The best MetaTrader 5 (MT5) brokers in 2026 are Admirals, Pepperstone, IC (IC Markets), FP Markets, CMC Markets, Tickmill and Exness. Each stands out in a different area of MT5 trading. US readers need a separate list: only brokers registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and members of the National Futures Association (NFA) may offer forex trading in the United States. FOREX.com and Trading.com are covered separately for that reason.

The brokers in this guide passed three checks. MT5 had to be available to clients outside a single home market, the broker’s group had to hold at least one Tier-1 or Tier-2 license, and the broker’s website had to publish MT5 information that could be checked. Licenses from offshore jurisdictions, such as the Seychelles entities that serve international clients at several of these brokers, are labeled Tier-3 in this guide. Although MetaTrader 5 is the same software at every broker, costs, tools and customer protection depend on the company operating the MT5 server. Each entry therefore identifies that company.

This guide explains why each broker was selected, along with its advantages, disadvantages and MT5 offering. It also covers US brokers, the selection process, MT5 basics, MT4 versus MT5, safety, how to choose a broker and how to open an account. The comparison uses only figures published on the brokers’ own websites.

Risk warning: Forex and CFDs are complex products. Trading them with leverage carries a high risk of losing money rapidly. Responsible trading means using only money you can afford to lose. This guide is general information, not investment advice or a solicitation to open an account.

What Are the Best MetaTrader 5 Brokers in 2026?

The seven international brokers below each lead in a different MT5 category. The appropriate choice depends on how you intend to trade:

• Admirals: Best for a complete MT5 setup, with three MT5 accounts and a free plugin.
• Pepperstone: Best for Razor pricing and 28 Smart Trader Tools.
• IC (IC Markets): Best for raw pricing, with MT5 servers in the Equinix NY4 data center.
• FP Markets: Best for a broad CFD range, with more than 800 MT5 instruments across seven asset classes.
• CMC Markets: Best for futures CFDs, among more than 1,100 MT5 instruments.
• Tickmill: Best for a $3 raw commission, with hedging and automated trading allowed.
• Exness: Best for currency choice, with more than 100 pairs and a free VPS.

US residents should refer to the US section, which covers FOREX.com and Trading.com.

1. Admirals

Admirals is a multi-asset broker whose group holds a CySEC license through Admirals Europe Ltd. It operates three separate MT5 account types for different traders. The figures in this section come from its international website, which Admirals SC Ltd operates under the Financial Services Authority (FSA) of Seychelles.

Admirals has the most complete MT5 setup in this selection. Every Admirals MT5 account includes the MT Supreme Edition plugin at no additional cost. Its main advantage is the range of MT5 accounts, while the principal drawback for international clients is that they use an offshore entity.

Advantages of Admirals

• Three MT5 accounts: CFD, zero-spread and stock-investing accounts all operate on MT5.
• Free tools: MT Supreme Edition adds a mini terminal, trading simulator and spread recorder.
• Order-fill record: The company reports that 99.68% of orders were filled at the requested price or better.

Disadvantages of Admirals

• Tier-3 license: International clients join Admirals SC Ltd, which holds a Seychelles FSA license, SD073. The group’s CySEC license applies only to Admirals Europe Ltd.
• Regional terms: The EU website lists different spreads and deposit requirements, so clients should check the website for their country.
• StereoTrader condition: StereoTrader is a one-click trading panel with more than 35 commands, OCO orders and dynamic trailing. Free access requires €4,000 in equity in a live account.

Admirals offers more than 6,000 instruments on MT5 across three account types. Its international website lists the relevant symbols, costs and tools for MT5 traders.

Invest.MT5 is the feature that most clearly distinguishes Admirals. The account uses no leverage and allows users to buy exchange-listed stocks and ETFs inside MT5 rather than trading CFDs on them. Investors can therefore hold shares for the long term while trading forex on the same platform.

2. Pepperstone

Pepperstone was founded in Melbourne, and its group holds FCA and ASIC licenses. MT5 is one of its five platforms, alongside MT4, cTrader, TradingView and its proprietary platform. International clients open accounts with Pepperstone Markets Ltd, which is licensed by the Securities Commission of The Bahamas (SCB).

Pepperstone’s inclusion is primarily based on the additional tools it provides for MT5. Clients receive the 28-app Smart Trader Tools package, while the Razor account provides raw forex pricing. Its strengths in MT5 tools and global reach are balanced by the use of an offshore entity for international clients and a high proportion of losing retail accounts.

