How popular is MT4/MT5 in Southeast Asia?

Introduction

MetaTrader 4 (MT4) and MetaTrader 5 (MT5), developed by MetaQuotes Software, are two of the world‘s most widely used retail forex trading platforms. In Southeast Asia—a region home to rapidly growing retail trading communities—both platforms have made significant inroads. This article examines their relative popularity, regional usage patterns, and the factors driving traders’ preferences.

About MT4

• Global & Regional Market Share

  MT4 remains the dominant platform for retail FX trading worldwide. Over 90% of forex brokers continue to support MT4 as their primary interface. In Asia, including Southeast Asia, MT4s versatility and vast ecosystem of Expert Advisors (EAs) and custom indicators cement its top position—industry surveys regularly cite MT4 as the most popular choice among traders and brokers alike.

• Broker Adoption in Southeast Asia

  Brokers operating in key markets such as Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia almost universally offer MT4. For example, top Thai-friendly brokers list MT4 alongside MT5 as standard offerings, underscoring its entrenched status in the region.

• Mobile & Desktop Usage

  In Malaysia, 78% of retail forex trades are executed via mobile apps, with MT4s mobile version among the leading choices for on-the-go trading. Its intuitive interface and reliable execution speed make MT4 a go-to for both novice and experienced traders across Southeast Asia.

About MT5

• Global Trading Volume

  Though MT4 leads in broker support, MT5 is rapidly gaining ground. A recent industry report shows MT5 now accounts for 54.2% of combined trading volume on MetaTrader platforms, compared to 45.8% for MT4. This shift reflects MT5s enhanced features, such as expanded market depth, more order types, and multi-asset support (including stocks and commodities).

• Regional Roll-out

  Southeast Asian brokers are progressively rolling out MT5 to meet evolving trader demands. In markets like Singapore and the Philippines, where multi-asset trading is popular, brokers advertise MT5 as a way to trade not only FX but also indices, shares, and cryptocurrencies using a single interface.

Country Snapshots

• Malaysia

  With a mature online-trading infrastructure, Malaysian brokers often support both MT4 and MT5. Retail trading volumes surged by 45% since 2020, primarily on digital platforms like MT4 mobile and MT5 desktop.

• Thailand

  Thai brokers typically list MT4/MT5 as “award-winning” third-party platforms. Demo accounts for MT4 are especially common, allowing new traders to test strategies before committing real capital.

• Indonesia & Vietnam

  Though comprehensive usage data is scarce, the widespread availability of MT4 among licensed brokers in Indonesia and Vietnam implies high adoption. Local Vietnamese brokers often promote MT4s vast library of free indicators, catering to the large community of technical analysts.

Why Traders Prefer MT4 & MT5

1. Extensive Ecosystem (MT4)
• 25,000+ EAs and custom indicators.
• Strong user community offering strategy libraries and support.
2. Advanced Functionality (MT5)
• Native multi-asset capability (forex, CFDs, stocks, futures).
• More order types (e.g., buy stop limit, sell stop limit) and timeframes.
• Built-in economic calendar and improved depth-of-market (DOM) tools.
3. Broker Support & Regulation
• Southeast Asian regulators such as MAS (Singapore) and SCM (Malaysia) oversee brokers that offer MT4/MT5, ensuring platform integrity and fund safety.
4. Low Costs & Accessibility
• Both platforms are free to use; brokers earn via spreads and commissions.
• Lightweight installation and low system requirements facilitate widespread deployment across desktop and mobile.

Future Outlook

• Gradual Transition to MT5

  Although MT4‘s dominance is unlikely to wane in the short term, MT5’s momentum suggests a gradual shift. Newer brokers—and those targeting multi-asset traders—are likely to prioritize MT5 on onboarding materials and promotions.

• Potential MT4 Sunset

  MetaQuotes has signaled that future innovation will focus on MT5, suggesting that at some point, MT4 support may taper. Brokers in Southeast Asia could then phase in MT5 features, encouraging traders to migrate over time.

Conclusion

MT4 and MT5 both play pivotal roles in Southeast Asia‘s booming retail forex market. MT4’s unparalleled ecosystem and broker ubiquity make it the default choice for many, while MT5s richer feature set and multi-asset capabilities are drawing a growing segment of sophisticated traders. As regional infrastructure and regulatory frameworks continue to evolve, traders can expect both platforms to coexist, each serving distinct needs, before MT5 ultimately takes center stage.

Whether you‘re a beginner exploring MT4’s strategy library or an experienced trader leveraging MT5‘s advanced order types, Southeast Asia’s vibrant trading scene ensures ample opportunities to thrive on both platforms.