Exness MT5 Tutorial: Complete Guide to Upgrading from MT4 to MT5
If you have used MetaTrader 4 (MT4), you might be wondering whether MT5 is worth the upgrade. The answer is yes—MT5 brings significant improvements in speed, order types, and charting tools.
I have personally used MT5 for six months after switching from MT4. This article is based on real hands-on experience, not just copied documentation. I will explain clearly where MT5 excels over MT4, which features might still feel better on MT4, and how to transition smoothly.
Quick Takeaway:
- ✅ MT5 is better suited for day traders, scalpers, and EA users.
- ✅ MT5 backtesting is 10–100x faster.
- ✅ MT5 offers more timeframes and order types.
- ✅ Beginners can start directly with MT5.
- ❌ MT5 EAs require recompilation/rewriting (MT4 EAs cannot run directly on MT5).
Why Trust This Guide
- I used MT4 for a year and MT5 for six months.
- I have tested both platforms connected to real Exness accounts.
- I have run EAs, executed manual trades, and conducted backtests on MT5.
- This guide is built on real trading experience, not generic manual copy-pasting.
1. MT5 vs. MT4: Core Differences
| Feature / Dimension | MT4 | MT5 |
| Release Year | 2005 | 2010 |
| Programming Language | MQL4 | MQL5 (More modern) |
| Backtesting Speed | Slow | 10–100x faster ⭐ |
| Timeframes | 9 | 21 ⭐ |
| Order Types | 4 | 6 ⭐ |
| Pending Order Types | 4 | 6 ⭐ |
| Built-in Indicators | 30 | 38 |
| Economic Calendar | ❌ None | ✅ Built-in ⭐ |
| Market Depth | Level 1 | Level 5 (DOM) ⭐ |
| Multi-Account Management | Limited | ✅ More flexible |
| EA Compatibility | MQL4 | MQL5 (Not compatible with MT4) |
| Community EA Count | Large | Smaller (but growing) |
| Minimum Deposit | $1 | $1 |
| Beginner Friendliness | ✅ Simple | ⚠️ Slightly complex |
Conclusion:
- MT5 is technically more advanced—stronger in backtesting, timeframes, and order types.
- MT4 has a richer ecosystem—more EAs, community tutorials, and third-party plugins.
- Beginners can start directly with MT5 without needing to start on MT4 first.
2. Core New Features in MT5 (Missing in MT4)
🌟 2.1 Built-in Economic Calendar
MT5 includes an integrated Economic Calendar, allowing you to monitor high-impact events directly inside the platform:
- Non-Farm Payrolls (NFP)
- Federal Reserve Interest Rate Decisions (FOMC)
- CPI Releases
- GDP Data
- Central Bank Speeches
No need to switch to external websites, saving you valuable time.
🌟 2.2 21 Timeframes
MT4 only provides 9 timeframes (M1, M5, M15, M30, H1, H4, D1, W1, MN).
MT5 adds 12 additional non-standard timeframes:
- M2, M3, M4, M6, M10, M12, M20, H2, H3, H6, H8, H12
For short-term traders and scalpers, lower timeframes like M2, M3, and M4 are exceptionally useful.
🌟 2.3 6 Order Types
MT4 only features 4 pending order types: Buy Limit, Sell Limit, Buy Stop, and Sell Stop.
MT5 adds 2 more:
- Buy Stop Limit
- Sell Stop Limit
These two types are primarily used for breakout trading, providing far finer entry control.
🌟 2.4 Depth of Market (DOM)
MT4 only displays Level 1 quotes. MT5 displays Level 5 Depth of Market:
- You can view pending order volumes across 5 levels above and below the current price.
- Highly useful for identifying support/resistance zones.
- Especially beneficial for scalpers.
🌟 2.5 Multi-Account Management
Bulk management in MT5 is more flexible:
- Manage multiple accounts within a single terminal.
- One-click hedging across multiple assets.
- Ideal for fund managers or EA traders.
3. How to Download and Install MT5 (Exness Dedicated Edition)
Windows Desktop
- Log in to your Exness Personal Area.
- Click “Trading Platforms” on the left menu.
- Next to MetaTrader 5, click “Download Windows Version”.
- Run the installer (
mt5setup.exe). - Click Next → Install → Finish.
- MT5 will launch automatically.
Mac
There is no native Mac client for MT5. You have two options:
Option A: Use the Mac-compatible version provided by Exness
- Some brokers offer an MT5 Mac version (powered by Wine).
- Check the “Trading Platforms” page in your Exness Personal Area.
Option B: Use WebTrader
- Open in your browser.
- No installation required.
- Slightly fewer features than desktop, but sufficient for daily trading.
iOS (iPhone / iPad)
- Search for “MetaTrader 5” in the App Store (Developer: MetaQuotes).
- Download for free.
- Launch the app.
Android
- Search for “MetaTrader 5” in Google Play.
- Download and install.
⚠️ Note: Make sure the developer is MetaQuotes Software Corp to avoid fake apps.
4. Connecting MT5 to Your Exness Account
Steps:
- Launch MT5.
- Click File → Log in to Trade Account (Shortcut: Ctrl+Shift+L).
- Select the server:
- Real Account:
Exness-RealorExness-RealXX(the number depends on your account type). - Demo Account:
Exness-DemoorExness-DemoXX.
- Real Account:
- Enter your Login Number (your Exness MT5 account ID).
- Enter your Trading Password (not your Exness Personal Area password!).
- Click OK / Log In.
Upon successful login, your balance will display in the bottom “Trade” tab, and a green network status indicator will show at the bottom right.
💡 Can’t find your server? Go to Exness Personal Area → My Accounts → Click the server icon next to your account to copy the server name automatically.
5. MT5 Interface Overview
The MT5 interface is slightly more feature-packed than MT4, but the layout is clearly organized:
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ Menu Bar: File | Edit | View | Insert | Charts... │ ← Top
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Toolbar: New Order | Timeframes | Indicators... │ ← Shortcuts
├──────────┬────────────────────────┬─────────────────┤
│