Advantages of Pepperstone

• 28 Smart Trader Tools: The package adds expert advisors and indicators to MT5.
• Global reach: The company reports 900,000 clients in 160 countries.
• Support team: Support is available 24 hours a day on weekdays and 18 hours a day at weekends.

Disadvantages of Pepperstone

• Tier-2 license: International clients join the Bahamas company rather than the FCA- or ASIC-regulated entities.
• Loss rate: Pepperstone’s risk warning states that 80% of retail CFD accounts lose money.
• Account-dependent tools: Some tools may depend on the account type.

Pepperstone operates both of its CFD accounts, Standard and Razor, on MT5. Its international pages list the applicable symbols, costs and tools.

The Razor account is Pepperstone’s clearest distinction. It quotes raw spreads on forex and gold, with spot gold from 0.08 points, and adds a commission from $3.50 per lot per side. Gold traders can compare that raw spread plus commission with the Standard account’s all-in spread.

3. IC (IC Markets)

IC (IC Markets) is the trading name used by Raw Trading Ltd for international clients under the Seychelles FSA. The group’s European company, IC Markets (EU) Ltd, holds a CySEC license. MT5 is available on both of IC’s account families: Raw Pricing and Standard.

Raw pricing is IC’s main MT5 strength. The broker says its MT5 accounts obtain prices from as many as 25 pricing providers, providing deep liquidity from interbank sources. Its low raw pricing and open trading rules are offset by an offshore license and leverage that IC may change at any time.

Advantages of IC

• Tight spreads: IC reports an average EUR/USD spread of 0.1 pips on Raw Spread.
• Lower commission tiers: Larger deposits reduce the commission to $1.50 or $1.00 per side.
• Open trading rules: IC sets no minimum order distance and permits hedging.

Disadvantages of IC

• Tier-3 license: International clients deal with Raw Trading Ltd, which holds a Seychelles FSA license, SD018.
• Changing leverage: IC can change leverage at any time, which may increase margin requirements.
• Restricted countries: IC does not serve the US, Canada, Iran or North Korea.

IC offers four MetaTrader account types on MT5 with raw or standard pricing. Its international website lists the symbols, costs and tools available to MT5 traders.

Server location is IC’s main distinguishing feature. All IC MT5 servers are located in the Equinix NY4 data center, and IC reports latency of less than 1 millisecond to major VPS providers there. The short distance can support fast execution for expert advisors running on a nearby VPS instead of a home computer.

4. FP Markets

FP Markets is a multi-asset broker whose group companies are licensed by the Seychelles FSA, Australia’s ASIC and South Africa’s FSCA. MT5 is one of its main platforms.

The broker’s selection of asset classes is its main MT5 feature. Its MT5 page lists more than 800 CFD trading instruments across seven asset classes on one platform. Its broad lineup and raw pricing are balanced by different regulatory tiers and terms that vary between regional websites.

Advantages of FP Markets

• More than 70 currency pairs: Forex traders receive a broad list of pairs alongside the other asset classes.
• Raw spreads: Major pairs start at 0.0 pips.
• No minimum deposit: FP Markets’ MT5 page states that no minimum deposit applies.

Disadvantages of FP Markets

• Mixed regulatory tiers: A Seychelles company operates alongside the ASIC-regulated entity, so protection depends on the company that opens the account.
• Regional terms: Deposit requirements differ between regional websites.
• Mobile limitations: FP Markets notes that some MT5 features are limited on mobile.

FP Markets lists more than 800 instruments with raw pricing on MT5. Its MT5 and account pages provide the relevant symbols, costs and tools.

Bond CFDs are a notable feature of the FP Markets offering. Its MT5 page lists UK long-term gilts and US 10-year Treasury Notes alongside more than 70 currency pairs. A forex trader can therefore add a bond position without opening a second platform.

5. CMC Markets

CMC Markets belongs to a parent group listed on the London Stock Exchange and included in the FTSE 250 index. It offers MT5 alongside MT4, TradingView and its proprietary platform. Its international website is operated by CMC Markets Bermuda Limited under the Bermuda Monetary Authority (BMA), while the MT5 figures in this guide come from its Canadian company, which is a CIRO member.

Futures CFDs distinguish CMC Markets from the other brokers in this list. Its MT5 range contains more than 1,100 CFD instruments, including futures, forex, indices, commodities and shares.

