brokers may also offer their own range of additional services which could include educational resources, advanced analytical tools, or proprietary plugins to enhance your trading experience.

TradingView: TradingView excels with its community-driven tools and services:

  • Custom Indicators and Strategies: Created by a community of traders and developers, these can be added to your toolkit for a more nuanced analysis.
  • Social Network Integration: Share insights and discuss strategies with an active trading community.

Both platforms allow for interaction with cryptocurrency exchanges like Binance and Gemini, which could affect your trading strategy and the tools you may need. TradingView and MT5 integrate with various brokers but it’s important that you review the terms offered as they might significantly influence your trading expenses and experience.

Conclusion

When deciding between MT5 and TradingView, consider your trading style and needs carefully. MetaTrader 5 (MT5) is a robust and comprehensive platform, offering a wide range of technical indicators and advanced charting tools. Its appeal lies in the expansive functionality and the ability to execute trades within the platform.

TradingView, on the other hand, excels in user-friendly charting and social networking features. It is known for its intuitive interface and the ability to share insights with a community of traders. While it may not offer the same level of trading features as MT5, its strength lies in analysis and idea generation.

Consider the following when making your choice:

  • Functionality: MT5 offers advanced trading functions, and automated trading through Expert Advisors (EAs), and is mainly favoured by experienced traders who require in-depth analysis.
  • Usability: TradingView is accessible to newer traders and is preferred for its ease of use and interactive community.

Remember that your choice might also depend on the assets you plan to trade, as MT5 is traditionally oriented towards the forex market. Whichever platform you choose, ensure it aligns with your trading strategy and experience level.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main differences between MT5 and TradingView platforms?

MT5, or MetaTrader 5, is a comprehensive trading platform known for its robustness and a broad array of timeframes, which allows for extensive back-testing of trading strategies. In contrast, TradingView is renowned for its superior charting tools, user-friendly interface, and strong community engagement feature, enabling traders to share ideas and strategies.

Can you connect an MT5 account to TradingView for chart analysis?

Yes, you can connect an MT5 account to TradingView for chart analysis. This can be done using a third-party broker that supports both platforms, which lets you utilise TradingView’s advanced charting capabilities while executing trades on MT5.

What are the price comparison points between MT5 and TradingView subscriptions?

TradingView offers various subscription tiers, starting with a free basic package to premium options with more features. MT5 is generally free to download and use; however, brokers may charge various fees for additional services or a broader range of instruments.

Which features make MT5 preferable over other trading platforms?

MT5’s multi-asset platform allows trading in forex, stocks, and futures, which might not be possible on some platforms. It also features advanced trading operations, algorithmic trading capabilities through its Expert Advisor functionality, and comprehensive analysis tools with over 80 built-in technical indicators and analytical objects.

How do traders benefit from using TradingView for their analysis?

Traders benefit from TradingView’s highly interactive charts, which offer over 100 pre-built studies for in-depth market analysis, customisable indicators, and the ability to publish and share trade ideas within a community. It’s a collaborative environment that enhances learning and strategy development.

Are there platforms considered superior to TradingView for technical analysis?

While TradingView is highly rated for its technical analysis tools, some traders may prefer platforms like ThinkorSwim for its institutional-level analytics, or Bloomberg Terminal for extensive financial data and news, but these tend to be more expensive and have a steeper learning curve. The superiority of a platform is often subjective, depending on the specific needs and preferences of the trader.

author avatar image
Chad Smith

Chad Smith is the Director of Research & Analysis here at ForexBrokerListing.com. Chad previously served as an Editor for a number of websites related to finance and trading, where he authored a significant number of published articles about trading and the impact of technology in transforming investing as we know it. Overall, Chad is an active fintech and crypto industry researcher with more than 15 years of trading experience, and you can find him teaching his dog how to trade in his free time.

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