AmiBroker vs MetaTrader 5 (2026)
AmiBroker (windows desktop platform for high-speed portfolio backtesting in the afl language) and MetaTrader 5 (free trading platform with built-in tick-level backtesting for mql5 expert advisors) solve backtesting differently. The table below compares them on verified specs and pricing; full details are in each review.
Side by side
| AmiBroker | MetaTrader 5 | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 7.8 / 10 | 7.5 / 10 |
| Engine type | hybrid | event-driven |
| Pricing model | one-time | freemium |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Entry price | $0 | $0 |
| Languages | AFL (AmiBroker Formula Language), C++ (plugin ADK), JScript/VBScript (OLE automation) | MQL5, Python (data/trading API only, not usable in the Strategy Tester) |
| Asset classes | stocks, ETFs, futures, forex, mutual funds, crypto (via imported data) | forex, CFDs (indices, commodities, crypto), stocks (broker/exchange-dependent), futures (broker/exchange-dependent) |
| Bundled data | No market data is bundled. The AmiQuote companion app (included in the Ultimate Pack, $99 standalone) downloads free EOD data from Yahoo Finance and Stooq, plus limited free intraday from Barchart OnDemand. Paid sources (Tiingo, eSignal, IQFeed, Norgate, Interactive Brokers) plug in when you need higher quality. | Free historical bar and tick data downloaded automatically from your broker's server; 'real ticks' coverage and quality vary by broker (99%+ modeling quality requires a broker with full tick archives) |
| Finest resolution | tick (Professional edition, with a tick-capable feed such as eSignal or Interactive Brokers); Standard edition is limited to minute bars | tick (every tick based on real ticks) |
| Live trading | Yes | Yes |
| Options support | No | No |
| Open source | No | No |
AmiBroker
Windows desktop platform for high-speed portfolio backtesting in the AFL language
MetaTrader 5
Free trading platform with built-in tick-level backtesting for MQL5 expert advisors
Frequently asked questions
Is AmiBroker better than MetaTrader 5?+
They target different users. AmiBroker: systematic eod and swing traders on windows who want the fastest affordable portfolio-level backtesting and optimization, own their data pipeline, and don't need turnkey live execution or options modeling. MetaTrader 5: forex and cfd algo traders who want free tick-level backtesting and a direct, unchanged path from tested ea to live execution on almost any retail broker. Our scores: AmiBroker 7.8/10, MetaTrader 5 7.5/10.
Which is cheaper, AmiBroker or MetaTrader 5?+
AmiBroker entry pricing: $0 (one-time). MetaTrader 5: $0 (freemium). See each review for full verified pricing tables.
Educational content only, not investment advice. Specs and prices come from each platform's official pages; see the individual reviews for sources and last-verified dates.