The broker combines a diverse MT5 market range and low share costs with the limitation that the cited MT5 figures come from its Canadian company rather than its international operation.

Advantages of CMC Markets

• Raw FX Active pricing: Six major pairs start at 0.0 pips.
• No share commission: Global shares carry a $0 commission.
• Diverse range: Forex, indices, commodities, futures and shares are available in one MT5 account.

Disadvantages of CMC Markets

• Canadian data: The MT5 figures come from CMC’s Canadian page, so the international offering may differ.
• BMA entity abroad: International clients join the Bermuda company.
• Restricted markets: The international website is not directed at US or Belgian residents.

CMC Markets offers more than 1,100 instruments on MT5 through two account types. Its Canadian MT5 page lists the applicable symbols, costs and tools.

Execution speed is the broker’s specific point of difference. CMC Markets reports an average execution time of 0.062 seconds for MT5 market orders. Traders can use that published figure as a benchmark when testing fills on a demo account.

6. Tickmill

Tickmill is a multi-regulated broker. Its group holds licenses from the UK FCA, CySEC, South Africa’s FSCA and the Seychelles FSA. Both of its main accounts operate on MT5.

Tickmill combines low spreads with a small commission. Its Raw account starts at 0.0 pips and charges a $3 commission per lot per side on both MT4 and MT5. Flexible account rules and swap-free options are balanced by an offshore entity for international clients and a higher starting deposit.

Advantages of Tickmill

• Spread-only option: The Classic account charges no commission.
• Strategy flexibility: Hedging and automated trading are permitted on every account.
• Swap-free accounts: Eligible clients can open Islamic versions of every account.

Disadvantages of Tickmill

• Tier-3 license: International clients join Tickmill Ltd, which holds a Seychelles FSA license, SD008, rather than the FCA- or CySEC-regulated companies.
• $100 minimum: Both accounts start at $100, compared with $0 at Pepperstone and IC.
• Restricted markets: Tickmill’s services are not directed at Singapore, the US, Iran, India or Japan.

Tickmill operates its Classic and Raw accounts on MT5. Its account and platform pages list the symbols, costs and tools available to MT5 traders.

Tickmill reports an average MT5 execution time of 0.15 seconds and allows scalping on every account. A scalper holding trades for seconds can therefore use the same strategy on either the Classic or Raw account.

7. Exness

Exness operates its international website through five companies, each licensed in its own jurisdiction: Seychelles, Curaçao, the British Virgin Islands, Belize and Mauritius. Exness (SC) Ltd also holds an FSCA authorization in South Africa, the only Tier-2 license among the five. The group’s UK FCA and Cyprus CySEC companies do not serve retail clients.

MT5 is one of Exness’s main platforms for CFD trading. The platform offers more than 100 currency pairs, and Exness provides a free VPS through its Personal Area.

Exness combines a low entry cost and raw pricing with weaker regulation, extremely high leverage and a long list of countries it does not serve.

Advantages of Exness

• $10 starting amount: The Standard account opens with $10 and no commission.
• Raw pricing: Raw Spread costs up to $3.50 per side, or $7 per round turn.
• Copy trading in MT5: An account can copy another trader’s orders through MT5 signals.

Disadvantages of Exness

• Offshore licenses: Except for the FSCA authorization, its international operation uses Tier-3 licenses.
• Extremely high leverage: Leverage of up to 1:Unlimited with a 0% stop-out level can wipe out an entire balance.
• Restricted markets: Exness does not serve the US, Canada, Europe or the UK.

Exness offers four account types and more than 200 CFD instruments on MT5. Its MT5 and account pages list the symbols, costs and tools available to traders.

The free VPS is Exness’s main distinguishing feature. Each VPS includes two CPU cores and 2 GB of RAM, compared with one CPU core on IC’s entry VPS tier. An expert advisor can continue trading while the user’s own computer is turned off.

Which MT5 Brokers Accept US Traders?

MT5 brokers accepting US traders must be registered with the CFTC and members of the NFA. On the research date, the two confirmed options were FOREX.com and Trading.com.

None of the seven international brokers above appears in the US section because none of their international websites lists CFTC registration. IC, CMC Markets, Tickmill and Exness also state that they do not serve US residents.

