xard777 wrote: Sun Jan 11, 2026 4:20 pm
Your welcome, yes -- Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC is lovely to use and fast -- I can't help notice that the new Windows/MT5 is causing a lot of problems with existing code no longer working when compiled -- I have been looking at cTrader as an alternative to MT5 and think that I might port all of my MT5 setup over to cTrader as I don't want to be spending days on end trying to create workarounds for MT5
Why C# > MQL5 (Straight Facts)
Universal Powerhouse: C# is full .NET—Visual Studio IDE, massive dev community (millions vs MQL5's niche), hire devs cheap/easy ($20-50/hr freelancers everywhere). MQL5? Proprietary C++-lite, scarce talent, stuck in MetaQuotes silo. cTrader vs MT5
No Deprecation Hell: "Compiles forever"—C# ecosystem stable, no MT5-style build nukes breaking 70% of your indicators. Hot-reload edits without restart. MQL5? Constant rewrites like your pain. MT5 vs cTrader
Modern Tools: Async/await, LINQ for clean data (RSI arrays? One-liner), NuGet libs (no reinventing wheels). MQL5? Clunky arrays, manual buffers. Backtests visual + tick-precise. cTrader vs MT5
Scales Better: Cloud hosting free (no VPS), multi-thread safe.
Your Win: Port once, trade forever—no more "70% broken" compiles. GoMarkets Mauritius cTrader = ECN clean + C# beast mode
Plus my current broker already offers cTrader which means easier to get up and running.
Anyway, I will give it a try and let you know how I get on.
If it works out to be better, I will post a Ctrader setup for everyone to use
Best,
Xard777
MetaTrader 5 (MT5) would be my pick over cTrader for most trading scenarios, especially if algorithmic trading is a key focus. Here's a breakdown of why, based on their core strengths, limitations, and how they align with practical use cases:
Community and Ecosystem
MT5 has a massive, established community—think millions of users worldwide, with thousands of pre-built Expert Advisors (EAs), custom indicators, scripts, and trading signals available through its marketplace. This means you can often find ready-made solutions or get help quickly from forums, without reinventing the wheel. cTrader's ecosystem (via cBots and indicators) is solid but much smaller, with only a fraction of the resources. If you're building or tweaking strategies, MT5's scale saves time and reduces frustration.
Programming and Customization Flexibility
You highlighted the languages: MT5's MQL5 is C++-based (efficient for high-performance tasks), and its Python integration is a game-changer—it lets you leverage Python's vast libraries for things like data analysis, machine learning (e.g., via pandas, scikit-learn), or even AI-driven strategies. This dual support gives you more options if your skills span both worlds or if you want to experiment. cTrader relies on C#, which is modern, clean, and great if you're already in the .NET ecosystem, but it's more limited in scope without the same breadth of external integrations. For complex algo development, MT5's multi-threaded backtesting and optimization tools (which can run 3-5x faster than single-threaded alternatives) edge it out for efficiency.
Performance and Reliability
MT5 is built for heavy loads: its multi-threaded architecture handles high-frequency trading, multiple open positions, and concurrent strategies better, especially on standard hardware. It's proven in high-volume environments and supports a wider range of asset classes (forex, stocks, futures, crypto) out of the box. cTrader excels in execution speed for ECN/STP setups and has a sleeker UI, but it can feel less robust for scaling complex automations without additional tweaks.
Broker Support and Accessibility
MT5 is the industry standard, supported by far more brokers globally, which means easier access to liquidity, lower spreads, and fewer compatibility issues. If you're switching brokers or scaling up, this matters. cTrader is excellent for transparency (e.g., Level II pricing) and is preferred by some premium brokers, but its availability is more niche—fewer options overall.
Potential Drawbacks and When cTrader Wins
MT5's interface can feel dated compared to cTrader's modern, intuitive design, which might appeal if you're prioritizing a clean user experience for manual trading. cTrader also offers free cloud hosting for up to 10 algo instances, which is handy for testing without a VPS. If you're deeply invested in C# or need ultra-fast order execution for scalping in a pure ECN environment, cTrader could be the better fit. But for versatility, especially with Python's growing role in trading (e.g., for backtesting with real tick data or integrating external APIs), MT5 pulls ahead.
In short, MT5's broader ecosystem, performance for algos, and language flexibility make it more future-proof and practical for most traders starting out or expanding their strategies. If your specific needs (e.g., C# expertise or UI preferences) tip the scales, I'd reassess, but based on what you've described,
MT5 gets the nod.
-- Above with AI Research, In my words as below ------
I have started porting to MT5 recently and came across same thing as you mentioned. So i kept everything minimal with MT5 and started using python. That way you can benefit from
- Python is Easy and AI can code so much better and faster
- it have built in library for indicator calculation just import. its 100x faster than MT5 so blazing fast
- There are so many backtesting library
- You can have any GUI like, the way you like
- In future, if you decide you have your own AI/ML model that you can use and train- built in Tensorflow, pytorch
- You can use your python code with most broker - who provide Trading API - It means you are not depedant on MT5, CTrader or any platform, You just use their charting platform
Just another perspective i thought i share with you.
