What an MT5 forex bot actually does
An EA written in MQL5 can read market data, calculate signals, place orders and manage positions according to its code. Indicators analyse data; they do not necessarily trade. MT4 EAs written for MQL4 do not run natively on MT5. Check platform compatibility, source credibility and required permissions before installing any bot.
Where can you run an Expert Advisor?
Use the MT5 desktop terminal on Windows or Mac to install and run EAs. The desktop terminal must remain running and connected with algorithmic trading enabled, or the EA must be hosted on a compatible VPS. MT5 mobile and WebTrader let you monitor and manage trades but do not host desktop EAs. A VPS can improve availability; it cannot guarantee fills or profit.
Mercato spreads and fees for automated strategies
Frequent-trading bots are especially sensitive to costs. Standard starts at $25, with spreads from 1.2 pips and no commission. Raw starts at $15,000, with spreads from 0.0 pips and $5 per lot commission. Professional starts at $100,000, with institutional pricing and $3 per lot commission. All accounts are swap-free, with leverage up to 1:500. Confirm the commission's per-side or round-trip basis and each symbol's specifications before modelling results.
| Account | Minimum deposit | Spread | Commission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $25 | From 1.2 pips | None |
| Raw | $15,000 | From 0.0 pips | $5 per lot |
| Professional | $100,000 | Institutional pricing | $3 per lot |
Advertised spreads are starting values, not fixed trading costs. Confirm the instrument's current spread, commission charging basis and contract specifications before trading.
ECN trading cost calculator
EUR/USD · USD account · 100,000 units per standard lot. Estimates, not live quotes.
Commission charging basis is unconfirmed. Both scenarios are shown until you choose. Spreads and slippage vary; Professional spread is entered by you.
| Account | Minimum deposit | Estimated total cost |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | $25 | $12.00 |
| Raw | $15,000 | $5.00 / $10.00 |
| Professional | $100,000 | — |
Round trip / per side
MT5 details
All accounts: MT5 desktop Windows / Mac, mobile iOS / Android and WebTrader. EAs run on desktop or compatible VPS, not mobile/WebTrader. Swap-free; maximum leverage 1:500. Funding and other applicable charges are excluded.
Backtest with realistic costs on MT5
MT5's Strategy Tester can test and optimise an EA using historical data, including real ticks where available. Include realistic spread, commission and execution delay settings. Separate the data used to optimise parameters from out-of-sample data. A strategy tuned to every historical fluctuation may be overfitted and fail on new prices.
- Check drawdown and losing streaks, not only total profit.
- Stress-test wider spreads and worse fills for scalping bots.
- Test more than one market period and avoid cherry-picked dates.
- Do not treat a backtest or demo result as a live-return guarantee.
A safer workflow before running a bot live
Start with a demo account, attach the EA to the correct chart and timeframe, confirm trading permissions and review the Experts and Journal logs. Set position limits, a daily loss threshold and a plan for disconnects or unexpected orders. Ask support to confirm that your specific automated strategy complies with current trading terms before running it live. Never share your account password with a bot seller.
Scalping bots, grid systems and martingale risks
A scalping EA may lose its edge when spreads or delays increase. Grid systems can accumulate exposure as price trends against them. Martingale systems increase position sizes after losses and can exhaust available margin quickly. Evaluate worst-case exposure and stop conditions, rather than relying on a high historical win rate.
Frequently asked questions
Can a forex bot run on MT5 mobile or WebTrader?
No. Desktop EAs run in the desktop terminal or a compatible hosting environment. Use mobile or WebTrader to monitor positions, not to host the EA.
Can I use an MT4 bot on MT5?
Not directly. MT4 and MT5 use different programming environments. Obtain an MT5-compatible MQL5 version and test it before live use.
Does Mercato sell a guaranteed-profit trading bot?
This guide does not offer a bot or guaranteed returns. Automated forex trading can lose money, even after a successful backtest.
What should I check with Mercato before using an EA?
Confirm the rules for your strategy, account and symbols, the commission charging basis, trading sessions and any execution constraints. Then test on demo before deciding whether live trading is appropriate.
Official MT5 documentation
Risk warning: Forex and CFDs carry a high risk of loss. Leverage magnifies losses as well as gains. Never trade money you cannot afford to lose.