No US regulator ranks brokers, so there is no official number-one broker in the United States. Of the two options, FOREX.com covers more markets on MT5 because it adds futures to forex, while Trading.com lists forex only.

Is MT5 Forex Trading Legal in the USA?

Yes. MT5 is trading software, and US citizens may use it as long as the forex broker behind the account is registered with US regulators.

US forex rules also limit leverage for retail traders. They must post at least 2% margin on major currency pairs and 5% on other pairs. A $100,000 position in a major currency pair therefore requires $2,000.

Offshore dealers are a major risk for US forex traders. The CFTC reports more fraud complaints from customers of unregistered offshore dealers, some of which block withdrawals until customers pay additional fees. The CFTC identifies leverage above US limits as a warning sign of fraud. NFA BASIC, the NFA’s online database, shows a firm’s registration and disciplinary history.

FOREX.com

FOREX.com provides US MT5 traders with a forex account, additional tools and access to futures through its parent, StoneX Group. The MT5 account includes the following features:

• Tools: More than 20 expert advisors and custom indicators from FX Blue, as well as integrated Reuters news.
• VPS: FOREX.com offers free VPS hosting to qualifying MT5 customers.
• Demo account: The MT5 demo includes $50,000 in virtual funds and expires after 90 days.
• Futures on MT5: Futures and futures options operate through StoneX Financial Inc. and require a StoneX futures account and an MT5 subscription.

Trading.com

Trading.com is a forex-only option for US MT5 traders. Trading.com Markets Inc. operates it from its New York office, and its US offering is limited:

• Products: Forex is the only instrument type listed for US clients.
• Platforms: Trading.com offers MT5 alongside its own WebTrader and mobile app.

How We Chose These MT5 Brokers

Every broker had to pass a three-part screening process. Brokers that passed were then ranked according to the quality of their published MT5 data.

• MT5 for international clients: The broker’s official website had to confirm that MT5 was available to clients outside a single home market.
• Regulation: The group had to hold at least one Tier-1 license from the FCA, ASIC, CySEC or CIRO, or a Tier-2 license from the FSCA, SCB or BMA.
• Published MT5 data: The official website had to publish at least two of three items: MT5 symbols, MT5 costs and MT5 tools.

The ranking considered the completeness of each broker’s official MT5 data, the tier of its regulators, and its MT5 costs and tools.

All figures came from the brokers’ official websites. No live or demo accounts were opened for testing. Broker size was not a selection criterion. As a result, XM is absent even though it reports more than 20 million clients. XM and FxPro failed the screening process because their official MT5 pages published too little MT5-specific information to verify. Because several brokers publish different spreads and deposit terms on their regional websites, the figures in this guide describe the entity named in each section, and the current terms for a specific country should be confirmed on the official website before funding an account.

US readers are subject to a separate requirement—CFTC registration and NFA membership—because other brokers may not serve them.

What Is MetaTrader 5?

MetaTrader 5 is a multi-asset trading platform released by MetaQuotes in 2010 for trading forex, stocks and futures. It includes more than 80 built-in analytical tools. Brokers license the platform and connect it to their own servers and prices.

Any forex broker that licenses MT5 from MetaQuotes can offer it. There is therefore a long list of brokers with MT5, and the broker selected matters more than the software itself.

Is MT5 Free?

MT5 is free to download and use with a broker account. The costs users actually pay are the broker’s trading charges, including spreads, commissions and swaps. Swaps are the overnight interest charged or paid on positions held beyond the daily rollover.

Optional extras may cost money. MetaQuotes rents virtual hosting inside the platform after a 24-hour free trial, and some robots and indicators in the MT5 Market are paid. Some brokers cover VPS costs instead. IC, for example, does so once a client trades 15 lots of forex and metals in a month.

Can You Use MT5 Without a Broker?

Live trading on MT5 is not possible without a broker. However, users can download the platform and open a demo account with virtual money for practice. MT5 requires users to select a trading server when opening an account, and a live account always requires a broker’s server.

MT5 Desktop, Web and Mobile

MT5 is available in three versions: a desktop application for Windows and Mac, a web version that works in any browser, and mobile applications for iOS and Android.

MT4 vs MT5: Which Trading Platform Should You Use?

MT5 is the better choice for most traders comparing MT4 and MT5 because MetaQuotes built it with 21 timeframes, compared with nine on MT4. It also supports more pending-order types and exchange markets that MT4 does not cover.

