MetaTrader 5 vs Forex Tester (2026)
MetaTrader 5 (free trading platform with built-in tick-level backtesting for mql5 expert advisors) and Forex Tester (windows bar-replay simulator for manual forex backtesting, sold as a one-time license) solve backtesting differently. The table below compares them on verified specs and pricing; full details are in each review.
Side by side
| MetaTrader 5 | Forex Tester | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 7.5 / 10 | 6.8 / 10 |
| Engine type | event-driven | bar-replay |
| Pricing model | freemium | one-time |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes |
| Entry price | $0 | $149 one-time |
| Languages | MQL5, Python (data/trading API only, not usable in the Strategy Tester) | C++, Delphi, no-code (manual replay) |
| Asset classes | forex, CFDs (indices, commodities, crypto), stocks (broker/exchange-dependent), futures (broker/exchange-dependent) | forex, crypto, stocks, indices, commodities, metals, ETFs, futures (Online version) |
| Bundled data | 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) | Free Basic Data covers 18 symbols with medium-quality 1-minute bars and monthly updates. The paid Super Data subscription covers 860+ symbols (131 forex pairs, 569 stocks, 111 indices, 22 commodities, 20 metals, crypto) with real tick data, floating spreads, up to 25 years of history, and daily updates. |
| Finest resolution | tick (every tick based on real ticks) | tick |
| Live trading | Yes | No |
| Options support | No | No |
| Open source | No | No |
MetaTrader 5
Free trading platform with built-in tick-level backtesting for MQL5 expert advisors
Forex Tester
Windows bar-replay simulator for manual forex backtesting, sold as a one-time license
Frequently asked questions
Is MetaTrader 5 better than Forex Tester?+
They target different users. 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. Forex Tester: discretionary forex (and cfd/futures) traders on windows who want realistic manual bar-replay practice and journaling rather than code-driven quantitative research. Our scores: MetaTrader 5 7.5/10, Forex Tester 6.8/10.
Which is cheaper, MetaTrader 5 or Forex Tester?+
MetaTrader 5 entry pricing: $0 (freemium). Forex Tester: $149 one-time (one-time). 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.