MT5 suits new traders and people who want stocks or futures alongside forex, with more order types available on one platform. MT4 may remain appropriate for traders who rely on MQL4 expert advisors or indicators they already own. MT4 expert advisors and indicators do not run on MT5 unless they are rewritten in MQL5 because the platforms use different programming environments. Traders who rely on existing MQL4 files therefore have a reason to check for MQL5 versions before switching platforms.

Best MT5 Broker for Beginner Forex Traders

Pepperstone is identified in this guide as the best MT5 broker for beginners because it has a $0 minimum deposit, a $10 minimum funding amount and 28 Smart Trader Tools for MT5. Exness is another low-cost option, with a $10 Standard account, but its unlimited leverage means beginners should keep positions small.

Traders can take three steps to reduce risk before funding an MT5 account:

1. Start with a demo account: Practice placing orders and setting stop losses with virtual money before adding real funds.
2. Check the minimum deposit: Entry accounts in this list start at $0 at Pepperstone and IC and reach $100 at Tickmill. The account should match an amount the trader can afford to lose.
3. Check the add-ons: Confirm that tools such as Smart Trader Tools or MT Supreme Edition are included with the selected account type.

Is MT5 Safe?

MT5 is legitimate online trading software built by MetaQuotes and licensed by each broker in this guide. However, the safety of customer funds depends on the broker entity.

MetaTrader 5 is not a broker, so the question of whether MT5 is a good broker has no direct answer. MetaQuotes states that it provides no investment or brokerage services. The forex broker operating the MT5 server sets prices, holds customer funds and processes orders.

Protection can vary between entities under the same brand. Admirals SC Ltd in Seychelles insures client money for up to $100,000 if the company becomes insolvent, but not against trading losses. CMC Markets Bermuda provides negative balance protection to retail clients, meaning they cannot lose more than they deposit. Tickmill’s UK and EU clients have compensation schemes of up to £120,000 and €20,000, respectively, while its Seychelles entity does not list those schemes.

Three checks can help determine how a broker handles customer funds:

• Entity name: Read the account agreement to identify the company that will hold the funds and determine whether it keeps client money in segregated accounts separate from its own funds.
• Regulatory tier: Check whether that company is regulated by a Tier-1 regulator such as the FCA, ASIC or CySEC, a Tier-2 regulator, or an offshore regulator.
• Register lookup: Search the license number on the regulator’s own register. US residents can use NFA BASIC, which also shows a firm’s disciplinary history.

How to Choose an MT5 Forex Broker

Choosing an MT5 broker involves seven checks, beginning with the entity that will hold the account and ending with whether the broker serves the trader’s country:

1. Regulation: Check the regulator of the entity joining the account, not only the licenses held by the wider group.
2. Symbols on MT5: Count the instruments offered specifically on MT5 rather than the broker’s total across all platforms.
3. MT5 account types and costs: Compare spreads and per-lot commissions on the account that will actually be used. A competitive spread on one account may be accompanied by a commission on another.
4. Non-trading fees: Review withdrawal, inactivity and currency-conversion fees on the broker’s fee page, and check how long withdrawals take to process.
5. MT5 tools and VPS: Confirm which add-ons and VPS terms apply to the selected account type.
6. Minimum deposit and demo: Check the minimum deposit, available payment methods and whether a demo account is offered.
7. Availability in the country: Confirm that the broker serves residents of the relevant country and provides customer support in the required language.

The three brokers that publish a named MT5 add-on package offer the tools described in their respective sections.

The number of symbols on MT5 requires particular attention because a broker’s headline figure may include every platform it operates. CMC Markets’ international website lists 12,000 financial instruments across all its platforms, while its Canadian MT5 page lists more than 1,100 trading instruments. A trader using only MT5 should therefore plan around the smaller MT5 figure.

How to Open an MT5 Demo or Live Account

Opening an MT5 account and connecting it to a broker generally involves seven steps:

1. Choose the broker and entity: Check which company will open the account.
2. Register and verify: Complete know-your-customer (KYC) checks using an identity document and proof of address.
3. Choose an MT5 account type: Select MT5 and choose either a raw-spread or spread-only account.
4. Fund the account: Deposit through the broker’s client area rather than inside MT5.
5. Download MT5: Install the desktop or mobile application, or use the web version.
6. Log in: Enter the account number, password and broker server name.
7. Test on demo first: Before placing a live order, make a test trade on a demo account with the same broker.